The Loafer 66

New Year, New You?

Publisher Lisa Durbin Creative DIrector Jon Bill Forrester Managing Editor Peggy Gale DIstribution Elizabeth Armstrong Sales Jessica Carlisle Entertainment Coordinator Andreax Jarre

your week’s line-up

Volume 03 Issue 66

Contributing Staff Andy Ross

03 Local Artists to Host 2nd Annual Febuary #pouncepunk23 challange 04 Spotlight 07 Tri-Cities Nightlife 08 Puzzle Page 09 Pets of the Week 10 Johnson City Jazz Festival Announces 5th Annual Festival 11 Things To Do 12

Tri-Cities Faces and Places

14 Bike Events

Kathie Scalf

22 WQUT Concert Schedule

Ken Silvers Wendy Hayden Ann Hartley

The Loafer Po Box 39

15 Beanz Biker Corner

Telford, Tn 37690 423-930-7319

January

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

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FAMILY MEDIA Let’s Get Social!

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columns & reviews

theloafer.net |January 10, 2023

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Social Sentiments:

NOTE

FROM THE

PUBLISHER Hello Friends!

Happy New Year! 2023 is here. It seems like 2022 just flew by in a rush. Where did the year go? They say as you get older time flies and I really do believe that now. How has your year started? New jobs, new hair, new body or did you make any resolutions?

I think the new year always feels like a fresh start or a clean slate. Seems like a good time to make changes or start new traditions. I hope that you are able to keep all of those promises to yourself or others for this new year.

I appreciate everyone that reads our paper or advertises with us. We are able to bring you The Loafer free each week because of the wonderful folks that you see in here.

Please consider using us for advertising now or in the future. Thank you for your support and have a great week!

How Often Does Your Audience See You? 19 Tea Time with Appalachian Barbie:

Giving Johnson City a Gourmet Experience 21 Pop Life: Slumberland 23 Batteries Not Included: The Velvet Underground

Love, Lisa Durbin Publisher

3

Appalachian artists Brett Marcus Cook and Richard Graves have announced the 2023 Pouncepunk community art challenge this February. Pouncepunk is an annual art challenge in the form of a prompt list, where everyone is invited to make art together in the month of February.

To participate, create a piece of art in any medium based on a prompt from the list, and post on that day in February using the hashtag #pouncepunk23. Tag the hosts (Instagram @brettpunk @serpounce) so they can see and share your creations.

This is the second year hosting the challenge. In 2022 there

were over 1500 entries both local and international that included traditional illustrators, painters, animators, dancers, make-up artists, doodles, hobbyists, youth art, and many folks using the challenge as an excuse to create for the first time in a while. No experience necessary to participate, all skill levels enthusiastically welcomed.

The project was founded as a way to showcase and celebrate the talent and creativity of the people in Appalachia and to cultivate a supportive environment for the community to make art together in a fun way.

theloafer.net | January 10, 2023

Local Artists to Host 2nd Annual February #pouncepunk23 Challenge

Spotlight

theloafer.net |January 10, 2023

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Mississippi East 7:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar

Johnson Johnson City City, TN TUESDAY Jan 10th Bristol TN/Va Bristol, TN/VA WEDNESDAY JAN 11th Dan Herrell 6:00pm at Delta Blues BBQ Dan Deel 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House THURSDAY JAN 12th Cripple Creek Gang 6:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar TJ Darnell 6:00pm at Delta Blues BBQ Trevor Meade Music 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House FRIDAY JAN 13th Trevor Meade 6:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar Ryan Redman 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House James Meadows 8:00pm at Quaker Steak & Lube Boombox 80’s Band 8:30pm at Bristol Casino Bar SATURDAY Jan 14th Hearts Gone South 4:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar C Tokes 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House

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

Zak Saltz Band

BIG Son

9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar SATURDAY Jan 14th Big Son 7:00pm at Gypsy Circus Cider Company 2HL 8:00pm at The Sports Mill

WEDNESDAY Jan 11th HB Beverly 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza THURSDAY Jan 12th Justin Mychals 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza FRIDAY Jan 13th Big Son 7:00pm at Mulligan’s Gaming Pub Beth Snapp 8:00pm at The Down Home WyndRider | Death Nebula | Sick Beyond 10:00pm at Capones SATURDAY Jan 14th Annabelle’s Curse 8:00pm at The Down Home Laid Back Country Picker with The Dimestore Cowboys 10:00pm at Capone’s Kingsport Kingsport, TN FRIDAY Jan 13th Cam Ragsdale 7:00pm at Gypsy Circus Cider Company

