News4U August 2025

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AUGUST

TABLE of contents

Live Music Schedule

A schedule of local events with live music and more!

Summer Concert and Event Guide

brian@news4uevv.com

Managing

Amy Bradford amy@news4uevv.com

Account Representative and Graphic Designer Amy Bradford amy@news4uevv.com

Interview: Kenny Wayne Shepherd Blues-rock guitar virtuoso Kenny Wayne Shepherd opens up about his musical journey.

Check out the concerts and shows coming to Evansville in July and August. This Month in History: August Edition

A look back at the pivotal moments that shaped history in the month of August.

Production Manager, Designer & Layout Artist Olyvia Symon olyvia@news4uevv.com

Contributors

Amelia Adkins, Aimee Blume, Rachel Budde, Amy Bradford, Paul Bragin, Jason Brown, Danny Browning, Brian Buxton,Jeremiah Galey, Paul Hollyfeld, Jim Johnson, Tom Leggett, Jabez Martinez, Cristina Mauk, Landon Miller, Marisa Patwa, Lindsay Rasure, Christopher Rowe, Lane Siesky, Lindsey Williams, Sarah Wilson

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A QUICK NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

August is the Sunday of summer… and honestly, I’m not sure I’m emotionally prepared for that. One minute we’re poolside with a popsicle, and the next we’re standing in the school supply aisle trying to remember if wide-ruled notebooks are still a thing. (Spoiler: they are. Somehow.) As a mom of 3 school aged kiddos, I can say from a personal place, I AM NOT READY.

But unfortunately for my sleep schedule, August waits for no one. So here we are, gearing up for back-to-school chaos, squeezing in those final summer adventures, and desperately trying to make peace with the idea of schedules again. Even if you aren’t a person with kids, the pace of life seems to change in August.

This issue is packed with just the kind of content to help you transition from summer slowdown to fall hustle. A jogging start, at least. Money saving tips, back to school decluttering, plus, a write up about the Frog Follies, a local favorite and a reminder that hot rods and hot days go hand in hand.

And music lovers, don’t miss our interview with the legendary Kenny Wayne Shepherd. It’s equal parts insight and inspiration, with a little bluesy swagger thrown in for good measure.

Feeling hungry? Of course you are. We’ve got food and drink reviews (some hits, a few surprises), plus a couple of recipes you can totally pull off, even if your idea of “cooking” usually involves a microwave (like mine).

As always, we’re grateful to the contributors, creators, and chaos-wranglers who helped bring this issue to life. Whether you’re clinging to summer or embracing the back-to-school buzz, there’s something in here for you.

Find a patch of shade, and enjoy what we’ve stirred up for you this month.

See you next issue,

Amy

Bradford

TRI-STATE

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE

Check out News 4U’s Live Music Schedule for the latest performances happening in the Evansville area! Whether you're planning a night out with friends or just want to catch some live entertainment, we've got you covered. Stay updated and never miss a great show! Follow these venues on social media for updated event times, changes, or more information.

EVANSVILLE:

10-8 Café Bar & Grill at Lawman Tactical 4209 US 41 North, Evansville, IN • (812) 413-0129 facebook.com/TenEightCafe

Karaoke with DJ Ian every Thursday evenings, 6pm – 9pm

Live music on the patio (weather permitting), Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Arcademie

22 NW 6th St., Evansville, IN • (812) 484-6904 facebook.com/ArcademieBar

Live music on occasion.

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Arts Council of SW Indiana Rooftop

212 Main Street, downtown Evansville, IN (812) 303-3178 facebook.com/artswin

Live music on occasion on the rooftop. *these are ticketed events

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Bally’s Evansville – 421 Lounge

421 NW Riverside Dr., Evansville, IN • (812) 433-4000 facebook.com/ballysevansville casinos.ballys.com/evansville/421-lounge.htm

Live music & bands on weekends.

August 1st – Ten Year Town, 8pm – midnight

August 2nd – Ten Year Town, 8pm – midnight

August 8th – Entice Band, 8pm – midnight

August 9th – Entice Band, 8pm – midnight

August 15th – The Bombers, 8pm – midnight

August 16th – The Bombers, 8pm – midnight

August 22nd – Radio Incorporated, 8pm – midnight

August 23rd – Radio Incorporated, 8pm – midnight

August 29th – Pieces of the Day, 8pm – midnight

August 30th – Pieces of the Day, 8pm – midnight Watch their Facebook page & website for updates!

Bally’s Evansville – Piano Bar at Cavanaughs

421 NW Riverside Dr., Evansville, IN • (812) 433-4000 facebook.com/ballysevansville casinos.ballys.com/evansville/cavanaughs-onthe-river.htm

Live music at the piano bar:

Wednesday & Thursday 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Friday & Saturday 6:00pm – 10:00pm

August 1st - Bob Ballard

August 2nd - EJ Simmons

August 6th - Bob Ballard

August 7th - EJ Simmons

August 8th - Bob Green

August 9th - Bob Green

August 13th - Bob Ballard

August 14th - EJ Simmons

August 15th - Bob Green

August 16th - Bob Green

August 20th - Bob Ballard

August 21st - EJ Simmons

August 22nd - Bob Green

August 23rd - Bob Green

August 27th - Bob Ballard

August 28th - EJ Simmons

August 29th - Bob Green

August 30th - Bob Green

September 3rd - Bob Ballard

September 4th - EJ Simmons

September 5th - Bob Ballard

September 6th - Bob Ballard

September 10th - Bob Ballard

September 11th - EJ Simmons

September 12th - Bob Ballard

September 13th - Bob Green

September 17th - Bob Ballard

September 18th - EJ Simmons

September 19th - Bob Green

September 20th - Bob Ballard

September 24th - Bob Ballard

September 25th - EJ Simmons

September 26th - Bob Green

September 27th - Bob Green

September 31st - Bob Ballard

Watch their Facebook page & website for updates!

Bokeh Lounge

1007 Parrett St., Evansville, IN • (812) 909-0388 facebook.com/BokehLounge/events/?id=10006 4583833967&sk=events

Join them for Karaoke Night with Nate every Sunday at 6pm

Service Industry Night Karaoke with DJ Remus at 6pm Karaoke Sunday and Monday Nights at 6:00pm

August 1st - DJ AP First Friday Dance Party, 8pm

August 2nd - Pop Up Karaoke with Nathan, 8pm

August 3rd - Sunday Jazz with Dirk Quinn Band, 2:30pm

August 6th- Nick Hamilton, 6pm

August 8th - Lindsey Williams, 5pm

August 8th- Pieces of the Day, 8pm

August 9th- The Pits, 8pm

August 10th- Sunday Jazz Lutz and the Sleepwalkers, 2:30pm

August 13th- Nick Hamilton, 6pm

August 15th- The Why Store, 8pm

August 16th- Gypsy Soul, 8pm

August 17th- Sunday Jazz, TBA

August 20th- Nick Hamilton, 6:00pm

August 21st - Blues and Jazz Open Mic, 6pm

August 22nd - Drag Me to the Weekend with Dj

Dan Gunn, 8pm

August 23rd- Drift, 8pm

August 24th- Sunday Jazz with Jacob Adams Big Band, 2:30pm

August 27th- Nick Hamilton, 6pm

August 29th – Dreamstreet, 8pm

August 30th- The Backbeats, 8pm

August 31st - Sunday Jazz with Bokeh Big Band, 2:30pm Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Buds Rockin’ Country Bar & Grill

2124 W Franklin St., Evansville, IN • (812) 401-1730 facebook.com/BudsOnFranklin

Tuesdays – Boscoe France Blues, 7:00 - 9:00pm Fridays – college night with DJ Weekends – live music/bands, DJ’s Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Damsels

209 N Wabash Ave., Evansville, IN • (812) 909-1956 facebook.com/damselbrewpub

Live music weekends and sometimes Sundays. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Dontae’s Highland Pizza Parlor

6669 Kratzville Rd., Evansville, IN • (812) 777-0016 facebook.com/dontaeshighlandpizza

Live Music on weekends on occasion – the Honey Vines play often.

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Entwined Wine & Cocktail Bar

303 Main Street, Evansville, IN • (812) 550-1393 facebook.com/EntwinedBar

Monte Skelton plays on weekends. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Fidel’s Bourbon Bar

950 Parrett Street, Evansville, IN • (812) 467-4255 facebook.com/HilltopInnEVV Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Frankie’s Restaurant & Bar

6840 Logan Dr., Evansville, IN • (812) 490-3172 facebook.com/FidelsBourbonBar

Live music on occasion, usually weekends. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Hilltop Inn

1100 Harmony Way, Evansville, IN • (812) 303-3732 facebook.com/HilltopInnEVV

Live music on occasion, usually Thursdays. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Hornet’s Nest Restaurant & Bar

11845 Petersburg Road, Evansville, IN (812) 867-2386

facebook.com/HornetsNestRestaurant

Karaoke and live music with DJ Ian, every Friday at 8:00pm.

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Hush on Main

323 Main St. Suite E (below street level) Evansville, IN (812) 305-1238

facebook.com/HushonMainEVV

Live music on occasion, usually weekends. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Industry Bar

101 SE 1st Street, Evansville, IN

facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560778977308

Live music on occasion. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Jacobs Pub/DiLegge’s

607 N. Main Street, Evansville, IN • (812) 990-5253 facebook.com/JacobsPubDilegges

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

KC’s Time Out Lounge

1121 Washington Square Mall, Evansville, IN (812) 437-9920 facebook.com/BarEvansville

Live music/bands, DJ’s on weekends. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Lyles Sports Zone

1404 E. Morgan Ave., Evansville, IN • (812) 425-7729 facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000635634677 20&sk=events

There’s never a cover charge!

Every Tuesday - Michelle Shelton, 7pm - 9pm Every Thursday - Thomas Hicks Casey, 6pm - 8pm Every Friday - Karaoke with Mark Simpson, 7pm - 11pm

Every Saturday - varying live bands, 8pm – 11pm

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Main Street Food & Beverage Food Hall

900 N. Main St. Evansville facebook.com/mainstreetfandb

Live bands on occasion & karaoke. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Marina Pointe

1801 Waterworks Road, Evansville, IN facebook.com/MarinaPointeNightclub

Live music weekly and every weekend. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Mojos Boneyard

4920 Bellemeade Ave, Evansville, IN (812) 475-8593 facebook.com/mojosboneyard

Check Evenbrite for music & every Thurs Blues at 6:00pm Danny & the Jons (all shows start at 7:00pm) August 7th - Danny & The Jons August 14th - Danny & The Jons August 21st - Danny & The Jons August 28th - Danny & The Jons Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Mo’s House

1114 Parrett St., Evansville, IN • (812) 401-3800 facebook.com/moshouse812

Dekar Justus usually 2x a month & sometimes a DJ. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

OBrian’s Evansville

1801 N.Green River Rd., Evansville, IN (812) 401-4630 facebook.com/obrians.evansville

Karaoke and live bands on weekends. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Patsy Hartigan’s Irish Pub

203 Main Street, Evansville, IN • (812) 773-3570 facebook.com/phirishpub

Live Music weeknights and weekends. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Playa Azul Mariscos Estilo Sinaloa

270 N. Green River Rd., Evansville, IN (812) 568-1189 facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567455005855

Karaoke, Mariachi bands, Spanish bands during the week and weekends from 8- 9pm to as late as 11pm and midnight.

*Be aware everything they post is in Spanish! Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Primetime North

12301 Hwy 41 North, Evansville, IN • (812) 202-7920 facebook.com/ptnorth41

Live Music in the Bar 7-10pm, Karaoke, 8-11pm

Singo every Wednesday, 6:00pm

August 1st – Karaoke with BK

August 2nd – Sweet Water Band

August 8th – Jimmy DeTalente

August 9th – Ol Ry

August15th – Dakota Hayden

August 16th – Maggie Hollis

August 22nd – Ben Dahlquist

August 23rd – Nutshell

August29th – The Honey Vines

August 30th – Lindsey Williams

September 5th – Karaoke with BK

September 6th – Cameron Smith

September 12th – Tony Henning

September 13th – Dueling Guitars

September 19th – Lindsey Williams

September 20th – Strolling Tones

September 26th – Legends

September 27th – Maggie Hollis

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Reitz Home Museum

112 Chestnut St, Evansville, IN • (812) 426-1871 facebook.com/profile.php?id=100056607917529

Live Music at wine down to the weekend.

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Six Strings on Franklin

2131 West Franklin St., Evansville, IN. • (812) 401-1699

www.facebook.com/sixstringsonfranklin

Live music most Thurs., Fri. and Saturdays, usually starting at 5:30pm or 8:30pm

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Smitty’s Italian Steakhouse

2109 W. Franklin St., Evansville, IN • (812) 423-6280 facebook.com/SmittysEvansville

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Spankey’s Una Cafe

15 Jefferson Ave, Evansville, IN • (812) 303-2810 facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554730096948

Live Music every last Saturday of the month. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

The Dive Barge

1801 Waterworks Road, Evansville, IN facebook.com/TheDiveBarge

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

The Frontier Restaurant and Bar 12945 IN-57, Daylight, IN • (812) 867-6786 facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554296428521 Karaoke Xtravaganza/Markus Porter every Friday and Saturday nights, 9:00pm.

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

The Rooftop

112 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Evansville, IN (812) 550-1599

facebook.com/therooftopfoodanddrinks Friday & Saturdays - bands, DJ’s and Karaoke on both upper and lower patios, 6:30pm–9:30pm

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Tiki on Main

524 Main St., Evansville, IN • (812) 424-5020 facebook.com/tikionmainstreet

Have bands, DJ’s and Karaoke on both upper and lower patios.

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Your Brothers Bookstore

504 Main St., Evansville, IN • (812) 303-8230 facebook.com/ybbookstore

Live music every Saturday, 7:00pm

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

NEWBURGH/BOONVILLE:

Café Arazu

17 W Jennings St, Newburgh, IN • (812) 842-2200 facebook.com/CafeArazu

Live music and jazz on the patio during the spring and summer.

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Crickets

518 W Main St, Newburgh, IN • (812) 858-2782 facebook.com/profile.

php?id=100050950195484

Live bands and karaoke nights. Wednesdays: 8pm–11pm Fridays: 9pm–1am Saturdays: 9pm–1am

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Havens Bar

300 W. Jennings Street, Newburgh, IN (812) 518-4007 facebook.com/Havensbar300000

Live music and open mic nights in the summer. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Marida Kurdish and Turkish Cuisine

1 East Water Street, Newburgh, IN • (812) 518-3065 facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559891473989

Live music on the patio during the summer. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

Newburgh Tavern

707 State St., Unit E, Newburgh, IN • (812) 518-1363 facebook.com/profile.

php?id=100089720439349

Karaoke often and live music on occasion. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

RJ’s Restaurant and Bar

1206 E. Main St, Boonville, IN • (812) 897-8813 facebook.com/profile.

php?id=100068499966785

Live music on Saturdays, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

HENDERSON:

Cap & Cork

104 N Water St, Henderson, KY • (270) 833-1101 facebook.com/capncorkhendo

Live music some weekends – watch for their Summer Sunset Series on Thursdays. Watch their Facebook page for updates!

