May 2014 Murfreesboro Pulse

MURFREESBORO Vol. 9, Issue 5 May 2014

FREE For You!

Middle Tennessee’s Source for Art, Entertainment and Culture News

MUSIC

SPECIAL REPORT

IT'S FESTIVAL TIME!

THE CELLULAR EPIDEMIC

Bonnaroo, Buku, Beale St., Wakarusa, Summer Camp, Shaky Knees, CounterPoint

As cell phone usage increases, the number of cell towers near homes in the ’Boro is growing at an alarming rate.

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THE LEGENDARY DRIFTERS Renowned group to perform at Social for Jazz After Dark.

Examining the question: What is Jazz?

Full JazzFest 2014 Schedule Inside ART

EVENTS

The Art Collection Challenge: Why Local Art is Important

Duck Derby, Strawberry Picking Healing Field, Shakesbeer World Turtle Day, Relay for Life

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ONLINE AT: BOROPULSE.COM

2 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

DEAR READERS:

CONTENTS

19

COVER STORY

16

22

EVENTS

4

ART

May Community Events Healing Field, Duck Derby, Yoga at the Avenue, Shakesbeer, Relay for Life and more

SOUNDS

6

7 8 9 0 e r y u

MAY CONCERTS Karaoke, Trivia, DJ & Bingo Nights Places to go for fun with friends Tony DeFeo Talks TFG Punk rock booking company to host May 10 concert Album Reviews The Decadence, Caitlin Rose It’s Festival Season!

A look at some of the upcoming area music festivals Floozies Frequent Festivals A conversation with Kansas duo The Floozies Music Through the Decades Songs of Reconstruction (1870s–1890s) Main Street JazzFest This year's lineup + examining the question: What is Jazz?

Ensemble 1720 Baroque group to perform free concert May 4.

LIVING Fest o Renaissance Knights, queens and fairies frolic outside of Castle Gwynn

Art Collection Challenge f The Support local art—buy it!

Print or Not to Print j To Hamlet-inspired art piece encourages conservation.

REVIEWS

k Movie Captain America: The Winter Soldier Video Game DOTA 2 Living Room Cinema Inherently evil kids?

Film Festival Reviews ; Nashville A look at some of the features screened at NaFF 2014

SPORTS Talk with Z-Train x Sports Who will the Titans draft this year?

Embark on Mission Trip c Athletes Female MTSU student group heads to Dominican Republic.

OPINIONS Fate of the Ukrainians v The Crimean takeover in response to eastward-creeping NATO from the Pew b Vue The Experience Community Palabra n La America’s Stonehenge

Cell Tower Epidemic Phil Valentine p The Neighborhoods fight to keep towers away from their homes. m Hucksters ratcheting up the climate hysteria

FOOD

CREW

PULSE

s

Nacho’s Por Favor Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, or any day, at Nacho's Mexican Restaurant and its patio.

Publisher: Bracken Mayo

Music Editor: Jessica Pace

Art Director: Sarah L. Mayo Contributors: Gloria Christy, Philip A. Foster, Bryce Harmon, Mai Harris, Nader Hobballah, Advertising Reps: Vue Kirchensyuhl, Zach Maxfield, Michelle Jeff Brown, Don Clark, Palmer, Cameron Parrish, Frank Shepard, Jami Creel, Jamie Jennings Christy Simmons, Jay Spight, Andrea Stockard, Copy Editor: Steve Morley Justin Stokes, Norbert Thiemann, Phil Valentine

Religion be Divisive? , Must When the stakes are so high, sometimes it must be.

4 Steps to Organizational Success Step 1: Analysis

To carry the Pulse at your business, or submit letters, stories and photography: bracken@boropulse.com 10 N. Public Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 (615) 796-6248

Copyright Š 2014, The Murfreesboro Pulse, 10 N. Public Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

Proudly owned, operated and published the first Thursday of each month by the Mayo family; printed

by Franklin Web Printing Co. The Murfreesboro Pulse is a free publication funded by our advertisers. Views expressed in the Pulse do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. ISSN: 1940-378X

Sign up to receive our weekly digital newsletter at BoroPulse.com/Newsletter

AN INTERESTING DIALOGUE ON ART, selfishness and employment in our capitalist society has yeilded the following insight: It doesn’t matter so much what you do, but whether you do what you do with a spirit of serving others, or serving yourself.

Don’t generalize and assume much about people based on their profession. Do what you love to do; do what best serves others. An art or English student shouldn’t be looked down upon because they went into a field that traditionally does not pay incredibly well. Artists and writers add a lot to our lives. Neither should a law or finance student be looked down upon for going into their field “just for the money.�

If a musician or artist is doing their thing “just for the money,� how is supporting that celebrating creativity in any way? Some “music industry� folks are plenty sleazy and profit driven.

Some lawyers are very artistic with their use of language; some doctors have a heart for healing others, and some bankers care a great deal about their clients and creatively seek out ways to help them out. Encourage everyone!

Get jazzy this month, as Main Street JazzFest hits the Square, May 2–3.

Get Renaissance-y this month, as the Ren Fest takes over the grounds surrounding Castle Gwynn each weekend in May. Get funky at festivals all over.

Get involved, get active, get outside. It’s strawberry month, and Batey’s Berries is preparing to soon host some pickers.

Let it grow! Plant something of your own, but if you need some help with your harvest, Happy Harvest CSA is there for you, and can provide a bag of fresh produce each week for its members.

Get artistic! Check out some great reasons in this edition from Mai Harris why collecting local art and supporting the scene is important.

It’s been fun researching for this edition; I looked at a little Ukraine history, Ren Fest news, Hippie bands such as Osiella and others coming up to the Hill this month, cell towers and the huge amount of information on their technology, legal issues and right to exist in residential neighborhoods . . . I try to be somewhat familiar with all of the many many subjects the Pulse touches.

Including barbecue. Thanks to Al Knowles and George Smith for asking me to participate as a judge in last month’s Battle of the Boro barbecue contest. I’m a harsh critic when asked, but definitely enjoyed sampling some of the chicken and ribs from the local teams. Keep it smoking, people!

Congratulations to Shane McFarland, who will be serving in the Murfreesboro mayor’s office for the next term, as well as to councilpeople Rick LaLance, Doug Young and Madelyn Scales Harris, and city school board members Collier Smith, Nancy Rainier and Phil King.

Stay informed; more elections are on the way.

These affect us all.

Peace, Bracken Mayo Editor in Chief BOROPULSE.COM

* MAY 2014 * 3

EVENTS

compiled by ANDREA STOCKARD

Send event information to murfreesboropulse@yahoo.com

MAY 1 REVEILLE JOE’S 1ST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Celebrate with the Murfreesboro community as Reveille Joe Coffee Co. (113 N. Maple St.) marks its first full year in business with a party from 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Enjoy live music from 6-10 p.m. with Candace Brown, Island Wren, Ryan Kenney and Tyler Evanston Moore. For more information, visit reveillejoe.com.

MAY 1-30 BRACERO PROGRAM EXHIBIT The Heritage Center hosts Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program 1942– 1964 Exhibit, a bilingual traveling exhibit at The Heritage Center (225 W. College St.) with oral history excerpts and archival photographs discussing the story of the nation’s guest worker program with Mexico. For more information, call (615) 217-8013.

MAY 1-4 SPRING SLIP AND SLIDE REINING HORSE SHOW The Spring Slip and Slide Reining Horse Show kicks off 8 a.m. daily at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304-B W. Thompson Ln.) Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 494-8961.

MAY 1–JUNE 8 RANGER PROGRAMS AT STONES RIVER BATTLEFIELD Join park rangers at Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.) for a 30-minute talk at 2 p.m. on weekdays.

Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 893-9501.

MAY 2 SHAKESBEER 2014 “To brew or not to brew, that is the question. After all; the empty vessel makes the loudest sound. Can one desire too much of a good thing? Of course not, and as good luck would have it, there are friends, Romans, countrymen who have lent us their beers!” Help support the Discovery Center with Shakesbeer 2014 from 7–10 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit explorethedc.org/shakesbeer.

MAY 2-4 DISNEY’S 101 DALMATIANS KIDS Enjoy a production of Disney’s 101 Dal4 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

matians Kids at The Washington Theater at Patterson Park (521 Mercury Blvd.).

For more information, call (615) 8937244 or visit murfreesborotn.gov.

MAY 3 SATURDAY MORNING STORIES AT THE MUSEUM Sam Davis Home with host story time in the Visitor Center (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free; reservations required for children up to 10 years of age and their caregivers. Regular admission rates apply for museum and house tours. For more information, call (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.

MAY 3 THE AVENUE YOGA CLASS The Avenue offers complimentary yoga classes provided by a certified instructor in Central Park (near the fountain) at 9 a.m on the first Saturday of the month through September. Space is limited and an RSVP is required each month. Class participants are required to bring a light-colored mat, towel and water. For more information, visit murfreesboro.shoptheavenue.com/events/list.

MAY 3-4 THE CAMP OF INSTRUCTION Watch park volunteers train to fire muskets and cannons before trying your own hand at being a Civil War soldier at Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.). Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 893-9501.

MAY 24–26 6TH ANNUAL FLAGS OF REMEMBRANCE HEALING FIELD This living display of heroism, next to Family Worship Center (3045 Memorial Blvd.), flies as a patriotic tribute to the bravery and dedication of Americans as it honors the men and women who fight for our nation’s freedom. Take a walk through this awe-inspiring 1,500 flag display remembering and honoring our heroes. No admission charged. For more information, call (615) 641-0121 or visit healingfield.org/murfreesboro.

MAY 3, 10, 17 BICYCLE TOURS OF THE STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD Join a ranger for a 90-minute bicycle tour of the Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.) at 9 a.m. on these three consecutive Saturdays.

Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 893-9501.

MAY 6-7 THE BIG PAYBACK Mindful Care Adult Day Services hopes to be in the hearts and on the minds of all

MAY 17 CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER DUCK DERBY The prize for the “Last Duck Standing” in the Child Advocacy Center Duck Derby is a 1970s chopper bicycle from Smoopy’s Vintage Bicycles, built

by Andrew Logan and crew. Proceeds fund child abuse services and the “Darkness to Light” trainings that educate adults about how to protect children from child sexual abuse. For more information, call (615) 410-3928 or visit smoopysbicycles.com. To adopt a duck and win a chance on this Duck-tastic prize visit the Duck Derby website at boroduckderby.com or call (615) 867-9000 or (615) 563-9915.

Rutherford County citizens from 6 a.m. on May 6 to 6 a.m. on May 7 during The Big Payback, a new 24-hour online giving event in the 40 counties served by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Mindful Care is dedicated to providing compassionate and loving care to people stricken with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related illnesses and supporting caregivers. The program meets at New Vision Baptist Church, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Visit thebigpayback.org to donate or directly to mindful-care.org.

MAY 8 & 9 DAYS OF WASHING, CHURNING & LEARNING Teachers and parents, plan a day of hands-on activities, living history, demonstrations, crafts and games for children at Oaklands Historic House Museum (900 N. Maney Ave.) from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Bring your own blankets and sack lunches and enjoy an old-fashioned picnic under the shade trees. For more information, contact (615) 893-0022 or info@oaklandsmuseum.org, or visit oaklandsmuseum.org

MAY 8-11 TQHA LUCKY 7 QUARTER HORSE SHOW Enjoy the TOHA Lucky 7 Quarter Horse Show beginning at 8 a.m. daily at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304-B W. Thompson Ln.). For more information, call (615) 494-8961 or visit mtsu.edu/tmc.

MAY 9 BARFIELD BEACH PARTY Who knew there was a beach in Murfreesboro? Come out to Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) for a real beach party at 5 p.m. with 60 tons of sand, used previously throughout the park systems, creating the beach. Have a blast with music, dancing and a variety of games and activities. All ages are welcome. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 907-2251.

MAY 9 ENTERSOURCE GOLF BENEFIT FOR UNITED WAY EnterSource provides a great day of golf, food, and giveaways to benefit the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties and the United Way of Bedford County at Indian Hills Golf Club at 1 p.m. For more information, please call (615) 893-7303.

MAY 10 ANNUAL RUTHERFORD COUNTY 4-H HORSE SHOW The Annual Rutherford County 4-H Horse Show kicks off at Lane Agri-Park (315 John Rice Blvd.) at 9 a.m. with The Miller’s Cafe Food Truck from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Class divisions include Western, Ranch, Hunter, Spotted Saddle Horse and Tennessee Walking Horse, with new classes including Barrel Racing and Pole Bending. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 898-7710.

MAY 10 “FREE SWIM LESSON DAY” Kids aged 5–13 can stay safe at the pool this summer, as an event from 8 a.m.-noon. at Sports*Com Outdoor Pool “Boro Beach” (2310 Memorial Blvd.) provides free swim lessons and many other safety awareness activities with many pool vendors answering pool questions. Special summer offers will be available for many of the Parks and Recreation summer activities. All ages welcome to participate in the other festivities. For more information, call (615) 895-5040.

MAY 15 & 16 SAM DAVIS HOME'S 43RD ANNUAL DAYS ON THE FARM Step into a new world with pigs in a pen, a blacksmith making tools, and a spinner who transforms wool into yarn at the “43rd Annual Days on the Farm” hosted by the Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Witness what life was like during the Civil War with many demonstrations including how soap was made from pig fat and lye.

Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it under the trees while out on the grounds of this historic plantation. Admission is $5 per person. Reservations are recommended

MAY 25

MAY 30–31 RELAY FOR LIFE Relay For Life of Rutherford County will kick off at 6 p.m., Friday, May 30, at Siegel High School, Murfreesboro.

Walkers and runners will be on the track until 6 a.m. the following morning. A survivors lap will be at 6:45 p.m. with a caregivers lap at 7 p.m. A Luminaria ceremony will follow at 9 p.m., and a fight back ceremony will be at 11:30 p.m. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement symbolizes hope and a shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many. Participating in a Relay For Life event is a way to take action, honor cancer survivors, remember those we have lost, and raise funds and awareness to fight back and help end cancer forever. For more information on Relay for Life, and the American Cancer Society, visit relayforlife.org. for groups of 10 or more. Please call (615) 459-2341 for more information or visit samdavishome.org.

MAY 15-17 SPRING JAMBOREE WALKING HORSE SHOW Take part in the Spring Jamboree at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304-B W. Thompson Ln.). Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 494-8961 or visit walkinghorseowners.com.

MAY 16 CANNONSBURGH CONCERTS The Cannonsburgh Concert Series returns from 7–9 p.m. at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.). Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 890-0355.

MAY 17 RED, WHITE AND BAYOU Red, White, and Bayou is United Way’s signature fundraising with outdoors entertainment and a casual dinner reflec-

tive of the Southern coastal culture. The Sponsor’s Reception begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. at the home of Howard and Susan Wilson, Belle Meadows Farm. Deadline to RSVP is May 9. For more information, visit uwrutherford.org/Events/RedWhiteandBayou.aspx or facebook.com/UnitedWayRedWhiteandBlues.

MAY 19-23 TSSAA SPRING FLING Watch state championships in five high school sports: track and field, tennis, baseball, boys’ soccer and softball. For more information, call (615) 889-6740 or visit tssaa.org.

MAY 24 & 25 RANCH HORSE SHOW Enjoy the Volunteer Ranch Horse Show at 8 a.m. daily at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304-B W. Thompson Ln.). Admission is free. For more information, please call (615) 494-8961 or visit mtsu.edu/tmc.

MAY 23 WORLD TURTLE DAY Come support your shelled friends with education on how to increase turtle conservation around the world at the Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pk.) from 2-5 p.m. Participate in the World’s Slowest Hike and stop at each turtle station to learn about the different species that inhabit our planet. Learn how to become a better “green” family at home and in your schools to help out all the critters on this planet—including us! Activities, crafts, live animals, and free Turtle Tracks ice cream (while supplies last) will be fun for the whole family to enjoy. All ages are welcome. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 217-3017.

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE Visitors can join at the national cemetery rostrum at Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.) at 1:30 p.m. to remember the sacrifices of soldiers, past and present. The event offers patriotic music, a wreath laying ceremony and a reading of the names of veterans who have passed away since last Memorial Day. For more information, call (615) 893-9501.

