PLANET WEEKLY INTERVIEW WITH MATCHBOX 20 AND MORE!

// IN THIS ISSUE >> UP-TO-DATE RESTAURANT LISTINGS ›› MATCHBOX 20 ›› CHRIS YOUNG IS COMIN' OVER ›› BEATING THE HEAT ›› TRANSFORMERS ›› CONFEDERATES ›› EVENTS ›› ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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22 STORIES 4 MATCHBOX TWENTY // ALLEN SCULLEY

9 BEER/WINE REVIEWS 10 IN THE KITCHEN

RESTAURANT GUIDE

14 PET PLANET

“Matchbox Twenty is doing its first U.S. tour in four years this summer, but fans shouldn’t expect this outing to immediately be followed by a new studio album or another extended round of shows next year.”

15 MOVIE REVIEWS

6 BEATING THE ALABAMA HEAT// DR. RACHEL STEINER

16 EVENTS

“Summer is in full swing here in Tuscaloosa Alabama! Temperatures during the day are already in the mid-eighties and will only continue to rise for the next couple months. Although this means lots of fun and sun for many, this time of year can also be very dangerous as the temperatures easily reach triple digits at times.”

7 CHRIS YOUNG // ALLEN SCULLEY

“Chris Young is low key enough that if one hadn't paid attention to the country singles chart or a couple of significant creative developments in Young’s approach to making his current album, “I'm Comin' Over,” one might think everything was just business as usual for the country artist.”

22 COMMUNITY ARTS // KEVIN LEDGWOOD Film Series, Exhibits and more.

19 DECEMEBER ART NIGHT 20 PUZZLEMANIA / EDITORIAL CARTOON 21 HOROSCOPE

HIGH TIDE SPORTS 23

SABAN WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE GARY HARRIS

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MATCHBOX TWENTY // A BRIEF HISTORY OF EVERYTHING

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atchbox Twenty is doing its first U.S. tour in four years this summer, but fans shouldn’t expect this outing to immediately be followed by a new studio album or another extended round of shows next year.

Instead, three of the four band members – singer/guitarist Rob Thomas, guitarist Kyle Cook and guitarist Paul Doucette – will return to solo projects following the tour, and it figures to be up to another two years before there is any new activity for the group, which also includes bassist Brian Yale.

“Everybody is just too busy (with outside projects) to do anything right now,” Thomas reported in a midJuly phone interview, adding that he definitely expects the band to make more albums. “But as soon as that (solo) cycle is over, I think we all want to clear up our schedules like we did for this tour, to go in and make a (Matchbox) record that feels like who the four of us are now.”

In fact, Thomas had planned to stay off the road this summer -- until the idea of the Matchbox Twenty tour with the Counting Crows was proposed.

“Like I legitimately wasn’t going to go out this summer at all because I toured for the last three summers solo,” Thomas said. “But when this came up and the (other) guys from Matchbox really wanted to go out and the Crows wanted to go out, it just all made so much sense I was like ‘Ah hell, I’m in again.’”

Thomas toured behind his third solo album, “The Great Unknown,” last summer with the Counting Crows, the long-established group fronted by singer Adam Duritz. That 2016 tour was so much fun that the option of another tour this summer was too good to resist for Thomas.

Plus, it was a good opportunity for Matchbox to renew acquaintances with their fans during what is looking like a long gap between albums for the band, whose most recent studio effort, “North,” came out in 2012.

“I’ve been friends with Adam for going on 20 years. We have so many mutual friends that even when we haven’t been in contact, we know what’s going on with each other,” Thomas said. “And then we decided this (tour) was the best way we

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could imagine to spend a summer.”

The show Matchbox Twenty is playing is something of a celebration for fans that have followed the group since its initial blast of success 20 years ago. Thomas said the group plans to showcase some early songs that haven’t been played live for a decade or more.

“It was important to us to first incorporate a bunch of songs from over the last 20 years that we maybe haven’t played since they came out on that record,” he said. “There are songs from that first record we haven’t played since that first tour, and the second record. So we wanted to bring back some old friends that we knew a lot of fans wanted to hear.

Those early years gave Matchbox Twenty exceptional success. Formed in Orlando, Florida in 1995, the group exploded onto the rock scene with its 1996 debut album, “You or Someone Like You.” Containing the hits “3 A.M.,” “Push,” “Real World” and “Back 2 Good,” the debut album piled up more than 12 million copies sold in the United States alone.

A second album, “Mad Season,” followed in 2000, and topped 4 million copies sold on the strength of the hit songs “Bent” (which topped “Billboard” magazine’s all-genre Hot 100 singles chart) and “If You’re Gone.”

has made the biggest impact solo. His 2005 album “Something to Be…,” showcased a more soulful sound and became a was a platinum-certified hit behind the singles “Lonely No More,” “This Is How a Heart Breaks,” “Ever The Same” and “Streetcorner Symphony.”

By that time, Thomas had already made an impact outside of Matchbox Twenty by co-writing and singing the Grammy-winning hit “Smooth,” on Carlos Santana’s blockbuster 1999 album, “Supernatural.”

Cook and Doucette, though, also have been busy outside of Matchbox Twenty. Doucette, after forming a side band, the Break and Repair Method, has delved into writing music for films, and according to Thomas, has two films to score next year.

The next step, though, was a third Matchbox Twenty album, “More Than You Think You Are.” It didn’t reach the heights of popularity of the first two albums, but produced hit singles in “Unwell,” “Bright Lights” and “Disease.”

A live DVD: “Show: A Night in the Life of Matchbox Twenty,” followed in 2004, as the group took its first hiatus to allow for solo projects.

Much of the next decade was devoted to these outside projects, as Matchbox Twenty only reconvened in 2007 and 2008 for a greatest hits album supplemented by six new songs, “Exile on Mainstream,” and a tour.

Thomas is the band member who

A second Thomas solo album, “Cradlesong,” followed in 2009, before Matchbox Twenty reunited to make the “North” album. After touring that album, Thomas made his third solo album, “The Great Unknown.”

Cook, meanwhile, has a new duo with singer/songwriter Sheila Marshall, Rivers and Rust, which recently released a debut EP and will have a full-length album out next year. The duo is opening for Matchbox Twenty and Counting Crows this summer.

Thomas, meanwhile, has started writing for his next solo album, which he plans to release next year. More writing is on his agenda after the summer tour.

“The way it works is I’ve probably written about three or four records by now,” Thomas said. “I start and I write 12 songs and I think ‘OK, I’ve

got a record.’ Then my wife and I, I listen to them a lot and I get over the initial kind of love of them and I realize I’ve got (maybe) three songs that I really love. Then I start all over again. You make a whole other record and you add on to those three songs. After that process, you’ve got one or two more songs. So every time, in truth I’ve probably got six or seven songs that I love, and then I’ve got about three records worth of stuff that I think is OK.” During promotion for “The Great Unknown,” Thomas talked of stepping away on his next album from the poppy sound of his solo albums, going for something more along the lines of alt-country artist Ryan Adams or singer-songwriter David Gray. Thomas has since realized that setting out with a sound in mind only limits is creativity and might prevent him from finishing a song that could become a gem.

But one thing he won’t do with his next album is try to tailor it to the synthetic, bubbly sound of today’s top 40. That would be disingenuous of him, Thomas said.

“The one thing that stuck was the idea of me in this kind of ultra-pop top 40 world, it just doesn’t make sense and it doesn’t fit. And I’m not going to try and make that fit anymore. So at least I know one thing I’m not doing, which is I’m not trying to participate in that marketplace,” he said. “(For me), trying to write a song for top 40 is like being a guy standing outside of a party that you don’t want to get into and beating on the door and asking to be let in.”

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NEWS

CHAMBER BANKING MEMBERS PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY WORKS TUSCALOOSA Group launches year-long financial literacy counseling session series in west Tuscaloosa

NORTHPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DINNER WELCOMES BRUCE HIGGINBOTHAM

A volunteer committee of Tuscaloosa-based bankers and financial experts launched this week a year-long series of financial literacy counseling sessions for residents of underserved neighborhoods in west Tuscaloosa.

Interim City Administrator Talks Development, Traffic, Internal Growth Interim Northport City Administrator Bruce Higginbotham, who also serves as the City's Engineer, was the guest speaker for the Summer Northport Community Engagement Dinner July 17, sponsored by The Levee.

Higginbotham spoke of exciting changes to the city, as well as challenges Northport faces. He said Northport's current Mayor and Council are committed to moving in the right direction. "They care about Northport and are eager to push the city forward," Higginbotham said. "We're at a critical point in the city's future."

Higginbotham mentioned the explosive residential development in Northport and said the city's current population, which sits at just above 25,000, is attractive to developers. "There are several residential developments right now that are being reviewed," he said. "These generate numbers developers want to see, such as traffic count, expendable income and population. Our numbers are attracting interest."

The city is working on plans to meet the needs of not only developers, but business owners in general, and is currently implementing plans for a "one-stop shop" for businesses. Higginbotham explained this step would give businesses a contact person who could help walk them through the entire process and give them peace of mind.

The city has also hired a Business Development Coordinator, Max Snyder, who has grant writing experience and is aggressively seeking money available to cities Northport's size, Higginbotham said.

Other topics of discussion included riverfront development, area traffic and planned future infrastructure projects.

The committee is coordinating its activities with the Housing Services and Financial Literacy Division of the 501c3 nonprofit, Community Works Tuscaloosa. Formed in 2015 with Executive Director Bob Johnson at the helm, the CWT and its divisions seek to bolster the lives of low-income residents in west Tuscaloosa through economic, workforce, and leadership development initiatives.

Many of the experts serving as financial literacy counselors are West Alabama Chamber of Commerce members. They were recruited to serve, in part, because of their already established records of community stewardship, said CWT Housing Services Director Latonya Braggs. “I am in awe of the enthusiasm on the part of the bankers, realtors, and other financial experts who are taking their time to offer basic financial counseling,” Braggs said.

Volunteers in the financial literacy initiative are Dan Blakley, City President, Regions Bank; Kenyatta Browne, Assistant Manager University Branch, Regions Bank; Vanessa Cade, Real Estate Agent, Russell Realty & Development; Paul Carruthers, Regional Community Affairs Manager, Regions Bank; Jim Flemming, President, FNB of Central Alabama; Heyward Gould, CEO, FNB of Central Alabama; Max Karrh, Senior Vice President, Bryant Bank; John Lollar, City President, Tuscaloosa Market, Robertson Bank, Northridge Branch; Tanya Winstead, Alabama One Credit Union; and Dr. Thaddeus Steele, Dr. Kingsley Wokukwu, and Dr. Carol Williams, Department of Business Administration, Stillman College.

The sessions are planned be held twice monthly and comprise topics on budgeting, the importance of credit and the road to home ownership, as well as banking vocabulary. Bankers volunteering on the collaboration agree that teaching the importance of budgeting, credit, and safe banking practices are important for west Tuscaloosa neighborhoods. Regions Bank provided extra support to the team in use of instructional materials and a $1,000 contribution to the initiative.

“We believe in the mission of Community Works Tuscaloosa, and we are proud of the impact CWT has in our community,” Regions Bank Tuscaloosa City President Dan Blakley said. “Regions has long been a part of this community, and we believe it is our responsibility to help make life better in the communities we serve. We have seen first-hand the hard work and dedication of CWT, and we are honored to help further its mission of providing crucial services that improve the quality of life in our community.”

