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PUSH! FILM FESTIVAL
Volume 30 • Issue #46 Publisher Luci Tate
happenings
Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle
4 PUSH! Film Festival
5 ‘BELIEVE’ Debuts at PUSH!
Cover Design Bill May
6 Northeast State Theatre presents NO EXIT 7 The Jason Bishop Show at NPAC
Advertising Dave Carter Patti Barr Sam Jones Shawn Hale Paul Kavanaugh Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian McManus Joshua Hicks Brian Bishop Daniel Worley Jason Worley Langley Shazor 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)
8 ‘BRAVE’ Vocalist’ 10 JRT Presents The Legend of Sleepy Hollow 11 WETS-FM Fall Fundraiser 13 Rough & Tumble at Wolf Hills Brewing 14 The Forlorn Strangers at Willow Tree 15 Gracie Day at Acoustic Coffeehouse 23 Jonesborough Welcomes Sheila Kay Adams
columns & reviews 18 Stargazer - Marq Enjoys Bashing “New Astrology” 19 Skies This Week 20 Batteries Not Included - Make Halloween Great Again 20 The Casual Word - Fidelis Ad Mortem 21 Pop Life - The Girl On The Train 22 Mountain Movers - The Marc Tragler Interview 24 The Trivial Traveler - Houdini’s Last Curtain Call 27 Appalachian Wanderers - Frozen Head State Park 31 Kelly’s Place - Halloween Horrors 2016 (Part 3)
24 Volunteers Needed for Race For The Cure 28 Things To Do 29 Pets Of The Week 30 Classifieds
music & fun 16
Spotlight - Great Music 26 Puzzle Page
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
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USH! Film Festival has opened its box office and set the venues for the 2016 Festival weekend! The festival will host a variety of curated movies, workshops and presentations about film, along with screenings of juried films including shorts, features, and films focused on Tennessee and Virginia over the course of a three-day weekend on October 21–23, 2016. Check out the festival’s online store at www.pushfilmfest.com, where filmgoers and PUSH! supporters can purchase festival tickets! Tickets may also be purchased at Believe in Bristol located at 36 Moore Street Bristol, Virginia. Festival tickets are currently being sold at the below price levels. Weekend Pass (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday screenings) is currently available for purchase online or at Believe in Bristol for $50. These passes will also be available to purchase during the festival weekend at each of the film venues, at Believe in Bristol, and online. Beginning October 21st, the Weekend Pass will be $60. A 5-Screen Pass is currently available for purchase online or at Believe in Bristol for $20. These passes, to be used anytime throughout PUSH!, will also be available to purchase during the festival weekend at each of the film venues, at Believe in Bristol, and online. Beginning October 21st, the 5-Screen Pass will be $25. Single screening tickets may be purchased at the film venue or Believe in Bristol for $5 during festival weekend only. These tickets will not be sold online.
Festival attendees should note that because seating is limited, film attendance will be based on a first-come, first-served basis at each film venue. Film venues will be The Paramount Center for the Arts, The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and The Bristol Public Library. In addition, with PUSH! quickly approaching, there are a variety of volunteer needs during the festival. If you are interested in volunteering for PUSH!, please visit www.pushfilmfest.com. Each volunteer for PUSH! will receive two complimentary single screening tickets and a t-shirt. Underneath the ‘CONTRIBUTE’ section, you may download and complete the application. Please return the completed application via fax to Believe in Bristol, Attn: PUSH! Film Festival at (276) 644-4181 or email to ckidd@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org. PUSH! Film Festival is looking for contributors. For more information about contributing to PUSH! Film Festival, please visit www.pushfilmfest.com, or contact Christina Blevins or Maggie Bishop at 276-644-9700, pushfilmfest@believeinbristol.org. PUSH! Film Festival, held in Historic Downtown Bristol, TN/VA, hosts a variety of curated movies, workshops and presentations about film, along with screenings of juried shorts, features, and films focused on Tennessee and Virginia.
Bobby Farrelly Will Attend PUSH! Film Festival
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USH! Film Festival is excited to announce that famed film producer, director, and writer Bobby Farrelly will be in attendance during festival weekend on October 21-23, 2016 in Historic Downtown Bristol! “I’m really excited about the PUSH! [Film] Festival. I’m happy to be coming to Bristol for this, and looking forward to seeing you all [on] Opening Night,” said Farrelly. “Some of my films have screened at film festivals before, but never in East Tennessee. All I know about that area is that my friend Johnny Knoxville is from around there.” Natives of Rhode Island, Farrelly and his brother Peter have written, produced, and directed many well-known films such as There’s Something About Mary, Dumb and Dumber, Shallow Hal, and more. “Cinema is important because films tell stories about our society. And it’s important to go to film festivals because it’s getting harder and harder to find those moving films that capture a slice of life in our society,” said Farrelly. Farrelly added that having film festivals is important not just for the filmgoers, but also the filmmakers. “Everything in the theaters is a comic book movie nowadays, and it’s frustrating. But at a film festival you do get to see films that really move you. And you find inspiration at film festivals, especially for filmmakers. [Filmmakers] need to watch great films and be inspired to create [their] own.”
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PUSH! Film Festival will host a special ticketed event with Farrelly in attendance on the evening of Friday, October 21. Tickets to the event will be $10, which includes a meet-andgreet and audience question and answer session at The Paramount Center for the Arts. Fans may participate in a poll on PUSH!’s Facebook page to select which Farrelly Brothers movie to screen prior to the special event with Farrelly. Filmgoers may purchase a special event ticket by calling the Believe in Bristol office at 276-644-9700, or purchase a ticket at the venue on the day of the event. Special events are included in the purchase of a weekend pass for PUSH! Film Festival, which can be purchased on the festival website at www.pushfilmfest.com. “We are so excited to have Bobby Farrelly with us at PUSH! during the festival weekend,” said PUSH! Film Festival Chair Jessica Barnett. “Farrelly is very well recognized in the filmmaker community, as well as by filmgoers, and it is wonderful to see professionals in the film community noticing us. The committee members have worked so hard since last year’s festival prepping for 2016, and it’s great to see their hard work paying off! PUSH! is developing into a premier festival not just in the Tri-Cities, but also in the Southeast. Based off the feedback we are receiving, we are really looking forward to seeing the festival attendees in Downtown Bristol in October. This is great for opening up Bristol even more to the art of filmmaking!”
BELIEVE makes its exclusive engagement debut at the PUSH! Film Festival
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USH! Film Festival is excited to host the Festival Premiere of the film “BELIEVE” during a special red carpet event with cast and crew of the film in attendance on Saturday, October 22nd. The evening will begin promptly at 8:30pm and feature a Q&A hosted by local news correspondent, Sheridan Nichols followed by an exclusive screening of the film. “I’m thrilled to bring the film “BELIEVE” to the town of Bristol and to share this wonderful night with you,” said Ryan O’Quinn, executive producer and star of the film. “Being able to film in my hometown and sharing this with the community is the ultimate gift.” “BELIEVE”, which filmed in parts of Bristol, TN/VA and Grundy, VA over the summer of 2016, features powerful performances by an ensemble cast that includes Ryan O’Quinn (“That Thing You Do”), Issac Ryan Brown (“Blackish”), Shawnee Smith (“Anger Management,” “Grace Unplugged,”), Danielle Nicolet (“Central Intelligence,” “The Game”), David DeLuise (“Hawaii Five-O”) and Kevin Sizemore (“Miracles from Heaven”). The film is written and directed by Billy Dickson (“One Tree Hill,” “Ally McBeal”). Nelson Diaz, Jacob Patrick and Ben Holmes serve as producers. The film opens in limited engagement December 2nd. About “BELIEVE” For years, the small town of Grundy, Va. has relied on the Peyton family to provide the highlight of the year—the annual Christmas pageant. When Matthew Peyton (Ryan O’Quinn) inherits the family business, the responsibility of the Christmas pageant also falls on his shoulders. But as financial hardships fall on the town, Matthew finds himself overwhelmed. As his business profits plummet and his workers begin to strike, Matthew is forced to make a decision between selling the family business and cancelling the beloved pageant or sticking out hardships despite his rapidly declining popularity in the community. Through chance events, Matthew meets Clarence (Issac Ryan Brown), a boy who believes in miracles, and his mother Sharon (Danielle Nicolet). His newfound friends impact Matthew’s life in a way he never thought possible and teach him to believe and give faith a chance.
Filmgoers may purchase a special event ticket for $10 by calling the Believe in Bristol office at 276-644-9700, or purchase a ticket at the venue on the day of the event. Limited number of tickets will be sold to the special event, advanced purchase of tickets strongly recommended. Special events are included in the purchase of a weekend pass for PUSH! Film Festival, which can be purchased on the festival website at www.pushfilmfest. com. PUSH! Film Festival will host a variety of curated movies, workshops and presentations about film, along with screenings of juried films including shorts, features, and films focused on Tennessee and Virginia over the course of a three-day weekend on October 21–23, 2016. Check out the festival’s online store at www.pushfilmfest.com, where filmgoers and PUSH! supporters can purchase festival tickets. Tickets may also be purchased at Believe in Bristol located at 36 Moore Street Bristol, Virginia.
