The Loafer 115

SPRING

Forward Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 10th

Volume 03 Issue 114 Publisher Lisa Durbin Creative Director Jon Bill Forrester Managing Editor Peggy Gale Distribution Herbie Durbin Jon Bill Forrester Entertainment Coordinator Andreax Jarre Public Relations Correspondent Lee Lee Williams Contributing Staff Andy Ross

your week’s line-up

03

Kathie Scalf Ken Silvers Wendy Hayden Ann Hartley

Johnson City Jazz Festival Announces Line-Up 04 Spotlight 05 Theatre Bristol Presents Mark Twain's The DIary of Adam and Eve 06 Spring Cleaning 06 Beezwax 07 Tri-Cities Nightlife 08 Puzzle Page 09 Pets of the Week 10 Famous Spring Train Excursion Through Smokey Mountains 11 Things To Do 12 Tri-Cities Faces and Places 14 Parks and Rec to Celebrate Completion of New Athletic Complex 14 Biker Events 16 Barter Theatre: Pay What You WIll 18 Tusculum University to host the presentation "Women's History at Andrew Johnson National Historic Site" 22 WQUT Concert Schedule

The Loafer Po Box 39 423-930-7319 www.theloafer.net theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any lossof expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement, including claims or suits for defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement.

Founder: Bill Williams

LBD FAMILY MEDIA Let’s Get Social!

NOTE

FROM THE

PUBLISHER Hello Friends!

It is almost time to Spring forward! I know we lose an hour of sleep but yay for the sun staying awake longer. It has been such a long dreary Winter and I am so excited for Spring to be upon us. I prefer a hot sunny day anytime over a frosty cold day.

How are you preparing for Spring? Are you going to plant flowers? Maybe your yard needs some new grass seed like ours does. Is anyone building a new deck or porch? There are so many ways to prepare for Spring but the great news is that it is coming soon!

Have a great week!

Telford, Tn 37690

columns & reviews

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15 Beanz Biker Corner Bear....The Man, The Myth, The Legend 17

Social Sentiments:

Change Your Perspective 19 Tea Time with Appalachian Barbie:

Life KPI'sl 21 Pop Life The Family Plan 23 Batteries Not Included: McCabe and Mrs Miller

Love, Lisa Durbin Publisher

3

As in previous years, local Johnson City Jazz Festival Announces Line-Up for 6th jazz talent will perform at no Annual Festival March 21-23 charge (tips are encouraged) on Thursday night.

Organizers of the Johnson Performers include The ETSU City Jazz Festival today Jazz Ensemble, The Peterson announced the line-up for Perkins Quartet, The Trithe 6th annual popular Cities Jazz Orchestra and the Festival that will take place Johnson City Jazz Collective.

March 21, 22 and 23, 8 to Because Thursday night 10pm each night, at the is free, Festival goers are Carnegie Hotel in encouraged to show up early Johnson City, TN. as the venues will fill up.

Bill Perkins, local jazz Friday and Saturday tickets guitarist and the person are $25 for one night, $40 responsible for booking the musicians, noted this will be for both. There will be 2 bands each night. Friday another great year of both night performers will be the local and regional Denin Slage-Koch Trio and Jazz talent.

The Gregory Tardy Quartet.

Saturday night performers will be The Dan Keller Trio and The Iliana Rose Quartet.

For more details about the festival and to buy tickets, visit http://www. johnsoncityjazzfestival.

Organizers appreciate all the com. Or follow the festival support they have received on Facebook (Johnson City from the community Jazz Festival) and Instagram. including sponsors First (johnsoncityjazzfestival).

Horizon Bank, Carnegie Anyone looking for more Hotel, Livewire Radio, Bank of Tennessee, Alberts Pawn, information on how to Time & Pay, Christian Schmid support the festival or other details can contact Design, Interstate Graphics Steve Scheu at: as well as other Friends of the Festival as they work to 423-677-9042 or email to info@johnsoncity bring great live Jazz to our area. jazzfestival.com.

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

Johnson City Jazz Festival Announces Line-Up for 6th Annual Festival March 21-23

Spotlight

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MONDAY Mar 11th

SUNDAY Mar 10th

Anthony Childress 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Rheva & Keegan’s Irish Fiddle Tunes 5:30pm at Mulligan’s Gaming Pub

Johnson City Johnson City, TN

WEDNESDAY Mar 6th Mick Kyte 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

Old Time Jam 5:00pm at Yee-Haw Brewing Company

Jason Ellis 9:00pm at Krazy Chicken

Sam Collie 7:00pm at Model City Tap House

Elizabethton Elizabethton, TN

Brim & Marci Leal 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

FRIDAY Mar 8th

WEDNESDAY Mar 6th

G Man Blues & Dr. Ron w/ Special Guest: Shelton Clark 7:00pm at Model City Tap House

Wednesday Live Music with Dan Herrell & Guests 6:00pm at Jiggy Ray’s

WEDNESDAY Mar 6th Rheva & Keegan’s Irish Fiddle Tunes 5:30pm at Mulligan’s Gaming Pub HB Beverly 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza

THURSDAY Mar 7th Club Rewind 7:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar FRIDAY Mar 8th Momma Molasses 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House Bill Dotson 6:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar Damon Heath 8:00pm at The Corner The Great Big Hug 9:30pm at Bristol Casino Bar SATURDAY Mar 9th Three Miles South 6:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar Servility 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

The Color 7 9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

THURSDAY Mar 7th

TUESDAY Mar 5th

Bristol, TN/VA Bristol TN/Va

Kingsport, TN Kingsport

Bo Compton 8:00pm at Model City Tap House

College Country Night with Adrian Bundy 9:00pm at Capone’s THURSDAY Mar 7th

Counter Clay 8:00pm at Gypsy Circus Cider Company Full Sirkle 9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar

FRIDAY Mar 8th Piper Paisley 6:00pm at Jiggy Rays

SATURDAY Mar 9th

SATURDAY Feb 9th

Rare Fiction 7:00pm at Gypsy CircusCider Company

Mick Kyte 6:00pm at Jiggy Ray’s

Justin Mychaels 6:30pm at Rocks Wood FIred Pizza FRIDAY Mar 8th The Arcadian Wild 8:00pm at The Down Home Acoustifried Band 8:00pm at Tulip’s Pub and Grub I Am Revenant | Seven Year Sideshow | Covalence 10:00pm at Capone’s SATURDAY Mar 9th