Kenyatta Browne, branch team leader for Regions Bank, developed a curriculum and handouts for the volunteers to use at the counseling sessions. She will lead the July 27 session, from 3 p.m. – 4:45 p.m., at the McKenzie Courts Community Center.

Interim City Administrator Bruce Higginbotham talks about upcoming projects to a group of residents at The Levee July 17.

“Regions Bank is committed to providing financial education and helping more people learn the essentials of how to set a budget, grow their savings and reach their financial goals over time,” Browne said. “This outreach with CWT can have a positive impact on local families for years to come. Our team is proud to join CWT in making a powerful difference in the lives of others and on our community as a whole.”

Senior Vice President of Bryant Bank Max Karrh agrees that financial counseling to individuals can have cumulative effects.

“Bryant Bank believes that having a strong understanding of finances empowers individuals to make sound decisions with their money,” Karrh said. “When sound financial decisions are made at the individual level, the community as a whole is made stronger one home at a time. Therefore, we believe that this program of teaching financial literacy has the potential to strengthen our entire community.”

Sam Phillips of Regions Bank, left, talks with District 1 Northport Councilman Lee Boozer.

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>>> H E A LT H | D R . R A C H E L S T E I N E R

BEATING THE HEAT IN ALABAMA S

ummer is in full swing here in Tuscaloosa Alabama! Temperatures during the day are already in the mid-eighties and will only continue to rise for the next couple months. Although this means lots of fun and sun for many, this time of year can also be very dangerous as the temperatures easily reach triple digits at times. Every year, thousands of become sick from exposure to heat, and in serious cases can lead to death. In a recent five-year study in the United States, there were 2,239 reported deaths due to heat illnesses. Our bodies have the amazing ability to cool itself through sweating however, during hot weather especially with high humidity, sweating isn't enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels if precautions are not taken.

Heat illnesses range from heat rash, heat cramps to heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, which can be fatal. Immediate medical attention is needed when one suffers from one of these conditions. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to keep healthy and prevent heat related illnesses during the dog days of summer.

Get outdoor work done early in the day or in the evening Between 10 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon are when the suns rays are most direct and powerful. If you have to do work outside around the house such as gardening or mowing the lawn, try to do these things at dawn or as the sun starts to set to avoid the direct sun and dangerous temperatures.

Wear Sunscreen Apply a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher whenever you're outdoors.

For children, it is recommended to use an SPF of 30 or higher. To achieve adequate UV protection you should use products that say broadspectrum on them, which means protection against both UVB and UVA rays. When buying sunscreen look for products that contain ingredients such as avobenzone or zinc oxide, as they are the most effective in preventing rays from penetrating the skin. Remember that sunscreen doesn’t last all day! It should be reapplied every two hours, unless you are swimming or even sweating, in that case you should reapply every hour. The bottle will say how long

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>>> B O O K R E V I E W

LAND OF WATER, CITY OF THE DEAD

RELIGION AND CAHOKIA'S EMERGENCE SARAH E. BAIRES

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and of Water, City of the Dead explores the embodiment of religion in the Cahokia land and how places create, make meaningful, and transform practices and beliefs.

the sunscreen is affective for and the frequency to reapply.

Keep Hydrated In the summer months, when temperatures and humidity are higher than we’re used to, it is easy to become dehydrated. An easy rule to follow is to take your weight in pounds and that is how many ounces of water you should drink daily. For example, if you weigh 100 pounds, you should drink 100 ounces of water per day. However, if lots of time is spent outside in the sun and you are sweating, you should be drinking more. Add an extra 12 ounces of liquid for every 30 minutes of physical activity you do. When you sweat, your body not only releases fluid and toxins from your body, but electrolytes as well.

Electrolytes regulate our nerve and muscle function, our body's hydration, blood pH, blood pressure, and the rebuilding of damaged tissue. Various mechanisms exist in our body to keep the concentrations of different electrolytes under strict control. An easy way to prevent electrolyte imbalances is to drink sports drinks such as Gatorade or PowerAde or consume foods high in electrolytes such as bananas, spinach, and avocados. Remember if you are thirsty, that is an early warning signal from your body that you are already dehydrated.

Shade yourself whenever possible Be aware the amount of sun you are exposing yourself to; use an umbrella or find a covered area such as an awning or tree to minimize direct rays.

Consider wearing a hat to protect your head and face and wear clothing that covers the skin but is lightweight and allows the skin to breath. They even have clothing now that have built in sunscreen and are lightweight to help keep you cool.

Keep in mind these suggestions to follow when enjoying the sun and all the activities that go along with it.

Cheers to a happy and healthy Alabama summer!

Cahokia, the largest city of the Mississippian mound cultures, lies outside present-day East St. Louis. Land of Water, City of the Dead reconceptualizes Cahokia’s emergence and expansion (ca. 1050–1200), focusing on understanding a newly imagined religion and complexity through a non-Western lens. Sarah E. Baires argues that this system of beliefs was a dynamic, lived component, based on a broader ontology, with roots in other mound societies. This religion was realized through novel mortuary practices and burial mounds as well as through the careful planning and development of this early city’s urban landscape.

Baires analyzes the organization and alignment of the precinct of downtown Cahokia with a specific focus on the newly discovered and excavated Rattlesnake Causeway and the ridge-top mortuary mounds located along the site axes. Land of Water, City of the Dead also presents new data from the 1954 excavations of the ridge-top mortuary Wilson Mound and a complete analysis of the associated human remains. Through this skeletal analysis, Baires discusses the ways that Cahokians processed and buried their ancestors, identifying unique mortuary practices that include the intentional dismemberment of human bodies and burial with marine shell beads and other materials.

ment for looking at Cahokia and religion in a different way, and whether or not you agree with her particular approach, new perspectives always move discussion and knowledge forward.”

—Lynne Goldstein, professor of anthropology at Michigan State University “The detailed discussion of Cahokia’s ridge-top mounds, the presentation of largely unpublished descriptions of burial features and cultural materials associated with these mounds, and new observations of skeletal materials from Wilson Mound make this a valuable resource for other researchers.”

—Kristin Hedman, coeditor of Transforming the Dead: Culturally Modified Bone in the Prehistoric Midwest

Sarah E. Baires is an assistant professor of anthropology at Eastern Connecticut State University.

“Baires’s book is a good addition to the available information on Cahokia.

She pulls together data from a variety of sources, but most importantly, she provides details on legacy data that are not readily available elsewhere. In addition, Baires develops an arguThe University of Alabama Press is a proud member of the Association of American University Presses. The Press currently publishes 70-75 new titles a year and has over 1,800 titles in print. It is a founding member of the University Press Content Consortium and is at the cutting edge of digital publishing. The Press is the publishing arm of the University of Alabama.

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Photos Courtesy of Sheryl Nields

CHRIS YOUNG // I'M COMIN' OVER

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hris Young is low key enough that if one hadn't paid attention to the country singles chart or a couple of significant creative developments in Young’s approach to making his current album, “I'm Comin' Over,” one might think everything was just business as usual for the country artist.

The singles chart is notable because the title song from the new album recently held down the number one spot for three weeks, a triumph that would illicit a can-hardlycontain-the-excitement response from many artists.

Young is certainly pleased with his latest success, but the matter-of-fact tone he showed in a recent phone interview lacked the kind of anticipation and urgency – not to mention excitement -- one might expect from an artist who looks to be on the verge of arena-headlining stardom.

Instead Young sounds self-assured, but humble, and focused on the work that goes into having a successful career.

“I don't think you can get much better than having a number one platinum single as the first single off of the new project,” the affable Young said of the song “I’m Comin’ Over.” “It's just kind of (about) building upon that now.”

Young has been doing a good job of building momentum for his career over the past half dozen years. His 2006 self-titled debut album stiffed, but “Getting' You Home (The Black Dress Song),” the second single from his sophomore album, 2009's “The Man I Want To Be,” became a charttopping breakthrough hit. Then the title song from that album and a third single, “Voices,” extended the streak of number one singles to three.

The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native has been on a roll since. His next two albums, “Neon” (2010) and “A.M.” (2013) added three more number ones to Young's resume and set the stage for the emphatic run of the “I'm Comin' Over” single, and the strong debut of the new album (which sold an impressive 57,000 copies in its first week). He then followed that song up with another No. 1 single, “Think Of You,” a duet with Cassadee Pope, and in March saw “Sober Saturday” make it a trio of chart toppers.

It's not just the chart successes that are a big deal. The “I'm Comin' Over” album involved some major changes in how Young has made his albums in the past -- steps that also suggest he’s confident of his abilities at this point in his career.

After working with noted producer James Stroud on his recent albums, Young took the reins on the “I'm Comin' Over” project by co-producing the album with songwriter Corey Crowder.

Artists producing their own albums, while somewhat common in the rock and alternative genres, is rare in country. But Young had no great revelations or statements about his decision to step into producing on “I'm Comin' Over.”

“You know what, actually it just kind of felt like it was time,” he said. “I don't think it was anything in particular. It wasn't like some big moment where I was like 'I'm going to do this.'

It was like 'I think this is the right way to go on this project specifically.' It was a bit of a risk because it's something I haven't done in the past.”

There’s a sturdy rocker in “Underdogs” and a breezy tune in “Sunshine Overtime.” Otherwise, “I’m Comin’ Over” is defined by melodic, easy-going mid-tempo tunes like “Heartbeat,” “Thinking of You” and the title song – as well as reflective ballads like “I Know a Guy” and “Sober Saturday Night.”

Now Young is heading out on a summer/fall run of shows opening for Aldean mixed in with a few festival dates. He suggested he won't weight the show too much toward the “I'm Comin' Over” material. '”You definitely have to play the stuff that people have heard on the radio,” Young said. “But when it gets down to actually new stuff, you don't ever want to play like the whole new record. It's been just kind of a gradual change of me figuring out, 'Today I think I'll add this.' So it kind of depends on what show people show up for.”

Another significant shift was that Young worked with an almost entirely new group of songwriters in co-writing nine of the 11 songs on “I'm Comin' Over.” He began to think of Crowder as his co-producer after writing sessions with Crowder and Josh Hoge.

Once again, Young sounded like switching up songwriting collaborators was about as earth shattering than changing shirts.

“I don't think it's anything in particular,” Young said when asked what led to working with a different set of co-writers. ”I don't think it was like something was going on where I felt the need to do that. It was more that this is just kind of naturally how this project worked itself.”

Despite those changes in how Young made “I’m Comin’ Over,” the latest album is perfectly in character with Young’s other albums – delivering another set of tuneful, well-crafted songs with lyrics that feel emotional and heartfelt without seeming contrived.

CHAMBER NEWS, continued from page 5 In addition to the sessions for adults, Tanya Winstead, with Alabama One Credit Union, will present the credit union’s popular Berenstein Bears Financial Literacy Program to elementary school children in west Tuscaloosa.

CWT, the Housing Services and Financial Literacy Division’s parent organization, has made strides in workforce development and in career readiness and preparation through federal grants, community partnering and volunteer efforts. “Many people have completed job training and referral programs through the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s Region 3 Workforce Council, CWT’s Ollie Washington Pre-Apprentice Construction Program, and the career skills readiness program, Pathways,” said Mason Bonner, CWT Chairman of the Board.

Call Latonya Braggs at (205) 886-2305 for details. The Housing Services and Financial Literacy Division office is housed on the Stillman College campus.

