May 2015 Murfreesboro Pulse

2006–2015: Celebrating 10 Years

Murfreesboro Vol. 10, Issue 5 May 2015

FREE For You!

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

Spring is here and the berries are ripe, so grab a basket because it’s

Pickin’ Time!

music Remembering Starwood . . .

Welcoming Ascend, Girl’s Weekend Out & Afteroo at Hippie Hill, The Busks, Flummox AvA and more!

art Mosaic guitar art by Terri L. Fitzgerald

Page 22

food Paletas la Desi serving gourmet Mexican pops, ice cream and more! + Momma Smo's new cookbook

Dear Readers:

contents

30 20

on the COVER

22

28

events

Momma Smo’s Cookbook g Just in time for Mother’s Day, Momma’s Southern

cookbook drops like a biscuit.

May Community Events

4 Duck Derby, Healing Field, Barfield Beach Party,

Tennessee Renaissance Fest and more!

Entertainment Calendar 6 Karaoke, Bingo, DJs and Live Trivia

reviews

sounds

7 MAY concerts

AvA 8 Trio of metal bands plays Main Street Music.

Album Reviews 9 The Busks, Flummox Afteroo 0 13th annual fest keeps the woods jammin’ for a full

week, with The Corbitt Brothers, Pocket Vinyl and more.

Remembering Starwood, Welcoming Ascend w Locals reminisce about the area’s amphitheatre as new

venue in downtown Nashville announces schedule.

art

Guitars + Art r The mosaic guitars of Terri L. Fitzgerald May Art Happenings y Small South Current Art Crawl; City Hall displays

artwork by Will Leggett, Vicky Taub and Sally Wright

living

Homeless in the ’Boro i The receipts: a new way to meet people in Murfreesboro Farmer’s Market Education Series p Rotate and intercrop your vegetables to minimize pest

problems; Farmers’ Market class schedule.

Pickin’ Time s Local strawberry fields are ripe for the picking.

food

crew

Pulse

Paletas la Desi f Shop serves up Mexican pops and treats.

Publisher/Editor in Chief: Contributors: Bracken Mayo Dylan Skye Aycock, Willie Chance, Art Director: Sarah L. Mayo Gloria Christy, Sarah H. Clark, Zach Maxfield, Darcy Payne, Advertising Reps: MC Radford, Edwina Shannon, Don Clark, Carrie Richards, Cecilia Sinkala, Jay Spight, Jeff Brown, Jamie Jennings Andrea Stockard, Sam Stockard, Copy Editor: Steve Morley Norbert Thiemann, Phil Valentine

Movies h Ex Machina; Furious 7

Living Room Cinema

Lessons for Humanity NaFF Film Reviews j Slow West; Naz and Maalik;

Do I Sound Gay? A Smile a Day on Piggy Hill k Local humor lover creates new app.

online at:

Boropulse.com

theater Night l Comedy Art Center of Cannon County hosts Tim Northern

and Steve Bruner.

opinions Report ; The Stockard Above the Law: JailCigs may be the sheriff’s undoing.

Who Wants to Be Common? x If common sense is uncommon, Common Core is

nonsense.

Can Hypnosis Work for You? v Yes. Eliminate stress, improve sales, stop smoking,

lose weight and improve your sex life.

Phil Valentine: Views of a Conservative b Looting and rioting doesn’t end brutality.

Music Through the Decades n Rural Roots of America’s Music, Part I:

The Field Hollers and Slave Songs

sports Sports Talk with Z-Train , Titans take Marcus Mariota with second pick in draft.

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 © 2015, 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

likely, Robert Arnold could have held the position of sheriff for 35 years if he’d wanted to. If he had showed just a little respect for his constituents, the office of sheriff and the most basic ethics and diplomacy, he could have kept his $125,000-a-year job leading a powerful $40 million organization—one many say he was severely underqualified to lead.

How did a young man with a special education diploma come to assume the highest law enforcement office in the county? A lot of it had to do with the fact that he had an “R” by his name on the ballot, many say. Will he still have the support of the Republican party after a media frenzy dealing with his latest antics? Will it all just blow over?

Somehow, with him it always just blows over. And he grows more bold and powerful with each move.

He must think that since not many will stand up to him, since the voters gave him their seal of approval, he can do as he wishes, accountable to no one, spending public money and brokering deals in a way to line his own pockets, and the bank accounts of those he favors, Constitution out the window.

Defending his pepper-spraying, driving-under-theinfluence relative, supporting questionable checkpoint and search practices, taking his personal vendetta across state lines to extradite a political opponent . . . now, in the midst of his JailCigs scandal, he is asking the county leaders for $1.5 million more, so his office can purchase more vehicles (more than 30 new Ford Explorers) and hire more officers.

The county commission seems to be going along with it, and the result may be higher taxes for everyone because the sheriff’s office cannot seem to manage the enormous resources it has already.

I say deny that request, stand up to wastefulness and reckless spending and tell him to spend the $40 million he’s been given in a more responsible manner.

In fact, let’s cut his budget from last year another $1.5 million, and if the county commissioners are considering throwing around that kind of (other people’s) money, give $3 million to the county schools’ music program, or create a program to shelter and feed Rutherford county’s homeless population.

I would like a society where it was a little easier to respect our local police, but with Arnold’s track record and attitude, with individuals like Vanderveer and A.J. Ross in charge, with Police Chief Kevin Mooneyham over in Woodbury recently being indicted for embezzling funds, with Bill Sharp and Joe Russell more interested in finding additional revenue streams than serving and protecting, they are making it difficult to have much respect for local law enforcement.

Revolution!

Some say that Arnold has actually saved the county a lot of money, that he is a model of frugality. Well, he could have gone out and bought jet skis and diamond watches for everyone on the force, but since he didn’t, we’ll call him a responsible, fiscally conservative leader.

Anyway, moving on to fun subjects . . . Barfield Crescent Park will host a giant pile of sand for the kids to play in on Friday, May 8, Nashville’s new amphitheatre has announced its inaugural concert season and . . . popsicles!

The town’s wide variety of music continues, with May offering the opportunity to locally check out acts ranging from the Hoo Doo Men to Donna Hopkins, from AvA to the Dewdrop Jamboree variety show, Jonny Gowow, Ivan LaFever, Big Smo and many more.

Keep your gardens watered and your eyes on the prize.

Peace, Bracken Mayo Editor in Chief boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 3

events compiled by Andrea STOCKARD

Send event information to murfreesboropulse@yahoo.com

Throughout May Human Plus: Real Lives + Real Engineering Learn about and create technology with the traveling exhibit Human Plus at The Discovery Center (502 S.E. Broad St.) this month. Ride a mono-ski in a simulated ski race, control a DJ station using wheels of a wheelchair, engineer unique solutions to design challenges and discover how neuroprosthetic limbs can be controlled by a user’s thoughts. For more information, call (615) 890-2300 or visit explorethedc.org.

Tuesdays & Fridays Rutherford County Farmers’ Market Eat local with market vendors from more than 20 Middle Tennessee counties selling an array of seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, baked and canned goods, flowers, plants and more at Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) from 7 a.m.–noon each Tuesday and Friday. For more information, call (615) 898-7710 or visit extension .tennessee.edu/rutherford.

Saturdays Bicycle Tours of the Stones River National Battlefield Join a ranger for a 90-minute bicycle tour of the battlefield at 9 a.m. on Saturdays at Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.). Free admission. For more information, call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.

May 7 & 8 Days of Washing, Churning and Learning 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. Experience chores from the 1860s like washing clothes on a washboard, making candles and churning butter. Bring your own blankets and sack lunches for picnics. Admission is $5. For more information, contact info@oaklandsmuseum.org or (615) 893-0022, or visit oaklandsmuseum.org.

May 8 2015 North Rutherford YMCA Golf Classic Participate in the 2015 North Rutherford Golf Classic at Cedar Crest Golf Club (7279 Mona Rd., Smyrna) from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. benefiting the North Rutherford YMCA’s Youth Summer Day Camp through the Annual Giving Campaign. Enjoy lunch and awards. Call (615) 394-7245.

May 8 Barfield Beach Party Need a little beach time? Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) welcomes a real beach party with 60 tons of sand used to create the beach before the sand is used throughout the park systems. Bring the family out for music, dancing and a variety of games and activities. Free admission. For more information, call (615) 907-2251.

May 8 & 9 Church Yard Sale Benefits Local Homeless Farris Chapel United Methodist Church, located at the corner of Veterans Parkway and Barfield Road, will put on a charity yard sale on May 8 and 9 from 7 a.m.–1 p.m. All proceeds go to homeless ministry. Donations appreciated. For more information, call Susan at (615) 812-6728.

May 23–25 7th Annual Healing Field The 7th Annual Healing Field – Flags of Remembrance sponsored by The Noon Exchange Club of Murfreesboro invites you to honor veterans in a field next to First United Methodist Church (265 W. Thompson Ln.). Behold 1,500 3-by-5-foot American flags laid out in a military grid in tribute to our veterans, current military and personal heroes. Guests are welcome to bring small mementos to decorate your sponsored flag. Flags can be purchased to honor the memory of a hero, and can be kept following the ceremony. Volunteers and group involvement welcome.

View the official Flag Retirement Ceremony at 7:45 p.m. and bring any old tattered flags that need a proper retirement. Bring your lawn chairs, cameras, umbrellas for shade, and walking shoes. For more information, contact (615) 641-0121 or WrightDon@Comcast.net, or visit healingfield.org/murfreesboro.

May 9 Free Health Screenings and Hearing Testing In honor of Better Hearing Month, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Sam’s Hearing Center (Sam’s Club, 125 John R. Rice Blvd.) is conducting free health tests for glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, body fat and hearing screenings by licensed hearing specialists (members and non-members). A hearing appointment is recommended. For more information, call (615) 895-2203.

May 9 Free swim lesson day

Saturdays & Sundays Tennessee Renaissance Festival Travel back to 16th century England with over 60 skilled artisans from all over the country showcasing their wares from silks to swords, gems and jewels at Castle Gwynn (2124 New Castle Rd., Arrington). The Village of Covington Glen depicts the bustle of a Renaissance Marketplace each weekend in May from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Experience the Renaissance as you melt into aromas and tastes of specialty foods and drinks, sounds of Renaissance musicians and merrymakers, and tackle challenges like the Games of Skill and Man-Powered Rides. For more information, contact info@tnrenfest.com or (615) 395-9950, or visit tnrenfest.com.

4 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

Patterson Park will provide free swim lessons for ages 5–13 and many other safety awareness activities in an effort to drown proof Murfreesboro. All ages welcome to participate in the other festivities. For more information, call (615) 893-7439.

May 12 Share the Light Share the Light is a Community Group that meets the second Tuesday of every month at Yoga on the Square (423 Lytle St.) from 7:30–9:30 p.m. Practitioners in the healing, wellness, and consciousness-creating arts, and those interested in holistic and integrated healing modalities, come together to share their gifts and receive the gifts of others. Sponsored by Everest Energetics Wellness and Holistic Co-op, Synergy Holistic Wellness Spa and Yoga on the Square. For more information, find Everest Energetics Wellness and Holistic Co-op on Facebook.

May 14 & 15 Days on the Farm Gather friends and family for the 44th Annual Days on the Farm, featuring more than 20 demonstrations including how soap was made from pig fat and lye, blacksmithing, transforming wool into yarn, quilting and more at The Historic Sam

Davis Home and Plantation (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. on May 14 and 15. Find out what life was like as a Civil War soldier. Bring a picnic lunch. For more information, contact (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.

May 29 Wine On The Veranda Wine on the Veranda at the Sam Davis Home (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) features a variety of wines expertly paired and showcased with foods from local restaurants from 6–9 p.m. on Friday, May 29. Enjoy live music by Eight O’ Five Jive and tours of the museum. Admission charged and includes a souvenir glass.

For more information, call (615) 4592341 or visit samdavishome.org.

May 15 3rd Friday Night Concert at Cannonsburgh Enjoy the 3rd Friday Night Concert at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) from 7–9 p.m. on Friday, May 15.

Free admission. For more information, call (615) 890-0355.

May 16 2015 Duck Derby The Child Advocacy Center hosts its 8th Annual Duck Derby at the swimming pool of Sports*Com (120 DeJarnette Ln.) with the Quack Attack Team race of 5,000 Rubber Ducks down the Duck-O-Bunga slide. Get your ducks now! The Kid’s Fest begins at 11 a.m., Corporate Duck Race at 2 p.m. and Rubber Duck Derby at 3 p.m. Win great prizes like a grand prize of $5,000! Enjoy local vendor booths, inflatables, live stage performances, free face painting, and more. For more information, visit boroduckderby.com.

May 16 BoroVino BoroVino, held from 5–9 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at The Avenue Murfreesboro is Murfreesboro’s Premier Wine Event. Participants can sample a huge range of wine selections, from local to international varietals, provided by Stones River Total Beverages. Music will be provided by the Ben Rice Quartet and Tim Battle. For tickets, a complete list of participating wineries and vendors and more information, visit borovino.com.

May 30 Alive Hospice Butterfly Release Alive Hospice will hold its 2015 butterfly release at its Murfreesboro office, 1639 Medical Center Pkwy., at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 30. The organization invites the community to celebrate w ones in a special way by participating in the butterfly release event; participants will release hundreds of butterflies in memory or in honor of loved ones. This event is a fundraiser for Alive Hospice, with each butterfly purchase benefiting its mission. A brief celebration of life service with inspirational readings and music will precede the release. Gifts allow Alive Hospice to provide quality hospice care, grief counseling, camps for grieving children and teens, and other programs to all who need them. For more information on Alive Hospice and butterfly release sponsorship, visit alivehospice.org/butterfly.

May 16 Bell Buckle’s 2nd Annual Artisans on the Square Check out local craft artisans in the quaint Victorian village of Bell Buckle (downtown, Ally St.) from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, demonstrating their skills like pottery, blacksmithing, jewelry, fiber, arts, mosaics, chainsaw carvings, mixed media, painting and unique, handcrafted goods for sale. Free admission and parking. For more information, visit facebook.com/bellbucklearts.

May 18–22 TSSAA Spring Fling Watch the state championships in five high school sports: track and field, tennis, baseball, boys’ soccer and softball.

For more information, call (615) 8896740 or visit tssaa.org.

May 19 Breakfast With Champions Join Cultivate Coworking (107 W. Lytle St.) from 8–9 a.m. for breakfast and a presentation by personal historian, freelance writer, book editor and indie publisher Deborah Wilbrink (perfectmemoirs.com) as she teaches the usefulness of personal photos to enhance your message and story.

Improve your posts, ads, blogs, corporate messages, or family history, memoir, fiction or Facebook! Slots are limited. For more information, contact info@cultivatecoworking.com or (615) 203-6084.

May 22 Play 4 Tay Benefit Golf Tournament Participate in the 2nd annual Play 4 Tay

Benefit Golf Tournament at Indian Hills Golf Course (405 Calumet Trace) with proceeds benefiting Play 4 Tay and assist families who have children with cancer.

Lunch, green fee, carts and contests are included. Sponsorship and donations available. For more information, visit live4tay.org.

May 23 Opening Day of Boro Beach Celebrate the beginning of summer by relaxing by the pool swimming, diving, playing games and listening to music at Sports*Com’s first day of pool season, Boro Beach (2310 Memorial Blvd.) from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information, call (615) 895-5040.

May 24 Memorial Day Program Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.) invites you to their national cemetery rostrum at 1:30 p.m. for patriotic music, a wreath laying ceremony, a three-volley salute by Civil War reenactors, and the reading of the names of veterans who have passed away since last Memorial Day. Refreshments provided afterwards. Free admission. For more information, call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.