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Northeast State Theatre presents
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No Exit
here is our eternal destination? What does the bright light of the hereafter really hold in store? What compromises will we make to rationalize the irrational and hopeless? The Northeast State Community College Department of Theater proudly presents No Exit by French existentialist writer Jean Paul Sartre. Directed by Northeast State’s Aaron Bradley, this claustrophobic, intense play tells the tale of two women and one man locked up together for eternity in one hideous room in hell. “I wanted the play to be a serious, full-fledged dramatic production,” said Bradley who directed the department’s production of David Mamet’s American Buffalo last fall. “It asks a lot of tough questions about humanity and what people either add or subtract from overall human existence.” Bradley said the play’s existential bent operated on the notion of “good faith vs. bad faith” in human identity. Bad faith represents an individual pretends to be something he or she is not living as an imposter. Good faith human knows his or her self and lives honestly whether they are right or wrong. “The basic idea comes from Sartre’s line in the play, ‘hell is other people,’” said Bradley. “If you can’t be true to yourself, you can’t find that truth in other people and it will drive you crazy.” Caitlin Haltom plays the role of Estelle. Haltom is a three-time Kennedy Center American College Theatre festival nominee for her work in acting and stage management. She has performed in five Northeast State Theater shows and served as stage manager in last semester’s One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Some of her favorite roles include Fenris Ulf in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, and M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias. Northeast State Theater alumna Rachel Nicole Lawson portrays the character Inez. A past KCACTF Irene Ryan acting nominee, she has delighted audiences with her roles of Zombie Grandma in Night of the Living Dead, Peggy in Godspell, and Ouiser Boudreaux in Steel Magnolias. Playing the role of Cradeau is Jonathan Proctor, an experienced theater performer at the LampLight Theater, Trinity Arts Center, and Drifting Theater. He has performed with Northeast State Theater in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and The Laramie Project. The play is being stage managed by Eli Kistner who also serves as master electrician. The production features several accomplished theater veterans including Russ Onks as Scenic Designer, Ashley Guy as Costume and Mask Designer, Todd Burris as Lighting Designer, Lily Gibbons as Assistant Stage Manager, and Edgar Bowlin III as Properties Master. Director of Northeast State Theater, Elizabeth M. Sloan, is producing the play. Fellow Northeast State Theater professor Brad McKenzie is serving as Technical Director. “I just hope audiences have a response to it. Like it, love it, hate it; just think and respond,” said Bradley. “As long as we can do this, we’ve still got hope. And hope is what makes us human.” No Exit is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Tickets are $5 and admission is FREE to Northeast State students with valid identification. The play runs approximately 75 minutes with no intermission. The play’s production dates are Oct. 20, 21, and 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium (A202) of Northeast State at Blountville next to Tri-Cities Regional Airport. For tickets, visit www.northeaststate.edu/theatre or contact the Northeast State Box Office at 423.354.3159 or e-mail emsloan@ NortheastState.edu.
A Night of Magic and Illusion at NPAC
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rom his breathtaking Double Levitation to his cutting edge Op-Art and Plasma illusions, Jason Bishop brings his stunning & original state of the art magic to the NPAC stage on October 22nd at 7:30 PM. The Jason Bishop Show now tours the most dynamic illusion and magic show in the US. Each show features award winning sleight of hand, exclusive grand illusions and close-up magic that is captured live and projected onto a screen on stage. No other touring illusionist showcases such a diverse array of talents. Additionally, the show is delivered with a totally modern energy and an outstanding rock & pop soundtrack. The show is surprisingly funny and truly magical. Bishop cuts through the usual hype and focuses on entertaining audiences with one remarkable illusion after another. Each routine is presented in his unique style. Some pieces feature more laughs than are typically expected from an illusionist, while other effects literally demonstrate sleight of hand skill performed at a world-class level. Intelligent lighting, engaging audience participation and countless costume changes by Bishop’s assistant Kim are added elements that help make each performance unforgettable. Be part of the magic at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in historic downtown Greeneville, TN on Saturday, October 22nd at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $30 for orchestra level seating, $25 for mezzanine seating and $20 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. For venue information, and to purchase tickets, please visit www. npacgreeneville.com
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‘Brave’ Vocalist
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‘Best known Scottish Gaelic singer on the planet’ to bring Music of Scottish Isles to ETSU
decade before she was asked to sing the theme song to Disney Pixar’s film Brave, Julie Fowlis made a courageous decision of her own. She went from working days and spending nights playing bagpipes and whistles in pipe and folk bands – “safety in numbers,” she calls it – to the life of a full-time, and now solo, performer of traditional Scottish Gaelic music. “I used to play in orchestra,” she says. “I played oboe, and I would literally be in the bathroom being very, very ill with the thought of having to solo a few notes or phrases on my own … so I never had any intention of performing [solo] onstage.” Since making the decision to become a full-time musician, Fowlis, a native of the Outer Hebrides who still lives in Scotland, has become “North Uist’s biggest celebrity,” a BBC Folk Singer of the Year and “the best-known Scottish Gaelic singer on the planet,” says The Guardian. “Julie Fowlis’s ascent to international stardom, putting Gaelic folk on the world music map, is evidence that a sublime voice transcends language and culture,” says Neil Spencer of The Guardian. “There are some voices that carry much more than a melody,” says the Evening Standard of London. “They transport you to another place, give you goose flesh and make magic out of thin air. Julie Fowlis has just such a voice.” On Thursday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m., the quiet torchbearer for Scottish tradition will transport the audience to her homeland with Music of the Scottish Isles at East Tennessee State University’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium. “Julie Fowlis is well known in Scottish music circles, and has been influential
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in Gaelic language restoration,” says Anita DeAngelis, director of event sponsor Mary B. Martin School of the Arts at ETSU. “Most of her songs are in Gaelic, and the quality of her voice is just amazing. “In addition, she brings such a strong sense of the essence of Scottish culture to us through her music, and so many people in our region have Scottish heritage and a love for Celtic music.” Fowlis, on vocals and whistles, and her band, which includes her husband, Éamon Doorley on the Irish Bouzouki and vocals; Duncan Chisholm on fiddles and vocals; and Tony Byrne on guitar and vocals will perform a program of Scottish Gaelic songs and instrumental tunes, some of which, Fowlis says, are as many as 700 hundred years old and have been passed down orally for centuries. The concert also will include her interpretation of the classic Lennon/McCartney song “Blackbird,” which is the first Scottish Gaelic song by a solo artist to be playlisted by the BBC in London. Additionally, she will perform “Tha Mo Ghaol air Àird a’ Chuain” (“My Love is on The High Seas”), a traditional Gaelic song that was selected by Disney Pixar as the theme song of the Oscar-, BAFTA- and Golden Globe-winning movie, Brave in 2012. Fowlis has changed the face of Scottish music by proving that an artist singing almost exclusively in Gaelic can become an international success, says Robin Denselow of The Guardian. “What is more remarkable, however, is the way in which she has managed to move into the mainstream without compromising her approach.
BRAVE . . . continued on next page
BRAVE . . . continued from previous page “She may have provided songs for the Disney Pixar animation Brave and established a second career as a radio presenter, but she is still a traditional singer whose aim is to research and revive Gaelic songs – many of them from North Uist, in the Outer Hebrides, where she was brought up.” Fowlis says she simply feels “fortunate to come from a place where telling tales, sharing stories and singing songs are not only a national pastime, but rather signposts showing us where, and who, we have come from.” She has not found her program of mostly Gaelic songs to be a barrier between her and her audiences. Instead, she has found it to be a conversation starter. “The Gaelic language is only spoken by 1 percent of the population of Scotland, so … even at home … not everyone understands,” Fowlis says. Some songs she explains. Others, she says, are meant to be enjoyed on whatever level the listener member chooses. “Sometimes I’m desperate to know what the song is about,” Fowlis says. “I want to know what every word means. And other times, I’m just happy for the sound to wash over me and just to engage with the performers and the melody and what the music is saying to me.” Fowlis’ mission is to pass on those stories and melodies that the listener may never hear elsewhere and share the moment with her audience. “It is just about the singer connecting with the audience and hopefully creating something,” she says from her home in Scotland. “A concert is just a moment in time, just a passing moment that we all share together in a room, and … then that moment is gone. I do think of every concert as these moments in time that we all share together that will never happen in the same way ever again … “I promise that our show is very inclusive and will draw you
in and you will come along with us on this journey, and you will experience some of the sounds and the feel of Scotland.” The East Tennessee Celtic Festival & Games will follow the Thursday concert by Fowlis, on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21 and 22, at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton, with contemporary and traditional Celtic music and contests of skill and strength. Tickets for Fowlis’ Music of the Scottish Isles are $5 for students of all ages with ID, $20 for seniors 60-plus, and $25 for general admission. Group rates are available. For more information about her, go to www.juliefowlis.com. To purchase tickets online or for information about ETSU Mary B. Martin School of the Arts, visit www.etsu.edu/martin or call 423-439-TKTS (8587).
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The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre Presents
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow a Great Halloween Classic
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Photo credit: Heather Allen
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By Pam Johnson
he Headless Horseman. Oh, the image that brings to mind: a black cloaked, horseback riding, headless figure holding a jack o’ lantern. Spooky, classic ghost story material. The perfect thing to see this Halloween season. The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre will present Washington Irving’s well-known speculative fiction, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, for three weekends, October 21st-Novem-
ber 2nd. Set in the 1790s in the fictional settlement of Tarry Town, the legend says that Major Andre, a Hessian soldier who was beheaded by a stray cannonball during the Revolutionary War, haunts the roads of the area in search of his head. As Irving puts it, “The ghost rides forth to the scene of battle in nightly quest of his head.” But there’s a lot more to the story than a Headless Horseman. Meet Ichabod Crane, the nervous, superstitious new schoolmaster of Tarry Town; Katrina Van Tassel, Ichabod’s soon-to-be romantic interest; and the manly man Brom Bones, who is in love with Katrina. Put these three together and you have a hilarious, entertaining tale that will make you laugh, make you empathize, make you cringe, and make you shudder. And it will make you see something good, something bad, and something of yourself in each of these characters. Ichabod becomes the unfortunate target of Brom Bones and his gang,
and the unsuspecting target of the manipulative Katrina Van Tassel. “Katrina is nasty,” said Heather Allen, who portrays the beautiful daughter of a wealthy farmer. “She wants to make Brom jealous.” This she does by showering her attentions on poor Ichabod. Or should we refer to him as “poor” Ichabod? He actually has his own devious motives. “For Ichabod, it’s not about Katrina’s heart, but about her wealth.” So they both are playing a game of hearts. Then there’s Brom Bones. “He’s a bully,” said Derek Smithpeters who brings this character to life. “He likes to pick on Ichabod, especially when it becomes known that he believes in ghosts.” A perfect set-up of man versus the legend of the Headless Horseman. We have three characters, each with their own agenda. Who is the good guy? Who is the bad guy? Or is it fair to really label them like that? In talking about people in general, Derek said, “Everyone’s not all truly good or bad; both are in them. Kind of Jekyll and Hyde.” That’s why we can see some of ourselves in these characters. We can identify with their struggles, with their goals, and with their eccentricities. That’s what makes the story ring true. And that’s also what makes us laugh: poking fun at these truths about human nature. “The playwright keeps it true to Irving’s story, but she focuses on the lightheartedness, the comedy,” said director Janette Gaines. “Yes, it’s intense because there is a Headless Horseman. But there are times in our lives when we just need to laugh, and that’s what this playwright focuses on.” Janette and the actors stressed that this show is family friendly. “It’s light entertainment, and appropriate for all ages.” Janette said. “It’s the kind of story to tell around a campfire.” The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is adapted for the stage by Kathryn Shultz Miller and is sponsored by People’s Community Bank. Rounding out the engaging cast are Adam Honeycutt, Kari Tuthill, Christopher Ward, and Tara White. The JRT is located at 125½ West Main Street in Jonesborough. Shows will run on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $16, general admission, $14 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, call the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010 or go online to www. jonesboroughtheatre.com.