From left, Dan Blakley, Regions Bank Tuscaloosa City President; Lucinda Coulter, Community Works Tuscaloosa staff liaison; Latonya Braggs, CWT Housing Services Director; Kenyatta Browne, Regions Bank branch team leader.

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Photos Courtesy of Sheena Gregg

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ // EAT BETTER FEEL BETTER

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uscaloosa has been booming lately with the number of healthy eateries in town. Though grabbing a smoothie for a meal may have seemed like a feat several years ago, the trends in healthy eating options have made this a commonplace choice in our college town. After a fairly intense workout earlier this week, I knew I wanted something light yet filling. Driving towards the Midtown Village side of town, I remembered seeing deals for Tropical Smoothie Café on my Hooked app. Even though it was too early in the day to get a Hooked discount, I knew I wanted to try something at Tropical Smoothie.

Heading into the store during the early 6 a.m. hour, I was surprised to see the amount of folks in line and waiting for a smoothie concoction.

Taking a look around the store, I realized that much of the café’s branding looked different from the last time I had been in. Gone were the greens and purples reminiscent of a cheesy Rainforest Café. Now the look reflected a modern take on clean lines and colors with soothing greens, oranges, and sunflower yellow reflected in the logo. Though the menu items looked vaguely familiar from my initial visit to the café 2 years ago, the revamp of the menu layout gave new life to the photos of flatbread sandwiches, wraps, bowls, and smoothies. My mouth started watering as I read through the menu items. The Thai chicken salad sounded amazing while the Caribbean jerk chicken bowl boasted rice, black beans,

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cheddar and roasted pineapple salsa. Remembering that it was only 6:30 in the morning, I made my way over to the smoothie menu to find a more breakfast appropriate option for the day.

Despite the overwhelming number of delicious sounding smoothies on the menu, I finally decided on the detox island green smoothie featuring spinach, kale, mango, pineapple, banana, and fresh ginger. After ordering I made my way to a table to relax as others waited for their order to come up. Glancing back at the menu, I had a moment of order regret as I noticed the restaurant also offered a peanut butter banana crunch flatbread, southwest breakfast wrap, and a few other breakfast specific sandwich options. Ensuring I wouldn’t miss anything else during my next visit, I noted the kids menu which included kid friendly smoothies and sandwiches. Combos could be done with regular item menus combining a half sandwich and smoothie option of your choice… all given me ideas to make an excuse to head back in to Tropical Smoothie Café for lunch.

It wasn’t long before my detox island smoothie was delivered to me. Taking that initial sip, I was excited to taste that the smoothie wasn’t overly sweet, indicating that it was only naturally sweetened by the combination of fruits in the smoothie without having to add any artificial sweeteners or

high fructose corn syrup. Overall, I believe that Tropical Smoothie Café will be on my regular rotation of breakfast and lunch options during these remaining months.

Tropical Smoothie Café is located in the Midtown Village Shopping Center and opened daily. Tweet us @ThePlanetWeekly and let us know where you are eating!

With frequent discount deals featured on the Hooked app, Tropical Smoothie Café combines my passions for tasty food at a bargain price. I will be back!

Sheena Gregg, MS, RDN,LD is a registered dietitian and local Filipino Foodie. Follow her on Twitter @ TheThriftyRD

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DESTIHL BREWERY //

MINUTY // ROSÉ

WILD SOUR SERIES BLUEBERRY GOSE

T

he weather outside definitely determines my choice in beer. If it’s cold, I’m going dark.

If it’s hot, I’m going for something light. Luckily, my choices don’t have to be confined to just light and dark. Recently I was in my local bottle shop and was browsing for something sour when I stumbled upon something I had always seen from afar, but had never been able to get my hands on. The Wild Series from Destihl Brewery is a collection of soured beers that have a wide range of styles and flavors. The one that I was able to pick up is the Blueberry Gose and the reviews I found online led me to believe that this was one of the better offerings in the series to date. I took it home, cracked one open (with the boys) and was pleasantly surprised with what I had in front of me. Here are my thoughts: Immediately, you notice the absolutely horrid can art. I know that design has nothing to do with the taste of the beer, but the design is just awful. ANYWAYS, onto more important things, which would be the beer itself. I poured the beer from the can into a tulip glass to release the bouquet of aromas or whatever.

Really, the first thing you notice is that the head dissipates very quickly and leaves no head retention at all. In fact, the beer just looks flat and that was a minor issue for me because it forced the beer to lack in aroma overall. What I could pick up on was a hint of sourness that came through quite nicely paired with a faint blueberry aroma that was also very subtle. The beer is a purple-ish gold with not much light to be seen through the glass and looks kind of thin.

The taste on this beer was such a redeeming quality that it made up for the lack of head and very unappealing color. At first, you get a nice blueberry taste almost tastes like blueberry syrup that’s followed by a nice, light sour note and ends with a very faint salt character on the back of your tongue and on your lips. This is the kind of Gose style beer that I really enjoy, because I don’t want it to be over salty to the point that it begins to cover up other flavors and makes some of the better qualities. This level of salt really just rounds out the back end of the beer and dries it out ever so slightly that makes it a really drinkable beer with such a unique taste and profile. One thing that I do wish was a bit different is

M

inuty Rose comes from Chateau Minuty in Provence on the Saint-Tropez Peninsula in France.

that I wish the sourness had been a bit more intense. I do like the enamel peelers and this one was far from that style. I like beers with the sourness of a Warhead candy, but this one was more along the lines of a Warhead with only half of the sour left on it. Kind of disappoint, but at the same time it made it much more sessionable.

The beer had a light to medium body and a moderate carbonation level.

Like I stated earlier, I wish the head had stayed around a little longer than it actually did, because I would have been able to enjoy the aroma and nose a bit longer, but you play with the cards you’re dealt. After each sip, the sourness kind of stuck to the sides of your tongue, which was quite nice, but like I said, I wish it had been a bit sourer, but that’s just my take.

Overall, this beer was pretty good and I definitely do not regret buying it. This would be a great beach or lake beer on a really hot day due to the low ABV and the light touch of salt and sour. I am very interested in trying some of the other offerings in the Wild Series line just to see how they stack up against this one. One thing to note is that they are only sold in four packs and are priced moderately high for what they are.

All in all, if you can find it, I suggest drinking it while the weather is warm and making it an addition the outdoors. Cheers!

Chateau Minuty has been around since 1936 and is currently managed by the founder’s two grandsons, Jean-Etienne and Francois Matton.

Fruit for Minuty Rose is sourced from the Côtes de Provence appellation and consists of three varietals: Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah.

The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks at 59°F and was lightly filtered prior to bottling.

Minuty RoseI enjoyed this wine outdoors on my back deck on a humid summer evening.

One of the first noticeable things about this wine is the bottle itself. It’s somewhat unique and has (dare I say?) sexy curves.

Sample of M Minuty Rose 2016 received for review purposes.

You can learn more about this wine and the Chateau at the Minuty website.

Appearance Minuty Rose Bottle and GlassI think this wine looks beautiful in both the bottle and the glass. Its color is a light rose gold with perhaps a hint of copper.

Minuty Rose alcohol content 13.0% by volume, per the bottle.

Taste Continuing the theme of fresh and clean, Minuty Rose starts with delicious flavors of light orange, grapefruit and white peach.

Then, on the back end you get a bit of tangy citrus along with some wellbalanced acidity.

Finish That tangy citrus carries through to a long finish. Though this is considered a “dry rose” I didn’t find this wine to be overly dry at all.

Overall Opinion Overall, I found myself quite pleased with this wine. My two favorite things were its freshness and flavor complexity.

After that, this wine gets high marks for having just enough sweetness to give it a little flavor “oomph” and for its sexy bottle and appearance.

Perfect to give as a gift at a summer party, especially with its Under $20 price point.

Chateau Minuty Rose price about $15.00.

Aroma

Suggested Food Pairing

The wine’s aroma is fresh smelling and clean. It provides a medium intensity and gives you violet florals and a bit of grapefruit zest.

Minuty recommends pairing this wine with Pistou soup, grilled meat, raw vegetables, prawn kebabs and apricot pie.

Little to no alcohol burn noticed.

Sounds tasty to me!

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>>> I N T H E K I T C H E N | R AC H E L PA X T O N

HOMEMADE DOG TREATS A lot of people enjoy making their own dog treats for their dogs. Not only are homemade dog treats and biscuits more healthy, they are often less expensive too. Here are a couple easy dog treats you can make at home today.

Sweet Potato Dog Treats

This is an interesting dog treat I'd never seen before. Who knew that dogs like sweet potatoes!? These are similar to sweet potato chips you would make for yourself to eat, and can be made in the microwave.

Ingredients: Sweet Potatoes Cooking Spray (I prefer oil in my own Misto mister bottle.)

Directions: Start by scrubbing potatoes well. I leave the skin on, but you could peel them if you like.

Cut into 1/8″ thick slices. Spray a microwave-safe dinner plate lightly with cooking spray.

(You can use a canned spray, but I prefer using my own oil in aMisto mister bottle for both our food AND the dog!) Spread the slices out so they aren’t overlapping. If you have any thicker slices, put them on the outer edges.

The next step of actually cooking them will vary greatly depending on the wattage of your microwave oven. I have a small 600 watt oven so I cook them for 5 minutes on one side.

Flip them over and cook for 5 minutes on the second side. Flip again – cook 2 minutes.

Flip again – cook 2 minutes. If your oven is more powerful, I would recommend starting with 3 minutes per side. Keep flipping and cooking until the slices have started to turn crunchy. They will continue to crisp up after you remove them from the oven.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for several days, but if your dog loves them as much as Toby does, they probably won’t last that long! I love a cute dog treat canister with a tight-fitting lid. If you try the recipe, please come back and tell me how your dog likes them! If you try the recipe, please come back and tell me how your dog likes them!

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

These dog treats will take a little more effort, but they are super cute! They look like little doughnuts and even have carob icing.

BREAKFAST / LUNCH

Brown Bag 9425 Jones Road | Northport // 333.0970 Its speciality, fried green tomatoes, joins barbecue plates and fish filets on an extended list of meats and vegetables.

Tues 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Wed-Sat 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

City Cafe 408 Main Ave | Downtown Northport // 758.9171 Established in 1936. Big on food, low on price. Open for breakfast and lunch.

Historic downtown Northport. Closed weekends.

Cook Out 100 15th St E, Tuscaloosa Fast-food chain known for its drive-thru BBQ, burgers & more than 40 milkshake flavors.

Thur-Fri 11:00am-4:00am Sat-Wed 11:00am-3:00am www.cookout.com CountryPride Restaurant 3501 Buttermilk Rd // 554.0215 www.ta.travelcenters.com Breakfast 24 hours. Lunch and Dinner buffet.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 4800 Doris Pate Dr | Exit 76 // 562.8282 www.crackerbarrel.com Holler & Dash 1130 University Blvd A-1, Tuscaloosa//752-3310 Sun-Thur 7am–2pm Fri-Sat 7am–9pm Sun 7am-2pm www.holleranddash.com International House of Pancakes 724 Skyland Blvd // 366.1130 Jack's 1200 Hackberry Lane | Tuscaloosa // 345.1199 Mr. Bill's Family Restaurant 2715 McFarland Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 333.9312 Panera Bread 1800 McFarland Blvd *402 | Tuscaloosa // 366.8780 Quick Grill 1208 University Blvd | The Strip | Tuscaloosa // 342.0022 Rama Jama’s 1000 Bryant Dr // 750.0901 Closest restaurant to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Sweet Home Food Bar 2218 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 764-9346 Mon.-Fri. Mon-Sat 9am–9pm Sun- 10am-3pm Tropical Smoothie Cafe 1800 McFarland Blvd E, | Tuscaloosa// 331-4070 Casual, health-conscious cafe featuring custom smoothies, sandwiches & wraps.