May 25 Coffee With Veterans Adopt A Hero invites you and your family to grab a cup of coffee and pastries at Cultivate Coworking (107 W. Lytle St.) from 7:30–9 a.m. Invite a veteran you know and meet local veterans and supporters. For more information call (615) 203-6084.

May 30 Mindful Care Adult Day Services Oakland Historic House Museum (900 N. Maney St.) invites everyone to celebrate Mardi Gras while benefiting the Mindful Care day center; 100% of the proceeds benefit their focus on Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related health problems.

Come dressed in your finest cocktail attire (masks and beads provided) to the Maney Hall Ballroom and enjoy a silent auction, music by the Mockingbird Musicians and hors d’oeuvres and beverages by Carolyn’s Creations. Donations welcome. For more information, contact mindfulcareorg@ gmail.com or visit mindful-care.org.

May 30 Smyrna Depot Farmers’ Market Purchase local, fresh produce, dairy and meat at the Smyrna Train Depot (98 Front St.) from 8 a.m.–noon on Saturday, May 30. For more information, contact (615) 330-0516.

May 31 Carpe Cafe’s Chocolate Fest Carpe Cafe (101 Front St., Smyrna) offers all-you-can-eat chocolate truffles, strawberries dipped and topped, croissants and white chocolate-dipped cherries at the All You Can Eat Chocolate Fest from 2–7 p.m. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres like chicken satay, barbeque meatballs and crisp veggies.

Carpe Artista is a nonprofit supporting the local arts community with the goal of enhancing culture and creativity. Admission is $10 and goes towards instruments, skills instruction, summer camp fees and other local art opportunities. For more information, call (615) 984-4040.

May 31 Vibram Birdie Bash Enjoy the Vibram disc golf tournament at Short Mountain Distillery (8280 Short Mountain Rd, Woodbury) from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. with lots of cool prizes. Pre-registration required. For ticket information, visit discgolfscene.com or birdiebash.com. For more information on the event, find Short Mountain Disc Jam on Facebook. boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 5

Entertainment calendar

DJ, Bingo, Trivia & Karaoke nights in murfreesboro

 MONDAYS Bunganut Pig Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

The Pour House DJ, 7–11 p.m.

TGI Friday’s Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

Nobody’s Live Trivia, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

Sam’s Sports Grill Live Trivia, 8 p.m.

 THURSDAYS

Old Chicago Live Trivia, 9 p.m.

Coconut Bay Café Live Trivia, 7:30 p.m.

The Pour House DJ, 7–11 p.m.

Nachos Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

Nobody’s Bingo, 7 p.m.

The boulevard Karaoke, 7 p.m.

Campus Pub Live Trivia, 8:15 p.m.

Coconut bay Karaoke, 8 p.m.

La Siesta (Church St.) Karaoke, 6 p.m.

Nobody’s Karaoke, 9:15 p.m.–12:30 a.m.

Sports Seasons Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

The Pour House Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Wall Street Live Trivia, 8 p.m.

Whiskey Dix DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

 WEDNESDAYS

 FRIDAYS

Campus Pub Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

Mellow Mushroom Live Trivia, 8 p.m.

Nobody’s Karaoke, 9:15 p.m.–12:30 a.m.

La Siesta (Church St.) Karaoke, 6 p.m.

 TUESDAYS

Hear what Murfreesboro Sounds Like 

La Siesta (Greenland) Trivia, 7 p.m.

MT Bottle Karaoke, 9 p.m.–3 a.m.

Whiskey Dix DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

 SATURDAYS Campus Pub Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

Nachos Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

Nobody’s Karaoke, 9:15 p.m.–12:30 a.m.

Whiskey Dix DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

 SUNDAYS O’Possums Live Trivia, 8 p.m.

La Siesta (Church St.) Karaoke, 6 p.m.

The Pour House DJ, 7 p.m.

Wall Street Team Bingo, 5–7 p.m.

Sam’s Sports Grill Live Trivia, 8 p.m.

Want your band listed on our QR Classifieds? E-mail murfreesboropulse@yahoo.com

 IF YOU GO:

sounds May Concerts

Send your show listings to listings@boropulse.com

Tues. 5/19 Bunganut Pig

John Sutton

Wed. 5/20

Thurs. 5/7

Tues. 5/12

Bunganut Pig

Bunganut Pig

Bunganut Pig

The Boro

Mixtape

MTSU Wright Music Building

Gerard Gobert; Jack Daniel

Nacho’s

Hoo Doo Men

Wed. 5/13 Bunganut Pig

Shane Douglas

JD Shelburne

Hooten Hollars

Thurs. May 21 Bunganut Pig

The O'Donnells

Ivan LaFever

Thurs. 5/14

Nacho’s

All-Star Jam with Stuart Montez

Bunganut Pig

The Boro

The Boro Tempt

Oh Grandpa, Soul Mechanic, Sunracer

Fri. 5/8 Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant

Tony Castellanos

Sideways

Nacho’s

Ivan LaFever

Tempt

Moonshine Bandits, Redneck Souljers, Crucifix

The Boro

All-Star Jam with Stuart Montez

Bunganut Pig

Fri. 5/15

Carmen’s Taqueria

Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant

The Pilots Joe West

Coconut Bay Cafe

Lost Dawg

Mayday Brewery

Kristen Brassel

The Boro

Twisted Lines

Tempt

Kennedy Jones, Keno, DJ Skinny B, Beat Bear, Mike-iLL, ESP, ChugHead, ATLANTI$, Sterfry, Cr?nunDrum, Mr. Jackson

Sat. 5/9

Ivan LaFever All-Star Jam with Stuart Montez

Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant

Tony Castellanos

Bunganut Pig

Joe West

Coconut Bay Cafe

The Pour House

Rittz, Kxng Crooked, Horse Show Gang, J Hornay

Tues. 5/26

The Boro

Laced with Arsenic, Hear Hear, The Steeletos, Kelly Richey

Sat. 5/23

Mayday Brewery

Crawdaddy

The Boro

Safe Secrets

The Stoves

Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant

The Colored Parade

The Dewdrop Jamboree

The Boro

Dead Hollywood, Stuntmen, Khama

Sun. 5/10

Mayday Brewery

Kristen Cothron and the Darkside

Tempt

Thriftworks

The Boro

Wonderin’ Cowboys

Bunganut Pig

Sun. 5/17

The Boro

Bunganut Pig

Mon. 5/11

Mon. 5/18

The Pour House

The Pour House

Reilly's Writers Night Wonderin’ Cowboys

The Al DeLuca Jam

Reilly’s Writers Night

The Al DeLuca Jam

Carmen’s Taqueria

Bunganut Pig

Coconut Bay Cafe

Joe West DJ RDP

Mayday Brewery

Liquid Smoke #2 Public Square 217-7822 Main St. Music 527 W. Main St. 440-2425

Sun. 5/31

MTSU Saunders Fine Arts Building 629 Normal Way 898-2469

Coconut Bay Cafe

Patterson Park Washington Theatre

Rockslide

The Boro

Main Street Music

Vinyl Sunday, Orchard Fire, Hunter Monroe, The Donna Hopkins Band

Tony Castellanos

Bunganut Pig

Level III 114 S. Maple St. 900-3754

Nick Lane, Lynn Taylor and the Barflies

The Boro

Mayday Brewery

Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant

The Boro

Carmen’s Taqueria

Karaoke with Hitman

Sat. 5/30

JoZoara 536 N. Thompson Ln. 962-7175

Nacho’s

Coconut Bay Cafe

Hippie Hill

Armed Ideas

Joe West

Carmen’s Taqueria

Bunganut Pig

Killing Grace, AvA, Angel’s Revenge

8 Ball Aitken

The Boro

Hippie Hill 8627 Burks Hollow Rd. 796-3697

Mayday Brewery 521 Old Salem Hwy. 479-9722

Tempt

Joe West

First United Methodist Church 265 W. Thompson Ln. 893-1322

Tempt

Carmen’s Taqueria

DJ TruFX

Coconut Bay Café 210 Stones River Mall Blvd.

494-0504

Bunganut Pig

Bunganut Pig

JD Shelburne Band

Carmen’s Taqueria 206 W. Northfield Blvd.

848-9003

First Avenue

Bunganut Pig

Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant

Joe West

Mayday Brewery

Wed. 5/27 Blake Weibert

Bunganut Pig 1602 W. Northfield Blvd.

893-7860

Thurs. 5/28

Mayday Brewery

Tony Castellanos

Bunganut Pig

Bonhoeffer’s 610 Dill Ln., 907-2890

Tony Castellanos

Sat. 5/16

Zone Status

The Al DeLuca Jam

Hoo Doo Men

Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant

Tony Castellanos

Wonderin’ Cowboys

James Scott

Pimpalicous

Hippie Hill

The Boro

Autograph Rehearsal Studio 1400 W. College St. 631-2605

Georgia’s Sports Bar and Grill 555 S. Lowry St. Smyrna, 267-0295

View Concert Listings Online:

Mon. 5/25

Tempt

Coconut Bay Cafe

Hippie Hill will host its third annual Girls Weekend Out, featuring performances by both local and national female rockers. On Friday, Ohio-based duo Laced with Arsenic will start off the weekend followed by Nashville’s own Hear Hear and hard rock outfit The Steeletos. These performances all lead up to the night’s big show by national touring artist Kelly Richey, who has upcoming shows with Lita Ford and Boston. Saturday will begin in soulful, Southernrock fashion with jam band Vinyl Sunday, followed by Orchard Fire, an Americana group also hailing from Music City. Later, Hunter Monroe, who is known for her “whiskey and honey” vocals, will open for the weekend’s final show, Atlanta-based “rock ’n’ roots” trio The Donna Hopkins Band. — dylan skye ayecock

Crossroads

Reckless

Joe West

Fri. 5/15–Sat. 5/16 @ hippie hill

Phoenix Rising

Carmen’s Taqueria

Mayday Brewery

Carmen’s Taqueria

Girl’s weekend out

PUL SE PICK

Fri. 5/22

Tony Castellanos

Bunganut Pig

Alfonso’s 179 Mall Circle Dr. 439-6155

DJ Kidd Star Big Bob and Built on Blues Band

VFW Post 8422, Smyrna

Nashville Flipside

Jonny Gowow Ivan LaFever

All-Star Jam with Stuart Montez

Fri. 5/29 Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant

Tony Castellanos

Bunganut Pig

Marshall Creek

Sun. 5/24

Carmen’s Taqueria

Bunganut Pig

Coconut Bay Cafe

Reilly's Writers Night

PULSE PICK

Joe West

Zone Status

Dear Salem Big Smo

Horava, EYEONTHESKY, Piranah

Bunganut Pig

Reilly’s Writers Night

The Boro

Wonderin’ Cowboys

Wed. 6/3 The Boro

Lee Roberts Army, Hardin Draw, Quixotic Fugly

The Moonshine Bandits Thurs. 5/14 @ Tempt

Outlaw country/Cali-rap outfit The Moonshine Bandits prepare to bring their thing to Tempt on May 14, sharing the bill with Redneck Souljers and Crucifix. The Moonshine Bandits, Tex and Bird, combine the elements of country and hip-hop, which, when blended correctly, can contain large amounts of liquor and defiance; “Got my trigger finger itchy off a bottle of shine . . . pumping Dwight Yoakam out the window yelling ‘West Side’” . . . if that sounds like your thing, go on out and welcome them to the dirty South, Murfreesboro.

MTSU Wright Music Building 1439 Faulkinberry Dr. 898-2469 Nacho’s 2962 S. Rutherford Blvd.

907-2700 TFG Productions 117 E. Vine St. The Boro Bar & Grill 1211 Greenland Dr. 895-4800 The Den 1660 Middle TN Blvd.

895-7167 The Green Dragon 714-F W. Main St. 801-7171 Wall Street 121 N. Maple St. 867-9090 boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 7

sounds

AvA Brings Explosive Live Performance to Main Street Music

By Willie Chance

T

he cold steel framework of a dimly lit storage unit in Nashville reverberates day and night with an industrial symphony. Harmonizing in the darkness, they are the heavy metal collective machine called AvA. “You have to be a little nuts to play this music,” said drummer Steve Hines, who contributes to AvA’s musical cocktail.

The band will release a five-song EP titled Suckerpunch in March to be accompanied by an aggressive touring campaign through the Southeast.

AvA’s chaotic sound is making waves in the Nashville hard rock scene.

“That stage is ours and no one is taking it away from us,” says guitarist Mike Sanders.

Their “explosive” live performances showcase a masterful blending of chugging guitar riffs, melodic choruses and uptempo ska elements.

“We are one kindred spirit,” says Hines. He credits the band’s unique style to its members’ eclectic background.

The powerhouse percussionist attended the Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles, where he became affluent in a variety of genres. Hines has a degree in music, injected with 40 cc's of Pantera skinsman Vinnie Paul.

He’s been labeled a classically-trained cowboy from hell.

8 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

Bassist Jason Bolles utilizes his beginnings as a jazz musician playing upright bass to serve up a sticky smorgasbord of low-end licks.

Inspired by the hardcore movement and hard-rock music of the early 2000s, dueling guitarists Mike Sanders and Daniel Kassel deliver face-melting solos with a side of gut-wrenching chord progressions.

Sanders draws from his deep Southern roots as well.

“I’ve got a little blues in me,” he says.

The ringleader of this liquid metal circus is vocalist Rob Sampsell. This headbanging missionary left his Pennsylvania homeland in a Nissan Xterra to preach the ’90s rock gospel.

These unlikely comrades have joined forces in the belly of the heavy metal factory known as AvA. Check out the band for yourself on Saturday, May 9, as they perform with Killing Grace and Angel’s Revenge at Main Street Music.

album reviews

by dylan skye aycock

The Busks

Flummox

Spare Change

Phlummoxygen

4

3

The Busks’ Spare Change LP, released last October, had me pondering how a relatively new band packed this much talent—22 tracks, to be exact—into its debut release.

The Busks—Justin Holt, Dylan Miller, Jacob Miller and Wesley Sadler—have a formula, and a good one at that. They pull from several influential bands such as 1960s power-pop pioneers The Kinks (“That’s All We Need”) and The Beatles, while even Neil Young-inspired vocals can be heard on “Life Comes and Goes.” Through all-original lyrics and diverse instrumentation, you’ll hear punchy melodic lines, distinctive harmonies, memorable guitar riffs and a lot of songs about love and leaving.

The album’s strong yet gentle opener, “Let Me Be Free,” is an angst-filled struggle to break free that immediately reveals the theme of the album with defiant lyrics such as I know I’ve got to go there, I know I need to be. The music flows freely into “Break My Heart,” a punky track that wields slight distortion and a chorus heavily influenced by early Beatles.

While “Sail the Sea” is probably the track most consistent with the album’s recurring theme of new experiences, it stands apart with its ethereal, folky atmosphere. The subtle yet somehow haunting harmonies complement its composition: I want to leave my home / I should leave before the storm / I can make it on my own / With the ways that you have shown me.

We must come into our own by breaking free from our own fragility, and The Busks have a beautiful way of conveying this through their music.

Other standout tracks include “I Wish You Could Tell Me Something” and “Ugly Girlfriend” (featured on Nashville independent radio station Lighting 100 last January), however, there’s something to appreciate on each song.

Once you’re jolted into the album, it’s almost impossible to leave. The Busks, some of Woodbury’s finest musicians, have assembled the songs like a puzzle; each one is cut differently, yet they all fit together perfectly. For more, visit thebusksmusic.com.

RATINGS: AVERAGE

To better understand the musical style of this Murfreesboro-based trio, one much first absorb the meaning of “Flummox,” which, previously unbeknownst to me, means to “perplex greatly,” “confuse” or “bewilder.” And, quite frankly, that’s Phlummoxygen, the band’s avant-garde/experimental metal effort, in a nutshell. Flummox’s debut full-length album stays true to its name, which is certainly something to keep in mind while on the weird, twisted and diversified ride that alternates between off-the-wall madness and borderline seriousness.