WETS-FM fall fundraising campaign under way
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ETS-FM (89.5), East Tennessee State University’s public radio station, is holding its fall fundraising campaign. The station is asking listeners to call with contributions to help cover the cost of programming and operations. This campaign, the 38th fundraiser in the station’s history, is especially crucial, according to station director Wayne Winkler. “We’re seeing an increase in support from the community, and that is essential for the future of WETS. We’ve taken some hits in other sources of funding. “Our federal grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was reduced by 8 percent, which translates to $11,000,” Winkler says. “This was a system-wide cut affecting all CPB-eligible stations.” Even more significant are cuts in state funding through ETSU. “In the past five years, our state budget has been reduced by 25 percent,” says Winkler. “During that time, people have left the station and we’ve been unable to hire replacements. The station is operating with two-thirds the staff it had five years ago. We’ve been able to reassign certain tasks, but we’re still short-handed.” Nearly half the station’s annual budget comes from community support, consisting of listener contributions and underwriting from local and regional businesses. So far this year, WETS has seen a significant increase in underwriting revenue, and listener contributions have remained steady. But with increases in the cost of programming, the WETS budget has gotten tighter. “That’s why we’re gratified to see significant increases in underwriting support, and modest increases in contributions from listeners. These are areas in which real growth is possible.” The station hopes to raise at least $140,000 by the time the fundraiser ends on Friday, Oct. 21. To contribute, or to volunteer to answer telephones, call 888-895-9387 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays, or 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Contributions can also be made online at www.wets. org.
Super Spooky event
is baa-aack at a new location
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emorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., will host this year’s Super Spooky Saturday on Oct. 22 from 5-9 p.m. Families will enjoy carnival games, an inflatable obstacle course, marshmallow roasting, hayrides, face painting, and many
more surprises. Admission is free. Concessions will be available on site. Activities will take place at the following times:
• 5-7 p.m.: Children’s activities • 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.: Storytelling
• 7-9 p.m.: Nightmare on Bert Street Haunted Walk (A super
spooky extra: $2 per person) For more information, please call (423)434-5749. theloaferonline.com | October 18, 2016 | 11
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THE ROUGH & TUMBLE @ Wolf Hills Brewing Co.
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he Rough & Tumble used to say they were from Nashville, TN. That was before April 2015 when 5 year members Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler quit their day jobs, moved out of their house and into a small pull-behind camper. Then they hit the road with their dog, Butter, and have been touring all over the country, singing their americana-folk songs for warm and receptive audiences. Haunting, quirky, solemn, and spritely, The Rough & Tumble are for the faint of heart and the strong of will. After recording 3 EP’s and a double album about under-appreciated holidays, the duo released their latest, a 7 song EP, Pieces and Pieces, a project tied to a corresponding Alyssa Pearson film about women, war and PTSD. On Saturday, October 22nd, they will be performing at Wolf Hills Brewing Company in Abingdon, VA at 6PM. The Rough & Tumble can be found head of time at www.theroughandtumble.com, or on Spotify or iTunes.
Break out your ‘loud’ shirts to bring awareness to childhood deafness
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ast Tennessee State University’s College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences is teaming up with the local nonprofit, Waiting to Hear, to help host what is believed to be the first “Loud Shirt Day” to take place in the country. Originating in Australia, Loud Shirt Day is an effort to bring awareness to childhood deafness by encouraging individuals to wear their most colorful, or “loud,” shirts for a day. ETSU will help host a local Loud Shirt Day on Friday, Oct. 21. All members of the community are encouraged to participate in Loud Shirt Day by wearing brightly colored attire. “This is an easy and fun way to bring awareness to the issue of childhood deafness,” said Dr. Lynn Williams, associate dean for the College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences. “We’d love to see the ETSU campus and the whole Tri-Cities community really get into this.” Later that day, Waiting to Hear will host a Loud Shirt Gala in which guests are invited to wear their brightest Hawaiian themed garb to a special dinner and auction. The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Linden Drive in Bristol, Virginia. Proceeds from the gala will be donated to ETSU’s Hearing Aid Bank managed by Dr. Shannon Bramlette at the Johnson City Community Health Center. The bank loans hearing aids free of charge to children up to age 18 who are waiting for cochlear implant surgery or insurance approval of their own aids. For more information about the gala, visit www.WaitingToHear.org.
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THE FORLORN STRANGERS @ the willow tree coffeehouse
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he Forlorn Strangers left their hometown of Nashville in May of 2015 and hit the road to begin touring and performing full time. The stringforward quintet is comprised of sisters Abigail Dempsey (fiddle, percussion, vocals) and Hannah Leigh Lusk (mandolin, percussion, upright bass, vocals); Chris Banke (guitar, mandolin, vocals); Benjamin Lusk (banjo, guitar, vocals); and Jesse Thompson (upright bass, dobro, guitar, vocals). On August 5th, the band released their self-titled, debut album Forlorn Strangers which features each member of the band as a unique songwriter. The album is a beautiful composition of family harmonies and foot-stomping percussion that gleans a comparison to a modern day Fleetwood Mac or The Mamas & the Papas. Glide Magazine says “Forlorn Strangers have nailed the Americana vibe with a unique twist that “serves the song”with a boisterous vision of rhythm, musicality and songwriting. The band’s sound is based on the roots of American music, leaning heavily on bluegrass, drenched in four part harmony and added elements from blues, jazz, and some rock & roll. The Forlorn Strangers bring together a balance of dynamic hooks, driving melodies and reflective lyrics that cut right to the heart. Each song reveals a new facet of the band, with different members taking the lead on vocals. The outcome is a high-energy set designed to engage listeners and participants in an exciting yet introspective experience. When: Friday, October 21st 2016 Where: 216 E. Main St. Johnson City, TN 37604 Showtime: 8:00pm
donations needed
Good Samaritan Ministries is a local, non- profit organization that provides for the emergency needs for the homeless and low income individuals and families in eight counties. We are restocking our food pantry weekly to meet the needs of the less fortunate. Items such as canned foods, beans, mac & cheese, peanut butter, soups, flip top canned snacks, etc. are needed now. We are beginning reservations for Christmas and Thanksgiving food boxes and really need your help and support for that mission. Can you help today? Please call Good Samaritan Ministries at 928-0288, drop off at 100 N. Roan Street, Johnson City or learn more at www. goodsamjc.org. Help us feed the homeless and hungry.
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the breakfast club returning to capone’s
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he Breakfast Club will be returning to Capone’s on Saturday, October 22 for their annual Fall concert event. Music will be beginning around 10:30, with the band performing two long sets of the absolute best hits from 1980s. Admission to the event is $12, and fans must be at least 18 years of age to attend. The Breakfast Club has been a mainstay in the local area for over 15 years, playing fours local club events annually. Hundreds of loyal fans flock to The Breakfast Club’s shows to sing along and dance the night away. Fans are urged to arrive early to assure entry. For more information, fans should visit www.thebreakfastclub.com or www.caponesjohnsoncitycom. The event is produced by Ansley Roberts Promotions.
GRACY DAY
@ acoustic coffehouse
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by Mike DeMatteo
oming to Johnson City for the first time ever is a singer-songwriter who is quickly making a name for herself in New England. Gracie Day will be entertaining at The Acoustic Coffee House on Sunday, October 23rd at 8 o’clock. With a sultry, passionate voice, she sings clever lyrics about heartbreak, independence, trouble, love and ambition. Her music has been described as Folk, Alt-Country, and BluesRock. Hailing from Connecticut, Gracie Day has been praised for her emotive, sensual voice and finger-picking style. Lately, her reputation for songwriting has gained significant traction as well. Day’s tune “I Don’t Want Whiskey” is a country ballad with such a catchy chorus, you may be singing along by the end. On the other hand, “Court House,” is a rocking, cutting anthem in which she rejects an offer of marriage. The variety of attitude, tone and storytelling makes for a compelling show. Gracie Day has played at several venerable venues in New England including Infinity Hall, Black Eyed Sally’s, and The Kate, but now she is ready to explore the rest of America, choosing Johnson City as a stop on her first tour. Despite this clear ambition, Day wasn’t always this much of a go-getter. “I didn’t want to ruin the pure joy I had for music by finding out I wasn’t good,” she said, “So I kept it to myself for so long. Finally I built up the courage to sing in front of people and I haven’t stopped since. I’m so grateful for all the support!” Day is currently working on her debut record, but for now, live, intimate performances continue to connect to fans. theloaferonline.com | October 18, 2016 | 15
S O LG T P
T I
- FRIDAY - Oct. 21st -
- TUESDAY - Oct. 18th -
MUDDY RUCKUS
ADAM MCMILLAN
GUIDO AU’SOME & THE OPEN MIC PLAYERS
OLDE SCHOOL REVUE
at The Acoustic Coffeehouse
at O’Mainnin’s Pub
DOWNTOWN COUNTRY at Jiggy Ray’s 6:30pm
- WEDNESDAY - Oct. 19th -
DREW KOHL NATHAN KALISH & THE WILDLIFE
at The Acoustic Coffeehouse
SINGER SONGWRITER NIGHT w/ SCOTT TUCKER
(A little bit of everything) at Hungry I Apex
at The Family Barn - VFW Bristol 6pm
FORLORN STRANGERS
at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room 8pm
SHOOTER
(Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) at Elizabethton Elks Lodge 9pm
THE GENTLEMEN & LIARS at Quaker Steak & Lube 8pm
KINDEST PEOPLE AND US w/ A GREAT DISASTER at Capone’s
BRANDON MADDOX
OPEN MIC
at Bristol Brewery 8pm PLAN Z (Rock) at O’Mainnin’s Pub
OPEN MIC
at Jiggy Ray’s
at Our House Restaurant
at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room at Jiggy Ray’s
RYAN WARD (Indie)
at The Harvest Table 6:30pm
- THURSDAY - Oct. 20th -
MARSHALL BALLEW (Bues, Folk, Rock)
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
MIKE JONES, CHRIS LONG & ADAM LAWSON at Capone’s 10pm
ADAM MCMILLAN (A little bit of everything)
at Rainbow Asian Cuisine
JEFF LITTLE TRIO & WAYNE HENDERSON
at Paramount Center for the Arts
ANNE E DECHANT & FRYE GAILLARD at Down Home
MARCUS BOYD at O’Mainnin’s Pub
JAZZ 251
at Rock’s Wood Fire Pizza & Grill 7pm
ANOTHER ROADSIDE ATTRACTION at The Acoustic Coffeehouse
theloaferonline.com 16 | October 18, 2016 | theloaferonline.com
H
MONK & MALONE BETH SNAPP BAND at Studio Brew
BILLY CRAWFORD BAND at Bone Fire Smokehouse
RAILWAY EXPRESS
(Souther Rock, Blues, Old & New Country) at Country Club Bar & Grill
ACAPELLA UNPLUGGED GINGERWOLF FORMER BELLE at The Acoustic Coffeehouse
- SATURDAY - Oct. 22nd -
JAMES MEADOWS (Country)
at Holiday Inn (Exit 7)
WYLDEHEART
at Holston River Brewing Co. 9pm
BELOW 7
at O’Mainnin’s Pub
STAGECOACH
at Hansonville Barn SIGEAN (Irish, Celtic) at Sycamore Shoals State Park 1:30pm
BLUE MAFIA
at Down Home 8pm
CHR BAND
at The Damascus Brewery 7pm
HB BEVERLY
at Bristol Brewery 8pm
If you or your band are playing in the upcoming week and would like to be in The Spotlight, call in advance to (423) 283-4324 or go online to: theloaferonline.com. Due to last minute cancellations or changes, please call the location to confirm.