The Elm

120 N Elm St, Henderson, KY • (270) 748-0005 facebook.com/TheElm42420

Live music & concerts.

Every Wednesday, songwriters night - 7:00pn

Every Thursday, Country Line Dancing lessons - 7:00pm

Watch their Facebook page for updates!

SUMMER CONCERT & EVENT GUIDE

MOXIE EVENTS PRESENTS: THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN

VICTORY THEATRE • AUGUST 16

A journey through Motown’s best including: The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, and more. Moxie Events Presents: The Magic of Motown is coming to the Victory Theatre on August 16, 2025. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 11th! Purchase tickets at the Ford Center Box Office.

LOUIS CK- RIDICULOUS

VICTORY THEATRE • AUGUST 30

Comedy icon Louis C.K. brings his sharp wit and award-winning stand-up to the stage this summer in a strictly phone-free event. A six-time Emmy and three-time Grammy winner, C.K. has released over ten acclaimed specials, including recent hits Louis C.K. at the Dolby, Sorry, and Sincerely, Louis C.K., all available direct to fans via his website. Known for his bold, unfiltered comedy and groundbreaking shows like Louie and Horace and Pete, he continues to push boundaries, most recently with his sold-out “Back To The Garden” livestream from Madison Square Garden. For tour dates and details, visit LouisCK.com. 18+

STYX

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA• SEPTEMBER 11

Get ready for a rock experience that spans generations—STYX is hitting the stage with the power, passion, and precision that’s defined their legendary career. With over five decades of chart-topping hits and fan-favorite deep cuts, this seven-man powerhouse, including James “JY” Young, Tommy Shaw, Chuck Panozzo, Lawrence Gowan, Todd Sucherman, Will Evankovich, and Terry Gowan, continues to deliver unforgettable shows, averaging 100 performances a year. From the soaring grandeur of “Come Sail Away” and “The Grand Illusion” to the gritty anthems “Blue Collar Man” and “Renegade,” STYX’s live set is a masterclass in classic rock. Don’t miss your chance to sing, shout, and sail away with one of the most enduring and electrifying bands in rock history.

THE FOUR HORSEMEN: THE ONLY ALBUM QUALITY METALLICA TRIBUTE

VICTORY THEATRE • SEPTEMBER 12

Get ready for a metal experience like no other—THE FOUR HORSEMEN are bringing the thunder this summer with a tribute to Metallica that's second to none. Hailed as the only album-quality Metallica tribute band on the planet, these U.S. metal masters deliver a blistering, note-for-note recreation of the vintage thrash sound that defined a generation. From the lightning-fast riffs and precision solos to the raw, powerful vocals straight off the classic albums, THE FOUR HORSEMEN channel the energy and intensity that made Metallica a global phenomenon in the '80s.

LEONID & FRIENDS

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA • SEPTEMBER 16

Prepare to be amazed as Leonid & Friends bring their stunning musicianship and high-energy performance to the stage! What began as a tribute to the legendary band Chicago has grown into a global phenomenon, with over 250 million video views, 300+ U.S. shows, and more than one million social media followers. Led by Leonid Vorobyev, this 11-piece powerhouse band captures the soul, precision, and excitement of classic American rock and soul like no other, earning praise from fans and even Chicago themselves. Their repertoire now spans hits from Earth, Wind & Fire, Blood Sweat & Tears, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, and more, along with original material. Don’t miss your chance to experience the band that’s redefining what a tribute can be!

WATER FOR PEOPLE PRESENTS MONSTERS OF YACHT

VICTORY THEATRE • SEPTEMBER 18

Join the movement to end the global water crisis at the Annual Water For People Charity Concert, returning to the Victory Theatre on September 18! Water For People is a global nonprofit working across Latin America, Asia, and Africa to bring lasting access to clean water and dignified sanitation— helping communities thrive with a mission of Everyone Forever. Don’t miss this incredible night of music and purpose. Tickets are on sale now at the Ford Center Ticket Office or online at bit.ly/WFP_Victory_2025.

KILLER QUEEN: A TRIBUTE TO QUEEN

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA • SEPTEMBER 30

Get ready to rock with Killer Queen, the world’s premier Queen tribute band, delivering the legendary sound, energy, and spectacle of Freddie Mercury and company with stunning authenticity. Frontman Patrick Myers and his bandmates have taken what began as a one-off London University show and turned it into a global phenomenon—selling out iconic venues like London’s Strand Theatre, Belgium’s Forest National Arena, and America’s legendary Red Rocks, where Queen themselves once played. From recreating Queen’s harmonies on a chart-topping Fatboy Slim track to being crowned “Worldwide Best Tribute Band,” Killer Queen has wowed fans across the UK, Europe, and the U.S. Their journey has been nothing short of surreal, and now it’s your turn to experience the magic!

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS: THE FAREWELL TOUR

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA • SEPTEMBER 25

Theirs is one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry. The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of The Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of Country hits and two Pop smashes, earned them Grammy, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. Every time they step before an audience, the Oaks bring four decades of charted singles, and 50 years of tradition, to a stage show widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere. And each remains as enthusiastic about the process as they have ever been.

DANAE HAYS: THE FIRST TIME TOUR

VICTORY THEATRE • SEPTEMBER 27

Get ready for a wild ride with Danae Hays, Alabama-born, Nashville-based comedian, actress, and viral sensation, bringing her one-of-a-kind Southern flair to the stage! With over 3.6 million followers and nearly 2 billion views, Danae’s hilarious cast of off-the-wall characters and chart-topping parody country songs have made her a breakout star. Her debut country/comedy single "Rode Hard" made waves, climbing to No. 5 on the Country Global iTunes Charts and earning spots on multiple Billboard lists. A true multitalent, Danae has also hit the big screen in films like Summer Camp and the upcoming Mother Nature and the Doomsday Prepper, acting alongside legends like Diane Keaton and Kathy Bates. Don’t miss this bold new voice shaking up comedy, music, and film!

ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS • 8PM – 12AM

August 1 & 2 • Ten Year Town

August 8 & 9 • Entice Band

August 15 & 16 • The Bombers

August 22 & 23 • Radio Incorporated

August 29 & 30 • Pieces Of The Day

September 5 & 6 • The Duke Boys

September 12 & 13 • Ricochet

September 19 & 20 • Kolten Taylor & The Truck Toppers

September 26 & 27

• That’s What She Said

Sat. Aug. 9

STEVEN ADLER OF GUNS N’ ROSES

Sat. July 19

Sat. Aug. 23

KENN Y WAYNE SHEPHERD & BOBBY RUSH

The blues has always been the kind of genre that’s relied on younger generations carrying the torch forward so newer fans stay clued in to the shoulders of which giants current artists are standing on. Guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd has fiercely embraced this standard ever since he met the late Stevie Ray Vaughan backstage in 1984 when the Louisiana native was only seven-years-old.

Six months after that fateful meeting arranged by his father, a promoter who booked Vaughan and Double Trouble to headline the Louisiana Music Festival, young Kenny Wayne started working on his six-string craft. At the forefront of it all was paying homage to those elders

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD LAST WORD FEATURES:

BY DAVE GIL DE RUBIO

:

-- the way Muddy Waters did for Big Bill Broonzy, Jimi Hendrix did for Waters and Vaughan did for Hendrix.

“I’ve always felt that you’ve got to give credit where credit is due,” Shepherd said in a recent interview. “And it’s an example that was set before me. A lot of my heroes always talked about the people that inspired them and paved the way for them to be able to do what they do. I think everyone should do that. I’m just trying to show that respect.”

That need to acknowledge the elders continues this year, as the 48-year-old father of six has had quite the full touring dance card. He’s played the Experience

Hendrix Tour, which found him sharing a bill with a number of other storied guitarists including Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Johnson, Zakk Wylde, Ally Venable, Marcus King, Dweezil Zappa, David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas from Los Lobos, Devon Allman and Samantha Fish. In addition, Shepherd has played promoting “Dirt On My Diamonds, Volume. 2,” the 2024 companion release that followed 2023’s “Dirt On My Diamonds Volume 1.” Rather than release a double-album set, Shepherd acknowledged putting out two separate releases made sense in an era where streaming defines how most folks listen to music nowadays.

“I’m always trying to look at different ways of doing things instead of the same old thing every time,” Shepherd explained. “Double albums in today’s world don’t really work. Or they don’t make sense to put both records out at the same time, because everybody is competing for everyone’s attention. I like the idea of a double album, but I thought we’d stagger the release and do volumes one and two and hopefully we can retain peoples’ attention and get them engaged in what we’re doing. We’ll stand a better chance of hearing all the songs on both records that way.”

Written in pre-pandemic times at Muscle Shoals’ legendary FAME Studios and recorded in Los Angeles when Shepherd and his family were still living in California, these 15 total tracks bubble over with crying B.B. King-flavored riffs (“Ease My Mind”), brassy hornkissed jams (“Sweet & Low”) and gritty stompers (“I Got a Woman”). Throw in an Elton John cover (a balls-to-the-wall reading of “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting”) and a nod to ZZ Top (a Texas shuffle-fueled take on “She Loves My Automobile”) and you’ve got the creative recipe Shepherd has been dipping into

“I’m always trying to create music that will hopefully be timeless and that people can listen to decades from now and it still sounds okay,” he said. “There’s a difference between creating timeless music and music of the time. I’m trying to create music that stands the test of time. If you’re doing that, then it’s okay that we recorded it and then it sat for a year or two before it came out because we’re not following a trend. So what we’re doing didn’t go out of style and it still sounds good. We didn’t miss a window there, because we’re making music that will hopefully last for decades.”

With a deep catalog to draw from, Shepherd promises his live show will include plenty for fans old and new. Throw in the fact that his 1995 debut “Ledbetter Heights” turns 30 this year and his sophomore bow, 1997’s “Trouble Is…” passed the quarter century mark a couple of years ago and concertgoers can expect to hear a number of favorites alongside the man’s newer jams.

“People come and want to hear ‘Blue on Black’ or ‘Deja Voodoo’ and of course, we love playing those songs,” he said. “I’m very fortunate because I never recorded a song that I didn’t actually like. I don’t mind playing any of my songs, even if they’re 30 years old. But we do get excited to play new material because it’s just something different. I’m excited to integrate some of the songs from (“Dirt On My Diamonds) Volume Two” into the show, so you’ll hear some from “Volume One” and some from “Volume Two.” It should be a good balanced set list full of songs that people are very familiar with and hopefully songs that they’re getting familiar with.”

Only three when he attended his first concert, a double bill of Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker the elder Shepherd was promoting at the time, staying close to his roots is still very much a thing for Shepherd. A new project is “Young Fashioned Ways,” the latest album by 91-year-old, Grammy Award-winning bluesman Bobby Rush. Shepherd not only plays on the album, he produced it and recently took his fellow Louisianian out on the road to promote the new album.

“I’m real excited about this new album because It’s just straight-up, real deal, 100 percent authentic, killer blues,” Shepherd said.

With future plans in place to release a 30th anniversary track-by-track re-recording of “Ledbetter Heights” and a rock covers album that will include songs by Genesis, Billy Idol and Pink Floyd, not unlike the concept behind his 2014 release “Goin’ Home” (“…that was more the soundtrack of my childhood as far as blues goes,” the guitarist said), Shepherd is staying two or three albums ahead of himself, which has served him quite well up to this point. “What it always comes down to is that I’m continuing to try and find things that I haven’t done before to keep it interesting for both us and our fans.”

" ' '

"THERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CREATING TIMELESS MUSIC AND MUSIC OF THE TIME. I’M TRYING TO CREATE MUSIC THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME.

AUGUST'S

HISTORICAL MOMENTS

The month of August has seen a wide range of important moments in U.S. history, from war and civil rights milestones to groundbreaking achievements in science and culture. Below is a look at several notable events that took place during this summer month, each shaping the course of the nation in significant ways.

August 6, 1945 –Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima

On August 6, 1945, during the final stages of World War II, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The bomb, nicknamed “Little Boy,” was carried by the B-29 bomber Enola Gay and released at 8:15 a.m., killing an estimated 70,000 people instantly and tens of thousands more from radiation-related illnesses.

While Hiroshima is located in Japan, the event marked a profound turning point in U.S. military history and international relations. It demonstrated the devastating power of nuclear weapons and hastened the end of World War II, with Japan surrendering just days later on August 15, 1945 (V-J Day). The decision by President Harry S. Truman remains one of the most controversial in American history, raising ethical and geopolitical debates that persist to this day.

August 14, 1935 –

Social Security Act Signed into Law

One of the most impactful pieces of legislation in American history, the Social Security Act was signed into law on August 14, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of his New Deal. The law created a government program that provided financial assistance to the elderly, unemployed, and disabled, fundamentally changing the relationship between the federal government and American citizens.

The Social Security Act laid the foundation for the modern welfare state in the U.S. and continues to be a cornerstone of the nation’s social safety net. Over the decades, it has expanded to include Medicare, Medicaid, and other support services that impact millions of Americans.

August 28, 1963 –The March on Washington

On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C., for the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Organized by civil rights leaders such as A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the march aimed to advocate for civil and economic rights for African Americans. It was on this day that Dr. King delivered his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln

WITH CRISTINA MAUK

Memorial, calling for an end to racism and envisioning a future of equality and justice. The march helped galvanize public support for civil rights legislation and paved the way for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

August 21, 1959 –Hawaii Becomes the 50th State

On August 21, 1959, Hawaii was officially admitted as the 50th state of the United States. The only U.S. state composed entirely of islands, Hawaii’s statehood marked the expansion of the country further into the Pacific.

Prior to becoming a state, Hawaii was a U.S. territory since 1898 following the overthrow of its monarchy. Statehood brought full voting rights and representation to its residents and solidified the strategic importance of the islands, especially during the Cold War and in global military operations.

August 9, 1974 –President Richard Nixon Resigns

The Watergate scandal, which had gripped the nation for over two years, came to a head on August 9, 1974, when President Richard Nixon resigned from office. Facing almost certain impeachment and removal after revelations of a cover-up surrounding the break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters, Nixon became the first and only U.S. president to resign.

Vice President Gerald Ford was sworn in as president that same day and later issued a controversial pardon for Nixon. The event deeply affected public trust in government and prompted reforms in campaign finance and political transparency.

August 2, 1990 –Gulf War Begins

Although not a war directly initiated by the U.S., the Gulf War began on August 2, 1990, when Iraq invaded Kuwait. The U.S. quickly became involved, leading a coalition of nations to oppose Iraq’s aggression. This eventually led to Operation Desert Storm in January 1991 under President George H. W. Bush.