The unconventional journey begins with “Flummoxing Act 1/Garbonzo’s Leap,” a twangy, bassfocused track with exaggerated off-key singing. This fades into the outlandish track “Didja Know?” which features groans, moans and choking sounds, among other questionable noises. Later in the album you’ll hear a similar track, “¿Didja Espanol?,” though it’s a tad less awkward than its foregoing counterpart.

While these two tracks may appeal to some listeners, the eccentric noises will undoubtedly leave most questioning the band’s motives.

To get a slight taste of the band’s unorthodox lyrics, here’s an except from “Custodian Ralph,” a bizarre jingle about a campus custodian on crack: Ralph didn’t like the dust bunnies Ralph thought his puns were all funny Inspect the room with scepter broom, never forgets a second glance Sani-bags and trailer swag, watch him do the Elmo dance Phlummoxygen is the type of album that’s difficult to digest without an open mind, which is why their style won’t sit well with traditional metal fans.

As soon as the antics begin to settle down, like on “Planet Cancer,” Flummox shakes things up once again, leaving you wondering, “What did I just listen to?” However, a large part of the album’s charm is its absurdity, and that’s an aspect most will appreciate.

To listen to Phlummoxygen, visit flummoxed.bandcamp.com.

A CLASSIC BELOW AVERAGE

4

OUTSTANDING AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 9

sounds AFTER

ROO

Afteroo 2015 Lineup  Monday, June 15 5 p.m. Byron Rice’s Tree-o 7 p.m. WhiskeyHickon Boys 10 p.m. Indie on the Move Winner

 Tuesday, June 16

All Night Aubryn’s Songwriter Night

 Wednesday, June 17 6 p.m. Stelle Amor Band 8 p.m. Nick Kane 10 p.m. All or Nothin’

 Thursday, June 18 5 p.m. Stink Bamboo 7 p.m. Pocket Vinyl 8 p.m. Rachel Lipsky Band 10 p.m. Angel Mary and the Tennessee Werewolves Midnight Runaway Home

 Friday, June 19

5 p.m. Jacob Green 6 p.m. Husky Burnette 8 p.m. Pocket Vinyl 9 p.m. The Corbitt Brothers and Friends 12 a.m. Ghost Gypsy Caravan

 Saturday, June 20

12 p.m. Jacob Green and the All-Star Jam 2 p.m. Pocket Vinyl 3 p.m. Osiella 5 p.m. Sugar Lime Blue 7 p.m. Hooteroll?

9 p.m. Rumpke Mountain Boys 12 a.m. Clinch Mountain Mojo 10 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK The corbitt brothers band

Afteroo (Hippie’s “birthday bash”) will bring over 20 regional and national touring acts to Christiana, Tenn., on June 15–20, proving the party doesn’t have to stop after a weekend on “The Farm.”

Here’s a look at some of the artists included in this year’s lineup to ensure the good vibes keep flowing when the ’Roo is over:

Rachel Lipsky

whiskeyhickon boys courtesy karlmcw.com

L

ess than one day after thousands of festivalgoers sing along to the final chorus of “Piano Man” at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, another music event will kick off, held on the outskirts of Rutherford County at a place known as Hippie Hill.

Now in its 13th year, the Hill’s annual

Hippie Hill to host annual celebration June 15–20.

The WHiskeyhickon Boys

Country singer Rachel Lipsky was named the 2014 Pepsi Southern Original winner, taking the top title in that contest that included nearly 6,000 artists all over the Southeast. As part of the reward for that, Lipsky received the opportunity to open for Blake Shelton at last year’s Gulf Coast Jam in Florida. She has also been invited by Armed Forces Entertainment to perform for the troops overseas, and hosts monthly songwriter nights in Nashville.

With a sound promoted as “somewhere between high-heeled country nick kane sass and Southern rock based country,” Lipsky is set to make an appearance on Hippie Hill on June 18.

Rumpke mountain boys

but the way in which it’s presented. Eric Stevenson provides the music aspect (vocals, piano and harmonica) while Elizabeth paints onstage. You’ll want to stick around after the show when the duo auctions off the masterpiece(s) to the highest bidder.

With three albums to their credit and a fourth on the way, Pocket Vinyl is a must-see in concert, and with three separate hourlong sets throughout the week, you have no reason to miss this duo at Afteroo.

Aubryn Stevens’ Songwriters Night

Aubryn Stevens may not be a Nashville native, but she’s surely made her mark as an up-and-coming singer/songwriter in Music City. Her online show, Aubryn’s Musiconversation, is a webcam concert featuring a different musical guest each week, offering an intimate and interactive platform for connecting with fans. Stevens recently funded her debut release, a blend of blues, folk and Americana with “cabaret-influenced melodies,” on Kickstarter and she continues to frequent Nashville music venues and songwriter rounds each month.

Fresh off her performance at this year’s SxSW, Stevens’ powerhouse persona will keep the energy alive on Tuesday night as she brings a group of Nashville’s best songwriters to the Hill.

pocket vinyl

Pocket Vinyl

Performing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Pocket Vinyl offers a unique spin on the music festival experience. However, what makes this husband-wife duo unique is not necessarily their music (although it is by far the best “piano slam rock” I’ve heard lately),

Angel Mary and the Tennessee Werewolves

It’s a well-known fact that no one can sing Johnny Cash as well as the Man in Black himself, but if anyone comes close, it’s rising country act Angel Mary and the Tennessee Werewolves, whose 2013 cover of “Folsom Prison Blues” proves this family trio’s rebellious spirit will take them far.

With a unique blend of old-fashioned Dixie

angel mary and the tennessee werewolves

roots, Haggard-styled lyrics and bluegrass picking, the Hendersonville natives have a knack for keeping the crowd on their feet, and, as always, this year’s Afteroo performance will be no exception.

The Corbitt Brothers

Having played Afteroo several times before, these brothers aren’t new faces at Hippie Hill, and the band’s hard-driving, footstomping energy is undoubtedly the reason for its return. With a prominent Southern-rock sound, the Corbitt Brothers aren’t afraid to get gritty and provide their own bluesy edge to tunes both original and classic.

Both collectively and individually, The Corbitt Brothers—Newsome Corbitt (vocals, guitar) Isaac Corbitt (harmonica, mandolin, bass) and Brandon Buck (drums)—have shared the stage with Hank Williams III, Bob Burns of Lynyrd Skynyrd, David Allen Coe, Sunny Edwards and Dave Dix (The Outlaws) among others. From the first song to the last, the band’s explosive energy and clearcut talent will prove why they’re “Middle Tennessee’s favorite party band.”

Rumpke Mountain Boys

Bluegrass and jam bands have always been a hit at Hippie Hill, with many of this year’s acts identifying themselves with the genres. Self-dubbed as “trashgrass,” Ohio’s Rumpke Mountain Boys bring both music styles to the stage, with a bounty of string instruments (acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass and banjo) and special effects to give the audience a genuine musical experience. The Rumpke Mountain Boys have a packed touring schedule, which will come as no surprise as they flow through their performance at Hippie Hill and open for the final act of the five-day festival.

Along with the above acts, be sure to catch sets by Middle Tennessee’s own Sugar Lime Blue, Nashville’s Jerry Garcia tribute band Hooterol?, riveting jam band Clinch Mountain Mojo and others. Together, these musicians will jam to make this year’s Afteroo one to remember. boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 11

starwood photos by scott walker

sounds

M

any Tennesseeans have memories of taking a summertime drive out to Antioch with their friends or their date, and filtering into the venue known as Starwood Amphitheatre to hear one of the most popular bands of the day.

A couple of longtime live music fans recently made the familiar drive up to Starwood (the name it retained for locals despite its latter-day changes of ownership and identity), but all of the other area concert fans must have not gotten the memo, nor any bands or employees, because there wasn’t a soul on the land that had formerly hosted many a party. In fact, there wasn’t much of anything there at all other than the remains of the massive stage, a concrete pad that formerly contained the now-absent rows of seats and pavilion roof, and, for whatever reason, three abandoned boats, all plopped down at different places on the property.

I could say something poetic about how the echoes of rock legends still filled the air, and the sounds of happy Tennessee music fans socializing and dancing still remained in spirit, but in reality, the place was just a quiet, still, empty, wasted piece of land.

Starwood Amphitheatre opened with a bang in the summer of 1986. That year the venue hosted concerts by Jimmy Buffett, Bon Jovi, Allman Brothers Band, Blue Öyster Cult, Dokken, Amy Grant and Elton John.

Bon Jovi and Buffett must have enjoyed the experience; they came back the next summer, as did the Beach Boys, Beastie Boys and Boston.

Dylan came in ’88, and soon such bands as Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica and Van Halen would visit Middle Tennessee’s anchoring amphitheatre. In the years to come Alice in Chains performed, as did Ray Charles, Iron Maiden, Phish and Widespread Panic.

The record for the most appearances at Starwood is shared by Dave Matthews Band and Aerosmith, both headlining concerts at the Murfreesboro Road venue 11 times. Tom Petty, Skynyrd and Buffett were also regulars.

Many say they miss the Starwood atmosphere, but evidently, the good times and rock 12 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

Remembering starwood welcoming ascend Reminicing About The Old

. . . As New Nashville Venue Announces 2015 Schedule.

story by Bracken mayo

’n’ roll were not generating enough profit to justify its continued operation, and progress had to be made. In 2007, after a company called Vastland purchased the property from Live Nation, demolition began at the Starwood site. The structures that held bathrooms and sold concessions and tickets were torn down, the seating was removed and, finally, the gates were locked.

However, plans to construct townhouses and retail shops on the former Starwood grounds never materialized. Today, the property remains dormant.

According to its Wikipedia page, “Starwood was criticized for the lack of sufficient road infrastructure in the area . . . larger crowds would result in major traffic problems both before and after events.” For many, though, sitting in the traffic with thousands of other people stoked about seeing a concert was part of the experience.



When asked on Facebook about some of their favorite concerts at the venue, the people of Murfreesboro gave Starwood an outpouring of fond memories and support:

Roland Justice – I’ve seen a lot of great shows there, but nothing as memorable as Roger Waters in 2000. Or Boston with Brad Delp shortly before his death.

Kelly Parkinson – Tom Petty like five times, Dave Matthews a few too many times, Willie second row, best ever! REM, Jimmy Buffett, Widespread Panic, Ted Nugent—he wore a ridiculous Native American headdress, I was offered to come backstage after, but passed.

And Yanni with my Dad . . .

Kimberly Lynette Allison – Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers there several times, I saw Hank Williams Jr., The Charlie Daniels Band, New Kids on the Block and Alan Jackson. I have very wonderful memories there. It still saddens me to know it is no longer open.

Jeff Holloway – That was such a great music venue. I saw Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Tool, White Zombie, Pantera, Snoop Dogg, Tool, Everclear and more there.

LeeAnne Allen Carmack – Annie Lennox, Sting, Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, John Mayer, Bonnie Raitt, and others

phish

Derek K. Burks – Clint Black, B-52’s Penny Bolton – No Doubt, Jimmy Buffet, Shania Twain are the first 3 that come to mind, but saw several concerts .there. It was such a cool place for a concert!

Georgia Hemrick – Run–D.M.C./Beastie Boys. I was so cool then.

Carol Cooper Schroer – Steve Miller, KISS, Whitney Houston, Clint Black, Alabama, the Eagles . . .

Sherri Bozarth Ferguson – The Judds, Reba, Hank, Allman Brothers, Charlie Daniels, what year? I don’t know, a long, long time ago! Oh yeah, Dan Fogelberg!

David Speight – The Rush 30th anniversary tour in 2004 kicked off at Starwood . . . last concert I saw there.

Beth Blasingame Vires – Jimmy Buffett was my favorite. Watching the Parrotheads wander around outside was as much fun as the music itself.

Mary Wright West – Boston ’87, B52’s ’89, Bonnie Raitt ’91, Reba ’92.

Rhonda Nash Stansberry – Bob Dylan, Heart, Pearl Jam, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Alice in Chains, Van Halen, Lilith Fair, and, before it closed, Duran Duran.

Katrina Reed – New Kids on the Block and Kris Kross of course!

Shelly Gray – Peter Frampton, Journey and Phil Collins . . . those summer series concerts were the best!!!

Jamie Clarke Chavez – Oh yeah! The Eagles! And I was in the fifth row for REM. (And didn’t Radiohead open for that show?)

There was a period in the ’90s during which I saw a lot of live music, and not just at Starwood.

on my 16th birthday. Reba was my favorite country singer at the time so it was an awesome 16th birthday.

Carrie Ragland – Saw the Eagles, simply amazing. Also saw Lynyrd Skynyrd when the power went out and everybody set fire to the grass. Saw Hank Jr. there and several greats at the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam. Others, too. It was a great venue. I miss it.

Meanwhile, Downtown

Ceysha Lane Berger – My high school years were a blast ’cause of Starwood, please bring it back so the younger generations can have as much fun and memories as us old people!

Misty Forkum – I graduated on that stage, as well as saw concerts like Bon Jovi, Eddie Money, Cinderella. I remember the One for the Sun concert series they had every year. It was fun to sit in the grass under the stars and enjoy good music.

Ryan Frizzell – I worked there. Some the hardest work I’ve ever done. I watched Lynyrd Skynyrd practice for eight hours the last time I was there.

Alta Hartman Creasy – My children and I worked there almost from the beginning to the end. It breaks my heart to pass there and see that empty lot. A lot of good memories and a great place to work part-time.

Shelley R. Grissom – Reba McEntire

As the people of Middle Tennessee were reminiscing about the days of Starwood, the area’s newest outdoor venue announced its inaugural concert lineup.

Ascend Amphitheater, a new outdoor venue located in downtown Nashville on the banks of the Cumberland River, will host a varied lineup of popular touring artists this summer, including Phish, Widespread Panic, Old Crow Medicine Show, Smashing Pumpkins with Marilyn Manson, Chicago with Earth, Wind & Fire, Counting Crows and many others in its first year of operation.

Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter and the owner/operator of Starwood during its final years, will operate the new amphitheater. Live Nation, which now owns Ticketmaster as well, recently announced its acquisition of a portion of the Bonnaroo festival and a share in the Coffee County property that hosts it each year.

For the full summer schedule of shows at Ascend Amphitheater, tickets and more on the new venue, visit ascendamphitheater.com

boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 13

art

Guitars + Art

BY SARAH H. CLARK

The work of Terri L. Fitzgerald

S

ometimes, an experiment is just an experiment.

But every once in a while, an experiment turns out to be a great idea—and a lifelong project. For Terri Fitzgerald, who owns Johnny Guitar’s with her husband, Bob, an experiment five years ago has turned into a means of artistic expression that shows no signs of slowing down.

Terri and Bob moved to Murfreesboro after 30 years of military life, including a stint in Germany. They knew they wanted to open a musical establishment, but a bar or restaurant seemed like too much work for a retirement project. So instead they opened Johnny Guitar’s, a retail space with a focus on music lessons. They have since closed their storefront location and now operate out of the Leslie Hall School of Dance (1431 Battleground Dr.).

It occurred to Terri one day to see what it would look like to make a mosaic on an old guitar.

“I had never done mosaic before,” she says, but she went to Michael’s and bought some cheap stones to create a pattern on an electric guitar. “The first guitar I did is now a stone in my garden,” Terri laughs—she left the guitar in the lesson room overnight without wiping off the grout that covered it. “If you don’t wipe it off within half an hour, it turns into concrete,” she says ruefully.

That initial oversight, however, didn’t stop Terri from continuing her work with guitars.

She uses any guitar that is old, damaged or unwanted, giving the instruments new value and a new lease on life. She typically pays about $30 each for the guitars, often buying them from Goodwill or from people who know her work and bring them to her.

