The Pulse - Vol. 8, Issue 33

Bringing It Back For Bessie | Mud, Bikes & Music | Hate & The Help

August 18, 2011 VOLUME 8, ISSUE 33 WWW.CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Chattanooga’s Weekly Alternative

MAKING A DIFFERENCE WHILE MAKING A DOLLAR Why Nonprofits Are Having To Find New Revenue Sources As The Old Money Dries Up & Goes Away

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 33 | August 18, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

Nightfall 2011 - Friday Night!

Michael Burks

AUGUST

18

2011

ontents C

VOLUME 8, ISSUE 33 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Want to watch a video of this week's Nightfall headliner? Download the FREE "QR Reader" on your smartphone and scan this code.

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“The Bessie Smith Heritage Festival continues to bring

superlative talent to Chattanooga,

showcasing the best artists in blues, jazz and more contemporary soul forms.”

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“This Saturday night you can shake it

off and give back

whether you want to go glam, get muddy, or rock out with your bike out.”

“Tax deductions for nonprofit donations are set to be limited, charitable giving has been at an all-time low for the past three years, and cuts in funding for important volunteer programs like Americorps are said to be coming.”

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www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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NEWS Chattanooga’s Weekly Alternative President Jim Brewer, II Publisher Zachary Cooper Contributing Editor Janis Hashe News Editor / Layout Gary Poole Director of Sales Rhonda Rollins Advertising Sales Rick Leavell, Michelle Pih Graphic Design Jennifer Grelier Photography / Videography Josh Lang Contributors Gustavo Arellano, Rob Brezsny Chuck Crowder, Michael Crumb John DeVore, Janis Hashe, Matt Jones, D.E. Langley Zach Leavell, Louis Lee, Kelly Lockhart, Ernie Paik Millie Smith, Alex Teach Tara V. Editorial Cartoonist Rick Baldwin Contact Info: Phone (423) 265-9494 Fax (423) 266-2335 Email Inquiries info@chattanoogapulse.com Calendar Submissions calendar@chattanoogapulse.com The Pulse is published weekly and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. The Pulse is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publishers may take more than one copy per weekly issue. The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors.

The Pulse is published by

Brewer Media 1305 Carter Street Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 Letters to the editor must include name, address and daytime phone number for verification. The Pulse reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity.

Please keep letters within 300 words in length.

The Pulse covers a broad range of topics concentrating on culture, the arts, entertainment and local news.

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Pulse Beats

“If this county and city ever move towards consolidation, then I will fight very hard for the Sheriff to be the senior law enforcement.”

Is Your Neighborhood Ready For Its Close Up? In celebration of their 25th anniversaries, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise (CNE) and Association for Visual Arts (AVA) have partnered to host a video contest that asks all Chattanooga neighborhood associations, “Why does your neighborhood rock?”

The associations, or their representatives, will be invited to submit a video that focuses on what they love about their neighborhood.

A $5,000 grand prize will be awarded to the winner with smaller awards for the runnerups.

In order to qualify, contestants must submit a video up to five minutes in length to CNE

by October 1. The top five submissions will be viewed on October 22 at Jefferson Heights Park.

In all, five prizes will be awarded to the top videos with a $5,000 grand prize awarded to the neighborhood association with the best overall video.

“CNE has made revitalizing Chattanooga neighborhoods its primary focus for the last 25 years and we know that there is a lot of ownership and pride out there in the community,” said Laura Schleifer, Development Assistant for CNE. “With the help of AVA, we want to give our local communities a creative voice to put their neigh-

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 33 | August 18, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

— Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond, on recent talks about merging aspects of city and county governments.

borhoods on display and tell Chattanooga why they are great.”

As training support, AVA will be hosting four classes on cinematography and video editing for anyone interested in submitting a video. “This is a terrific community arts project. With today’s video technology, everyone can tell a great story and we look forward to seeing what the neighborhoods create,” said Anne Willson, executive director of AVA. In addition to the workshops, AVA is donating use of their media lab and rental equipment free of charge.

To learn more about submitting your video, please visit www.cneinc.org or www.myneighborhoodrocks.com. For more information call (423) 756-6226.

News Briefs Last week, the East Ridge City Council voted unanimously to create an East Ridge Municipal Planning Commission.

The vote came after the Regional Planning Commission deferred action for 60 days on the proposed East Ridge Fireworks Regulation Ordinance. The ordinance had been recommended to the commission by planning agency staff, but at the time of the commission vote, one member threatened to defer action on the fireworks proposal indefinitely.

East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert said that by forming its own municipal planning commission, East Ridge will now be able to plan its own future without being subject to extended delays by others.

The numbers are in for the first five days of school in Hamilton County. According to Superintendent Rick Smith’s office, actual students at desks—not just computer lists—indicates enrollment is up almost 500 for the year. And that likely won’t be the final number, as the district expects more students to show up in the coming weeks. As expected, East Hamilton Middle and High School is above capacity because of growth in its area. More than 2,100 students reported for class on the first day, which is more than 450 above capacity.

NEWS

Opinion

Remembering Haywood Patterson I am a loyal reader of The Pulse. I pick up my copy every week and have a leisurely lunch at Greenlife while catching up on the happenings around town. It’s a welcome diversion from my stressful life, and a weekly moment of relaxation, amusement and entertainment. And yet last week I found myself crying in public for one of the first times since I was a kid after reading Cody Maxwell’s very moving piece about Haywood Patterson. Thank you for sharing such an amazing piece of writing with the city.

Denise Satterly

Send all letters to the editor and questions to

info@chattanoogapulse.com We reserve the right to edit letters for content and space. Please include your full name, city and contact information.

I don’t usually associate the word “haunting” with The Pulse, but this essay made me shiver a little. Amazing piece.

Corinne Megrus Multicultural Greed I have always found it odd that the same people who cry “racism” at every opportunity were also some of the biggest supporters of creating a separate, segregated “Chamber of Commerce”.

What is sad is how many of those same people have been utterly silent now that

the dirty laundry of fraud, waste and mismanagement are coming to light.

Maybe this time around, they will partner with the existing business community and work to make the entire region better for everyone instead of furthering a divisive and antagonistic vision.

Walter Anderson Storm Debris (Non)Removal All city taxpayers must remember that if there are two brush piles laid side by side at the corner of two pieces of property, each resident must call. One call to 311 will not get both piles picked up. The City would rather make two separate trips. Even worse, if the collectors see a rotten pile of brush they need to pick it up. Instead they drive by it—in some cases over 20 times in a three month period.

Rick Pitch Back in Black Black tie, black T-shirt or a little black dress. Whatever your taste, add style and love to your life by adopting a beautiful black dog or cat during our “Back in Black” adoption promotion now through September 17. Adoption fees for black animals are 50% off regular adoption fee!

All of our animals are spayed/neutered, up to date on age appropriate vaccinations, microchipped, feline leukemia negative for cats and heartworm negative for dogs.

Karen Walsh McKamey Animal Center www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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NEWS

Politics & Crime A weekly roundup of the newsworthy, notable and often head-scratching stories gleaned from police reports from the Chattanooga Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department and the Dalton Police Department.

Here is one of the agenda items to be discussed at the Tuesday, August 23 meeting of the Chattanooga City Council.

7. Resolutions: d) A resolution authorizing the Administrator of the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into an agreement with ISS, Inc. to construct one athletic field and the various components required to support said field at Montague Park, in an amount not to exceed $133,077.35.

If you’ve ever wondered how much it costs to build a ballfield—well, now you know. Or rather, you know how much it’ll cost the city to build one in Montague Park, a ballfield that area residents have long sought.

And while some may question spending decisions such as this during tight economic times, it has been proven time and time again that such facilities not only quickly pay for themselves, but also improve property values and help improve neighborhood safety and quality of life. Play ball!

The Chattanooga City Council meets each Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the City Council Building at 1000 Lindsay St. For more information on the current agenda, and past minutes, visit www.Chattanooga.gov/City_Council

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• People often keep cash in unusual places. Especially when the weather is hot and summer clothing has a dearth of pockets or places to keep cold cash. But for one Grover Street Court woman, keeping her money close to her chest—literally— turned out to not be as secure as expected.

While she was standing outside of her home chatting with neighbors, a man known only as “G-Face” came up, reached inside her blouse and snatched the cash. Before she or her friends could respond, “G-Face” ran off and hasn’t been seen since. Police have a solid description of the chest-happy thief, however, and are actively searching for him.

• How hot has it been? Apparently hot enough to cause clothes to burst into flames. At least that’s one way to explain how a line of laundry drying outside of a Woodland View Circle home burst into flame last week. The homeowner said she answered a knock on her door and was informed by a small boy that her clothes were burning. She called 9-1-1 and put out the fire herself before authorities arrived.

She estimates her loss at about $50. Fire investigators, however, aren’t entertaining

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 33 | August 18, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

the “hot enough to burn clothes” theory and are continuing to investigate.

• Sometimes the first reaction is the most appropriate reaction. At least that was the case in a recent motel meth-lab bust by Chattanooga police.

Officers were called out to a Cummings Highway motel on a report of a possible meth lab set up in on the rooms. As officers were approaching the room in question, a man walked out of the next-door room, saw the officers, and said, “Oh, s---!” Before he could get back in the room, officers saw a number of bottles of the type used to “cook” meth as well as being nearly overwhelmed by a strong chemical odor. With obvious probable cause, officers entered the room and found a rather large meth lab, arresting four people in the process.