MAY 30 WINE ON THE VERANDA Wine on the Veranda provides an educational day on how to pair wines with foods at Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) from 6-9 p.m. with proceeds benefiting the educational programs and historical structures. The event features a variety of wines expertly paired with local foods, tours of the museum, live music and an art exhibit. Tickets are $45 for adults and $30 for designated drivers and ages 18-20. Reservations and ticket purchases can be made at (615) 459-2341. For more information, visit samdavishome.org.

MAY 31 NASHVILLE FC HOSTS MURFREESBORO MATCH The Nashville Football Club has formed and fields a team in the Southeast Conference of the National Premier Soccer League. The organization also aims to generally promote soccer to the Middle Tennessee community and youth and fill in the gap that was left when the Nashville Metros recently ceased operations. The club will play most of its home games at Vanderbilt, but will host a special match in Murfreesboro this month as Nashville FC takes on the Rocket City United (out of Huntsville, Ala,) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 31 at Richard Siegel Park. For more on Nashville FC, visit nashvillefc.net.

THROUGHOUT MAY STRAWBERRY MONTH! May is the month for strawberry picking in Tennessee, and Batey Farms is set up for picking once again with its strawberry patch, located at 3250 Medical Center Pkwy. The field is both pick-your-own, and will also have pre-picked berries available. The Batey Farms food truck will be on hand on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. serving local pork products, as well as fresh strawberry milkshakes. Pickers are encouraged to bring a lunch and blanket to sit a spell and rest after picking.

The farm will host other activities, such as story time with Pettus Read (times T.B.A.). For information on opening day, prices, availability and events, keep up with Batey Farms on Facebook and Twitter, or at bateyfarms.com.

BOROPULSE.COM

* MAY 2014 * 5

SOUNDS MAY CONCERTS

Send your show listings to listings@boropulse.com

THURS, 5/1 BUNGANUT PIG

Live Jazz with John Cochran Quartet

REVEILLE JOE

Candace Brown, Island Wren, Ryan Kenney, Tyler Evanston Moore

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

DeJa VooDoo

MON, 5/5 COCONUT BAY CAFÉ

Pimpalicous

TUES, 5/6

Citizen Rejects

MAIN ST. MUSIC

Georgia's Sports Bar and Grill 8627 Burks Hollow Rd. (615) 796-3697

MAYDAY BREWERY

Hippie Hill 8627 Burks Hollow Rd. (615) 796-3697

Kelsey Keith

Cold Truth, Phoenix Rising

Thelma and the Sleaze

READYVILLE MILL

Johnny B and the Balladeers

SOCIAL

TFG Productions Presents Clusterf**k V

THE BORO

WRIGHT MUSIC BLDG.

ROOSTER’S

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

MTSU Flute Studio, Arunesh Nadgir piano, Strings and Friends

FRI, 5/2 BUNGANUT PIG

The Mesa Project

PUBLIC SQUARE

JazzFest

SOCIAL

The Electrics

THE BORO

Easy Roscoe

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

Shane Douglas and Lenny Grasso

Tim James and the James Brothers

WED, 5/7 3 BROTHERS

BUNGANUT PIG

JD Shelburne

JOZOARA

Rik Gracia

ROOSTER’S

Jordan Patterson, percussion; Jacob Miears, guitar

WALL STREET

BUNGANUT PIG

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

COCONUT BAY CAFÉ

Bad Seed

SUN, 5/4

Rockafeller

The Entertainment LiveKaraoke Band

MAYDAY BREWERY

That’s My Kid, Hey Chuck Far Cry, RockSlide

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

THE BORO

The Boomers Bree, Josephine and the Wild Front, Stagolee

FRI, 5/16 Karl and the Undertones DJ Ms. Gina

BREW U

VDJ Mikey Mike

TUES, 5/27

BUNGANUT PIG

Charleyhorse Band

JOZOARA

Rik Gracia

ROOSTER’S

Open Mic with Mike Oldham, Tone Rangers

Greez Monkeez

SOCIAL

The Glade City Rounders

THE BORO

North2South

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

LOST Natural Born Thrillers

SOCIAL

Journey Tribute

THE BORO

Radar v. Wolf

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

TN Union Band

Martin Rodriguez and the Rectifiers

THURS, 5/22

Rooster's Lonestar BBQ 223 W. Main St. 867-1836

Skinny B

Night of a Billion Beats

BUNGANUT PIG

Tim Bogle

WED, 5/28 3 BROTHERS

Ryan Coleman’s Writers’ Night

BUNGANUT PIG

Franklin and Farris

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

VDJ Mikey Mike

Boro Blues Night

THURS, 5/29

Shane Douglas and Lenny Grasso

JOZOARA

FRI, 5/23

Willie’s Wet Spot 1208 S. Lowry St., Smyrna 355-0010

COCONUT BAY CAFÉ

Zone Status

GEORGIA’S

DJ/Karaoke Jazzy Jason

MAYDAY BREWERY

LOST DOG Street Band

THE BORO

Tennessee Scum Double Release Show

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

Gypsy Rose

SAT, 5/31

Rik Gracia

BUNGANUT PIG

Open Mic with Mike Oldham, Tone Rangers

COCONUT BAY CAFÉ

ROOSTER’S

Liberty Valance

Bernadette Temple

BUNGANUT PIG

THE BORO

GEORGIA’S

COCONUT BAY CAFÉ

SOCIAL

MAYDAY BREWERY

BUNGANUT PIG

GEORGIA’S

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

READYVILLE MILL

COCONUT BAY CAFÉ

MAYDAY BREWERY

GEORGIA’S

ROOSTER’S

FRI, 5/30

THE BORO

BUNGANUT PIG

25 Years of Ballistic Whiplash

BUNGANUT PIG

SAT, 5/17

COCONUT BAY CAFÉ

Double Image

The Pilots DJ Prez

6 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

Ryan Coleman’s Writers’ Night

Shane Douglas and Lenny Grasso

SAT, 5/10

View Concert Listings Online:

THE BORO

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

ROOSTER’S

DJ Prez

Drop Tank

Rock Enroll, Boro Blues

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

Mize and the Drive

Zone Status

ROOSTER’S

MON, 5/26

Skinny B

MTSU Ensemble 1720, Period Instrument Group

THE BORO

CJ Vaughn Trio

BUNGANUT PIG

SOCIAL

MAYDAY BREWERY

Eridany Gonzáles, cello

Johnny B and the Balladeers

Wall Street 121 N. Maple St. 867-9090

Zone Status

WRIGHT MUSIC BLDG.

READYVILLE MILL

Readyville Mill 5418 Murfreesboro Rd. Readyville 563-MILL

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

GEORGIA’S

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

The Winter Sounds, The Yugos

3 BROTHERS

Levi Massie

THE BORO

ROOSTER’S

TUES, 5/20

Justin Kaleb Driggers

Nacho's 2962 S. Rutherford Blvd.

907-2700

Open Mic with Mike Oldham and the Tone Rangers

COCONUT BAY CAFÉ

GEORGIA’S

CSX Band

The Boro Bar & Grill 1211 Greenland Dr. 895-4800

DJ/Karaoke Jazzy Jason

ROOSTER’S

The Menace

GEORGIA’S

WED, 5/21

BUNGANUT PIG

COCONUT BAY CAFÉ

BUNGANUT PIG

Rik Gracia

Crossroads

GEORGIA’S

MAYDAY BREWERY

Bar Room Prophets

Sabrina and Tony

MTSU Wright Music Building 1439 Faulkinberry Dr. 898-2469

MAYDAY BREWERY

Greez Monkeez

Main St. Music 527 W. Main St. 439-6135

SAT, 5/24

JP Pinnel 20th Anniversary

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

Liquid Smoke #2 Public Square 217-7822

Mayday Brewery 521 Old Salem Hwy. 479-9722

Backlit

JOZOARA

THE BORO

JoZoara 536 N. Thompson Ln. 962-7175

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

Adam Fears

ROOSTER’S

FRI, 5/9

Great Barrier Reefs

VDJ Mikey Mike, Shane Douglas

ROOSTER’S

Boro Blues Night

THE BORO

Feedback Revival

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

Johnny B and the Balladeers

Skinny B

WRIGHT MUSIC BLDG.

The Legendary Drifters

Third Coast Blues

Blackfoot Gypsies

READYVILLE MILL

THE BORO

Shane Douglas and Lenny Grasso

SOCIAL

BUNGANUT PIG

MAYDAY BREWERY

JOZOARA

Amber’s Drive

Backlit

Ryan Coleman’s Writers’ Night

James Scott

BUNGANUT PIG

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

JazzFest

Tim Bogle

JOZOARA

BUNGANUT PIG

THE BORO

ROOSTER’S BBQ

During May, the month of Mother’s Day, women are celebrated, and Hippie Hill wants to highlight women with its Girls Weekend Out Fest, featuring female-fronted bands.

Coming out of Evansville, In., Osiella will bring its beautiful acoustic sounds and share the stage with other groups for a fabulous weekend of music May 16 and 17. Hippie Hill is located at 8627 Burks Hollow Road, Christiana.

THURS, 5/15

Liberty Valance

PUBLIC SQUARE

SAT. MAY 17 @ HIPPIE HILL

Open Mic with Mike Oldham and the Tone Rangers

SOCIAL

MAYDAY BREWERY

BUNGANUT PIG

3 BROTHERS

Fender Bender

GEORGIA’S

TUES, 5/13

2nd and Vine

BUNGANUT PIG

OSIELLA

Strangers With Candy

WED, 5/14

THURS, 5/8

SAT, 5/3

Carmelita Films Presents

Ryan Coleman’s Writers’ Night

BUNGANUT PIG

Bunganut Pig 1602 W. Northfield Blvd.

893-7860

JOZOARA

BUNGANUT PIG

CJ Vaughn Trio

3 Brothers 114 N. Church St. 410-3096

GEORGIA’S

SOCIAL

Skinny B

IF YOU GO:

PULSE PICK

Rodeo Gyspy

HIPPIE HILL

Osiella, She N She

Junkbox

DJ TruFX Sever

Erisa Rei Music

Mike Allen and Friends Culture Cringe Mania

Boro Blues Night Skinny B

Shane Douglas and Lenny Grasso

My July Band

Mojo Medicine The Pyles

Johnny B and the Balladeers

THE BORO

LOBO, Now The Never, ThunderFrog, Killing Grace

WILLIE’S WET SPOT

Milkbone

DJ, Bingo, Trivia & Karaoke NIGHTS IN MURFREESBORO

 MONDAYS

 WEDNESDAYS

BREW U Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

CAMPUS PUB Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

BUNGANUT PIG Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

MELLOW MUSHROOM Live Trivia, 8 p.m.

THE POUR HOUSE DJ, 7–11 p.m.

NOBODY’S Live Trivia, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

ROOSTER’S BBQ Live Trivia, 7 and 8 p.m.

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BOROPULSE.COM

* MAY 2014 * 7

MUSIC NEWS

TONY DEFEO TALKS TFG

Echoes and Amp

Local punk rock booking company hosting another cluster on May 10. story by JESSICA PACE

H

eaded by Tony DeFeo, owner and operator of local coffee shop The Grind, TFG Productions is an agency that requires one thing of the local punk and indie acts it books around town: they have to play the loudest, hardest, fastest stuff they’ve got. In addition to a weekly show Saturdays at 3 Brothers, TFG has taken off with a variety of innovative shows that are breathing new life into Murfreesboro’s music scene and attracting musicians from the Nashville and regional talent pool. Here, DeFeo talks with the Pulse about the origins and vision of TFG.

Hurts to Laugh

What was the intent behind starting up TFG Productions?

The music scene has changed.

There is media saturation. Before, you had to go buy and album or CD or go out to a show. Now anyone can listen to anything all day. It’s hard to get people to come out. We looked at it and tried to figure out why. We only book bands that have a high-energy sound. We tell them when they play our shows to play the loudest, hardest, fastest stuff you got. If we don’t see moshing and people banging their heads, we know they’re not doing the right thing.

How do you structure your shows?

We set up multiple stages simultaneously. There are no breaks in our shows. These days if you’ve got a show, people go just to see their friends play and then split, so we try to combat that so everyone has the same audience. That’s what makes us different.

We do large events called Clusterf**ks where we’ve had as many as 25 bands and a split stage.

What are you working on now?

Now we’re working on Clusterf**k No. 5. We’re not going for big numbers; we have six bands, and they’ll be set in an outward facing circle. What we’re doing is a kind of carnival deal, and you spin the wheel to find out who plays the next song, which makes the show unpredictable and hopefully goes into chaos and anarchy. We’re having Hurts to Laugh, The Tom Pappas Collection, The Turncoats, Spector, Echoes and Amplifiers and The Strumms.

Why is it essential to TFG to find the most high-energy bands?

Because today if you want to listen to music, you can just listen to it, you have your iPod, your computer, it’s free. The only reason you’d go to a show is to have an experience. It doesn’t have to be a mosh 8 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

Turncoats

pit, but you have to get everyone moving. It doesn’t have to be a specific genre, but the audience only reacts to high energy. Anything else, they wander away. You think of house show mentality and so far the feedback has been fantastic from everybody.

We’re the only booking agency in the area that is actually focusing on the audience and the quality of the music. We’ve had one band say to us that it was the most fun they’ve ever had playing a show.

Why not take this to Nashville?

There are so many bands and musicians here in Murfreesboro. I’m not exaggerating when I say this, but I think there are more band members than audience members in Murfreesboro. It’s the way it is. Nashville has its niche for folk, country and it does have an underground punk scene, but we want Murfreesboro to be the epicenter of punkrock, like New York City was in the ’70s, which is where I’m from.

Where do you want to see TFG go?

I’d like to see it generate money. I want to become ridiculously wealthy and spend it on hot rods. I’m in a rush. I have to get this done—I’m 52.

The next TFG show is scheduled for May 10 at Social, 114 N. Church St. There will be a “Mosh Til You Drop in the Rage Cage” contest, for which there is a $50 prize.

ALBUM REVIEWS

THE DECADENCE

CAITLIN ROSE

So Long Stella

The Stand-In 4

3.5

So Long Stella, released in September 2013, is a polished and primed pop-rock endeavor that pulls from the band’s Midwestern roots and home states of Indiana and Kentucky, as well as a heavy dose of ’90s pop influence in that the album is laden with tight hooks and is almost too sweet and smooth to swallow. From the album’s opener, “Space & Splendor,” to the final cut, “Your Side,” plus the two additional tracks— acoustic versions of “Find Your Way” and Different Now”—The Decadence’s first full-length is sparkly, light, accessible and nonthreatening.

With Drew Mowell on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Matt Anderson on bass and Padraig Boyle on drums and percussion, The Decadence casts a well-produced and pretty yet vanilla haze over the listener with the sort of effect the Gin Blossoms were so skilled at producing. Lyrically, the listener can differentiate among the tracks through the songwriter’s storytelling, but instrumentally the record ran together and began to lose my attention midway through. I think that has less to do with The Decadence in particular but pop music in general, which so often sounds too “perfect” when recorded, depriving it of any animation.

The Decadence’s hooks are pointy, the musicianship and songwriting is solid, but maybe a live performance might lend more life to their songs. So Long Stella picks up a bit with “Find Your Way,” a piano-driven track, and “It Ends Today,” both of which put some life into the album; otherwise, it’s a pretty, well-produced first effort that could just put you to sleep.

On May 3, The Decadence will play at The End in Nashville as part of the International Pop Overthrow festival. Find more on the band on Facebook and Reverbnation.

— JESSICA PACE

RATINGS: AVERAGE

Caitlin Rose, Nashville’s premier vintage-countrydriven singer/songwriter, released her sophomore full-length, The Stand-In, in 2013. Over the past year, The Stand-In has left its mark not only on Nashville’s music scene, but on many a listener across the globe, as Rose has toured both this continent and Europe to promote the album that Time magazine, SPIN, Rolling Stone, CMT, and The New York Times have highly acclaimed.