Mon-Thur 6:30am–9:30pm Fri-7am-9pm Sun-10:30-8pm

The Waysider 1512 Greensboro Ave // 345.8239 Open for breakfast and lunch. Smoke free.

MEXICAN

To make the donuts: In a medium bowl, beat the egg. Mix in the milk and peanut butter and beat until smooth.

Using a fork, mix in the whole wheat flour and baking powder. On a flat surface, knead together until everything is well combined. Roll out or pat the dough on a flat surface until it is about ½ inch (1¼ cm) thick. Using a small round cookie cutter, cut the dough into as many circles as you can fit. Using a smaller circular cutter (I used the large end of a frosting tip), cut out smaller circles in the middle of each circle to create the donut. Set the cut donuts on the pan. Roll the scraps of dough together and repeat this step, until you have used up as much dough as you can. Bake for 20 minutes, until the donuts are dried and hard. Allow the donuts to cool.

To make the icing: In a small bowl, add in the carob powder and the boiling water. Mix until a smooth paste forms. If the icing is too stiff, add in water ½ teaspoon at a time. Add the carob icing into a small icing squeeze bottle. Once the donuts have cooled, pipe the carob icing on top of the donuts. To keep the icing from cooling and hardening in the bottle, place it in a bowl of warm water when you are between donuts.

Notes: The carob icing does not stick well to the donuts and may flake off as you handle the donuts (ie. bag them up).

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of five. For more recipes, gardening, organizing tips, home decorating, holiday hints, and more, visit Creative Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com.

Pastor's Kitchen 2910 5th St, Northport//553-2320 Mon-Fri 10:30am-2pm, 4:30–9pm Sat 10:30am-8pm Closed Sun Pepito’s (2 locations) 1203 University Blvd | The Strip // 391.9028 1301 McFarland Blvd NE // 391.4861 Taco Mama Tuscaloosa 2104 University Blvd A, Tuscaloosa Mon-Wed 11am–9pm Thur-Sat 11am–10pm Sun 11am–9pm www.tacomamaonline.com

FINE DINING

301 Bistro (Was L&N Train Station) 301 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa //764-1395 Casual Dining, Full Bar and Beer Garden Mon-Sat 4–11PM Sun 11am-9pm | www.301bistro.com Chuck’s Fish 508 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 248.9370 Monday - Thursday 5-10 p.m. and Friday - Saturday 5-11 p.m. Steak, seafood, & sushi specialities. Daily specials: Monday - $20 Bottles of Wine; Tuesday - Ladies Night 1/2 off Domestic Beer and House Wine, Select $5 Martinis, $2 off Select Sushi Rolls for Everyone; Uptown Wednesday - $6 Uptown Shrimp; Featured Cocktails and $20 Bottles of Wine.

Cypress Inn 501 Rice Mine Rd // 345.6963 Fax: 345.6997 | www.cypressinnrestaurant.com 2003 Restaurant of Distinction. Beautiful riverfront location.

Steaks, seafood and more with Southern flavor. Wine list, full bar. Specialities of the house include Shrimp Cypress Inn and Smoked Chicken with white barbecue sauce. Kid friendly. Closed Saturday lunch. Happy Hour- Mon-Fri from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. featuring 1/2 price appetizers. $2 Domestic Draft Beers and $3 Well cocktails.

Evangeline’s 1653 McFarland Blvd. North // 752.0830 Located in the Tuscaloosa Galleria. 2004 West Alabama Tourism Award Winning Restaurant. American Eclectic Cuisine. Lunch: Mon–Fri 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Dinner: Tues–Sat 5 p.m. - until... Fall: Saturday Brunch.

FIVE Bar 2324 6th Street. // 205.345.6089 A restaurant/bar based on simplicity. We offer 5 entrees, 5 red wines, 5 white wines, 5 import beers, 5 domestic, and 5 signature cocktails, to go along with our full liquor bar. Dinner: Sunday - Thursday 5-10; Friday and Saturday 5-12 Lunch: Friday and Saturday 11-3; Sunday Jazz Brunch: 10-3 five-bar.com; 205.345.6089/ The Side by Side Restaurant 2410 University Blvd. | Embassy Suites | 561-2500 thesidebysiderestaurant.com River 1650 Jack Warner Pkwy NE, Tuscaloosa//632-3801 Tue,Wed,Thur-11am–2pm, 5:30–9PM Fri-11am–2pm, 5–10pm Sat-10am–1pm, 5–10 Sun-10am–1pm Closed Monday www.rivertuscaloosa.com

JAPANESE

Bento Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar 1306 University Blvd // 758.7426 Hokkaido Japanese Restaurant 607 15th Street Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Chipotle Mexican Grill 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 391.0140 www.chipotle.com

Ichiban Japanese Grill & Sushi 502 15th Street // 752.8844

Chuy's 1320 McFarland Blvd E, Tuscaloosa// 349-4947 Sun-Thur 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 11am-11pm | www.chuys.com

Tokyo Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar 6521 Hwy 69 S | Hillcrest Center // 366.1177 Offers steak, seafood, tempura, teriyaki and sushi. Including cooking at your table, if you choose. Sun–Thurs 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Fri & Sat 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Don Tono's 2312 4th Street | Temerson Square // 345.9191

Instructions: Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.

JULY 26 + AUG 9

W H E R E TO E AT I N T U S C A LO O SA

T-Town Café 500 14th Street, Tuscaloosa | 759-5559 |www.ttowncafe.com Mon - Fri 6am - 3pm; Sat - Closed; Sun 10:30am - 3pm

Ingredients: For the donuts 1 egg ½ cup skim milk ½ cup all-natural smooth peanut butter (unsalted) 1 cup (150g) whole wheat flour 1 tablespoon baking powder For the icing ¼ cup (40g) carob powder ¼ cup (60ml) water, boiling

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>>> RESTAURANTS |

El Mariachi 3520 McFarland Blvd E |Tuscaloosa // 409-8585 El Rincon (2 locations) 1225 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 366.0855 1726 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 330.1274 Fernando's Mexican Grill 824 McFarland Blvd E | Northport // 205.331.4587 Fuzzy’s Taco Shop 2321 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa//409-8344 Mon-Thur 10am–10pm Fri-SAt 10am–12am Sun 10am-10pm | www.fuzzystacoshop.com Iguana Grill 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 752.5895 Jalapeno’s Mexican Grill 2001 New Watermelon Rd | Northport // 342.3378 LaGran Fiesta 9770 Hwy 69 S // 345.8871 La Fiesta Mexican Grill 6521 AL-69, Tuscaloosa// 345-8580 Mon-Thur 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 11am-10:30pm Sun 11am-9pm Los Calientes Mexican Grill 3429 McFarland Blvd E // 553.1558 La Fiesta Mexican Grill 345-8580 6521 AL-69, Tuscaloosa Mon-Thur 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 11am-10:30pm Sun 11am-9pm Los Tarascos (2 locations) 110 Skyland Blvd E - Tuscaloosa//553-8896 NEW LOCATION 3380 McFarland Blvd - Northport//330-0919 www.lostarascos.com Margarita's Grill 1241 McFarland Blvd E // 343.0300 Moe’s Southwest Grill (2 locations) 2330 McFarland Blvd E // 342.1487 1130 University Blvd // 752.0234 | moes.com

Kobe Steak House 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 759-1400 Lunch: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Dinner: 4:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sat & Sun 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Pokirrito 68 (was Ezell's Southern Food Express) 220 15th St E, Tuscaloosa Sushi Bar

ITALIAN

Broadway Pizzeria 2880 Rice Mine Road Northeast Tuscaloosa, // 391.6969 DePalma’s Italian Cafe 2300 University Blvd, Downtown // 759.1879 Menu ranges from sanwiches to finer pasta dishes and pizza.

Varied beer and wine selection.

Hours: Mon–Thurs 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Fri & Sat 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. www.depalmascafe.com Little Italy 1130 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 205.345.4343 Mellow Mushroom 2230 University Blvd // 758.0112 Pizzas, calzones, hoagies and more. Open daily for lunch and dinner. www.mellowmushroom.com Mr. G’s 908 McFarland Blvd N | Northport // 339-8505 Olive Garden 2100 McFarland Blvd E // 750-0321 Open daily from 11 a.m. | www.olivegarden.com

CASUAL DINING

Avenue Pub 405 23rd Avenue // Tuscaloosa Brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Specialty cocktails, local pints, bottled beer, and wine.

Mon - Fri. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sat. Noon – 11 p.m., Sun.Noon p.m. – 9 p.m.

Big Daddy’s Cafe 514 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 759.9925 The Blue Plate Restaurant (Was Northport Diner) 450 McFarland Blvd, Northport // 462-3626 Buddy’s Ribs & Steaks

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W H E R E TO E AT I N T U S C A LO O SA

2701 Bridge Ave | Northport // 339.4885 Buffalo Wild Wings 2710 McFarland Blvd // 523.0273 Mon–Wed 11 a.m. - midnight | Thurs–Sat 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Chicken Salad Chick The Shoppes at Midtown & Essex Square, Northport | Said to be the very best chicken salad that can be found anywhere. www.chickensaladchick.com Dave’s Dogs 1701 McFarland Blvd E | University Mall // 722.2800 Five Guys Burgers & Fries 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 391.0575 www.fiveguys.com Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers//764-9097 315 15th St, Tuscaloosa Fri-Sat 10:30am–11:00pm Sun-Thur 10:30am–10:00pm www.freddysusa.com Glory Bound Gyro Company 2325 University Blvd // 349-0505 Glory Bound Gyro Company is a unique restaurant that focuses on great food and service in a funky, fun-filled atmosphere.

Open Mon-Thu: 11am - 10pm | Fri - Sat: 11am-10pm | Sun: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Heritage House 700 Towncenter | Northport // 758.0042 Open Mon-Fri 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Hooligan’s 1915 University Blvd // 759.2424 From hamburgers to hummus. Open daily 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.

The Kitchen 2322 4th St, Tuscaloosa//331-4731 Tue-Fri 8am–3pm Sat-Sun 9am-9pm Closed Sunday Logan's Roadhouse 1511 Skyland Blvd E // 349.3554 Madear’s 1735 Culver Road // 343.7773 Mon–Fri 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. | 2nd & 3rd Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Miss Dots 1715 University Blvd, Tuscaloos Mon-Sun 11am-9pm | www.lovemissdots.com Mugshots Grill & Bar 511 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 391.0572 Great burgers & sandwiches. Unique setting, full service bar, veggie entrees, kid friendly, and open late www.mugshotsgrillandbar.com Newk’s Express Cafe 205 University Blvd. East // 758.2455 Fax: 758.2470 // www.newkscafe.com Express casual dining experience in a refreshing and stylish atmosphere. Serving fresh tossed salads, oven baked sandwiches, California style pizzas and homemade cakes from Newk’s open kitchen.