- SATURDAY - Oct. 22nd -
THE JASON BISHOP SHOW
at Niswonger Performing Arts Center 7:30pm
K.T VANDYKE
at Brew Rebellion 8pm
THE BREAKFAST CLUB at Capone’s
SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country) at Bristol American Legion
NIGHTSHIFT
(Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) at JC Moose Lodge 8pm
DARK WATER RISING
at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room 8pm
THE DIAMONDS
at Rock’s Wood Fire Pizza & Grill 7pm
COAL CREEK
at JJ’s Restaurant 9pm
JOHN GOAD BAND
at Cleek Farm Corn Maze 6pm
DAN DEEL
at Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria 8pm
HOGSLOP STRING BAND at Carter Fold
BLUE MAFIA CARSON PETERS & THE IRON MOUNTAIN BAND 1pm BLUE HIGHWAY ICY HOLLER 7pm at Capitol Theatre
BRAD HELLER & FUSTICS at Bone Fire Smokehouse
RAILWAY EXPRESS REMEDY / BLACK AUDIO at Country Club Bar & Grill
JASON KEISER MUSIC at The Acoustic Coffeehouse
- SUNDAY - Oct. 23rd -
WOLF HILLS JAZZ QUARTET at Bone Fire Smokehouse
MISGIVER & INSIDIOUS at The Hideaway 7pm
GRACIE DAY
at The Acoustic Coffeehouse
- MONDAY - Oct. 24th -
OPEN MIC
at The Acoustic Coffeehouse
Spotlight Directory
American Legion 515 Marion Ave. Bristol TN 423/968-9973 Bluegrass Country Barn Hansonville VA Bone Fire Smokehouse at the Hardware 260 W Main St Abingdon Va 276/623-0037 423/391-7382 Bristol Brewery 41 Piedmont Ave Bristol VA 276/ 608-1220 Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch 620 State St Bristol 423/573-2262 Capitol Theatre 104 S. Main St. Greeneville TN 423/638-1300 Capone’s 227 E Main St Johnson City 423/928-2295 Carter Family Fold 3449 A. P. Carter Hwy Hiltons VA 276/594-0676 Cleek Farms 2233 Cleek Road Kingsport 423/ 765-3123 Country Club Bar & Grill 3080 W State St Bristol 423/844-0400 The Damascus Brewery 32173 Government Rd. Damascus VA 276/469-1069 Down Home 300 W. Main St. Johnson City 423/929-9822
O’Mainnin’s Pub Elizabethton Elks Lodge 1000 N. Sycamore St Eliza- 712 State St Bristol 423/844-0049 bethton Our House Restaurant 423/ 543-2341 Family Barn @ Bristol VFW 4903 N. Roan St. Johnson City 14 16th St. Bristol TN 423/ 282-1555 423/ 764-0381 The Harvest Table Restaurant Paramount Center for the Arts 13180 Meadowview Sq 516 State St. Bristol TN Meadowview Va 423/ 274-8920 276/944-5140 Quaker Steak & Lube The Hideaway 235 E. Main St Johnson City 629 State St Bristol VA 276/644-9647 423/ 926-3896 Rainbow Asian Cuisine Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 2412 N. Roan St. Johnson 3005 Linden Dr Bristol Va City 276/466-4100 423/ 232-6688 Holston River Brewing Rock’s Wood Fired Pizza & Company 2621 Volunteer Pkwy Bristol Grill 3119 Bristol Hwy. Johnson TN City Hungry I at the Apex 423 / 262-0444 604 W. Market St. Johnson Studio Brew City 221 Moore Street Bristol VA JJ’s Restaurant 115 Charwood Drive Abing- 423 / 360-3258 Wellington’s Restaurant don VA Carnegie Hotel 276/ 525-4999 1216 W State of Franklin Rd Jiggy Ray’s 610 E. Elk Ave Elizabethton Johnson City 423/979-6400 423/ 722-3410 Johnson City Moose Lodge The Willow Tree Coffee1801 W. Lakeview Dr. John- house & Music Room 216 E Main St Johnson City son City Yee Haw Brewing Company 423/926-6400 126 Buffalo St. Johnson City NPAC 212 Tusculum Blvd Greeneville TN 423/ 638-1328
KARAOKE
TUESDAY Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Boomershine’s Pizza Karaoke w/ Marques at Painter Creek Marina Karaoke at 50Fifty Sports Tavern Karaoke At Numan’s - Johnson City TN *********************** WEDNESDAY Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at American Legion 8pm Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Smokey Bones - Johnson City TN Turn the Page Karaoke At VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN *********************** THURSDAY Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Macado’s - Kingsport Karaoke At Numan’s - Johnson City TN Karaoke At Holiday Inn - Johnson City TN Karaoke at Jiggy’s Rays Pizzaria
Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Mellow Mushroom - Johnson City *********************** FRIDAY 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 - Johnson City TN Karaoke At Elizabethton VFW - Elizabethton TN Karaoke w/ DJ Marques At Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - Bristol VA Karaoke At Numan’s - Johnson City TN *********************** SATURDAY Karaoke at The Horseshoe Lounge Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Macado’s - Kingsport Karaoke At Numan’s - Johnson City TN ***********************
theloaferonline.com | October 18, 2016 | 17
MARQ ENJOYS BASHING “NEW ASTROLOGY”
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he bane of stargazers is finally being exposed as the fraud it always has been. Goodbye astrology. Hello astronomy. And good riddance to all that Hollywood celebrity hogwash based on your hokey horoscope. True lovers of the stars celebrate the demise of the fake world of astrology, driven like a stake in a vampire’s heart. Main stream media has finally caught up with the smoke-and-mirrors that have fooled humans for 5,000 years: and thank goodness NASA is to blame. The crystal ball in the world of “What’s your sign?” was shattered recently all because of a NASA “tweet” on social media. Over the Summer, NASA posted a link on Twitter that reminded astronomy students which constellation boundaries the Sun is located within during Earth’s yearly journey. As usual and astronomically accurate, that data included the Sun moving for 18 days in the borders of mythical man Ophiuchus (oh-FEE-u-kus) the Serpent Handler. His big thigh is between Scorpius and Sagittarius, and astrologers have ignored Ophiuchus for centuries. And because of this snake man Ophiuchus, astrology horoscopes are foolish! Actually, beyond foolish. To scientists of the skies, astrology is just plain stupid. Planets that are millions of miles away and starlight that has taken hundreds of years to reach us has no effect on humans. Repeat. Astrology is entertainment. Astronomy is science. Astrology is ignorant. Astronomy is smart. I personally celebrate the light being shined on fantasy of astrology and the phony horoscopes by unscientific phonies themselves. And the proof? Well, that was figured out hundreds of years ago. And astronomy educators, like me, have been politely pointing it out for as long as we can remember. But don’t let the facts get in the way of human fascination with mysticism and the unknown. After the NASA “tweet,” the headlines started rolling in: “NASA TO CHANGE ZODIAC SIGNS: PEOPLE ARE FREAKING OUT” “NASA SHIFTS ASTROLOGICAL SIGNS” “YOUR STAR SIGN HAS CHANGED: NASA UPDATES ASTROLOGY. It is laughable how the true astrology websites are handling what one called the “bonechilling news that NASA may have declared the date ranges by which we define the signs to be all wrong.” Don’t blame NASA. Blame the physics of the Earth’s motion. And you can’t change the laws of physics! “For those of you scrambling to know what to believe in anymore, it’s completely up to you,” says the astrology website blog Refinery29. “So if you’d like this news from NASA to shatter our worldview, by all means, let it. But it you’ve already invested a fair share of personal meaning into the sign you’ve believed you were born under all along, that’s fine too.” In other words, keep that Scorpio coffee mug, though you are really a Libra! All because of a seemingly innocuous press release reminding the public about the little discussed 13th constellation of the Zodiac, Ophiuchus the Serpent Handler. And that snake handler with a strange name has caused a lot of astrologers to be slithering about trying to justify their phony business. There are lots of famous stories about astrology and famous people. First Lady Nancy Reagan supposedly planned some of her husband, Ron’s, Presidential duties by astrology. There have been notable astrologers like Nostradamus of the 16th Century and Ptolemy of the 2nd Century, as well as modern celebrities like Jean Dixon. Many familiar names in astronomy made horoscope predictions for the Kings and Queens who paid their salary. Though they didn’t believe the connection between man and the stars, many ancient stargazers solidified their jobs by providing horoscopes,
18 | October 18, 2016 | theloaferonline.com
which gave them money to do real science. Included were the great mathematician Johannes Kepler and Sir Isaac Newton. Oh, the many times I’ve felt insulted when introduced as “amateur astrologer.” And what my professional astronomer peers have endured during their careers. But we smile, nod; maybe make the correction, but sometimes not. But boy did my eye surgeon jump on me when I called him an “optometrist”…he’s an “ophthalmologist!” Hopefully all the attention will give a knock-out punch to the fanciful predictions of astrology. I’ve had resentment for decades that newspapers use up 6-8 inches of space each day for astrology—and rarely have any stories about the amazing facts that NASA and other space agencies are regularly uncovering. Your “sign” is what constellation borders the Sun is located within on your birthday. The traditional 12 constellations of the Zodiac aren’t divided evenly in size. And the Sun spends nearly two weeks of December in the borders of Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer, which has never been included in astrology. So the 12 Zodiacal constellations were evenly divided up in the year at about four weeks each. However the Sun spends only 7 days in Scorpius and 30 in Gemini! Many factors have made astrology out of synchronization with the Sun, Moon and stars, the most significant being the fact that there are actually 13 constellations the Sun travels through each year, not just the traditional Zodiac 12 adopted 3,000 years ago by the Babylonians. Other factors also have big implications over centuries. Because of the Earth’s tilted axis by 24.5 degrees, our wobble like a toy top, and the slight inaccuracy of our 365.25-day yearly journey around the Sun, the exact dates for the solstices and equinoxes kept moving backward. (Our year is exactly 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, 46 seconds). Without corrections throughout history, Vernal or Spring Equinox of around March 22 would creep into March or February over a few hundred years. It’s all in the fact, ma’am. Because we all want to know—yes, this Scorpio included—here are the correct calendar dates when the Sun is within the borders of these constellations of the Zodiac:
Capricorn: Jan. 9-Feb. 15 Aquarius: Feb.16-March 11 Pisces: March 12-April 18 Aries: April 19-May 13 Taurus: May 14-June 19 Gemini: June 20-July 20 Cancer: July 21-Aug. 9 Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 15 Virgo: Sept 16-Oct. 30 Libra: Oct. 31-Nov 22 Scorpio: Nov. 23-Nov. 29 Ophiuchus: Nov. 30-Dec. 17 Sagittarius: Dec. 18-Jan. 8 Go out and replace that Zodiac mug, grab a “National Tattler” grocery store magazine and read up on your new characteristic traits, strengths and weaknesses. And then, scratch your head, grab a star map and get out under the real starlight!