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

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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 THURSDAY Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub - Johnson City, TN 8pm Sing Your Heart Out Karaoke 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 Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke

with Absolute Entertainment at Rainbow Asian Cuisine - Johnson City, TN 9pm with Absolute Entertainment at The Sports Mill - Kingsport, TN 8pm w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm 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 with Absolute Entertainment at Union Street Taproom - Erwin, TN 8pm Jan 28, Feb 18 & Mar 4 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 WEDNESDAY Trivia at Tipsy Toad Jonesborough, TN 7pm Trivia Night Mellow Mushroom Bristol, VA 7pm

THURSDAY Mellow Trivia at Mellow Mushroom Johnson City, TN- 7pm

BINGO

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 THURSDAY Bingo at Mellow Mushroom Bristol VA 6pm

DJ NIGHT THURSDAY DJ B-Digital at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille Bristol, TN 10pm FRIDAY Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub - Bristol, TN 10pm SATURDAY Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub - Bristol, TN 10pm SUNDAY DJ B-Digital at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille Bristol, TN 10pm

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

theloafer.net | January 10, 2023

TRI-CITIES

7

theloafer.net |January 10, 2023

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SODOKU

CROSSWORD

DROP QUOTE

C RYPTO G RA M YRD XWND YRDND HND NQWYF, YRD XWND NDJNDFFQSD HGYQWT UQPP YHMD JPHGD, HTB YRD XWND UD EHGD YRD BHTVDN WE H NQVRY-UQTV YHMDWSDN HTB DSDTYZHPPL H EHFGQFY FWGQDYL. —Martin Luther King Jr.

Down

1. "If you build ____ will come" ("Field of Dreams" otherworldly advice) 2. Coal porter?

3. African antelope 4. A bit off 5. Saigon soup 6. Extend one's service life 7. French river 8. Tussaud title 9. Kingdom in South Africa 10. State tree of Massachusetts 11. Ser. neighbor 12. In 13. Needle part 18. Book jacket writing 22. Embargo 24. ____ d'Orsay (Seine site) 26. Pt. of MIT 27. "Ver-r-ry funny" 28. Revere 29. Former air carrier name ACROSS 43. "Uncle Vanya" author 30. Pigeon's park perch 1. "Gotta hand ___ ya..."

Chekhov 31. 1986 World Series champs 5. High school formal 45. Wife of Shiva (abbr.)

9. Cafe con ___ 47.

Yon maiden fair 32. Park ranger's uniform color 14. Moved on foot 33. Hold on tight 48.

View from Vietnam 15. Queen on Mount Olympus 34. One too young to drive 16. Jetson boy 52. Lisa Marie or Priscilla 17. Not paperback 53. 1997 summer blockbuster, 38. Witty remarks 40. Homo sapiens 19. Belted, Biblically for short 41. Lambaste 20. Online message 54. Overflows (with) 44. Devils or Rangers 21. Singer Bryson 57. Blue-blooded 46. Gershwin's "Of Thee ____" 23. Middle Eastern 61. Keep in stitches 49. Mediocre grade market (var.)

65. Aircraft crewman 50. "Laughing" critters 25. Frequent Lemmon costar 67. A First Daughter 51. PTs' opponents 30. Grotesque trophies 68. "The Clan of the 55. Part of Hawaii 33. Country chnl.

Cave Bear" novelist 56. Author Birkerts 35. Sen. Evan of Indiana 69.

Little branch 58. Riboflavin's designation 36. Pro golfer Lorena 70. Boring 59. Chop choice 37. Aslan voicer Neeson 71. Fail to float 60. Physics units 39. Muslim clerics 61. Shade of blond 42. Mata ____ (infamous spy) 72. Male issue 62. Late Chinese leader Answers to last week’s 63. Escort to a seat, slangily puzzles can be found 64. Old Chinese kingdom on page 09.

66. Category

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Last Week's Puzzle Answers

S

Crossword

Cryptogram:

Dropquote:

"The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money."

"In the binary system we count on our fists instead of on our fingers."

ta

Sudoku

r Hi! My name is Star! I am a German Shepard and Mountain Cur mix. I am 2 years old. I am high energy, good with kids, cats and other dogs.

I lived in an abusive household and my previous owner had to leave and

go into a shelter and could not take me with her. I am leash and house trained. Come say Hi and I could be a good fit for you.

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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 | January 10, 2023

PETS

OF THE WEEK

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theloafer.net |January 10, 2023

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Johnson City Jazz Festival Announces 5th Annual Festival March 30, 31, April 1 Due to popular demand, organizers of the Johnson City Jazz Festival announced today that the 5th annual Johnson City Jazz Festival will take place March 30, 31, April 1 - 2023. As in previous years, The Festival will be held at the Carnegie Hotel ballroom and bar.