On her debut full-length, Own Side Now, it’s easy to tell Rose has a well-trained voice and a good idea of where she wants to go with it, but on The StandIn, she took that good idea and strapped rockets to its roller skates; vulnerable in a soothing fashion, like on “Pink Champagne”—written about one final night before two lovers are separated forever—as well as howling emotion in a mature, soulful fashion reminiscent of The Felice Brothers’ “Dallas.”

Besides Rose’s distinct, Neko-Case-meets-ZooeyDeschanel vocals, the musical composition of The Stand-In can stand on its own both emotively and technically, as it features a lineup of skilled musicians, including longtime bandmates Spencer Cullum on pedal steel and Jeremy Fetzer on guitar, aided by players on banjo, organ, drums, piano and mandolin.

“I Was Cruel,” about an ill-matched relationship’s lessons, sounds like everyone in the room is obviously on the same page yet individually each in their own little world of picking and punching. (During the bridge, after Cullum’s slide solo, there’s a intertwined banjo-and-mandolin response that makes the whole song. Yes.) Plus, it’s all sans staleness.

There is something unique in each song, be it sit-ins with The Jayhawks’ Gary Louris on “Only a Clown,” the string sections employed on several of the tracks, and a sweet New Orleans lounge trumpet on the final track, “Old Numbers.”

For more on Caitlin Rose, visit thecaitlinrose.com.

— BRYCE HARMON

A CLASSIC BELOW AVERAGE

OUTSTANDING AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD BOROPULSE.COM

* MAY 2014 * 9

SOUNDS Read more about these music festivals at BOROPULSE.COM

IT'S FESTIVAL SEASON! story by ANDREA STOCKARD

BONNAROO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL MANCHESTER, TENN.

Last century, the idea that every year some of the best musical acts in the world would gather in some field in Manchester for the summer’s biggest camping party wouldn’t have been in my wildest dreams. But rock ’n’ roll royalty continues to come to Tennessee for the fest; Sir Elton will arrive this year. Wonderful!

The festival is packed with art and friendly people; it has been the summer camp where my musical heroes have gathered. Almost all of them have been there over the years: the Dead, Dylan, Tool, the Wailers, Metallica, Rusted Root, Mastodon, The Flaming Lips, Radiohead, Panic, Phish, Old Crow, moe., Béla, Primus, Nine Inch Nails and Willie have all performed.

If you have problems with pesky things like “the sun” or “dirt” or “people,” it may be best you just don’t go to Bonnaroo. I think you can watch it on the Internet now, so you don’t have to deal with “socialization” and “the outdoors.” If this is you, either find some other way to enjoy music, art and your vacation days, or first examine your worldview a little so you can be open to taking advantage of the amazing four-day festival without preoccupation with such thoughts as “there’s mud on my leg” or “the sun is literally going to kill me because I have not let my skin see its rays since last summer and didn’t have the foresight to bring something to protect myself from it during the peak-heat hours of the Tennessee June.”

10 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

Bonnaroo continues to bring musical legends to Middle Tennessee, keep the magic alive!

Keep Bonnaroo about art, not consumption!

Support the independent food, art or jewelry maker. I’m all for musical diversity; I enjoy all styles of music and discovering new bands. I understand some newer pop-rock and electronic acts must be brought in to draw in the next generation of festivalgoers.

Remember, it can be hard to be in the moment when you give your mobile device all of your attention and energy. Does anyone remember the white board in Centeroo where people would leave messages for others? That was our communication gadget in the early years. . . .

But thoughts of the good ole days aside, last year, I was out in a field with a few hundred strangers/friends learning yoga moves on a sunny Sunday; I witnessed a Beatle perform a phenomenal show just a couple of nights prior, Björk brought the bass, the hilarious Daniel Tosh was there and there were incalculable musical notes played, and creative people doing humorous things.

The sun would set on that Sunday, and Bonnaroo 2013, with Mr. Tom Petty crooning the jam-fest classic “Friend of the Devil” as a light drizzle cooled off the exhausted weekend warriors.

This year, we have Elton John, Jack White, The Flaming Lips, Cage the Elephant, Yonder Mountain String Band, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Avett Brothers, Lionel Richie and many others to look forward to. For more on Bonnaroo, visit bonnaroo.com.

— BRACKEN MAYO

BEAL STREET MUSIC FESTIVAL MEMPHIS, TENN.

Memphis always has something going on worth checking out, and May is one of the busiest months for that city by the river.

I’ve been to Beale St. Music Festival twice and thoroughly enjoyed myself both times. From Juicy J to Joan Jett, this fest as usual boasts a lineup you’d have to pay a lot more for at other places. If for nothing else, you’ve got to see ole Jerry Lee Lewis pound those keys—he can still light up a piano! The Killer!

Bristerfest is in its fourth year and prides itself as a grassroots festival that showcases a diverse lineup of local talent. MTSU is even represented at Bristerfest by alumnus Tyke T. One of the bands at Bristerfest, Dead Solders, I saw close the New Year’s Eve show at the Hi-Tone.

You need to get down to Memphis so you can get down to this band! *Whiskey not required Jerry Lee Lewis but suggested.

Memphis punks Ex-Cult will release their sophomore LP, Midnight Passenger (Goner Records), at the Hi-Tone Friday, May 2. The show also features Sector Zero and Gimp Teeth.

The Brooks Museum hosts the ongoing exhibit: Dalí: Illustrating the Surreal, until May 10.

This exhibition brings together 49 rare, masterful book illustrations by the celebrated artist.

Friday May 9 finds Dick Dale playing at the Hi-Tone, followed the next day on Saturday, May 10 by The 2nd Midtown Memphis Record Swap at Crosstown Arts, put on by Goner Records, a mobile Third Man Records store, and other record dealers, with a performance by the Oblivians at the Hi-Tone later that night. — ROBERT BROWN

WAKARUSA

OZARK, ARK. Wakarusa Music Festival, June 5–8, 2014, returns to Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Ark., for its 11th year with four days of new-age art, music and a collectively conscious community.

This year STS9, Bassnectar, The String Cheese Incident, The Flaming Lips, Lettuce, EOTO, The Floozies, Wick-it the Instigator and over 100 more artists hit the six woodland stages with many artists playing more than one set.

Waka attendees affirm that this is not only a music festival but a journey for the soul.

Guests are surrounded with original art installations and live art as some of the most talented artists perform. This year the festival map also promises Fishin’, Disc Golf, Morning Yoga Class, Hooping Lessons, Morning Drum Circle, a Food Drive and a Costume Parade.

TheUntz.com Satellite Stage features Interstellar Meltdown showcasing some of the hottest electronic dance music (EDM) artists and winners of the Waka DJ Classic. Waka DJ Classic allows DJs to compete for the chance to perform at Wakarusa and win a cash prize.

One winner will be selected from each location along the Waka DJ Classic Tour (visit interstellarmeltdown.com/dj-classic for more information).

This year, Wakarusa adds new, one-of-a-kind art to some of its already mind-blowing creative pieces on the mountain.

Hundreds of artists and performance submitted their works for the First Annual “Mulberry Mountain in My Muse” art-grant program.

And be on the look for Moon Puppies, “The Asstronauts,” who hope to inspire dance by “getting funky” at some of your favorite shows.

See you on the mountain! For more information on Wakarusa, visit wakarusa.com.

SHAKY KNEES MUSIC FESTIVAL ATLANTA, GA.

The 2nd annual Shaky Knees Music Festival, May 9–11, 2014, hits Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Ga. Scheduled acts include The National, Cage the Elephant, Modest Mouse, Portugal the Man, Alabama Shakes, Local Natives and more.

Late night shows such as Ghost, The Black Cadillacs, Deer Tick, Lord Huron, Tokyo Police Club and others grace the late-night stages Friday and Saturday night at Center Stage, Terminal West, The Earl and The Masquerade. For more inAlabama Shakes formation, contact info@shakykneesfestival.com or vendors@ shakykneesfestival.com, or visit shakykneesfestival.com or facebook.com/shakykneesfest.

BOROPULSE.COM

* MAY 2014 * 11

IT'S FESTIVAL SEASON! CONTINUED . . .

COUNTERPOINT MUSIC FESTIVAL KINGSTON DOWNS, GA.

CounterPoint Music Festival, April 25–27, 2014, returned for its third year at a new home in the gorgeous, flowing hills of Kingston Downs in Rome, Ga., The 3-day spring festival put on by the producers of Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits Festival, Camp Bisco, Lights All Night, BUKU Music + Art Project and more hosted a killer lineup at the 20year home of the Atlanta Steeplechase.

Some of the most talented contemporary artists, which include Outkast, STS9, Pretty Lights, Thievery Corporation, Ott and many more, hit the stages

on the dazzling 5,000 acres surrounded by the Etowah River, offering spectacular views of the Appalachian Mountains in the background.

The Concert Area was home to stages The Steeple, The Underground, Hillside, Blu Freedom and others, as well as

BUKU MUSIC + ART FESTIVAL NEW ORLEANS

If you did not attend BUKU Music + Art Festival March 21 and 22 at New Orleans’ Mardi Gras World, you missed a great time! This was my second year at the two-day spring festival, and this year brought a feeling of euphoria and relaxation that kicked off my 2014 festival-season shenanigans. The BUKrewe seemed to take the advice of previous attendees as it was transformed into a festival even more tremendous than I could have anticipated. Every show had great energy, the crowd was truly warm, outgoing and friendly, and the festival grounds seemed more open and uncluttered.

The VIP 3-story S.S. BLU-KU boat attached to the river was grandiose, accommodating and highenergy. The top floor opened up into the outdoor world with a refreshingly cool breeze facing the Mississippi River alongside the Power Plant stage, where main headliners such as Ellie Goulding and David Guetta performed. The weather that weekend was perfect: it was in the high 60s with a quiet river draft.

Chromeo was amazing on the Power Plant, and gave the crowd lively and positive vibrations as the sun set on Saturday. The Float Den, home to annual Mardi Gras floats, offered groovy EMD “trap” music 12 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

Chromeo

the Ferris Wheel, ENO Lotus Lounge, Cracker Jack’D Splash Party and Bed Head Beauty Bar. In the Midway and Kingston Down Concert Area, guests mingled in the Art Village, featuring around 40 different art vendors including Festival Fashion & Glow Goods, Coco Loco Jewelry, Pop Lock & Hoop It, Wormtown, Grassroots California and Turnip the Beets.

CounterPoint 2014 also offered an interactive GamePoint area with life-size versions of chess, checkers, Jenga, Connect Four and Twister as well as cornhole, ladder golf and bocce ball. The fest encouraged guests to get silly with an epic costume contest each day, and individual and group prizes.

This year, CounterPoint introduced some of the coolest technology with wristbands that guests can enroll in the “cashless program.” Attendees can load money onto the wristbands and use them as cash at select locations throughout the festival.

Hands-on workshops were held every day, such as Morning Meditation, Yoga, Hoop Dance, Detox Yoga Flow, Monkey Chant (Kecak-Balinese Monkey Chant Ritual) and Scratch DJ Academy. CounterPoint also hosts non-profits, such as Love Hope Strength, HeadCount, We’re hEAR For You and Conscious Alliance.

For more information on CounterPoint, visit counterpointfestival.com.

and displayed the best onstage visuals. Griz, Bauuer b2b RL Grime, Paper Diamond and Glitch Mob all had vibrant, psychedelic screens with the entire crowd “getting jiggy” with each other. Beats Antique, who defines its music as a combination of “flamenco, Afro-beat and French Gypsy jazz,” hit the Ballroom beginning with some newer electronic tunes that were different yet amazing and funky. Explosions in the Sky also graced the stage in the Ballroom drawing some tears from people as they played their most beautifully explosive and touching songs. The Flaming Lips were amazing as always; Wayne Coyne now wraps himself in what looks like large, electric, hallucinatory tinsel that embraces most of the stage and changes from vivid, rainbow colors to whatever hue matches the mood.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Tyler, the Creator and Chance the Rapper stood out as extremely high-energy shows throughout the weekend. The stages had terrific sound quality and there was plenty of room to move, dance, hula hoop, poi or whatever you wished, at every stage.

Late-night festival attendees kept the party ragin’ both nights at Republic New Orleans and Howlin’ Wolf with BUKU after-parties featuring Paper Diamond, Holy Ghost!, Doctor P, Cookie Monsta and more; the shows were on the same block downtown and went on until nearly 6 a.m., which was nice. Go BUKU!

Moe.

SUMMER CAMP

CHILLICOTHE, IL. Summer Camp Music Festival returns May 23-25, 2014, at Three Sister Park in Chillicothe, Ill., with hit artists Moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Bassnectar, Girl Talk, EOTO, Lettuce, Lotus, Yonder Mountain String Band and 100-plus more artists. Originating in 2001, Summer Camp has grown from an estimated 1,000 attendees to more than 15,000 dedicated festivalgoers. Not only is Summer Camp a self-proclaimed “green friendly” community, but they also now provide biodiesel generators, take actions to lower the festival’s carbon footprint, purchase biodegradable plastic products for the festival and provide festival recycling programs, as attendees take home in the grounds of beautiful Chillicothe, Ill. Late-night shows in the Red Barn sold out almost immediately, with Lotus and Beats Antique playing the first night, Gramatik and Lettuce the second night and Umphrey’s McGree the third.

One of the coolest things Summer Camp 2014 did was host multiple interactive, artist competitions prior to the festival. Over 70 visual artists competed to win a spot in

the Soulshine Live Art Gallery. The Untz Challenge offered artists the chance to enter their music with public voting for a spot on the Summer Camp lineup, with more than 300 submissions; the winner also has the opportunity to play Lightning in a Bottle, Infrasound Music Festival, Wakarusa, SONIC BLOOM, Electric Forest and ARISE Music Festival.

This year Summer Camp attendees can get involved with MAKE A DIFFERENCE, “collective consciousness,” at the Soulshine Tent as they gain education on “green living” and sustainability from non-profit organizations.

Many festival attendees and volunteers, like myself, have come to appreciate music festival communities and treat our everyday lives as a conscious, sustainable community as well. Summer Camp Music Festival takes pride and joy in being a passionate “green” festival as they gladly encourage and support recycling, reducing carbon footprints and supporting local businesses.

Summer Camp Music Festival 2014 offers a variety of musician workshops at the Three Sisters Park Church.

It also offers a Kids Camp with games and activities like jewelry making, face painting, water fun, arts and crafts, hair wraps and more.

Summer Camp 2014 attendees can purchase a 1-day or 3-day GA or VIP festival pass with camping included. For more information, visit summercampfestival.com.

people to listen, dance, have a good time and take care of each other. Our goal is always just to keep pushing our musical abilities and playing all over the world.

BE YOUR FUNKY SELF The Floozies hit CounterPoint, ready for more shows on the 2014 festival circuit

T

story by ANDREA STOCKARD

he Floozies are one of the hottest bands right now, with Kansas-based brothers Matt and Mark Hill (playing guitar and drums, respectively) producing funky electronic music. Their popular albums At Dusk We Launch, Tell Your Mother and Sunroof Cadillac, as well as hit single “Stuntin’” and other remixes like “Lemme Smang It (The Floozies Remix)” and “Lettuce-Do It Like You Do (The Floozies Remix)” have gained them large crowds and sold-out shows in some of the biggest cities in the U.S. this past year.

The Floozies graced The Underground Stage at CounterPoint Music Festival this year. The duo will also rock the stage at some of the biggest music festivals in 2014, such as Wakarusa Music Festival, Purple Hatter’s Ball, Summer Camp Music Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, The Hudson Project and more. I was lucky enough to snag the guys for some words on their music and hitting the festival circuit in 2014.

Murfreesboro Pulse: Did you know then that funk was going to explode the way that it has, and that you would be a huge part of it?

Our goal has always been to play music we loved to make and perform. Funk is our passion and I’m glad it caught on like it has.

Did you originally play a different style of music, or have you always been in the studio recording “funky electronic”?

We’ve both been a part of different bands growing up. We also both always had a knack for funk music, though, so of course we always came back to that. I remember being in a punk band and accidentally getting too funky for my bandmates’ liking. Ha ha. Modern tools have allowed us to dig deeper into music in general, so that’s where the electron-

ic aspect came in. Computers have opened up endless possibilities with music and help us create the best funk possible.