• With the current state of the economy, more and more people are having problems with their credit cards. But that still isn’t an excuse to run up unauthorized

expenditures...especially when the credit card is issued to the city one works for.

And you’re the (now former) chief of police. Yet that’s exactly what city officials in Whitwell are dealing with, as former police chief and city recorder were arrested last week on theft charges. The city recorder is accused of spending more than $9,000 at stores like GameStop, Aeropostale and Hot Topic, while the chief was has more than $4,000 of unauthorized purchases.

Both had started to repay the city during the investigation, but the damage had been done. To their credit, city leaders are now taking steps to prevent this from ever happening again, intituting new controls and policies on city-issued cards.

www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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COVER STORY

Social Entreprneurship

Making a Difference While Making a Dollar The rise of the social entrepreneur

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Story by Millie Smith, Pulse Contributing Writer

n 2006, Blake Mycoskie, a scruffy thirty-something reality television star, traveled to Argentina. After playing soccer with barefoot children in impoverished communities, Blake left Argentina with a simple goal: to return and provide shoes for 250 children in need. An entrepreneur at heart— he’d already attempted five small businesses—Blake’s enthusiasm for his project was infectious. Instead of 250 pairs of shoes, Blake and friends returned to Argentina with 10,000 pairs of shoes, all collected within a year.

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COVER STORY

Social Entreprneurship

With this overnight and unexpected success, TOM’S Shoes and the One for One movement were born.

The One for One concept was simple: For every pair of shoes purchased, a pair of shoes would be given to a child in need, and, in September 2010, TOMS gave away its millionth pair of shoes. Within four-and-a-half years, TOMS has won the 2007 People’s Design Award at Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards and become a member of the Clinton Global Initiative. Mycoskie, billing himself as the Chief Shoe Giver, has found himself in high demand for speaking engagements at prestigious conferences like TED X and South by Southwest (SXSW).

Mycoskie’s other small“For every business ventures have been much more modest in their pair of shoes successes. There was the atpurchased, a tempted all-reality TV channel, which Rupert Murdoch pair of shoes out of business with his would be given put Fox Reality Channel, a doorto a child in to-door laundry service, and a billboard company. While Myneed, and, in coskie has the drive and creSeptember ativity of an entrepreneur, it was the beauty of the One for One 2010, TOMS movement that launched his gave away its most successful business, now millionth pair ranked on Fast Company’s Top Ten Most Innovative Companies of shoes.” list. Realizing that more than a company, his concept is an entirely new business model, Mycoskie wants TOMS to own the One for One model, and in June he announced the next phase of TOMS: eyewear. For every pair of high-end fashion glasses bought, a pair of glasses will be given to children in need. Not a micromanager, Mycoskie keeps a schedule that allows time for journaling on his houseboat and plenty of international travel, including the frequent shoe-drop trips. A self-proclaimed philosopher, his first book, Start Something That Matters, is set to be released on September 6. His chal-

lenge for the reader, “Love your work, work for what you love and change the world, all at the same time.” As ambitious as that sounds, his message is hitting home with the current generation of entrepreneurs, CEOS, brand marketers, and most importantly, consumers.

Mycoskie is what many call a social entrepreneur. With the troubling economic times and the changes that nonprofit organizations are facing (tax deductions for nonprofit donations are set to be limited, charitable giving has been at an all-time low for the past three years, and cuts in funding for important volunteer programs like Americorps are said to be coming), social entrepreneurship companies are on the rise. Add to that the appeal to consumers and employees of cause marketing with a compelling story, and it seems that businesses may finally re-think profit for profit alone. Terms such as social entrepreneur, microfinance, microcredit, microsavings are now ubiquitous in socially conscious circles, causing a blurring of the lines

between traditional nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses, allowing creative thinkers to reconsider how they produce, sell, and search for significance.

One of the first social entrepreneurial organizations, Ashoka, defines social entrepreneurs: “They are individuals with innovative solutions to society’s most pressing social problems. They are ambitious and persistent, tackling major social issues and offering new ideas for wide-scale change.

Social entrepreneurs are not content to just give a fish, or teach how to fish, they will not rest until they hae revolutionized the fishing industry.” In light of this redefinition of how we consider social problems, Ashoka has moved away from the traditional acronyms and words associated with philanthropic efforts. NGO (non-governmental organization) and NPO (nonprofit organization) are defined by the prefix, by the “non”, by what they are not. Instead of focusing on this absence of government support or funding, many creative philanthropists are coining new terms

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COVER STORY

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Social Entreprneurship

like “citizen sector” or “citizen organization”. the “least of these”, yet being confounded at Putting the care of society and its problems another Biblical reference that “the poor will in the hands of creative people invested in always be with you”. As she grew older, her the wellbeing of the community is the truest desire to help began to feel like a sense of and most empowering form of citizenship, guilt and confusion at this conundrum. they believe.

“In general I got this sort of idea that It is an important shift for a philanthropic the poor in the world lived lives that were and creative community like Chattanooga wrought with suffering and sadness, devastato consider. With a reputation as a nonprofit tion, hopelessness. haven and a history of philanthropic found“And after a while, I developed what I think ers, Chattanooga is home to more than many of us do, where I started to feel bad ev1,000 non-profits. By comparison, Nash- ery time I heard about them. I started to feel ville claims around 600. A number of strong, guilty for my own relative wealth, because well-funded foundations such as Lyndhurst, I wasn’t doing more, apparently, to make Benwood and Maclellan have allowed the things better. And so naturally, I started to city’s charitable efforts to rely heavily on distance myself. I stopped listening to their traditional means of nonprofit fundraising: stories quite as closely as I had before. I gave grants, donors, and govof my time and my monernment support. Howey. I gave when solutions A number ever, with the looming were on sale. The truth of strong, changes to tax deductions be told, I was giving out well-funded for 501(c)(3) donations of that place, not out of and the continuing decline foundations such a genuine place of hope in donations, Chattanooand excitement to help as Lyndhurst, ga’s nonprofit community and of generosity...I was must consider how long purchasing something. I Benwood and these traditional models was buying my right to go Maclellan have can support the number of on with my day and not nonprofits the city boasts. allowed the city’s necessarily be bothered And, even without the this bad news. And I charitable efforts by economic cutbacks, as an think the way that we go increasingly creative com- to rely heavily on through that sometimes munity develops among traditional means can, first of all, disemChattanooga’s Millenials, body a group of people, of nonprofit perhaps there are better individuals out there in solutions for the problems the world. So as I did this, fundraising.” previously left to nonprofand as I think many of us its to solve. If the creative community could do this, we kind of buy our distance, we kind remove the dichotomy of nonprofit vs. for- of buy our right to go on with our day. I think profit, and more importantly, the perception that exchange can actually get in the way of of the haves and the have-nots, those who the very thing that we want most. It can get help and those who need help could both in the way of our desire to really be meaninglearn from the other. Instead of mentor to ful and useful in another person’s life and, in mentee, donor to client, establishing a peer- short, to love.” to-peer relationship that equally values the When Jessica heard Muhammad Yunus, lessons of both sides of the economic aisle Nobel Prize-winner and founder of the will create a more creative and mutually ben- Grameen Bank, speak of the extraordinary eficial climate of social entrepreneurs. success of microcredit, she realized she could Jessica Jackley, founder of KIVA, an online impact the poor in a way that respects their community that allows lenders to make small dignity. As Jessica discovered, “The best way loans to entrepreneurs througout the world, for people to change their lives is for them relates her own dilemma with her view of the to have control and do it in a way that is best haves and have-nots and her inner angst over for them.” This epiphany inspired Jessica to their situation. She tells of being a sensitive, launch KIVA, and within one year, the orimpressionable child in Sunday school and ganization had loaned $500,000 to smalllearning that she had a mission to care for business people in at-risk communities.

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 33 | August 18, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

COVER STORY

Social Entreprneurship

Yunus asserts that now is the best time to re“Tax deductions for nonprofit donations are set have with you”?

As we work towards the answer to that frame how communities think about charity. to be limited, charitable giving has been at an riddle, the words of Bono at the National “The current financial crisis makes it very all-time low for the past three years, and cuts in Prayer Breakfast resonate. Challenging the clear that the system that we have isn’t really audience to take on the fight against the Afworking and this is the right time for us to funding for important volunteer programs like rican AIDS crisis, he said, “Look, whatever undo things and build them in a new way.” On Americorps are said to be coming.” thoughts you have about God, who He is or a local level, traditional nonprofits and budif He exists, most will agree that, if there is ding entrepreneurs should reconsider their including that option in the funding model is a healthy step a God, He has a special place for the poor. In fact, the poor method of funding their work or starting a business. For en- towards sustainability. trepreneurs, the success of cause marketing is worth noting.