Bill Perkins, local jazz guitarist and the person responsible for booking the musicians, noted that while they do not have the full line-up yet, they are working on a great mixture of the jazz genre for the enjoyment of all who will attend. He did note that the great Latin jazz band La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet “can’t wait to perform at the festival this year.” Stay tuned at www.johnsoncityjazzfestival.com for further details and band announcements.

As in previous years, local jazz musicians will perform at no charge (tips are encouraged) on Thursday night. And, like previous years, March 31, April 1 Festival tickets will be $20 for one night, $30 for both nights. There

will be 2 bands each night. Tickets can be purchased on the web site when the full line-up is in place.

Organizers appreciate all the support they have received in previous years from the community including sponsors Bank of Tennessee, First Horizon Bank, Carnegie Hotel, Time & Pay, Christian Schmid Design, Alberts Pawn, Interstate Graphics, Tennessee Hills as well as other Friends of the Festival as they work to bring great live Jazz to our area.

For more details about the festival and to buy tickets, visit: www.johnsoncityjazzfestival.com and follow the festival on Facebook: facebook.com/johnsoncityjazzfestival/

and Instagram:

instagram.comjohnsoncityjazzfestival/

Anyone looking for more information on how to support the festival or other details can contact Steve Scheu at 423-854-8860 or email to info@johnsoncityjazzfestival.com

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BRISTOL SATURDAY JAN 14TH Skate 2:00pm at Bristol Skateway Board Game Night! 5:00pm at Bristol Public Library

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

Call for info Bill 423-444-6107 or Cheryl 423-262-6149

SUNDAY JAN 8TH

THURSDAY JAN 12TH Wolf Hills Toastmasters 3:15pm Johnson City Love & Hiking Date For Couples (Self-Guided) at Southwest Virginia Higher 7:00am at Willow Springs Park Education Center Adobe In-Design Intro 2:00pm KINGSPORT at William King Museum of Art THURSDAY JAN 12TH SUNDAY JAN 15TH IBN Biz Lunch 11:30am Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon at Pratt's BBQ Community Center SATURDAY JAN 14TH

JONESBOROUGH

Branding Yourself as a Creative

by Kelly Porter 6:00pm at Johnson City Center for Art & Technology (JCCAT)

TUESDAYS

Free Women’s Self Defense Class 6:00pm at Crossroads Martial Arts FRIDAY JAN 6TH

FRIDAY DECEMBER 13TH James Patterson 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club SATURDAY DECEMBER 14TH James Patterson 8:00pm and 10:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

SATURDAY JAN 14TH Historic Jonesborough Town Tour 1:00pm at Chester Inn State Historic Site

ABINGDON, VA

Weekly YuGiOh Duel Night 6:00pm at CardFox

Great Reads for Winter 2:00pm at Washington County Public Library

Johnson City Love & Hiking Date For Couples (Self-Guided) 7:00am at Willow Springs Park

THURSDAY DECEMBER 14TH Improv Stand-Ins 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

Jonesborough Storytelling Guild “Stories n’More” Show 7:00pm at The International Storytelling Center

Johnson City Love & Hiking Date For Couples (Self-Guided) 7:00am at Willow Springs Park

SATURDAY JAN 7TH

WEDNESDAYS Comedy Open Mic 7:30pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club

Nature: Wolf Howling 10:00am at Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium

TUESDAY JAN 1OTH

WEDNESDAY JAN 11TH

COMEDY SHOWCASE

TUESDAY JAN 1OTH

WEDNESDAY JAN 11TH Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center To be featured in The Loafer's Things to Do email us at: theloaferonlineprint@gmail.com or call 423-930-7319

Open through

1/15

theloafer.net | January 10, 2023

THINGS TO DO

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theloafer.net |January 10, 2023 12

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theloafer.net |January 10, 2023

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1. The name for January comes from the Roman god, Janus, who is always depicted with two heads. He uses one head to look back on the year before, and the other head to look forward into the New Year!

2. Oddly enough, couples tend to separate or divorce more so in January than any other month of the year.

3. In Pasadena, California, there has been a Rose Parade held every year since 1890. It has since been broadcasted worldwide and is typically viewed in over 100 countries around the globe.

4. If you were born in January, your birthstone is a garnet!

5. In leap years, January always starts on the same day as April and July.

6. London is famous for its extensive subway system, nicknamed “The Tube.”

This makes sense because they’re also responsible for opening the first operational underground railway on January 10, 1863.