Are there artists you all listened to growing up or currently that have helped inspire your style of music?

Zapp and Roger, Rick James, Amon Tobin, Pretty Lights, James Brown, to name a few.

There wasn’t anyone doing this kind of thing when we first started experimenting and playing (at least that I know of). So it is kind of just a result of all sorts of music we have taken in over the years. We have been listening to every style for a very long time. It’s easy to find inspiration in good music, no matter the genre.

What has been your favorite city and or/venue you have played?

Comparing things is not something we like to do. Each show/venue/festival is a unique experience for us as well as the crowd. No point in taking away from that. We are pumped that everywhere we go seems to have a great energy and a crowd that makes us happy to be making the music we do.

What’s the biggest thing you guys do to stay grounded and focused when playing so many shows a week?

We have a great family behind us and always have. Coming home to them and our friends always helps. On tour we try and be healthy when possible and sleep plenty when possible. Staying focused on music is easy for us because it is what we love to do. We spend a lot of time working on tunes and we are constantly discussing new performance and production ideas because it excites us!

What do you hope your music means to people and do you have any particular musical aspirations in the future?

Our music means different things to different people. Making people dance is huge because dancing is good for the soul. I always want

people leaving the show knowing they had a great time and got to let loose for a bit. I’ve had people tell me our music is great for the gym or for getting work done etc. All of that is good to me! As long as the music is helping people positively you can’t really ask for more than that. Our music will always be changing.

You always need to be trying new things and pushing yourself to explore fresh ideas. That is what good art is all about.

How do you see this type of music changing the world?

Our music is about having fun and being your funky self. Bringing people together is always a good thing.

What are you most excited about this year?

We are really pumped to be playing so many festivals this summer. It is going to be an amazing summer for us! Also we are working on a new album again and we are very excited to share the new music when the time is right. Not going to reveal much more than that, but there will be some collaboration and we have some big ideas for production coming throughout the year that will be awesome.

The Floozies music can be downloaded for free from flooziesduo.com. For more information, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/flooziesduo ooziesduo, Twitter @flooziesduo and Instagram @flooziesduo.

Are there any other styles or genres of music that you would like to explore in the future?

Movie scores.

Who has been your favorite artist you have collaborated with? Are there any artists in particular that you would love to work with?

Matt played some guitar with [Detroit-based producer] GRiZ, and the end result was very cool. He is a great producer and person. To be honest, that’s about all the collaborating we’ve done. We have some collaborations coming that I’m excited about but I can’t really reveal too much.

You guys are playing at some of the biggest festivals across the country this year such as Wakarusa, Summer Camp, The Hudson Project and more.

What are your biggest goals when it comes to playing festivals and reaching the masses? What kind of atmosphere are you hoping for at Counterpoint 2014?

A fun atmosphere of course. [We] just want BOROPULSE.COM

* MAY 2014 * 13

Murfreesboro’s Music Through the Decades

Songs of Reconstruction, 1870s–’90s

H

er shabby cabin dwelling had been her home for most of her life. Dirt floors, windowless walls and a stony fireplace shaped this one-room domicile. A chilly spring rain pattered a staccato rhythm on the tin roof above. Her black eyes etched in ebony displayed life’s difficulties within the wrinkles of this withered face.

She had cooked, cleaned, washed and nursed both white and black children. In the dark, never really experiencing freedom, this saintly soul sat on her tattered bed softly singing an old spiritual: Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, nobody knows but Jesus, sing glory Hallelu!

Lost in the moment, her husband strummed his banjo along quietly, note for note, as she sang. He, too, was continuously haunted by the nightmares from his past, hounds on his trail and threats of beatings.

Then there was the memory of being packed so tightly into a bale of cotton that the space his body occupied was scarcely three inches thick. For now, after the war, his pain and mental anguish was only released in singing and playing songs. Their musical cry as slaves had been a great gift, a creative expression to heal the pain and share the story to their young of persisting through the years after the Civil War. Embedded in our rich musical heritage are tunes that have weathered hard times. It seems that no matter what happens, mankind has always found a way to escape hardship through song. These musical hallmarks, with their uncanny harmonies, are tunes that seem to originate from a single source and have been perfectly blended down through the decades into modern styles, a precursor to blues and jazz.

Before the war, slave songs could be heard as “field hollers,” which were sung by a single voice with rhythmic clapping and stomping.

Many of the first blues may have originated from a single word or phrase repeated again and again.

Early blues singers often would moan, shout and slide from one pitch to another, emulating the field hollers. This technique is called melisma. This was popularized in the 20th century by Huddie Ledbetter, better known as “Lead Belly.”

In his day, Lead Belly learned every

14 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

by GLORIA CHRISTY

early kind of African-American music that existed from these times and brought them into the 20th century as “race music” (so dubbed by the then-segregated music industry).

During Reconstruction, transition from slavery to freedom was as extraordinary as it was complex.

Newly freed slaves experienced boundless joy as well as excruciating disappointment while establishing their lives as free persons.

Freed slaves frequently encountered violent resistance to their efforts to become paid workers and active citizens. Most whites refused to accept former slaves as free.

Murfreesboro had enjoyed a time of prosperity before the Civil War, all sustained economically by slavery. As a result, the social and economic readjustments after the war were slow and painful. The poverty and destitution would continue well into the 20th century.

The Thirteenth Amendment prohibited involuntary servitude, but for both blacks and whites sharecropping or “peonage” continued in the Southern states until the 1960s.

This system allowed for the leasing of land and supplies to pay off debts. Many former slaves and poor whites contracted with landowners and were compensated by receiving wages or a share of the crop. Sometimes they would be furnished with housing, food, firewood, clothing and occasional medical care. For former slaves, these compensations were often unfair and worsened with the legalized segregation of the “Jim Crow Laws.”

One of the first superstars of the Grand Ole Opry, Uncle Dave Macon, was one of the first white entertainers who blended both AfricanAmerican musical styles and white rural folk songs of the 19th century and popularized them. Early string band music was the white man’s way of interpreting his hard times creatively. Frequently, these songs would have somber themes with lively, syncopated rhythms.

Some Southerners, even slave owners themselves, did not want to lose the slave music and cooperated by preserving and adapting the melodies and styles. These laments, work songs, and spirituals evolved into a well-spring of mainstream music during the 20th century as blues,

Young Dave Macon

jazz, rock ’n’ roll and early country.

Some of these styles evolved and were experienced right here in Rutherford County after the Civil War. Uncle Dave Macon, a Rutherford County native, was the son of a former Confederate officer. As a teenager, his family moved to Nashville and operated the old Broadway hotel. The hotel catered to vaudeville and circus performers coming through Nashville. In 1885, at 15, Dave got his first banjo and began emulating the powerful performing styles of the itinerant black minstrels. Macon had been exposed and absorbed in 19th century rural slave music, which would influence his performing styles for decades. Also known as the “Dixie Dew Drop,” Uncle Dave was a legendary performer who played his banjo with political conviction and commentary. His comedic style and dexterity followed the slaves he had watched on the banks of the Cumberland as a teen during Reconstruction. Once he commented before playing his infamous song, “Farm Relief,” that the government’s new farm relief program is going very well . . . “The farmer is being relieved of everything he has!” With great zest and zeal, he would commence to laughing and playing his tune, swinging his banjo into the air strumming with one motion and then shrieking, “Hot dog!”

What links one generation to another? Is it all of mankind’s senseless acts of rebellion and destruction, the sharp line between believing and unbelieving? There’s no doubt that history can be a great teacher. We do not have to get stuck in well-worn paradigms. We can

learn from the mistakes of our past and have a better future.

Perhaps it is the legacy of faith that links one generation to another. Only when we are at the end of our self-sufficient, self-determined ways will we receive by faith the promise—grace, mercy and forgiveness. All along, this has been the answer for past, present and future generations. Well, then, how do we get past the negative barriers of pride, fear, guilt, worry and doubt, those obstructions that keep us from being all we can be? Regardless of the time in history in which we live, it seems that all of us have a sense of right and wrong. However, this does not mean that we will always choose right. Turning to God, the beginning of making right choices requires a decision. Apparently regardless of the era, common to all of humanity is the coming to a decision we will make about God. To procrastinate and not make a decision is a choice.

We might possibly look back into our history with a different perspective: to discover what we have in common with others in another time. This venture may give us clues as to why we have become who we are in this age. Looking to glean knowledge from a historical viewpoint may be the vanguard to the freedom we seek. Whoever does not seek to understand the past is doomed to repeat it!

Anything hidden has power over us, so perhaps buried in our pasts are wounds from individuals who transferred their pain from one generation to the next. Might it be that in order to redeem our past we must realize that hope is found outside ourselves? Could our need for God, His mercy and forgiveness be the common denominator linking all of humanity throughout the generations?

Could it be that we need to complete the Reconstruction process to restore and experience true freedom from our past, a better life in the present, and a healthier future for the generations to come? As we actively seek change in our lives, we will share in God’s nature, receive new thoughts, and formulate new behavior patterns.

It’s never too late to make a fresh start and begin again!

Visit boropulse.com to view and hear Uncle Dave Macon playing his music, as well as a version of “Hard Times,” written in 1854 by Stephen Foster, sung by Mavis Staples.

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Kevin Whalum

SOUNDS

WHAT IS JAZZ? Musician Karl Wingruber of the Music City Swing answers the question.

WITH JAZZ FEST 2014 right around the corner, Murfreesboro is thinking jazzy thoughts. Thousands will gather May 2-3 on the Murfreesboro Public Square to hear various groups do their thing. Many associate jazz with steady grooves and improvisational solos, but what exactly is jazz?

To get a better handle on the style of music celebrated each May in Murfreesboro, the Pulse caught up with Jazz Fest committee member and longtime musician Karl Wingruber to tackle the question: What is jazz?

Murfreesboro Pulse: What is jazz?

Wingruber: The term is very elusive and hard to pin down.

Many of my musician comrades are very protective of the term “jazz” as it relates to the improvisational music of 1925–65, the “Golden Era” of jazz. Others dislike the use of the word, saying it it has racist implications, or that it’s an attempt by white culture to “claim ownership of music created by African-American musicians.” One thing is for sure—jazz music was created and nurtured by performers of all races. And its influence is everywhere. Many people don’t realize that the Big Band Era (1935–45) was actually the beginning of rock ’n’ roll. Swing vocalists Frank Sinatra, Ray Eberle, June Christy, Ina Ray Hutton, and even the swing instrumentalists such as Gene Krupa, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and hundreds of others were greeted with the same teen hysteria at shows that was later unleashed upon Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Elvis, The Beatles and other founding fathers of rock.

It’s in the music, too. Listen to early Elvis, Carl Perkins or Bill Haley, and what you hear underneath is swing. Etta James’ mammoth hit single “At Last” was first a million-seller for the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

After WWII came a fork in the road: jump blues and bop (also called “Bebop”). Jump blues would lead us into the 1950s R&B saxophone era, known as the “Honkers and Screamers,” which were essentially early 16 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

Dara Tucker

Joe Davidian

Karl Wingruber

E L U D E SCH

rock ’n’ roll bands fronted by saxophone players. This eventually gave rise to artists like Fats Domino, Little Richard and other such musical trailblazers. Bebop took jazz into a highly individualized improvisational setting and was not for dancing or entertainment. Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were its major practitioners.

In the 1960s John Coltrane and Sun Ra propelled us to the edge of the universe with their improvised solos.

Pop/rock music and jazz seemed to exist separately until Miles Davis, upon hearing Sly & the Family Stone, decided to create fusion, an attempt to unify the two. Many jazz musicians in the ’60s and ’70s were influenced by funk, Motown, blues, reggae, and other popular styles.

So, what is jazz? It’s the ultimate personal expression of an artist, requiring the highest caliber of musicianship. Despite the many recordings available, jazz should be experienced live. No album or mp3 download could possibly match the power of a big band swinging, or a soloist creating “in the moment.” Enjoy the masters of the past, but support the masters yet to come.

FRIDAY, MAY 2 6 p.m. Eagleville High Jazz Band 6:30 p.m. MTCS Jazz Band 7 p.m. Smyrna High Jazz Band 7:40 p.m. LaVergne High Jazz Band 8:20 p.m. Central Magnet School Jazz Band 9 p.m. Siegel High School Jazz Band 9:40 p.m. Riverdale High School Jazz Band 10:20 p.m. Oakland High School Jazz Band 11 p.m. Blackman High School Jazz Band SATURDAY, MAY 3 Main Stage 11 a.m. Stewart’s Creek High School 12:20 p.m. Murfreesboro Youth Jazz Orchestra 1 p.m. MTSU Jazz Ensemble I 2 p.m. Kevin Whalum 3:15 p.m. MTSU Faculty Combo 4:30 p.m. Dara Tucker 5:45 p.m. Joe Davidian 7 p.m. Music City Swing 8 p.m. Joe Johnson 9:15 p.m. 129th Army Jazz Band

Kroger (West) Stage 11:30 a.m. Stewart’s Creek Middle School 12 p.m. Siegel Middle School 1 p.m. Oakland Middle School 1:40 p.m. St. Rose Middle School 2:10 p.m. Creative Rhythm Percussion Team 2:40 p.m. Rockvale Middle School 3:10 p.m. All-Rutherford Co. Jazz Band 3:50 p.m. Blackman Middle School 4:30 p.m. First Fruit Jazz Project

Additionally, a Kid’s Alley area will provide family fun for Jazz Fest attendees of all ages. This years Kid’s Alley will include activities, exhibits and booths from: Space Walk of Murfreesboro, Balloons by Loons, Tennessee National Guard, Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra, Boys & Girls Club, Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, Humana, Erik Faulk: m.i.l.k.

Digital ID Program, The Yoga Nest, Elite Energy Gymnastics, Golden House Studio, Murfreesboro Fire Department and more.

Keep your finger on the Pulse of great local music when you sign up to receive our weekly e-mail newsletter. Register at BoroPulse.com/Newsletter

The Great Barrier Reefs

MUSIC SOUNDS LINGER IN DOWNTOWN MURFREESBORO VENUES FOR JAZZ AFTER DARK IN ADDITION TO THE OUTDOOR STAGES PIPING OUT JAZZY SOUNDS on the Murfreesboro Public Square during JazzFest 2014, held Friday and Saturday, May 2–3, some other downtown Murfreesboro venues will join in the fun as part of the Jazz After Dark program.

At Wall Street, 121 N. Maple St., the Great Barrier Reefs will take the stage on Saturday, May 3.

This local, steel-drum-fronted group of Murfreesboro musicians plays a tropicalflavored brand of jazz that will extend the Jazz Fest vibe into the wee hours of Sunday morning as the Reefs rock the night away upstairs at Wall Street. The talented guys in the Great Barrier Reefs have become of big part of the Middle Tennessee music scene as performers, in the recording industry and as music educators, and are also set to release a new album in May titled Are You Scared?!

That same evening, just across the Square at Social, 114 N. Church St., the music will take on a old school R&B flavor, as Social hosts The Legendary Drifters, the soul vocalists responsible for such hits as “This Magic Moment,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “Save the Last Dance for Me” and other classics.

The latest incarnation of the popular 1960s vocal group will perform at Social on Saturday, May 3 beginning at 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, Reveille Joe, 113 N. Maple St., will offer its space for live music, as it hosts local artists as well during the big JazzFest weekend.

The coffee shop, quickly becoming one of the Square’s more popular hangouts, will host Justin Robbins, Al Holbrook and other local musicians.

For the full JazzFest lineup, and more information on Main Street JazzFest 2014, visit mainstreetjazzfest.net.

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MUSIC NOTE ENSEMBLE 1720 PERFORMS AT ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH THE PERIOD INSTRUMENT GROUP ENSEMBLE 1720 will perform a program of Baroque chamber music on Sunday, May 4, at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Murfreesboro. The concert is free and open to the public.

The performance will include a variety of music by Baroque masters George Frideric Handel, Arcangelo Corelli, Henry Purcell, Pietro Locatelli and Georg Philipp Telemann.