In Chattanooga, there is a growing awareness of the im- are where God lives.” It seems science supports Bono’s supWho knows if a small shoe company out of Santa Monica, portance of microfinance in poverty alleviation. The Chal- position. In a UC Berkeley study of social class and prosocial California would have seen such rapid growth without the mers Center for Economic Development is training com- behavior called “Having Less, Giving More”, the researchers compelling stories and the word-of-mouth marketing of its munity leaders in Africa in microfinance education focused found that the economically and socially marginalized actuconsumers and employees? TOMS staff is comprised of a on savings and credit unions. Using the natural community ally exhibit more charitable and “prosocial” behavior traits. large number of volunteer interns who are incredibly loyal to connection of the church in Africa, Chalmers equips church Despite the fact that a low socioeconomic status is associatthe brand. “The greatest competitive advantage is to allow leaders with holistic approaches to social, spiritual and finan- ed with many social threats and a loss of control, “lower class your employees to be part of something. Something bigger cial needs. Locally, Chalmers Center has launched a similar individuals proved to be more generous, charitable, trusting than what you’re doing,” says Mycoskie. He makes sure to training program for savings-focused micorfinance opportu- and helpful compared to their upper class counterparts.”

They exhibited far more empathy and compassion. The loinclude his employees on the shoe-drop trips, keeping them nities for the local economically disadvantaged. invested in the mission.

With the lofty Millenium Development Goals, and Mu- cal community and the global community needs to approach For local nonprofits looking at the impending budget cuts, hammad Yunus’ belief that we can one day see a world where the poor not as those with their hands out, but as those with social entrepreneurship opportunities may be a valid means poverty is finally alleviated, many are wondering if it is really their hearts open, who have much to teach us through their of support. Executive Director of Chattanooga’s Center for possible. Can labels like “consumer” and “donor”, “nonprofit” charitable example. For now, as communities struggle to find Nonprofits Sheila Moore says local nonprofits need to make and “for-profit” fall away and leave a society creatively work- creative solutions to global and local poverty, let’s practice sure they diversify their sources of funding. Though not ev- ing for economic progress and social good? Or, is it as Jessica gratitude to the lessons we can learn from the most chariery nonprofit lends itself to creative social entrepreneurship, Jackley, KIVA founder was told, “ the poor you will always table members of our society.

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 33 | August 18, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

OPINION

On The Beat

On The Menu: Stress For Breakfast P

don’t even realize olice work is a lot like the it. Their vessels hypothetical “jar of rocks” a college are packed with professor introduced me to many, many divorce papers and years ago.

Pepto-Bismol.

He filled this jar to the top with golfHIV exposures and ball-sized stones, then asked, “Is this Prilosec. Old rotten jar full?” He would then show it wasn’t corpses and newly quite so, as he poured fine gravel into minted orphans, all it that filtered around the larger items between lunch breaks and filled in the gaps…prompting him to and shift changes, as repeat the question. if everything were Next came sand to fill in the even normal. Because smaller voids left by the gravel, which with us, that IS a he poured to the top of the vessel and normal day. And if leveled it off with a ruler, packed to we complain? There’s always a member the very edge. Rocks, gravel, sand…it of the public who will give the age-old was a lesson in perception and details… advice of, “If you can’t handle it, then problem-solving too, come to think of just quit.” But the new cop knows he it. Showing how no matter the obstacle can’t show weakness…and a good cop or event, there was always another knows he can’t be so cruel as to walk possibility or something you may have away since it would only force some missed; there was always room for other poor bastard to do the job for him. something more. At the end of the I’m a terribly small fish where I lesson he drove this work; certainly not home even further a leader (and one, in “That hand on by pouring a full fact, I only assume is the shoulder is glass of water into it barely tolerated until for them to pull after we’d deemed it needed), but there are “as full as it can be”. up on the stick a select few who know (Again.) I’ve lost I’m a willing mentor before they plow sight of it from time when away from the into the ground, to time, but that rest of the pack, if and everyone has not away from the lesson has never fully left me. seen the crater and job itself. Selective I’m as shocked in regards to the ball of flames from only as anyone to have ones who don’t know those who didn’t survived the first they need a little half of my career, redirection just yet, make it in time.” what with my as was the case with “impulsive nature”, but as most that me once. A figurative or literal hand on have passed through a storm can attest, a shoulder that will remind them when I have an even greater appreciation of their emotional tires are low on air, with calm waters now than I did before, and (when open to hear it) directions on it allows me to see those same stress how and how not to fix it. Again, funny fractures appearing in others that once advice from a guy with my reputation, appeared in me. but even I have a few things I hold I see cops every day with their jars precious. getting more and more full…and some Peer counseling is the technical

term for this and in my experience it’s the most effective.

Booze, debauchery… those are other methods people selfmedicate with, but while great for stories, the damaged ones sometimes mistake that psychological escape for “fun” and begin a downward spiral that can end up screaming like an old dive-bombing Messerschmitt, without ever hearing a sound for themselves.

That hand on the shoulder is for them to pull up on the stick before they plow into the ground, and everyone has seen the crater and ball of flames from those who didn’t make it in time.

Stress: There’s always room for more, it seems, and even when the water has filled the jar to the top and you think that really is all you can take, that liquid doesn’t just run over the top and onto the floor and out of your life.

It will freeze and expand, shattering everything forever.

You must strike a balance between the corpses and the car wrecks, and when that fails…pray a friend or a stranger has your back. Bullets are obvious, after all; stress is much, much more insidious when left unchecked.

Be vigilant, brothers and sisters.

Outward AND inward. And if you feel a hand on your shoulder one day? The difference between a career and a failed attempt at such may be the advice you hear from the other end of that arm.

Give it a chance.

Alex Teach

When Officer Alexander D. Teach is not patrolling our fair city on the heels of the criminal element, he is an occasional student, carpenter, boating enthusiast, and spends his spare time volunteering for the Boehm Birth Defects Center. Follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alex.teach www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 33 | August 18, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

ARTS

Feature

Bringing It Back for Bessie

By Michael Crumb, Pulse Arts Writer

T

he return of original blues entertainer Bobby Rush to the Bessie Smith Heritage Festival provokes excitement because folks will be able to share in the presence of this unique and powerful performer. Rush has been deep into the blues for a long time, and he just gets better, garnering awards in 2008, especially for his release Raw. Based in Chicago, Rush has recorded more than 250 records, and has been steadily performing more than 250 gigs every year. Born in Homer, Louisiana, a very small town, Rush left his native state in 1947 and within a couple of years, was onstage performing the blues.

Largely self-taught, he honed his skills in guitar and harmonica around Jimmy Reed, Little Walter and Junior Wells. Rush was driven to be different, and he focused his skills into becoming an entertainer, bringing his own funky mix of Delta and Chicago blues.

The Bessie Smith Heritage Festival continues to bring superlative talent to Chattanooga, showcasing the best artists in blues, jazz and more contemporary soul forms. This year’s headliner will be rhythm & blues phenom Chrisette Michele, a Grammy Award-winning artist. While Bobby Rush brings the blues, which, after all, was Bessie Smith’s major mode, Eric Essix will perform jazz guitar. Other artists include Chattanooga’s gospel/hiphop performing artist T-Ran Gilbert and neo-soul artists Avery Sunshine and Tonya Dyson. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and the whole show will likely run past midnight.

Blues and jazz are unique American contributions to world culture. The Bessie Smith Heritage Festival fulfills multiple purposes of entertainment, education and preservation by bringing these artists to their audience. Many music fans aspire to hear innovative artists, and venues like the Heritage Festival provide that opportunity.

Eric Essix was self-taught on guitar since he got his first instrument at about age 9. He grew up playing guitar in church in Birmingham, Al-

abama. Eventually, he attended and graduated musicians.

The world is hungry for these American mufrom the celebrated Berklee College of Music in Boston. Essix currently serves as artistic co- sic forms. Essix has played in Israel, Hungary ordinator at the Creative Performance Center and India. Bobby Rush has played in the Far East. When I spoke with Rush, he was recordat the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

It’s rather ironic that as a young child, Es- ing a blues radio show in Chicago that was to be six found inspiration from the musical artists sent to Jackson, Mississippi and other towns. It of the British Invasion. Of course, these art- would be excellent if Chattanooga were to be ists were inspired by American blues and jazz added to that list.

Essix explains that the new music business artists, whose records sold in England, but were sup- model can be hard on artists. The paradoxical pressed in America. Con- situation comes from the fact that while much sequently, this end-around can be found, not so much is actually promottransmission came to Essix ed. There has also developed a strong “aesthetic when some of the original of the market” in film, publishing, music and in artists were not far from art, the idea that quality correlates with retail his home. Significantly, success. In the US, where education has been Birmingham was also a deteriorating for some time, “successful” work center of conflict in the is often quite mediocre.

When I would visit with my friend, the late civil rights movement, and churches helped to orga- Harold Thomas Bowles Jr., he would be playing the most amazing jazz on his home system. nize this movement.

Essix explores diverse One of the best ways to hear the best music musical trends in his own emerges through festival venues like the Bessie music. His 2000 War- Smith Heritage Festival. Go and enjoy! ner Brothers recording Bessie Smith Heritage Festival Southbound $35 advance, $40 at gate worked with soul, gospel, country $50 premier, $75 deluxe, $100 VIP and r&b. Recently, Essix has had Saturday, August 20 distribution from EMI. Recent 5 p.m. – midnight recordings include Somewhere in Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd.