Sun–Wed 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Thurs–Sat 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Nothing But Noodles 1320 McFarland Blvd E #530// 349-2900//www.nothingbutnoodles.com Pastas, Salads, Soups, Desserts Fri-Sat 10:30am–10:30pm Sun-Thur 10:30am-9:30pm O’Charley’s 3799 McFarland Blvd // 556.5143 Open daily lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch // www.ocharleys.com Panera Bread 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 366.8780 www.panerabread.com Quick Grill 1208 University Blvd | The Strip // 342.0022 www.bamaquickgrill.com Ruby Tuesday (2 locations) 6421 Interstate Drive | Cottondale // 633.3939 Just off I-20/59 at exit 77. Near Hampton Inn and Microtel Inn 311 Merchants Walk | Northport // 345.4540 www.rubytuesdays.com Sitar Indian Cuisine 500 15th St // 345-1419 Southern Ale House 1530 McFarland Blvd N Monday-Thursday 11a-9p, Friday-Saturday 11a-10p Sunday Brunch 11a-2p A warm and inviting restaurant just north of the river with both classic and contemporary interpretations of Southern Cuisine. We boast a large variety of local craft beers on tap and other options in bottle for our beer loving constituents.

Wine and Signature cocktails Southland Restaurant 5388 Skyland Blvd E // 556.3070 Steaks, chops and home-cooked vegetables | Mon–Fri 10:45 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sweet Home Food Bar www.sweethomefoodbaral.com//764-9346 Mon-Sat 9am–9pm Sun- 10am-3pm Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe 1800 McFarland Blvd E, Tuscaloosa// 344-6444 Mon-Sat 11am-9pm Sun 11am-8pm Urban Cookhouse 1490 Northbank Parkway #110, Tuscaloosa// 561-6999 We use the freshest ingredients available with an emphasis on supporting the local farmer Mon-Sun 10am–9pm//www.urbancookhouse.com Zoe’s Kitchen 312 Merchants Walk // 344.4450 A wonderful selection of Greek foods

SPORTS GRILL

Baumhower's Wings of Tuscaloosa 500 Harper Lee Drive | catering-Pick-up Tuscaloosa // 556.5858 | Always fresh and always fun. Owned by former UA/ Miami Dolphins great Bob Baumhower. Kid Friendly Baumhower's 556-5658 (second location) 4251 Courtney Dr, Tuscaloosa Buffalo Phil’s 1149 University Blvd | The Strip // 758.3318 Sports grille with TVs galore. Diverse beer and wine selection, full bar BurgerFi 1320 McFarland Blvd E #510, Tuscaloosa//759-2510

Stylish, eco-minded chain serving grass-fed beef burgers, plus hot dogs, craft beer & wine. Fri-Sat 10:30am-10:00pm Sun-Thur 10:30am-11:00pm order.burgerfi.com/menu/tuscaloosa Billy's Sports Grill Historic Downtown Northport // 879.2238 Good food, beverages and family friendly Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. till 9 p.m. (Sunday Brunch 10:30am-3pm).

Buffalo Wild Wings 2710 McFarland Blvd. East | Tuscaloosa // 523.0273 Sports grille with TVs galore. Diverse beer and wine, full bar Champs Sports Grille 320 Paul Bryant Drive | inside Four Points Sheraton Hotel // 752.3200 Breakfast and lunch buffets. Sunday brunch 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hooter’s 5025 Oscar Baxter Dr | Next to Jameson Inn // 758.3035 Wings, clams, shrimp and of course the Hooters Girls www.hooters.com Innisfree Irish Pub 1925 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 345.1199 Moe's BBQ 101 15th Street | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 752.3616 Mon-Sat 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Bar open until 2 a.m., 3 a.m. on Fridays Mugshots Grill & Bar 511 Greensboro Ave // 391.0572 Great burgers. Full service bar. Open late. www.mugshotsgrillandbar.com Walton's 915 Patriot Pkwy, Tuscaloosa//752-1693 Wings and much more Mon-Sat 9am-10pm Closed Sun waltonstuscaloosa.com Wilhagan’s 2209 4th St | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 366.0913 Wings U 1800 McFarland Blvd East Suite 218 | Pick-up Tuscaloosa // 561.3984 Features the first coal-fired pizza oven in Alabama. Owned by former UA/Miami Dolphins great Bob Baumhower. Completely open concept! www.wingsu.com WingZone 1241 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 342.2473

BARBEQUE

Archibald & Woodrow's BBQ 4215 Greensboro Ave | Tuscaloosa // 331.4858 Mon-Sat 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Sun lunch Bama BBQ & Grill 3380 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 333.9816 Dat's Good 4300 AL-13, Northport//333-466 Secializes in Catfish, Hot Wings,and BBQ Tue-Sat 10am-9pm Closed Sun & Mon | www.facebook.com/DatsGoodBBQ Dickey's BBQ (3 locations) 9770 Alabama 69; Midtown; and 13544 Hwy 43 North at Rose Blvd. in Northport.

Texas Barbecue. | 344.6500 1800 McFarland Blvd, Midtown Village, Tuscaloosa. | 758-1133 13544 Hwy 43 North, Winn Dixie Shopping Center, Northport. | 330-1147 Dreamland (2 locations) 5535 15th Ave | Tuscaloosa // 758.8135 101 Bridge Ave | Northport // 343.6677 The legend. On game day, get there early if you want to make kickoff. Seating is limited. Hours: Mon–Sat 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. | Sun 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Full Moon BBQ 1434 McFarland Blvd E, Tuscaloosa// 366-3555 (sports Grill) Mon-Thur 10am–9pm Fri-Sat 10am–10pm Sun 11am-9pm Hick’s BBQ 4400 Fayette Hwy // 339.3678 // Tues–Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q 469-2060 305 21st Ave, Tuscaloosa Sun-Thur 11am-9pm Fri-Sat 9am-10pm | www.facebook.com/JNNTuscaloosa Hoo's Q 345-6400 101 15th St E, Tuscaloosa Mon-Sun 10am-9pm | www.hoosbbq.com Moe's Original BBQ 2101 University Blvd.. // 752.3616 Mon–Sat 11am - 10pm | Bar service Mon-Sat 2am and Fri -3am | Kitchen closes at 10pm Pottery Grill (2 locations) Highway 11 | Cottondale // 554.1815 3420 Alabama 69 | Northport // 333.5848 Menu: thepotterygrill.com Tee’s Ribs and Thangs 1702 10th Avenue // 366.9974 |11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily

STEAKS

Logan’s Roadhouse 1511 Skyland Blvd | next to Sams // 349.3554 Steaks, ribs and spirits Longhorn Steakhouse 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 345-8244 #412 Nick's In the Sticks 4018 Culver Rd | Tuscaloosa // 758.9316 A long-time Tuscaloosa tradition. Good steaks at a reasonable price Try a Nicodemus if you have a designated driver.

Outback Steakhouse 5001 Oscar Baxter Dr // 759.9000 R. Davidson Chophouse 2330 4th St. /Downtown Tuscaloosa/ 2056148782 We specialize in traditional American steakhouse fare including filets, New York strips, ribeyes, porterhouses, and more.The wine list and cocktail menus are exceptional and rotate with the seasons. Reservations are available online at rdchophouse.com or by phone. Hours - Tues–Fri. Lunch – 11:00am – 2:00pm; Cock-

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JULY 26 + AUG 9

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>>> RESTAURANTS |

W H E R E TO E AT I N T U S C A LO O S A (CO N T.)

tail Hour – 4:00pm; Dinner – 5:00pm - untill. Saturday: Lunch – 11:00am 4:00pm; Cocktail Hour – 4:00pm; Dinner – 5:00pm - until. Sunday Brunch: 10:00am - until Texas Roadhouse 1363 McFarland Blvd E, Tuscaloosa// 759-2596 Fri-Sat 11am–11pm Sun-11am-10pm Mon-Thur 3pm-10pm www.texasroadhouse.com

Roly Poly Sandwiches 2300 4th Street | Tuscaloosa // 366.1222 The Pita Pit 1207 University Blvd | The Strip // 345.9606 Hours: Mon–Sat 10:30 a.m. - 3 a.m. | Sun 11:30 a.m. - midnight

SEAFOOD

Pizza 120 50115th St. East | 561.6853

Red Lobster 2620 McFarland Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 205.553.8810 Sun-Thurs 11AM-10PM//Fri & Sat 11AM-11PM Reservations Accepted | Take-Out Available Private Dining Area Available for Advanced Booking (Lunch Specials Available Mon-Fri 11AM-3PM)

Pyros Fire Fresh Pizza 1320 McFarland Blvd E #270, Tuscaloosa//248-7343 Mon-Fri 10:30am-10pm | www.pyrospizza.com Tut’s Place 1306 University Blvd | The Strip // 759.1004

DELICATESSEN

Honeybaked Ham Company 421 15th St. E // 345.5508 //www.honeybaked.com

Shrimp Basket 3249 McFarland Blvd E, Tuscaloosa//469-9786 Mon-Fri 10:30am–9pm | www.shrimpbasket.com

Jason’s Deli 2300 McFarland Blvd // 752.6192 www.jasonsdeli.com Located in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center

Catfish Heaven 2502 21st St, Tuscaloosa// 752-7222 Mon-Sat 11am-7:30pm Closed Sun

Jimmy John’s (3 locations) 1400 University Blvd | The Strip // 366.3699 1875 McFarland Blvd N | Northport // 752.7714 815 Lurleen B. Wallace S | Tuscaloosa // 722.2268 Delivery 7 days a week. www.jimmyjohns.com

Steamers on The Strip 1301 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa//750-0203 Mon-Sat 11am-8pm Sun 11am-5pm | www.steamersonthestrip.net The Levee Bar and Grill 1 Bridge Ave | Northport // 632.3136 Casual riverfront dining Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM, Sun 10:30 AM-3 PM (Happy Hour Mon-Thurs 2 PM-6 PM) | leveebarandgrill.com

CHINESE

Buffet City 1747 Skyland Blvd E // 553.3308 All you can eat buffet. Open 7 days a week.

Chang’s Chinese Restaurant 1825 McFarland Blvd N // 391.9131 China Fun 2600 University Blvd | Alberta City // 553.2435 Chongwah Express 1425 McFarland Boulevard, Northport. 333-1088 Hot Wok Express 6571 Alabama 69, Tuscaloosa// 758-0148 | Mon-Sat 10:30am–8pm Lee Palace 6521 Highway 69 S // 391.9990 / Open daily 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Cooking & Oriental Market 514 14th St. | In the Oz Music shopping center // 343.6889 // Open Sun - Thu 11am - 9pm, Fri & Sat 11am - 9:30pm New China Fun 4213 University Blvd E, Tuscaloosa//553-2435 Mon-Thur 11am–9:30pm Fri-Sat 11am–10:30pm Sun 12–9:30PM Panda Express 636 15th St E// 343-6888 Fri-Sat 10:30am-10:00pm Sun-11:00am-9:00pm Mon-Thur 10:30am-9:30pm | www.pandaexpress.com Pearl Garden 2719 Lurleen Wallace Blvd | Northport // 339.0880 Peking Chinese Restaurant 1816 McFarland | Northport // 333.0361 Open 7 days a week. Super lunch and dinner buffet.