7. Some historical names for January include “Wulfmonath,” which came from the Anglo-Saxons because it was the month hungry wolves would come scavenging. King Charlemagne would call it “Wintermanoth” meaning “winter/cold month.”

8. Originally, the Roman calendar had only 10 months, and it excluded January and February.

9. King Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, is responsible for adding both January and February to the Roman calendar. He did this so calendars would be equivalent to a lunar year. Even so, it only had 30 days.

10. Finally, Julius Caesar added the 31st day to the month and completed it to the full month of January we practice now!

11. January was a monumental year for Alaska! As of January 3, 1959, Alaska officially became the 49th state of the United States.

12. Generally, January is the coldest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

13. The equivalent month of January in terms of temperature in the Southern Hemisphere is July!

14. Referring back to the Julian and Gregorian calendars, January is the first month of the year, and the first of seven months to be 31 days long.

15. In the United Kingdom, some people practice “Dry January.” This is a movement to encourage people to quit drinking alcohol for the month in order to encourage public health.

Local Events:

2. 4th Annual Freeze Out Jan 14th 12pm Cade Cove Jeep Outpost 3. Bikers & Bowling Jan. 20th at Holiday Lanes - Johnson City, TN 6pm – 9pm

Rallies:

There are 5 Winter Hats in this issue of The Loafer.

Can you find them all?

2. Mecum Motorcycle Auction Jan.4th – 15th Kissimmee FL.

15

Hello everyone, I truly pray your Holiday season was all you hoped it would be. Now that we have Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years behind us. Let’s start this 2023 year with new hopes and dreams. Be kind to each other, be respectful to others.

January is the first month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and is also the first of seven months to have a length of 31 days.

The first day of the month is known as New Year's Day. It is, on average, the coldest month of the year within most of the Northern Hemisphere where it is the second month of winter and the warmest month of the year within most of the Southern Hemisphere where it is the second month of summer. In the Southern hemisphere, January is the seasonal equivalent of July in the Northern hemisphere and vice versa.

January's birthstone is the garnet, which represents

Beanz Biker Corner

By Anne Hartley 423-297-5675

constancy. Its birth flower is the cottage pink Dianthus caryophyllus or Galanthus as well as the traditional carnation.

The Japanese floral emblem of January is the Camellia. In Finnish, the month of tammikuu means the heart of the winter and because the name literally means "oak moon", it can be inferred that the oak tree is the heart of the grand forest with many valuable trees as opposed to the typical Arctic forests, which are typically pine and spruce. The zodiac signs for the month of January are Capricorn (until January 19) and Aquarius (January 20 onwards).

The name of the full moon occurring in January is the wolf moon.

Known for recaps and resolutions, each new year often starts with retrospection and the month of January. What does January mean? January, as we know, is the first month of the year and contains 31 days. The term originated before the year 1000 from Middle English, ultimately deriving from the Latin noun use of Jānuārius, equivalent to Jānus. Who was Janus? In ancient Roman culture, Jānus was a god of doorways, beginnings, and the rising and setting of the sun. His name comes from the Latin jānus, meaning “doorway, archway, arcade.” Fun fact: the closely related Latin word jānua, meaning “door, doorway, entrance,” ultimately gives us the word janitor, which originally referred to a door attendant or porter before evolving to its more familiar sense of “custodian.”

There were many gateways in Rome where ceremonial entrances and exits were made, especially for the departure of

theloafer.net | January 10, 2023

Beanz Biker Corner

the army on an expedition. As the god of transitions, Janus is often depicted with two, bearded heads that face in opposite directions, looking to both the future and the past. After 153 BCE, January (mensis Januarius in Latin) became the first month of the Roman calendar (which we adopted), the figure of Janus a perfect symbol for new beginnings.

This ancient deity Janus has found his way into modern English in more ways than one.

And as you might expect, his other lexical contributions are not entirely straightforward. The versatile word Janus-faced can refer to someone or something’s capricious or seemingly contradictory nature. Or it can be used with a more negative undertone to describe someone

as deceitful and, well, two-faced.

The two faces of Janus are also evident in the term Janus word, “a word that has opposite or nearly opposite meanings,” such as cleave and dust. (These are also called contronyms.) To cleave something can mean to adhere closely to that thing, but it can also mean its opposite: to split, divide, or cut off. As a verb, dust can refer to the removal of dust, or the addition of it.

(Think dust the cookies with confectioners’ sugar.) Duality is embedded into all of Janus’s words, including the very language we use to talk about the beginning of the calendar year: January.

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Consistency is the key to a successful social media strategy. Algorithms prevent your audience from seeing your online presence unless you are consistently posting relevant content. This may seem like a daunting task, but there are a few easy ways to consistently stay in front of your target audience.