Alabama and Birmingham. Essix (423) 266-8658. continues his recording projects www.bessiesmithheritagefestival.com without a set band, but with other

“The Bessie Smith Heritage Festival continues to bring superlative talent to Chattanooga, showcasing the best artists in blues, jazz and more contemporary soul forms.”

www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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ARTS

Arts & Events Calendar FRIDAY

THURSDAY

Art & Copy

Doc about ad campaigns that have changed our lives. $15 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m, screening, 8 p.m. discussion Lindsay Street Hall, 901 Lindsay St. www.backrowfilms.com

Thursday

Dynamo of Dixie Downtown Tour 10 a.m. Sheraton Read House, 827 Broad St. (423) 228-0448. www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com Art + Issues: Inner Strength 6 p.m. Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. www.huntermuseum.org HandsOn Hunter: Photography and the Civil War 6 p.m. Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. www.huntermuseum.org Photographic Society of Chattanooga 6 p.m. St. John’s United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Dr. www.chattanoogaphoto.org AEC Back Row Film Series: Art & Copy 6 p.m. Lindsay Street Hall, 901 Lindsay St. www.backrowfilms.com Bluff and Bridges Downtown Tour 7 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 228-0448. www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com Mystery of the TV Talk Show 7 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 1 38 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 33 | August 18, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

Lookouts vs. Carolina Mudcats 7:15 p.m. AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. (423) 267-2208. www.lookouts.com D.L. Hughley 8 p.m. The Comedy Catch & Giggles Grille, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com

Friday

Dynamo of Dixie Downtown Tour 10 a.m. Sheraton Read House, 827 Broad St. (423) 228-0448. www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com Fresh on Fridays Marketplace 11 a.m. Miller Plaza Pavilion, 850 Market St. (423) 265-3700.

Born to be Wild 3D 6, 8 p.m. Aquarium IMAX Theater, 1 Broad St. (800) 265-0695. www.tnaqua.org Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D 7, 9 p.m. Aquarium IMAX Theater, 1 Broad St. (800) 265-0695. www.tnaqua.org Mystery of Flight 138 7 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Bluff and Bridges Downtown Tour 7 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 228-0448. www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com Lookouts vs. Carolina Mudcats 7:15 p.m. AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. (423) 267-2208. www.lookouts.com Live Music Hafla 7:30 p.m. Learn 2 Bellydance Studio, 5950 Shallowford Rd.

D.L. Hughley 7:30, 10 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com The Comedy of Errors 7:30 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141. ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com Luck of the Draw 7:30 p.m. Chattanooga State, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-3207. www.chattanoogastate.edu Manifest Arts Showcase 8 p.m. The CampHouse, 1427 Williams St. Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com Live Team Trivia 9 p.m. Amigo’s Mexican Restaurant, 5450 Hwy 153. (423) 875-8049. www.chattanoogatrivia.com Stand Up Comedy! Ryan Dalton 9:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Female Impersonation Show Midnight. Images Showbar, 6065 Lee Hwy. (423) 855-8210. www.imagesbar.com

Saturday

Chattanooga Mud Run 9 a.m. Greenway Farms, 5051 Gann Store Rd. www.chattanoogamudrun.com Dynamo of Dixie Downtown Tour 10 a.m. Sheraton Read House, 827 Broad St. (423) 228-0448. www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com Brainerd Farmers Market 10 a.m. Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave. (423) 458-6281.

Luck of the Draw

Improvised musical is different every time. $10 7:30 p.m.

Chattanooga State, Humanities Theatre, 4501 Amnicola Highway (423) 697-3246 Chattanooga River Market 10 a.m. Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. (423) 648-2496. www.chattanoogamarket.com Art till Dark Noon. 40 Frazier Ave. (423) 413-8999. www.arttildark.com Rock City Summer Music Series Noon. Rock City, 1400 Patten Rd. Lookout Mountain.

(800) 854-0675.

Luau Open House Noon. Georgia Winery, 6469 Battlefield Pkwy. (706) 937-9860. www.georgiawines.com Strike for Education Rock ‘n Bowl 2 p.m. Holiday Bowl, 5518 Brainerd Rd. (423) 892-4488. www.jachatt.org Arts Live: Dance Around the World 2 p.m. Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. (423) 648-6043. www.cdmfun.org The Comedy of Errors 2 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141.

Book Signing: Chattanooga Refugees: The Diary of Josephine Hooke 2 p.m. Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library, 1001 Broad St. (423) 757-5310. lib.chattanooga.gov

ARTS

Arts & Events Calendar

SATURDAY

Bessie Smith Heritage Festival

Art, food and of course, music! $35 5 p.m. - midnight Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 266-8658.

Artist Talk Back and Demonstration: Eric Essix 3 p.m. The Foundry, 1201 South Broad St. (423) 266-8658. www.bessiesmithheritagefestival.com Bessie Smith Heritage Festival 5 p.m. Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. Martin Luther King Blvd.

(423) 266-8658. www.bessiesmithheritagefestival.com Mystery at the Nightmare Office Party 5:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Born to be Wild 3D 6, 8 p.m. IMAX Theater, 1 Broad St. (800) 265-0695. www.tnaqua.org Swamp Romp 6:30 p.m. First Tennesee Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. (423) 266-4041 Summer in the City V 7 p.m. Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5050. chattanoogasummerinthecity.org Bluff and Bridges Downtown Tour 7 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 228-0448. www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D 7, 9 p.m. Aquarium IMAX Theater, 1 Broad St. (800) 265-0695. www.tnaqua.org

SUNDAY

D.L. Hughley 7, 9:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com Lookouts vs. Carolina Mudcats 7:15 p.m. AT&T Field, 2 01 Power Alley. (423) 267-2208. www.lookouts.com Luck of the Draw 7:30 p.m. Chattanooga State, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-3207. www.chattanoogastate.edu Bellydance Showcase 8 p.m. Learn 2 Bellydance Studio, 5950 Shallowford Rd. Mystery at the Redneck-Italian Wedding 8 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Chattanooga Ghost Hunt 9:30 p.m. Patten Chapel, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com Stand Up Comedy! Ryan Dalton 10:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839.

Female Impersonation Show Midnight. Images Showbar, 6065 Lee Hwy. (423) 855-8210. www.imagesbar.com

Strike for Education Rock ‘n Bowl 2 p.m. Holiday Bowl, 5518 Brainerd Rd. (423) 892-4488. www.jachatt.org Chattanooga Book Arts Collaborative Meeting 2 p.m. CreateHere, 55 East Main St. chattanoogabookarts.blogspot.com Luck of the Draw 2:30 p.m. Chattanooga State, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-3207. www.chattanoogastate.edu The Comedy of Errors 6:30 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141. ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com Bluff and Bridges Downtown Tour 7 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 228-0448.

DJ Lewis’ Swinging Ball 8 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com Movie Night 8 p.m. Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Cafe, 501 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 752-5224.

Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125.

Sunday

Monday

Dynamo of Dixie Downtown Tour 10 a.m. Sheraton Read House, 827 Broad St. (423) 228-0448. www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com Chattanooga Market 11 a.m. First Tennesee Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. www.chattanoogamarket.com Rock City Summer Music Series Noon. Rock City, 1400 Patten Rd. Lookout Mountain.

(800) 854-0675.

Dynamo of Dixie Downtown Tour 10 a.m. Sheraton Read House, 827 Broad St. (423) 228-0448. www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com Bluff and Bridges Downtown Tour 7 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 228-0448.

92nd Street Y Lecture Series 7:30 p.m. Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 N. Terrace Rd. (423) 493-0270. www.jewishchattanooga.com

Chattanooga Book Arts Collaborative Meeting Learn how to make handmade books.

Free 2 – 5 p.m.

CreateHere, 55 E. Main St.

Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com

Tuesday

Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com

Wednesday

Dynamo of Dixie Downtown Tour 10 a.m. Sheraton Read House, 827 Broad St. (423) 228-0448. www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting 11:30 a.m. Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 Main Street Farmers Market 4 p.m. Main St. at Williams St. www.mainstfarmersmarket.com Bluff and Bridges Downtown Tour 7 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 228-0448.

Joseph Campbell Summer Roundtable: Awakening in the Context of the Hero’s Journey 7 p.m. Undercroft, Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave. www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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MUSIC

Feature

Give and Get Glam, Get Mud Or Get Yo’ Bike Out

By Tara V, Pulse Music Writer

L

ast week our dear friend Dave broke the news: Summer is almost over. So here we are, heading back to school, trying to fit in that last-minute vacation, and deciding if you really want to go see Cowboys & Aliens.

Summer for most is a sense of “Me Time.”

Me wanna party, Me wanna sunbathe, Me wanna ride a “This Saturday roller coaster, and hey, who night you blames ya? Not Me. The beach can shake it is definitely the way to go, but it is easy to forget about those off and give less fortunate. The heat can back whether cause as many issues as the cold and disease doesn’t care you want to that we’re on vacation. We had go glam, get a hard summer with weather muddy, or rock and the amazing people helped those in need are commended, out with your but it is very easy to go into bike out.” what I have heard called “charity fatigue”. This Saturday night you can shake it off and give back whether you want to go glam, get muddy, or rock out with your bike out.

Glam Style Summer in The City will be for my red-carpet Old Hollywood Wannabes. The days of Marilyn are not lost and Fred Astaire-like tunes will fill the air in support of the Chattanooga chapter of the American Cancer Society. The event will begin at the Tivoli Theatre with local cuisine, a silent auction and live music from Divine Jazz’s Joy. Specializing in 1940s (and beyond) stylings this musician, vocalist and composer is a hit performing with local groups such as the UTC Jazz Band and Sweet Georgia Brown. For the late niters, there is an after-

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party at the Read House that will take you waltzing or shaking your flappers into the midnight hour. Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite Old Hollywood Star. Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor or one of the Three Stooges—take your pick.