Celestial events in the skies for the week of Oct. 11th-17th, 2016, as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.
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of the Sun. Last Quarter Moon is today at exactly 3:14 pm. You’ll see the Moon in the mid-morning directly south, a beautiful silhis week is one of the last of the year to see the Milky Way in the early evening under ver against the blue sky. On this 1992 date in space history, Space moonless skies. The Moon is Last Quarter this week and New phase for Halloween. Shuttle Columbia was launched with six astronauts on an intense The arm of our Galaxy is quickly heading west like a jump rope swinging below the 10-day mission with a dozen experiments packed in its cargo bay. horizon. Saturn is heading into the evening twilight, while Venus begins to blaze above Sun. Oct. 23 the western horizon. On this 2007 date in space Tues. Oct. 18 history, Space Shuttle DiscovTwo NASA Space Shuttles were launched on this date, four years apart. In 1989 Atlan- ery was launched on the 120th tis was blasted into space on mission STS-34 with the interplanetary spacecraft Galileo, deployed mission of the program and for a successful mission to Jupiter. And in 1993 STS-58 mission flew Columbia and six astronauts on 23rd construction mission to a 12-day mission studying the effects of weightlessness on humans. the International Space Station. Wed. Oct. 19 Commander Pam Melroy was Driving down I-81 in the evening twilight last week I rounded a mountain and BAM, there was the second female to head a US planet Venus above the horizon so bright it was scary. You expect this planetary white light to move space mission. like an airplane light, but it just keeps staring back, eventually succumbing to Earth’s rotation. Mon. Oct. 24 Thurs. Oct. 20 On this 2001 date in space On this 1995 date in space history, Space Shuttle Columbia was rocketed 200 miles high in the history, NASA’s Mars Odyssey usual 9 minute rocket ride. Seven astronauts spent a record 16 days conducting microgravity experi- arrived at Mars to begin orbitments for the US military and general contractors. ing. Still active 15 years later, Fri. Oct. 21 not only has its main mission of Sunset is around 6:40 pm, and in the deep twilight looking directly south, Mars is still putting on a analyzing the Martian geology show as a bright, red star now in the midst of Sagittarius the Archer. October nights are historically been completed, but Odyssey some of the best for perfect atmospheric conditions that make starlight steady with less twinkling. has become a key communicaThe twinkling of stars is caused by the moving atmosphere literally bending starlight back and tions satellite for the uplink to forth. Earth from surface rovers Spirit Sat. Oct. 22 (now defunct), Opportunity On this date in history on 2136 BC, Chinese stargazers for the first time wrote down an eclipse and Curiosity (both active).
theloaferonline.com | October 18, 2016 | 19
Make Halloween Great Again
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he other night I turned to my wife and said “Shouldn’t we get around to making our Halloween game plan?” Halloween is a big deal to the both us, and has been since we became a couple. We met when we were both cast members in a production of “Les Munstérables,” the seasonal, all Munsters themed version of “Les Misérables.” Her eyes lit up, and out came the three ring binder which contains all the master plans she had cooked up during
the year. “My body is ready” she exclaimed as she flipped open the binder, and began to show me the intricate blue prints she had made to transform our yard into a haunted wonderland that led to tricks and treats. With sharp precession, she spoke “We’ll place the fog machines here, haunted archway here, haunted house tent on the Southside, bubbling caldron on the porch, projection screen with ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?’ playing on the roof.” My love for her grew. “Tomorrow, I’ll need you to go and get candy, plus get all the decorations out of the shed.” I smiled at her and said “I’d be glad to.” The next day I woke bright and early, drank an entire pot of coffee, then dived right in. I first went to get as many fun sized Kit-Kat bars as I could fit into a shopping cart. Task completed, I drove back home and started to navigate the murky waters of the storage shed. I pushed through the toppling towers of Easter, the dense foliage of Christmas, and found our Halloween wonderland. It was just sitting there, waiting for its time to shine again. I forged a path, and dragged all the decor out to the lawn. My wife came home that evening, after dinner we walked out to the lawn to start. Going off the plans, we laid the decor out, adjusted it all, and plugged it up into our outdoor outlets. It took most of the night to get it done. We began at seven, and finished at a quarter to midnight. As we were about to go to bed, my wife sat straight up and yelled “We forgot about Gorto!” Gorto is an inflated skeleton demon person—who is friendly—but is the center of our Halloween experience. You pull a string on his vest, and he starts to sing a cheerful song of Halloween. I sat up, “on it” I said. I got out of bed, put my stompin’ boots on, grabbed a flashlight, went outside, and dragged Gorto to the lawn as my wife told me from our bedroom window where to place him. We powered him up, and watched him to inflate to make sure he was working properly. The next night, we turned it all on and watched our lawn come to life with haunted glee. For those who come by to get their tricks and treats from us, I think they will find, as the popular expression goes these days, that our house will be “lit.” See you next week.