“When I have an idea, I draw it on the guitar in grease pencil. Then I cut the glass and file down the edges. I make the design, cover it with grout, and then wipe it off,” says Terri.

If she really focuses, the whole process takes about a week in her garage studio. People often ask her if the mosaic guitars are still usable as instruments, and Terri says simply, “If it has strings, it’s playable.” To demon14 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

strate, she often brings Bob to her art shows so he can play near her booth.

“In an acoustic guitar, it deepens the sound, but doesn’t deaden it,” she says. To ensure that the guitars can always be used, she mosaics only one side and paints the bridge of the guitar rather than adding stones to it.

Terri’s “GuitArt” designs are eclectic, ranging from the dragonflies and peace signs featured on her business card (some of her favorite work), to sports teams and the Nashville skyline. She usually uses colored glass, but she’s done work with other materials as well—even Legos.

“There will never be two the same, as long as I can think of things,” she says. For each individual piece, she varies color and design to make each one a unique work of art.

What started as a hobby has gone farther than Terri ever expected. Her work is displayed on her website, terrilfitzgerald.com, and she’s participated in several shows over the years, as well as donated her guitars to be auctioned off for good causes.

Some of her work can also be purchased on consignment from Manuel in downtown Nashville. The team at the store, which sells the couture designs of the man who clothed Elvis, Johnny Cash and innumerable other country stars, loved Terri’s designs and asked her to make two guitars for their store using their signature Swarovski crystals. This recognition signaled a landmark moment for Terri.

“It finally woke me up to realize the value of my work and what I do,” she says.

In addition to selling her work at shows, Terri makes commissioned pieces, often for weddings and special occasions. Some of her guitars have made their way into the collections of such celebrities as Tracy Lawrence and Paula Deen.

To see her work or contact Terri, visit terrilfitzgerald.com or her Facebook page, GuitArt by Terri L. Fitzgerald.

boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 15

art Area Artists Open Their Homes May 16 for Small South Current Art Crawl  Small South Current is an alternative art crawl— a multi-venue, pop-up art show in the homes of Murfreesboro artists.

Organizers invite local art enthusiasts to visit participating home studios from 2–7 p.m. Saturday, May 16. Interested parties can drop by 2639 Middle Tennessee Blvd., 423 Hawkins Ave. and 204 Bilbro Ave. between the hours listed above to view local artwork.

Look for interactive installations, performance and experiential art as well as other multimedia and traditional works.

The group’s mission is to re-empower creativity beyond the gallery space. To do this, they experiment with their living spaces, turning them into public spheres of expressive exchange and storytelling.

For more information on the

by Kayla Burnett event, email smallsouthcurrent@ gmail.com or find a Facebook event page for Small South Current 2015.

Group photo (above): This giant head, “Ask Art,” is the brainchild of Kayla Connelly and Johanna Torres and was created with the assistance of Small South compatriots Kayla Burnett, Kat Parmalee, The Weavers, Ramona Creighton and many others. Art crawl participants can ask it a question and it will give an “answer” in the form of some sort of doodad, sketch or hastily devised sculpture that comes out of the mouth.

by Jasmine Gary

 City Hall Displays Artwork in

may by Leggett, Taub, and Wright

by Sally Wright

by Vicky Taub

16 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

An exhibition of paintings by MTSU’s Dr. William Leggett and Murfreesboro photographers Vicky Taub and Sally Wright opens in City Hall’s Rotunda Gallery this month.

Sponsored by the City Hall Art Committee, a reception for the artists is planned for Friday, May 8, from 4:30–6 p.m., with the exhibit remaining in place through June 12.

Will Leggett, an associate professor with the MTSU Department of Sociology and Anthropology, has expertise in a number of areas including economic and urban anthropology, Southeast Asia, and globalization. In 2013 he authored The Flexible Imagination: At Work in the Transnational Corporate Offices of Jakarta, Indonesia, a behind-the-scenes ethnography examining the social interactions between individuals from different cultural and national backgrounds working together in some of Southeast Asia’s most notorious Fortune 500 corporations. No less talented with fine art, Leggett is a gifted painter of diverse subjects including cityscapes, portraits and landscapes that are dynamic, colorful and constructed in a style that speak of interpretation of subject over feigned realism.

by Will Leggett

Vicky Tubb moved to Murfreesboro in 2007 from her native Nashville. Picking up the camera from her husband shortly thereafter, Tubb’s photography focuses on the variety found in wildlife and nature. Of her work she states, “I am amazed that God uses a camera lens to show me a world that has always been there but I had not seen. Even though I have been battling cancer for the past six months, I continue to take photos because no healing center can compare to the healing beauty found in nature.”

Like Taub, Sally Wright works as a massage therapist having earned her degree after a late 1992 move to Murfreesboro.

With her husband she also breeds Spotted Saddle horses, and when asked to describe her photography she terms it as, “(A) rather eclectic collection of subjects.”

Wright’s and Tubb’s paths crossed many times before they became photography friends. Twenty years ago they went to the same massage school and reconnected 15 years later, when their mothers became roommates in the same assisted living facility. Both practice their therapy skills at Murfreesboro’s Synergy Bodyworks.

To see the work of these three fine artists visit the Rotunda Gallery in Murfreesboro’s City Hall at 111 W. Vine St. Exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public. Hours are 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. every weekday, closing only for observed holidays.

boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 17

living homeless in the ’boro

wich, fries and kids meal chicken nuggets.

“I pass,” says the man on the right.

“You sure?” I ask. “It’s free food. All you have to do is walk in.”

“Mm-hmm,” says the man.

“Are there any words you’d like to share with the community?” I ask the man on the left.

“Nope! Have a great day,” the man on the left says as a dismissal.

“I’ll pass,” says the man on the right.

story and photos by Darcy payne

The Receipts O

n Monday, March 30, the Murfreesboro Chick-fil-A promoted a new marketing strategy: if you come in today and order a meal, you get the same meal for free if you return the receipt on April 13.

Instantly, I thought of the homeless population that could return the receipt for a free meal. I ate dinner on March 30 at Chick-fil-A. After I ate, I went around to every table in the restaurant collecting receipts.

On Monday, April 13, I voyaged around Murfreesboro to give a gift of receipts to five homeless people. I had a specific goal to only give receipts to the homeless people that I haven’t met before. In exchange for the free meal receipt, they gave me their stories.

A way to meet new people

she says animatedly.

Trisha doesn’t struggle to tell me her story.

A few of her homeless friends helped in Trisha’s recovery from addiction. She says she was saved in the process of being hospitalized after using synthetic weed.

“I went to the Franklin hospital,” says Trisha. “I was thrashing around from seizures.”

When asked if she is homeless, Trisha says she “was lost and now she is found.”

“Do you mind if I take a picture of you for the paper?” I ask.

Trisha says sure and looks away from the camera while eating potato chips out of her left palm. I asked why she didn’t look at the camera but accepted the picture request.

“You have to be careful,” says Trisha, “There are some snakes in the grass.”

Receipt 2: Dustin

Receipt 1: Trisha Sitting outside of the Journey Home on a water-speckled bench, Trisha smokes a cigarette. Her beautiful smile never fades as she chats with the man next to her. It’s a gloomy Monday, but she doesn’t seem to notice. Or maybe she just doesn’t mind.

“Hey there,” I say, “I have these receipts you can redeem for a free meal. Would you like one?”

“Well, yes ma’am!” says Trisha excitedly.

“Bless you.”

Trisha’s redeemable meal: one spicy chicken sandwich meal and water.

“My name is Darcy. I’m a journalist for the local paper. Is there anything you’d like to share with the community?”

“For two years I was strung out on drugs,”

18 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

The man next to Trisha is young with ice-blue eyes. He looks at me skeptically as I hand him a receipt.

Dustin’s redeemable meal: one small fry and a couple milkshakes.

“Thank you,” he says genuinely.

“Wow . . . you have really cool eyes,” I say.

“You almost convinced me to take a picture for your paper, too,” says the guy, Dustin.

When asked what he would like to share with the community, he says, “God’s really blessed this town.”

“Oh, come on!” says Trisha playfully. “Your testimony can change lives.”

Trisha tells a story about how she shared her testimony with the local paper a while ago. She says it inspired a young girl to clean up from drugs. Dustin doesn’t say anything else, even after hearing Trisha’s encouragement.

Receipt 3: Travis

Receipt 5: Vivian

A slim man with countless tattoos walks out of the Journey Home and joins Trisha and Dustin on the bench.

“Hey, Travis,” I say with a smile.

“Where you been?” he asks. He approaches me with arms out waiting for a hug.

“Busy. With school,” I respond. We hug for a moment then continue catching up.

Although I previously met Travis in the park one day, I explain to him that I am handing out receipts today. As I hand him a receipt, he smiles.

Travis’ redeemable meal: one spicy chicken sandwich.

When asked what he would like to share with the community, Travis responds, saying, “Most of my friends are homeless.” He continued to share his thanks for his helpful friends.

Travis mentioned that a few of his homeless friends help take care of his child.

The Journey Home is a place to get to know the homeless community, but I decide to make my way over to the Walmart off South Rutherford Boulevard. I specifically have in mind one man who holds a sign reading “Hungry.” He might need this last receipt.

As I am approaching Walmart, I don’t see the hungry man. For that matter, I don’t see anyone.

So, I wait for an hour in a nearby parking lot until some panhandlers show up.

I see an elderly woman with hair as white as snow take a seat in an old lawn chair to the left of Dairy Queen. She is holding a sign that reads “I need help with bills and medication, please help me. Thank you.”

“Hey there,” I say to the elderly lady. “What’s your name?”

“Vivian,” she says with tears welling up in her eyes.

I kneel down next to her lawn chair, my knees firmly on the uncomfortable concrete sidewalk.

When I ask what’s wrong, she begins to explain her granddaughter married a terrible man 6 years ago. Her granddaughter is a victim of domestic violence; her husband knocked her teeth out and threatened to kill her and her two children.

After a long emotional battle, Vivian finally got her granddaughter to move back home. Her granddaughter now has a job at Kroger and has filed a domestic violence report with the state.

“DHS is a joke,” says Vivian. “The most money they’d give her was $135 a month.”

Vivian is now trying to pay bills, but her medical condition is preventing her from getting a job. Her 75-year-old husband is applying for jobs but has been denied from every company due to his age. Vivian says her husband has no medical issues and has a great work ethic.

“I’m the one with issues,” whimpers Vivian.

“My medication went from $12 to $90. That, on top of bills, we just couldn’t make it.”

I offer Vivian the last free meal receipt, but she denies my proposal. She says she doesn’t need food. Vivian utilizes the Journey Home, Greenhouse Ministries and food stamps for food sources. She says they are great help, but she needs to pay her bills.

“We aren’t homeless,” says Vivian, “but we are getting there.”

Receipt 4: Acceptance and Pass As I walk to leave the Journey Home, I see two elderly African American men chatting on the second bench outside. They pay me no attention as I walk by them. I get closer to my car, and then I turn around on an impulse decision to talk to the two men.

“Hey, fellas!” I say. “What are your names?”

“Now why you wanna know ’dat?” says the man to my right. He is wearing a light-colored windbreaker on and has a shiny bald head.

“Just trying to introduce myself,” I respond.

“I’m Darcy.”

“Mm-hmm,” says the right-hand man. He seems to doubt my intentions.

“Well,” I say, “I have these receipts . . .”

As I go on to explain the receipts, they seem interested. Once I mention I am a journalist for the paper, the man on the right turns his head away from me looking away from his friend and myself. He is staring off into the distance.

“What do I gotta do for one of those receipts?” says the man on the left.

“Nothing,” I say. “You just have to go to Chick-fil-A to redeem it.”

The man on the left expresses excitement that there are no strings attached to my offer.

Left man’s redeemable meal: chicken sand-

She isn’t proud of panhandling. Vivian describes begging as a last resort for money and it makes her feel cheap. She says people stare at her and it’s embarrassing.

“I used to work for the county,” she says, “and now this?”

A few tears slowly roll down Vivian’s soft, wrinkly cheeks.

“When you’re trying to make ends meet, this is what you have to do,” says Vivian.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have gone into debt to get her home . . .”

Vivian pauses to stare at the people stopped at her location. They stare at her, and she stares right back. Silence. The people turn right, driving away from Dairy Queen and away from Vivian. “. . . but we couldn’t sleep at night,” she continues.

“Are you sure you couldn’t use some more food?” I ask. “What about the kids?”

“Well,” Vivian becomes quiet for a moment to think. “I suppose I could give it to my granddaughter.”

Vivian’s redeemable meal: chicken sandwich, fries and a milkshake.

I hand Vivian the receipt with a smile. As I stand up from my nice concrete seat (the sidewalk), I tell Vivian it was very nice to meet her. With her eyes drowning in tears about to overflow, she says goodbye.

As I get back into my car, I sit for a second with the door open. I remember a poster I had on my wall growing up. It was a Volkswagen Beetle poster with a new green bug popping off the page. When I was younger, I told myself I was going to buy that car.

My dad bought his first car when he turned 15, just so he could sit in it for a whole year in his garage. He couldn’t even drive for another whole year. I figured, if dad can buy his own car at just 15 years old, I could too. Just after my 15th birthday, I bought my own VW bug and got a hardship license to drive. I now drive that dream car: A green 2002 Volkswagen Beetle.

Now I can’t help but think that Vivian’s granddaughter looks up to her just like I looked up to my dad. As sad as Vivian is right now, she always has her family, who are thankful for her support. Maybe her granddaughter wants to be just like her someday: a beautiful, strong woman who can support a family.

boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 19

living

Farmers’ Market Education Series by edwina shannon

Intercropping Combinations: Asparagus – Tomato, parsley and basil Bush beans – Potato, cucumber

• Small, fast-growing vegetables like radish and lettuce can be planted near tomatoes and peppers. The tomatoes and peppers will grow large enough to need their space, too, but not until after the small ones are finished producing.

• Plant corn earlier in the planting season.

Pests do more damage to the corn planted late in the season.

• A 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch can conserve water, regulate soil temperature and suppress pest problems. Mulching is always a good idea.

Rotate & Interplant to Minimize Pest Problems

As the summer vegetables go into the garden, place the plants so that their pest insects have a hard time finding them. Yep, rotate their position from year to year and interplant!

Vegetables from the same crop group have similar disease and pest problems. The rotation minimizes diseases and pests that are attracted to that group. Following is a list of crop groups: • Cantaloupe, cucumber, pumpkin, squash and watermelon are one group.

• Group B is comprised of Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, lettuce, mustard, radish, rutabaga, spinach, Swiss chard and turnip.

• Eggplant, Irish potatoes, okra, pepper and tomatoes are similar.

• Beets, carrots, garlic, shallot and sweet potatoes comprise Group D. • Sweet corn is in its own group.

• The final group is comprised of beans, cowpeas and peas.

For this season, place plants from a crop group in the location where plants from another crop group grew last year. Example: 20 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

where pumpkins grew last year, now plant with tomatoes.

Interplanting is raising two or more crops in the same area at the same time. The growth of each does not interfere with the other; in fact, it often is beneficial. Insects are deterred from interplanted vegetables; they prefer rows of the same crop. The spread of disease is also slowed down.

Tips to intercrop (interplant): • Grow vertically when possible with squash, beans, cucumbers, peas, melons and tomatoes. Large fruits can be supported with mesh slings. Growing upward frees space at the base of the plants for another crop.

• Insert narrow leaf vegetables such as onions and leeks between leafy vegetables like kale or lettuce.

• Taller, sun-loving plants can extend the growing season of beans, beets, chard, leeks, lettuce, peas, radishes and turnips. The shade of the taller plants will extend the season of the cooler-season crops.

• Plants that have large structures or leaves provide shelter for vines, such as beans.