Social Media Scheduling Scheduling tools such as Buffer, Hootsuite, and Sprout Social allow you to create content in advance and schedule it for your brand's optimal time. They allow for content to be posted while monitoring your social media presence. Creating a consistent message is crucial to your brand, and scheduling posts in bulk

Social Sentiments

By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments @outlook.com

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allows for a consistent of your audience while you are message while maintaining your able to successfully address brand reputation. breaking news stories.

Event Promotion Colorful Images Do you have an event coming Posting a colorful image is the up? Have you promoted it best way to draw attention to within the past week? Posting your update among the sea of an event and assuming that everyone will see it is a sure way other updates. Posting colorful to have low attendance. Hype images on a consistent basis will up your event at least once a continue to draw that attention week to ensure the algorithms to your brand. Standing out in place it in front of your the crowd is the main reason for full audience. creating brand consistency.

Breaking News A consistent social media Having consistency in your strategy is the key to standing social media strategy allows out above the crowd. Since you to be on top of your game most companies do not have when breaking news hits. It a dedicated social media allows you to follow the story presence, a constant social from both brand and audience perspectives. Your brand media strategy will win over message is still placed in front your audience.

theloafer.net | January 10, 2023

How Often Does Your Audience See You?

theloafer.net |January 10, 2023

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by Kathie Scalf

The restaurant industry is a tough gig. According to a recent article from CNBC, around 60% of new restaurants fail within the first year, and nearly 80% close before their 5th anniversary, with those stats being astronomically higher for independent restauranteurs in the biz. Which is what makes Johnson City’s own Gourmet and Company so unique; in staying power alone, it’s one of the longest standing establishments in the area, providing fine dining and retail to the Tri-Cities since 1989.

accommodating balance of options, offering everything from cheeseburgers and fries to prime cuts of meat and seafood.

Being a creature of habit, I love that Gourmet keeps their core items on menu year-round. I am comforted by knowing whether I’m cozying up to the bar on a blustery night in February or hanging with friends on the patio during the dog days of summer, I can always enjoy a goat cheese salad or meat and cheese board. Their original burger is my favorite menu staple, and I always make mine extra fatty by adding thick cut slices of bacon and even a fried egg. The original fries are delicious, but you have the option to elevate your experience and upcharge to truffle fries for an even more distinct flavor.

when there is minimal turnover amongst the employees. I love going into Gourmet and seeing the same team of amazing smiling faces I’ve grown to know over the years. Todd, the bar manager, has been a longtime friend and icon in this industry, and his career with this company has to be in excess of 15 years now. When it comes to making a cocktail, I can always count on him to properly prepare the classics and trust his judgement when whipping up something on the fly that will tickle my passing fancy. Their wine list is solid, with some rotating seasonals, and they also offer a corkage fee if you’d prefer something from your own cellar you’ve been saving for a special occasion.

of Cahors (Malbec from the Cahors region of France) that paired beautifully with my steak as well as the other hearty meats ordered around the table, but Gourmet’s red wine menu has myriad delicious options that would be outstanding as well. Finally, I wrapped up my celebratory dinner with bananas foster and an espresso martini, the perfect sweet finish to a predictably amazing experience.

Johnson City is blessed to have a culinary establishment that is built My first memory of eating at to stand the test of time. We all Gourmet dates all the way back love the “hot new thing,” but when to middle school! In 7th grade, it comes to food and drink trendy around 1999, one of my best never beats the classics. Intimate, friends had an older sister who elegant ambiance, consistent, wellcould drive. Since she was dating curated menus and a professional, one of the cooks she would always caring staff has made Gourmet and take us there when he was working On the evening of my birthday If you’re not someone who lunch and get us iced teas. As I Co the standard of excellence for celebration, I arrived early so I gravitates to the same ol’ same, got older and prior to my move, I over 3 decades and I suspect it will opted for a cocktail first while or you’re looking for something a routinely enjoyed business greeting my guests. Since I wanted remain that way for decades bit more elegant, Gourmet offers lunches with clients and something that came with a little to come. a wide selection of seasonally employers, as well as checking nosh to curb my hunger until rotating options as well. Each out the retail shop for unique everyone I arrived, I went with a night you never know what the birthday gifts not found in other vodka and stuffed olive martini. A chef will be featuring on special, mainstream wholesale stores. person’s martini preference is as whether it’s delicate seafood or unique as any snowflake so tailor I recently celebrated my birthday thick cut slabs from the carving yours to your liking, but when it with family and close friends board. And all the sides change comes to my standard order it’s back home, and being one of my with what is available; Gourmet always Chopin, extra cold, lightly go-to’s every time I’m in town, prides itself on using locally dirty, with blue cheese olives.