Ryan Clevinger 8:00pm at The Corner

Dr. Enuf Presents Bailey George & Jukebox Jess 6:00pm at The Boone’s Creek Opry

Coal Camp 9:30pm at Bristol Casino Bar

Elderbug | Polka Monroe | Eyecandy 10:00pm at Capone’s

Submit Your Live Shows to: theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com or call 423-930-7319 to be Featured in the Loafer Spotlight

5

“Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam & Eve” Theatre Bristol Presents “Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam & Eve” ARTspace Friday, Saturday Performances Tickets now on sale for an evening out of live performance

the Theatre Bristol ARTspace, 506 State Street, Bristol, TN on various Friday and Saturday evenings in March, May, July,

theatrebristol.org/tickets and at the door.

a quotable comedy, heart-touching classic, throw-back to times past, or avant-garde work. Follow Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam & Eve is presented as part of ARTScene. Theatre Bristol events for upcoming ARTScene performance dates or stroll by for tickets at the door.

Theatre Bristol brings the original love story, Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve, to the ARTspace stage in year-long weekend ARTScene performances. Choice of show dates and tickets for this touching ARTScene comedy are available at www.TheatreBristol.org.

Theatre Bristol ARTScene is pleased to present Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve as part of its family-friendly 59th season of ARTspace and Paramount shows, including Aesop’s Foibles, The Rainbow Fish, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Mockingbird Sings, Scrooge!

The Musical, A Tuna Christmas, as well as the Catherine DeCaterina School of Theatre Arts and PLAYtime in the ARTspace.

“Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve, is a uniquely American theatre piece, funny, beautiful, and deeply moving. David Birney has crafted a light-hearted look at the world’s first love story through the eyes of America’s greatest humorist, Mark Twain, whose Garden of Eden bursts with wit, laughter and the lyric poignance of the first love and the first loss” (Concord Theatricals).

Founded in 1965 by Cathy DeCaterina, Theatre Bristol is a community theatre serving all ages that also has the distinction as the oldest continually running children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee. Located on historic State Street in Bristol, it also serves southwest Virginia. Its Main Stage season consists of drama, comedy, and musical productions that take place in the ARTspace, a multi-purpose, black box theatre, and at the Paramount Center for the Performing Arts. Theatre Bristol is a volunteer-operated community organization and we invite volunteers to get involved.

‘’I get no chance to name anything myself. The new creature names everything that comes along, before I can get in a protest,” protests Adam. Eve wryly notes among her pages, “It tapers like a carrot. I think it is a man.”

James Francis, Mary Ellis Rice, Amy Reid, Hunter James, Natasha Parton Snyder, and Richard Albright bring a different show to the stage each time as they alternate roles throughout the year.

Directing Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam & Eve is long-time Theatre Bristol veteran director and actor, Chris McVey. Chris is supported by stage manager Sarah McCall King and producer Samantha Gray, along with Theatre Bristol crew.

Performances are at 7:30 pm at

August, September and October.

Visit the website for specific dates and to make your reservations.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, plus processing fees, available online at

ARTScene performances feature actors and productions in the small black box theatre on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the year. Enjoy an affordable evening out with dinner downtown before or after

Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam & Eve is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www. concordtheatricals.com.

For tickets and information, visit www.theatrebristol.org, follow TheatreBristolTN on Facebook, call 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

Theatre Bristol Presents

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

6

Spring Cleaning: Don’t Toss That ‘Junk,’ It May Be Valuable!

From baseball cards and sports equipment to postcards and photographs, is that “junk” in your attic or basement dusty treasure or just dusty? We’ve all heard of families getting rich from the sale of rare memorabilia they found when spring cleaning.

A little time spent determining if items are valuable and where to sell them can pay off in the long run.

“The sale of older sports cards, postcards and photographs can yield thousands of dollars, even tens of thousands or more for the right ones,” says Al Crisafulli, Auction Director at Love of the Game Auctions, an internet sports auction house that helps families identify and sell valuable sports cards and memorabilia.

Crisafulli has assisted people in selling tens of millions of dollars of baseball card collections, autographs, sports equipment and more. Such sales can be life changing.

In one instance, he researched a family’s old baseball bat and proved it was game used by Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. His Love of the Game Auctions sold it for almost half a million dollars, a figure which would top a million dollars today.

Here are some of his tips to determine if your sports collectibles are valuable: The Older, the Better with Cards Vintage sports cards from the early periods of sports are collectible, especially Hall of Famers. Do you have stars from the 1960s, 1950s or earlier? Look for names like Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner or Ty Cobb. Even non-star cards can be valuable, especially in nice condition with sharp corners and no creases.

Really early cards from the 1880s through the 1930s are particularly desirable, such as those by tobacco, gum and candy brands, such as Old Judge, Piedmont, Sweet Caporal, American Caramel, Goudey or Diamond Stars.

When determining where to sell cards and memorabilia, focus on a specialty auction house, such as Love of the Game, which employs trained experts in researching sports ephemera, and maintains bidder lists of sports collectors. More information is available at loveofthegameauctions.com.

Don’t Overlook Memorabilia and Equipment Cards aren’t the only potentially valuable things.

Look for older promotional and advertising ephemera spotlighting sports stars, especially items that promote sporting goods, food or tobacco brands. Ads from magazines aren’t valuable, but store displays, signs and premiums can be pricey.

Old sporting goods and equipment, such as balls, bats, gloves and uniforms, can also be valuable, especially if you had a family member who played minor or major league sports. Note that items from before the 1960s are highly collected. Also look for equipment endorsed by star players. Condition matters, but game-used equipment from professionals can be valuable in almost any condition.

Save Postcards and Photographs If you have old photographs, cabinet cards or postcards of sports stars or ballparks, they should be evaluated.

Those from pre-1960 can be expensive. Look for early “real photo” postcards from the 1900s through the 1940s, which are photographs printed on postcard backs.

Popular stars are key, meaning original images like Babe Ruth or early ballparks can be valuable, as opposed to images of your family members playing sports or of popular vacation destinations. When examining photographs, look for markings on the back, such as photographer, publication and date stamps. Also set aside cabinet cards, which are photographs from the 1880s through the 1930s adhered to cardboard stock.