Hours: Sun–Thurs 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. | Fri & Sat 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Swen Chinese Restaurant 1130 University Blvd | The Strip // 391.9887 Trey Yuen 4200 McFarland Blvd E // 752.0088

PIZZA AND SUBS

A Taste Of Chicago 1700 Greensboro Avenue 205-342-DOGS Mon. - Thurs. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Fri. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

17th Street and Greensboro Avenue. Authentic Chicago style foods. Italian Beef Sandwiches, Chicago Rib Tips, and Chicago Style Pizza.

California Underground 13552 Highway 43, Northport | 339.8660 Chuck E. Cheese's Midtown Village, 500, Tuscaloosa St//979-3420 Mon-Thur 11am-9pm Fri-11am-10pm Sat-9am-10pm Firehouse Subs 1130 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 248.0680 Hungry Howie’s (2 locations) 1105 Southview Ln | South Tuscaloosa // 345.6000 1844 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 333.2633 1211 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa | The Strip // 366.1500 4851 Rice Mine Rd | Northriver/Holt // 345.3737 Lenny’s Sub Shop 220 15th St // 752.7450 // Fax: 752.7481 // www.lennys.com Little Caesars Pizza 1414 10th Ave // 366.2220 | www.littlecaesars.com (Second location) 5980 Old Greensboro Rd, Tuscaloosa// 331-8150 Little Italy 1130 University Blvd. // 345.4354 Marco’s Pizza 1021 McFarland Blvd, Northport// 330-4555 Mon-Thur 11am–10pm Fri-Sat 11am–11pm Sun 3–10PM | http://www.marcos.com Mellow Mushroom

JULY 26 + AUG 9

Subs n' You 2427 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 205.758.0088

43 Prime Steakhouse 13620 Highway 43 N Northport// 331-5800 Monday-Thursday 4:30-9 Friday-Saturday 11-10 Closed Sunday

Chuck’s Fish 508 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 248.9370 Monday - Thursday 5-10 p.m. and Friday - Saturday 5-11 p.m. Steak, seafood, & sushi specialities. Daily specials.

12

2230 University Blvd | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 758.0112

Manna Grocery & Deli 2300 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 752.9955 McAlister’s Deli (2 locations) 101 15th St | Tuscaloosa // 758.0039 3021 Tyler Dr | Northport // 330.7940 Sandwiches, salads and spuds www.mcalistersdeli.com Momma Goldberg’s Deli 409 23rd Ave // 345.5501 |www.mommagoldbergs.com Newk's 205 University Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 758.2455 Schlotsky’s Deli 405 15th St. E // 759.1975 // schlotskys.com Which Wich University Blvd.// Downtown Tuscaloosa // Mon – Sat 10:30 – 9 // Sunday 11 – 7 // Fresh ingredients, great sandwiches. 764.1673

ASIAN CUISINE

Ruan Thai 1407 University Blvd // 391.9973 | ruanthaituscaloosa.com Exotic Thai cuisine. Offers vegetarian options, outdoor dining, and a full bar. Sushi on Thursdays. Lunch: Mon–Sat 11 a.m. -2 p.m. | Dinner: Mon– Thurs 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Fri & Sat 5 p.m. -10pm | Sun 11 a.m. -3 p.m.

Surin of Thailand 1402 University Blvd // 752.7970 Authentic Thai restaurant and sushi bar. Open daily.

Lunch: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Dinner: 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | www.surinofthailand.com

COFFEE SHOP

Barnes & Noble 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 349.6366 Five Java Coffee, fresh juices, smoothies and treats from Mary's Cakes.

Open Monday - Saturday at 7am; 9am on Sundays Heritage House 700 Towncenter | Northport // 758.0042 Open Mon-Fri 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Krispy Kreme Doughnut 1400 McFarland Blvd // 758.6913 //www.krispykreme.com Starbucks (2 locations) 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 343.2468 1901 13th Ave East | Inside Super Target // 462.1064 | starbucks.com

DESSERTS

Celebrations Bakery, Inc. 1832 McFarland Blvd N | Northport // 339.3221 Fax: 349.1945 Cold Stone Creamery 1130 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa //343.1670 Specializes in customized ice cream Hours: Mon–Thurs 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Fri & Sat 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Sun 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Dunkin' Donuts 2520 Stillman Blvd. |Tuscaloosa// 349.3400 McCorvey Dr. | Tuscaloosa // 348.4041 www.dunkindonuts.com Mary's Cakes & Pastries 412 22nd Avenue | behind Opus | Northport // 345.8610 www.maryscakesandpastries.com Mon–Fri 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Sat 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Smoothie King (2 locations) 415 15th Street | Tuscaloosa // 349.1721 1403 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 462.3664 Sweet CeCe's Frozen yogurt Treats 2217 University Blvd. | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 561.6458 A fun and friendly make your own creation, yogurt experience!

TCBY (3 Locations) 2304 Mcfarland Blbd | Meadowbrook Shopping Center // 349.4661 // 2 Mcfarland Blvd | Northport | Essex Shopping Center // 758.6855 // 1130 Univ. Blvd. | The Strip // 345.0804 Yogurt In Love Patriot Center 7402 Highway 69 South//764.9173 Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11 a.m.-10 pm.

Yogurt Lab 920 Paul W. Bryant Dr Ste 200 | Tuscaloosa // 347.9522 Yogurt Mountain 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 342.1484 Mon–Thurs 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. | Fri & Sat 11 a.m. - midnight

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • TUSCALOOSA'S SOURCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, SPORTS & THE ARTS

SATURN PRESENTS PINK BOX BURLESQUE’S “DANGERZONE”: AN ARCHER TRIBUTE Pink Box Burlesque continues their 10th Season on August 18th with a tribute to the world’s greatest spy, Sterling Archer! See Lana, Pam, Cheryl, Carol, Charlene, Cyril, Malory Archer, Krieger, Baboo and more! Burlesque, LIVE jazz, singing and dancing are just the beginning! Support Alabama’s longest running burlesque troupe August 18th at Saturn in Avondale! $12 advance tix at saturnbirmingham.com $15 at the door 21+ No Photography 8pm Doors 9pm Show August 18th, 2017 Saturn Presents Pink Box Burlesque’s “Dangerzone”: An Archer Tribute http://www.pinkboxburlesque.com http://saturnbirmingham.com Pink Box Burlesque is Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s vaudeville-style burlesque troupe.

Founded in 2008, the PBB provides a unique experience with live jazz, singing, dancing, burlesque, comedy, spoken word, hooping, contortion, circus arts and more!

Featuring: Mona Squeels, Kitty B. Haive, Nubia Gorme’, Hoops De Ville, Harley Plush, Winnie Wont, Felicity Bump, And more! With Mama Dixie and the PBB Band!

Check out their website at pinkboxburlesque.com.

Facebook: /pinkboxburlesque.

Twitter: PBBurlesque.

Instagram: @pinkboxburlesque

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JULY 26 + AUG 9

13

>>> PET PLANET

ALLIE // SLICK DOG

ALVIN // CUTE KITTEN

M

T

eet your new best friend, Miss Allie. Allie is a 1.5-year-old female terrier/greyhound mix. She has a lean build with long legs like a greyhound, and she has a sleek black-and-white coat with hints of brindle coloring. She is full-grown at 32 pounds.

hat face! Alvin is such a cute kitten. He is an orange tabby kitten born on March 28. He just has the sweetest face and a personality to match. He is negative for feline leukemia and is up-to-date on vaccinations. He will be neutered when he is old enough. Come meet him on Saturday at the HSWA cat shelter at 2430 36th St. between 10 am. and 2 p.m.

Allie is such a loving, affectionate dog. She has a nice personality and is pretty calm. She seems to play well with other dogs and tends to be the submissive one. She should be good with children 7 and older. Allie is still young, so she would benefit from some training and structure, especially after being in a shelter environment for so long.

If you are interested in giving ALLIE or ALVIN the forever homes they want and deserve, visit the Humane Society of West Alabama at http:// www.humanesocietyofwa.org or call us at (205)-554-0011.

She would probably do okay in an apartment as long as she got daily walks.

Allie will require a fenced-in yard if left outside unattended, and she will want to be inside with you most of the time. We have started on her crate training.

Allie is up-to-date on her vet care, is spayed, is heartworm negative, and is microchipped. She is on heartworm and flea/tick prevention.

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To learn more, please email PlanetEditor@yahoo.com

The Humane Society of West Alabama is in need of volunteers for both the cat and dog facilities.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteerhswa@gmail.com or go ahead and download a volunteer application from www.humanesocietyofwa.org/formsinfo.html and send to the same email.

VOLUNTEER

Turning point domestic violence and sexual assault services center and the Board of Directors are excited to announce the new Executive Committee at its annual meeting. The annual meeting starts at 6:30pm at the First United Methodist Church and features awards, a chance to meet the new committee members and exciting guest speakers

TURNS 40

// IN THIS ISSUE

on February 27, 2017. A few words of welcome are planned by local officials including, Chief Tommy Reese of Demopolis, Dr. Mallory of

>> UP-TO-DATE RESTAURANT LISTINGS ›› 40 YEARS OF FOREIGNER

Shelton, board members and others. In recognition of Turning Point,

›› DOG TREATS ›› TO ACT OR NOT TO ACT ›› EATING YOUR WAY TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL

the West Alabama areas domestic violence/sexual assault agency,

›› MUMMY ›› EVENTS ›› ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT >>> VISIT US ON THE WEB @ THEPLANETWEEKLY.COM

JULY 12 + JULY 26

1

Next Issue // August 9

Advertising Deadline: Friday, August 4 205-523-4668//205-792-7239

theplanetweekly.com 14

JULY 26 + AUG 9

issuu.com/planetweekly

is inviting all citizens, social groups and other non-profits to join with them in this annual event to thank them for their continued support.

Our goal is to create a conglomerate displaying the strength gained by joining together. We are asking individuals and various groups and members to join us and continue a commitment to ensure that all lives are lived free of violence and abuse,? said Amy Gundlach-Foster, Executive Director of Turning Point.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • TUSCALOOSA'S SOURCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, SPORTS & THE ARTS

>>> M O V I E R E V I E W S | V A N R O B E R T S

TRANSFORMERS // THE LAST KNIGHT

★★★

OU T OF 4

“A

rmageddon” director Michael Bay’s extravagant, but preposterous, sci-fi, fantasy yarn “Transformers: The Last Knight” constitutes the fifth entry in the Hasbro action figures inspired film franchise.

Although this fourth sequel boasts little of the spontaneity of Bay’s first “Transformers,” this PG-13 rated installment tries to set itself apart from earlier outings. “The Last Knight’s” larger-than-life shenanigans occur not only in the Medieval kingdom of King Arthur’s Britain, but also on the Transformers’ native planet Cybertron at the fringes of the Solar System. In a sense, Bay’s fifth “Transformers” saga doubles as both a prequel and a sequel.

Nevertheless, the film suffers from convoluted plotting that virtually defies synopsis. A quartet of scenarists--“Iron Man’s” Art Marcum & Mark Holloway, “Black Hawk Down’s” Ken Nolan, and “I, Robot’s” Akiva Goldsman overwhelm us with too much hokum. Michael Bay veers from slapstick comedy to straightforward heroics and the two often clash. Everything revolves around an outlandish scavenger hunt on Earth as well as in Outer Space. Indeed, Bay and his writers wear out their welcome as they wallow for almost two-and-a-halfhours setting up and then concluding their predictable plot.

Mark Wahlberg makes an encore appearance as Cade Yeager, an intrepid but unkempt Texas inventor who sympathizes with the Autobots.