Gourmet was the obvious choice sourced ingredients as much as Gourmet has an unexpected for dinner location. That’s one possible and nowhere is this more option of goat cheese instead of of the most fabulous attributes obvious than the compliments blue cheese, which I delight in of this restaurant- the ambiance to the mains. From hearty root indulging. We popped a bottle of is upscale enough to provide veggies and heirloom grains bubbly for a toast once everyone a memorable experience for in winter to bright berries and arrived, that Todd had arranged celebration, but welcoming and fresh-from-the-garden produce in chilling in a tableside bucket. intimate enough for a weeknight summer, Gourmet’s courses are Everyone ordered their own dinner alone at the bar. And always perfectly paired by the chef. dishes, but my selection of the 4oz the menu provides the same My favorite aspect of this beef tenderloin cut was cooked restaurant is hands-down the to medium rare perfection and served with a mix of brussels, root staff. As someone who has veggies and local potatoes and worked this industry from all mushrooms. I had brought a bottle sides, it speaks volumes to me

XO - Kathie

theloafer.net | January 10, 2023

Giving Johnson City a Gourmet Experience

theloafer.net |January 10, 2023 20

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Slumberland There is a new fantasy film now showing on Netflix you may want to check out featuring "Aquaman" star Jason Momoa.

"Slumberland" is based on the comic strip "Little Nemo in Slumberland", and co-stars Marlow Barkley as a young girl raised in a lighthouse who has dreams of Slumberland. The story begins by introducing us to Nemo and her father Peter (Kyle Chandler), a lighthouse keeper who has taught his 11-year-old daughter all about running a lighthouse. Each night Peter tells his daughter wild stories about his adventures with a character named Flip.

One of the stories is how he and Flip search a cave to find magical wish-granting pearls. Of course the stories cause Nemo to have wild dreams each night.

One night as Peter is telling Nemo another wild story, a ship is in distress and he must leave to help. The trip results in Peter being lost at sea and feared dead. After this tragedy, Nemo is sent to live with her uncle and Peter's brother Phillip (Chris O'Dowd), who is not exactly thrilled about raising a child.

Nemo moved to an unnamed

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com

city with Phillip, who is living a rather dull and unhappy life, even though he loves his job of selling door knobs. Nemo struggles with her new life in the city and with her new guardian, and seeks solace with her stuffed pig named Pig and her nightly dreams in Slumberland.

During one episode, Pig comes to life and Nemo finds herself in Slumberland, the world between dreams. During this visit her beg magically grows legs and transports her back to the lighthouse where she meets Flip (Momoa), a character who is not only a dream "outlaw" but is very stubborn as well. Flip is in the lighthouse searching for a magical map of which Nemo knows nothing about. When she awakens Nemo finds the map in the waking world and manages to take it back to Flip in Slumberland so she can help find the magic pearls to wish her father into her dreams. Flip confides to Nemo he has no idea who is in the waking world as he has refused to "wake up" for so long. The two use the map to journey through the dreams of others in order to find the cave containing the magic pearls. While on their journey through others dreams, they are attacked by a cloud of smoke resembling a kraken (a legendary sea monster), which Nemo encountered in a previous dream in which the creature took her dad. As if this isn't bad enough, the two are being chased by Agent Green (Weruche Opia), an operative of the BoSA (Bureau of Subconscious Activities), who has been in pursuit of Flip for his dream hopping and never waking up. Despite continued

dream hopping, Flip is eventually caught, and when Nemo wakes up Phillips shows her an old video tape of him and Peter as children. While viewing the tape, Nemo realizes her uncle is actually Flip, and due to refusing to wake up, remains in his unadventurous and static state.

The story continues back and forth between Slumberland and the waking world with Nemo and her uncle finally becoming close due to a near tragedy involving Nemo. As the film ends, Nemo has become more comfortable in her school, and Phillip is finally becoming more outgoing in life,

and shows real love and a caring attitude toward his niece. The film was amazingly beautiful and the special effects are wonderful.

Momoa appears to be having a blast as Flip, with his horns and sharp teeth. Co-star Barkley is very effective and sweet in her role, and I really enjoyed when her stuffed pig came to life.