A distinctive feature of the concert is the use of the types of instruments that were in use at the time that the pieces were written—the Baroque period, the time of J.S. Bach and Handel.

“The orchestral instruments that we know today were altered significantly in the 19th century. This performance features instruments from the Baroque, the time that the music was composed, and so we’ll be recreating the style that the composers would have expected, so that the music may be heard in all its original color and passion,” said George Riordan, oboist of the group, and retired director of the MTSU School of Music.

The performance will feature current MTSU professors Andrea Dawson (violin) and Christine Kim (cello), as well as recent MTSU faculty members oboist Riordan and harpsichordist Lillian Pearson. Joining these colleagues will be violinist Karen Clarke, professor emerita of Florida State University, who recently completed service as member of the faculty of the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University. All five are active as performers on modern and period instruments throughout the country.

THE EVENING’S PROGRAM INCLUDES: Georg Philipp Telemann: “Quartet in G Major” Pietro Locatelli: “Trio Sonata in G Major” Henry Purcell: “Golden Sonata in F Major” Arcangelo Corelli: “Trio Sonata in F Major” George Frideric Handel: “Trio Sonata for Oboe, Violin and Continuo” St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 351 E. Main St., Murfreesboro.

For more information on the free concert or on Ensemble 1720, contact George T. Riordan at george.riordan@mtsu.edu or (850) 264-9293.

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LIVING

Ren Fest Returns in May TRAVEL BACK TO 16TH-CENTURY ENGLAND as the village of Covington Glen once again comes alive with the bustle of a Renaissance marketplace this month.

The Tennessee Renaissance Festival features arts and crafts, performers, animals, musicians (catch the Secret Commonwealth on May 17 and 18!), comedy routines and more. Artisans display their wares, from silks to swords to gems and jewels. Aromas and tastes of specialty foods and drinks greet the festival-goer, and visitors can participate in games of skill and ride manpowered rides.

The attraction will run every Saturday and Sunday in May, plus Memorial Day, May 26, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily.

Special weekends this year include: May 3–4: Family Appreciation Discount—With the purchase of two regularly-priced adult tickets, two grandparents and all children age 12 and under will receive free admission.

May 10–11: Pirate Invasion Weekend—The hills are swarming with rascals and rogues as a crew of scurvy pirates invade the shire of Covington Glen.

May 17–18: Celtic Weekend—A Celtic flair will honor those early Britons. Men, wear your kilts. Wee bairns, lads and lassies, get ready to “Count the Freckles” in the Children’s Area.

May 24–26: Royal Jousting Tournament Weekend—Jousters from far and wide come to vie for top honors.

Covington Glen and Castle Gwynn, towering above, are located just off Highway 96, between the towns of Murfreesboro and Franklin, at 2124 New Castle Road in Arrington.

For more information, visit tnrenfest.com.

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LIVING

THE CELL TOWER EPIDEMIC

As cell phone technology has grown, so has the number of cell phone towers dotting our landscape, while our freedom to avoid these towers has diminished.

Cell towers now overlook many neighborhoods in Murfreesboro, and communities across the globe.

STORY BY BRACKEN MAYO

E

ven though those mobile devices are wireless, their use has an infrastructural impact, and, according to some studies, a risk of causing cancer and other serious health complications.

Technology has changed drastically over the past decades; likewise, the landscape is changing. It’s hard to look anywhere in Murfreesboro and not see a tower powering cellular devices.

Tens of thousands of cell towers now dot the nation, from sea to shining sea.

And if you’re paying those mobile service bills each month, you want service, right?

What’s the point of having a phone if you can’t stream video on it wherever you may roam?

But at least one Murfreesboro resident and property developer does not see the cellular tower trend as “progress.”

“It’s an invasion,” said local resident Mischa Nemeth. “And it’s not about communication. It’s about money.”

Nemeth, who operates Murfreesboro homebuilder Dream Homes, Inc., says he has multiple reasons to oppose the towers—for one, the property values on the homes he is developing.

Nemeth was recently involved in opposing an AT&T plan to build a tower on a Bradyville Pike property, directly across from the Fox

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Creek Estates subdivision he is developing.

AT&T approached Grace Baptist Church about leasing a small piece of their land to construct a 199-foot-high tower. The church, however, withdrew its offer, effectively killing its property as a prospective tower site, after hearing the out cry of opposition from neighbors.

But “special exception approval” rezoning requests for new towers continue to appear before the Rutherford County Board of Zoning Appeals, and AT&T and other major carriers seem to just be getting started.

The board has approved dozens of these towers in the county; the way FCC policy reads, the board is almost forced to approve the requests from cellular carriers such as AT&T. “The legislature has limited what we can do legally to turn down these cell towers,” said Board of Zoning Appeals Chairman Zane Cantrell.

Nearly two decades ago, President Clinton signed into law the Telecommunications Act of 1996, praising it for promoting competition, for developing the Information Superhighway and access to it for all Americans, and for seeking to “remove unnecessary regulation and open the way for freer markets.”

However, critics of the act say it grants major

telecommunications corporations too much power and gives local zoning boards, and the neighborhoods they represent, too little. The act forbids a locality from denying applications based on health or environmental concerns if the application meets the FCC’s emissions standards, and requires that any decision by a local entity to deny an application to construct a tower shall be supported by “substantial evidence” contained in a written record.

In the Berkeley Technology Law Journal in 1997—the year after the law’s passing—Susan Lorde Martin, Hofstra University professor of legal studies in business, wrote, “The idea was to eliminate regulatory barriers to promote competition in the industry in order to encourage technological advancement and to give consumers choices. In its zeal to accomplish these goals, however, Congress neglected to sufficiently consider the interests of local residents, other than the interests they have as consumers of telecommunications services.”

However, at its January 2014 meeting, the Rutherford County Board of Zoning Appeals did deny a request to rezone a piece of property at 724 Veterans Parkway, in the Barfield area, in another recent cell tower case that saw great public resistance from the neighborhood.

AT&T quickly filed a lawsuit in federal court to oppose the ruling.

“From my perspective, the county did what it had the right to do,” said attorney Josh McCreary, representing Rutherford County in the case. “The Board of Zoning Appeals found that was not an appropriate spot for the tower and denied it.”

McCreary said he has worked on many land use cases in the area, but this marks his first time taking on AT&T in a case involving a cell tower. Although, he said major cell carriers have filed suit against neighboring Wilson County over similar situations.

Nemeth’s concerns extend far beyond the financial implications for his business.

“I really feel like the public has a right to know what kind of equipment is being used, and whether it causes cancer in lab rats,” he said. “We can’t say that communications equipment causes cancer in humans, but they can tell us whether it causes cancer in lab rats or not.

“It is illegal for the towers to interfere with the flight path of federally protected species,” he said, citing the huge number of Canada Geese that fly over Murfreesboro each year.

“The honey bee has a tiny bit of magnetism CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

FOOD

THE DISH NAME: Nacho’s Mexican Restaurant LOCATION: 3962 S. Rutherford Blvd.

PHONE: (615) 907-2700 HOURS: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun.–Thurs; 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat. PRICES: Carne Asada: $10.99; Pollo Borracho: $9.75; Enchiladas $8.49; Filete de Pescado: $9.75 ONLINE: nachosmexicanrestaurant.com

Margarita

Por Favor!

Local Mexican eatery offers all of the favorites for Cinco de Mayo festivities and all year long.

story by BRACKEN MAYO | photos by CHRISTY SIMMONS

A

s the brutal winter has seemingly come to a close and the sun is getting stronger, Nacho’s Mexican Restaurant, like many of its customers and industry peers, is preparing for the annual Mexican restaurant holiday and unofficial gateway to the summer months, Cinco de Mayo.

Nacho’s owner, Salvador Rocha, says to expect a big first weekend of May at Nacho’s, filled with music, food, drink and fun.

The outdoor patio is now open, and the restaurant offers plenty of cold drinks and hot peppers.

All year round, Nacho’s offers all of the expected Mexican restaurant favorites: burritos, fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, seafood dishes and more, alongside a few house specialty dishes, such as the Pollo Borracho, a deli22 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

cious chicken dish (translated as “drunken chicken”), with poblano and jalapeño peppers flavoring a flame-grilled chicken breast, covered in cheese and a tangy wine sauce, and served with rice and beans.

Order a little cheese dip or handmade guacamole with your meal, and come out on a Thursday evening to hear weekly live music from Ivan LaFever, or on Tuesdays to participate in trivia competitions.

Nacho’s, which has sister restaurants in Franklin and Nashville, boasts a ton of food and drink specials through the week, such as $1 Taco Tuesdays (chicken or beef ), and $5 pitchers of beer on Thursdays.

“The $1 tacos on Tuesday are amazing,” one diner exclaimed. “The chicken tacos are the best in town!”

Another customer recommended the warm

and satisfying chicken tortilla soup.

“The queso mushroom dip is a must-try,” added another Nacho’s patron.

For the meat lovers, Nacho’s offers the Nacho’s Special Fajitas, which contain beef tips, chorizo, shrimp, chicken and beef, along with the standard fajita side plate.

Many have commented about the restaurant’s atmosphere, which, in addition to the outdoor patio, features wagon wheel chandeliers hanging from high ceilings indoors as large, whimsical metal frogs greet you, playing various musical instruments scattered about the premises, and colorful tile work can be found on a fountain in the midst of the dining room, as well as in the bathrooms.

So for a Cinco celebration, or a spicy, filling, affordable meal anytime, a quick lunch, or an entertaining evening out with friends, try Nacho’s Mexican Restaurant, located in front of the WalMart on Rutherford Boulevard, near the MTSU campus.

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1 “She” 24 x 30 acrylic by Mai Harris 2 “All That Matters in the End” 24 x 24 acrylic by Mai Harris 3 “Relatively Sexy

ART

Beast” 20 x 20 acrylic & ink by Dawna Kinne Magliacano 4 “Georgia on My Mind” 8 x 10 mixed media by Jeff Bertrand, just a few examples of locally-produced art.

The Murfreesboro Art Collection Challenge

BY MAI HARRIS “WHY SHOULD PEOPLE CARE ABOUT VISUAL ART?” I will never forget the first time I was asked the question.

The answer has been so ingrained into me for as long as I can remember that any response I can offer is much like visual art itself: powerful and convincing, but without words. The good news is Murfreesboro is finally offering a great deal of culture for those of us residing here permanently, but we’re not done yet. We still have a long way to go to be everything we could be, yet over the years I have developed more practical strategies for engaging the general public in the art community.

Hopefully, those who don’t yet understand can one day grow to love and respect art.

Years ago I had a dream that it could one day be trendy to own an art collection. And I don’t mean in our larger, more artistically inclined cities, I mean right here. In Murfreesboro. In mid-sized towns all across America.

What if everyone started collecting art? If everyone understood the importance of having their own personal art collection, it would have an immense impact on our local art community. We have over 100,000 residents in Murfreesboro, and I am positive every single one of us has spent money on music or movies in the past month. If every single one of those people also bought a print for $15 from a local artist that would be a $1.5 million investment in our local art community, invested not in cross-country producers and overseas manufacturers, but in our own neighborhoods!

You have a responsibility to back up the statement “I love art.” I hear it constantly, people go on and on about how much they love art, how they wish they could paint or draw, etc. It’s not that we don’t appreciate the admiration others have for what we do; it’s just that little is done by most people to back that statement up. You can talk all day long about how much you love art, but until you are actually actively attending local art functions and buying from artists, I don’t believe you.

It is imperative to invest in our local art community for the survival of art as a whole.

There are tons of other cities across our country that are keeping the “starving artist” stereotype alive. But if we can figure out a way to turn it around, they can too. That would be an amazing feat for America. But on a smaller scale, if you would like for visual art to be 24 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

something that is available to the next generations, you personally have to take action to ensure that it happens. A great thing about buying art and having it around your home is that your children grow up to do the same. If art becomes a demand in our city, organizations on all levels will recognize that it is something to invest in. Our art education programs, both in and outside of the public school system, will flourish. Businesses will respond to the demand and be sure to make art available to their customers. Not only can they produce more work, but they can also spend more time mentally dedicating themselves to developing better techniques and concepts.

We artists spend hours upon hours slaving away at something, and if we are lucky to even find a public spot to hang it once we’re through we get a pat on the back from someone saying, “I love art.” That’s it. And then you start all over again. Actually selling a piece just doesn’t happen often enough to make it worth it for most people. And I’m not saying any of us do it for the money, because we are certainly in the wrong part of the country if that’s our game, but creating art isn’t exactly a five-minute job. It is time consuming, materials are expensive, and the plain and simple fact is if you want us to continue doing what we do, you have to pay us.

Learn what you like. Just as there are different genres of music, there are different genres of art, and every person can find a genre that speaks to them. Google “art” and take a journey down the Internet rabbit hole. Look up as many artists as you can, living or dead, local or not. What you’re trying to connect with is that physical reaction you have to art. Visit an art museum and take the same approach; think about what you like and what you don’t like.

Also take advantage of what a painting in front of you can offer that a digital or printed image usually cannot. Get as close to a painting as the museum guards will allow, and really visually dive into each individual brush stroke and the subtleties of color changes. Fall in love with it. A painting up close is not the same as a painting at a normal viewing distance. Another reason to collect is that when you own art, you can get as close to it as you want. You can even touch it.

Once you have developed a sense of what your personal taste in art is, it’s time to find that locally. This can be more challenging, but that’s what makes local art collecting such an

engaging and interesting hobby. We have a plethora of artists, but there is not one spot you can go to and connect with all of them at once. However, you can do some digging and open up a whole new world. First of all, there are Two-Tone Art Gallery and Lime Tiger here in town. Those are excellent places to start viewing local art. Liquid Smoke also exhibits a small collection of work that is still rotated out occasionally. Local restaurant 3 Brothers has a permanent collection of local art on display, and they also occasionally have one-night art shows that accompany their music shows.

You can also visit local coffee shops. JoZoara’s, for example, showcases art. As you visit these places, write down the names of artists you like and find them on Facebook or e-mail them.

I recognize we’re all broke. I get that. Please consider this, how much money do you spend on movies, going to the theater, or Netflix?

How much do you spend on concert tickets?

CDs? Records? Most people are spending some money on other forms of art. Consider spreading the love and localizing your entertainment funds a little.

So, on very limited funds, how do you build an art collection? For one thing, most artists sell prints. Prints are such an awesome way for anyone on any budget to build an art collection. I sell my prints for $15 apiece.

Artists are also happy to take commissions, which are great when you like the artist’s style, CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Just a few of the local places to view and purchase work from local artists: THE ART BARN 8190 Hwy. 99, Rockvale (615) 722-1026 artfulmusing.com CENTER FOR THE ARTS 110 W. College St., Murfreesboro (615) 904-2787 boroarts.org CITY HALL ROTUNDA 111 W. Vine St., Murfreesboro, TN cityhallart@gmail.com EARTHSOUL GALLERY 307 Hazelwood Dr., Smyrna (615) 462-6051 earthsoul.co LIME TIGER STUDIO 619 N. Maple St., Murfreesboro (561) 685-3808 facebook.com/limetigerstudio TODD ART GALLERY MTSU 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro (615) 898-5653 gallery@mtsu.edu TWO TONE ART GALLERY 113 W. Lytle St., Murfreesboro (615) 971-9270 twotoneartgallery.com

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‘To Be, or Not to Be’ Wasteful? MTSU Art Students Answer in Library THE ARTWORK GRACING THE FIRST FLOOR ATRIUM of MTSU’s James E. Walker Library at the end of the spring semester will have a Shakespearean theme.

Two handheld skulls evoking a scene from Act V, Scene I of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet will greet library patrons. The skulls will be flanked by speech bubbles containing the admonition, “Thou doth print too much,” as a reminder to patrons to be conservative in their printing practices.

“Last fall, there were over four and a half million sheets of paper printed in the library,” said Erin Anfinson, an assistant professor of art whose drawing class created the artwork. “I think it’s quite shocking for the students to hear the number and then to actually go through a bin of paper. We probably didn’t even use an entire bin of paper on this.”