“A good rule of thumb is that the older a sports item is, the more valuable it might be, especially from before the 1950s going back to the 1880s,” says Crisafulli.

This spring cleaning season, don’t rush to haul “junk” to the curb. Examine it first.

(StatePoint)

NIGHTLIFE

WEDNESDAY Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at The Pub Out Back (The Italian Pizza Pub) - Johnson City 7pm Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke Night at Wonderland Lounge and Bar - Johnson City, TN 9pm Karaoke with Ron at Kingsport Moose Lodge 6:30pm Loudmouth Karaoke at Michael Waltrip Brewing Company - Bristol, VA on Wednesday, April 5th at 7pm THURSDAY Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub - Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Wild Wings Cafe - Johnson City, TN 9pm Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzeria - Johnson City, TN Karaoke at Tipsy Toad Tavern - Jonesborough, TN FRIDAY Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Rainbow Asian Cuisine - Johnson City, TN 9pm Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at The Sports Mill - Kingsport, TN 8pm Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke with Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille - Bristol, TN 10pm SATURDAY Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm Karaoke with DJ Clyde and Prestige Entertainment at Macado’s -Kingsport, TN 9pm Karaoke with Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille - Bristol, TN 10pm

TRIVIA

TUESDAY Team Trivia at Wild Wing Café Johnson City TN DJ Trivia at Union Street Taproom Erwin, TN 5pm Trivia at The Corner Bar Bristol, VA 8pm Trivia at Aubrey’s Johnson City 7pm WEDNESDAY Trivia at Tipsy Toad Jonesborough, TN 7pm Trivia Night Mellow Mushroom Bristol, VA 7pm Trivia at Aubrey’s Bristol 7pm THURSDAY Mellow Trivia at Mellow Mushroom Johnson City, TN- 7pm Trivia at Riverside Taphouse at South Fork Bluff City, TN 7pm

BINGO

TUESDAY Singo at Riverside Taphouse at South Fork Bluff City, TN 6:30pm

DJ NIGHT THURSDAY DJ B-Digital at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille Bristol, TN 10pm

WEDNESDAY Bingo at Tipton Street Pub Johnson City, TN 9pm Singo at Holy Taco & Cantina Boones Creek, TN 8pm Blazin’ Bingo at Mellow Mushroom Johnson City, TN 6pm

FRIDAY Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub - Bristol, TN 10pm

THURSDAY Bingo at Mellow Mushroom Bristol VA 6pm Singo at Aubrey’s Bristol 7:00 PM

SUNDAY DJ B-Digital at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille Bristol, TN 10pm

SATURDAY Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub - Bristol, TN 10pm

To have your events added to this list email: theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com or call: 423-930-7319

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

TRI-CITIES

7

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

8

SODOKU

CROSSWORD

Down 1. "Keep your ___ the prize" 2. Jean-Claude Van ___ 3. Mimicry 4. Puppets 5. Rds. 6. Looking glass 7. Mary or John J. 8. Numberless ordinals 9. "Woof!"

10. Assurance 11. Snail at Chez Jacques 12. Cowboy's headwear 14. Slogans 16. Not so messy 18. Felt nostalgia for

DROP QUOTE

C RYPTO G RAM

PW PY RHQQHV YXVYX WH WTZX T QXWMHI TVI WSF PW. PL PW LTPDY, TIQPW PW LSTVZDF TVI WSF TVHWMXS, CNW TCHBX TDD WSF YHQXWMPVJ. — Franklin D. Roosevelt

ACROSS 1. Red-wrapped cheeses 6. Makes do 13. Scare away, doggy-style 14. Suspicion 15. Dubai royalty 16. Outdoor company, with "The" 17. Defunct science magazine 18. Geo cars 19. Scoundrel 20. Union intermediary 22. Refuses to admit 23. Wise old man 24. Jargon of a particular field 25. Durbeyfield girl, and namesakes 26. Paris or Nicky 27. Irish or English follower 28. Type of pill

29. Soda-fountain order

21. Gave an exam to

30. Steakhouse offering

22. Old West outlaw

31. Slender as ___

24. Smears in print

32. Ford classic

25. Mind reading

33. Seance sounds

26. ____ corpus

34. Connie Corleone in "The Godfather" 38. Jefferson Davis org.

27. Florida city on the Gulf of Mexico

39. Some large planes have two 28. Makes neat 40. Morales in the movies

29. Locomoted, military style

41. Dorm warmers

30. Turned over and over

43. ___ out a living (making do)

32. Overcome

44. ____ the Unready (English King) 45. Burn just a bit 46. Not evening clothing 47. Garden border tool

Answers to last week’s puzzles can be found on page 09.

34. Little crown 35. Gershwin's "Of Thee ____" 36. Poconos or Tetons 37. Swiss Alp 39. Everyone in Essen 42. Cartoon skunk Pepe Le ____ 43. Ending for Taiwan or Japan

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

PETS

OF THE WEEK

9

la d y Lady is a special needs 13 yr old. Now, I may have this thing called Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, but that won’t stop me from being your purrfect companion. I’d do best as your one and only or with a feline pal who has the same virus. Let me tell you, I’ve got the sweetest chirp of a meow and this long, beautiful hair that’s just waiting for a bit of attention. I weigh 9.5 lbs, spayed,

got all my shots, and even have a nifty microchip. In my golden years, I’ve traded wild antics for gentle cuddles and cozy spots by the window. If you’re on the lookout for a seasoned sweetheart who’s seen a lot in her time, I might just be the feline friend you’ve been dreaming of. Other than the FIV, she has no other health issues. Bday 8/16/10

There are 5 Owl Clocks hidden in this issue of The Loafer.

Can you find them all?

Last Week's Puzzle Answers

lu

Crossword

Cryptogram:

Dropquote:

"Those who are faithful know only the trivial side of love; it is the faithless who know love's tragedies."

"To the aesthete it is an art form, an athletic ballet. To the spiritually inclined it is a religion."

c

Sudoku

k y

Hi! My name is Lucky! I am a very handsome Hound/Beagle mix. I am a sweet boy that just wants to find a home that will give me the love and attention that I need. I am high energy and love to play. I would like a kid to play with but maybe one over 5 because I could possibly knock a smaller one down with all my love. I have that perfect hound bark to serenade you when you get home.