2015 Rutherford County Farmers Market Class Schedule The Farmers’ Market opens at 7 a.m. on Friday, May 8. It will be open Tuesdays and Fridays through October. Only locally grown produce and wares are sold until noon. Credit, debit and EBT are accepted.

The Market is located in the Community Center at the Lane Agri-Park, 315 John R. Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro.

Free classes will be held at the Community Center on Tuesdays and Fridays. Classes begin at 9 a.m., and will be taught by Extension Agents, Certified Master Gardeners (CMGs) and special guests. Occasionally there may be a small fee to cover materials for hands-on projects.

May 8 – Mark Murphy, CMG: Grow Your Own Cornbread Enjoy growing grain corn in your garden and converting it to meal for cornbread and grits.

May 12 – Richard Lee, CMG: Local Treasures, Middle Tennessee Native Plants Use environmentally responsible and wildlife-friendly native plants as valuable additions to your home landscape.

May 15 – Floyd Adams, CMG: Mushroom Gardening Learn to grow your own bed of mushrooms at home.

May 19 – Jane McNulty: Music for Everyone Learn how to use music to feel better, exercise your brain and decrease stress.

May 22 – Linda Stevens, CMG: Deciphering Food Nutritional Labels Confused by all of the info on food packag-

and corn

Cabbage (Cole) – aromatic herbs,

celery, beets, onion family, chamomile, spinach and chard

Carrots – radishes, lettuce, rosemary,

onion, sage and tomato

Corn – potato, beans, pumpkin, cucumber and squash Eggplant – Beans and marigold Lettuce – carrots, radish, strawberry

and cucumber

Onion (Allium) – beets, carrots, lettuce and cole family Parsley – tomato and asparagus Pole beans – corn and radish Potato – beans, corn, cole family,

marigolds and horseradish

Pumpkins – beans, corn and marigold Radish – carrots, nasturtiums,

lettuce and cucumber

Spinach – beans Squash – nasturtiums, corn and

marigold

Tomato – onion family, nasturtiums,

marigold, asparagus, carrots, parsley and cucumber

Turnip – aromatic herbs, celery,

beets, onion family, chamomile, spinach and chard

ing these days? We’ll help you decode and make the best choices for your family.

May 26 – Carla Bush, Ext. Agent: Seasonal Eating, Egg Cookery Get your EGGucation about the amazing, versatile egg.

May 29 – Mitchell Mote, Ext. Agent: All Brown Patches Are Not Brown Patch Discussion of common lawn problems and what to do about them.

June 2 – Ken Roberge, CMG: Gardening Apps for your Smart Phone Review of useful apps that may aid in the identification and treatment of common residential plant problems.

June 5 – Frank Crawford, CMG: Raised Bed Gardening We’ll discuss the many benefits, various types and raised bed construction methods, as well as site requirements and plant suggestions.

Please contact Janie Becker at jbecker8@ utk.edu or (615) 898-7710 for further information or questions on the farmers’ market or the education series.

boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 21

living

Old Fashioned Strawberry Pie Ingredients: 1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry 1 pkg (3oz) cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix 1 ½ cups water 1 tsp lemon juice 1 pkg (0.3 oz) sugar-free strawberry gelatin ½ cup boiling water 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries 3 oz reduced-fat cream cheese 2 cups reduced-fat whipped topping, divided 1 tsp. vanilla extract 8 fresh strawberries

directions:

1 On a lightly floured surface, unroll pastry. Transfer to a 9-in pie

plate. Trim pastry to ½-inch beyond edge of plate; flute edges. Line unpriked pastry with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 450° for 8 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5–7 minutes longer or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

2 In a small saucepan, combine pudding mix, water and lemon juice.

Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir 1–2 minutes longer or until thickened. Remove from heat; set aside.

3 In a large bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Gradually stir in pudding. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until thickened.

Fold in sliced strawberries. Transfer to crust.

4 For topping, in another bowl, beat the cream cheese, ½ cup whipped topping and vanilla until smooth. Fold in remaining whipped topping. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert a medium star tip. Fill with topping. Pipe topping around edges of pie; garnish with whole strawberries. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

helped my children learn about farming and where food comes from. We use them to make preserves and freeze them for winter.”

— Lisa Swader, attended May 2014

Batey’s Berries (Strawberries)

the d n a ere o grab h s i g Sprin are ripe, s t’s . . . s i berrie et because a bask

! e m i T ’ n i k c Pi BY

I

andrea

f you buy your fruit year-round at the grocery store, you may forget that May through July are the times to get ripe, sweet, juicy, Tennessee-grown berries, fresh from the plant, and, in most cases, unharmed by pesticides and fungicides.

Strawberries, blackberries, cranberries and raspberries are the fruits highest in antioxidants, according to whfoods.org. The polyphenols in strawberries can help reduce blood sugar elevations from simple sugar intake, and are great for those with type 2 diabetes. The nutrients in strawberries also serve as great anti-inflammatories when consumed regularly.

Blueberries are also believed to not only improve memory, but to also slow down or postpone the onset of other cognitive problems associated with aging. And organic berries have higher concentrations, so grab them straight from the vine!

Tennessee is not shy of pick-your-own berry patches that provide healthy fun for the whole family. Their fruits are not only fresher and healthier to eat than store-bought fruit,

22 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

kard stoc

but also a great way to get educated on farming and to support your local growers.

If you are looking for pre-picked berries in the area, visit the Rutherford County Farmers’ Market every Tuesday and Friday at Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) with vendors from more than 20 Middle Tennessee counties selling home-grown, organic seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, baked and canned goods, flowers, plants and more from 7 a.m.– noon. For more information, call (615) 8987710 or visit extension.tennessee.edu/rutherford.

Pick-Your-Own Farms in Rutherford County: P and P Farms (Strawberries) 2841 East Jefferson Pk., Lascassas Call (615) 812-8788 or shucknshack@ yahoo.com. Call for hours and availability.

“Berry picking at P and P Farms is a good way to introduce summer. It’s a great weekend activity for the whole family! The kids love doing the work and we [the parents] get to reap the rewards. Berry picking

3250 Medical Center Pkwy., Murfreesboro. Contact (615) 848-4178 or visit bateyfarms.com/strawberries.

Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday 1–5 p.m. (dependent upon weather and berry availability) Batey Farms, a family owned and operated hog, row crop and hay farm in Blackman, opened a berry patch near the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce a few years ago.

“The strawberries are delicious! It’s a great family-fun activity and we always take home a mountain of berries. We plan on going again and are eager to pick. You pick your size basket, and although you risk a lot getting picked early on, they only seem to get bigger and riper!” — Jessica Madachik, May 2014.

Andrews Berry Farm (Blackberries, thornless) 6363 Cooks Lane, Smyrna. Contact (615) 459-3343.

Est. early July, open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Call in advance to verify.

“We have been around for 40 years. Blackberries need rain, so I’m looking forward to a lot of rain this year!” Marvin Andrews, owner.

Double Deuce Produce (Raspberries) 119 Yukon Ct., Murfreesboro.

Contact (615) 678-9242 or tnproduce@ gmail.com. Open late June.

Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.

Also offers beans, cucumbers, onions, peppers, tomatoes and has a gift shop and concessions/refreshment stand.

“Raspberries are a hot topic. Not everybody can find them around here. We are also really excited about the green beans,” says owner John Marshall.

Blueberry Patch (Blueberries) 5942 West Gum Rd., Murfreesboro.

Contact (615) 893-7940.

Open the first week of July through second week of August. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7 a.m.–7.p.m.

The Blueberry Patch has more than seven acres of blueberries using no pesticides, has a shaded playground, picnic table, restrooms and a water fountain for the whole family to enjoy outside.

“We started this because my husband felt like families didn’t have farms anymore, and we wanted children to learn and families to get out and about,” says owner Angie Kleinau. “This farm was planted over 30 years ago when not so much was known about blueberries and how healthy they were. My husband wanted a crop that would pay for the farm. It didn’t, but instead we fell in love with the families that came to pick [berries].

The people and families are the best part, people who want to eat healthy.

s t s e F y r Ber Nashville Strawberry Festival

May 15–17, Nashville Farmers’ Market, 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville This weekend celebration includes a strawberry shortcake recipe contest, demos by chefs, a strawberry eating contest, costume contest, live music, a Sunday “Berry Brunch” and more. nashvillefarmersmarket.org.

75th Annual Portland Strawberry Festival Begins May 9 with activities all week Visit portlandtn.com

Tennessee Strawberry Festival in Dayton Through May 16 daytontnchamber.org

boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 23

Food

Paletas, Por Favor Murfreesboro now has its own gourmet Mexican popsicle and ice cream shop, Paletas la Desi. story by bracken mayo photos by sarah mayo

The Dish

P

aletas la Desi has only been in operation for a few months, but the new establishment already has a legitimate fan base in Murfreesboro. For those unfamiliar with paletas, they are popsicles. But Paletas la Desi, located on the corner of Mercury Plaza (the Rose’s shopping center at Mercury and Middle Tennessee), does not serve ordinary popsicles; the shop produces beautiful creations, gourmet treats on a stick, popsicles in flavors like banana Nutella, strawberry cheesecake and avocado (yes, an avocado popsicle).

They also serve a variety of homemade ice creams, including lemon, Snickers, coconut, cookies and creme, M&M and more.

“I guess the most unusual is pine nut,” a customer said. “I’ve had the pistachio about four times,” he continued, though this time around he ordered the pumpkin cake ice cream.

Paletas la Desi even has a tequila ice cream, and yes, it tastes like tequila.

But if you are looking for sweet, try the Gansito ice cream.

“Gansitos are like a Mexican Twinkie,” Paletas la Desi staff member Natalie Rivera said of the Gansito, a popular snack cake among the Hispanic community. (like a Twinkie, only

24 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

Name: Paletas la Desi Location: 1679 Middle Tennessee Blvd.

Hours: Tues.–Fri. 3–8 p.m.

Sat. & Sun. 12–9 p.m.

Price: Ice cream (chica/ small)—$2.50, Mangonada (chica/small)—$3.50; Popsicles: water-based—$2, milk-based—$2.25 online: Find Paletas la Desi on Facebook

Mangonada

with strawberry jelly . . . and covered in chocolate). The Gansito ice cream has bits of these snack cakes mixed in.

The shop also offers ice-cream-like treats that are water-based, rather than milk-based (sorbets of sorts) in flavors including, but certainly not limited to, watermelon, cucumber, strawberry and guava. Don’t be intimidated, the staff will give you a sample of anything you like if you want to try before you buy.

The mangonada has already become a favorite; this unique concoction blends sweet and spicy by combining mango ice cream, sweet chile sauce, lime juice and chili powder.

“We also make milkshakes, yogurt, banana splits,” Rivera continued.

A customer then placed an order for what is known as Tostilocos, roughly translated: Crazy Tostitos!

A small bag of Salsa-Verde-flavored Tostitos corn chips are torn open in a manner that allows toppings to be added, like nachos. Rivera detailed the toppings: “Cabbage, pico de gallo, Japanese peanuts, sour cream, avocado, pork skins and cheese.”

Paletas la Desi owner Christobel Arsiga grew up in the Mexican state of Michoacán, and now brings his tasty frozen treats, and crazy Tostitos, to the people of Murfreesboro. He said the Murfreesboro store is only a prototype, adding that he has plans to open a Nashville location on Nolensville Road in the coming months

with his business partner, Ronaldo.

The Murfreesboro location may have 40 flavors of popsicles, “But I want more!”

Arsiga exclaims. “The store in Nashville will have room for 60 kinds.”

He says he plans to name the Nashville store Michoacánan Golden, after his home state.

Desi, by the way, is the daughter of Ronaldo, for those curious as to how the Murfreesboro location got its name.

So as temperatures rise and you find yourself needing a cold, exotic treat, try out Paletas la Desi and support these creative entrepreneurs.

Momma Smo’s Kuntry Cookin’ Cookbook hits stores in time for Mother’s Day.

I

BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

f you live in the “kuntry,” it’s not uncommon to hear the phrase “there’s no cookin’ like mama’s cookin’,” and that’s a fact to which Bell Buckle’s own hick-hop star Big Smo can attest. Growing up, Big Smo (born John Smith) experienced countless homemade meals made by his mother, Momma Smo, or Mary Jane Smith. Now she’s ready to share some of her own favorite dishes in her new cookbook, Momma Smo’s Kuntry Cookin’. Just in time for Mother’s Day, the cookbook will hit the shelves on May 10, featuring more than 200 recipes, including Momma Smo’s “World Famous Quick Chick,” as seen on the A&E reality show Big Smo, cornbread salad and a sweet and savory (yet easy to make) banana pudding and several other recipes.

Pulse: Momma Smo, let’s go back to

when you first began cooking. Who taught you how to cook?

Momma Smo: I learned to cook from both my grandmothers and my mother with a little help from Mrs. McBride, my home economics teacher. Cooking was a passion of mine, so to me cooking was my fun hobby.

How many generations do these recipes go back? Tell me about some of your favorites in the cookbook.

The recipes in my cookbook go back over three generations, all the way back to the late 1800s before I was even born. Some of my favorites are: Pecan Pie—it reminds me of my childhood when my momma use to make fresh pies for us kids. Tea Cakes—Those take me back to some of my fondest moments with my grandmother in her kitchen. Fried Chicken and Fried Corn— These need no explanation! I’m a Southern woman, so I’ve even had that for breakfast.

Tell me about some of the recipes have you have passed down.

I have taught all the young ladies in our family most of my secret recipes. Whitney learned my Famous Quick Chick first, than I taught her Fried Corn, Hello Dollies, Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Apple Dumplings. My grandkids are following in my footsteps learning from the best, their Nanny. We bake cookies from scratch and do all kinds of Sunday dishes for after church. It is a family tradition.

Any favorite stories from the kitchen you’d like to tell?

It has been a pleasure watching my son enjoy cooking as much as I do. He had a very creative way of mixing his breakfast together like a backwards carousel topped with maple syrup.

He always said “It was a blue-ribbon dish!”

Now, I think Hardee’s makes something similar called a Breakfast Bowl.

What are a few of your go-to ingredients and must-have items in the kitchen?

Nothing says Momma’s love like sugar and butter, so pile on that flavor and pile on the love.

Momma Smo will appear in a few area stores for special autograph signings:  Sunday, May 10, 12–3 p.m.

Big Smo’s Kuntry Store in Bell Buckle  Tuesday, May 12, 4–6 p.m.

Hastings, Tullahoma  Friday, May 15, 2–4 p.m.

Yoes Brothers Barber Shop, Shelbyville  Saturday, May 16, 1–3 p.m.

Hastings, Murfreesboro For more information, visit mommas moskuntrycookin.com.

boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 25

Living Room Cinema

reviews

column by Norbert Thiemann

facebook.com/livingroomcinema

Ex Machina

Writer/director Alex Garland, writer of 28 Days Later and Dredd, makes his debut as a feature director with Ex Machina.

His script is both lean and loose, exhibiting a concise naturalism brought to life by the three excellent leads, while his cinematographer and set designer perfectly capture the yin and yang of Nathan’s estate—both wooded and sterile, vast and claustrophobic. The inhabitant(s) of the estate enhance the uneasiness of

Caleb’s situation. As his boss Nathan, Oscar Isaac is an unknown variable, an eccentric genius in bro’s skin. Often sweaty, often drunk, one moment seemingly willfully stupid, the next soberingly insightful, Isaac plays Nathan like an unhinged godchild. Caleb can only kowtow and eggshell-step for so long, as his interviews with Nathan’s AI, Ava, take an unsettling turn.

Ava. I’ve saved her for last, because though she is the sun around which this story revolves, she is also at the heart of the film’s most problematic element.