The conflict marked a new era of American military engagement in the Middle East and showcased the country’s advanced military capabilities in a televised, high-tech

war. It also set the stage for future U.S. involvement in the region.

August 28, 2005 –

Hurricane Katrina Makes Landfall

Though it first hit land in Florida earlier in the month, Hurricane Katrina reached Louisiana and Mississippi on August 28, 2005, causing catastrophic damage, especially in New Orleans. A day later, the levees protecting the city failed, flooding over 80% of New Orleans.

The storm caused over 1,800 deaths and billions in damage, becoming one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history. The federal and local response was widely criticized for being slow and poorly coordinated, leading to lasting discussions about emergency preparedness, race, and poverty in America.

Conclusion

From declarations of war and sweeping civil rights movements to natural disasters and legislative breakthroughs, the month of August has witnessed many defining events in U.S. history. These moments not only shaped the course of the nation but also echoed across the world, influencing how America is perceived and how it operates today. As each August passes, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the triumphs, challenges, and pivotal changes that continue to define the American story.

A Leap Through Time:

Celebrating 50 Ye AR s of Frog FolLies

Every August, a rumble rolls through Evansville, Indiana…not thunder, but the deep, unmistakable growl of thousands of pre-1949 street rods rolling into the Vanderburgh County 4-H Center. This is Frog Follies, the largest independently-run pre-’49 street rod event in the country, celebrating its golden 50th anniversary in 2025. A blend of nostalgia, horsepower, and community, Frog Follies is more than a car show, it's a rolling celebration of America’s automotive history and the culture that surrounds it.

The roots of Frog Follies trace back to August 1974, when a small group of local gearheads put out a call in the Evansville Courier-Press inviting like-minded street rod owners to Wesselman Woods Park for a casual meet-up. Around thirty people came with their vehicles, and that one afternoon sparked something much larger. Just a few months later in January 1975, E’ville Iron Street Rods, Ltd. was born.

The group focused on preserving and modifying pre-1949 automobiles, a significant cutoff date that marks the end of a classic era in American automotive design. These weren't museum pieces, though. Street rodding meant modernizing the vintage frames: new engines, updated transmissions, slick interiors, and even bold body modifications. They were building the past into something uniquely present.

To share their passion and raise the profile of their club, E’ville Iron members decided to throw a car show. Funds were tight, so they rolled up their sleeves and hosted Saturday car washes at a local Marathon station. The hard work paid off.

In August of 1975, the first show—Der E’ville Iron Street Rod Fest—was held at the Vanderburgh 4-H Center. Around 50 street rods participated. It was a small but lively affair, with games, dancing, and a cruise-in that brought the community together.

A Rebrand and a Leap Forward

As the Rod Fest began to gain traction, the club sought to rebrand in a way that would set it apart from the many other auto events cropping up across the nation. The answer came from that first frog jumping contest. It was weird, it was memorable, and it was undeniably fun. The Frog Follies was born. If you’ve ever wondered how this car show got its unique name, now you know.

The name stuck—and the event exploded.

Fast forward fifty years, and what started as a backyard gathering has become a landmark national event, attracting nearly 3,000 registered street rods and thousands more spectators. It remains entirely volunteer-run by the E’ville Iron Street Rods club, a fact that gives the show its unique, homespun charm even as it has grown into a massive event.

A Celebration of Craftsmanship and Culture

At its heart, Frog Follies is a love letter to craftsmanship. These aren’t just cars,

they’re hand-built tributes to old-school mechanical know-how. Walking the showgrounds, visitors will see polished ’32 Fords, chopped ’38 Chevys, custombodied Mercurys, and every kind of pre-war dream machine imaginable, all lovingly restored or radically altered to reflect its owner's passion and vision.

But there’s something for everyone (even those who can’t tell a carburetor from a camshaft).

With the family-friendly games, local food vendors, and music, attendees will describe the Frog Follies as “part car show, part carnival, and part family reunion.” It’s where multiple generations of hot rodders come together, where lifelong friendships are made, and where the passion for cars is passed down like an heirloom.

50th Anniversary Celebration

This year’s Frog Follies is more than just a show, it’s a milestone. The 50th anniversary promises to be a celebration for the ages, with special guests and unforgettable events throughout the weekend. Here’s some of what you can look forward to:

• Joe and Amanda Martin, stars of Iron Resurrection and owners of Martin Bros. Customs, will be on-site Friday and Saturday. Known for transforming rusted relics into world-class custom machines, the Martins are living legends in the custom car world.

• Bob Chester of Spirit Industries will build a 1923 T-Bucket Street Rod live

at the event—starting from boxes of parts and finishing with a complete vehicle in just two days. Chester, with decades of experience and a passion for mentorship, will work alongside students from Tri-State automotive schools to demonstrate what’s possible when education and enthusiasm collide. The completed T-Bucket will be given away to one lucky registered rodder at Sunday’s awards ceremony.

• A special Friday night cruise to the picturesque Evansville riverfront offers rodders a scenic ride and a chance to show off their chrome and curves under the setting sun.

• Exclusive 50th anniversary memorabilia, special giveaways, and commemorative displays will be available throughout the weekend, creating keepsakes for rodders and fans alike.

Built by Community, Fueled by passion

One of the most remarkable aspects of Frog Follies is its unwavering commitment to community. All proceeds from the event go to local charities, and over the decades, E’ville Iron Street Rods has donated millions of dollars to children’s organizations, schools, and community projects across the Tri-State area.

Looking to the Future

As the street rod world continues to evolve with new technologies and changing tastes, Frog Follies remains

grounded in its roots. It’s not just about nostalgia, it’s about continuity. About honoring where we came from while inspiring where we’re headed. So whether you’re a lifelong rodder, a casual fan, or just someone who appreciates a good story on four wheels, Frog Follies invites you to make the leap.

HOW ABOUT A GAME OF “I SPY”?

Which of you have the sharpest eyes!? The staff at News4U has partnered with 3 great local businesses to give away three great prizes to three of you!! And how might you win, you may ask? Just find the emojis that are hidden somewhere in the magazine to be entered into a drawing for each prize! Once you find the emoji, email us a pic of that emoji to prize@news4uevv.com, and your name will be put into a drawing for the corresponding prize. You can only enter one time per emoji, but you can win more than one prize if your name is drawn. Winners will pick up their prizes at the businesses listed!

Have you ever wondered if there was a church where questions are welcomed, science is respected, prejudice is rejected, and all people are treated as equals? Welcome home.

Start searching and good luck!

1. Kipplee's: find their stromboli emoji and enter to win a $25 gift card to the restaurant!

2. Deerhead Tavern: find their pizza emoji and enter to win a $25 gift card to the restaurant!

JACOBSVILLE’S COMEBACK: Local Flavor and Community Spirit Are Breathing New Life Into This Evansville Neighborhood

It’s no secret that Jacobsville, one of Evansville’s oldest neighborhoods, has seen its fair share of tough times. But walk down North Main Street today and you’ll feel something in the air: momentum. The sounds of laughter from patios, the smell of fresh pizza and homestyle breakfasts, and the sight of neighbors gathering for weddings, ice cream, and good company, it’s clear: Jacobsville is back.

And it’s not coming back quietly. This isn’t some cookie-cutter redevelopment project. This is local businesses, local families, and local pride leading the charge.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate where Jacobsville has been (and where it’s headed).

A LOOK BACK

Jacobsville has deep roots in Evansville. The name Jacobsville traces back to Hannah Jacobs, a widowed mother of six who made her mark on the area in the early 1800s. After losing her husband in 1827, she acquired land in what’s now the heart of the neighborhood—between Columbia, Oakley, Harriett, and Missouri streets—with dreams of building a town.

While nearby Evansville and Lamasco were already booming, slowing down her plans, the Jacobs family still played a big role in shaping the area’s early character.

From the 1860s through the 1890s, the family ran a dairy farm right where 609–617 W. Maryland Street stands today. Their farmhouse became a bit of a local landmark, and their roots still run deep in the neighborhood’s story.

In 1868, Jacobsville was officially annexed into Evansville.

Over the years, the area was shaped by its proximity to industry—both a blessing and a burden. Jobs came, but so did pollution, especially lead contamination that’s taken years to clean up. For a while, it felt like Jacobsville had been left behind.

But now? Jacobsville’s getting the second act it deserves—thanks in large part to its small but mighty business community. Today, it stands as a unique blend of rich history and fresh energy, where historic homes, local legends, and new businesses all come together to create something special.

LOCAL STARS FUELING THE REVIVAL

Dishes by Dani

Located at 421 Read Street, Dani Schiffer is changing the game when it comes to convenient, healthy, homemade meals. Whether you're on keto, plant-based, gluten-free—or just plain hungry—Dishes by Dani offers freshly prepared weekly meals that make healthy eating easy. Dani’s not just feeding people, she’s building

community with every pickup order and pop-up event she hosts. If you haven’t tried her delicious entrees… well, what are you waiting for?

Contact & Hours

• Address: 421 Read Street, Evansville, IN 47710

• Phone: 812-470-2615

• facebook.com/dishesbydani

Jacobs Pub

Tucked into the historic DiLegge’s building at 607 N Main St, Jacobs Pub offers an upscale Italian - steakhouse experience with a cozy, inviting vibe—ideal for date nights, celebrations, or a special dinner out. They serve up everything from rich, savory steaks and classic pastas to cocktails and house wines—all in a charming atmosphere that blends old - world character with contemporary flair. The perfect spot to

treat yourself or share a meal with friends and family!

Contact & Hours

• Phone: (812) 990 - 5253

• Email: customerservice@jacobspub. com

• Address: 607 N Main St, Evansville, IN 47711

• Tuesday–Thursday: 10 AM–9 PM

• Friday & Saturday: 10 AM–10 PM

• Closed Sunday & Monday

• Facebook.com/JacobsPubDilegges

Kenny’s Family Diner

This cozy little diner on Richardt Avenue is exactly what the name promises: familyfriendly, warm, and always full of familiar faces. Kenny's opened in 2025 and has already won over hearts with big breakfasts, bottomless coffee, and that comfort food magic. Whether you’re grabbing a biscuit before work or treating Grandma to pancakes on Sunday, Kenny’s is all about community at the table.

Contact & Hours

• Phone: (812) 773 - 3306

• Email: kennyfamilydiner@gmail.com

• Address: 2 Richardt Ave., Evansville, IN 47711

• Open daily 5am-2pm

• Facebook.com/kennysfamilydiner

North Main Annex Gourmet Catering and Deli

Located in the historic Post Office Annex at 701 N Main St, North Main Annex Gourmet Catering & Deli is a go-to spot for fresh, flavorful breakfasts, crisp salads, and sweet baked goods, served up Monday through Saturday. Whether you're grabbing a morning bite or a quick lunch, the deli delivers homemade taste with local charm. And if you’ve got an event coming up, their gourmet catering brings the same quality and care straight to your guests.

Contact & Hours

Address: 701 N Main St, Evansville, IN 47711

• Hours: Monday–Saturday (check their page or call for daily hours)

• Phone: 812-250-4551

• Website: https://annexcatering.com Facebook.com/ NorthMainAnnexGourmetCateringandDeli

Turoni’s Main Street Brewery

A true Evansville original, Turoni’s Main Street Brewery has been serving up handcrafted pizzas, house-brewed beers, and good times for decades. Located in the heart of Jacobsville at 408 N Main Street, this familyfriendly spot is beloved for its crispy crusts, creative toppings, and cozy pub atmosphere. Whether you're grabbing a pint with friends, bringing the kids for a casual dinner, or ordering a pizza to-go, Turoni’s blends hometown flavor with serious brewing chops. A must-visit for locals and visitors alike!

Contact & Hours

• Phone: (812) 424-9871

• Address: 408 N Main St, Evansville, IN 47711

• Website: www.turonis.com

• Facebook.com/turonismainstreet

Main Street Wedding and Event Venue

Nestled at 315 N. Main Street, this modernindustrial gem brings personality, elegance, and ease to couples and event planners alike. Whether you're planning a wedding, rehearsal dinner, corporate event, or community gathering, Main Street Wedding & Event Venue delivers a stylish, stress-free experience from start to finish. With indoor and outdoor spaces, in-house getting-ready suites, and flexible packages for up to 180 seated guests (or **200 for cocktails), it’s the kind of place where you can truly feel like a guest at your own celebration. The venue emphasizes personal touch, clear pricing, and top-tier amenities (think linens, décor, bar service, AV equipment, and clean-up) so hosts can relax and enjoy every moment

Contact & Hours

• Phone: (812) 463 - 2953

• Address: 315 N. Main Street, Evansville, IN 47711

• Website: mainstreetevansville.com

• Facebook.com/mainstreetevv

WHAT’S NEXT FOR JACOBSVILLE?

The future’s looking bright, and busy! With housing developments like Franklin Lofts in the works, more people are expected to move into the neighborhood. The city’s also continuing to improve roads, parks, and public transportation, making Jacobsville more walkable and accessible than ever.

Jacobsville is the kind of place that reminds you what a neighborhood is really supposed to be: people-powered, full of flavor, and rich with stories. So next time you're in Evansville, skip the chain restaurants and head down North Main. Grab a steak at Jacobs Pub, a pizza at Turoni’s, a to-go dinner from Dishes by Dani, or brunch at Kenny’s. Celebrate a big moment at North Main Events. And while you're at it, take a walk around and see a neighborhood that’s writing its next chapter.

EVANSVILLE of A TASTE

MONTHLY FOOD REVIEW WITH BRIAN BUXTON

BURGER BANK

"Good things come in small packages” is a widely recognized idiom that perfectly describes the Burger Bank, which has been located on South Weinbach Ave. since 1960. And through 4 owners the 660 square foot drive-thru restaurant with a varied menu has been within a few hundred feet of where you will find it today, at 1617 S. Weinbach Ave, Evansville, IN.

Since April 2009 Don Falcone has been the 4th and current owner of the business, and he shared some Burger Bank history with us. The original location was just across the street at the corner of Weinbach and Covert, which is now the Walgreens building. Falcone related that the original owner of the business was also the owner of Evans Motors, who was forced to move the building across the street when the corner lot was sold to Redbird gas station. The second owner worked for a local bread company and delivered bread to the business, He saw how busy they were and made a deal with the owner on a handshake. The third owners were a couple who had grown up in Evansville and enjoyed Burger Bank sliders as children, but operated it remotely after moving to South Carolina.

Falcone previously had a 30 year career in the newspaper business, employed by publications in Mt. Vernon IL, Mexico, MO and the Evansville Courier-Press. His restaurant experience came from working in Sandy’s Restaurants as a young man (known today as Hardee’s). After retiring

he purchased the business to stay busy, and promptly upgraded the building with a new roof, new paint and a deep clean. He also introduced an expanded menu, offering a variety of what are now customer favorites. Burger Bank was originally known for their hamburger and cheeseburger sliders, but drawing from his experience in sales and marketing, Falcone added ice cream, huge pork tenderloins, Philly cheese steaks, a patty melt, fish sandwiches, shrimp, fried pickles and even ham & bean soup. All of which quickly became customer favorites.