I have the best personality and will always be happy to see you! I would like to have a family that can keep up with me. Walks?

Hikes? Runs? I am your guy! Though, I do like the occasional snuggle session under snuggly blankets. I weigh 40 lbs, good with other dogs, neutered, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, partially housetrained. Bday 10/18/22

If you are interested in adopting : The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Shelter 423-239-5237 • 2061 Highway 75 Blountville, TN Facebook: bridgehome

bridgehome.org

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024 10

JOHNSON CITY

FRIDAY MAR 8TH

JONESBOROUGH

SATURDAYS ACOA (adult children of alcoholics) 1:30-3:00pm.

Call for info Bill 423-444-6107 or Cheryl 423-262-6149 THURSDAY MAR 7TH Tri-Cities Turtles Run Club 12:45pm at Yee-Haw Brewing Co. FRIDAY MAR 8TH Johnson City Love & Hiking Date For Couples (Self-Guided) 7:00am at Willow Springs Park SATURDAY MAR 9TH Johnson City Love & Hiking Date For Couples (Self-Guided) 7:00am at Willow Springs Park Pancake Breakfast 8:00am at Aubrey's Storytime & Paint: It's Not Easy Being a Bunny 10:00am at Into the Fire Easter Market 10:00am at The Mall at Johnson City Boomtown Improv!

8:00pm at Wallace Theatre

“Home Sweet Home” Canvas Class 6:00 PM at Kil'n Time Contemporary Ceramics

Movies for Adults 2:00pm TUESDAYS Jonesborough Storytelling Guild at Washington County “Stories n’More” Show 7:00pm at Public Library The Intl. Storytelling Center SUNDAY MAR 10TH WEDNESDAY MAR 6TH Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon IBN BIz Lunch 11:30am Community Center at The Black Olive GRAY SATURDAY MAR 9TH Bob Ross Paint Class 10:00am SATURDAY MAR 9TH at Mill Spring Makers Market Tr-Cities Toy and Historic Jonesborough Town Tour 1:00pm at Chester Inn Hobby Show 9:00am at Appalachian Fairgrounds State Historic Site

BRISTOL WEDNESDAY MAR 6TH Open Mic 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club THURSDAY MAR 7TH “Lucky” Canvas Class 6:00 PM at Kil'n Time Contemporary Ceramics

SATURDAY MAR 9TH Board Game Night 5:00pm at Bristol Public Library Wellington Ojukwu 7:00pm, at Blue Ridge Comedy Club SUNDAY MAR 10TH Parenting Prime Time – Make Parenting Sweet 8:00am at Parenting Sweet

KINGSPORT THURSDAY MAR 6TH Puzzle Night 7:00pm at Inspire Wine Bar FRIDAY MAR 8TH Kingsport Home Show 4:00am at MeadowView Conference Center

FRIDAY DEC MAR 8TH

ABINGDON, VA

PINEY FLATS

WEDNESDAY MAR 6TH Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center

Gardening Fun Day 10;00am at Rocky Mount State Historic Site

SATURDAY MAR 9TH Nature: Wolf Howling 10:00am at Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium Kingsport Home Show 12:00pm at MeadowView Conference Center SUNDAY MAR 10TH Kingsport Home Show 9:30am at MeadowView Conference Center To be featured in The Loafer's Things to Do email us at: theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com or call 423-930-7319

SATURDAY MAR 9TH

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

THINGS TO DO

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theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

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Parks and Recreation to Celebrate Completion of New Athletic Complex The Johnson City Board of Commissioners will join City staff to celebrate the completion of the James K. Ellis Athletic Complex located at Winged Deer Park, 277 Championship Lane, with a ribboncutting, dedication and grand opening ceremony. Scheduled for March 8 at 1 p.m., the day’s event will begin with Mayor Todd Fowler’s first pitch. The public is invited to attend the ceremony to celebrate the grand opening.

realized today with softball, baseball and soccer games scheduled through 2024.”

The City purchased 37 acres adjacent to Winged Deer Park for the athletic complex expansion in 2018. Schematic designs approved by the Commission in 2020 are now a reality with the addition of four softball and two synthetic turf fields bringing the total playable surfaces to nine diamond and nine rectangular. The facility includes “This expansion is a game changer sports lighting, a warm up area, a for Johnson City,” said Assistant City playground, a walking trail and a Manager Steve Willis. “I am grateful concession stand. to see the successful completion The project, which cost more than of a project that had its beginnings $17 million, was paid for using under the leadership of James Ellis Capital Improvement Plan funding. during his tenure as the director For questions about the event, of Parks and Recreation, and please contact the Parks and championed by key stakeholders within the City. Their vision for what Recreation Administration Office at this park could become is being 423.283.5815.

WOOD FIRED PIZZA. BURGERS. DRINKS. & FUN. TUES. Mar. 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th

BRIM & MARCI LEAL

WED. Mar. 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th

HB BEVERLY

THUR. Feb. 7th 14th, 21st & 28th

JUSTIN MYCHALS

HAPPY HOUR Visit Our Website for Daily Specials and Events

3119 BRISTOL HWY, JOHNSON CITY, TN (423) 262-0444

PIG OUT MENU Available for a Limited Time

HONEY SMOKIN’ PORK TACOS ULTIMATE FRIED PORK TENDERLOIN SANDWICH PIG OUT SANDWICH PIG OUT NACHOS PIG OUT SALAD

Useless Facts sponsored by biker wear Useless Facts about 2024: 1. February fluctuates between having 28 and 29 days per year. The 29th day only occurs every 4 years during leap years.

2. The length of February was finalized when Julius Caesar remade the Roman calendar and assigned the month 28 days and 29 days. In 713 B.C., February was officially added to the Roman calendar.

3. If you were born in February, your birthstone is an amethyst, and your flower is a primrose.

4. The western zodiac signs in February are Aquarius which is until February 19th, and Pisces, which is until February 20th.