Student Shelby Rehberger, a fifth-year senior from McMinnville, Tenn., is the originator of the idea, and every student in the class contributed to its construction.

“Art should be conscious of its surroundings,” Rehberger said. “That’s why it’s good that this is in the library world, because the library is a collection of papers.”

The exhibit also will include blank speech bubbles in which library patrons may use markers to write their comments on the exhibit. In addition, Anfinson’s students will place posters full of print-saving tips in library printing cubicles.

For more information, contact Anfinson at (615) 904-8412 or erin.anfinson@mtsu. edu, or Kristen Keene at (615) 898-5376 or kristen.keene@mtsu.edu.

From left, Seth Tipps, a junior from Tullahoma, Tenn.; Shelby Rehberger, a fifth-year senior from McMinnville, Tenn., and Erin Anfinson, MTSU art professor.

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but they don’t quite have the thing you are dreaming of owning. The great thing about commissions is you can get an estimate on how much they cost before you commit.

Consider times you have to spend money even when you don’t want to, such as buying gifts for family and friends, birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, graduation gifts, anniversary gifts, Christmas, etc. Every time you need to make one of those purchases, consider art. Instead of going to WalMart and spending $20 to $50 just so you have something to wrap up and give them, visit some of these local shops like Lime Tiger or Earthsoul in Smyrna, and buy something unique for the same price.

Studio tours are a good way to possibly catch a great deal on art—especially if you can make it into some of the studio spaces at local colleges.

In an artist’s studio, you are likely to find a stack of old paintings they don’t even like anymore and are more than happy to sell off cheap.

When shopping for artwork, don’t just think in terms of what would look good hanging above your couch. If you see an artist who you

think has potential to become an influence one day, even if it’s not your style, buy what you can. Remember, Van Gogh hardly ever sold work his entire life. In fact, he frequently sold things off cheap to make rent, just like artists today. Some very lucky people bought that work from Van Gogh, sometimes just to do him a favor, and someone down the road made a good chunk of change off of that favor. It all comes down to this: buy art. Buy local art.

I hope I have given you a few ideas for getting an art collection going, no matter what your budget is. I hope as you are contemplating purchases of clothing or a new cellphone or concert tickets, you will now take a second look at your plans and consider working buying some art into that equation as well. The biggest thing of all to remember is that if you believe art is important, your actions should show just how important it is to you. We have to stop treating art as a frivolous luxury and respect how long art has withstood the test of time and survived as an indispensable cornerstone of our culture and history. I challenge you, Murfreesboro. Show me how much you love art.

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* MAY 2014 * 27

LIVING ROOM CINEMA

REVIEWS MOVIE

column by NORBERT THIEMANN

facebook.com/livingroomcinema

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

the-Internet-age Captain America in the attack, forcing him to go rogue and get to the bottom of Hydra’s evil plot. What follows is a delightful little political espionage thriller set in the Marvel-verse, differently toned, yet perfectly fitted next to the super-hero romp of The Avengers, or the fantastical space mythology of Thor.

Between excellently orchestrat-

ed and exciting action sequences, Mr. Rogers enlists the aid of a fellow serviceman with access to some nifty backpack tech, Sam Wilson (Mackie), and the Black Widow herself, Natasha Romanoff (Johansson in her biggest Marvel role yet). To add to the Double O similarities, the film gets its subtitle from the metal-armed henchman foil to Steve Rogers’ shield-toting Captain: The Winter Soldier, a super-assassin of shadowy legend who seems to appear at all the wrong times.

What pushes CA: TWS beyond solid action-flick status may lie within the credentials of its dual directors, brothers Anthony and Joe Russo, whose previous work on both Arrested Development and Community could hint at the success of the effortlessly witty banter between the Captain and his cohorts. Pepper in some tasteful political commentary, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier stands as the embodiment of Marvel Studios’ hard-earned recipe for being great at being really good.

— JAY SPIGHT

the game has unbelievable value.

Knowing where the enemy is, and is going, is paramount to achieving a successful outcome. Teamwork is the name of the game.

Some will carry the game, while others support. A well balanced, well coordinated team will almost always triumph. Many of my losses have come precisely because there was no coordination or emphasis on tactical aware-

ness. Cowboys, this game is not for. You either work together or lose together.

The one flaw in this, though, is the very nature of DOTA 2 itself.

It needs a team of actual people who can coordinate together.

Folks, that is rare enough in real life. So much of the time is spent waiting until the game can find enough players, then you have to hope that no one drops or abandons. Finally, the learning curve is daunting to say the least. I have played over 200 games so far and have just now gotten my feet on the ground.

DOTA 2 offers a lot. It is a game that makes you think. It is a game that tests your patience. It allows you to either shine or falter as a team player. It may be a time vampire, but certainly, players can expect to eventually bite back.

— NADER HOBBALLAH

5

Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo

Rated PG-13

Marvel Studios is on a roll. Like the latest renditions of the 007 and Batman franchises, films within the Marvel universe seem to strike a perfect balance in tone that allows for those iterations to be near perfect versions of themselves. Captain America: The Winter Soldier upholds the standard.

I come to the latest Captain America as a novice nerd, more accustomed to Marvel from toys and cartoons than comics, and even then not so much; thus much of the Easter-egg fan service may have eluded me, but as a stand-alone film within the everexpanding Marvel film family tree, The Winter Soldier is as much, if not more, fun than its comic book-based brethren. The earlier

reference to James Bond is fitting, as The Winter Soldier plays like an American version of a recurring Fleming plot, with SHIELD filling in for MI6, and Steve Rogers’ Cap’m (Chris Evans) as Bond.

After a near fatal attack on M, er, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), a re-emerged Hydra (see SPECTRE) has infiltrated SHIELD, implicating the recently thawed, new-to-

GAME DOTA 2 4

5

I hate this game! It is a time vampire of frustrating proportions.

My anger level shoots through the roof and I find myself yelling at the screen half the time . . . and yet, I cannot stop playing it. Indeed, DOTA 2 is one of the most competitive, wild and just downright fun experiences you can have in gaming today.

DOTA 2 (Short for Defense of the Ancients) is a competitive, free-to-play multiplayer team game. In 5v5 matches, you compete with other players for fun, for rank and, for a select group, world championships with prizes.

The goal is to break through your enemy’s defenses and destroy RATINGS:

their Ancient at the center of their base. Picking from a selection of heroes, you buy items, harvest gold, and obliterate the opposing team’s heroes and towers.

There is so much to like about DOTA 2. With so many heroes to choose from and items to mix and match, as well as various modes that even allow you to pick random abilities, creating hilariously overpowered builds, A CLASSIC

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OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE

BELOW AVERAGE

Inherently Evil Kids?

C

onsider the question while taking in these two different approaches of storytelling about some overtly mischievous children.

L’Enfance Nue (1967) is the French title, which translates to Naked Childhood in English. It is written and directed by Maurice Pialat, and is his first feature film. Francois is a boy who has has seemingly seen his share of foster homes. He goes from one home to another with the aid of his social workers. We are privy to his behavior without extraneous interference. Pialat masterfully chooses a matter-of-fact style, and leaves some gaps, but without a void. L’Enfance Nue keeps the viewer engaged with characters found as they are.

It is a truly unique viewing experience.

The Bad Seed (1956) is directed by Mervyn LeRoy. Contemplated herein is whether evil can be an inherited trait, as an ill-tempered young girl is thought to have committed some horrific deeds.

Based on a dramatic stage play, The Bad Seed film translates into an American classic chiller. It is beloved by many cult film enthusiasts, and has been asserted as an early inspiration for John Waters.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD

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* MAY 2014 * 29

MOVIES Directed by Sean Penn Rating: 5

The 2014 Nashville Film Festival was held last month at the Regal Green Hills Stadium 16.

Here’s a look at some of the films screened at this year’s festival.

by JUSTIN STOKES

HAPPY VALLEY

Narrated and executive produced

by Sean Penn, The Human Experiment is what happens when that tiny little voice in the back of your head becomes so frustrated by your obliviousness that it one day decides to start shouting into your ear. It’s no industry secret that unnatural chemicals have the potential to wreak havoc on the human body, but since American consumers always assume that there are strict standards Big Chemical must play by, we’ve always felt a false sense of security. Demolishing that illusion of safety entirely, The Human Experiment takes what should be healthy adults and explains why they suffer from cancer, infertility and too many other problems to name. It’s a playby-play of the actions taken by large companies that are knowingly poisoning consumers while manipulating politicians, and how a small few are choosing to fight back.

This is an exceptional film that breaks down the dangers of the chemical industry to its most basic elements: greed, fear and ignorance. Many people will see Penn’s involvement as a sign that the movie has some sort of slant, but it really doesn’t. The information presented in the narrative is, for the most part, fairly approachable from all sides, which as the film points out is eerily similar to the actions of major tobacco companies.

I loved this documentary, and I think viewers will have a tough time finding another film that applies itself so universally that it affects everyone. It really has a lot to offer.

FORTY YEARS FROM YESTERDAY

Starring Jerry Sandusky Directed by Amir Bar-lev — Rating: 4 From My Kid Could Paint That director Amir Bar-Lev comes a tough documentary that’s both candid and dividing—Happy Valley. The story of Penn State University’s 2011 scandal is a disconnected memory for many, as the 24-hour-news networks came to us in broken waves on the shores of perceptions. After memories of the monstrous activities of Jerry Sandusky started to come to light, the area known as “Happy Valley,” whose pride is cached in the innumerable victories of the Penn State football team, watched in horror as local patron saint Joe Paterno was discovered to have been knowledgeable about Sandusky’s activities. But does knowing of a crime make someone just as guilty as the perpetrator? Or did Paterno act to the best of his abilities to address a very complicated issue?

There are many layers to this movie. It’s first a troubling moralist tale about the dangers of fanaticism and putting fallible people on a pedestal. But, deeper than that, it’s also productive for showing many people the problem with emotions in argument, and how heated sentiment can only add further damage to what should be a civil discussion. Both supporters and critics of Paterno are guilty of their own crime, which is not respecting the points of other people. It is because of this that the hearts and minds of Happy Valley will never be able to revisit the unity of past pride, but will forever be longing for those happy days.

It’s a great marriage of viewpoints that serves an objective goal while preserving the perspectives and feelings of those affected in the Sandusky scandal. It’s essential viewing for anyone who wishes to understand issues as complex as sociology or faith, especially tested by troubling times.

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Starring Bruce Graham, Suzette Graham, Robert Eddington, Wyatt Eddington Directed by Robert Machoian And Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck – Rating: 3.5 Dealing with our own mortality is perhaps the biggest struggle human beings face. It’s a neverending quest to preserve precious minutes, only to eventually hear the call that steals us away into the unknown. The only thing more trying than losing your own life is losing the life of someone you love. So how does a grieving husband live in the shadow of his wife’s passing?

Let me say that the gritty look of Forty Years From Yesterday, combined with the closedoff feelings the sets provide, amplifies the bleak effect the film creates. I also applaud the film for running headfirst into such a heavy topic.

But the ripples leave too quickly for us to appreciate the stones being thrown in the pond. We get to where we’re going too quickly to truly be affected by the impact of this woman’s death. Obviously, she was someone’s mother and wife, but let us love her, too. Let us feel what made her such a spectacular person. Was she a giver? A teacher? Was she there to listen and console, to offer wisdom to help you overcome?

Still, this is another commendable effort for the Volunteer State’s filmmaking community.

Culture is alive and well in Memphis.

Directed by Rex Jones Rating: 5 What makes a great artist? Pain?

Loss? Love? Hope? Sadness? Or the resilience to celebrate life in the face of death? This is the defining question for music documentaries, but few stories have answers that match the magnitude of such inquiries.

Enter Beautiful Jim, from the Southern Documentary Project and Rex Jones—a film that tells the inspirational history of Jimbeau Hinson, the Grammy-nominated musician who was country music’s first openly bisexual singer/songwriter. Jimbeau’s struggle with identity, depression, love, and HIV-related health complications shows not the falling of a star, but the re-rising of one of the country’s most colorful characters.

Jim’s amicability and laugh make you fall in love with his story.

Jones does something amazing, yet simple, with the film: He sits a camera down in front of an interesting subject and pulls some of the best yarns one could hope to spin. Hinson’s love—not just for his ultra-supportive wife but for humanity as a whole—is palpable and sincere with every joke and gesture, despite the ignorance and bigotry that clouded the earlier days of music. The film is an endearing emotional prism that redefines country music by offering deeper context to the man behind the lyrics. Recommended for any viewer that needs to be uplifted.

I didn’t cry during this screening; I just had something in both eyes.

BEAUTIFUL JIM

Starring Chris Nelson, Luke Beavers, Abi Van Andel, Jin Park, John Lina Directed by Joshua Overbay – Rating: 3.5 On his deathbed, the head of a religious cult makes one of the newcomers into the family the head of the organization. The new leader starts to change the way the church family operates, angering the dying man’s son and causing dissent and grief among the cult members. Will his predictions of the end times come to pass? Or is he just another charlatan manipulating true believers?

Out of fear of spoiling the movie, I really don’t want to give any other details to the plot. This is a minimalist motion picture that employs high-caliber production values and acting to effectuate a naturalistic story.

You’re really not going to appreciate this film until an hour or so after the viewing, when you pause and reflect on the ideas being conveyed. The story gives you just enough to connect the dots and fill in the picture for yourself.

The item to appreciate most about As It Is in Heaven is that it captures a piece of the South without being disrespectful, inauthentic or dependent on cliches. Polished and ponderous, these are the kinds of films the Southeast should be producing.

Starring John Curran, Rhoda Griffs, Adam Fristoe, Jack McGee Directed by Mike Brune – Rating: 1.5 After a family mysteriously loses one of their sons, a unit of detectives takes residence with the family in their expansive search to find the missing child.

This film takes an obvious cue from Airplane! Despite this and the occasional chuckle-worthy gag, there’s really not much to this film. It is this critic’s opinion that the tone and content of the film do not match whatsoever. Making a successful film about losing a child must obviously be executed in a fashion that acknowledges the heartbreak of such a loss. But comedy only requires respect to be paid internally, and not in the actual punchline. Had the motion picture been painted in a pitchblack hue—instead of a timidity that becomes redundant, then the audience’s efforts would have been reciprocated.

The lead, John Curran, is fully capable of plunging the script into a moral abyss, but he really isn’t given much to work with here.

Congratulations! is pretty underwhelming.

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* MAY 2014 * 31

SPORTS RACE TO THE TOP: RACISTS, BANANAS, SPORTS AND SOCIETY

T

he Train Daddy is once again rolling

by Donald Sterling were offensive and handsout the station and ready to hit you in down inappropriate and racist, one man’s the mouth with sports knowledge in ignorant comments don’t define a country. a sexy kind of way. So come aboard Here is a current story involving and take a ride on a Train that has racism in another country: in an been giving you sports knowledge all-too-common expression of for a solid seven years. racism in Europe’s soccer leagues, Barcelona and Brazil fullback Last issue we broke down the Tennessee Titans and the Dani Alves responded to an upcoming season, so we’ll keep opposing team’s fan throwthat at bay this issue, even ing a banana at him while though I could talk Titans talk attempting a corner kick this all day; can’t wait for kickoff! month. Dani coolly peeled the Typically when deciding what banana took a bite, threw it column by Z-TRAIN I am going to discuss for an down and kicked the ball. He titanman1984@ yahoo.com issue, I attempt to stay away stated “You have to take this from what’s being beat to death backwardness with humor.” over and over on ESPN. But with the recent leaked Europe’s soccer league has had many past issues audio of Donald Sterling making racist comments, with opposing teams chanting monkey noises at it is an intriguing subject to discuss: racism in the players, and throwing bananas. The league has sports world. Racism can be a touchy subject, yet a fined certain clubs, but the incidents don’t show more simple conversation than discussing politics any sign of stopping. Later a teammate posted or religion when in a group setting. a photo on Instagram of himself and his son It’s stories like this that captivates the media both holding bananas with the hash tag reading and a country full of opinionated people, stories #weareallmonkeys. This started a hash tag frenzy like the supposed racist Redskins name. You of support for Dani Alves with celebrity soccer have a franchise that has deep history and roots, players also taking pictures with peeled bananas. and decades of loyal fans. This country can be I respect Dani Alves and the way he handled this. ridiculous at times and people get butt sore way Pretty much, he stated some people won’t change, too easy. Pretty soon the Dolphins in the ocean will why get up in arms about it? He makes humor out begin to shout racism, then the Falcons, Eagles of what some would make violence out of. and Seahawks will group together in the skies So what did the owner of the LA Clippers say? and riot. We don’t live in a perfect country, but we The audio released of a conversation involving the do live in a country that it is possible for anyone 80-year-old owner and his gold-digger girlfriend to be successful. The problem with America is fat has generated a frenzy of conversation. Donald, laziness, people who want to be given stuff rather arguing with his girlfriend, told her not to bring than work for it, no matter what color you happen her black friends to the games, and then he stated to be. Until this country gets back to people realizhe feeds and clothes his black players when no one ing hard work will reward you, certain people will else would. Then there was talk of black Jews being always cry racism. Granted, the comments made treated like dogs in Israel, and that the black Jews

SPORTS TALK

32 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

Dani Alves

were inferior to the white Jews. To me, it sounds like an old man having a ridiculous conversation even if he believes that or not. I have read reports that he recorded hundreds of past conversations because he had a problem with remembering what he said. Sounds like a case of being old and, yes, racist. So, the NBA decided his penalty. The new commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver, has banned Donald for life from the Clippers organization and fined him the maximum amount of $2.5 million. Yikes! He also stated he would urge the board of governors to force Donald to sell the team.