He takes pride in serving high quality ingredients that are cooked fresh with every order. The chicken is 100% white meat, their fish sandwich is 100% Alaskan cod, and their marinated Texas tenderloins are almost a ½ pound of fresh full-muscle pork. Not only does Falcone care about the quality of the food they serve, but he also cares about the work environment for his employees. His cook Brett has been with him for 15 years.

Although we have heard rumors that there was a second Burger Bank location on Franklin St. in the 1980’s, we were not able to locate any information about it. Regardless, Falcone has never thought about moving or expanding. He is very happy offering his delicious menu to his customers from the original south-side location. He related that his favorite part of the business is the people - feeding them and making them happy. He loves

seeing long-time customers returning every day or week for years, even getting to see their children grow up. His biggest struggle over the past few years has been rising food costs. But he has always tried to provide the best quality food for the most value, raising menu prices over the years only when absolutely necessary to stay profitable.

During our visit we sampled a few items, including a dressed burger, the Texas tenderloin on a toasted bun, two sliders and a Philly cheese steak. I have yet to try anything that I wouldn’t order again. I plan to return for the cod sandwich and shrimp basket. Customer favorites are the fully burgers, crispy onion rings, the huge Texas tenderloin, the BLT, sausage burger, and the probably the best Philly cheese steak in town. If you visit don’t forget about their fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese bites, fried pickles, hush puppies, tater tots, chicken sliders and the grilled chicken bacon ranch sandwich. To battle the heat, their malts, milkshakes, floats and sundaes shouldn’t be missed.

When the weather cools down this is also the place to go for some amazing chili or ham and bean soup, which you can also take home by the quart or gallon. Pro tip: don’t forget to order some cornbread!

Every visit is an entry into a monthly drawing for $50.00 gift certificate. The more often you dine there the more chances you have to win! Be sure to watch their Facebook page for their daily specials, which are one of the best lunch values in town.

There is no indoor dining area, but you can cruise by their drive-thru window, order at the counter or find them on DoorDash. If you want to enjoy the sun, you can sit at one of their picnic tables. Parking is available in their private lot. Business hours are Mon-Thurs: 11:00am – 6:30pm, Fri & Sat: 11:00am – 7:00pm and Sun: noon –5:00pm. You can find them on Facebook @ burgerbank2009

1617 South Weinbach (812) 475-2265

facebook.com/FFKSEvansville

ANYTHING ON WHEELS

WITH TOM LEGGETT

FIRECHICKEN: A FAMILY LEGACY TAKES TO THE ROAD

When you spot the bold FireChicken food truck rolling into town, you’re not just seeing a mobile kitchen, you are witnessing a family’s passion in motion. Owned by Lee Jahns, FireChicken is more than just a catchy name; it’s a tribute to his father’s love for Pontiac Firebirds, affectionately called “FireChickens” in the family garage. Taking over the business in the fall of 2025, Lee has taken on the challenge of rekindling this beloved brand and restoring its place in the tri state's local food scene.

Lee’s culinary roots run deep. “I’ve been in the food business with my family since I was 11,” he shares. From working alongside his parents in their restaurants to helping out on their food trucks, the experience shaped his work ethic and love for serving great food. That foundation proved invaluable as he stepped into ownership and began rebuilding FireChicken’s recognition and following.

As you can imagine running a food truck brings unique challenges for instance ensuring every piece of equipment is secured before hitting the road. “With

the kitchen being on wheels, you’ve got to make sure everything is strapped or bolted down to keep from throwing oil or food out of refrigerators,” Lee explains. But it’s all part of the adventure, and the reward comes when customers line up for FireChicken’s fan favorites: Angry Buffalo, Sweet Chicken, Spirit & Soul sandwiches, and always-popular chicken tenders.

Consistency is at the heart of Lee’s business philosophy. “Making good food and being consistent brings repeat customers,” he says. FireChicken keeps fans updated with weekly Facebook posts and event schedules, using social media as a reliable tool to stay connected with the community. Lee credits his family, especially his dad, who owns Rock-ABurger, and his mom, along with friends and fellow food truck owners for their ongoing support.

Success, to Lee, is simple: “The more people we can make happy, the better the food truck will do.” Balancing work and personal life is still a work in progress as FireChicken grows, but he finds time with friends and his spouse helps lighten the load.

For anyone dreaming of starting a food truck, Lee’s advice is straightforward: “Just do it! The dream will point you in the right direction, take it one day at a time and don’t overload yourself.” And if he could offer one more tip from experience? “Don’t eat so much of your own food or you might get fat!”

FireChicken is more than a business — it’s a journey fueled by family, passion, and a whole lot of delicious chicken. Find them on Facebook: FireChicken

See you down the road!

"...IT’S A JOURNEY FUELED BY FAMILY, PASSION, AND A WHOLE LOT OF DELICIOUS CHICKEN."

TWHAT'S ON THE

grill

he dog days of summer are upon us! As we suffer through these hot days, let’s still try to enjoy foods prepared on the grill. So this month we are going to jump headfirst into some homemade delectable foods prepared on the grill!

BALSAMIC GLAZED BACON WRAPPED DATES:

• Start by cutting a date in half and removing the pit.

• Next, insert a half inch by half inch cube of Manchego cheese in place of the pit.

• Then wrap the date with a thin sliced bacon. (Make extras as they will be better than your neighbor’s! Always a popular hit when I make these.)

• Arrange the dates in a disposable aluminum pan and put on a grill over medium heat. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and cook until the bacon is cooked to the crispiness you desire.

WITH JIM JOHNSON

WATERMELON SALAD:

• For the salad, you will need to start with a ripe seedless watermelon! Slice the watermelon in one inch thick slices all the way through, making full round slices. Cut the rind off the watermelon.

• On medium to high heat, grill watermelon until you have grill marks on both sides.

• Lay grilled watermelon flat on a serving plate. On top of the watermelon, lay a bed of baby spinach leaves, chopped red onion, sliced mushrooms, sliced boiled egg, and sliced strawberries. Drizzle a little balsamic vinegar over the top and enjoy.

GRILLED PORK CHOPS AND GRILLED

APPLES:

• I like using pork chops that are one to two inches thick.

• Rub both sides with the Jim Johnson BBQ Rub and grill over medium heat until the internal temperature of the pork chop reaches 140ºF.

• While grilling pork chops, peel and slice several apples and place in a disposable aluminum plan. Try a variety of apples – Granny Smith, Golden, Red Delicious, and Fuji

• Add several pats of butter, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Set an aluminum pan on the grill and cook until the apples are soft. Serve with the grilled pork chops.

PEACH COBBLER:

• Heat your oven to 350ºF. You’ll need a Dutch oven, four 29 oz cans of sliced peaches, two boxes of your favorite yellow cake mix, and a stick of butter.

• Pour the canned sliced peaches including juice into the Dutch oven (because after all your neighbors will also be coming over!)

• Add the first box of yellow cake mix and stir.

• Then to create the crust, sprinkle the second box of yellow cake mix evenly over the mixture and follow that with one stick of butter, cut into multiple pats and placed on top of the cake mix.

• Cover the Dutch oven with a tight lid. Cook at 350ºF for 1 hour.

• Serve with your favorite vanilla ice cream. This will make about 10 servings.

*If you like these ideas or have any questionsor if you would like a specific recipe regarding food groups - just reach out to News 4U and Jim will get it into next month's column.

Jim Johnson has won 78 Grand Championships on the BBQ circuit and is a founding member of the Kansas City BBQ Society (International Outreach Team). In addition, Jim has taught American-style BBQ in over 40 countries worldwide.

He's also cooked at U.S. embassies and often feeds the troops at military bases. Just recently, Jim served 2500 BBQ plates for the Minnesota Air National Guard and for the Scott Air Force Base. As if all that wasn't enough, he helps to feed numerous non-profits in the Evansville area.

Healthy Cooking with Lindsay Rasure

Our neighbors always have an abundance of zucchini around this time of year. I especially love utilizing zucchini in sweet treats. Last year, I made several batches of sourdough zucchini brownies that were so delicious. My middle child does not love chocolate (gasp!). I know. I do not understand. I decided to make these zucchini bars for her. The recipe comes together quickly without much effort. They are delicious with melted KerryGold butter on top or go farther and make homemade cream cheese icing!

ZUCCHINI BARS

CLEAN BITE life

Ingredients:

• ¼ c. salted butter melted

• ½ c. plain Greek yogurt

• 1 egg beaten

• 1 T. pure maple syrup

• 2/3 c. coconut sugar

• 1 c. all-purpose flour

• ½ tsp. baking soda

• ½ tsp. fine sea salt

• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon

• 1 c. zucchini shredded (1 small zucchini)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Grease an 8×8” baking dish, set aside.

3. Shred zucchini and squeeze out excess moisture, set aside.

4. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl, set aside.

5. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter.

6. Whisk in Greek yogurt, egg, maple syrup and coconut sugar until mixture is smooth.

7. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until smooth.

8. Fold in zucchini until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

FOR MORE RECIPES OR MEAL IDEAS YOU CAN FOLLOW LINDSAY RASURE ON INSTAGRAM: @CLEANBITELIFE OR HER FACEBOOK GROUP: CLEAN BITE LIFE

9. Spread batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.

10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 min or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

11. Let cool completely. Enjoy the zucchini bars with melted butter on top or even make cream cheese icing!

12. Store the bars in the refrigerator.

Restaurant

KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE ON THE COMINGS AND GOINGS OF AREA DINING ESTABLISHMENTS WITH BRIAN BUXTON

411

TSPONSORED BY

he restaurant business is a rough road, and success is far from guaranteed in a business with many challenges and very narrow margins for profit. A study by Ohio State University found that 60% of new restaurants didn't make it past the first year, and 80% closed within five years. It's not a venture for the weak.

Here's a list of local spots we've recently lost, others that have recently opened, and some to look forward to in the coming weeks.

RECENTLY CLOSED:

JUNE:

Hooters Evansville at 4620 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN (June 4th)

Chasers at 2131 West Franklin St., Evansville, IN (June 5th)

Penn Station Subs at 1111 Barret Court, Henderson, KY (June 9th)

Franklin Street Pizza Factory at 2033 West Franklin St., Evansville, IN (June 14th)

Little Angelos Newburgh at 8000 Bell Oaks Dr., Newburgh, IN (end of June)

JULY:

Backyard Bar & Grill at 1602 Vann Ave, Evansville, IN (July 20th)

RECENTLY OPENED:

JUNE:

Kenny's Family Diner at 2 Richardt Ave., Evansville, IN

Six Strings on Franklin at 2131 West Franklin St., Evansville, IN

The Tap Inn at The Farm Golf Course at 6901 Petersburg Rd., Evansville, IN

Senior Burrito at 606 N. Main, Evansville, IN

Big Whiskey's American Restaurant at 234 Frederica St., Owensboro, KY (Mid-Late June)

Gene’s Beans Coffee at 1738 Moseley St., inside Gene’s Health Food, Owensboro, KY

La Michoacana Ice Cream and Treats at 3245 Mt Moriah Ave., Owensboro, KY

JULY:

Dade Park Grille at Inside Ellis Park Racing and Gaming, Henderson, KY

Senior Burrito at 606 N. Main, Evansville, IN

Pioneer Bakery at 215 East Gum Street, Boonville, IN Nando at 415 Main Street, Evansville, IN

COMING SOON:

EVANSVILLE, IN

AGAPE CAFÉ AT 5310 PEARL DR., EVANSVILLE, IN

ALINE/BROTHER WAVE RESTAURANT AT 1704 S. KENTUCKY AVE.

AMAN FOOD MARKET AT 900 E. RIVERSIDE DR.

BLAZE PIZZA AT N. GREEN RIVER RD.

CARNIVERIA MI VALLE BUTCHER SHOP & MARKET AT 5614 E. VIRGINIA

COFFEE812 AT DOWNTOWN AREA

COFFEE SHOP ? AT FORMER BLENDERZ AT 4301 N. FIRST AVE.

CRIOLLOS VENEZUELAN BREAKFAST AT 581 N. GREEN RIVER RD.

CURRITO AT THE PROMENADE OFF BURKHARDT RD.

DIAMOND'S DINER AT 315 E. DIAMOND AVE.

DIMAGGIO'S ITALIAN PIZZA AT 3848 N. FIRST AVE.

DOGTOWN TAVERN AT 6201 OLD HENDERSON RD.

HORNVILLE TAVERN AT 2607 W. BASELINE RD.

KAN PAI SUSHI AT 581 N. GREEN RIVER RD. KATES CAFÉ AT 5625 PEARL DR., SUITE G

KFIRE KOREAN BBQ & HOT POT AT 502 N. GREEN RIVER RD.

LAMASCO NEW CONCEPT AT 1331 W. FRANKLIN ST.

METRO DINER AT 945 N. BURKHARDT RD.

MEXICAN RESTAURANT & GROCERY AT 2020 CENTER DR.

RAISING CANES AT THE PROMENADE OFF BURKHARDT RD.

ROCKIN' CHICKEN AT 967 S. KENTUCKY AVE.

S&J CARIBBEAN BAKERY & RESTAURANT AT 1033

WEINBACH AVE.

SCOOTERS COFFEE AT 805 S. GREEN RIVER RD.

SWAGAT INDIAN CAFÉ AT 105 N. GREEN RIVER RD.

TAKE OUT CARIBBEAN FOOD AT 1010 S. KENTUCKY AVE.

THE WINE VAULT (MOVING) AT 423 METRO AVE. (OCT)

WILD EGGS AT SIEGNEL PLAZA IN THE PROMENADE

WINDMILL MARATHON AND BAKERY AT 6801 US-41

NORTH (LATE AUG)

NEWBURGH, IN

7BREW COFFEE AT 4011 OLD STATE ROUTE 261

BASTONI AT 8000 BELL OAKS DR.

STEAK & TAKE AT 4960 STATE ROUTE 261

JIMMY JOHN'S AT 3922 ORCHARD LANE

HENDERSON, KY

7 BREW COFFEE AT 2005 US-41 (FALL 2025)

GIGI'S (CAFÉ OR DINER?) AT 48 S. HOLLOWAY ST. (SUMMER 2025)

ICHIBAN EXPRESS AT US-41 & WATSON LANE (2025)

RHYTHM RIVER DISTILLERY AT 405 NORTH MAIN ST.