the casual word
By Langley Shazor
Follow Langley on FB & Youtube at TheCasualword
20 | October 18, 2016 | theloaferonline.com
Fidelis ad mortem Is it not ironic
Double edge sword cuts both ways
Lives willingly taken
The best steel forged over time
Beliefs held steadfast
Proper elements
And yet
Proper proportions
Dying for them
Proper utilization
A thought never entertained
A bushido mind state
Seppuku
Understands the inevitable
No honor for the Ronan
But is not deterred
Who is your master
True sacrifice
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN
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he new mystery/ thriller/drama film “The Girl on the Train” is playing at local theaters and star Emily Blunt (“The Devil Wears Prada”) takes us on quite a ride. The film is based on the 2015 British novel of the same name, and the film changes the location of the story from Britain to the United States. Blunt stars as Rachel Watson, a divorced alcoholic who is dealing with personal problems, and a remarried husband, Tom (Justin Theroux) who is now a father. We follow Rachel on her daily trips into New York City on a train that passes right by the house she and Tom used to occupy when they were married, but is now the home of Tom and his new wife Anna (Rebecca Ferguson). During her trips, she imagines how Tom’s neighbors, Scott Hipwell (Luke Evans) and Megan Hipwell (Haley Bennett) live in their, perceived by her, perfect marriage. Rachel even draws pictures of the couple on her daily journeys as she fantasizes about their life. It just so happens Megan is the nanny to Tom’s child, so she has a connection to Rachel’s ex. One day while at Tom’s home, Megan tells Anna she no longer wants to be their nanny and quits. Later on, while on the train, Rachel spies Megan kissing a man on the balcony of her home that is not her husband. Rachel is so taken aback, this causes her to have flashbacks about Tom cheating on her, and leads to even more drinking. The drinking becomes so intense Rachel
Rated R 3 trains (out of 4)
is soon headed to Tom’s neighborhood in an effort to confront the cheating Megan. Rachel yells at Megan, but soon finds her self knocked to the ground, and later wakes up bloody and disheveled in her friends apartment. Rachel has no idea what has happened, and her frequent black outs and erratic behavior do not help. After she discovers Megan to be missing and presumed dead, she is confronted by a detective who suspects Rachel may be guilty of murder. Rachel runs to Scott to tell him about his cheating wife, and at this point in the story, everything turns sour for nearly all the characters. Rachel also discovers some very unpleasant facts about her ex Tom, which convinces her she must confront him. The confrontation is quite thrilling and the result does not end well for one of the characters. Director Tate Taylor (“The Help”) does a masterful job keeping us on the edge of our seats, and having not read the novel, kept me guessing. All the actors are wonderful in the film, and a star making performance is turned in by Haley Bennett, who for the life of me, looks like she could be the sister of Jennifer Lawrence. Bennett is also excellent in the current film “The Magnificent Seven”, so expect to see more of her on the big screen. As for Blunt, she has a heavy weight to carry on her shoulders as the lead in the film, but she does a masterful job. I really felt her pain and despair until the end of the film when she finally becomes the woman she was all along that was hidden thanks to Tom. “The Girl on the Train” is a fine mystery thriller that gives movie fans a great mixture of excellent performances and good storytelling, so take the ride. theloaferonline.com | October 18, 2016 | 21
The Marc Tragler Interview
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e and the man known to many as “Tractor” go way back. Marc and I met sometime in 1998-1999 when we both worked on air for the same radio group. If you don’t know Tragler from WXBQ, my guess is that you don’t have your radio on much, or you don’t listen to country music. Either way, here is a guy who moved here and proved anybody who sets their mind to it can become successful in our region and raise a family here. If you don’t know him, or even if you do, take a few minutes and hang out with Trags. BRIAN: Tragler, you and I go way back man. You know I love ya and think you are great! I want folks to know you better, so start by telling them where you grew up and what that was like. MARC: I was born in Akron, Ohio. I was adopted out of Catholic services. I was adopted by Diane and Ed Tragler. I continued growing up in Ohio until the early 1980s. When my parents split and I moved to East Tennessee with my mom Diane and Bill Young. This was of course my first experience in East TN and I’ve always loved it. I wound up moving back with my father to Akron, Ohio. I played some sports along the way... football, ran track aka: the fat man relay, and discus. I tried but I was never good at anything else but eating! I ended up going to culinary school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania... that didn’t work out but some interesting things started happening to me. At that time Pittsburgh was doing a lot of filming... bringing in Hollywood films and that is when I got my first taste of the entertainment business. I had the pleasure of being in several movies including a movie with Kevin Spacey
keep us going! BRIAN: 96.9 WXBQ is one HUGE rabbit. We still work together a lot because my work at Marsh puts us on live remotes together. Tell folks what is going on over there right now and how they can find out more of what is coming up. MARC: Well let me just tell you, you need to hold on to those dollar bills with 9, 6, 9 in the serial number the 96.9 WXBQ Rabbit’s Dollar Bill Swap is going on and not to mention concerts and all the other things we get into on a weekly basis. And let me tell you that money can come in handy with the holidays right around the corner and we are real glad we can help out in that way. Always keep up with us at www.wxbq.com and sign up for the 24 Karat Club you could be invited to super-secret special stuff. Next year makes 20 years with this company. Here’s to twenty more and I can’t thank people enough for listening like they do.
called Darrow. The Dark Half directed by George Romero and a film with Martin Sheen called Guilty Until Proven Innocent. Which led to me pursuing a job in the entertainment business. BRIAN: You are a true transplant because you, had every means to leave, but you have lived around here for quite a while. What is it that you love about this region enough to stay here? MARC: I first came back while making movies and somebody suggested that I might try radio. I was fortunate enough to meet Michael Wade who introduced me to Rufus Hurt who changed everything and a career in radio began and that is what kept me in this region. And oh yeah Frenchie Fries of course, hello! BRIAN: Family is huge to folks around here and I know you beam from ear to ear when you talk about yours. Brag on your family a little bit. MARC: Being adopted I ended up having to make my own kin folk. I have four amazing children, Zach, Ashley, Natalie, and Audrey. Who are all just as talented and all wanting to pursue a career in the music business or the entertainment business. My daughter Ashley is currently going to school at Belmont for music. My daughter Natalie is 14 and pursuing a career in music as well. As for Zach and Audrey they are cruising through figuring out their own destiny. I have lived in big cities... hands down without a doubt this is the best region to raise your children. Kayla is my rock for the last five years and keeps me grounded. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. BRIAN: Radio is a job like no other. It takes a unique person to be able to keep it fresh and fun for as long as you have. Why did you choose radio? Or did it choose you? MARC: As I touched on before if it wasn’t for Michael Wade and Rufus Hurt in the beginning I wouldn’t be where I am right now. So basically radio chose me as I moved up through the ladder with great mentors and teachers like Bill Hagy, Reggie Neel, and of course my co-workers Marcus Brooks, Matthew James, Steve Stroud, and Scotty Campbell. We feed off of each other and learn how to be better from each other. The great listeners give us inspiration to keep us fresh and
22 | October 18, 2016 | theloaferonline.com
Jonesborough Welcomes Sheila Kay Adams
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toryteller Sheila Kay Adams, one of the most celebrated balladeers in the world, will sing the swan song for the International Storytelling Center’s Storytelling Live! 2016 season. ISC will host several encore performances through the end of the year, beginning with the critically acclaimed one-woman show “Jamaica Farewell,” on November 3. Meanwhile, the week of October 25 – October 29, Tuesday through Saturday, Adams will offer a daily matinee at 2:00 p.m. in the Mary B. Martin Storytelling Hall, on ISC’s campus in downtown Jonesborough. As a storyteller, Adams is celebrated for her warm and witty portraits of the eccentric folks from her tiny North Carolina mountain town where her family has lived for many, many years. But her first love was music. “Music was such a part of my life that I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t there,” she says. “I started to learn ballads when I was five. It was just part of the community I grew up in. Granny used to say there were songs to grow by and songs to die by.” Sharing the songs she was raised on with her audiences in Jonesborough was a natural progression for Adams, who’s been a storyteller since the late 1990s. “The thing I love about storytelling is it’s like a family reunion,” she says. “It’s like having a whole new side of your family.” In addition to her regular matinees, Adams will host an exclusive evening concert, “My Sense of Place: Appalachian Music and Stories,” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 27. “I’m not promoting the region so much as remembering who we are,” Adams observes. “That’s what I’m desperately
trying to do. Generations are gone and it won’t be long before mine is all that’s left.” The show will feature some of her most treasured ballads, as well as other songs that have been passed down through her family for generations. Tickets for this onetime-only event are just $15. Tickets for Adams’ matinee performances are just $12 for adults and $11 for seniors, students, and children under 18. Ticketholders for all performances can present their ticket stubs for a 10 percent discount on same-day dining at JJ’s Eatery and Ice Cream or Main Street Café, two popular eateries in Jonesborough. The International Storytelling Center’s Storytelling Live! series is renowned for bringing live storytelling to Tennessee’s oldest town for six months of every year. Performances often sell out, so advance purchase for matinee tickets is strongly recommended. Walk-in seating is also available on a first-come, first-served basis. Though Adams is the final teller-in-residence for the 2016 Storytelling Live! series, there will be several special guest appearances scheduled through the end of the year. Information about all performers, as well as a detailed schedule for 2016, is available at www.storytellingcenter.net. The premier sponsor of Storytelling Live! is the Mountain States’ Heart & Soul program. Additional funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, the East Tennessee Foundation, Eastman Credit Union, the Mooneyhan Family Founda-
tion, the Niswonger Foundation, and Massengill-DeFriece Foundation, Inc. The International Storytelling Center is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information about Storytelling Live! or to make a group reservation, call (800) 952-8392 ext. 222 or (423) 913-1276.
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Houdini’s Last Curtain Call
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ith Halloween on the way, it seems like a good time to talk about the premature demise of a man who has become inextricably linked to the holiday – the legendary magician, Harry Houdini. Born Eric Weiss in the year 1874, the master showman and icon of the paranormal arts met his fate under circumstances that aren’t fully understood even to this day. One thing we DO know, however, is that the series of events that would lead to Houdini’s
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death at the young age of 52 began in Montreal, Canada, in a building that still stands – at least for now. Just a few blocks away from the old Montreal Forum, a landmark building that I wrote about a few months ago, sits a darkened theater that helped comprise one of the early 20th century’s most exciting theater scenes. The Princess Theater, as it was known then, played host to a variety of stage productions from legitimate theater to vaudeville and even burlesque. Numerous well-known acts graced the Princess stage, such as Charlie Chaplin and in October 1926, Harry Houdini in what would turn out to be his final show. Of course, nobody at the time knew that Houdini’s days were numbered. After all, the death-defying performer was still at the top of his game. But it was backstage at the Princess that he suffered the freak injury that ultimately did him in. Greeting admirers in his dressing room prior to the show, he was asked by one man if the legend was true that he could take a punch to the stomach without experiencing pain or injury. When Houdini acknowledged that such was the case, the young college student immediately and without warning unleashed a flurry of devastating blows on the 52 year-old magician and escape artist. Houdini wasn’t ready. He didn’t realize that the attack was coming, so he didn’t prepare himself for it. By the time he managed to signal for the young man to stop, the damage had been done. In a state of profound agony, the consummate showman gamely made it through the night’s performance – and two additional shows the next day – before heading off to Detroit, the next stop on his tour. It was there that Harry Houdini died of a ruptured appendix. The date was October 31. Halloween. The Princess Theater still stands in Montreal, though it is no longer the majestic venue it once was. In the 1960’s, it was re-branded The Parisien and converted into a cinema. By the time of its ultimate closure in 2007, the main auditorium had been subdivided into seven movie theaters. Today it sits vacant, likely awaiting eventual demolition. Perhaps it’s just a matter of time before the wrecking ball comes to sucker punch the old theater into the next world. If so, I doubt Houdini (or his ghost) would mind all that much.