Alicia Vikander passes whatever the opposite of the Turing test is for humans pretending to be robots. Her micro-expressions embody the blurred line between AI and just I. That said, while Ava may pass the Turing test, Ex Machina seriously fails the Bechdel test, and is in that regard a fatally flawed tale of two men and their robot woman. Like Spike Jones’ Her, Ex Machina is a thought-provoking examination of real technological issues, but with a Fembot problem that is stuck in the past.

— jay spight

sequences are in this film. Most action movies are a series of smaller action scenes building up to an epic finale whereas Furious 7 seems to be made up solely of epic finales. This could be exhausting but Wan manages

to make each set piece equally unique and thrilling.

The most impressive aspect of the action was how tense I was throughout. These films are often criticized because of the way characters seemingly become more indestructible in each subsequent film. Furious 7 alone has characters fall from skyscrapers, drive off mountain cliffs and outrun explosions without serious injury. It’s a credit to Wan’s direction that, despite all of that, I still felt fear for Vin Diesel’s crew in every unbelievable situation.

It’s also worth noting Furious 7’s sincerity. It doesn’t try to be self-aware or ironic and its dedication to its own ridiculousness makes it a better film.

— Cecilia Sinkala

4

Starring: Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac Directed by Alex Garland Rated R

movie

The beginning of this blockbuster season is proving to be a good one. Amidst the universally loved dual behemoths of Furious 7 and the second Avengers, a couple of lower-budget genre pieces have had the fortune of seeing a nationwide release due to their early, much-deserved critical acclaim. The first, It Follows, which I reviewed last month, was a sublime and smart distillation of the sexual anxiety of ’80s slasher flicks. The second is Ex Machina, a sublime and smart distillation of the Skynet anxiety of every sci-fi flick about artificial intelligence ever made.

Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson, whose role in the BBC’s technorelated drama Black Mirror now seems ironic), is an employee at the world’s largest tech company BlueBook. He wins the company lottery and is rewarded with a Wonka-esque week-long stay

at the reclusive CEO’s remote wooded estate. After a helicopter drop-off and a walk along the river, a female-voiced security system grants Caleb access to the retro-future-rustic compound where Caleb finds his boss pummeling a punching bag on the patio. Nathan (Oscar Isaac) introduces himself and instructs Caleb to see if Nathan’s latest AI can pass the Turing test (confirming a machine’s ability to exhibit human-type intelligence).

Furious 7 4

Starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Dwayne Johnson Directed by James Wan Rated PG-13 Furious 7 is a film full of bad acting, bad dialogue and incoherent plot. It’s also the most fun I’ve had at the movies in a long time.

This installment introduces Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) as the older brother of the prior film’s villain and desperate for revenge, so Dominic (Vin Diesel) gets his crew back together to find a way to get Shaw before he gets them first.

Furious 7’s strength comes from knowing its strengths.

RATINGS:

Director James Wan is new to the Fast & Furious universe, and while he brings an unwelcome increase of T&A, he also takes the franchise’s action to a new level.

It’s impossible to overstate just how stunning the action A CLASSIC

26 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE

BELOW AVERAGE

Lessons for Humanity

C

ertain films have had the power to evoke my tears. Roger Ebert said, “(T)he movies are like a machine that generates empathy.” He poignantly followed the sentiment up with, “I can see what it feels like to be a member of a different gender, a different race, a different economic class, to live in a different time, to have a different belief.”

Let the Fire Burn (2013) is a documentary directed by Jason Osder. Well recounted are stories about the Move Organization and their conflicts within the city of Philadelphia during the 1980s. Multiple viewpoints are examined, but the final outcome is steeped in tragedy.

Life Itself (2014) is a documentary directed by Steve James. Having nearly unlimited access allows James to go beyond that of just adapting Roger Ebert’s memoirs. Ebert’s spirit and struggles are portrayed in personal moments, making for a very moving piece of work.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD

Naz & Maalik excels at portraying the relationship between the titular characters. The actors (Kerwin Johnson Jr. and Curtiss Cook Jr.) have an easy chemistry and it’s incredibly refreshing to see a gay romance between people of color given such complexity. Naz and Malik’s interactions run the gamut from playful to awkward to sexual to aggressive, and it’s fascinating to watch.

The film’s shortcomings result from its lack of depth.

It feels like a short film’s worth of material stretched to 80 minutes. The main relationSlow west ship is engaging, but that is 4 mostly due to the strengths of the screenings from lead actors. Their characters are Directed by John MacLean Starring Kodi Smit-McPhee, underwritten and the conflicts Michael Fassbender, Kalani surrounding them are absurdly Queypo, Ben Mendelsohn one-dimensional. A clunky Rated R subplot with an FBI agent (Annie

by Cecilia Slow West is unlike any other Grier) surveying Naz and Maalik Sinkala Western I’ve seen. It tells the felt particularly as though it was story of a Scottish boy named Jay created solely to pad out the running time.

(Kodi Smit-McPhee) who to the American frontier in It’s disappointing, because Naz & Malik addresses search of his love. A sketchy bounty hunter named so many topics ignored by most mainstream HolSilas (Michael Fassbender) allies with Jay for his lywood films but does justice to hardly any of them. own ulterior motives.

It makes the film’s failures sting that much more, Slow West is structured as a series of near-vignettes because who knows when another film will surface connected by a simplistic narrative, and the structure that broaches these topics. is what makes it work. It allows the film to explore a variety of tones that can vary from a sincere romance between two teenagers to violent, Looney Tunes-esque slapstick without the tone shifts being jarring.

Slow West also plays with conventions in the Western genre. Instead of shootouts being drawn out and thrilling, they’re short and upsetting. Instead of Native Americans being dehumanized villains, the disturbing truth of the injustices committed against them is shown. The film falters, though, when it doesn’t play with conventions enough.

The relationship between Jay and Silas is one that’s been seen countless times in cinema. It’s the typical “gruff loner whose cold heart is thawed by an inDo I Sound Gay? nocent companion” but Slow West does nothing new 3 with it. In fact, this version of that relationship falls Directed by David Thorpe short, because the film’s vignette structure makes it Starring George Takei, Margaret Cho, difficult to get satisfactory character growth. Still, Slow Tim Gunn, Dan Savage, David Sedaris West is gorgeously shot, offers great performances, Rated NR and deserves to be seen just because it’s truly unique.

David Thorpe is recently single and wonders if his lack of dating success can be attributed to his stereotypically “gay” voice. He embarks on a somewhat trite journey of self-acceptance and explores the larger phenomenon of “gay voice.” He documents that exploration in the film Do I Sound Gay? Do I Sound Gay? deals with heavy issues of self-loathing and internalized homophobia but it’s surprisingly a very fun film. Thorpe keeps the tone light and makes sure to balance darkness with humor.

There are many talking heads but it’s never overwhelming. Thorpe does a great job choosing subjects that are as informative as they are entertaining.

But Do I Sound Gay? falters with its narrative split.

Naz & Maalik Thorpe’s personal journey gets a lot of discussion, 2 but that isn’t nearly as interesting as the discussion of Starring Curtiss Cook Jr., “gay voice” in the context of society. The film asks a Kerwin Johnson Jr., Annie Grier lot of complicated questions about where “gay voice” Directed by Jay Dockendorf comes from and whether it is intrinsic or socialized, Rated NR but fails to properly examine them.

Naz & Maalik is about two gay Muslim teens livWhen the film ended, I felt unsatisfied because, ing in Brooklyn struggling with the intersection of while Thorpe’s dilemma is resolved, many of the their relationship and their faith. It’s an intriguing questions raised in the film are left unanswered. premise that the film doesn’t fully realize. boropulse.com

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g ame

Have a good laugh on “Piggy Hill” Local humor lover creates funny new app. by sarah h. clark Sometimes, we all need a break from the stresses and pressures of our everyday lives. Whether for an hour or just a few minutes, it’s important to take a little time out every one in a while to relax—and maybe even crack a smile.

And if you have your smartphone handy, Murfreesboro’s own John Garrett can help you out with that.

“I believe a smile a day keeps the doctor away! I realize how some people can be grumpy or negative. I would rather put a smile on my face before going to work or coming home and enjoy doing so,” says Garrett.

But Garrett knows that smiling can sometimes come hard, so he’s taken steps to help others banish their frowns: he started a Facebook group called 24 Hour Humor.

He was inspired by his success at building another group based around a Facebook game. After five years, he had gained more than 30,000 members.

“The membership milestone got me to thinking about creating a fun and humorous website for people to enjoy,” he says. “Plus, reading a good joke or two every day is always a good conversation starter, right?”

24 Hour Humor is now not only a Facebook group; it is also a website and a monthly newsletter. Garrett calls it “a one-stop place to find only the BEST smiles around!” He adds, “My goal is to provide an alternative to the stress life often brings.

I hope to gain friends who like to share . . . clean jokes and laughter to get us through this thing called life.”

The page works as a community, with all members encouraged to post the best jokes they come across. The other members are supportive, “liking” and posting comments on the jokes that make them laugh. Periodically, the very best contributions are added 28 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

to the online vault at 24HourHumor.com to showcase what the group has to offer.

To encourage yet more smiles, and to further promote his website and group, Garrett has also designed his very own app, a game called “Piggy Hill.” Available from Google Play and the App Store for Android, Piggy Hill is a colorful romp through a creative cartoon farmyard. The player is the piggy, who runs from the farmer trying to catch him while avoiding obstacles and tripping up the pursuer along the way.

One of the game’s most distinctive features is the built-in ability to personalize your character. By uploading a photo to the app, players can give the fleeing pig new features. Whether you use your own face, that of a friend or family member, or even a giraffe or hobbit, the pigs are infinitely customizable and sure to set kids and adults alike giggling at their antics, while the game’s fast pace makes it a great addition to your gaming stable.

Download Piggy Hill at play.google. com or amazon.com to enjoy hours of fun—and a wealth of smiles—for only 99¢.

theater

Arts Center of Cannon County Hosts May 8 Comedy Night

Onstage

in May

Clean, clever, hilarious comedians Steve Bruner and special guest Tim Northern will be appearing Friday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. at The Arts Center of Cannon County in Woodbury.

Steve Bruner has been featured on Showtime, the A&E Network, ABC, MTV and on nationally syndicated shows. Club appearances include The Comedy & Magic Club, The Improv, Catch a Rising Star, The Punchline and The Ice House. Bruner, whose act has found appeal with a wide variety of audiences, has performed with some of the biggest acts in show business, including Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Engvall, Dennis Miller, Carlos Alazraqui, Dana Carvey, Chelsea Handler, Richard Lewis, Father Guido Sarducci (Don Novell0), Norm Crosby, Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles and The Pointer Sisters.

Bruner’s unique comic sensibility has landed him work as a writer for several TV shows including, Fox TV’s Haywire. Steve has also provided monologue material for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Laugh.com (a website formerly owned by George Carlin) sums it up perfectly: “Steve Bruner is a great guy. He is also one of the most successful comedians in the business.

You can see him regularly in clubs, on television and on cruise ships. Clean, smart and funny define Steve.”

Tim Northern appeared as a finalist on the nationally televised Star Search; Naomi Judd raved about his performance: “He’s the only one that could be a member of Mensa,” she said. “I absolutely adore the cerebral humor.”

Noted intellectual (and former game show host) Ben Stein agreed with her assessment, adding his own accolade, “I love that fact that he assumes his audience has a brain!”

Coming from an Ivy League presidential pundit, that’s high praise indeed for someone who never set foot in college.

Northern says it’s the response he’s hoping for each time he takes the stage. “That’s what I’m striving for. I provide you with two-thirds of the joke, and you provide the other third.

It’s like ‘do-it-yourself ’ comedy.”

Northern has also appeared on Last Comic Standing in 2014, and has opened for such comedians as Rodney Carrington, Bill Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy and Ron White.

For tickets to the May 8 performance, visit artscenterofcc.com/comedians.

Bonnie and Clyde Center for the Arts 110 W. College St. 7:30 p.m. May 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30; 2 p.m. May 17, 24 and 31 boroarts.org

Much Ado About Nothing Murfreesboro Little Theatre 702 Ewing Blvd.

7 p.m. May 8–10, 15–17, 22–24 mltarts.com boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 29

The

opinions Jailcigs may be the sheriff's undoing, ethics questions swirling around town “Above the Law.” That’s the new feature showing at the Rutherford County Sheriff ’s Office. Well, it’s not really new. It’s been running for nearly five years, almost since the day Robert Arnold took office.

But not until documents came to light about the sheriff ’s connections to JailCigs, JailSnacks and a host of unapproved contracts and agreements did people figure out the movie’s theme. It was one some people had an inkling about since he won the election five years ago.

When interviewed in 2011 about taking extradition trips to Alaska and San Francisco, not long after being sworn in, Arnold said, “Rank has its privilege.”

Since then, he has ruled the office as a man of privilege, buying expensive sports utility vehicles for himself and his top brass, spending freely from the drug fund and raising the sheriff ’s office and jail budgets nearly $10 million in four years. And that’s the legal stuff—at least it received legal approval from the County Commission.

From the outside, it appears the sheriff ’s office also played a shell game with county money during Arnold’s time in office, though he swore his administration would be the most transparent ever. A typical night at a county budget committee meeting takes seven to eight amendments for the sheriff ’s budget, and sometimes he refuses to tell them exactly how the money is to be spent.

Of course, that didn’t include everything he was hiding.

As it turns out, Arnold reported on his state ethics form that he and his wife are investors in JailCigs, LLC, a company

Inmates booked into Rutherford County jail were notified that their friends and family could buy e-cigarettes through jailcigs .com at $12.95 each.

30 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

Stockard Report

by Sam Stockard sstockard44@gmail.com

going through the purchasing process.

A similar purchase was made from a company called Telmate for tablets inmates could use to communicate with friends and family, and John Vanderveer, co-owner of JailCigs, made yet another purchase of prison bags for nearly $8,000 to ship to the jail. All of this is documented in public records.

Brazen Attitude

owned by his uncle and aunt, John and Judy Vanderveer, of Marietta, Ga., and his chief deputy administrator/neighbor/campaign chair Joe Russell, who handled all the sheriff ’s office financials until he was put on administrative leave in April.

Russell, who also holds a real estate license, ran JailCigs’ distribution of e-cigarettes at the jail, emails show. He and the Vanderveers also own JailSnacks, a vendor dealing items nationwide.

When inmates were booked into the Rutherford County jail, they were given a piece of paper notifying them their friends and family could buy e-cigarettes through jailcigs.com at $12.95 a pop. An e-cig lasts about as long as 25 cigarettes, and inmates could buy another four when they turned four in.

Typically, the jail has about 800 inmates, so if 400 of them bought four e-cigs a week for a year, that equals $1 million. The problem is the JailCigs contract never went through the county’s purchasing committee and none of the revenue was flowing to the county’s general fund, officials say. The question is: Where did it go?

That’s why District Attorney General Jennings Jones called in the Comptroller’s Office and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Meanwhile, Arnold signed an agreement with Keefe Commissary Groups setting up a “technology fund” without county approval, and a Keefe subsidiary made a $15,000plus purchase for tasers, lasers and holsters and shipped it to the sheriff ’s office without

Of course, Arnold is refusing to step down.

With a salary of $125,000, he can’t afford to leave. Besides, he needs the money to pay his attorney, Tom Dundon, of Nashville’s Neal & Harwell, a white-collar criminal defense attorney who spoke for Arnold recently at a County Ethics Committee meeting.

The Ethics Committee called for the DA to investigate Arnold, Russell and another consulting and training company being run out of the sheriff ’s office by Detective Maj. Bill Sharp. Neither the committee nor the full county commission can do much other than seek investigations and censure the sheriff.

The TBI and Comptroller’s investigations were in full swing already.

But Arnold apparently underestimated just how angry people have become about his shenanigans. People who went to the wall for him during his two campaigns are PO’d.