OWENSBORO, KY

1885 COCKTAIL BAR AT 2601 W. PARRISH AVE. (SUMMER 2025)

7 BREW COFFEE AT 4930 S. FREDERICA (SUMMER 2025)

CURRITO AT CALUMET TRACE IN GATEWAY COMMONS

DUTCH BROS. COFFEE CO. AT 3750 FREDERICA ST. (SUMMER 2025)

KROGER AT GATEWAY COMMONS (2026)

PUBLIX AT HAYDEN RD. AND WENDELL FORD EXPRESSWAY (2026)

WONDER WHIP AT 2600 FREDERICA ST. (2026)

Back to School:

Time to Reset Your Routine

By Amy Bradford

The end of summer has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute we’re savoring popsicles and sleeping in, the next we’re staring at a school supply list and wondering how to get everyone out the door by 7:15 a.m. again. In my house it’s a complete 180 for our schedule (the word schedule used loosely).

But, August is more than a countdown to the first day of school, it’s the perfect time to hit reset on your routine.

Whether you're a student, a parent, or someone who simply thrives on structure, there’s something refreshing about the back-to-school season. It gives us permission to start over, re-establish healthy habits, and get intentional about how we spend our days. It’s a seasonal transition that invites us to reflect, reorganize, and reprioritize. It’s less about abrupt change and more about gently guiding yourself and your household into a better rhythm. That is, if you prepare.

Some advice:

Start small. You don’t need to overhaul your entire schedule overnight. Begin by easing back into earlier bedtimes and wake-ups a week or two before school starts. Not only does this help adjust sleep patterns gradually, but it also prevents that first Monday morning from feeling like a rude awakening. Literally, so rude.

Shift dinner a bit earlier, cut back on screen time in the evenings, and reintroduce a few daily responsibilities like laying out clothes or packing a lunch, anything to help you get back into the rhythm. Even something as simple as setting out breakfast items the night before can create a sense of calm and control when the alarm clock rings.

Parents, it helps to plan your mornings and evenings like mini routines. Think about where the hang-ups usually happen (missing shoes, forgotten permission slips?) and solve them ahead of time. Mornings are not the time for that. Just like you’ll regret not getting gas on the way home from work, you’ll regret not filling out those forms the night before. “Future you” will be so grateful.

Designate your space. Create a drop zone near the door for backpacks, lunchboxes, and anything else that tends to go missing in the morning rush. Post a checklist near the exit or inside a closet door. Small visuals can make a big difference. A little prep the night before can lead to a lot less stress in the morning.

It’s also okay to have a family meeting to talk about goals for the school year, not just academic ones. Maybe the goal is less screen time, more family dinners, or getting out the door without a meltdown. Setting shared expectations creates accountability and teamwork.

Students, resetting your routine doesn’t have to feel like a punishment. In fact, you’ll probably feel better and more focused once you get back on a consistent schedule. Prioritize sleep, carve out time for homework and downtime, and try to start each day with something that sets a positive tone:music, a healthy breakfast, or even a moment of gratitude. You’ll be surprised how powerful a short morning ritual can be when it comes to setting the tone for your day.

And let’s not forget the importance of downtime. A healthy routine isn’t just about being productive, it’s also about making space for fun, rest, and creativity. Balance school responsibilities with after-school activities, hobbies, and quiet moments.

Over-scheduling can be just as disruptive as under-planning. Take it from me, a chronic over-planner.

Back-to-school season is a reset button we all need. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being prepared. By taking the time to reset your routine now, you’re giving yourself (and your family) the chance to walk into the school year with confidence, calm, and a clear head. Let this be the year you feel ready instead of rushed.

Here’s to earlier nights, smoother mornings, and a fresh start for everyone.

I’ll make this intro brief because it’s embarrassing.

When I was a teen, my dad took me to Opus One Music in Eastland Mall for a Les Paul. Gorgeous, black, Custom 3 pickup with gold hardware. I was an idiot and I didn’t deserve it. I thought that the guitar sounded bad, wouldn’t stay in tune and was hard to play. I traded it without asking Dad, hurt his feelings, and regretted it ever since.

Whether you're strumming your first chords or 30 years deep into your tone quest, the knowledge that the things displeasing you might not be your or the guitar’s fault is powerful. You may need new strings or a few adjustments—often less than $100 even for dramatic improvements. That’s why I’m writing this. If I had read this back in my teens, I would still own that beautiful, lost, now sentimental instrument. Never mind how much more quickly one’s skills can skyrocket by asking some fearless questions.

What Is a Setup, Anyway?

At its core, a guitar setup is a handful of adjustments that make your instrument play and sound its best. We're talking about tweaking the truss rod (that’s the metal rod inside the neck), setting string action (how high the strings are from the fretboard), adjusting intonation (so your notes stay in tune up and down the neck), and making sure the nut and bridge are doing their jobs properly. I’ve since learned to make some minor tweaks to my own liking and you can too, but you don’t have to know how to do all that yourself. That’s what music stores and luthiers are for.

LINDSEY

on the scene

BY LINDSEY JAMES WILLIAMS

The Two Way Street of Loving Guitar

A Good Luthier is Like a Guitar Wizard

If you’ve never taken your guitar to a luthier, you’re in for a treat. These folks are part engineer, part artist, part mechanic, and part therapist—for your guitar and for you. They’ll spot issues you didn’t know existed, keeping you playing, smiling, creating, and protecting your investment. They’re not just for major repairs. Guitars shift with weather and time, and what felt perfect in April might be a buzzy mess by July.

But What Can I Do?

Your instrument is like a pet. Give it love and affection, and take care of it, and, in a way, it can love you back. There are a few easy things to try—even if you're a noob—that make a real difference. (Hey! maybe you eventually go full guitar tech. It’s an art and career in and of itself.)

• Light Cleaning: You can be down with the funk while still jazzing things up. A little soft cloth action can do wonders. You may get longer life from your strings—saving money and prolonging your sound!

• Polish Those Frets: Dull, oxidized frets feel gritty and make bending harder. Grab a fret polishing kit or even a piece of 0000 steel wool (mask off the wood with painter’s tape. Don’t scrub the wood) In a few minutes, shiny new guitar jewelry.

• Lube the Nut (don’t giggle) and Saddles: A tiny dab of graphite (from a pencil) in each nut slot can make tuning smoother and prevent strings from binding. No tools, no drama. You could try electrical lube or anything non reactive or build up forming. Try

traveling in time to your local Radio Shack or just search the web.

• Change Strings: In addition to regular string changes as they wear out (depending on oxidation and how much you play), lighter or heavier strings can totally change how a guitar feels and sounds. String thickness changes could also affect things negatively so be prepared to experiment and/or ask questions first.

Even if you don’t want to do any of these things yourself, just knowing that your irritations have solutions can keep the music alive. Maybe I can save you from pawning that potential family heirloom and getting back into or further into music!!

As always, thanks for supporting the independent artists of the world!

CreativeCurrents

by Aimee Blume

Another Earth Day

Love summer evenings? Love nature, art and music?

A new celebration will be happening this month at Newburgh’s Old Lock and Dam Park, called Another Earth Day (Because One ain’t Enough) on Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24. We talked about it with event organizer Stephen Amos, who also produces Newburgh’s Under the Radar concert series.

“One Earth Day really isn’t enough,” Amos said. “We wanted to do more to get the word out about the wonderful things in our backyard, and make sure that it wasn’t happening close to the time Wesselman Woods has their Earth Day in the spring.”

Amos pointed out that, at Wesselman, we have the largest urban stand of old growth forest in the United States. In Posey County,

The amphitheater at Old Lock and Dam Park in Newburgh will be the site of musical acts at this month's Another Earth Day celebration. Picture courtesy of Stephen Amos.

Hovey Lake offers a bald cypress ecosystem, very rare in Indiana. Across the river in Henderson, the areas around Audubon Park include Audubon Wetlands and a great blue heron rookery. And there is so much more people need to be reminded of and educated about.

“We reached out to regional groups all around the Tri-State area,” Amos said. “Like the wind and water, the boundaries drawn on maps don’t mean much in regards to the environment.”

There also will be representatives of entities such as local water companies, who will explain how their systems work within the local environment.

To make the event even more full and fun, the Old Lock and Dam building, adjacent park. and amphitheater will be turned into an art gallery, vendor area, and performance venue for the weekend.

“One of the great truth tellers is art”, Amos said, “since people started making cave paintings, we’ve been telling each other about the world through art, and we want to have a forum for it here.”

The art show, which is open to everyone and not juried, will not have a particular theme, although if artists can find a way to represent nature or use recycled or previously cast-off items in their work, is it all to the better. “There are no boundaries or restrictions,” Amos said, “it can be anything - whatever truth you’re telling through your art is worth putting out there.”

In addition, art vendors will be present with work, and there will be musical performances and others such as dance and possibly a drum circle, and a tye-die station where you can give new life to an old piece of clothing. Fitness activities will be hosted by Mary England. The event will close out with a gospel music review themed on “Stewards of the Earth.”

Food will be on hand from food trucks that will plug in to the park’s electric energy source, thereby avoiding the noise and exhaust of generators.

If you’d like to support the event, “planet partner” buttons created locally by artist Josh McKintosh, and autographed by him, will be sold for $10. Purchasers will also be invited to a special reception on Friday night, August 22.

What: Another Earth Day (Because One ain’t Enough) on Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24.

Where: Newburgh’s Old Lock and Dam Park. 6877 Highway 66, Newburgh, Ind.

When: Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, 2025.

Events are from Noon- 6pm

Concerts: Beginning at 7pm.

Stephen Amos plays his ashiko, a type of African drum, on the steps of the Old Lock and Dam building on Friday, July 11, 2025.

PARALLELS IN LIFE

WITH JEREMIAH GALEY

Hello, friends. My name is Jeremiah Galey. I’m a nearly two-decade veteran of the local food and hospitality industry. I own (along with my beautiful wife, Kimmy) and operate Bad Randy’s Hot Chicken & BBQ Lounge. This column is the mumblings and bumblings of introspection and parallels in life.

You can learn a lot about yourself in moments of intensity in life. When the game is on the line, or you’ve got a huge life decision to make on the spot. Maybe you’re in the industry and your place just popped off and the ticket rail filled up in six minutes flat and now you’re in the weeds. Moments when every second matters and you’ve got to act decisively and with purpose. There is no thinking, only acting. In these situations, all you can do is rely on learned behavior.

I’m blessed to have a support system I can lean on from time to time when life gets rough. Family, friends, coworkers, four-legged best friends. If you put yourself out there enough in life, you can find support through connections you make in experience. Sometimes those people can help bail you out of tough situations. After all, just like Bill Withers said, “we all need somebody to lean on.”

But still - no matter how much help you’ve got, no matter how vast your support system, eventually you’re going to have to rely on yourself. You’re going to have to be able to be

alone in moments. Whether or not you “have what it takes” is rarely a question of talent, but more so mental fortitude. These moments are about training yourself mentally and physically and being determined enough to persevere: all you’ve got to do is keep going.

Training yourself to just exist peacefully is important. I LOVE music, but often I end my day with silent car rides home in reflection of the day’s events. I truly enjoy walking my dogs, but it’s just as much mental as physical. Daydreaming, analyzing decision making or paths to goals. Learning to quiet the outside world and briefly exist alone in thought is a skill that should be required learning.

I use a mantra periodically when I’m in the thick of it: if you want it, this is what is required, referring to the price that must be paid and effort required to achieve the end result. We aren’t born with discipline, we acquire it over time, hardened through sacrifice and impossible odds, yet finding a way to continue. The lesson is never the achievement, but rather the path taken. The victory is the reward, and often not required to learn valuable life lessons.

Ask an

Attorney WITH LANE SIESKY / SIESKY LAW FIRM, PC

Focusing on personal injury, civil litigation, whistleblower claims and workers' compensation law, Siesky Law Firm strives to provide excellent legal services while remaining client and community centered. The Evansvillebased trio of top attorneys - including Lane Siesky, Daniel Gearhart and Douglas Briody - boasts years of invaluable experience inside and outside the courtroom. Highly-respected with an impeccable track record, the firm's aggressive representation of its clients continues to benefit the community in myriad ways.

TIME AND CHANCE PLAY A PART IN LIFE

Iam now going on twenty-seven years of practicing law and litigating cases. Our law firm focuses on injury cases stemming from car accidents, nursing home abuse, products liability and so on. Safe to say, I have seen a lot of horrific accidents, catastrophic injuries, and death over the years. One common question that I find myself muttering to myself is, “what were the chances of that accident happening?”

Indeed, in a lot of cases several things had to go wrong and even go wrong

in a certain order for the accident to occur. Often, our client (the victim) just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Sure, there are certain things we can control (staying alert) to lessen the chance of being in a bad accident and things to do (wearing your seatbelt) to lessen the extent of damages that result from an accident.

However, the truth is sometimes the victim is hurt or killed because of a series of bad decisions that someone else made and that the victim had no control over. I’ve seen car accidents, house fires and nursing home abuse cases where the victim had little or no forewarning of impending

Disclaimer: The above information provided by Siesky Law Firm, PC, is not legal advice and should not be taken as legal advice. Application of the law is highly fact sensitive and readers should consult with an attorney on legal matters. *This is an advertisement.

danger and/or lacked the ability to change the course of events.

On one hand, it is really sobering to know that life can be so fragile. On the other hand, being reminded that time and chance play a part, and that life is fleeting allows me to enjoy and appreciate the time and opportunities I have.

I hate to write about something downtrodden but maybe take time today to reach out to a loved one or a friend and let them know you care. Until next month . . .

As we enter the month of August, the thought of potentially cooler weather, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin spice everything might be appealing, it also signals the inevitable: the back-to-school season. For many households, this season can feel like a whirlwind sweeping through your home, but fear not. With a little proactive planning and strategic organization, you can transform your home into a well-oiled machine, ready to tackle the academic year with grace and efficiency.

Declutter and “De-Summerize”: Before you can organize, you must declutter. Summer often brings an accumulation of new toys, pool noodles, vacation souvenirs, and just general disarray. Start by tackling one room at a time, or even one closet or drawer if needed! Encourage children to participate in this process, deciding what they want to keep, donate, or discard. This not only lightens your load but also teaches them valuable organizational skills.

Once the clutter is gone, it’s time to “desummerize.” Pack away summer-specific items like beach towels, swimsuits, and warm-weather gear. Wash and store them properly to prevent mildew and damage. This creates valuable space for schoolrelated items and visually signals the shift in seasons, helping everyone prepare for the new before and after school routines ahead.

The Nerve Center:

Every organized home needs a central hub for communication and planning. This “Nerve Center” doesn't have to be a sprawling office. It can be as simple as a designated corner of the kitchen, a desk or table in the living room, or even a just dedicated bulletin board. Now you may be asking, what should go in your “Nerve Center”? Well, here are a couple of ideas that may help you get a bit more organized this school year.

• A Family Calendar: A large, easily visible calendar is crucial. Mark school holidays, parent-teacher conferences, extracurricular

REAL ESTATE RADAR

WITH

JASON BROWN / PINNACLE REALTY GROUP & PINNACLE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

The Back-To-School Prepped Home

activities, and important deadlines. Color-coding for each family member can be incredibly helpful.