"Slumberland" is a film the entire family can enjoy and is purely a magical adventure. Now showing on Netflix. (Rated PG)

theloafer.net | January 10, 2023

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theloafer.net |January 10, 2023

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CONCERT SCHEDULE Bristol

BRISTOL TN/VA

PARAMOUNT Jan 6 Dailey & Vincent Jan 7 Journeyman-Tribute to Eric Clapton Feb 2 Ace Frehley Feb 3 Neko Case Feb 4 Cash UnchainedTribute to Johnny Cash Feb 23 Sierra Hull and Justin Moses Mar 11 Free Fallin’-The Tom Petty Tribute Apr 1 49 Winchester Apr 15 Best of the Eagles-Tribute Apr 29 Ashley McBryde May 11 Steep Canyon Rangers May 19 A Brothers RevivalTribute to The Allman Brothers CAMEO THEATER Jan 8 Geoff Tate Feb 11 Lorrie Morgan Mar 17 John Michael Montgomery Mar 18 Bad Marriage Mar 26 Eric Gales May 10 An Evening with Roger McGuinn

JOHNSON CITY TN

JOHNSON CITY

FREEDOM HALL Apr 14 Nate Bargatze Jun 2 Mr. Speed- Kiss Tribute MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS Feb 4 The Black Jacket Symphony: Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours Apr 30 Amy Grant

GREENVILLE TN

GREENVILLE

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Jan 21 The Isaacs Jan 27 The Doo Wop Project Feb 3 Heather Land Feb 11 I Am He Said -a Neil Diamond Tribute Feb 17 Roots & Boots Acoustic tour with Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye and Sammy Kershaw Mar 4 Resurrection- A Journey Tribute Mar 11 Jefferson Starship Mar 31 Gentri (The Gentlemen Trio) Apr 4 One Night of Queen-performed

by Gary Mullen And the Works

Apr 14 Apr 22 May 5

Mark Lowry Masters of Soul Wild World of Animals Free Community Concert Series May 13 Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives May 20 Get The Led OutLed Zeppelin Tribute

KNOXVILLE TN

Knoxville

TENNESSEE THEATRE Jan 12 Tommy Emmanuel Jan 26 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Feb 3 Kevin James Mar 3 Home Free Mar 16 Buddy Guy Apr 26 Ben Folds and a Piano Apr 28 Amy Grant THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA Feb 17 Journey and Toto Feb 18 Cody Johnson featuring Randy Houser Feb 24 Blake Shelton Mar 30 Kane Brown Apr 21 Lizzo Jul 15 Thomas Rhett Oct 16 Shania Twain KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM Feb 2 Scotty McCreery Feb 4 Fortune Feimster Feb 17 Heather McMahan Feb 21 Tedeschi Trucks Band Mar 3 Zach Williams Mar 14 Third Eye Blind Mar 22 Champions of Magic Apr 20 Casting Crowns Apr 29 Theresa Caputo KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM Feb 16 Whiskey Myers Apr 15 & 16 Leanne Morgan BIJOU THEATRE Jan 21 Drivin & Cryin Jan 27 Scott Miller and David Childers Feb 11 Erick Baker Mar 11 Marc Brossard with Seth Walker Mar 17 The Mavericks Mar 23-25 Drew & Ellie Holcomb Apr 7 David Sedaris

Nashville

Asheville

RYMAN AUDITORIUM Jan 4 Celebrating the Life of Justin Townes Earl with Steve Earl and the Dukes and friends Jan 27 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Jan 30 Mammoth WVH and Alter Bridge Feb 5 Night Ranger Feb 6 Paramore (Opry House) Feb 9 & 10 Blackberry Smoke Feb 14 Death Cab for Cutie Feb 20 Bush Feb 23-25 Tedeschi Trucks Band Feb 26 Billy Strings Mar 4 Dawes Mar 11 & 12 Bobby Weir and Wolf Bros Mar 18 Buddy Guy Mar 31 & Apr 1 GOOSE Apr 7 & 13 Morgan Wade Apr 8 Leann Rimes Apr 14 & 15 Lady A Apr 19 Leann Morgan (Opry House) Apr 21 David Spade Apr 27-29 Nickel Creek May 8-10 John Mellencamp May 19 Crowded House May 24 Rick Springfield Jul 6 Sam Bush

THE ORANGE PEEL Jan 13 The Breakfast Club Jan 20 Larkin Poe Feb 18 Elle King Feb 25 Paul Thorn Apr 4 The Winery Dogs Apr 20 Judah & The Lion May 12 & 13 Drive By Truckers May 21 Trae Crowder Jun 22 Margaret Cho