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Answers on page 28
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Frozen Head State Park
Photo and article by
T
he greater Southern Appalachian Province covers a vast area, stretching east to west from the fall line of the Piedmont in North Carolina and Virginia all the way almost to Nashville. North to south, the province begins at the New River in West Virginia and encompasses everything south to the city of Birmingham, Alabama. Within the confines of this more than two hundred thousand square mile area lie some of the most diverse terrain east of the Rocky Mountains. Rolling hills of the Piedmont Plateau gradually give way to the towering heights of the Blue Ridge province, home to dozens of ranges such as the Craggies, Blacks, Smokies, and Nantahala Mountains. The Ridge and Valley province features some of the region’s major rivers, and has elevations ranging from five hundred feet in Alabama to heights of over four thousand feet on the highest ridges in southwest Virginia. Finally, to the west lies the rugged terrain of the Cumberland Plateau, which perhaps features the most diverse landscapes of any of these areas. Plunging gorges, towering peaks, rolling farmland, rift valleys, and delicate rock arches can all be found here. Tennessee’s best state parks can all be found on the Cumberland Plateau, and each serves to exemplify a unique landscape found within the greater plateau region. The Cumberland Trail State Park winds from Chattanooga north to Cumberland Gap and will serve to link each of these parks together, like beads on a very long, thin necklace. Fall Creek Falls State Park is the best known and the most popular state park in the area, but there are many other parks which fall under the radar, mostly due to their location in out-of-the-way places. Frozen Head State Park falls into that category. Covering some of the highest peaks in the Cumberland Mountain range, the park encompasses over 24,000 acres, by far one of the largest state parks in the state. The park possesses a very unique history, as the land was originally purchased as part of the Brushy Mountain State Prison complex, the original grounds being placed in the valley just below the park’s namesake peak. Prison labor was used to mine for coal deep within the mountain, and revenue was earned by selling the timber rights to outside lumber companies. After the resources were spent, the land was designated a state forest and finally a state park in the early 70’s. The park’s main feature is the prominent peak of Frozen Head, soaring to elevations of 3,324. In winter, frost and snow can usually be seen on the crest when other mountains in the area are bare, leading to its unique name. For many years, a rickety fire tower atop the peak gave visitors magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. Now it has been replaced with a sturdy and open observation tower, with a wonderful panorama of the Cumberland and Crab Orchard Mountains, Flat Fork Valley, and the town of Wartburg. On clear days the Smokies can be seen far to the eastern horizon, and the Watts Bar nuclear power station to the south. Unlike other major mountains in many of our parks, the only
Sunsets from the Frozen Head observation tower are a sight not to be missed.
way to reach the summit is by hiking. Six different routes scale the mountain from all sides, giving you many options for each time you visit. Lookout Tower West Trail has a wide, gentle grade but is somewhat long, stretching over 6.3 miles on its route to the summit. For those who want the fastest route, Lookout Tower East Trail ascends the eastern slope in only 2.55 miles. It is ranked difficult, however, due to its steep and rocky path. Hiking is by far the most popular activity at this park, and with more than 50 miles of trails exploring every aspect of the landscape, it is no wonder. Trails lead to rock houses (rocky overhangs which are home to unique animal communities and can offer shelter in a rain shower), various forest communities, streams, overlooks, abandoned mines, and two great waterfalls: Emory Gap Falls and DeBord Falls. Several miles of the Cumberland Trail have already been completed within the park, further expanding opportunities for exploration as it ventures deeper into the wilds of the Cumberland Mountains. Horseback riding is allowed on roads and trails located in the Emory River Valley portion of the state park, although the hiking trail system on the peak is off limits. Bikers are also welcome to test their skills on the Lookout Tower West Trail, which is the only trail in the park open to biking. According to the park’s website, the area is home to a high concentration of birds that are normally rare in the state, making birding a popular pastime for visitors as well. Cerulean warblers, scarlet tanager, yellow-throated warbler, and grosbeak all can be found in the park. Over 130 species have been reported in the area. Stop by the park visitor center for guidance on the best places to start your search! For those who love to camp, a spacious campground area offers nightly rentals under $25, while several backcountry campsites give the adventurous more choices and the chance for a true wilderness experience. Picnic areas and pavilions, easy access to Flat Fork, and playground areas for children all are welcome amenities that can further delight guests during their stay. Flat Fork is stocked with trout on a regular basis, and offers abundant opportunities for fly fishing along its length within the park. Autumn and spring are by far the best times to visit this park. As fall approaches, the color displays along the ridges rival those of the nearby Smokies, without the crowds and traffic jams, of course. Springtime brings loads of wildflowers to the trails, especially in the river valleys along Judge Branch Trail and Panther Branch Trail. Of course, you may want to visit in the winter to see if you can catch Frozen Head’s frosty peak, as a hike amongst the hoar frost in the morning is truly a sight to behold.
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things to do
use one of the shared instruments, and bring a portable chair if you can. Held rain or shine April through October. Do Something BIG Bringing Hope Through Join the Facebook group for Mentoring: Big Brothers Big Sisters more information and event Have you ever wondered potential volunteers. Stringent notifications: www.facebook. how you can do something safeguards are in place to as- com/groups/drumming.in.tri. BIG to make a difference in the sure that all parties are safe. cities.tn/ life of a child in need? Some- Volunteer and parent engagetimes just having someone to ment and training also play a Johnson City Improv talk with can turn a path of big role. Games Meetup hopelessness into one of surAnyone wanting to find out Varying Times and Locations vival. That’s one of the compel- more about Big Brothers Big Have fun and laugh your way ling premises behind the work Sisters of Greater Tri-Cities to better relationships, more of Big Brothers Big Sisters of should contact the office by self-confidence, and an easier Greater Tri-Cities. Spending 2 calling 423-247-3240, or visit- life. It’s kind of like a playdate to 4 hours a month with an at- ing TennesseeBig.org.3, 2016. for adults, with very practirisk youth can help them im- Free. Info: www.folkheritage. cal applications. Newcomprove in school, their behavior org or (828)258-6101 x345. ers are always welcome. This and their self-esteem. group plays improvisational Our local Big Brothers Big Johnson City Commu- games in a safe environment Sisters office is part of one of nity Drum Circle to: lighten up, become better the oldest and largest youth Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:30pm listeners, move our bodies (a mentoring organizations in the Farmer’s Market Pavilion @ little, at least), be present in the United States. It’s a system that Founders Park moment, build collaboration has been proven to work and A free, fun, and family-friend- skills, be spontaneous, enhance transforms the lives of children ly rhythmic experience for ev- creativity, meet new people, who might not otherwise ever erybody (not just musicians). and more. No experience necget the support they need to Come and drum, dance, hoop, essary… these are all beginnergrow and successfully meet blow bubbles, make a joyful level games designed to allow life’s challenges. noise, or just hang out and soak maximum participation. Get Child-volunteer matches in the grooves. No experience more information and sign are made based on in-depth or talent necessary. All ages up for events on Meetup.com: and comprehensive interview- and skill levels are welcome. www.meetup.com/Johnsoning with parents, children and Bring a rhythm instrument or City-Improv-Games-Meetup/ Cryptogram: A sign of a celebrity is that his name is often worth more than his services. Drop Quote: “Every time a woman leaves off something she looks better, but every time a man leaves off something he looks worse.“
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Applications being accepted for Civil Service Commission The Johnson City Board of Commissioners will consider three appointments to the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission addresses Police and Fire employees’ civil service grievances and meets quarterly. Each term is two years. Applications may be picked up at the Municipal and Safety Building, 601 E. Main St., or may be mailed or faxed by calling (423)434-6009. To complete an application online, visit www.johnsoncitytn.org/ boards. Deadline for submitting an application is Monday, Oct. 31. Applications are kept on file for current year only. For more information regarding Civil Service Commission functions, please contact Richard Lockner at (423)4346018.
Boating Seminars
The Tri-Cities Boating Club, a unit of the United States Power Squadron, is pleased to announce the offering of three individual educational boating seminars this fall at The Bass Pro Shop in Bristol TN. Each seminar will be taught in a single two hour evening session. The Tri-Cities Boating Club, as a unit of the United States Power Squadron, offers a wide variety of programs that educate individuals on safe boating while having fun on the water and supporting community projects. Education officer Rich Moakler noted “Perhaps Marlin star Jose Fernandez would still be with us if he had taken advantage of all that the Power Squadron had to offer.” The current schedule is: Basic Weather Forecasting for Boaters October 24, 2016 Partner in Command November 7, 2016 TIME: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM WHERE: Bass Pro Shop, 1 Bass Pro Drive, Bristol TN 37621 COST: $20 per person WHO: Anybody with a desire to learn more about boating in
our area. Interested individuals can take any or all of the seminars All interested parties should note that registration is required to ensure adequate course materials are available. To register, contact Rich Moakler at richmoakler@gmail.com Further details on the organization and each seminar offering can be found at TriCitiesBoating.org.
October Computer classes at Gray Library
Free computer classes at Washington County Gray Library are open to all ages, and patrons are encouraged to bring their own laptop or tablet. Registration for classes is required by calling 477-1550. If you will need to borrow a library laptop or tablet for the classes, please let us know when you register. Tuesday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. Fun with tablets The class will cover basics of tablets, how to download apps, and fun things to do with your tablet.
DONATIONS NEEDED!
Good Samaritan Ministries is a local, non- profit organization that provides for the emergency needs for the homeless and low income individuals and families in eight counties. We are restocking our food pantry weekly to meet the needs of the less fortunate. Items such as canned foods, beans, mac & cheese, peanut butter, soups, flip top canned snacks, etc. are needed now. We are beginning reservations for Christmas and Thanksgiving food boxes and really need your help and support for that mission. Can you help today? Please call Good Samaritan Ministries at 928-0288, drop off at 100 N. Roan Street, Johnson City or learn more at www. goodsamjc.org. Help us feed the homeless and hungry.
pets of the week
There are several new kittens at the shelter. This is Bolt, an energetic and fun kitty! He is neutered and up to date on all vaccines
Lacey is a sweet girl. She is spayed and up to date on all vaccines! She loves to play! The Bridge Home has an ongoing aluminum can can collection in front of the shelter at 2061 Hwy 75 in Blountville,TN 37617. The cans are collected by a volunteer and the money from the aluminum goes towards badly needed food and supplies for the animals The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue has started a pet food pantry for people that have had financial hardships because of job loss or medical problems and are struggling to feed their pet. They can come by the shelter and get cat or dog food to get through the tough time. Donations can be sent to The Bridge Home Shelter PO Box 654 Blountville, TN 37617 Every animal in their care is spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated before being adopted. Being a non profit the shelter is funded entirely by membership dues and private donations. They always need volunteers or monetary donations. Other always needed items:pet food, cat litter & cat toys dog treats & dog toys,paper towels, cleaners, office supplies,Purina weight circles. Phone: 423.239.5237 Hours are Mon-Fri 12pm-6pm Sat 12pm3pm and Sun 2pm-4pm. Website is www.bridgehomerescue@gmail. com or like them on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/bridgehome theloaferonline.com | October 18, 2016 | 29
PLACING A CLASSIFED LINE AD:
Go to: www.theloaferonline.com, create an account, and enter your classified. Call 423282-1907 or email: classifieds@theloaferonline.com if you have any questions.