• Message Board: A whiteboard or corkboard for quick notes, reminders, and permission slips.

• Inbox/Outbox System: Designate trays or folders for incoming mail, school papers, and items that need to go back to school. This prevents important documents from getting lost in the shuffle.

• School Supply Stash: Keep a small, easily accessible stash of frequently used school supplies like pencils, erasers, glue sticks, and paper. This avoids last-minute scrambles and ensures homework can be completed without interruption.

A Dedicated Study Zones

Whether your child is in kindergarten or high school, a dedicated study space is vital for maintaining focus and productivity. While a separate space for each child is great, it isn’t a requirement by any means.

A few options might be:

• A quiet corner of their bedroom: Ensure good lighting, a comfortable chair, and a clear workspace.

• A desk in a shared family area: Establish clear boundaries and expectations for quiet time during homework sessions.

• A portable "homework caddy": For younger children or those who prefer to work in various locations, a caddy filled with their essential school supplies can be easily moved.

Regardless of the location, ensure the study zone is free from distractions (no tempting video game consoles or televisions nearby) and equipped with everything they need to complete their assignments.

The Gateway to Chaos:

The entryway, often a chaotic dumping ground for backpacks, shoes, and coats, can become a source of stress. Transform it into an organized, welcoming space with these tips:

• Shoe Storage: A shoe rack, cubbies, or baskets will keep footwear tidy and prevent tripping hazards.

• Backpack Hooks: Assign a hook or a specific spot for each child’s backpack. This makes grabbing it in the morning and putting it away after school a breeze.

• Coat Rack: A designated place for jackets and coats, especially as the weather cools.

• Landing Strip for Keys and Wallets: A small bowl or tray near the door for keys, wallets, and other essentials will prevent the frantic "where are my keys?" dance each morning.

Morning and Evening Routines:

Establishing consistent morning and evening routines is the key to a smooth back-to-school transition.

• Morning Routine Chart: For younger children, a visual chart with pictures showing each step (get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth, pack backpack) can be incredibly helpful.

• Evening Prep: Encourage children to lay out their clothes for the next day, pack their backpacks, and gather any necessary school supplies the night before. This cuts down on morning rush and reduces forgotten items.

• Designated Bedtimes: Gradually shift bedtimes back to school-year schedules a week or two before school starts to ease the adjustment and ensure adequate rest.

Parental Recharge and Rejuvenation:

Keep in mind that while preparing your home for the back-to-school season is crucial, you also need to make your own well-being a priority. The demands of the school year can be taxing, and a well-rested, less-stressed parent is better equipped to handle the inevitable challenges. Schedule in time for exercise, hobbies, or simply quiet moments of relaxation.

Try out these strategies! You can transform your home from a summer haven to a backto-school fortress of organization and calm. A well-prepared home sets the stage for a successful year and hopefully a reduced stress level for both parent and student. So, take a deep breath, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to conquer the back-to-school season!

Back to School, Back to Work:

How Indiana’s Technical Schools and Students Are Powering the Future

WITH SARAH WILSON

August in Indiana marks more than just the return of yellow buses and packed lunchboxes. It signals new beginnings not just for young kids and their families, but for high schoolers charting their own paths, adults reskilling for a stronger career, and employers across the state desperately seeking skilled hands.

In classrooms, shop bays, and welding booths across the Hoosier State, technical education is having a longoverdue moment and this fall, more students than ever are answering the call. Indiana is one of the few states doubling down on career and technical education (CTE) at the high school level, and it's making a real difference.

From the Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center (SICTC) in Evansville to the Area 31 Career Center in Indianapolis and the Prosser Career Education Center in New Albany, high school students are gaining real-world experience in:

• Auto body and collision repair

• Construction trades

• Welding and industrial maintenance

• HVAC, electrical, and plumbing

• Health sciences, culinary arts, and more

These students graduate not only with a high school diploma, but also with industry-recognized certifications, internships, and — in many cases — job offers already on the table.

For families, this is a game-changer. It's a clear, cost-effective pathway to a career without the crushing weight of student loans. For the state? It's building a pipeline of skilled talent ready to fill Indiana’s critical workforce gaps.

But it’s not just teens sharpening their skills. Thousands of adult Hoosiers are heading back to the classroom this fall, too — not for theory or lectures, but for practical, hands-on training.

Institutions like Ivy Tech, Vincennes University, Lincoln Tech, and Indiana’s Union apprenticeship programs are offering fast-track programs in:

• Diesel and automotive technology

• Collision repair

• Welding and manufacturing

• Robotics, logistics, and electrical trades

• Practical nursing and health care

In as little as 12–18 months, students can launch stable careers with strong wages, benefits, and upward mobility. Thanks to state-backed programs like Next Level Jobs Indiana and the Workforce Ready Grant, many Hoosiers can attend at little to no cost.

Why It Matters

Indiana’s economy depends on skilled labor — and we’re at a tipping point. Employers across the state are struggling to find qualified workers, especially in trades that built this state from the ground up.

By investing in both high school and adult technical education, Indiana is doing more than filling jobs — it’s restoring pride in work, closing the skills gap, and offering real opportunity for families from Evansville to Elkhart.

Back to School Looks Different Now — and That’s a Good Thing

Whether it’s a 17-year-old earning an HVAC certification before graduation, a parent learning to weld, or a veteran starting fresh in collision repair, August is more than just pencils and planners. It’s about building futures … one skilled Hoosier at a time.

So this back-to-school season, let’s celebrate the kids and the careerchangers. The students and the trades. Because in Indiana, education doesn’t stop at a diploma — it starts with the decision to keep building.

Planning a family vacation can be a daunting task, especially when trying to stick to a budget. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable vacation options near Evansville that offer fun and adventure for families without breaking the bank. The Budget Blueprint, a local credit repair business inspired by Dave Ramsey's financial principles, emphasizes the importance of saving money while enjoying quality time together. Here are some budget-friendly vacation destinations that are perfect for families looking for a getaway close to home:

1. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari

In Santa Claus, Indiana, just a short drive from Evansville, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is a fantastic destination for families seeking thrills and water fun. This amusement park is known for its affordability, offering one of the best values in the theme park industry. The park features roller coasters, family rides, and a water park that includes slides and wave pools. Families can also take advantage of free soft drinks throughout the park, which helps save on food costs. Look for discounts on tickets purchased online in advance or check for family packages that provide additional savings.

2. Shawnee National Forest

For families who enjoy the great outdoors, Shawnee National Forest offers breathtaking scenery, hiking trails, and numerous recreational activities. Located about an hour from Evansville in Illinois, this forest is a perfect spot for camping, picnicking, and exploring nature. Families can hike

DOLLARS & SENSE:

BUDGET-FRIENDLY FAMILY VACATIONS NEAR EVANSVILLE, INDIANA

WITH RACHEL BUDDE / THE BUDGET BLUEPRINT

certified financial coach and runs The Budget Blueprint, a credit repair business, in Evansville, IN.

the famous Garden of the Gods, known for its stunning rock formations and panoramic views. Camping sites in the forest provide an affordable lodging option, allowing families to immerse themselves in nature without spending a fortune. Don’t forget to pack your own meals to save even more!

3. Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park, located just a couple of hours from Evansville in Kentucky, is home to the longest cave system in the world. Families can explore the fascinating underground world through guided tours, which are reasonably priced. The park also offers hiking, biking, and camping opportunities, making it a great destination for an affordable family vacation. Make sure to reserve your tour tickets in advance, as they can sell out during peak season. The park’s natural beauty and educational experiences make it a memorable getaway for families.

4. Lake Barkley State Resort Park

Lake Barkley State Resort Park in Kentucky is another fantastic option for families looking for a budget-friendly vacation. Located about two hours away, this state park offers a range of activities, including hiking, fishing, and boating. The park's lodge and cabins provide affordable accommodations, and families can take advantage of the park’s picnic areas and playgrounds. The serene lake views and outdoor activities create a relaxing atmosphere for quality family bonding time.

5. Indianapolis

The Indiana state capital, Indianapolis, is about two hours from Evansville and offers a wealth of family-friendly attractions. Many

of these attractions have free or low-cost admission, such as the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the White River State Park. Families can also enjoy the Indianapolis Zoo, which often has discounted ticket days. Consider staying in budget-friendly hotels or utilizing vacation rentals to keep costs down. Indianapolis is a vibrant city with plenty to see and do, making it an ideal spot for a budget-conscious family getaway.

6. Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio, located about two hours northeast of Evansville, offers a diverse range of activities for families. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, known for its dedication to conservation, often has discounted admission days. Families can also explore the Cincinnati Museum Center, which features multiple museums under one roof, providing an educational experience at an affordable price. Enjoy a stroll along the scenic waterfront or visit local parks for free outdoor fun. With a variety of budget-friendly hotels and dining options, Cincinnati is a great choice for families.

The Evansville area offers a plethora of budget-friendly activities for families looking to make the most of their summer. By exploring museums, parks, community events, and the beautiful Riverfront, families can create lasting memories without overspending. The principles from The Budget Blueprint remind us that enjoying life’s experiences doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. So grab your family, plan your summer adventures, and make the most of what Evansville has to offer!

Rachel Budde is a Dave Ramsey

COMEDY & CURIOSITIES

WITH DANNY BROWNING

Finally, it’s that magical time in Indiana when your sweat starts smelling like funnel cake and your pancreas quietly files for early retirement. Fair season is upon us! Whether it’s the state fair, county fair, or just admiring Grandpa’s sweet ride at the Frog Follies, it’s time for Midwesterners to make bold choices and questionable life decisions - most of them on a stick.

Because I have too much time on my hands, I’ve compiled a list of fair foods I’ve encountered over the years, much to my cardiologist’s chagrin.

1. Donut Burger - The donut burger is the reason people in other countries hate us. We start with a half-pound beef patty flawlessly nestled between two glazed donuts. Some of the included toppings are a fried egg, bacon, and a huge amount of instant regret. After one bite, I could feel my blood pressure rising faster than the sketchy-looking Ferris wheel.

2. Donut Taco - For the brave souls who want a bit more “Hispanic” flavor to their fair food experience, I recommend a donut taco! It was the perfect mix of carnitas, queso, and jalapenos all wrapped up with a donut that was somehow genetically engineered to resemble a taco shell. My only recommendation is to have a lot of water and enough toilet paper to last for the rest of the weekend.

3. Deep-Fried Butter – If you've ever stared longingly at a stick of butter and thought, "I wish this could be hotter, crispier, and slightly more threatening," this one’s for you. Deep-fried butter is the culinary equivalent of a dare from a drunk uncle. It's battered, fried, and served with powdered sugar, because if your arteries are going to tap out, they may as well do it like Paula Deen.

4. Chocolate-Covered Bacon – I’ve never been a fan of fixing something that’s not broken, however sometimes bacon just wants to be more than breakfast. It dreams of a second act, and

Life is too short to eat bland food or take yourself too seriously.

in this encore, it's dipped in velvety chocolate and chilled until it becomes a contradiction you can eat. Salty, sweet, and perfect for confusing your taste buds into thinking you made a healthy choice, because it (technically) has protein.

5. Brain Sandwich – Last, but never least, the West Side legend that is the brain sandwich. Though it may not be your classic summertime snack, it absolutely earns its spot on this list by virtue of sheer Evansville lore. Crispy pig brain, delicately smashed between two buns, it’s a bite of Indiana heritage that locals wear as a badge of honor. When it comes to iconic fair foods, this one takes the deep-fried cake.

So here’s to summer: to the laughter that erupts uninvited, the bites we take against better judgment, and the moments that taste like childhood, chaos, and powdered sugar. My advice:

Life is too short to eat bland food or take yourself too seriously. Pass the funnel cake and LAUGH like no one’s counting calories. Instagram @dannycomedy

TRUE CRIME JUNKIE

DEATH ON A PLATE: THE MUSHROOM MURDERS OF LEONGATHA WITH AMELIA ADKINS

Australia–In the quiet rural town of Leongatha, Victoria, a Sunday family lunch turned deadly—and what was supposed to be a gesture of reconciliation became one of Australia’s most shocking true crime cases.

Erin Patterson, a 49-year-old mother of two, had invited her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, along with Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, and Heather’s husband, Ian, to her home on July 29, 2023. The occasion? A homemade Beef Wellington lunch. Despite a recent separation from her husband, Simon Patterson, Erin was said to be trying to maintain ties with his family. But within days of that lunch, three of her guests would be dead.

Hours after the meal, all four guests began to suffer from sudden and severe gastrointestinal symptoms… vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain so intense it sent them to the hospital. Within a week, Don, Gail, and Heather were dead. Ian Wilkinson, a respected local pastor, barely survived after undergoing a liver transplant. Investigators quickly zeroed in on the food. The culprit: death cap mushrooms, one of the most lethal fungi in the world. Just a single mushroom can destroy the liver and kill an adult if untreated.

Erin Patterson, the only adult who prepared the meal, showed no symptoms. Neither did her children, who, curiously, had been served a separate dish. From the moment toxicology confirmed the presence of Amanita phalloides in the deceased victims, police treated the case as a potential homicide.

Erin maintained her innocence, initially telling detectives she had used a mix of button and dried mushrooms from an Asian grocery store. She claimed she had no idea they were poisonous. But her story began to unravel. She later admitted to lying about certain details during the initial investigation, saying she was scared of losing custody of her children if the incident was seen as her fault. Her statements to police changed multiple times, and a handwritten note later surfaced that raised eyebrows. In the note, written years before the incident, Erin appeared to express dark thoughts and frustrations over her family and her life, though she insisted it was merely a personal journal entry taken out of context.

Another detail only added to suspicions: her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, had himself been hospitalized in 2022 with unexplained stomach symptoms, eerily

similar to those that later killed his parents and aunt. While that incident wasn’t linked to any poisoning, it cast a deeper shadow over Erin’s narrative.

By November 2024, police formally charged Erin with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The trial, which just concluded in July of 2025, gripped the nation. The courtroom was packed daily. Australia watched as the prosecution laid out a methodical case of premeditation, painting Erin Patterson as a woman driven by resentment and desperation.

Prosecutors argued that Erin had planned the murders, intentionally using the deadly mushrooms to kill her former inlaws while ensuring her own children wouldn’t be exposed. They presented evidence that she had the opportunity to source the mushrooms and motive rooted in long-standing tensions with her ex-husband’s family. The fact that Erin herself did not fall ill—and that no packaging of the alleged store-bought mushrooms could be produced—furthered their case.

The defense insisted it was all a tragic accident. Erin’s legal team claimed she had no idea the mushrooms were dangerous and emphasized the lack of direct evidence tying her to the deliberate use of poison. They warned the jury not to base their verdict on speculation or emotion.

But after weeks of testimony and forensic analysis, the jury returned a unanimous verdict: guilty on all charges.