Summer in The City 7 - 10 p.m. Tivoli Theatre. $75 10 p.m. - Midnight Read House. $25 www.chattanoogasummerinthecity.org Mud Bugs This year, our friends at Habitat For Humanity are adding spice to the evening of their Mud Run fundraiser.

“The Swamp Romp” will cater to all those involved with getting dirty during the daytime 5K obstacle course held at Greenway Farms—but also give a chance for friends and those more into mud pie than mud flops to get down in support of the organization. The Swamp Romp will feature a Low Country Boil of perfect Southern proportion, outdoor games such as corn hole, and live music from Lon Eldridge, WTM Blues Band, and Zydeco legend C.J. Chenier with The Red Hot Louisiana Band.

Swamp Romp The First Tennessee Pavilion 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. $65 for non-Mud Runners ($90 VIP)

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 33 | August 18, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

$50 For Mud Runners ($75 VIP) www. chattanoogamudrun. com

Pedal Rockers The MainStreet Bike Cooperative will be raising the volume to inform you of what happens when you mix bikes and rock-loving riders. In order to support the need for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, Zac Holford and the gang are pulling out the Future Virgins at JJ’s Bohemia. The mission for this group is to build and maintain a healthy biking community. Their community bike shop will support and educate every age and level of rider by offering many courses, such as how to build a bike from recycled parts and how to have one fit your body for its use. Knowing it is all about the kids, MSBC will offer an Earn a Bike Program giving kids the opportunity to build their own bike. Before the show, grab your two-wheeler and head to the St. Andrews Center. For six bucks, including admission to the show, you can get geared up by taking part in the scavenger-style Alley Cat Race that winds from Highland Park to the North Shore. As far as the show…it’s Future Virgins, duh. For more info/join/ help, contact Zac Holford at (423) 987-1060.

MSBC Fundraiser JJ’s Bohemia 10:30 p.m. $6 mainstreetbikecoop.blogspot.com

MUSIC

New Music Reviews

Akita, Gustafsson & O’Rourke

Shabazz Palaces

(Editions Mego)

When hearing the title of the new full-length from the Seattle hiphop concern Shabazz Palaces, Black Up, I immediately thought it was a variation of “man up”—something you say to a fellow when he should rise to the occasion (or, more bluntly, to grow a pair.) Urban Dictionary says it’s a variant of “backup” in the context of a fight (“Call for black up!”), and Googling reveals even more wildly differing definitions, including the act of a white person applying blackface makeup. The ambiguous title is perfect for this release, which is quite possibly the most lyrically complex and oblique album I’ve encountered this year. The wordplay is dizzying and often impenetrable, and even during its most relatively straightforward moments, it taunts the listener, challenging him to keep searching—example A is the love song mind-bogglingly entitled “A Treatease Dedicated to the Avian Airess from North East Nubis (1000 Questions, 1 Answer).”

All of this seems appropriate for Shabazz Palaces, a band shrouded in mystery; its front man, former Digable Planets member Ishmael Butler (a.k.a. Palaceer Lazaro), is reluctant to provide many details or explanations, preferring to let critics and fans sort it all out. Musically, Black Up distinguishes itself with beats that lurch along compellingly, avoiding the well-trod sample territory, and sliced-and-diced jazz samples as an embrace of both the artificial and the organic; oddly, the album sounds dense while leaning toward minimalism and favoring restraint, at times using the female duo THEESatisfaction effectively.

Allusional slivers pop up on Black Up, like the reference to the Muhammad Ali/Joe Frazier fight in “Recollections of the Wraith,” while the album remains thematically hazy, on purpose.

These are complicated stories, and it seems like Black Up is all too happy to open itself up for wide interpretations (the line “Clear some space out so we can space out” seems to mirror this sentiment.) By the end of the album it’s still unclear what “black up” means, and the bookend references to being free (first “I’m free” then “Black is free”) may hint that the album is less of an articulation than an open-ended narration with many possibilities—one question, a thousand answers. — Ernie Paik

One Bird Two Bird

One of many priceless moments in the mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap shows guitarist Nigel Tufnel performing a cacophonous solo involving rubbing a violin against the guitar; mid-solo, he stops, clearly troubled, looks questioningly at the violin, quickly tunes one of its strings, and then resumes. This scene underscores one of the interesting yet sometimes maddening questions that noise and other abstract music forms raises: how do you know when you’re doing it “right”? Merely causing sonic distress and discomfort is not enough— any teenager armed with an instrument, amp, and some guitar pedals can create an ungodly, terrifying mess of sounds.

Unlike pop music, there isn’t really a good, tried-and-true formula for avant-noise, but the new album One Bird Two Bird gets it right, being one of the more intriguing noise-centered collaborations of recent memory. Formidable noise artist Masami Akita, best known as the man behind Merzbow, teams up with the ballsout Swedish free jazz saxophonist Mats Gustafsson and the unclassifiable Jim O’Rourke—solo artist and frequent collaborator, former member of Gastr del Sol and Sonic Youth, and also Grammy-winning producer of a Wilco album.

Released on vinyl and as a digital download, One Bird Two Bird features two 20-minute long tracks and could be viewed as a test of tolerance.

The mysterious, vaguely sci-fi electronic tones of “One Bird” are accompanied by low, slow sax bleats, gradually building its sonic ziggurat, until about 13 minutes in, when the sound drops out dramatically, leaving a plaintive, soft pitterpatter and pained sax moans. “Two Bird” is even more unpredictable, with Akita and O’Rourke shooting death rays and abrasive sonic shrapnel blasts at each other, while Gustafsson toots like he’s about to blow an O-ring. Music that is simply loud can wear people out, but this album is different, allowing a hardy listener to feed from its power; it is sort of like a horror film, which can instill fear yet also make you feel a little braver in the end. — Ernie Paik

Black Up (Sub Pop)

www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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MUSIC

Concert Calendar

THURSDAY

John Paul Keith, Bohannons, Larcenist

JPK is a stellar songwriter, “blistering” guitarist. $5 9 p.m.

The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy.

(423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com

Thursday

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Ben Friberg Trio 7 p.m. Table 2, 232 E. 11th St. (423) 756-8253. www.table2restaurant.com Audience Choice Night 7 p.m. McHale’s Brewhouse, 724 Ashland Ter. (423) 877-2124. www.mchalesbrewhouse.com Blues Jam with Rick Rushing 7:30 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Buckner Brothers 8 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Jimmy Harris 8 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055.

Zack Cooper (Ed. Note: Not the Pulse publisher) 8 p.m. Acoustic Café, 61 RBC Dr., Ringgold. (706) 965-2065. www.ringgoldacoustic.com John Paul Keith, Bohannons 9 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 33 | August 18, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

FRIDAY

Comedy Night 9 p.m. The Office (inside Days Inn), 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191.

Gabe Newell 9 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pk. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com Mindy Smith 9 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com

Friday

Johnny Cash Tribute Band 5 p.m. Chattanooga Choo Choo Victorian Lounge, 1400 Market St. (423) 266-5000. www.choochoo.com/localevents Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com The Most Important Band in the World 6:30 p.m. Southside Bistro & Saloon, 1301 Chestnut St. (423) 757-4730. www.southsidesaloonandbistro.com The Rising, Last Flight Out, Inherit, The Kingdom, Soul Gate 7 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 412 Market St. www.warehousevenue.com Michelle Young & Pontiac Blue 7 p.m. Nightfall Concert Series, Miller Plaza., Market St. www.nightfallchattanooga.com Johnston & Brown 8 p.m. Acoustic Café, 61 RBC Dr., Ringgold. (706) 965-2065. www.ringgoldacoustic.com Michael Burks 8 p.m. Nightfall Concert Series, Miller Plaza, Market St. www.nightfallchattanooga.com

The Brian Collins Band 9 p.m. Raw, 409 Market St. (423) 756-1919. www.myspace.com/jimstriker The Pool 9 p.m. Sugar’s Ribs, 507 Broad St. (423) 508-8956. www.sugarsribs.com Blake Morrison 10 p.m. T-Bones Cafe, 1419 Chestnut St. (423) 266-4240. www.tboneschattanooga.com Blair Crimmins and The Hookers 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia Moon Taxi, HeyPenny 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St www.rhythm-brews.com Michelle Young & Pontiac Blue 10 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100.

(423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Cody Harris 10 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pk. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com Bud Lightning 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com

Saturday

Uptown Big Band 10 a.m. Chattanooga River Market, Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. (423) 265-0698. www.chattanoogamarket.com Ogya Trio 10 a.m. The Incline Railway, 3917 St. Elmo Ave. (423) 821-4224. www.ridetheincline.com

Moon Taxi, Heypenny

Locals Heypenny rock their release A Jillion Kicks. $7 9:30 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com New Binkley Brothers Noon. Rock City Summer Music Weekends, 1400 Patten Rd., Lookout Mtn. www.seerockcity.com Eric Essix 3 p.m. The Foundry at the Chattanoogan, 1201 S. Broad St. (423) 756-3400. www.thechattanooganhotel.com Johnny Cash Tribute Band 5 p.m. Chattanooga Choo Choo Victorian Lounge, 1400 Market St. (423) 266-5000. www.choochoo.com/localevents Hargerty and DeYoung 6:30 p.m. Southside Bistro & Saloon, 1301 Chestnut St. (423) 757-4730. www.southsidesaloonandbistro.com Swamp Romp 6:30 p.m. First Tennessee Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. www.chattanoogamudrun.com Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Ded Baby Robots, Johnny Dropout, Tony Holiday 7 p.m. Backstage Lounge at the Holiday Bowl, 5518 Brainerd Rd. (423) 899-2695. www.holidaybowlbrainerd.com

MUSIC

Concert Calendar

SATURDAY

Island Dance Party with DJ Sammy Bananas, Flux 308, K7 Tiki rules at the Crash Pad. $5 8 p.m.