I am sure more will come out of this story as the weeks go by, but for now I’m working with the knowledge I have. The man was in what he thought to be a private conversation, and this audio unwillingly was released. Many people despise this man and agree with the ruling and some will cry for the First Amendment and freedom of speech.

The First Amendment doesn’t really apply here; being an employee of the NBA as an owner, they do have the right to do this. If I was the commissioner I wouldn’t have punished Donald this way, I would have agreed he said some awful racist things, but I would have let his punishment play itself out. The future would have been tough for Donald, losing sponsors, no respect from players or coaches and the media bashing would have eventually taking it’s toll on the 80-year-old owner. I get that the NBA has to protect its product, and the NBA is bigger than one team or owner, but there is something that feels wrong to me about the commissioner’s ruling. I see an old racist man who went on a rant in private, it was leaked, and now he is being forced to sell what is his, because people disagree with his racist remarks. The new commissioner hit hard on the league’s longest tenured owner. Originally, Donald bought the team in 1981 for $12 million.

If he is forced to sell he will make quite a profit; according to Forbes the team is valued at $575 million. The commissioner stated he will personally lobby the league board to force the sell, and a threequarter vote by the other 29 owners is needed to push the commissioner’s penalty through.

So watch what you say people, everything goes public these days.

We are a long way away from the days of Jackie Robinson and the beautiful story that

surrounds him; we have come along way. But in my opinion, since the beginning of time there have been and always will be people that who hate anything that is different than what they are accustomed to. I personally ignore any hate thrown my way, and people with strong souls do the same, it’s the weak people crying about every story that arises, my personal opinion though.

Here are some past moments in sports history that caused a racist stir. In 2003 the late defensive star Junior Seau was asked how he planned on stopping star running back LaDainian Tomlinson in an upcoming Monday Night Football match. Junior replied the only way to stop him is to feed him fried chicken and watermelon.

The comment caused a stir, and later Junior and Tomlinson stated they were great friends and that’s how the joked with each other, even though many other people were not amused.

In December of 2012 ESPN commentator Rob Parker took shots at RGIII after the star AfricanAmerican quarterback stated he didn’t want to be defined personally or professionally by his race.

Parker, being African-American as well, didn’t like the comments stating RGIII is not down with the cause. The most infamous moment came when he called the quarterback a cornball brother, defined as an African-American who chooses not to follow racial stereotypes. Parker listed Griffin’s conservative views and marriage to a white women as evidence. Parker, being a moron, was ultimately fired by ESPN, and good riddance. Griffin, being a smart man, knows race should play no part in what kind of man he is defined as.

Another example of race in sports takes place in 1997, when Tiger Woods was fresh onto the golf scene. After winning the masters in a surprising victory, fellow golfer Fuzzy Zoeller made some controversial comments to the media. In a long tradition, the winner of the Masters gets to choose next year’s championship dinner and Fuzzy had some input. He told the media to tell Woods “Congrats and enjoy it and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. Got it, or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.” Fuzzy lost most of his sponsorship after that and later apologized.

People have different backgrounds, different perspectives, different upbringing and stories.

Hatred towards an individual because of race is awful and there is no place for it anywhere, but we as a country need to stop being so sore at every comment some ignorant person makes. There will always be racists out there coming from all races, and like RGIII said, he doesn’t want to be defined by his race, he wants to be defined by the man he is. I couldn’t agree more. Hopefully other people will realize this and people will stop worrying about other people and focus on making their own, their family’s and there friends’ lives a better place, rather than worrying about what a select few bigots have to say.

Out the station. Choo choo!

MTSU SPORTS QUICK-CAP MTSU tennis coach Shelley Godwin will lead a mission trip to the Dominican Republic this month.

Trent Miller leads the Blue Raiders in hits, RBI and batting average

MTSU MAY SCHEDULE BASEBALL May 2 UTSA, 6 p.m.

May 3 UTSA, 4 p.m.

May 4 UTSA, 12 p.m.

May 9 @ FIU, 5 p.m.

May 10 @ FIU, 3 p.m.

May 11 @ FIU, 12 p.m.

May 13 @ Belmont, 5 p.m.

May 15 Marshall, 6 p.m.

May 16 Marshall, 6 p.m.

May 17 Marshall, 1 p.m.

May 21–25 Conference USA Championship, Hattiesburg, Miss.

CHRISTIAN ATHLETES EMBARK ON A MISSION 12 MTSU studentathletes participate in mission trip to Santo Domingo.

A

group of 12 female Middle Tennessee student-athletes will embark this month on a mission trip to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Spearheaded by head women’s tennis coach Shelley Godwin, the student-athlete group participates in a weekly bible study through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The mission trip begins on Saturday, May 24 and concludes on Sunday, May 30.

“At the end of last semester we were discussing different ways to serve our community as a group,” Godwin said.

“During this discussion, I mentioned to the girls that I would be traveling to the Dominican Republic this summer and the idea for the group to travel there together really took off.”

The group will visit local villages and orphanages, particularly young children and women. Food and supplies will be

SOFTBALL May 1 @ Belmont, 3:30, 5:30 p.m.

May 3 Florida Atlantic, 1 & 3 p.m.

May 4 Florida Atlantic, 12 p.m.

May 8–10 Conference USA Tournament, Boca Raton, Fla.

distributed, along with teaching children about sports and healthy lifestyles.

“We are excited about the opportunity to minister to the people of the Dominican Republic and see how they will impact our lives in return,” said Godwin. “I also look forward to seeing how the girls will bring back what they learn and impact our campus.”

Godwin’s group is in need of clothing, food and supplies to give to those in need, as well as monetary donations to defray the costs of travel. Anyone interested in donating can contact her directly at (615) 898-5154 or via e-mail at shelley.godwin@mtsu.edu. The mission trip is headed by Score International.

Athletes traveling to Santo Domingo, D.R., include: Shelby Anderton – Volleyball Kelsey Brouwer – Soccer Nina Dever – Softball Laura Dukes – Softball Autumn Gipson – Track & Field Emily Jorgenson – Soccer Madison Ledet – Soccer Bridget Keller – Volleyball Taylor Kirk – Soccer Carla Nava – Women’s Tennis Eseta Maka – Volleyball Kailey Ann McDougal – Softball

For more on MTSU athletics, visit goblueraiders.com.

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* MAY 2014 * 33

OPINIONS The Fate of the Ukrainians

BY DR. NADEEM NAQVI WITH 30% OF EUROPE’S ENERGY NEEDS and 38% of Germany’s met by Russia

today, there is substantial economic, and thus political cost that Russia can inflict on the region. Further, six countries in Europe depend on Russia for 100% of their energy needs.

Germany also has in excess of $400 billion invested in Russia, including, though not limited to, Volkswagen and BMW operations there. In the face of such an economic reality, what kind of sanctions can Europe impose of Russia?

Moreover, the U.S. has no economic relationship with Russia to speak of. And the disruption of relations between the U.S. and Russia can only be to the political benefit of China, which is the part of Asia to which President Obama is seeking to pivot military influence.

As for Ukraine, in addition to $2.2 billion that it already owes to Gazprom Russia, commodities such as chocolate, cookies, and now six kinds of Ukrainian agricultural exports have

34 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

been banned by Russia. The kind of economic cost that Russia can, and perhaps will, inflict on Ukraine will lead to mind-boggling social unrest. Note should also be taken of the fact that while Russia had offered $15 billion in aid to Ukraine, of which $3 billion was delivered, President Obama begged Congress for loan guarantees—not hard aid, only loans—in the amount of one billion dollars. Only one!

As Ukraine recently decided to realign itself away from Russia, and towards the EU, a natural consequence would have been the subsequent NATO expansion to Ukraine, which is actually in the backyard of Russia. Any further eastward expansion of NATO is seen by Russia, reasonably enough, as a serious military hazard, especially in light of the U.S. threat to install missiles and missile-guidance systems in Poland and the Czech Republic.

To avert this threat, Russia had to take some action that would convey to NATO an unambiguous message that its entry into Ukraine would not be tolerated. Thus, a new regional equilib-

Crimea

rium could well be characterized by Ukraine’s eventual entry into the EU, but it would have to come with a guarantee that NATO would stay away from the Russian backyard.

In the context of international law, Richard Falk, Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton University, writes in the April 6 issue of Al Jazeera: A . . . precedent is the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003, after the UN Security Council rejected involvement. Here was an instance of blatant aggression on false, trumped-up premises; an intrusive, regime-changing occupation; and the deliberate manipulation of religious and ethnic tensions by the occupying power to create the kind of Iraq that it wanted to emerge.

He further goes on to say: When done by Russia, such behavior is criticized as disruptive. But when done by the U.S., the use of force is benignly described as “the aggressive pursuit of American values” . . . international law is invoked as a matter of diplomatic convenience whenever it seems to support one’s foreign policy. The U.S. is adept at mounting such arguments. The real test of adherence to international law, however, is the behavior of a leading government when international law poses an obstacle to a preferred course of action. To insist that one’s adversaries adhere to international law, while claiming discretion to act on one’s own interests, is a hegemonic form of world order that accepts the inequality of states as a given.

It is also noteworthy that there are exactly two countries that President Putin thanked for their support in his successful attempt at reunification of Crimea with Russia: China and India. And, it is remarkable that Russia is part of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) trans-continental alliance, which is not only home to 42% of the world population, but whose GDP is now greater than the GDP of the EU, let alone that of the U.S. The pockets of the BRICS are so deep that this month the alliance is proceeding to set up its own monetary fund, which would render the IMF considerably marginalized, because the U.S. has failed to grant greater voting powers to the BRICS in the IMF. This event follows the founding of the BRICS’ own development bank to supplement the activities of the World Bank.

In fact, when the international economic landscape undergoes substantial change, and the geopolitical institutions fail to keep pace with the new economic reality, these old institutions become relegated to the sidelines. This

“When done by Russia, such behavior is criticized as disruptive. But when done by the U.S., the use of force is benignly described as “the aggressive pursuit of American values.”

—RICHARD FAULK is a natural consequence of what Karl Marx in 1859, in A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy, referred to as the change in the politiEconomy cal superstructure consequent upon a change in the economic base of any social formation.

President Putin actually made reference to this phenomenon in Munich in 2007 in terms of shift in the “centers of economic growth” that will be transformed into sources of political influence in a new, multipolar world (which had become unipolar with the demise of the USSR).

Thus, with the current austerity drives in the U.S. and the EU, leaving little room for providing economic support to Ukraine, and with war chests of foreign exchange reserves in the hands of the BRICS, there is little doubt that Ukraine will not get any lifeline of the $14-18 billion from the IMF, without undertaking gutwrenching economic, especially fiscal reforms, in the coming years. Such austerity reforms will necessarily cause widespread human suffering in Ukraine. And social unrest is, unfortunately, the consequence of pervasive suffering.

Ukraine never really recovered from the financial crisis of 2008. Rampant corruption in the country, including that by the recently deposed president, added to the misery. The last thing Ukrainians need is to suffer from an additional prolonged period of deprivation.

The moral imperative for the world is not to quibble about whether there was annexation; Crimea is now part of Russia, and will remain so. Nor is it helpful to assign blame to this country or that. Instead, the moral imperative for the leaders of the world is to formulate and implement plans that would prevent lives being left threadbare for vast numbers of people of Ukraine. Anything else would be reprehensible as it serves to divert attention away from the excruciating suffering that lies in store for over 45 million additional men, women and children.

Dr. Naqvi is a former Professor of Economics at MTSU, and currently Professor of Economics at KIMEP University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Vue From the Pew

BY VUE KIRCHENSYUHL

I

Experience Community Church

attended The Experience Community Church at 11 a.m. on March 2, 2014. I had been invited by Pastor Corey Trimble after I had met him at JoZoara Coffee Shop about two weeks prior to my visit after asking him what he was reading from the Bible.

Soon after that I got another invite from a member who I also met at JoZ’s.

I arrived at the service 15 minutes early. Unfortunately, I walked from my car to my seat without anyone greeting me. Even the woman handing out bulletins was talking to someone else.

Sometimes I can disappear in a large crowd, but this seemed strange considering how open and excited those who invited me had been. I’d guess that my experience is not typical. But the outreach of Corey and the other church member outweigh this apparent lapse.

The service opened up with contemporary praise and worship led by a four-piece band and four singers. We were reminded of Life Groups, mission trips to Columbia and El Salvador and the ministry to the homeless and the bar ministry. Obviously ministry to the community as a whole is important here at The Experience, not just a one-houra-week commitment.

Because it was baptism Sunday, two large tubs sat on either side of the stage. And Pastor Trimble gave a sermon on the necessity for a believer to be baptized.

“According to the Word, if one repents and is baptized, the Holy Spirit will come,” he said. See Acts 2:38-41.

After the message those who wanted communion helped themselves to the elements as those who wanted to be baptized waited for their turn.

After each baptism the congregation cheered.

Their mission statement states “Authentic Worship. Authentic Community. Authentic Community Service.” I believe that The Experience is living up to its mission so that you too can find worship, community and community service there.

The Experience Community Church 521 Old Salem Highway, Murfreesboro experiencecc.com Message: Three pews Friendliness: Two Pews Worship music: Four Pews Overall Score: Three Pews BOROPULSE.COM

* MAY 2014 * 35

La PALABRA

OPINIONS America’s Stonehenge

Una columna del idioma español por

CAMERON PARRISH

★

Stonehenge de América

IN ENGLISH: I’m writing to you from Wiseman’s View near Linville, N.C., deep in the Pisgah National Forest, where I’m waiting for sundown in hopes of catching a glimpse of the mysterious Brown Mountain lights. It’s the perfect place to reflect on another recent journey I took to a place that harbors many ancient and peculiar secrets.

Near the small town of Salem, N.H., there exists one of the most enigmatic sites in New England, the origin and true purpose of which may never be known for sure. While traveling in the Boston area last month, I couldn’t resist making the short 40-mile trip north to see it for myself. It’s called America’s Stonehenge and has been featured on such shows as America Unearthed and In Search Of. Known previously as Mystery Hill, America’s Stonehenge is a large complex composed of buried chambers made from quarried stone, enclosures and standing stones placed at some very deliberate locations around the complex. The site has continually perplexed researchers and has been the source of much controversy and speculation.

Carbon 14 dating, from features including a man-made fire pit, indicates human habitation nearly 4,000 years ago.