5. Over time, the length of February kept changing. At one point, it had as little as 23 days.

Emergency Bike Night February 28th at 19E Pit Stop 6pm Local Events: 1. Gala Scholarship Fundraiser 7pm at The Heritage Event Venue Feb 17th 2. Bear’s Celebration of Life February 24th 5pm at 19E Pit Stop 3. 2nd Annual St, Patty’s Day Party 1pm March 16th at True Sons Club House

Rides: 1. Lids for Kids March 30th

Bike Rallies: Daytona Bike Week March 1st – 10th Daytona Beach

Tulips first bike night will be April with Shadie Sadie

Useless Facts

sponsored by biker wear

15

Hello everyone, well it’s been to come rescue Pork and I on 421 a cold, snowy, wet winter but mountains. There are so many warmer days are on the way. stories that so many folks could Hang in there Spring is just tell. The laugher, the kindness, the around the corner. The week I’m love, the respect, the friendship, going to write about a dear friend the brotherhood and so much more of mine that suddenly passed that Bear had for everyone that he away recently Theodore "Bear" met was true and real. He gave of Richard Barnes II. He was from his time and his love for people.

Shinnston, West Virginal but moved to Bristol Tennessee. He Bear was truly one of a kind. He went to Shinnston High School would cook Thanksgiving Dinner and Lincoln High School. He and Christmas at his bar and worked at Teddy Bear Motors/ feed everyone who didn’t have Mid Motion Foods for many everywhere to go for free. At the years. Bear was the owner of end of any night, he would have Bear’s Bar on US 421. He was born on September 27, 1958, to biscuits and gravy for everyone free, so they would have food on their the late Theodore Barnes and tummies before leaving the bar.

Diana Lantz Barnes. Bear His Brussels sprouts was the best. worked for KVAT as a driver.

He and I would host dinners, rides, He enjoyed participating in motorcycle rides for charity and wrestling, bike games and so much attending auctions. Bear used more. I know I am not the only who to own a used car lot and he will forever miss him. Folks from all enjoyed driving his roll back. over the country would come by his Bear was a jokester and never bar just to say hi and hang out for a met a stranger. while when they were in town. This Bear was a good man and is just a very small amount of the always willing to help anyone things that can be said about him. in need. I have even had to call However, I encourage everyone to him in the middle of the night stop by during his Celebration of life and share your story of Bear, The Man, The Friend, The Legend Theodore "Bear" Richard Barnes II

Beanz Biker Corner

By Anne Hartley 423-297-5675

I am hosting his Celebration of Life on February 24, 2024, at 19 E Pit Stop at 5pm, $10 to eat some of the best home cooking food you could ask for with 100% of the food sales going to help pay for his head stone that we will deliver to his grave on his birthday in September. Plus, on August 17, 2024, I will be hosting his Memorial Ride. If you would like to know more about this two event, you can text me on my cell 423-2975675 or go by 19E Pit Stop and ask for Tammy.

116 Buffalo Street Johnson City, TN • www.bikerweartn.com • (423) 631-0542

Full Moons Of 2024 1. Snow Moon on Saturday, February 24 - 7:31 am 2. Worm Moon on Monday, March 25 - 3:01 am 3. Pink Moon on Tuesday, April 23 - 7:51 pm 4. Flower Moon on Thursday, May 23 - 9:55 am 5. Strawberry Moon on Friday, June 21 - 9:10 pm 6. Buck Moon on Sunday, July 21 - 6:19 am 7. Sturgeon Moon on Monday, August 19 - 2:28 pm 8. Harvest Moon on Wednesday September 18 - 10:36 pm 9. Hunters Moon on Thursday October 17 -7:27 am 10. Beaver Moon on Friday November 15 - 4:29 pm 11. Cold Moon on Sunday December 15 - 4:02 am

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

Beanz Biker Corner

Sponsored By Biker Wear

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

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Barter Theatre: Pay What You Will When the town of Abingdon, VA allowed actor and director Robert Porterfield to use the Opry House for his theater in 1933, Porterfield knew he had the opportunity to change the way theatre was seen and performed. But doing so during the Great Depression was a challenge unto itself – and one that didn’t deter Porterfield from making theatre accessible to all who wanted to watch.

To make seeing theatre available to any seeking entertainment and culture, Porterfield put a barter system into place, which gave theatergoers the opportunity to see shows by trading goods for tickets. Patrons could pay the

thirty-five-cent admission price with livestock, produce, and dairy products. A pig ended up being worth ten tickets while two quarts of milk would buy one ticket.

Barter Theatre was born and the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, the legacy of Barter Theatre continues with the Pay What You Will program, giving patrons the chance to return to the theatre’s roots and original mission.

The first show of each Barter production is a “pay what you will” performance. Theatre lovers can come to the box office before the show starts and will be traded a ticket for a price they are happy

to pay.

seats for a fraction of the cost.”

The truth is, sometimes going to a play for an outing with your family can be costly, but the Barter wants to ease that cost by making it more affordable. And this has helped several families over the years to see quality theatre together with those they love the most.

Goodman adds that it’s truly special that Barter still honors the idea of “bartering” what you can afford.

“I don’t ever want to see anyone miss out on a production due to cost constraints and giving them at least one opportunity to see a show for as little as a dollar a “There are several families that we ticket is so impactful ,” Goodman see for every single Pay What You noted. “There’s a mom that will Will, as it’s the only way that they bring her four children, that she can enjoy a performance with us,” homeschools, to almost every said Associate Director of Sales single production. They live a and Services Nikki Goodman. “We very alternative lifestyle and all know that the region we’re in struggles financially, and it’s warmed have shared with me how much they would struggle putting the my heart to see how many people we’ve been able to get into premium amount away that it would take for the five of them to attend a normal performance. I don’t know her full story, but seeing the joy in her eyes when she did this the first time has really stuck with me.

“There’s another couple that only comes to Pay What You Will. The husband will show up with a post it note that his wife has handed him, that has a list of seating preferences that she’s put in order after looking at availability on the website. He has been out there when it’s been snowing, with a smile on his face, and tells me every time that he loves spoiling her by taking care of the tickets.

It’s precious, and he’s just the nicest guy. He’s often let other folks go ahead of him in line when they’ve looked like they’re in more of a hurry or been grumpy from waiting for us to open.”

For the last 91 years, Barter Theatre has stayed true to its mission and roots by allowing patrons to pay what they will for the shows they love. And Barter will continue to make theatre and the arts accessible for all who want to escape into the stories and lives they see on stage for generations and beyond.

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Are you viewing your social media accounts as your customers do? Are you speaking to them in their language? Viewing your social media accounts from the perspective of your audience is the basis for connecting with your audience.

Using jargon may sound fine to you because you understand it, but does your audience? Your audience will better understand your message through simplicity.