On July 9, 2025, Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering Gail and Don Patterson, and Heather Wilkinson, and of attempting to murder Ian Wilkinson. She now awaits sentencing and is expected to receive a life sentence.

The case has stunned Australians not just because of the brutality, but because of the method. Murder by food… by a homemade meal… feels almost too surreal. There was no blood, no weapon left behind. Just a carefully prepared dish that became a vessel for death.

A town that once knew Erin Patterson as a mother and local resident now knows her as a convicted killer. And while justice may have been served, one unsettling truth remains:

Sometimes, the most ordinary meals can hide the darkest intentions.

Have a tip or case you want us to cover? Contact News4U Magazine: amy@news4uevv.com

Erin Patterson

Beef Wellington

Death Cap Mushrooms

Let’s talk about that glow. You know the one, where your skin looks like it just spent a week in Ibiza but your calendar says otherwise. That’s the magic Kyra Hoss has mastered. She’s a hairstylist, mom of two boys, current Miss Southern Indiana USA, and the founder of Baked, a spray tanning and beauty experience rooted in confidence, comfort, and clean beauty.

THE BUZZ ON

WITH AMY BRADFORD

beauty

Sun-Kissed

and Self-Made: A Chat with Kyra Hoss, Founder of Baked Spray Tans

I sat down with Kyra to talk all things bronzed beauty, building a business from scratch (literally garages and kitchens), and breaking down the myths behind spray tans. I loved writing this because, fun fact, she was a student in my English class when I used to teach… wow…I’m getting old!

Q: So, Kyra—how did this all start? What got you into spray tanning?

“I’ve always loved the idea of spray tanning,” Kyra tells me. “But for a long time, I didn’t have a space to actually do it.”

That didn’t stop her, though. Like many great entrepreneurs, her lightbulb moment came from seeing someone else do it a little differently.

“I saw a girl talk about mobile tanning and something clicked,” she says. “I realized I didn’t need a salon to start—I just needed to start.”

From there, it was go-time. Kyra was showing up to clients’ homes, setting up in garages, kitchens, wherever she could, all while learning and perfecting her technique. “What started as a side hustle turned into something I genuinely believed in,” she says.

And now? Baked isn’t just a service, it’s a vibe. “It’s rooted in helping people feel confident in their own skin. It’s never just been about the tan…it’s about the way people carry themselves when they leave.”

Q: Love that. What do people get wrong about spray tans?

Kyra didn’t miss a beat: “That it’s all the same.”

She’s right. Too often, spray tanning gets lumped in with the bad experiences: orange tones, weird fading, the dreaded tan lines from the early 2000s. But with Baked, it’s totally different.

“People assume if you’ve had one spray tan, you’ve had them all, and that couldn’t be further from the truth,” she says. “Technique, solution, prep, aftercare… all of it matters.”

She breaks it down like a true pro. “A good spray tan is customized to your skin tone, your routine, your goals. When it’s done right, it looks and fades just like a natural tan, without the damage.”

Education is everything. “ I’m always testing new formulas, ingredients, and techniques…and I only use clean, high - quality solutions.”She stays plugged into the industry and chats with artists across the country to learn what’s working now.

Bonus glow secret: her custom Brownie Batter Finishing Powder—“clean, comfy, and smells amazing”—gives every tan a luxe finish. That finishing touch? It’s a surprise that clients rave about every time.

So, what makes a Baked tan so different?

While Kyra’s modest about it, the answer is clear: she cares. This isn’t about slapping on some color and calling it a day. She’s trained, tested, and tweaked her process to make sure each tan is flawless, long-lasting, and totally you.

Add to that her warm energy, obsession with quality, and mobile setup (yep—she can still pull up to you), and it’s no wonder Baked has become a go-to for glow-getters.

Home: Beauty, Business & Balance

Baked evolved from a mobile spray tan hustle into a comfy, confidencecentric studio in Newburgh. In Kyra’s private suite, you’ll find her dual services: spray tans and hair (hello, blonding, extensions, lived-in color via Hair by Kyra Hoss). Everything she crafts—tan, hair, finishing touches—has one goal: to leave you feeling deeply seen and effortlessly beautiful. As a mom, stylist, and beauty queen, Kyra says she’s constantly growing, learning through each season, and she loves sharing that journey to help others feel less stuck and more empowered.

Final thoughts?

If there’s one thing Kyra proves, it’s that you don’t need a fancy setup to start something meaningful, you just need guts, passion, and maybe a spray gun.

Whether you’re new to tanning or a seasoned pro looking for your person, Kyra and Baked might just be your golden ticket.

Pro tip: Don’t skip the aftercare. Kyra says that’s everything for keeping your tan looking fresh.

Follow @bakedbykyra for more behind-the-scenes, client glow-ups, and everything you need to know before booking your next tan.

Because confidence looks good on everyone.

QUICK FIT

QUICK FIT

WITH THOMAS BLANE

What is Quick Fit?

Simply put, Quick Fit is all about exploring different gyms, restaurants, and sports nutrition stores, showcasing what they have to offer, and hopefully sparking your interest in trying something new.

I want you all to see things through my lens as I share my experiences at various places. There are so many cool things to do in Evansville and the surrounding Tri-State area, and my goal is to experience as much as possible and share it with you. My hope is that by stepping out of my comfort zone, I can inspire you to do the same.

One of Them Ones

By Thomas Blane

Hi guys, it’s Thomas Blane here again, back with another QuickFit. I really like where the series is going lately. I’ve been highlighting some great places and amazing people here in town. Evansville isn’t short on incredible individuals, and today, I’m proud to shine a light on one of my personal role models: my cousin.

TIKO BLANE

Before we begin, I want to say that Tiko is someone I look up to for many reasons. When I was about 23 or 24, I was wasting time doing nothing, barely working, constantly drinking and smoking, just rotting in my parents’ house. I wasn’t pushing forward at all. Then one day, my cousin popped up and started taking me to the gym with him.

I remember him coming by my Aunt Nail’s house when I was hanging out there. I looked sickly skinny, and he started talking to me about P90X, INSANITY DVDs, and some green juice called Shakeology. He was so excited about it—how much he loved the products, how his workouts were going. I asked, “Will it help me get big? I can’t seem to put on weight.” He said, “Of course it can. But you don’t need all that when you’ve got me. I’ll start taking you to the gym.”

That was about 15 years ago. Since then, I’ve competed in powerlifting, run marathons, trained at several gyms, made my own programs, logos, and

shirts, collaborated with other fitness people…you name it. This is a thank you to one of my heroes, who lit the spark in me to start chasing what I wanted. Tiko, you are definitely one of my ones.

One of Them Ones: Part One

By Tiko Blane

I could tell you I’m one of them ones. I could tell you about my love for personal development and fitness. That I’ve won trophies and awards. Been featured in DVDs, magazines, billboards, and infomercials. I’ve used self-discipline and consistency to break my addictions to marijuana and alcohol and build a growing multi-million dollar real estate portfolio.

But none of that would’ve happened without a handful of key people. This isn’t about spotlighting me, it’s about honoring them. The ones who helped shape my fitness journey and my life.

Because there are so many, this is One of Them Ones: Part One.

Let’s give some flowers.

It all started with my daddy, Robert Blane. At an early age, he challenged me to be a thinker. He always told me, “You can do anything you put your mind to!”, and I was crazy enough to believe him. In his honor, I’m writing a book called Mind² (working title). You can get on the waiting list at tikoblane.com.

In 3rd grade, my gym teacher, Mr. Johan, told me I was the strongest kid he’d ever seen. That stuck with me. I broke the school’s push-up, sit-up, and pull-up records just to prove him right. Every time we run into each other, we still joke about 3rd grade gym class. Mr. Johan, you are One of Them Ones.

Then came Coach Hugh Duneghy at Lakeview Optimist Football. He treated me like family, picked me and my cousin up before games, cooked us breakfast, even let me drive his car on his lap. But most importantly, he believed in me. That belief gave me confidence beyond the field and taught me to treat others like they matter. Coach Hugh, you are One of Them Ones.

Coach Olsen was my weightlifting coach at North High School. Big, strong, and respected. He didn’t just train me physically, he paired me with people stronger than me, showing me the power of mentorship. That shaped how I approach business and life: get in rooms with people strong where you’re weak. That’s how you grow. Coach Olsen, you are One of Them Ones.

And then there's The Champ—Danny Thomas. Evansville legend. Big laugh. Bigger heart. Watching him train in the ‘90s as a pro boxer changed my life. Everyone else would be exhausted, but Champ kept punching, laughing, sweating, having fun. He taught me that when fatigue, tears, and adversity hit, in life and in the gym, a champ stays positive and keeps fighting. Champ, you are One of Them Ones.

And there you have it.

You see what being kind and showing up for someone can lead to? When you show someone you believe in them, when you give them a shot, you help build greatness. We build great people every day by just giving them the chance to be great.

I hope you all enjoyed this article as much as I enjoyed writing it. And thank you again, Tiko, for letting me share a glimpse of the incredible person you are. Continue to grow and achieve... well, continue to achieve at least (haha).

FYI: All of August, there’s a special workout challenge going on! Check my Facebook to see how you can join the movement.

#TRAINWITHBLANE

** Thomas “T.J.” Blane is a trainer in Evansville, IN. He is a self-proclaimed humble goof ball who just likes to help people reach their fitness potential. His first goal as a trainer is to help you build confidence in your abilities. Blane is equipped with the tools to build a workout plan adaptable to the needs of clients. He additionally has expertise with issues such as hyper-mobile joints, heart conditions, and more. Follow T.J. for tips and inspiration at Facebook and Instagram @trainwithblane

Preventative Maintenace Preventative Maintenace From Our Family to Yours With Lucas Oil Center

Our Mission

At Lucas Oil Center, we understand your vehicle is more than just transportation — it’s an essential part of your daily life. As a local, family-owned business spanning three generations, we take pride in delivering honest service, dependable work, and a commitment to keeping your vehicle running strong for years to come. The golden rule isn’t just how we treat our customers — it’s how we care for every vehicle that comes through our bays. When you visit Lucas Oil Center, you can count on us to treat your car like it’s our own.

The Importance of Thinking Ahead

Preventative maintenance is one of the smartest investments you can make in your vehicle’s future. It’s more than just the occasional oil change — it’s about staying ahead of costly repairs, catching issues early, and extending the life of your vehicle. Strange noises and changes in performance often go ignored, but doing so can lead to expensive breakdowns or even the need to replace your car prematurely. That’s why every service at Lucas Oil Center includes a complimentary 21-point inspection — giving you peace of mind by identifying problems before they become headaches.

What We Can Do For You

Our range of services covers everything from basic oil changes to more complex scheduled maintenance services, many of which can be completed during your routine visit. If your vehicle requires more time-intensive work, we’re happy to schedule an appointment that works for you. Whether it’s tire rotations, brake service, fluid flushes, or diagnostic testing, our goal is simple: to keep your car reliable, safe, and road-ready — with service that’s both straightforward and stress-free.

Putting Our Community First

What sets Lucas Oil Center apart isn’t just our services — it’s our dedication to providing the best for our community. While budget-friendly options are tempting, cheaper isn’t always better. We use high-quality products and state-ofthe-art tools, all handled by experienced, certified technicians. We also make your wait comfortable with clean lobbies, a coffee and snack bar, free Wi-Fi, and prompt service you can depend on.

With summer heating up, now’s the perfect time to make sure your A/C system is ready for the road ahead. Both of our locations offer a complete A/C service — from inspection and diagnosis to vacuuming, recharging, and even leak repair. Our certified technicians will ensure your vehicle is blowing icecold air, so you can stay comfortable all summer long.We’re also proud to now offer motorcycle services at our West Side location, including oil changes, brake service, and tire replacement (bring your own DOT-compliant tires). Whether you’re on two wheels or four — we’ve got you covered.

At our core, we are a family — local, rooted in our community, and passionate about service, integrity, and giving back. Over the years, we’ve been proud to support local schools, fundraisers, and events throughout the area. Our annual charity event for Riley Children’s Hospital is just one example, where last year, with the help of our amazing customers, we raised $9,000 for the cause.

When you choose Lucas Oil Center, you’re not just taking care of your car — you’re supporting a business built on trust, family, and community. Come experience the difference that local, family-driven service can make.

VANDERBURGH HUMANE SOCIETY

EACH MONTH WE’LL BE CHECKING IN WITH THE VHS FOR THE LATEST GOOD NEWS AND TO HELP FIND FUREVER HOMES FOR SOME OF THEIR MORE UNIQUE AND OLDER RESIDENTS

BART: Meet Bart, a spirited 1-year-old Boxer/ Pit Bull mix who's ready to make a splash! This energetic pup adores water—whether it's drinking from the hose or rolling around in the sprinklers, he's always up for a wet and wild adventure. Bart’s playful personality and zest for life would make him the ideal companion for someone with an active lifestyle. Bart is already neutered and ready to join your family today for just $200.

TURKEY: Meet Turkey: the cat who’s not just a holiday dish but a year-round delight! At just 2 years old, this playful boy is ready to spice up your life with his curiosity and feline antics. Whether he’s chasing feather toys or plotting his next great adventure, Turkey is the feline friend you never knew you needed. Turkey is already neutered and ready to go home today for just $100!

JUNE: Meet June, a 5-year-old mixed breed, affectionately known as Junebug! With her infectious enthusiasm and playful personality, she brings joy to everyone around her. Whether she's rolling around in the grass, zooming through the yard, or wrestling with her favorite toys, June knows how to make the most of every moment. June is already spayed and ready to be adopted for just $200.

Meet Rosey

ROSEY: Rosey is a 1-year-old, 25 lb Heeler mix who has been in our care for over 90 days, and we can’t believe she’s still waiting for her forever home!

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She is spayed, microchipped, heartworm negative, and up to date on all vaccines, deworming, and prevention. Rosey does great with other dogs, loves to play, and is very affectionate. She can be shy at first but also does great with all people and kids, is mostly house trained, leash trained, and rides well in the car. She’s smart, treatmotivated, and would thrive in an active home that can provide structure and stimulation.

It is time for us to engage the community in taking our next step to fulfill our mission. Your gift can help us expand our no-kill community With the legacy gift as a catalyst, we have the opportunity to provide a resource that will serve animals and families for generations to come. Donations can be made in person, over the phone, or

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She may need a little support with being left alone, but with the right home, she’ll truly shine.

WE NEED YOU!

$100 of Rosey's adoption fee has been sponsored!

If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application on our website. Applications are reviewed in the order received. We’re open Wed–Thu 12–7 and Fri–Sun 12–4 if you'd like to come meet her!

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SCREEN TIME

WITH MARISA PATWA

SPONSORED BY

This August, Screen Time dives into body swaps, bitter breakups, and buckets of slime with reviews of Freakier Friday, The Roses, and The Toxic Avenger.