Promoted from Captain to Colonel, William Lennox (Josh Duhamel) returns to the franchise after sitting out the third sequel “Transformers: Age of Extinction” (2014). Things have changed alarmingly since “Age of Extinction.”

Basically, mankind has branded the Transformers—both the honorable Autobots and the dastardly Decepticons-as ‘undesirables.’ The governments the of world have assembled a multinational Transformer Reaction Force (TRF) to eradicate these shape-shifting aliens.

Mind you, things went sour for the Autobots during the cataclysmic battle of Chicago in Bay’s “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” (2011). While the Windy City was devastated, Chicago wasn’t reduced to complete rubble. Afterward, the authorities dissolved their military alliance with the Autobots against the wicked Decepticons. “Transformers: The Last Knight” picks up where “Age of Extinction” ended, with Autobot commander Optimus Prime plunging into space to find his creator.

Whereas “Age of Extinction” opened during the Jurassic Age, “The Last Knight” unfolds in 484 A.D. The legendary King Arthur (Liam Garrigan of “The Legend of Hercules”) and his outnumbered troops are waging a

desperate war against the bloodthirsty Saxons. Indeed, things look perilous for Arthur, until the sozzled magician Merlin (Stanley Tucci of “The Hunger Games”) makes a pact with the Knights of Iacon, twelve Transformers who sought refuge on Earth, who entrust him with a secret weapon. If Merlin will remain mum about their presence, the Autobots will reward him. Meantime, King Arthur’s own knights ridicule him for his confidence in Merlin. Just as everything appears doomed, a gargantuan, fire-breathing, dragon with three-heads swoops in over the battlefield and scorches the Saxons!

Sixteen-hundred years later, a Transformer spacecraft crashes in a ruined sector of Chicago. School kids gather at the crash site, but a man-made Sentinel robot patrolling this forbidden zone opens fire on them. At this point, we’re told that all Transformers have been outlawed, and the Transformer Reaction Force (TRF) has been formed to exterminate all Transformers. This heavily-armed, SWAT-team style force tangles with a spunky, orphaned, 14year old hellion, Izabella (Isabela Moner of “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life”) and her small adorable robot Sqweeks. Sqweeks and she trip up the Sentinels, and the kids elude the authorities. They stumble across another Transformer, Canopy, who relies on wreckage as camouflage.

While the TRF deploy to blast Canopy to pieces, Cade Yeager careens out of nowhere like the cavalry to save them.

He inspects the crashed Transformer spacecraft but he cannot help the unfortunate Transformer. Nevertheless, the dying Transformer gives him a medallion before it dies. Although the TRF know nothing about this magical talisman, a Decepticon scout named Barricade spots it and informs the villainous Megatron, the ringleader of the Decepticons. Cade scrambles back to

an inconspicuous hideaway, a sprawling junkyard in South Dakota. The tenacious TRF track him down, and Cade abandons it. Several friendly Autobots who have been lying low with him vamos, too. Izabella surprises Cade with her impromptu arrival and persuades him to let her accompany him. Naturally, Sqweeks follows.

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime (voice of Peter Cullen) learns that Cybertron has broken into fragments and the debris is drifting toward Earth. He locates the sorceress Quintessa (voice of Gemma Chan), and she convinces Prime that she created him. Quintessa resembles a giant necklace fairy flittering about like a malevolent Tinker Bell. According to Quintessa, a group of Transformer knights robbed her of a magical staff and entrusted it to Merlin for safekeeping.

Quintessa brainwashes Prime, and he becomes her errand boy. She alters his name to "Nemesis Prime"

and reveals that the Earth is actually Unicron. Unicron is an age-old enemy of Cybertron. At the same time, sinister incidents are occurring on Earth. Huge horns have emerged from the surface all over the globe, and scientists are mystified.

Enough of this nonsense! Bay and his writers will keep your head spinning with all the action and exposition and foreshadowing going on in this slambang, over-the-top, robo-demolition derby. They also have too many characters, particularly Izabella and Sqweeks. Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins plays the noble, but loquacious Sir Edmund Burton, a crackpot who amuses Cade and Oxford scholar Viviane Wembly (Laura Haddock of “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2”) with the clandestine history of the Transformers on Earth. Of course, only Hopkins could make all the information in his dialogue sound intriguing.

According to Burton, Ms. Wembly is none other than a descendent of Merlin, and she must get her hands on the staff to thwart Quintessa’s scheme to annihilate Earth. Bay introduces new Autobot and Decepticon characters.

Moreover, Bay surprises us with Bumblebee’s resilience in one scene where the TRF blast him to ribbons, but he reassembles himself and triumphs over his adversaries. Cade Yeager and Viviane Wembly pair up to find the staff, and find themselves in the usual number of cliffhanger predicaments.

Altogether, Michael Bay proves he is still the maestro of mindless mayhem with this improbable but high-octane opus.

The best way to watch this spectacle is in the IMAX/3-D format. The dogfights between massive robots as well as the trigger-happy soldiers look truly awesome because they appear to be towering over us.

>>> VISIT US ON THE WEB @ THEPLANETWEEKLY.COM

JULY 26 + AUG 9

15

>>> E V E N T S THURSDAY, JULY 27

Lookout Rooftop Bar Concert Presented by Black Warrior Brewing WHEN: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm COST: free WHERE: Hotel Indigo 111 Greensboro Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 PHONE: (205) 469-1660 LINK: http://www. riverfrontvillagehotel.com/ DESCRIPTION: The The Lookout Rooftop Bar - Hotel Indigo Concert Series presented by Black Warrior Brewing Co.continues on Thursday, July 27th from 7 until 9p.

Enjoy live music from Tim Higgins with special guest, Emily DozierEzell a beer special from Black Warrior Brewing and of course, the amazing views from Tuscaloosa's premiere rooftop bar.

SATURDAY, JULY 29

Sweet Kick at Southern Ale House WHEN: 6:30pm -9:30am COST:free WHERE:Southern Ale House 1530 McFarland Blvd N Tuscaloosa , AL 35406 PHONE: (205) 248-7500 LINK: http://southernalehouse.com/ DESCRIPTION: Our starting time at Southern Ale on July 29th is 6:30pm. Look forward to seeing everyone there!

SATURDAY, JULY 29

Farmers Market WHEN: 7:00am and 12:00pm COST: Free WHERE: Tuscaloosa River Market 1900 Jack Warner Pkwy Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 PHONE: (205) 248-5295 LINK: http://www. tuscaloosarivermarket.com/ DESCRIPTION: The River Market opened in May 2012. Vendors set up ripe red tomatoes and famous Chilton County peaches. Musicians sit propped up against the door, playing guitars as you walk in, and freshly brewed iced tea is for sale to help battle the heat. Additionally, local Food Trucks, bakers, artists, and craftsmen gather here to sell their gourmet grub, fresh-baked yeast rolls, homemade jams and jellies and hand-carved cutting boards. Popular summer foods include tomatoes, Chilton County peaches, squash, corn, and local honey. The Farmers Market at

16

JULY 26 + AUG 9

the River Market is open from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays ALL YEAR LONG and on Tuesdays (from Memorial Day through Thanksgiving). Now accepting: EBT/SNAP/SFMNP/WIC, cash, credit, and debit. Come on y'all, eat local!

TUESDAY, AUG 1

Burgers & Brews!

WHEN: 11:00pm -9:00am COST:free WHERE:Southern Ale House 1530 McFarland Blvd N Tuscaloosa , AL 35406 PHONE: (205) 248-7500 LINK: http://southernalehouse. com/ DESCRIPTION: Our starting time at Southern Ale on July 29th is 6:30pm. Look forward to seeing everyone there

SATURDAY, AUG 5

Tuscaloosa Amphitheater Presents: KENNY CHESNEY WITH SPECIAL GUEST MIDLAND WHEN: 7:30pm- 12:00pm COST: $45-125 WHERE: Tuscaloosa Amphitheater 2710 Jack Warner Parkway Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 PHONE: (205) 248-5280 LINK: http://www. tuscaloosaamphitheater.com/ DESCRIPTION: FRIDAY, AUGUST 4TH - 7:30PM AT THE TUSCALOOSA AMPHITHEATER. Kenny Chesney will perform with special guest Midland!! Don't miss out! Tickets are on sale now!

EARN EXTRA INCOME Help Local Businesses Get More Customers!

Sell Advertising Space in the Planet Weekly Please Call or Email Linda Johnson 205.792.7239 • publisher@theplanetweekly.com

THURSDAY, AUG 10

Soccer Match vs. Middle Tenn. St WHEN: 7:30pm -9:30pm COST: $15 WHERE: Alabama Soccer Complex 500 Fifth Avenue East 35401 Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 PHONE: (205) 348-2612 LINK: DESCRIPTION: The Alabama Soccer team will start off the season facing Middle Tennessee State. This is the first home athletic event of the season and the soccer team needs your support. The event is FREE so come out and support the Alabama Crimson Tide!

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CRAFT BEER | WINE | BARCADE | GROWLERS

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JULY 26 + AUG 9

17

Effective

ADS CONTACT

205.792.7239

Accepting New Patients!

Chiropractic Care Nutritional & Weight Management Programs Sports Physicals 9770 Highway 69 South Unit A | Tuscaloosa Englewood Plaza next to Winn Dixie

205-409-6333

Check us out online at www.freemanchiropracticandwellness.com Now Accepting Blue Cross Blue Shield!

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JULY 26 + AUG 9

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • TUSCALOOSA'S SOURCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, SPORTS & THE ARTS

>>> ROAD TRIP | S O U T H E A S T E R N CO N C E R T S A N D E V E N T S

BIRMINGHAM

NASHVILLE

ATLANTA

 Thursday, July 27 Sloss Furnace//Brothers Osborne

 Friday, July 28 Ascend Amphitheater//Foreigner, Cheap Trick

 Saturday, July 29 Chastain Park Amphitheater//Foreigner w/ Cheap Trick

 Sunday, July 30 Oak Mountain Amphitheatre//Foreigner with Cheap Trick Avondale Brewing Company//Gov’t Mule

 Monday, July 31 Ryman Auditorium//Foster the People Bridgestone Arena//Shawn Mendes and Charlie Puth

 Saturday, July 29 Saturn//The Wailers

 Wednesday, Aug 2 Legacy Arena at the BJCC//Idina Menzil

 Friday, Aug 4 Bridgestone Arena//Tim Mcgraw & Faith Hill

 Saturday, Aug 5 Ryman Auditorium//John Kay & Steppenwolf

 Saturday, Aug 5 Tabernacle//Rockstar Energy Presents; All Time Low

 Sunday, Aug 6 The Alabama theatre//Viva Las Vegas Ryman Auditorium//Sam’s Place

 Sunday, Aug 6 Nashville Municipal Auditorium//Mary J. Blige

 Tuesday, Aug 8 Ryman Auditorium//Sabrina Carpenter

 Monday, Aug 7 Ryman Auditorium//Gillian Welch

 Wednesday, Aug 9 Oak Mountain Amphitheatre//Matchbox Twenty Comedy Club Stardome//Lisa Lampanelli Comedy Club Stardome//Lisa Lampanelli Saturn//Waxahatchee

 Thursday, Aug 10 Oak Mountain Amphitheatre//Jason Aldean & Chris Young  Friday, Aug 11 Saturn//Alegandro Escovedo

 Saturday, Aug 12 Bridgestone Arena//Matchbox Twenty & Counting Crows  Sunday, Aug 13 Bridgestone Arena//Roger Waters