Cut industry driven verbiage and speak to your audience as you would a friend.

Think about a conversation with someone you know.

Would you expect them to understand industry terminology? Apply the same

Social Sentiments

By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments @outlook.com

socialsentiments.net

standard to your social media audience. Simplistic language will create a connection that could put you ahead of your competition.

Would you share your updates on your personal accounts?

Could grammatical errors prevent a post from being shared by your potential audience? View your updates from the perspective of your audience to gain insight into how they will view and share your content to their audiences.

How would your social media updates look to an outsider?

Answering that simple question can connect you to your audience in ways that will boost visibility, trust, and sales.

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

Change Your Perspective!

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

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Tusculum University To Host The Presentation “Women’s History At Andrew Johnson National Historic Site” Tusculum University will celebrate Women’s History Month with a special presentation about ladies who played an important role in the life of the nation’s 17th president and the site that honors his memory.

The Thomas J. Garland Library and Tusculum’s sociology program are sponsoring the presentation “Women’s History at Andrew Johnson National Historic Site.” Ashley Burns, the site’s education technician, will deliver the talk Monday, March 18, at 6 p.m. in the library.

“Women are often the keepers, protectors and stewards of history,” she said. “This program highlights the stories of five women who shaped the history of Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and influenced Andrew Johnson’s life. Their names are Eliza, Martha, Mary, Dolly and Margaret.”

These ladies are Eliza Johnson, the former first lady; Martha Johnson Patterson, one of the president’s daughters; Mary Johnson Stover, another daughter; Dolly Johnson, a

slave of the president; and Margaret Johnson Patterson Bartlett, a greatgranddaughter of Andrew Johnson.

Kathy Hipps, the library’s director, said Tusculum is pleased to host this special program.

“Presidents generate considerable interest from the public because of their fascinating lives and the many distinctive moments of their time in office,” Hipps said. “But it is also nice to learn about the many people connected to them that are not in the limelight as much but can have a tremendous impact on them and the way they are remembered. We are grateful to Ashley for presenting this excellent topic and educating all of us about these influential women.”

For additional information about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu. People can learn more about t he Andrew Johnson National Historic Site at: www.nps.gov/anjo/index.htm.

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In my line of work, which is sales, each quarter I’m given a list of objectives to hit known as KPI’s -or Key Performance Indicators. These KPIs are exactly what they sound like; my performance in hitting these key objectives is indicative of how well I’m doing my job.

As I rolled into January and received my list of KPIs for Q1, I started considering what my key performance indicators in regular life are and began to evaluate accordingly.

falling in the floor.

like doing more. If you’ve fallen out of shape you don’t have to jump up and run a marathon.

Simply set a goal of a 15-minute walk outdoors, then see if you want to do more. There are many days where I have no inspiration or motivation for writing this column, but I tell myself to sit down and just write about my day for even 5 minutes and see what comes up. By the end of the 5 minutes, I’m usually feeling a flow of creativity and have it knocked out.

Taking notice of these seemingly inane tasks can be very beneficial in getting ahead of any unhealthy behavior. Look around you and take stock of your surroundings; is your car a mess? Does your fridge need to be cleaned out? Is your living room in disarray, littered with empty water bottles and takeout boxes? It’s very much true that a cluttered environment reflects a cluttered mind, and using these environmental life indicators Like in business, life KPIs are as a gauge for your health can Personal success is truly found never big, extraordinary feats. snap you back into healthy in the minutiae of our daily They’re intended to be small, habits before the unhealthy ones routine, just as being successful daily undertakings that are become the norm. in business is built upon essentially “just part of the consistent, concerted efforts Human beings are purpose job” and should be routine. toward specific goals. It is a driven, meaning we get a lot of Sometimes though, when things fulfillment out of successfully very rare event that I cold call are out of balance with our an account, catch the buyer, completing tasks. One small mental or physical health, those win for the day tends to set in have the opportunity to sit down little things start to slip through motion more small wins, until with them and they commit to the cracks. one day you look up and you’re buying a product all in one fell swoop. The majority of my wins firing on all cylinders as a high For example, my main life KPI come from every day hitting functioning person. When you would have to be my bed; if I’m the market, visiting accounts put yourself in this “flow state” operating at peak functionality, of stacking wins, you want to feel multiple times, chipping away my bed is neatly made every at the gatekeepers little by little that sense of fulfillment across morning. On the flip side, as until I get a meeting and finally every aspect of your life and it soon as I start to fall into a funk getting to put on the dog and truly becomes addictive. or depression, I tend to neglect making it, sometimes for days at a If you’ve found yourself living in pony show. I would say 9 out of time. The same thing with taking a way that is less than beneficial every 10 times I get to the actual meeting stage of sales I close my garbage down; even though I to your health, you don’t have the deal, and that is because all have concierge trash pickup and to tackle the big stuff right the real work is done on those only take the bag to the bottom of away; start with the little stuff boring days where it feels like I’m my stairs, if I’m in a dark mindset that you’ve let slide. If it feels the task seems wildly daunting too overwhelming to work, just making no progress and beating my head against a wall. If I gave and I put it off until it’s practically get out of bed and shower and up after the first try or two, I’d see how you feel. If showering seems too much, simply get up never make it to a meeting. and make your bed and brush your teeth then see if you feel

I had the same feeling the first 3 weeks of this year when I

by Kathie Scalf committed to getting healthier.

I eliminated 80% of my diet, was working out daily, and the scale wouldn’t budge. But instead of giving up, I stayed the course and the dam eventually burst. I recently took before and after pictures that were quite shocking; while there’s only roughly 9lbs lost, my entire body composition is changing.

If you want to change your life for the better, take stock of your daily habits and really focus your efforts on productivity there. What are your personal Key Performance Indicators and where do you currently stand in your execution of them? Start stacking those little wins until one day you look up and all you’re doing is winning in life!

XO - Kathie

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

Life K P I ’s

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024 20

21

I like Mark Wahlberg, but every time I see him I think of Marky Mark, his former music persona, despite his Oscar nomination in 2006.