The Crash Pad, 29 Johnson St. (423) 648-8393.

Find them on Facebook.

Summer in the City 7 p.m. Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St. chattanoogasummerinthecity.org Crazy Night of Worship with Alan Keen Band, Ryan Wynne Band, Eric Hayes Band 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 412 Market St. www.warehousevenue.com Infinite Orange, Soul Mechanic 7:30 p.m. The CampHouse, 1427 Williams St. (423) 702-8081. www.thecamphouse.com Tom Smith 8 p.m. Charles and Myrtle’s Coffeehouse, 105 McBrien Rd. (423) 892-4960. www.christunity.org/events Roger Alan Wade 8 p.m. Acoustic Café, 61 RBC Dr., Ringgold. (706) 965-2065. www.ringgoldacoustic.com DJ Sammy Bananas, Flux 308, K7 8 p.m. The Crash Pad, 29 Johnson St. (423) 648-8393.

Find them on Facebook.

Yarn 8 p.m. Riverfront Nights, 200 Riverfront Pkwy. www.riverfrontnights.com

SUNDAY

The Brian Collins Band 9 p.m. Raw, 409 Market St. (423) 756-1919. www.myspace.com/jimstriker Billy Hopkins 9 p.m. The Office (inside Days Inn), 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191. www.facebook.com/theofficechatt Catheads 9 p.m. McHale’s Brewhouse, 724 Ashland Ter. (423) 877-2124. www.mchalesbrewhouse.com The Pool 9 p.m. Sugar’s Ribs, 507 Broad St. (423) 508-8956. www.sugarsribs.com Filament 10 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Gabe Newell & Muddy Soul 10 p.m. T-Bones Cafe, 1419 Chestnut St. (423) 266-4240. www.tboneschattanooga.com Velcro Pygmies 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. Brian Hensley, Future Virgins: Main Street Bike Cooperative Fundraiser 10:30 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. mainstreetbikecoop.blogspot.com Nathan Farrow 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com

Sunday

New Binkley Brothers Noon. Rock City Summer Music Weekends, 1400 Patten Rd., Lookout Mtn. www.seerockcity.com Jeff Miller 12:30 p.m. Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. (423) 265-0698.

Chris Hale 12:30 p.m. Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. www.chattanoogamarket.com Tym Priest 2 p.m. Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. www.chattanoogamarket.com Irish Music Session 3 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com Free Range Mystics 3 p.m. Pasha Coffee and Tea, 3914 St. Elmo Ave. (423) 475-5482. www.pashacoffeehouse.com Dennis Phillips Benefit 5 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 7 p.m. The Office (inside Days Inn), 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191.

The Get Reels 8 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com Faded, Seraphim, Khana 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia

Monday

Old Tyme Players 7 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com AJ Cheek 7 p.m. Pasha Coffee and Tea, 3914 St. Elmo Ave. (423) 475-5482. www.pashacoffeehouse.com Big Band Night 8 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com

Faded, Seraphim, Khana

Another hip summer Sunday night at JJ’s. $7 10 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E MLK Blvd.

(423) 266-1400. myspace.com/jjsbohemia

Tuesday

Open Mic with Mike McDade 9 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pk. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com

Wednesday

Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055.

Ben Friberg Trio 7 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Prime Cut Trio 8 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055.

Johnson’s Crossroads, Gabriel Newell, Muddy Soul 9 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com DJ ScubaSteve hosts Jenntastic Wednesdays - Open Mic/Karaoke/ Poetry/Comedy/Local Music 9 p.m. Holiday Bowl, 5518 Brainerd Rd. (423) 899-2695. www.holidaybowlbrainerd.com www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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OPINION

Life In The ‘Noog

Right Here In The Hereafter E

ven when you’re my age, no one should be worried about how soon the hereafter will be here. The deaths of a few friends my age during the past few months have made me assess my own mortality as thoroughly as the prostate exam I endure each year to help ensure immortality.

It’s sad when anyone passes on, but it’s even sadder when that person was a young, adventurous sort who lapped up everything life has to offer. Whether it’s by accident, illness or their own hand, “dying young and leaving a good-looking corpse” is about as romantic a notion as a subway trench-coat flasher.

I’m not sure how I would deal with the inevitable if I were diagnosed with a morethan-likely terminal illness. I’ve written lately about the plight of one of my dearest friends who, much to my sadness, passed away last week as the result of a debilitating disease, the likes of which hadn’t even shown its filthy cells this time last year.

The last time I saw him was a few weeks ago when he made one last pilgrimage to his hometown to see his homies, like myself, who are still here waving the freak flag he helped us create many years ago.

Everyone at the event, but most especially John, knew that would be the last time we all laughed, hugged and kissed again.

In fact, John’s bravery as he accepted our tearful goodbyes was one of the most heroic things I’ve ever witnessed. I don’t think I could ever be that guy.

But I am one of the guys who are left to mourn the loss of a friend just three years older than me. The news of his dying was more of a relief than a shock for those who knew the pain he was enduring and the events over the past few months that led up to his sad demise. Along the way, we friends tried to keep up his spirits by posting all kinds of stories, photos, inside jokes and music to his Facebook page,

Chuck Crowder “They say when you die your life flashes before your eyes.

John had a few months of summing his up, and I’m sure he was proud of what he saw.” which he checked and responded to daily.

They say when you die your life flashes before your eyes. John had a few months of summing his up, and I’m sure he was proud of what he saw.

I don’t know which is worse—walking out in front of a bus one morning or knowing that the end is coming…eventually. I guess if we all have to go someday, it’s a valid comparison. I had another dear friend pass away this year in an instant. It was shocking at the time, and still is, because she was the last person you would have expected to go—especially at just 39 years old. When I heard the news, like many, I couldn’t get the thought out of my head for a couple of weeks. I was mourning her constantly. But over time the mourning slowly dissipated into a more manageable kind of grief.

Not to sound crass in any way, but dealing with the immediate, unexpected death of a loved one is like ripping off a Band-Aid. It hurts real bad at first, but

gets better a little quicker. Prolonging the agony by slowly working the adhesive from your tender skin just makes smaller pains occur more often until there’s nothing left to pull.

My friends and I have been mourning John’s situation since his Thanksgiving diagnosis. We knew that pancreatic cancer meant a matter of months, not years, and even effective treatment might only grant another birthday. So we helped him fill his last few months reliving the memories of his first 47 years. And I think that even with the pain he was enduring during that time, he might have seen this as a blessing, in light of his curse.

As we joined together to help John, something strange happened. Friends from the past who might as well have been living on another planet orbited around again. Those who were close to me 10, 15, 20 years now have my email address. We are all reconnecting, tending our roots, and while we still believe life goes on, it doesn’t necessarily have to go on without each other any more.

People mourn in different ways.

Some keep their loved one’s memory alive through a still-existent Facebook profile, some choose rear-window decal memorials, and others, tattoos. I think the legacy of John that I’ll carry with me is the fact that he made us all appreciate each other once again. He certainly was the glue back in the day. And now he’s the bond that’ll keep us together now.

No matter how I end up meeting my maker, I can only hope that I leave a slight hint of the mark John and others have made in my life.

You never know when it’s coming, how it will end, or what you end up leaving behind. Make sure it’s all good.

Chuck Crowder is a local writer and general man about town. His opinions are just that. Everything expressed is loosely based on fact, and crap he hears people talking about. Take what you just read with a grain of salt, but pepper it in your thoughts. www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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Dining Out In Chattanooga

Flatiron Does Deli Differently

By D.E. Langley, Pulse Food Reviewer • Photography by Zach Leavell

There’s something just yourself scrambling for exa little bit different about cuses to have an office parFlatiron Deli. Actually, ty. In addition to sandwich there’s quite a bit differand fruit trays, they offer ent, and owners Brandy hot meals, with sides and O’Neal and Amy Alexandesserts included! Chicken der (also known as Shnooks Parmesan, Baked Ham, and and Cookie, respectively) Pork Tenderloin are just a wouldn’t have it any other few of your entrée options. way.

I haven’t even mentioned Flatiron’s departure breakfast, served until 10 from your stereotypia.m. each weekday morncal deli starts at the front ing. Cheddar Jalapeno door. Stepping inside, the Biscuits and croissants are cozy space beckons with each available topped with its peculiar brand of retro ham, bacon, or sausage, multiculturalism. On the in addition to breakfast one hand, there are the sandwiches. The muffins exposed brick walls and available change daily, like antique-style soda adverso much else here. Fruit tisements. On the other, smoothies are available as the windowsill at the end of well, in case you’re not big my table held a miniature on big breakfasts.

“The owners are always here,” O’Neal told me.

“Three of us backgammon set and a cofThe biggest difference feetable book of Renoir. Free between Flatiron Deli and make all the food. There’s nothing prefab. We do all the Wi-Fi coupled with Damian other delis might just be the cooking—we even buy our own produce locally.”