NASHVILLE TN

ASCEND AMPHITHEATER May 11 Koe Wetzel Jun 23 Walker Hayes BRIDGESTONE ARENA Jan 20 Barry Manilow Feb 9 Andrea Bocelli Feb 19 TobyMac with Crowder Feb 24-25 Billy Strings Mar 1 Carrie Underwood Mar 31 Kane Brown Apr 7 Chris Tomlin May 4 Janet Jackson with Ludacris NISSAN STADIUM Apr 15 Luke Combs May 5-7 Taylor Swift May 19 Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks BROOKLYN BOWL Mar 7 Theory of a Dead Man Mar 31 Larkin Poe Apr 6 The Winery Dogs Apr 14 Queensryche

ASHEVILLE NC

CHEROKEE NC

Cherokee, N.C.:

HARRAH’S CASINO Jan 7 Styx Jan 13-15 Jamey Johnson Feb 3 Rep Speedwagon

GREENVILLE SC

Greenville, S.C.

BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA Jan 29 TobyMac, Crowder, Cochren & Company Feb 16 The Judds featuring Wynonna Feb 18 Katt Williams Mar 12 Greta Van Fleet Mar 18 Kane Brown Apr 27 Kenny Chesney Jul 14 Thomas Rhett

WINSTON-SALEM, NC

Winston Salem North Caroiina LJVM COLISEUM Mar 3-4 Billy Strings

PIKEVILLE KY

Pikeville, Ky

APPALACHIAN WIRELESS ARENS Mar 8 Theory of a Dead Man and Skillet Mar 18 Koe Wetzel Jun 24 Travis Tritt

MYRTLE BEACH, NC

Myrtle Beach, S.C

House of Blues Jan 28 Steel Panther Feb 25 Big Head Todd and the Monsters Mar 24 Skid Row and BuckCherry Mar 25 Eric Johnson Apr 7 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

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

Many years ago I was standing in the hallway between classes at high school talking with a friend. The friend and I both had very similar tastes in music and we often talked about music as much as we could. As we were talking about something that day, I don’t remember what, he handed me a CD with an Andy Warhol of a banana on the cover.

“Take his home and listen to it tonight, I think you’ll like it.”

The band members, Reed, John Cale, Maureen Tucker, and Sterling Morrison all brought Avant-Garde and art to rock and roll. They soon caught the eye of Andy Warhol, who took the band under his wing and was listed as a producer on the band’s first album. Two years ago, director Todd Haynes' new documentary on the band “The Velvet Underground” premiered on Apple’s streaming service AppleTV+.

The album was “The Velvet This very good documentary Underground and Nico,” the makes its home video debut debut album by the legendary thanks to The Criterion New York City rock band that Collection, who have released many have called the birth of it on blu-ray and DVD. The alternative rock. The legend goes documentary is a great watch that the album didn’t sell many and thankfully doesn’t go over copies, but everyone who bought things that haven’t been talked one started a band. The band’s about time and time again influence goes far and wide, for those who are fans of the despite having only made four band. It features interviews albums during their run. David with surviving members Tucker Bowie was hugely influenced and Cale, and those who were by the group and was eager to around at the time of the band’s repay the favor by producing first appearances at Warhol’s member Lou Reed’s 1972 album Factory (such as indie actress “Transformer.”

Mary Woronov). Plus, beloved iconoclastic musician and fan Jonathan Richman.

Sourced from the original 4K digital master, this new bluray has been approved by both Director Haynes and the cinematographer, Ed Bachman.

The DVD features the movie in a 5.1 Dolby Digital track, while the blu-ray exclusively has a Dolby Atmos mix, which expands greatly on the audio placement possibilities of the traditional 5.1 surround sound stage. An

By Andy Ross alternate stereo mix is also included. theloaferonlineprint @gmail.com The movie looks great, its experimental art house film style works beautifully and goes along great with the style of The Velvet

Batteries Not Included

Underground. I can’t playback Dolby Atmos, which requires a special receiver and additional speakers than I currently have in my home theater, so I sampled the Stereo mix instead. It’s great.

Clear, and sharp, and the music sounds as good as it ever has.

Bonus materials on this disc are a little on the light side for Criterion but are nonetheless very good. We have a commentary with Haynes and the film’s editors, Alfonso Conclaves and Adam Kurnitz.

Outtakes from the interviews made with Woronov, Richman, and filmmaker Joan Mekas. Plus we have a conversation between

surviving members Cale and Tucker, with writer Jenn Kelly from last year.

Also included are the full versions of some of the avantgarde films excerpted in the documentary, plus annotations that run with the documentary of what film is being clipped at that time. For fans of The Velvet Underground, this is a great documentary that is well worth your time, Criterion has done a great job bringing a title that was born into the streaming world to a disc that would be a nice addition to any music lover’s collection.

See you next week.

theloafer.net | January 10, 2023

The Velvet Underground

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