FREAKIER FRIDAY

The iconic body-swap comedy is back, and this time, the switch gets even messier. In Freakier Friday, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan return as Tess and Anna— but the real surprise? It’s Anna’s teen daughter Harper and her high school nemesis-turned-soon-to-be stepsister Lily who accidentally swap bodies with the dynamic duo. The Good Place’s Manny Jacinto stars as Tess’s swoon-worthy fiancé, but longtime fans will cheer at the return of Chad Michael Murray as Jake, Anna’s original motorcycle-riding crush—now older, hotter, and maybe still holding a torch. The girls hatch a plan to rewrite the past and steer the future off course… one freaky mix-up at a time. With cross-generational chaos, sharp comedy, and just the right dose of nostalgia, this freakquel promises to be funnier, funkier, and freakier than ever. IN THEATERS 8/8

THE ROSES

Married life doesn’t always come up smelling like roses—and in this sharp, darkly funny remake of the 1989 cult classic The War of the Roses, Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman show just how ugly love can get when it curdles. Cumberbatch plays Theo, a recently fired exec now stuck as a bitter stay-at-home dad. Colman is Ivy, his jet-setting celebrity chef wife who’s more focused on foie gras than family dinners. Their marriage is on the rocks—and their divorce quickly turns into full-on war. From lobsters in bubble baths (Ivy’s move) to toe-wart zest in fine dining (Theo’s revenge), no tactic is too petty. Andy Samberg adds to the chaos as Theo’s scruffy, semi-capable lawyer. Will one of them finally plant new roots—or scorch the whole garden out of spite?

IN THEATERS 8/29

THE TOXIC AVENGER

Game of Thrones alum Peter Dinklage stars as Winston Gooze, a mild-mannered janitor who becomes a reluctant, deformed vigilante after a freak accident involving toxic green sludge. The result? A leafy, dinosaur-like mutant with serious strength, and even more serious issues. Now known as “Toxie,” he sets his sights on taking down a corrupt, radical CEO played with effervescent menace by Kevin Bacon, and a depraved gangster brought to life by Elijah Wood in full emo-vampire mode. But Toxie’s biggest challenge isn’t the villains, it’s salvaging his strained relationship with his son, played by a skeptical Jacob Tremblay. Packed with gross-out gags, over-the-top action, and a surprising emotional core, The Toxic Avenger reboot proves that sometimes justice really does come in green.

IN THEATERS 8/29

LAST WORD FEATURES: F1

BY JARED RASIC

GRADE: B

There’s nothing that wrong with “F1,” the new film from Joseph Kosinski, the mastermind behind “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Tron: Legacy” and a few other films without colons. As someone with less than zero interest in Formula One racing, I found myself invested in the story, while still wishing the film would paint outside the lines of the racing movie formula. But, in a way, that’s also what Kosinski did so brilliantly with “Maverick”; he took a predictable story and made it ridiculously entertaining anyway. “F1” is more of the same.

Brad Pitt (who is living his best life in his Robert Redford era) plays Sonny Hayes, an aging and nomadic racer-for-hire who was, once upon a time, an F1 prodigy before a fiery crash left him without a career, a wife and deeply addicted to gambling. When old friend Ruben Cervantes (the always welcome Javier Bardem) brings him into his struggling F1 team, APXGP, the difficult Hayes must partner with Joshua Pierce (rising star Damson Idris), a brash and egotistical rookie who immediately butts heads with Hayes.

While it’s entertaining to watch Pitt and Idris clash egos, the real star of the movie is the

racing, which involves the actors driving the cars (mostly) themselves with multiple small cameras and microphones stashed inside. Just as in “Maverick,” you very much feel like you’re inside the plane/car with them, going insanely fast. I found “F1” slightly less thrilling than “Maverick” simply because being in the sky is more exciting to me than being on a race track. Your, ahem, mileage may vary.

I was overjoyed to see Kerry Condon (robbed for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for “The Banshees of Inisherin”) as Kate McKenna, the technical director for APXGP team and love interest for Brad Pitt. I’m hoping this role bumps her into another stratosphere as an actress since she has long been one of the finest (and most underrated) performers of her generation. “F1” ultimately does her character a disservice because the script becomes so invested in the romance between Kate and Sonny that it stops treating her like a genius designer and engineer and more like a stereotypical love interest. Condon can and will do better than this. She is one of the greats.

Still, if you’re into Formula One and racing movies, it’s absurdly entertaining watching Pitt and Idris doing what appears to be a lot of their own driving. At the end of the day, when movies hit all the stereotypical sport movie beats, it can be comforting (looking at you, “Creed”). Still, Kosinski is a hell of a filmmaker and there’s a breathtaking kineticism to the dance between his cameras and the cars, even as the characters and dialogue fail to transcend the genre.

“F1” is the definition of a crowd-pleasing summer blockbuster, complete with a largerthan-life movie star, a backstage pass into a world we don’t know much about, exciting races, a cute love story and a hero’s journey straight out of Joseph Campbell’s playbook. While there’s nothing new here aside from how some of the racing is filmed, the tropes are handled expertly by filmmakers who know what a mass audience wants to see with their family in tow. Can I nitpick the movie to death? Sure. Does the film play like a commercial for F1 racing? Absolutely. Will most people care? Not even a little.

AUGUST MUSIC REVIEWS

JUSTIN BIEBER

Swag Def Jam Recordings

Popstar Justin Bieber—now doting dad—is making us Beliebers all over again with his 7th studio album. Swag is a 21-track feast, loaded with evolution and emotion. He’s growing up, transitioning from innocent high school crushes in pop gloss “Baby” to being a supportive hubby in the intimate “Go Baby.” He’s not just maturing emotionally; he’s growing artistically, too, with his nose on the cultural ether. On “Money,” Bieber turns a viral confrontation with paparazzi into a surprisingly poignant acoustic guitar track. Speaking of guitars, “Daisies” is amplified by the catchy strums of a sweet electric guitar that dances under Bieber’s vocals, highlighting just how lush and polished his sound has become. In ‘80s-tinged jam “Way It Is,” Gunna brings smooth R&B swagger to the mix without overpowering the vibe. One thing is for certain, Bieber is standing on business. 4 stars. -Marisa Patwa

KEKE PALMER Just Keke SoNo Recording Group

Keke Palmer teased the track “Off Script” on Instagram before her album release and honey, it went viral. Picture this: a wind machine working overtime in the bathroom, red hair whipping like she’s in a shampoo commercial, belting lines like: “Was 'posed to be my Stedman / Instead, you went on that baby daddy sh*.” While the aesthetic nods to early 2000s R&B pop, her lyrics are grounded in the unapologetic reality of being a 31-year-old woman navigating heartbreak. Keke’s magic lies in her ability to shift from serious to silly without skipping a beat. In the video for the hip-hop-laced, talking-style track “Tea Boo,” she transforms from Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to a Marie Antoinette-inspired look—serving couture and clapbacks in equal measure. Other standouts? The heart-racing “Ripples,” the cheeky and clever “A Kiki and the Bee,” and the soulful slow-burn “125 Degrees,” where she spills her own tea with vulnerability and heat. Bottom line? The tea is served, it’s Keke-flavored, and it’s absolutely piping 4 stars -Marisa Patwa

CHECK

KESHA Period

Kesha Records

Kesha’s new album kicks off with “Freedom,” a haunting, piano-led ballad that plays like a war cry. At 6 minutes and 24 seconds, it’s a bold, emotional opener—an anthem of release. On the opposite end of the spectrum is “Red Flag,” a gleefully unhinged EDM-pop track that taps into the chaotic dating pool of Gen Z and millennials. With lyrics like “I like what I like, the bizarre type, lowlife / Tell me something I don't know / All the nice guys left me dead inside / I like chaos dripping head to toe,” it’s equal parts meme-worthy and manic, a cathartic bop for anyone who's ever been ghosted by a gym bro. T-Pain joins Kesha on “Yippee-Ki-Yay,” an autotuned joyride that throws it back to their 2010ss roots. But the real statement here? This is Kesha’s first album without a major label, and the production still slaps. Without the industry machine, her artistry shines brighter. Dropped on Independence Day, this album isn’t just music. It’s a manifesto. Kesha’s got her freedom, and she’s keeping it. 4 stars -Marisa Patwa

BLUES WITH BRAGIN

MERCEDES NICOLE

Too High a Price to Pay

Self Released

Mercedes Nicole returns with her latest album Too High a Price to Pay. The album begins with “I’ll Play the Blues for You”, a funky toe tapper that will start your body moving. “Blue Fire/aka Searching for Robert Glasper” sees Nicole singing about wanting to fulfill her dreams as Stacy Jones offers a great harmonica. Jake Sele’s organ adds a nice touch on a cover of the John Hiatt tune “Feels Like Rain”. Rod Cook’s guitar on “Last Two Dollars” sounds similar to B.B. King while Nicole sings about bad luck in the casino and Alexey Nikolaev blasts some soulful tenor saxophone.

“Life’s Struggle” features Nicole singing about hard times while traveling the country as Cook’s heavy rock guitar matches the emotion. Sele’s piano and Nikolaev’s saxophone sound like a blast from the past on “It Took a Long Time Blues”. “Breathe Again” features light but powerful drumming from Andrew Cloutier as Nicole sings a heart wrenching ballad about a lost love. A cover of the Howlin’ Wolf song “Smokestack Lightning” features great bass playing from Scotty Harris. “Too High a Price to Pay”, the title track, allows Sele to showcase his piano playing while Nicole sings heartfelt lyrics about helping the less fortunate and improving the world for future generations. A cover of the Elmore James song “The Sky is Crying” allows everyone to shine.

For more information, visit www.mercedesnicolemusic.com.

AUGUST BEER REVIEWS

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 3.5

PAUL BRAGIN - 4

PAUL

HOLLYFELD - 3

LAGUNITAS HAZICUS MAXIMUS

FOUNDERS MORTAL

BLOOM HAZY IPA

They gave us another 19.2 ounce can to review with. It does have an ABV of 9. This was also a hazy amber colored beer. It did have a nice hoppy flavor and fruit flavor but the finish had an odd flavor that I didn’t care for. Not sure what it was, but it did make me lower my score. It was not a bad beer but I liked the founders a little better.

A thick white head tops this cloudy India pale ale and never totally dissipates. Citrus notes from the hops dominate the scent profile. Likewise, citrus flavor comes in the first sip and stays in the long finish. People who like citrus flavors will want to drink this, especially during the hot summer months. Pair it with a variety of foods such as spicy chicken wings, barbecue ribs, fried chicken or spicy Chinese or Indian food.

This Hazy IPA pours a straw yellow with significant haze. Citrus on the nose, with notes of orange most prominent. On the palette it has a light mouthfeel, with both citrus and tropical fruit flavors. There is a slight bitterness on the finish that tends to linger and grow a bit with each sip.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5

This was a hazy straw colored beer with a tint of brown. I was a little unsure of a blonde ale with coffee and vanilla but it was really good. I almost gave it a 5. It has been a while since I was intrigued by the complexity of a beer. I would expect these flavors in a porter but enjoyed them in a blonde.

PAUL BRAGIN - 3

A white head forms on this amber beer but disappears very quickly. The scent contains a generous burst of coffee. Similarly, the coffee flavor remains while drinking the beer and stays in the long finish. People who like coffee notes in beer will find this offering very refreshing and a twist on coffee forward beers. This beer might be a nice change of pace during breakfast. Pair it with desserts featuring coffee, caramel, vanilla and chocolate.

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 3

This is described as a Blonde Ale with Coffee & Vanilla. It pours a golden/ orange hue with a thin head. Immediately on the nose are notes of vanilla. On the palette the coffee comes through as well, though unlike a darker beer, this one is fairly light bodied, with little hops bitterness. I think I prefer the vanilla/coffee profile paired with a porter or stout, though this blonde ale is well balanced and not objectionable at all.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

BOURBON & SPIRIT REVIEW

EQUIANO RUM

Equiano Rum isn’t your average bottle of rum. It’s the world’s first African-Caribbean rum, made by blending aged rums from two parts of the world: Mauritius and Barbados. Named after Olaudah Equiano, an 18th-century freedom fighter and writer, this rum honors both heritage and craftsmanship in every sip.

Aged in ex-cognac and ex-bourbon barrels, Equiano is a premium, naturally made rum with no added sugar or color. It’s smooth, rich, and full of flavor, perfect for sipping neat or mixing into a classy cocktail.

NOSE (AROMA):

Right away, you’ll notice warm notes of toffee and butterscotch, followed by hints of dried fruit, orange peel, and oak.

SPONSORED BY:

TASTE (PALATE):

Smooth and layered, with flavors of caramel, dark chocolate, and raisins. You’ll also catch touches of vanilla, toasted wood, and a bit of spice from the barrel aging.

FINISH:

Long and warming, with lingering hints of molasses, baking spices, and a gentle smoky note.

Winner of Gold at the 2020 International Spirits Challenge and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

COCKTAIL

RECIPE: EQUIANO OLD WORLD DAIQUIRI

A bold, elegant twist on a classic daiquiri, made to highlight the rum’s unique character.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Equiano Rum

• 0.75 oz fresh lime juice

• 0.5 oz demerara syrup (or regular simple syrup)

• Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Shake well until cold.

3. Strain into a chilled glass.

4. Garnish with a lime wheel.

This simple cocktail lets the rum shine. The fresh lime keeps it bright, while the syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness. It’s smooth, refreshing, and perfect for anyone who loves a good daiquiri with a grown-up twist.

Landon Miller is a Kentucky native and former bartender with a passion for bourbon and spirits, bringing experience and love for his home state's rich distilling tradition to offer honest, insightful reviews for fellow enthusiasts.

nightcap

with Christopher Rowe

Looking to throw an end of summer banger? House parties are kind of our thing and here’s some tips we’ve learned along the way. We call this House Party 101.

1: Always invite the guests you like. Never out of obligation. If you wouldn’t want them on your couch - don’t send the invitation.

2: While finger foods never hurtpotlucks are the way to go. Not only is it a time saver but also alleviates the question, did I spend too much?

3: Any house party without music should be illegal. Always have a playlist of old and new ready to set the mood.

4: Although BYOB is a smart decisioncontributing a homemade punch or two is a generous move. Just don’t forget the ice!

5: This should go without saying but clean your house the day before! That includes finding a hiding place for what you don’t want broken.

6: Keep the bedroom off limits. There are many reasons for this but the most important one is that it’s the hiding place. Duh.

And lastly, if you’re looking to really spice things up - you can always book us for all your beverage needs!

"Lavender lush" recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Lemonade

• 1 oz. Lavender Syrup

• .5 oz. Fresh Honey

• 1.5 oz. Soda Water

• Garnish with Lemon

Instructions:

Step 1: In a shaker of ice, mix the Lemonade, Lavender and Honey until the tin is ice cold.

Step 2: Strain into a martini glass and top with a splash of Soda Water. Garnish with Lemon Slice.