More often than not, Wahlberg tends to stick to roles that best suit his talents, as in the new movie "The Family Plan", an action/comedy, where he plays a former assassin living incognito with his family in Buffalo, NY. Frankly, if I were in his position I would have lived in a warmer climate, but I suppose that's beside the point. Wahlberg stars as Dan Morgan, a car salesman married to Jessica (Michelle Monaghn), and the father to three kids, Nina (Zoe Colleti, Kyle (Van Crosby), and Max (played by twins Iliana and Vienna Norris). Dan shys away from technology and social media, leaving Jessica often frustrated that the family isn't more spontaneous. Gee, I wonder why Dan is this way?

Little does he know, his past is coming back to haunt him.

When Dan and Jessica are at a local carnival celebrating their anniversary, they discover

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

some guys filming a romantic moment, and while Dan goes nuclear inside, he holds back due to the danger of revealing his former occupation. Matters really crank up when Dan and his youngest child Max are at the supermarket and he is attacked by an obviously trained assassin. Dan manages to defeat his attacker, but after contacting a former associate, he is advised to leave town as the attacker could have been hired by McCaffrey (Ciaran Hinds), his former employer.

Upon discovering the photo taken of Dan and Jessica taken at the carnival "outed" him, he prepares to gather passports for his family and packs bags for them under the guise of taking a spontaneous trip to Las Vegas. Once the family is on the road to Vegas, Dan discovers this vehicle has a tracking device, and manages to dispose of it. The family makes several stops on their trip, but are found by the henchmen at each stop. When the family finally makes it to Vegas, everything comes crashing down when Dan and Jessica are attacked in their hotel suite and Dan is finally forced to tell his wife the truth about his past. After a shoot out in the hotel, Dan reveals his real name is Sean, and tells his family their life in Buffalo is over, and Jessica decides to take the kids and leave Dan/Sean. This action proves disastrous, as Jessica and the kids are kidnapped by McCaffrey's henchmen forcing our hero into action. There is an eventual showdown at an

abandoned hotel involving everyone, including Dan/Sean's ex-love Gwen (Maggie Q). There is also a surprise involving Dan/ Sean and McCaffrey that I will not reveal. As expected the bad guys lose, and the Morgan family is able to return to Buffalo and get their lives back to normal. The film doesn't pretend to be anything new or different, but does succeed as an action/comedy. Wahlberg is fine in a role tailor made for him, and I often feel as if I

have seen this plot hundreds of times. The supporting cast is fine, and the sparring of their characters is typical for this genre. Overall, if you want a film with surprisingly tense action, with some comedy thrown in, "The Family Plan" is for you. Just don't expect the reinvention of cinema. Now streaming on Apple TV+ (Rated PG-13)

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

The Family Plan

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

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P

CONCERT SCHEDULE Bristol

BRISTOL TN/VA

PARAMOUNT Jan 26 Paul Reiser Feb 3 Brad Upton Feb 15 Mike Goodwin Feb 20 Farm & Fun Time featuring St. Paul & The Broken Bones Mar 2 Asleep at the Wheel Mar 3 Twitty & Lynn Mar 9 Tartan Terrors Apr 10 John Oats Apr 25 Glenn Miller Orchestra

Feb 3 Feb 17 Feb 23 Mar 16 Apr 20 Jun 15

Song of the Mountains with The Malpass Brothers and The Kody Norris Show Big Gun AC/DC Tribute William Golden and the Goldens Carson Peters and Iron Mountain Aaron Tippin Mark Lowry & Friends with Endless Highway and The Sound

KNOXVILLE TN

Knoxville

BIJOU THEATRE Jan 28 Judy Collins Feb 2 Scott Miller Feb 9 Big Something MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS Jan 18 Black Jacket Symphony performs Feb 10 Dailey & Vincent Feb 16 & 17 Erick Baker Journey’s Escape Album Mar 6 Geoff Tate and Feb 2 Three Dog Night Adrian Vandenberg Feb 15 Larry Fleet with Dalton Dover Mar 10 Steven Curtis Chapman Apr 1 ZZ Top Apr 13 The Chain-Fleetwood Mac TENNESSEE THEATRE Tribute Band Jan 27 Ron White Apr 25 Rain: A tribute to the Beatles Feb 7 Dwight Yoakam Feb 24 Diana Krall Mar 1 Godsmack GREENVILLE Mar 2 Steve Trevino Mar 16 Marc Broussard NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Mar 26 Scott Bradlee’s Jan 19 Rhonda Vincent Postmodern Jukebox Jan 22 Drumline Live Apr 20 Ashley McBryde Jan 27 The Guess Who Apr 25 Nickel Creek Feb 2 Dugger Band May 1 Bonnie Raitt Feb 4 The Canine Stars Jun 8 Brad Williams Feb 10 Chris Janson THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA Feb 19 Drew & Ellie Holcomb Jan 13 Aerosmith and The Black Crowes Mar 1 The Steeldrivers Feb 8 Disturbed with Falling in Reverse Mar 9 Jeff Allen and Plush Mar 6 Sawyer Brown Feb 18 Winter Jam ’24 with Crowder, Mar 22 Stayin Alive: One night of the LeCrae, Cain and many others Bee Gees Feb 23 Riley Green Apr 5 Evil Woman-The American ELO Mar 15 Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top with Apr 13 Firehouse Black Stone Cherry May 4 Anthem Lights Mar 16 Dan + Shay May 10 John Anderson Acoustic Mar 28 Avenged Sevenfold with Poppy & May 14 Brothers of the Heart Sullivan King Apr 4 Sam Hunt MARION VA Apr 6 Bert Kreischer Apr 16 Tyler Childers with 49 Winchester THE LINCOLN THEATRE Apr 26 Tim McGraw and Carly Pearce Jan 27 Molly Hatchet with Peacemaker

JOHNSON CITY TN

JOHNSON CITY

GREENEVILLE TN

MARION, VA

May 9

Zach Bryan

KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM: Feb 15 Matt Rife Mar 1 The Fab Four performs The Beatles Rubber Soul Mar 5 Joe Bonamassa Mar 21-24 Big Ears Festival with Herbie Hancock, John Paul Jones + more KNOXVILLE CIVIC COLISEUM: Feb 4 Theo Von Mar 22 Gabriel Iglesias Mar 27 Reo Speedwagon and Rick Springfield May 11 Kevin Gates July 25 Jordan Davis