Marley and Sublime playing staff, half of which is the tive, baked potatoes with a variety of toppings, and from the radio in the homeaforementioned Shnooks a striking array of side dishes, from cornbread salad style kitchen completed the feel—I was already more and Cookie. “The owners are always here,” O’Neal relaxed than I’d ever been in a deli, and I hadn’t even and chipotle pinto beans to changing options, which told me. “Three of us make all the food. There’s nothon my visit included a summer vegetable tabouli and ing prefab. We do all the cooking—we even buy our seen the menu yet.

Luckily, the menu treads the same line. Shnooks a watermelon and cucumber salad. own produce locally.” That’s definitely something the I chose the King Edward, a truly gargantuan triple- chain stores can’t claim. and Cookie bought Flatiron three years ago, and decker sandwich consisting of rotisserie chicken, crisp kept the best of the old menu while adding their own In the three years they’ve owned the place, Brandy unique tastes. Joining deli classics like BLTs and The bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and may- and Amy have made Flatiron Deli their own, and built Sobieski (Flatiron’s take on the Reuben) are options onnaise on Texas toast. I held off on ordering a side, up a good number of regulars in the process. Given like Cookie’s Veggie, with pesto, mozzarella, and which turned out to be a wise decision—I couldn’t their location and the freshness of their food, that’s roasted seasonal veggies in a spinach wrap, and The finish this monster. The textures and flavors at play not really a surprise. Once you give them a shot, Torpedo, with ham, salami, turkey, and mozzarella. made me mourn that fact. You might go through a don’t be surprised if you count yourself among them.

Several sandwiches, The Torpedo included, are avail- few more napkins than you would on your average Their uniqueness will draw you in, but the flavors are able one of two ways: Southern-style, with mustard lunch break, but the King Edward is well worth the what will keep you coming back. and coleslaw, or Italian-style, loaded with olives, pep- extra effort.

Service is generally pretty quick for a sit-down peroncini, onion, lettuce, tomato, mustard, and vinFlatiron Deli, 706 Walnut Street. Monday through meal, but if you’re in a particular rush, you can call aigrette. (Whew.)

Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Besides sandwiches, Flatiron’s lunch options in- your order in ahead of time. For that matter, Flatiron Call (423) 266-2620 or visit www.flatiron-deli.com for clude multiple salads, both traditional and innova- offers catering—and with their line-up, you may find more information. www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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SCREEN

Film Feature

Glossing Over Hate in The Help

By John DeVore, Pulse Film Critic

I

t is folly to view the past through the lens of the present.

The past is full of disappointment and missed opportunities.

People are always more primitive, full of complex rationalizations for prejudice, and can at times make the present seem positively utopian. The further back one goes, the truer this becomes. Most of us cannot imagine living in a feudal system; many of us find Social Darwinism to be laughably misguided; all of us see slavery as a dark chapter in our nation’s history.

But when the past is relatively recent, and the ideas continue to be unbelievably backward, it becomes much harder to reserve judgment.

The Help is a film that earnestly tries to show where we were as a country, to tell the story of the perpetually disenfranchised black population living in segregated Mississippi in the early 1960s. It faithfully reproduces the feel of the Kathryn Stockett novel of the same name, developing the themes so effectively that it ultimately suffers from the same flaws.

The novel paints segregation with a wide brush that glosses the dangerous realities of Jim Crow into mere rumor and vaporous fear. The movie does the same. Both stories have moments of poignancy (the film in particular has wonderful performances by the maids), but the story itself misses its chance at being truly remarkable. The source material here is very good; the novel is a bestseller for a reason. Had the filmmakers taken the chances the author didn’t, the film could have been Academy Award-winning.

The American Dream is in full swing in early 1960s Jackson, Mississippi. White families are successfully carving out lives of opulence, even if it is only a pretense for staying above water. The Help focuses on the women of Jackson, their

“The film wants us to laugh at the absurd beliefs of the women of Jackson. But segregation wasn’t funny; it was tragic.”

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Southern affectations in full bloom, who fill their lives with childbearing and useless clubs. They play bridge weekly, throw lavish parties and gossip about each other.

These luxuries are afforded them on the backs of their black “help”, the ladies who raise their children and keep their houses. These women raise white children, love them, and see them turn into their parents. Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone) was raised by a black maid. She comes home from college to learn that her caretaker of 29 years has unexpectedly left her family’s employment and moved to Chicago. She is told that black maids always move on eventually because “it’s only about money with them.”

Skeeter is not convinced. She lands a job at the Jackson Journal writing a cleaning column (for which she has no talent, as she’s never had to clean in her life), but dreams of being a real journalist. While she lives in the white, clean social world of the upper class, she is not of it. She takes issue with Junior League leader Hilly Holbrook’s (Bryce Dallas Howard) assertion that black people have different diseases than whites, and should therefore be forced to use different toilets. Skeeter decides that she wants to write down the stories of the black maids of Jackson, to show the world and her community a different perspective. Because she needs someone to help her write her column, she turns to Abileen (Viola Davis), the maid of a friend, and the woman who becomes the emotional center of the film and the nexus of stories that lead to a brave book for change in Jackson.

This subject is packed with raw, visceral emotion. Yet, save for a few scenes, the film is tame and at times comedic. Judging from the trailer, audiences might even expect a comedy.

It is true that time lessens impact, allowing for humor to be

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 33 | August 18, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

applied to serious situations. The film wants us to laugh at the absurd beliefs of the women of Jackson. But segregation wasn’t funny; it was tragic. Hilly Holbrook is the picture of evil—she is the type of person who can have a woman she employs be brutalized by police, watching with her 5-year-old son in tow, and then without any sense of irony, raise money for poor African children. She lords her position over the other women in the Junior League, leading through intimidation and the threat of excommunication. She is as clear an example of the destructive potential of affluence as she is a poster child for bigots. But we are to laugh at her misfortunes, despite the lives she’s destroyed and the lessons she’s ignored.

The Help wants to be a source of inspiration, a film about strong women. It succeeds in several places. But no matter what happens, segregation wins. Any attempt at a silver lining seems a bit dishonest. Any schadenfreude felt at the end is empty, as nothing substantial has changed. We as an audience know that the country will eventually change. The characters don’t. They continue to live in a hateful, dangerous society. Had this been better reflected, The Help would have achieved the lofty goal it set for itself. And that would have really been something.

The Help Directed by Tate Taylor Starring Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard Rated PG-13 Running time: 2 hours, 17 minutes

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ENTERTAINMENT

Free Will Astrology

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Science writer K.C. Cole asks this question: “How would you hold 100 tons of water in thin air with no visible means of support?” Here’s her answer: “Build a cloud.” What you have before you right now, Leo, is a comparable scenario. Your assignment is to materialize a phenomenon that from a certain viewpoint may appear to be laughably impossible. And yet, with the proper attitude on your part and nature’s help, the project at hand is eminently achievable. It won’t necessarily be fast and easy, mind you—but you wouldn’t want it to be, because then it wouldn’t be able to teach you all the precious wisdom it has to impart.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Dear Astrology Guy: Thank you kindly for your assistance. One of your horoscopes gave me a kick in the butt that propelled me free of a trap I had stupidly agreed to stay stuck in. At the same time, I also have to tell you to go to hell, because no one, including me, likes hearing the awful, embarrassing truth. As much healing as your words helped bring me, they also stung my pride. Love and hate, Virgo.” Dear Virgo: You’re welcome and I’m sorry. It’s good to hear you’re able to appreciate the gifts of paradox. Let’s hope that will keep you creatively humble as you slip into an expansive building phase when your ego may be understandably prone to a bit of inflation.

Solution To Last Week's Crossword

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Newsweek reported a fact that few Westerners know about: Nigeria is accustomed to major oil spills. Every year since the 1960s, the Niger Delta has been slammed with a spill as extensive as the Exxon Valdez, which was the second biggest oil catastrophe in U.S. history. “Large purple slicks cover once fertile fields,” said Newsweek, “and rivers are clogged with oil leaked decades ago.” My purpose in bringing this to your attention is not to depress you, Libra, but rather to inspire you. In the coming weeks, I hope you will make it your passion to uncover injustices you’ve been unaware of, including those close to home. I think you’ll be amazed at how much this buoys your spirits. P.S.: You’ll get extra credit if you actually take action to address the unfairness.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the song “Fantasy World,” the lead singer of the band Pissed Jeans imagines himself in his happy place. “It’s Friday night and Saturday morning in my fantasy world / Sitting near piles of clothes and drinking a soda / with a slice of pizza in my fantasy world.” He’s not describing some unrealistic paradise where he can fly like an eagle and seduce anyone he wants and find gold bars under his pillow in the morning. Rather, he’s content with the simple, familiar pleasures. I urge you to follow his lead as you imagine and create your own fantasy world this week. Love what you’ve got.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The highest unclimbed mountain in the world is Gangkhar Puensum, an almost 25,000-foot-tall beauty in Bhutan. It will remain free of human influence indefinitely, as local authorities are keen on preventing the environmental degradation that has occurred on popular peaks like Mt. Everest, where climbers have left lots of trash. What’s the equivalent in your sphere, Sagittarius? The most prominent unconquered prize? The Grail that still remains elusive? The virgin treasure your quest has not yet won? According to my analysis, you now have the potential to make tangible progress toward that goal. Unlike the case with Gangkhar Puensum, there are no rules or laws preventing you.