Game of Baloney, The Game of Things, Salem: A Card Game of Tri Cities Ladies Only Board Deception and Exploding KitGame Group - 423-609-575 tens. This is a Meetup group for 70 Real Estate ladies either bi, lesbian or straight who are serious about KINGSPORT LOT for sale by playing board/card games. We owner. 423-247-7959 want ladies who will actually $ 8,500.00 attend game nights. The goal of the group is for ladies to 107 Services meet, get to know each other, Interior Painter form friendships while play- Phone: 423-361-0325 ing different types of games: Don’t purchase new kitchen Cards Against Humanity, Mas- cabinets!!! Have them painted querade, Nanuk, Coup, Cash by CEP Painter. CEP Painter is N Guns, Dixit, One Night Ulti- an interior finish painter, we mate Vampire, Smart Ass, The do everything from walls to
63 Community
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trim to ceilings to cabinets!! Pictures and references available. Free estimates. Licensed and insured. Pet Grooming Professional Pet groomer for most dog breeds and cats. Over 20 years experience. I can have most pets groomed and ready to go home in 2 hours. This eliminates stress on your pet. Groom includes trim,bath,blow dry,ear cleaning,anal gland expression and nail trim. Located at 410 Hazelwood St Bristol TN. Visit our Family Pet Grooming Facebook page. Prices start at 25.00 Give is a try, you Will be glad you did. Call or text for an appointment 276-591-0877
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Affordable Professional Wedding & Event Photography Phone: 423-956-0820 N&N Photography offers Affordable Professional Wedding and Event Photography in Johnson City, Tn and surrounding areas. We photograph Events, Engagements, Weddings, Prom, Senior, Glamour Portraits, Sports, Graduation, Family, Sweetheart, Individual Portrait Shoots (male or female), & more. See our website at: www.nandnphotoshoot. Interior Painting (Senior Spe- com and our Facebook page at: cials ! ) 315-725-0562 https://www.facebook.com/ Interior Painting - A new paint nandnphotoshoot/ for more job inside will make your information and pricing. home feel like a million bucks Model Call** ! Beautiful soothing, appealing Phone: 423-956-0820 COLORS ! Bedrooms, Living **Model Call: I am looking for Rooms, ALL Rooms, Whole 2 models, one male 18+ and House ! High Quality Painting one female 18+. No modeling Service. GET IT DONE IN OCexperience needed. One for a TOBER BEFORE THE HOLImale edgy masculine portrait DAYS ! SENIOR SPECIAL ! shoot, the female for a glamCall / text David TODAY @ our portrait shoot. Your shoot 423-930-8097 will take place on a weekday at a local outdoor public park/ For The Best Hair Services venue in the tri-city area, TN. In The Tri-Cities Area 423-534-9825. We are a full ser- For modeling you will receive vice salon owned and operated a complimentary photo shoot, by hair stylist Sandi Smith, that professional makeover, 2 finoffers professional cuts, styles, ished images on a dvd and colors, perms, waxing, mani- the experience to be a model cures, and pedicures all at affordable prices. The best prices in the Tri-Cities area. Mens haircuts are $10. Womens are $12. Sandi has over 32 years experience in the business and she wants to help you get your style on! We are located at 943 Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, Tennessee, near Auto Zone. Appointments available and Walk-ins welcome.
for a day! If you are interested please email us. Thank you! Yarntiques Yarntiques offers a large variety of hand knitting/crochet yarns from cotton to cashmere. Instruction is offered during business hours: Tuesday - Friday 1:00 - 6:00 and Saturday 10:00 - 5:30, Call for details. Come join the community table, anytime during business hours, for conversation, fellowship and knitting/crochet assistance. Mention this ad and receive a 10% discount on your purchase. Phone: 423-232-2933
137 Transportation
1999 Mazda Miata for sale Price: $ 1,600.00 Needs some work. Black on black. 131,000 miles. $1,600.00. Call 423-833-2095
145 Mind, Body & Spirit
Stop Smoking Naturally with Hypnosis! Tired of being chained to the deadly habit of smoking? Are you motivated to stop smoking without using chemicals or chewing gum or wearing patches? I can help motivate you to stop this expensive, negative, unhealthy habit. Call us today at A New Path Hypnosis, 423-341-8898 or visit www.anewpathhypnosis.com to get started living a healthier life today. Free information session for all new clients.
HALLOWEEN HORRORS 2016 (PART three):
CALIGARI’S CHILDREN
NOTE: Although my title this week is shamelessly borrowed from S.S. Prawer’s excellent 1981 book, CALIGARI’S CHILDREN: THE FILM AS TALE OF TERROR, the content and interpretation of what follows is my own.
S
ometime in 2005, I entered a local video rental store (remember those?) in search of the 1986 jazz movie, “Round Midnight.” When I inquired about its whereabouts, the store clerk informed me in no uncertain terms that “We don’t carry movies that old.” I didn’t have the heart to inform her that there was a classics section in her store and that many of the films found there were released before 1986. Instead I made some small talk about my excitement that Peter Jackson’s reimagining of “King Kong” was about to be released on DVD. At this point the clerk again informed me that she wasn’t about to watch a movie about the very “unnatural” attraction between a woman and an ape. Like an idiot, I asked if she had seen the original 1933 version, and was met with her very quick and irritated response, “I don’t watch black and white movies.” Thank goodness I didn’t recommend any silent movies to her. Needless to say, I exited the store after my brief conversation about movie history. Interestingly enough, I understood the clerk’s point of view, because I have seen it countless times when a discussion turns to horror movies. When asked to name their favorite horror films, most people will rarely turn the clock back any further than the last twenty years, if that far. In 2005, I might have understood why, but today, in the age of mobile technology and instantaneous access to all the world’s information, there is no excuse not to be aware of the very rich and frightening history of horror movies. Just take a look at YouTube and you can watch all or part of most any movie you wish. So, let’s take a look this week at what you might be missing by not being curious about the origins of your favorite horror movies. At this time I am not going to focus on the countless remakes and reimaginings that have characterized the history of horror since the 1980s. This list would include Rob Zombie’s “Halloween,” Michael Bay’s “Friday The 13th,” as well as reimagined versions of “Carrie,” “The Hills Have Eyes,” “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Nightmare On Elm Street,” “House on Haunted Hill,” “The Haunting,” and “The Green Inferno” (a dismal Eli Roth reimagining of the controversial “Cannibal Holocaust”). Instead, let’s consider a few foundation films that have influenced our nightmares since their release many years ago (i.e. well before 1986). Let’s start, where most people do, with Robert Wiene’s “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920), the post-World War I German thriller about a demented carnival barker and his sleepwalking companion, Cesare, who does the Doctor’s evil bidding after dark. This movie became the template for many of the horror films that followed, particularly those inhabited by zombies. We can see its influence in films as varied as “Frankenstein,” “The Mummy,” “The Creature With The Atom Brain,” “Invasion Of The Body Snatchers,” “Night Of The Living Dead,” and “It Follows.” Perhaps the modern movie that most closely follows in the footsteps of Caligari is Martin Scorsese’s 2010 adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s novel, “Shutter Island;” in so many ways, this movie is a virtual remake of “Caligari.” I recom-
mend your arranging a double-feature soon. Another German movie that follows closely (dare I say “in a similar vein”?) in the wake of “Caligari,” is F.W. Murnau’s 1922 vampire flick, “Nosferatu,” based on Bram Stoker’s novel, “Dracula” (Murnau was sued by Stoker’s widow over his original intention to title his movie “Dracula”). In many ways this is not only the quintessential vampire movie, but quite possibly the best of the lot. Every subsequent vampire movie is indebted to its atmospheric take on the story of Count Dracula, with the exception of the physical appearance of the Count (Murnau’s vampire is pretty hideous, lacking the suave demeanor of the iconic Bela Lugosi portrayal). Where would horror films be without their haunted houses? If these are your cup of tea/blood, then you must check out the foundation film—Director James Whale’s 1932 portrayal of “The Old Dark House,” starring Boris Karloff, fresh from his role in the same director’s previous movies, “Frankenstein” and “The Bride of Frankenstein.” This movie established all the familiar cinematic haunted house tropes: the dark and stormy night, stranded travelers, creepy family members, the sinister stranger in the attic, ominous caretaker, shadows galore, and a general menacing atmosphere. Its immediate predecessor was “The Cat and the Canary” (1927), which has been through several remake cycles, but this film is more of a detective thriller than a genuine horror movie (although the boundary between the two is pretty thin). Nearly the entire catalog of haunted house movies made since 1932 can be seen as homages to Whale’s template. A very incomplete list of examples should include “The Uninvited” (1944), “House On Haunted Hill” (1959), “The Innocents” (1961), “The Haunting” (1963), “Burnt Offerings” (1976), and “The Shining” (1977). Fritz Lang’s 1931 chiller about a child murderer, “M,” is the model for the many “psycho killer” movies that have followed. Quite often the most frightening movie monsters have been those who looked just like us—the “monster next door,” if you will. You can follow his or her psychotic trail through movies like Hitchcock’s “Shadow of A Doubt” (1943) and “Psycho” (1960),”The Bad Seed” (the classic “evil child” movie, 1956), “Peeping Tom” (1960), “Henry, Portrait Of A Serial Killer” (1986), “The Stepfather” (1987 and 2009), and “American Psycho” (2000). I hope you get my point about what a shame it is not to become familiar with the origins (the “parents”) of your favorite horror movies, now that they are so readily and instantaneously available. All you need is a dose of curiosity, IMDB, and YouTube. Don’t deprive (or deprave) yourself of this miraculous opportunity to frighten yourself with all you can discover about the world as it existed before you were born (depending on your age or whether or not you are a vampire, that is). See you next week with a visit to Ghostland, and the conclusion to this year’s “Halloween Horrors” season.
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