NASHVILLE TN

Nashville

RYMAN AUDITORIUM Jan 20 American Aquarium Jan 24 Mr. Big with The Smithereens Jan 28 Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Jan 29 Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton Feb 1 The Milk Carton Kids Feb 3 Three Dog Night Feb 9 Grace Potter Feb 14 & 15 Band Of Horses Feb 16 & 17 Clint Black Feb 21 & 22 Oliver Anthony Feb 24 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Feb 25 Billy Strings Feb 27 Godsmack Feb 28 Jon Batiste Mar 8 & 9 Greensky Bluegrass with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country Mar 12 Tesla Mar 14 K.C. & The Sunshine Band Mar 16 Extreme Apr 2 Dustin Lynch Apr 4 The Wood Brothers Apr 5 & 6 Black Pumas Apr 9 Casting Crowns Apr 26 Leftover Salmon & the Infamous Stringdusters May 4 Tracy Lawrence May 10 & 11 Amy Grant Jun 6-9 Matt Rife June 21 & 22 Blackberry Smoke BRIDGESTONE ARENA Jan 23 Tool with Elder Feb 2 Cody Johnson

Feb 14 Feb 9 Feb 17

Anita Baker Pantera with Lamb of God Disturbed with Falling in Reverse and Plush Feb 23 Billy Strings Feb 24 Billy Strings Mar 1 Sam Hunt Mar 21 Dan + Shay Mar 29 Chris Tomblin Mar 31 Fall Out Boy & Jimmy Eat World Apr 14 Jeff Dunham Apr 18 & 19 Tyler Childers Apr 25 Tim McGraw Apr 29 The Postal Service with Death Cab For Cutie and Pulp May 11 Bad Bunny May 24 & 25 Noah Kahan Jun 3 Niall Horan Jun 14 Luis Miguel Jun 23 Alanis Morissette, Joan Jett & Morgan Wade BROOKLYN BOWL May 16 Mammoth WVH BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER Feb 10 Yacht Rock Revue Mar 2 John Michael Montgomery Mar 24 Steve HackettGenesis Revisited May 4 Beth Hart NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM Oct 10 Three Days Grace and Chevelle Oct 26 -28 Hardy with Lainey Wilson ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE Apr 27 Cody Jinks May 31 & Jun 1 Lainey Wilson Jun 22 Jul 12 Aug 13

Cypress Hill Styx, Foreigner and John Waite Creed with Tonic and Finger Eleven

NISSAN STADIUM Jul 20 Def Leppard and Journey

ASHEVILLE NC

ASHEVILLE, NC

EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM ARENA Feb 16-18 Billy Strings THE ORANGE PEEL Jan 20 The Milk Carton Kids

CALL WQUT @ 477-1015 FOR MORE CONCERT INFORMATION OR VISIT WWW.WQUT.COM

The Criterion Collection continues revisiting some previous releases in new 4K blu-ray editions with an updated release of their 2016 release of Robert Altman’s anti-western “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie.

This is my first time encountering the film, which Altman made the year after his breakthrough, “M*A*S*H.” This is also one of the more peculiar 4K blu-ray releases I’ve come across, but more on that later.

Based on a novel by Edmund Naughton, “McCabe and Mrs. Miller” centers on the small, Pacific Northwest mining town of Presbyterian Church. Beatty is McCabe, a businessman who shows up to start a brothel, and soon finds himself partnering with Mrs. Miller—Christie—an entrepreneuring prostitute with dreams of bigger and better business. Things run smoothly for the two, and their “hotel” is doing a fine business.

Until the representatives of a large, corporate mining operation show up and want to buy McCabe out.

McCabe is uninterested, so they send some heavies to town to help force McCabe’s hand. One of the ways “McCabe and Mrs. Miller”

Batteries Not Included

By Andy Ross theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

deconstructs the American West is with the setting. What do you think about when you picture a Western?

A dusty town? Dessert? Altman moves this to a cold, frozen town. It’s not a glamorous place. The town is muddy, dirty, frozen, and desolate.

In addition to Beatty and Christie, several Altman’s stock players appear as well. Shelly Duvall, John Shuck, and Rene Auberjonois.

The film is most interesting and downright bleak. Now comes where I have to admit that I have a weird relationship with Altman’s work. I like and respect Robert Altman a great deal, but I find I tend to go either way with his work. This is one where it just didn’t work for me, I don’t know why. Maybe the fact that I don’t care for Westerns to start with. I love “The Long Goodbye,” which he would make after this, but this just didn’t do all that much for me, though I can respect the film for what it is.

This new 4K release from Criterion is like many of their revised editions of previously released titles. You get the original blu-ray release, on its own disc with all the extras, plus a new 4K blu-ray disc with the film in the 4K format. Here is where this one takes an odd turn. The 4K restoration was made from the 35mm camera negative, with a 35mm reference print made by the Academy Film Archive and color timed by cinematographer Villas Zisgmond as a reference for the color pallet.

This film was purposely shot and made to look a little degraded, Altman wanted the film to feel like an old photograph, even “flashing” the negative film to ensure it couldn’t be cleaned up by the studio after turning in the film. Most of Criterion’s 4K releases feature high dynamic range grading in Dolby Vision, which sends information to your TV to maximize the picture quality on the fly in real time. This disc doesn’t have that. It doesn’t even have any kind of high dynamic range grading.

The 4K image is very good, and like some of the best 4K discs, does look very close to a 35mm projected image. However, the differences between it and the blu-ray are subtle. You get more detail in the images, but comparing the two it’s not a huge difference. The bit-rate is significantly higher, averaging around 93mbps vs the 34mbps on the blu-ray. If you’re happy with the 2016 disc, there isn’t much of an argument to be made for upgrading to this 4K edition. If you don’t have either, you might as well get the 4K version for your shelf.

The bonus material is very good, all ported over from the previous 2016 release. A commentary with Altman and the film’s producer

made in the early 2000s is included.

We also have several features and a making-of documentary, archival interviews, and clips from two episodes of “The Dick Caveat Show” featuring Altman and then film critic Pauline Kale discussing the film.

“McCabe and Mrs. Miller” is another one of the many fine productions from the 1970s American New Wave, for those who are fans of it and die-hards for Altman, this new 4K release will be most welcome.

It’s nice to see more American classics come out in the format, so regardless if you upgrade or not, it’s nice to see more titles being revisited by Criterion. See you next week.

theloafer.net | February 20, 2024

McCabe and Mrs. Miller

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