At the Ethics Committee meeting, County Commissioner Rhonda Allen of Smyrna called him out. “It’s very clear Joe Russell is the owner of JailCigs. Let’s assume (Sheriff Arnold) didn’t know. Now he does, so what has he done?”

The next day, Arnold placed Russell and Sharp on administrative leave—with pay.

That means they can continue doing what they’ve been doing without worrying about pretending to work on county business.

Someone called and asked A) was it protocol for people under investigation to be placed on leave; or B) was Arnold trying to cover his rear end. The answer: both.

In all truthfulness, Arnold should put himself on administrative leave until this situation comes to an end. He’s just lucky the next election isn’t this month.

Something Building

Not only is Arnold apparently in cahoots with the Vanderveers on JailCigs, he gave their son James a second chance at a job with the sheriff ’s office after he was

vanderveer

arrested on a DUI charge. Certainly, young people are going to make mistakes. But James Vanderveer is also a target in a federal lawsuit after pepper-spraying a confined inmate at the county jail for an extended period. A video can be seen on YouTube. The inmate contends in court that Vanderveer, another jailer and the sheriff violated his constitutional rights.

Meanwhile, Russell may not have learned much from the hard knocks of county politics.

His wife, Nicole Lester, was ousted last July as Rutherford County administrator of elec-

russell

lester

tions, primarily for not reporting to work as requested by Election Commission Chairman Ransom Jones.

Russell pleaded his wife’s case at her final meeting with the commission, but it didn’t do much good. The vote to fire her was overwhelming.

As Arnold’s chief financial officer, Russell could be the one leading him down the wrong path. At the jail, he was point man for JailCigs, letting jailers know when the e-cig shipments arrived and even troubleshooting cases in which inmates got bad e-cigs or no e-cigs at all. In one case, a mother was upset because her son didn’t receive the e-cigs she ordered, according to emails obtained from Russell’s computer.

What Did He Say?

When WSMV-TV reporter Nancy Amons interviewed Arnold at the sheriff ’s office the day this news broke, he acted as if it were no big deal, showing up in shorts and a golf shirt.

Then, when Amons showed him the document showing Russell owns JailCigs, Arnold said something like, “Oh, I know of a Joe Russell.”

Considering they’ve been almost inseparable for the last few years, he clearly suffered sudden amnesia syndrome. Russell ran his campaigns, controls the sheriff ’s office money and lives so close to him they can’t flush the toilets without the other one hearing. Their driveways are even connected by a concrete walkway.

Fittingly, Russell was on vacation when the news broke, the same week JailCigs set up a booth at the Florida Sheriffs Association conference in Orlando. Sheriff ’s officials would say only that Russell was on vacation at the time, while insiders said he was in Florida.

Even though he holds no police officer certification, Russell has been on several sheriff ’s office junkets, including trips to Washington D.C. with Arnold and to Fort Worth, Texas, for National Sheriffs Association events, county records show.

People irritated with this situation say Russell has no reason to go on these trips— other than to sell JailCigs, as e-cigarettes become one of the hottest money-makers in the prison and jail industry.

tion conference. He serves on the board.

He had just been to D.C. in mid-December for a National Sheriffs Association meeting and to the Tennessee Sheriffs Association conference in August at Pigeon Forge. Those came on the heels of a June 2014 trip to a National Sheriffs Association event in Fort Worth, Texas. And there were many more in 2013, totaling thousands of dollars in expenses.

Tennessee Sheriffs Association conferences are packed with discussions about ethics, and how to deal with vendors, according to Executive Director Terry Ashe, who suspended JailCigs from TSA events.

The training must not have sunk in here.

Arnold rolled to another four-year term in August 2014, defeating two independents and a Democrat, picking up more than half the vote. He was so popular he could have stayed in office as long as he wanted. If he somehow overcomes this investigation, he’ll have a tough time winning again. People who went out on a limb for him the past five years feel like he played them for fools.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

“Even though he holds no police certification, Russell has been on several sheriff’s office junkets, including trips to Washington D.C. with Arnold and to Fort Worth . . . ”

The Ultimate Question

Robert Arnold had it made. As sheriff, he’s getting paid four times what he made as a jailer and school resource officer. He drives a fresh Chevy Tahoe, lives in a nice house and takes multiple trips every year to the mountains in East Tennessee, Washington D.C., and other states for sheriff ’s conferences and training seminars, all paid for by taxpayers.

According to records on file with the Rutherford County Finance Department, Arnold took trips to Pigeon Forge in mid-March for a conference and to Washington D.C. in early February for the National Sheriffs Associa-

boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 31

Who Wants to Be Common?

BY Dr. Jonathan Z+

B

e sure to see who sponsored and funded the Common Core movement in the U.S.; it was funded largely by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They hired one primary consulting firm that was largely responsible for its present structure and contents. Were they diagnosticians, certified teachers, superintendents or educational experts? Not really. They were mostly hired consultants.

Bill and Melinda Gates

As a certified teacher, principal, counselor and superintendent, and as an experienced, board certified medical psychotherapist, I’ve learned from my past training and experience that creativity (or C.Q.) is not easily developed in any “average or common curriculum,” especially in One Common Movement. Neither is true intelligence (or I.Q.), be it spiritual or psychological. The Common Core, in my expert opinion, will be devastating to the development of both C.Q. and I.Q. in our students and communities, as well as in the states or schools that follow it.

You can watch and see. It will be another flop. . . .

“If Common Sense is Uncommon, Common Core is Nonsense” Who Really Wants to be Common?

In every season, there is “the common cold” While some live day to day, most people just grow old Living in “moments of time, not timeless moments . . .”

Still with the average all around us, a common life unfolds Then, we’re told we must have Common Sense Yet, Thomas Paine taught common sense is “Uncommon” It comes only with critical and creative thinking . . .

History’s proven teaching must flow from God’s hope, faith and love Scripture says “the (reverential) fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”

For hidden reasons, now everything holy or godly is supplanted . . .

By faulty doctrines of evolution, humanism or sex education The Feds’ policies erode our rights to life, liberty and happiness By destroying the values of our Republic and its currency They must think this is no longer a government “of, by and for the people” Now most schools are ordered to teach “the Common Core” Even though it’s not the essence of God’s hope, faith and love Instead, it’s merely at its core “a mandate for 32 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

mediocrity . . .”

Or a mandate to not think freely and creatively Who really wants to be common, average or ordinary?

Does anyone seek to be unique, special or extraordinary?

Doesn’t the Bible say we are “wonderfully and fearfully made?”

“Why ask why?” if such mandates make our creative thinker die?

It may cause the Maker of Heaven and Earth to ask us why . . .

Why bother to please ourselves or others, if we dishonor God? Do we wonder “Why is America dishonoring God’s Word?”

“Why is violence increasing in our schools and elsewhere?”

“Why are so many teenagers giving up and wanting to die?”

“Why do bad things happen to good people” or “Why bother to ask why?”

Emerson asked: “What is the most difficult task in all the world?”

Answer by learning to trust, forgive, communicate and love How would you answer Emerson?

What is the purpose of life if I lack the resources to achieve it?

Life’s “raison d’être” discovers true meaning only outside of Itself.

Yet it is the essence of why God calls us all to excellence Only by loving and by thinking freely does it become real . . .

So what is it, you might ask, “If it is not the Common Core . . .”

If one wishes to be great, said the greatest Lord of all Seek not to be great, rather seek to be “a servant helper” For he that is greatest anywhere is servant of all . . .

“We can do no great things in life,” said Mother Teresa, “But only small things with great love.”

Take three examples from recent times, just three Let’s ask ourselves what’ve they given us freely?

These three, Billy Graham, Obama and Mother Teresa How’ve they helped, served or eased us?

How’ve they loved us or set us free?

From trials, hardship, economic slavery or poverty?

Have they helped us to be servants of all?

Rejoice, for “Truth is, regardless of our perception of it” Here lies the secret to abundant living: Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life” There’s no meaning on earth or in heaven above Without God’s perfect hope, faith and love . . .

How have these values served us or set us free?

How have we demonstrated God’s unfailing love?

Answer by declaring in winter, spring, summer and fall: “Who’s been, and is, the greatest servant of all?”

Dr. Jonathan Z+ is a psychotherapist, poet and author, the CEO and Health, Education and Wellness Medicine commissioner with the American Council on Excellence, and the founder of the American College of Wellness Doctors.

boropulse.com

* May 2015 * 33

Can Hypnosis Work For You? Some case histories from Dr. M.C. Radford.

BY Dr. M.C. Radford

How do I eliminate stress?

Case history: Patty J. seemed almost a

hopeless case—at least to herself. She had been recently divorced and left with two small children. She was working two jobs in a frantic effort to make ends meet. With all these pressures overwhelming her, she often took out her frustrations in physically abusing her children. She came to Dr. Radford in an effort to get a hold on herself. He explained that she and her children were on the same wavelength. Whenever she became upset, the children picked up on her feelings and were unmanageable, which made her even more upset, and resulted in a vicious circle. The change, Dr. Radford pointed out, must come from Patty herself.

Under hypnosis, he then taught her how to relax subconsciously, despite whatever situation she found herself in. Her problems with her children soon showed a great improvement.

How can hypnosis help with sex problems?

Case history: Ann T. had been totally frigid for the entire 13 years of her marriage. At

last, her husband, unable to stand it any longer, began going out with other women. In a final effort to save her marriage, Ann came to Dr. M.C. Radford. Under hypnosis she was taken back to when she was 3 years old and had inadvertently walked in on her parents making love. Thinking her father was hurting her mother, she became deathly afraid of sex from that moment on. Dr. Radford expelled her fears and filled her mind with suggestions of the beauty and happiness of married love. After only one session Ann was then able to enjoy normal sexual relations.

How can hypnosis improve sales?

Case history: Joe R. was impersonating a salesman. I say “impersonating” because that’s exactly what he was doing: merely going through the motions of calling on clients, making his half-hearted pitch and then inevitably being turned down. Faced with the loss of his job, he turned to Dr. Radford, who quickly deduced that Joe had a chronic inferiority complex and a total lack of confidence. In the course of their conversation Joe even revealed that he was so afraid of failure that he would call on clients actually hoping they weren’t in. It took several sessions, but Dr. Radford was able to eradicate Joe’s pathetic inferiority and instill in him a confidence that enabled him to become one of his company’s leading salesmen. Joe then went on to learn self-hypnosis in order to always keep his confidence at the desired level.

How does hypnosis work with weight loss?

Case history: (from Bettye W.): Dear Mr. Radford, I had almost given up hope of losing the 40 extra pounds which I gained about three years ago until I came to your clinic to learn to control my weight through self-hypnosis. I had tried everything I could think of. I went to Weight Watchers, took diet pills and even tried behavior therapy at a local hospital. None of these things worked. Since I started to your clinic about three months ago I have lost the 40 pounds, and am still losing easily and without being hungry. I even have more energy.

The tape you gave me to listen to each day between sessions has helped immensely. I have received many extra benefits from these sessions. I have a more relaxed attitude toward life and I am becoming more outgoing. I had been an extremely shy person most of my life, and felt quite handicapped by this shyness and inability to engage in conversations with others. Since coming to your clinic for treatment, I have become much more sociable and less shy. Everyone around me notices the changes. I still have some areas in my personality with which I need help. I intend to keep working on those areas, for I now have the confidence to believe I can improve myself much more.

There are two kinds of people on earth today—just two kinds of people, no more, I say—not the good and the bad, for it is well understood the good are half bad, and the bad are half good. Not the happy and sad, not the rich and the poor or the humble and proud. No, the two kinds of people I mean are the people who lift, and the people who lean. Wherever you go you will find the world’s masses are ever divided in just these two classes and strangely enough it seems there is only one lifter for every 20 who lean.

Dr. M.C. Radford will answer any questions on the mind, brain, body, spirit, hypnosis, cybernetics, parapsychology or metaphysics. Contact him today at (615) 351-2939.

34 * May 2015 * boropulse.com

Looting and Rioting Won’t End Police Brutality

I

get it. A guy is arrested by police, suffers a severed spine in the process and dies. I was outraged when the video of the arrest first surfaced and was pleased to hear there would be a formal investigation with the officers involved put on leave.

That’s how the system works.

And with a hyphenated black/female-mayor of Baltimore there was no doubt that the investigation would be thorough.

But that’s not good enough for the Sharptonesque rent-a-mobs. It doesn’t matter that the system is working. It doesn’t matter that justice is being served. They want to show up and burn down. That’s what they do. That’s what they did.

And the mayor sure didn’t help by saying the city needed to give the protesters space to destroy. Why didn’t she offer the “space” of her home if she so believed in their right to destruction. Then she looked all surprised when they looted and burned. views of a Surprised? This is what these people do. These people? Yes, those who lie in wait for a racial mocolumn by ment to exploit. Are they angry? Perhaps. More phil Valentine philvalentine.com like crazy. What’s even crazier is a mayor and police force that stand by as they torch a couple of police cars, then loot and burn a CVS store. Now, to give credit, the police commissioner was as outraged as anyone with the conduct of the thugs who looted and burned and, perhaps, his department was just outmanned. However, allowing even the least bit of destruction can only embolden the criminals to take it to the next level.

Is there a problem with police brutality? I’m willing to entertain that possibility. A severed spine during an arrest sounds pretty brutal to me. Do you solve a police brutality problem by burning down a drug store? Absolutely not. That’s the part that enrages me.

Anyone who justifies looting and burning is as big a thug as the looters and arsonists.

There has always been a tense relationship between the police and minority communities. It’s sort of a Catch-22. These communities are where the highest crime rate is so, naturally, they’re going to have a greater police presence. Were the police to simply withdraw and leave the community to the criminals they would be accused of racism. So, this powder keg is ever-present.

It only takes a spark to set it off, which is exactly what happened in Baltimore. The funeral for Freddie Gray was that spark and the result was a raging fire.

For the mayor to even suggest that rioters need their space to destroy is totally irresponsible and she shoulders at least some of the blame for what happened. Baltimore has worked hard to reverse its reputation from the ’60s and ’70s as a complete dump of a town. I’ve visited Baltimore on a number of occasions and they’ve done a remarkable job remaking their city’s image. This ain’t gonna help.

Riots like this can do irreparable damage to a city, or at least a neighborhood. Watts has never recovered from the riots of 1965. What’s the chance a company is going to relocate to Ferguson, Mo., any time soon? Would you want to move there?

It starts with putting out the little fires first, like graffiti and gangs. I once suggested that to Jesse Jackson and he told me graffiti was the “hieroglyphics of oppression.” Need we look any further for the problem? When people of influence even remotely justify crime then it’s a green light for the criminals. And no one should be surprised when they burn your town down.

conservative

“Is there a problem with police brutality?

I’m willing to entertain that possibility. A severed spine during an arrest sounds pretty brutal to me.”

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 2015 * 35

Murfreesboro’s Music Through the Decades

by GLORIA CHRISTY

The Rural Roots of America’s Music, Part I: The Field Hollers and Slave Songs

I

t was about 1940, only moments before he arrived to the flashing, lighted marquee. And now he stood alone as the orchestra began to play. The stage lights were on him, his hands clammy and his heart pounding, and he was terrified. There were ghosts in his head screaming, “Go back to the fields. Go back into your shell. This is all made up. What do you think you are doing?” But he wanted to be seen and heard like the white man, so he began to sing, singing loud and with volume, swaying back and forth. A stunned, primarily white audience roared with excitement, clapped, and rose to their feet. It had happened. Right there in a darkened theater under the bright stage lights, a shouting gospel singer from the cotton fields of the South crossed racial lines and sang his heart out . . . amazing! He was confident, experiencing no stage fright.

The world would finally hear and be influenced by this man’s extraordinary musical style. The lights came up, and he had won a great victory. Now, he was free from his legacy of slavery. Finally, his songs could be heard, be known and appreciated. Or could they?