While this does not provide a construction date for the entire complex, it does show that there was human activity from a very early time in history. But possibly the most intriguing characteristics of America’s Stonehenge are those from which it derives its name. Are you ready? The various megaliths existing around the site are aligned with astrological events such as the Summer Solstice Sunrise and Spring and Fall equinox sunrises as they would have occurred around 1,500 BC, thus proving it was not the first Dunkin’ Donuts.

Other inexplicable features are present at the site. At the center of the complex, just above the dank underground room known as the Oracle Chamber, there is a stone table. It features a groove carved into the surface, presumably to allow a liquid to drain from the surface of the slab and into a receptacle. Was this used as a sacrificial table as the name of the feature suggests? Standing beside this altar deep in the woods, my own dark imagination was set in motion as I imagined blasphemous rites of unspeakable terror being performed at this isolated monument. But I’m not alone in my thinking. This very location was the setting which inspired The Dunwich Horror, a story written by H.P. Lovecraft in the 1920s.

Even more curious is the function of the Oracle Chamber itself, which seems by design to allow sound to travel up a shaft from the underground room and project loudly into the area of the Sacrificial Table.

There is much speculation as to the origin of the complex.

Some insist that Native Americans are responsible. Still others point to similarities between its construction and structures found in the British Isles. It has even been suggested that the site was built by Irish Monks or the Phoenician culture. My personal theory is that the site is European in origin and possibly the work of pagan worshipers or at least non-orthodox Christian ascetics escaping persecution.

Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain. The site has been heavily altered and used for purposes ranging from 36 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

a hideout for escaped slaves to a haven for the 19th-century homeless. Having been partially dismantled by previous owners in order to sell its quarried stones, much research is still needed to reconstruct the original form and determine the intended function of the site.

If you’re ever in New England and looking for a unique excursion that will leave you puzzled, I recommend a visit to this place. For more info visit stonehengeusa.com.

Semper Explorandum

EN ESPANOL Les escribo desde las alturas de Wiseman’s View cerca de Linville de North Carolina, en el bosque nacional de Pisgah donde estoy esperando al anochecer con la esperanza de poder ver las misteriosas luces de Brown Mountain. Es el lugar perfecto para reflexionar sobre un reciente viaje que me llevó a otro lugar que también alberga muchos secretos antiguos y peculiares.

Cerca de la pequeña ciudad de Salem, de New Hampshire, existe uno de los lugares más enigmáticos de Nueva Inglaterra, cuyos orígen y propósito de los cuales puede que nunca se sabrá con certeza. Mientras viajaba en el área de Boston el mes pasado, no me pude resistir hacer el corto viaje hacia el norte a verlo. Se llama El Stonehenge Americano y ha aparecido en tales programas como America Unearthed y In Search Of.

Conocido anteriormente como Mystery Hill, Stonehenge de América es un gran complejo compuesto de cámaras enterradas hechas de piedra de cantería, recintos y piedras de pie colocado deliberadamente en algunas localizaciones. El sitio continuamente deja perplejos a los investigadores y ha sido la fuente de mucha controversia y especulación.

El radiocarbono que datan de características, entre las que se incluye una de fogata indica presencia humana alrededor de 4000 años. Mientras que esto no ofrece una fecha de construcción en todo el complejo, pone de manifiesto que había actividad humana desde una época muy antigua.

Pero, posiblemente, lo más intrigante de las características de Stonehenge de América es de que se deriva su nombre. ¿Estás listo? Los diversos monumentos megalíticos existentes en el sitio están alineados con eventos astrológicos como el solsticio de verano y equinoccios de primavera y otoño, que habrían ocurrido cerca del año 1500 a.c.

Otras características inexplicables están presentes en el sitio. En el centro del complejo, sobre la húmeda sala subterránea conocida como la cámara de Oracle, hay una mesa de piedra. Cuenta con una ranura tallada en la superficie presumiblemente para permitir que un líquido que drenan desde la superficie de la losa llegue hasta un recipiente. ¿Esto fue utilizado como una mesa de sacrificio como sugiere el nombre? Junto a esto altera profundamente en el bosque oscuro mi imaginación se puso en marcha como me imaginaba blasfemos rituales de terror indecible llevando a cabo en este monumento aislado. Pero no estoy solo en mi pensamiento.

Este lugar fue el escenario que inspiró el Horror de Dunwich, un relato escrito por H.P. Lovecraft en la década de 1920.

Aún más curioso es la función de la Cámara de Oracle. Al parecer su diseño, permite a los sonidos viajar a través de un túnel hasta la posición de la Mesa de sacrificio.

Hay muchas especulaciones sobre el origen de los complejos. Algunos insisten en que los Americanos Nativos fueron responsables. Todavía hay quienes señalan las similitudes entre su construcción y las estructuras que se encuentran en las Islas Británicas. Incluso se ha sugerido que el sitio fue construido por los monjes irlandeses o la cultura fenicia. Mi teoría personal es que el sitio es de origen europeo y posiblemente el trabajo de paganos adoradores o, al menos, no ortodoxa cristiana que huían de la persecución.

En cualquier caso, una cosa es cierta. El sitio ha sido fuertemente alterado y utilizados para fines que van desde un escondite para esclavos fugitivos hasta un refugio para los sin techo del siglo XIX. Habiendo sido desmantelada parcialmente por anteriores propietarios para poder vender sus piedras de cantera, mucha investigación sigue siendo necesaria para reconstruir la forma original y determinar la función original del sitio.

Si alguna vez estás en Nueva Inglaterra y buscando una excursión única que te dejará perplejo, te recomiendo una visita a este lugar. Para más información visite stonehengeusa.com Semper Explorandum

Climate Hucksters Ratcheting up the Hysteria

I

t would be comical if it weren’t so serious. EPA administrator Gina McCarthy went on The Daily Show on Comedy Central to tell Jon Stewart’s viewers that global warming is the biggest public health and economic challenge we face. Forget that we haven’t warmed, globally, for at least 15 years, these folks find it necessary to ratchet up the hysteria. It’s akin to people who talk to foreigners who don’t speak English. They think if they just talk louder the person will understand them.

What’s so unfunny about McCarthy’s Comedy Central performance is we have scientists right now proposing that we spray sulphur and aluminum particles into the atmosphere to block the sun. I am not kidding! Have these people lost their minds? Apparently, but these are the types of scientists who get funded not just by our government but by governments worldwide.

In fact, there’s strong evidence to suggest they have already been spraying these toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. All in the name of stopping some phantom theory of manmade global warming.

The other day the UN’s IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, issued yet another dire prediction that we only had 15 years to do something about climate change or it would be too late. Don’t they know that we know they’ve been doing the same thing since 1982?

Here’s a brief history of the hysteria from climatedepot.com: The Executive Director of the UN Environment Program warned in 1982 the “world faces an ecological disaster as final as nuclear war within a couple of decades unless governments act now.” In 1989, the UN said we’d reach a tipping point in ten years. In fact, Al Gore said there would be no Arctic sea ice in the summer of 2013.

The truth was, we had 50 percent more sea ice in the VIEWS OF A Arctic in the summer of 2013 than we did the year prior.

But, as this whole climate scam started to fall apart, column by they just upped the hysteria. In 2009, the UK’s Gordon PHIL VALENTINE philvalentine.com Brown said we only had “50 days to save the world.”

That same year, Prince Charles was a little more optimistic. He said we had 96 months. It was also in 2009 that Canadian Green Party looney Elizabeth May said “we have hours” to prevent climate disaster.

It seems 2009 was a big year for panic. The godfather of global warming, NASA’s James Hansen, said we just had Obama’s first term to save the planet. Then greenie James Lovelock slowed things down a bit in 2010. He said, “we may have 1,000 years to sort it out.”

The latest came from the UN on April 16, 2014.

“The world now has a rough deadline for action on climate change,” the IPCC said. “Nations need to take aggressive action in the next 15 years to cut carbon emissions, in order to forestall the worst effects of global warming.”

Look folks, I was born at night but not last night. This is basic huckster behavior. You have to get that roof replaced and right now, before it all falls in on you! You have to replace that engine in your car because it’s just not safe to drive! And what’s always at the heart of these scams? That’s right, money. The UN wants producer nations like the United States to pay for our sin of “carbon pollution,” which is another way of saying, “pay for your sin of success.”

None of what Al Gore predicted in his movie came true, so now they’re doing a sequel.

Maybe they should name it Gullible’s Travels.

CONSERVATIVE

“This is basic huckster behavior. You have to get that roof replaced and right now, before it all falls in on you! You have to replace that engine in your car because it’s just not safe to drive!”

Phil Valentine is an author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host with Westwood One. For more of his commentary and articles, visit philvalentine.com.

BOROPULSE.COM

* MAY 2014 * 37

OPINION

Must Religion Be Divisive?

by FRANK SHEPARD WHEN IT COMES TO matters of beliefs and faith, God and existence, meaning and purpose, humans are in a conversation.

Or I should say, some are in the conversation; some have taken themselves out. Those who are in have decided to keep asking questions, keep challenging their own beliefs, etc. Those who are out have decided to stop challenging their beliefs and stick to the ones they have. My point here is to encourage both those in and out of the conversation to respect each other.

We’re in a conversation because, when it comes to this topic, no human has ever known, or will ever know, anything for certain. Those still searching will need to honor and respect the dignity of those who are exercising their freedom to stop asking questions. It is nobody’s business what anyone else has chosen as their life philosophy, their worldview, their religion. It gives them satisfactory meaning and purpose to go on living with the hope and/or joy that they garner from their beliefs.

Those who would rather not have their beliefs challenged will need to honor and respect the dignity of those who are exercising their freedom to keep looking.

I think of the U2 song “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” While Bono has not (or at

least he hadn’t in 1987), many have found what they were looking for, or to be proper, that for which they were looking.

I will highlight two challenges to this mutual respect and amiable agreement to disagree: 1) Emotional attachment to the beliefs 2) A pressure to be right If someone is really excited about their beliefs, it is natural that they would want to share them with those they love and those for whom they care deeply. Their beliefs provide them with strength, joy, hope and purpose, so much so that it is hard for them to imagine how anyone could attain such a high life without sharing these beliefs.

Thus, there is an energy around the agreement to disagree that can have an unsettling effect on the truce and often the relationship.

If one’s beliefs constitute something like answers on an exam—an exam with substantial consequences—then an energy is created around the relationship that threatens the peaceful nature of the relationship.

The first challenge—emotional attachment to one’s beliefs—is understandable and tamable. Both parties can easily recognize the innocence of someone wanting to share good things with their loved ones. In fact, atheist Penn Gillette asks, “How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize?”

4 Steps to Organizational Success – Step 1: Analysis

by DR. PHILIP A. FOSTER My experience has been that many organizations want to change, but they don’t know how. Some begin the process only to discover they are ill-equipped for the journey. At Maximum Change we have developed a 4-step process for change. The first step is all about the analysis of the organization’s current state. We can’t change if we don’t know what we are changing to or from.

Change for the sake of change is most always a waste of time. Most organizations take little time considering their culture, personalities, leadership and structure and how they relate to the organization’s vision, mission, or even the goals before them. Understanding the organization holistically means that we are better equipped to effect the changes needed. We 38 * MAY 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

It’s possible to actually interpret their attempt to convert you as a gesture of love. The desire to share things we love is a virtue and should not be squelched by the protagonist nor shamed by the antagonist. It simply must be acknowledged as real, as human, and met with understanding and compassion. However, both parties will need to keep their emotions in check in order to avoid harming the relationship. This is very doable and rather benign.

The second challenge—a pressure to be right—is much more serious and threatening to the relationship.

Its potential to disturb the peace is directly related to the severity of the consequences. If the punishment for being wrong is severe and/or the reward for being right is invaluable, this is going to perpetuate tension between the parties and nullify any agreement to disagree.

So to answer the question, does religion have to be divisive? I would say yes and no. No, as long as the agreement to disagree is peacefully upheld by the more important bands that tie the relationship together. And yes, any religion that, by its own doctrines, creates a high-stakes pressure to be right, and is loaded with severe punishment for being wrong, will always be divisive to human relations. The agreement to disagree is not an option—you’re either right or wrong, and there’ll be hell to pay.

utilize the process of interview, observation, assessment, training and coaching to develop a clear picture of the organization’s state. Our process considers the culture, leadership structure and individual personality profiles. This process illuminates the organization to its fullest, so that when we consider the desired changes, we are better equipped to make those changes in the current organizational environment.

Many organizations spend hours a year developing their yearly, three- and five-year plans only to abandon them. Strategic planning is only the beginning of the process, not the end. What we need to understand is that strategic planning is nothing more than forecasting based only on what we know. We call this lag-thinking. Lag-thinking is the process of making decisions based on what has already happened.

Budgets and financial forecasts are typically based on this process of lag-thinking. Strategic plans based only on lag-thinking information are ill-equipped for the year ahead and must be updated constantly.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 in their bodies,” Nemeth continued. “Whenever a bee flies close to a cell tower, its magnetism is zapped.”

This effectively scrambles a bee’s inner compass; and this navigation confusion in bees is not just about honey, he said.

“Bees are responsible for pollinating 4 out of 10 food items we eat,” Nemeth said. “We are trading our way of life for gadgets. This is not about telephone coverage, it’s about streaming video, 24-hour entertainment, so people can watch some skateboarder get hit in their nuts on YouTube, or pornography on their phone, because they can’t wait until they get home.”

Aaron Frampton, with Jacobs Engineering representing AT&T in the rezoning requests, argues that the towers are needed to fill in coverage gaps, and the company doesn’t just go around spending money to plop down towers for the fun of it.

“Extensive study is done by AT&T before these towers are built,” Frampton said.

They may be built to cover gaps in coverage (the area where cell service is available) or gaps in capacity (the volume of data that can be transferred in a particular area), he said.

“Just because someone has good service now, AT&T has projections for the future,” he said. “As more and more people use wireless devices, more towers will be needed.”

The increasing number of households without a landline makes reliable cell coverage more important than ever, Frampton said.

Many studies have linked living near a cell tower with higher risk of developing cancer.

But many in the Veterans Parkway area disagree that yet another tower is necessary.

“We have coverage, so we have reason to deny this monopole,” said Patrick Robinson, who lives in the Barfield area. “Why should there be another tower in the middle of a residential area, right across from Barfield Crescent Park, 2,000 feet from an elementary school?

“If AT&T places a tower here, property values will go down,” he said. “If this is approved, my family’s health, property value and welfare will not be protected.”

One local mother said people’s health is far more important than gaps in cellular data

capacity, citing a study done in Germany over a five-year period: “the risk of developing cancer for those living within 400 meters of the mast, in comparison to those living outside of the area, was three times as high,” according to that study.

“We do not know the long-term health effects that these things cause,” she said. “We're being told that these towers emit safe levels of radiation, but there are already 19 towers within a 4-mile radius of my home. They’re piling them on top of people. How can that be safe when studies have shown that low-level radiation causes changes in cell growth?”

Another concerned resident pointed to simi-

lar studies from Australia and Israel, and that “all of these studies showed similar findings, that the cancer rates are twice to 120 times as much if you live next to a cellphone tower.” He admitted to the board that “I’m not sure you could use such evidence to make a decision.”

Cantrell agreed that those type of concerns are not what the Board of Zoning Appeals looks at.

“30 years ago when we were looking at cell towers, we came up with this idea that cell towers can cause cancer; there’s no credible research to support that,” Cantrell said. “If people don’t want cell towers, all they have to do is do away with their cellphones,” he said, indicating that, with the way legislation is written, a local zoning body would have to give more weight to concerns such as the danger of the tower falling (“we do have some leverage there,” he said) rather than considering the long-term impact of radiation from the equipment used.

“If we deny this, they (AT&T) will go to court and have it overturned,” he warned the BZA, “but I’m willing to hang in there with you,” Cantrell said, just moments before, ironically, voting “no” on a motion to deny the tower.

Now, while the future of that proposed tower on Veterans Parkway is pending in U.S. District Court, it seems, in the midst of the smartphone revolution, AT&T and other major carriers will continue trying to build more and more towers, and reduce those gaps in coverage and capacity.

“They are not going to stop,” Nemeth said, “because they are making a lot of money off of it.”

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