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Mommy, are scientists real?” the boy asked his mother. “Yes, son, they are,” she replied. “Do they make stuff that is dangerous?” continued the boy. “Sometimes they do,” said the mom. “Then I want to be one when I grow up,” concluded the boy. In the coming weeks, Capricorn, I see you as being like the boy. You’ll be in the mood to brainstorm about what you might like to evolve into, and your fantasies will tend to move in the di-

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rection of what’s most adventurous and exciting. I urge you to fully indulge in those flights of fancy. It’s time to dream really big and really free.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “I got expelled from college for cheating during my metaphysics final,” joked Woody Allen. “I got caught looking into the soul of the guy next to me.” Even if you’re not taking a big test for a metaphysics class, Aquarius, I urge you to do a lot of what Allen claimed he did: Gaze into the souls of those around you.

It’s an excellent time, astrologically speaking, for you to escape the enclosed container of your own inner world and survey the raw truths and deep feelings that other people hold dear.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “I have no doubt that in reality the future will be vastly more surprising than anything I can imagine,” said pioneering geneticist J.B.S. Haldane. I share that view, and I think it’s good to keep in mind whenever we’re tempted to rearrange our lives in accordance with the visions of those who predict the future, whether they be New Age prophets, indigenous elders, scientific experts, or political pundits. Nobody knows much of anything about how it’s all going to unfold! The future is not set in stone, but is totally up for grabs. The sooner you make that an everyday reminder, the more aggressive you’ll become about creating the life you want. Now is an excellent time to get the hang of it.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Time magazine asked Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough why he started writing a biography of Pablo Picasso but never finished it.

McCullough said it was because the famous artist turned out to be boring. He attracted a steady flow of new lovers, and he made hundreds of paintings, but he didn’t actually live an interesting life. I’m urging you to be the anti-Picasso in the coming weeks, Aries. Put the emphasis on the quality of your adventures more than on what you produce.

Regard your life as your most important work of art.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Let’s celebrate the first time you cried naked in someone else’s bed,” is a message on an e-card I found at Someecards.com. You might want to send that proposal to yourself, Taurus. It’s an excellent time to commemorate the rousing catharses of the past.

You may find that revisiting the breakthrough epiphanies of yesteryear will help put you in the right frame of mind (and heart) to conjure up a fresh batch.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Why is it so hard for Westerners of the last two centuries to feel the intimate presence of the divine intelligences? Every other culture in the history of the world has had a more vital connection with the realm of spirit. According to poet Gary Snyder, California’s Yana Indians explained it this way: The gods have retreated to the volcanic recesses of Mt. Lassen, passing the time playing gambling games with magic sticks. They’re simply waiting for such a time when human beings will “reform themselves and become ‘real people’ that spirits might want to associate with once again.” Here’s why I’m bringing this up, Gemini: I think that right now is a special time in your life when you have the power to become a “real person” with whom the spirits will want to have closer communion.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I strongly advise you against purchasing and reading what some observers have called “the saddest book in the universe.” It’s a recipe book by Sonia Allison called Microwave for One (bit.ly/SadBook).

No matter how inclined you might be to opt for excessive self-sufficiency right now, no matter how peeved you are at the human race for being so clumsy and ignorant, I believe you must keep trying to reach out and touch those who are touchable, even if they’re barely so. You need what people have to offer you, even if it’s sloppy, wimpy, or kooky.

ENTERTAINMENT

Jonesin' Crossword — "To Be Announced" Across 1 Head of the Paris police?

5 “King” bad guy in Super Mario Bros.

10 Love, Latin-style 14 Former Israeli politician Abba ___ 15 On ___ (hot) 16 Ring around the holy?

17 Frequent activity for haberdashers?

20 Spanish national hero 21 Paving stuff 22 Quick ___ wink 23 Avenue in Oakland?

28 Make really happy 29 Town north of New York City 32 Strauss-Kahn’s former org.

35 French vacation spot 36 Prefix meaning “skin” 37 Why Haim didn’t want to party one night in the 1980s?

42 “Rolling in the Deep” singer 43 Mauna ___ (Aloha State volcano) 44 The Concorde, for one

45 “The Sound of Music” teenager 46 Soul singer Lou 48 Request from the most relaxing talk radio host ever?

54 “Licensed to ___” (Beastie Boys album) 56 Bailed out insurance giant 57 WWII hero Murphy 58 Designed for shooting gross globs?

63 “Whoa ___!”

64 Perot, formally 65 Collector’s item?

66 Sandwich shop purchases 67 “Grumpy Old Men” actor Davis 68 Like ___ of sunshine Down 1 Little giggle 2 Virus named for a Congolese river 3 You may take a powder with them 4 Put a stop to, as with a fight

5 Kal ___ (dog food brand) 6 Nonprofit’s URL suffix 7 “What a display!”

8 River through Nebraska 9 Site for vows 10 They did theme to “The Living Daylights” 11 “Masters of the Universe” character 12 Automotive pioneer Ransom 13 Parks of civil rights fame 18 “I don’t know where ___ without it” 19 Actress Song of “The Social Network” 24 First letter of the Arabic alphabet 25 Alma mater of Tony Shalhoub 26 “Good Will Hunting” actor ___ Skarsgard 27 Jealousy, the green-___ monster 30 Brad Paisley has won a lot of them: abbr.

31 “Critique of Pure Reason” philosopher 32 Suffix after canon or class

33 Kal Penn, born Kalpen ___ (hidden in COMMODITIES) 34 Scale a mountain without gear 38 Fashion designer Schiaparelli 39 Lambaste 40 Pulls out of a parking spot?

41 Island near Java 46 Harsh conditions 47 Baseball card factoid 49 Printed piece of art, for short 50 Late NFL star and “Police Academy” actor Smith 51 Firefighter Red ___ 52 British singer/actress Black 53 Rowland of Destiny’s Child 54 Some PCs 55 Poi party 59 Vegas airport code 60 “Help!”

61 Omega preceder 62 British verb suffix

Jonesin' Crossword created By Matt Jones. © 2011 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle #0533

www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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OPINION

Ask A Mexican

In Which We Gleefully Celebrate Ethnic Slurs Dear Readers, Your faithful Mexican is putting the final touches to his coming magnum opus, Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America (out April 2012) and is thus at the rancho, getting handmade tortillas made by his chica in pigtails while I work on rewrites.

But instead of a Best Of columna, I’ve decided to print excerpts from one of my all-time favorite reader interactions.

Remember back in 2007, when I asked ustedes who are half-Mexican and half-something else to tell us what you call yourselves? The brilliant, hilarious responses offered show how genius the Mexi brain truly is.

Space doesn’t allow your local rag to print all the responses, but below are just some of the best. You can find the full list online—in the meanwhile, enjoy and see you in una semana!

If you’re half-Mexican and. . .

Half-anything: Inbetweener-beaner.

Half-Arab: Garbanzo beaner, America’s worst nightmare.

Half-Black: Black beans, Blaxican, Bro-Vato, Choco-Taco, Choligger, Mack, Mexiblack, Mexicoon, Negrexican, Tino Noir, Watermexican, Wetblack.

Half-British: Limey beans.

Half-Cajun: Bayou Beaner, MexiGumbo, Mexicajun, Red Beans & Rice.

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Half-Italian: Mexican pizza, Mexitalian, Spicawop, Spic-talian, Wopsican.

Half-Jewish: Jalapeño bagel, Jumex (also the name of a delicious Mexican fruit nectar drink), Kahlua-jewa, kosher burrito, Mexi-Jew.

Gustavo Arellano Half-Chinese: Chexican, Chinacan, Chinkano, Combination Plate, Mexinese, rice ‘n’ beans, soy bean.

Half-Czech: Czecano, Czex-Mex, Czexican, Mexislovakian.

Half-Eskimo: Mexkimo.

Half-French: Frenchican.

Half-Gabacho: Amerilanga (combination of American and chilanga, nickname for someone from Mexico City), Caucano, Chicangüera, Gabaxicano, GMC (Gringo-Mexico cross), Güerexican, Latinglo, Mexiglos, Mixican, Pochingo (half-pocho, halfgringo), Whispanic, white bean.

Half-German: Beanerschnitzel, chili kraut, Germexican, wiener beaner.

Half-Hippie: Hippsican.

Half-Irish: Celtic Aztec, green bean, Irlandicanos, Leprecano, McBeaner, McSpic, Mick Spic, O’Beaner, PaddyMex.

Half-Norwegian: Lutefiskan, Mexinorske, Norskecan.

Half-Peruvian: Lima Bean.

Half-Polish: Bean Pole, Polo-Cholo, Polexican, Polexiqui (this particular gal was Yaqui Indian on her Mexican side; she also called herself a Mexipolaqui), Taco Polaco.

Half-Redneck: Rednexican, Redback, Wetneck.

Half-Scottish: McRiguez, Scottsican.

Half-Somali: Hot Somali.

Half-Ukrainian: Borscheros, Cossackeros, Kievicans, Pysankeros.

Half-White: Honky-Tonk, Gringateca, Mejiyanqui, Mexi-melts, Whics.

For even more ethnic slurs, visit "Ask A Mexican " online at www.ocweekly. com/2007-09-20/columns/ask-amexican Have a question? Ask the Mexican at themexican@ askamexican.net, be his fan on Facebook, follow him on Twitter or ask him a video question at www.youtube.com/askamexicano!

www.chattanoogapulse.com | August 18, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 33 | The Pulse

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