The tone and power of America’s musical influence speaks volumes around the world. Our music is America’s gift to all. Within each song piercing the human soul, there is an embedded story projected from the rural life of America across the ages—the rustic cabins, the tall, weathered mountains and the spiritual laments rising from the fields. Throughout the decades, the cross-pollination of styles has become so commonplace in our music that we are not able to hear or discern the original, individual ingredients. If we put our hearts and souls on the line and dig deep into the history of these styles, we will discover the roots of our creative inspiration crossing the decades. The picture that appears is fascinating. For the next three months, we will begin to trace these musical styles which seized the imagination of Americans in the 20th century, creating blues, jazz, country and rock ’n’ roll styles enjoyed by a worldwide audience.

Until the middle of the 20th century, Middle Tennessee was isolated and remote, a rural area rich in folk culture steeped in the Southern tradition. Most of the people of Murfreesboro, like those in many Southern towns, lived near farms close to cotton fields and cornfields where rural life and its music began. That music would become the centerpiece not only of our culture locally but for regions all across America.

Let’s explore the slave songs and their lyrical influences, which were riveting and bewitching, giving your goose bumps goose bumps. These songs came from the marginalized existence of the slaves and their everyday, back-breaking life as field hands from early spring through late fall. Slave songs, with their laments and protests, were a genuine byproduct of their desperate living conditions, coded with meaning only they truly understood. These musical styles would evolve as a precursor to the rise of jazz and blues and even the protest songs of the 1960s civil rights movement.

A description documented in Slave Songs of the

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 Eliza Jane Wiley was a former local slave.

Richard Shacklett, my father, took this photo in 1944. Eliza was 102 years old at the time.

United States from the University of North Carolina vividly describes the convergence of the European and African influences in the Negro spirituals: The most peculiar and interesting of their customs is the “shout,” an excellent description of which we are permitted to copy from the N.Y. Nation of May 30, 1867: . . . the true “shout” takes place on Sundays or on “praise” nights through the week, and either in the praise-house or in some cabin in which a regular religious meeting has been held. Very likely more than half the population of the plantation is gathered together.

Let it be the evening, and a light-wood fire burns red before the door of the house and on the hearth . . . But the benches are pushed back to the wall when the formal meeting is over, and old and young, men and women, sprucely-dressed young men, grotesquely half-clad fieldhands—the women generally with gay handkerchiefs twisted about their heads and with short skirts—boys with tattered shirts and men’s trousers, young girls barefooted all stand up in the middle of the floor, and when the “sperichil” is struck up, begin first walking and by-and-by shuffling round, one after the other, in a ring.

The foot is hardly taken from the floor, and the progression is mainly due to a jerking, hitching motion, which agitates the entire shouter, and soon brings out streams of perspiration. Sometimes they dance silently, sometimes as they shuffle they sing the chorus of the spiritual, and sometimes the song itself is also sung by the dancers. But more frequently a band, (consisting of a fiddle or banjo) composed of some of the best singers and of tired shouters, stand at the side of the room to “base” the others, singing the body of the song and clapping their hands together or on the knees. Song and dance are alike extremely ener-

getic, and often, when the shout lasts into the middle of the night, the monotonous thud, thud of the feet prevents sleep within half a mile of the praise-house.

By 1860, there were roughly 4,000,000 slaves in America. It is documented in Carlton Sims’ book A History of Rutherford County that by 1850, out of the total population of 29,122 in Rutherford County, the slave population was 11,978. From 1810 to 1860, the number of blacks had increased more than 400 percent, rising to 12,527 compared to the white population of 14,743 living in Rutherford County. Our county, supported by slave labor, was one of the leading corn and cotton producers in the country during this period. Consequently, there had to be some distraction from the back-breaking, sun-up-to-sundown hard labor. One might wonder what musical activities engaged the slaves such as singing and dancing here in Rutherford County and Murfreesboro.

It has been said that that the African American slaves literally had to sing to keep their sanity. Songs with hidden meanings infused every part of life. From their capture in Africa to their servitude in America, slaves were forcibly forbidden to use any instruments. One has to marvel at the creative adaptation to clapping and jumping as well as stomping rhythmically. The slave call-and-response melodies were adapted to spirituals, field hollers and work songs, becoming a cultural influence on every aspect of American music today.

A moan or groan in the music expressed the pain, an emotional expression communicating the real story, a cry for freedom and a better way of life. Despite their exceedingly grim conditions as slaves and even after the Civil War, many continued to share their dreams musically, setting the process in motion for freedom which would continue in song through the 1960s Civil Rights movement.’

In August of 1829, news from North Hampton, Va., reached Rutherford County: a slave uprising had been initiated by a slave named Nate Turner. This insurrection spread panic all across the community. All the slave owners, bent upon retaining control, formed a patrol with guards making continuous rounds night and day, ensuring that the rebellion did not spread here. Soon news reached Murfreesboro that Nate Turner had been caught in Virginia and was subsequently hanged.

Here is the firsthand account of the reaction by the slaves in the community once word reached them: The cloud removed, the sun gradually assuming his usual brightness, the people were more cheerful. The Negroes were not looked after with the same distrust. They were going singing, whistling and loud laughing . . .

Perhaps hidden in their anxious emotional response to this incident were the seeds of emancipation messages. Noted here after the war, emancipated slaves by the wagonloads found shelter in the old city jail, the old Presbyterian Church on Vine and the buildings and grounds of Union University, located on the grounds of present-day Central Magnet School on Main. This migration of slave refugees to Murfreesboro constituted a demographic metamorphosis from whites to blacks immediately following the war. The majority of blacks

made up 52 percent of the population. This created a need for religious expression, which played a crucial role in the formation of independent churches. These churches created an outlet for their desire to express their faith in song and dance. Communal religion allowed for former slaves to build social bonds and strengthen family relationships that had been broken through slavery.

In August of 1865 here in Rutherford County, 1,136 former slaves had obtained legal marriage certificates by the Freedmen’s Bureau, authorized agents of the U.S. government giving civil sanction to slave marriages. By the 1880s as did former slaves in our community and across America, they came together to form families and a complex network of churches, schools and businesses which included creative expression in music, a visible precursor of America’s popular music.

As in the past, and as history continues to repeat itself, it seems that under a veneer of prosperity, we have become a nation in bondage—slaves to old habits, old attitudes and old practices. Each one enslaves the human spirit, keeping us from the freedom to be all that we could be. The symptoms are evident in a faithless population where depression and fatigue are pandemic. Happiness is simply a lost ideal shrouded in compulsive and obsessive behavior.

Over and over day by day, in our exhaustion and self-indulgence, we recognize that something is wrong, but we have no clue how to change it.

America has created a society of imbalance in the midst of massive responsibilities, its people faltering on the verge of collapse. Much of our musical expression reflects our enslavement, riddled with bombastic melodic idioms. It is disjointed and confused both musically and lyrically, reflecting the pain of our broken world.

There is a way back! Amidst all this despair, we must seize this moment of opportunity and make a decision to change one soul at a time. Coming out of a time of this ruin and personal bondage, we must face the truth about ourselves and our society, realizing that our situation has become unmanageable. We must come out of denial and name those things that keep us enslaved. No longer can we cover up or excuse or blame. Acknowledgment is the first step back, one that will galvanize our actions into a positive direction both personally and corporately.

Your feelings may disagree with this decision for change, but soon your feelings will catch up with your decision in a positive way.

It may be as simple as the realization that you have been a slave to anger, complaining, or even a critical spirit. These negative reactions waste precious time and energy. If you make a decision to change, just like the slaves of long ago, you partner with God to become an agent for change in your family, your community and even beyond. God will give us the strength and courage to make those necessary changes in our life. Otherwise, the myriad of choices simply confuse without God’s leading. Suddenly, we are a little bit freer and more energetic, able to share this good news with others. Our planet will be all the better, and all the more peaceful for it.

“Much of our musical expression reflects our enslavement, riddled with bombastic melodic idioms. It is disjointed and confused both musically and lyrically, reflecting the pain of our broken world.”

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sports The Hawaiian With the Heisman Drafted by Tennessee Titans

T

he Train Daddy is back with the pain, daddy, as always bringing you, the reader, sports news in only one way—the Train Daddy way! I don’t speak hate, I don’t have an agenda, I am just a sports fan and writer who speaks from the heart.

Okay, so my wish didn’t come true. Floyd Money stays undefeated and still the best poundfor-pound fighter in the world. In the course of a dozen rounds Floyd earned nearly $5 million per minute of action, with Pac-Man earning $3.3 million per minute in a 60/40 split of the purse.

Floyd’s total takeaway amassed $179 million, and we chumps who paid the $100 pay-per-view fee got punked while the fighters just got richer.

We paid to watch a supposedly injured Manny throw punches like a rabid kangaroo on crack while Floyd ran around the ring like the Flash from DC Comics, avoiding everything. Oh well, it is what it is. I reckon boxing will be less thrilling for the next few years, and Dana White and the UFC will dominate the world of fighting.

This fight didn’t come close to touching Ali/ Frazier but Money stays undefeated as he gets closer to the age of 40 and to the promise of a spot in the history books.

On to the nfl draft

That’s all I have to say about that. Titans talk, baby! If you have no desire to be enlightened about the future of the 2015 Tennessee Titans, begone with you. The rest of this article is VIP only, for the true-blue bleeding Titan fans, the famous Me-Ma, the meat grilling, hell-raising tailgaters, my people—the Train Daddy Mafia— and anyone who is already anticipating Sunday afternoon on a Monday. The future is now, Titans fans. With the second pick of the 2015 NFL draft, the Tennessee Titans select Marcus Mooriotto, quarterback out of Oregon. Come on Commissioner Goodell, get the name right: Mariota. You at least owe it to the first-round players to practice pronouncing their names correctly, especially the current Heisman and second overall pick.

Well, my hopes came true; since last October, when the Titans were sucking it up, I was all aboard the suck-for-duck campaign; just as the Colts sucked 4 Luck, we got our man and they got theirs. I was clear in all my past articles to please stay away from the moron Jameis Winston and focus attention on the Heisman signal caller. I love the fact these two quarterbacks will open the season facing each other come Week 1. I also love the fact that Andy Reid suppos-

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Sports talk

In the second round of the NFL draft the Titans selected Missouri’s Dorial GreenBeckham

column by zaCH “Z-TrAIn” MAXFIELD

titanman1984yahoo.com

edly had a voice in convincing Coach Whisenhunt that taking Marcus was the right move, and not to trade away the pick. Reid, the current Chiefs coach and legendary Eagles coach, was pushed out of Philly in 2012 in an ugly breakup. I am sure there is some satisfaction for Reid that his former team (now led by Chip Kelly) and the city of Philadelphia didn’t get the player they practically begged for. I have no love for the fans of Philly, I have been to multiple Eagles games and they top the list of loudmouth fans, but there is also respect from me for a team whose fans travel so well and show that kind of dedication. But they can suck it. Marcus is a Titan now, not an Eagle.

Rumors had it the Eagles offered a deal similar to what Coach Ditka did in 1999 while coaching the Saints in order to grab Ricky Williams. Ditka gave away his entire draft for the rights to get the former running back. But the Titans coaching staff made it clear to all suitors that Marcus was the future of Tennessee.

So, who is Marcus Mariota? Who is this 21-year-old kid who Whisenhunt already plans to start on Week 1 of the 2015 season? Here comes the Marcus breakdown: Mariota was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, he stands 6 feet 4 inches and weighs 222 pounds.

He was the Ducks starting quarterback from 2012–14 and became the first Oregon player to win the Heisman. He is of German and Samoan descent, and a Christian. As a high school senior he led his team to an 11–1 record and a state title. Marcus was recruited by many big-name schools, but received scholarship offers from only Memphis and Oregon, choosing

Titans’ new QB, Marcus Mariota

Oregon. Marcus became the first freshman to start a season opener for the Ducks in 22 seasons in 2012. He led the Ducks to a 12–1 record and a Fiesta Bowl victory over Kansas State. In 2013 Marcus suffered a tear of the MCL, but still continued to play through the season, starting 8–0. He was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a Heisman favorite before falling to Stanford. Despite Oregon’s 11–2 record that year and Top 10 ranking, it was considered a letdown season, though they did defeat Texas in The Alamo Bowl. Prior to that game Marcus announced he would bypass the NFL draft and return for the 2014 season. After a 12–1 season, Marcus winning the Heisman, the Ducks were set to play in the first four-team playoff system, beating Jameis Winston’s Florida State team in the semifinal game. They went on to play in the National Championship Game, in which the Ducks lost to Urban Myer’s Ohio State 42–20.

It was a spectacular college career for Marcus, but one that ended with a bitter loss. Over three college seasons, here is Marcus Mariota’s stats.

He completed 770 of 1,167 passes—that’s 66.8%.

He also threw for 105 TDs and only 14 interceptions. He rushed 337 times for 2,237 yards and 29 rushing TDs. He also caught two receptions, both for touchdowns. Beast mode, son!

Some other new titans

Okay, let’s talk about something a little juicier, something a little more controversial. The Titans went heavy on offense this draft, and I am okay with that. I am sure the defense will suffer some for it, but the offense should be explosive. In the second round of the draft the Titans really surprised me, drafting a very talented, very large and very very controversial receiver. Red flags pop up everywhere with this pick. The Titans selected Dorial Green-Beckham, who has been compared to the likes of Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss by many experts. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and with a strong build, he has all the tools to be a steal for the Titans. So why did he fall to the No. 40 overall pick, when he was rated a first-round talent? He has been arrested twice for marijuana charges and allegedly pushed a woman down a flight of stairs. His talent outweighed his immaturity, I reckon. If Green-Beckham can mature, the Titans basically added two Top 10 picks in the draft, while picking up additional draft picks in the New York Giants second-round swap deal. My blood gets pumping thinking about the offense lined up:

Marcus calling the plays, Justin Hunter to one side, Green-Beckham the other, that’s two huge targets and red zone monsters on either side.

Then you have the elusive Kendal Wright in the slot and last season’s superstar player Delanie Walker at tight end. Magic! I also love the Titans seventh-round pick receiver Tre McBride (watch out for the 245th player taken). The former College of William & Mary wideout is upset; nfldraftscout.com had him listed as a Top 100 prospect and the 15th-best wideout in the class. Dane Bruglar called McBride a “Pierre Garcon-like player” with tape that would definitely land him in the Top 100. He changed his Twitter name to Pick 245. Maybe it was his no-name college that hurt his stock, but he was a steal. This player will be at the top of my watch list during training camp, along with fifth-round pick David Cobb Cobb at running back.

Seven out of nine picks for the offense. Sorry, Dick LaBeau, you get no pudding until you eat your meat!

But Train, you promised controversy? Well I have to break down the details involving the Titans new receiver Green-Beckham. He allegedly forced his way into his girlfriend’s apartment, pushing the door so hard the doorknob smashed through the drywall. Inside, he allegedly pushed his girlfriend’s roommate down a flight of stairs after she got in his way. But later that night after police showed up the females stated they didn’t want to press charges. Later a police report showed Green-Beckham’s girlfriend had sent 16 text messages to her roommate pleading with her to promise not to press charges. One message read “I’m not standing up for him but football really is all he has going for him and pressing charges would just ruin it for him completely.” Then there was “If you don’t want to press charges just say we all had a lot to drink and what not, everything is fine.”

Police also were investigating domestic abuse after one of Beckham’s girlfriend’s texts stated she had been dragged from her apartment by the neck, and police eventually deemed her “extremely uncooperative.” But that’s not all; he was also arrested with two other men when police pulled them over and discovered a pound of marijuana in the vehicle. Just like in the first case where someone covered for him, one of the men took responsibility, claiming it was his.

At the NFL scouting combine he stated, “All the decisions I made I wish I could take it back, it happened I was young, I made mistakes and I understand that.”

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