 Thursday, Aug 17 Bridgestone Arena//Earth Wind and Fire Ryman Auditorium//Happy Together Tour

 Sunday, Aug 13 The Alabama Theatre//Gone with the Wind  Friday, Aug 18 Lyric Theatre//Paul Thorn Legacy Arena at the BJCC//Future and Friends//The Future is Now

 Tuesday, Aug 22 Saturn//Betty Who

 Tuesday, Aug 8 Bridgestone Arena//John Mayer

 Tuesday, Aug 15 Marathon Music Works//A Day to Remember

 Saturday, Aug 12 Lyric Theatre//Tig Notaro

 Sunday, Aug 20 The Alabama Theatre//Lyle Lovett

 Tuesday, Aug 1 Ryman Auditorium//Idina Menzel

 Wednesday, Aug 2 Bridgestone Arena//Queen & Adam Lambert

 Thursday, Aug 3 Zydeco//Tab Benoit w/ The Dozens

 Thursday, Aug 17 Sloss Furnace//Umphrey’s Mcgee

 Saturday, July 29 Ascend Amphitheatre//Logic

 Friday, Aug 18 Ryman Auditorium//Aaron Lewis Carl Black Chevy Woods//Lifehouse and Switchfoot  Saturday, Aug 19 Lakewood Amphitheatre//Streetzfeet 2K17  Thursday, Aug 24 Ryman Auditorium//Loretta Lynn

 Saturday, Aug 26 Ascend Amphitheater//Govt mule with Blackberry Smoke

 Wednesday, Aug 2 Verizon Amphitheatre//Nickelback & Daughtry

 Friday, Aug 4 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre//BET Presents Celebration of Gospel  Saturday, Aug 5 Tabernacle//Rockstar Energy Presents All Low The Frederick Brown Amphitheater//Richard Marx  Sunday, Aug 6 Coca Cola Roxy Theatre//Govt Mule with Galactic Chastain Park Amphitheater//Blondie & Garbage  Tuesday, Aug 8 Wolf Creek Amphitheater//Mary J. Blige Variety Playhouse//Michael Franit & spearhead

 Thursday, Aug 10 Lakewood Amphitheater//John Mayer at Lakewood Chastain Park Amphitheater//Mary Chapin Carpenter & Lucinda Williams  Friday, Aug. 11 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre//3 Doors Down  Saturday, Aug 12 Lakewood Amphitheatre//Kiss 104.1 Annual Flashback Festival  Sunday, Aug 13 Lakewood Amphitheatre//Matchbox Twenty

 Saturday, Aug 19 Lakewood Amphitheatre//Streetzfest 2K17 Atlanta Symphony Hall//Lyle Lovett and His Large Band Verizon Amphitheatre//Earth, Wind and Fire & Nile Rodgers The Masquerade//Alesana

 Monday, Aug 21 Chastain Park Amphitheater//Deep Purple & Alice cooper

>>> R OA D T R I P D I R E C T O RY Travel the South's best venues. Visit their website for ticket info and more.

Acoustic Café 2758 County Hwy 9 205.647.3237

Fox Theatre 660 Peachtree St NE 404.881.2100

Montgomery Performing Arts Center 201 Tallapoosa St 334.481.5100

Von Braun Center 700 Monroe St SW 256.551.2345

Amphitheater at the Wharf 23101 Canal Rd 251.224.1020

The Hangout 251.948.3030 thehangout1.com

The Nick 2514 10th Ave S 205.252.3831

WorkPlay 500 23rd St S 205.380.4082

Bridgestone Arena 501 Broadway 615.770.2000

Marathon Music Works 1402 Clinton St 615.891.1781

Sloss Furnaces 20 32nd St N 205.324.1911

Zydeco 2001 15th Ave S 205.933.1032

Centennial Olympic Park 265 Park Ave W NW 404.223.4412

Minglewood Hall 1555 Madison Ave 901.312.6058

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 2200 Encore Pkwy 404.733.5010 >>> VISIT US ON THE WEB @ THEPLANETWEEKLY.COM

JULY 26 + AUG 9

19

>>> PUZZLEMANIA | C R O S S W O R D P U Z Z L E

Across 1. Least sure 8. Embark, with "off" 13. Stork's haul 14. 1979 exile 16. Spurred 17. City in east-central China 18. Creative types 19. Investigate 20. "____ Lama Ding Dong" (Edsels hit) 21. Poet's "before" 22. Galley tool 23. Hot concept 25. "___ mother would say..."

27. Australian boot brand 28. Urgency 31. Notice 32. Depot 33. NFL stats 36. Source of unexpected problems 40. Duran Duran hit of 1982 41. Largest U.S. city, initially 42. Take responsibility for 44. Gen. Pershing's command 45. Burnable media 46. Literary pen name 47. Tostada platter 49. Set securely 52. Natural environment 53. Injection tool 54. Recluse 55. More pickled 56. Rider 57. Worriers

Down 1. Somewhat 2. Formula One automaker 3. Butler's assistants 4. Native Americans, to some 5. Bridge at St. Louis 6. "Let it stand" 7. "Bill & ____ Excellent Adventure" 8. Burn the ends of 9. Mecca pilgrim 10. Threatening 11. Wine classification 12. Pig out 14. Protect against damage 15. Holstein or Guernsey 24. Kind of jockey 25. Regardless 26. Place atop 29. Remain adamant 30. Seth's famous son 33. Air carrier 34. Bruce Willis flick 35. Convertible couch 37. Suffering from too much drink, perhaps 38. ____ Hamilton Wilkes ("Gone With the Wind" character) 39. Bee or wasp 43. Gabby Hayes films 45. Interrupt, as a dancer 48. Prom transport 49. Book bar code number 50. Vidal's Breckinridge 51. British snob

>>> PUZZLEMANIA| S U D O K U

It's easy to play Sudoku! Simply fill every column, row and 3x3 box so they contain every number between 1 and 9. The game is easy to play but difficult to master! Solution Page 21

WRITERS WANTED

SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMANIA CROSSWORD ON PAGE 21

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>>> PLANETWEEKLY • TUSCALOOSA'S SOURCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, SPORTS & THE ARTS

>>> HOROSCOPES | W E E K L Y O V E R V I E W You could experience delays with financial matters at the start of the week, but this phase is temporary. Things should be back to normal within a few days. Care with spending might be helpful, though, to enable you to stay on track. A focus on domestic matters could inspire you to get your place looking fabulous. This is a good time to reorganize your home so that it becomes a place of tranquillity as well as a place in which you enjoy entertaining.

The focus on your sector of communication could inspire you to share your message with the world. The coming week is a great chance to make new connections that might help you accomplish your goal. Early on, though, a disagreement could lead to feelings of reticence unless you’re willing to reach out and resolve this quickly. In the main, you have a way with words and should have no difficulty in sorting out any issues that might arise.

Your financial picture looks fairly dynamic this week and going forward. You might be inspired to follow a plan that helps you increase your income, whether that means finding a new job, starting a business, or asking for a raise. The more creative you can be about your financial picture, the more satisfying it will become.

The only point to watch out for is a tendency toward extravagance.

The cosmic picture suggests that the most expensive items aren’t necessarily the best.

You’ll be in your element this week with both the Sun and Mars inspiring you to great things. This and coming weeks could see you taking dynamic action in the direction of your dreams and enjoying the process immensely. Later this week, Mercury enters your financial zone, which can be an opportunity to get organized, especially if you’ve lost track of your money. The presence of Venus in your social sector can be excellent for making new friends and enjoying lighthearted encounters.

You are in that phase of the year when the cosmos encourages you to step back and take time out to reflect on your life. Although you continue to be busy, making time for yourself could be the key to success over the weeks and months ahead. Seeing things in perspective and considering your priorities can be very helpful in planning future goals. This is also a good time to clear out any emotional baggage that might be holding you back.

Your social scene looks particularly lively this week and in coming weeks, with plenty to keep you busy. You’ll very much enjoy mixing and mingling with friends and meeting new people.

However, early in the week you might find it difficult to take on board someone’s suggestion if it seems unrealistic. Talking things through can encourage a compromise. As Mercury eases into a quieter section of your chart, the cosmos suggests that reflection on a personal issue can be helpful.

You could find yourself in the spotlight this week and in coming weeks. The Sun and Mars in your sector of ambitions are encouraging you to showcase your skills and abilities and let others know what you can do. But you’ll also be in a dynamic frame of mind and willing to push for what you want. If there have been obstacles to your success over recent weeks, you’ll feel confident enough to brush them aside and forge ahead to your goal.

With a focus on your sector of far horizons, you may enjoy this and coming weeks very much. The stellar backdrop encourages you to indulge to the max your love of travel and new experiences.

If you haven’t been away in a while, the coming days could see you booking a vacation, heading out for a trip, or perhaps enjoying a walk on a hiking trail. This is the time to embrace fresh opportunities and new adventures, as you’ll benefit greatly by doing so.

If you’re viewing life more intensely, this might be because the Sun and Mars have just entered a more emotional sector of your chart.

Your attention may be drawn to financial matters and how you can make your money work harder for you. You could also be aware of deeper currents that encourage you to work through issues that have been on the back burner for some time. Discussing these with the right person could help you make a dramatic shift in your life.

Relationships of all kinds could rise to the top of your list of priorities as a powerful focus in your sector of relating encourages greater interaction. You may be busy with meetings, a collaboration, or sorting out personal matters with those closest to you. At the same time, you’ll be ready to compromise and create a plan that works for everyone. This is also an opportunity to clear the air, as doing so can help a key bond move forward.

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PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

You may be ready to implement certain lifestyle changes as the Sun and Mars enter your wellness sector. These stirring energies can inspire you to commit to a diet or exercise routine that leaves you looking and feeling much better. The key to feeling good may lie in taking a closer look at your everyday routines and doing away with those that no longer work for you. Introducing activities that you love to do can make a positive difference.

If the week starts on an awkward note, don’t let it stop you.

Someone may refuse to listen to your suggestions, but they may come around to your way of thinking if you can be patient. Even so, creative ideas can flow, and you may find the coming days helpful for kick-starting a new project or business enterprise.

Cultural activities could also inspire you. If you visit an exhibition or concert, you might get ideas you can apply to your own art or craft.

>>> VISIT US ON THE WEB @ THEPLANETWEEKLY.COM

JULY 26 + AUG 9

21

>>> C O M M U N I T Y A R T S | KEVIN LEDGEWOOD

THE ART OF JANET MEGO WILL BE FEATURED AT THE ARTS COUNCIL GALLERY IN AUGUST

T

he Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will host an exhibit of paintings by artist Janet Mego at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center Aug. 4-25, 2017. Titled "Dancing 'Round the Rabbit Hole," the display will be featured in The Arts Council Gallery.

A reception honoring the artist will take place on Aug. 4 from 5-8 p.m. during First Friday.

Janet Mego has been creating art since the age of six. After earning 1st Place in a juried show and later receiving recognition for her early artistic endeavors in Baltimore, Md., she then chose to pursue the B.F.A in Art at The University of Alabama.

Much of what the artist creates has been influenced by the fine art of “learning to see,” implemented masterfully by those professors essential in taking her far beyond the face value of that degree. These influential mentors include Alvin Sella, Richard Zoellner and Arthur Oakes. She has served as Artist in Residence for the Sumter County Fine Arts Council in the 1980s, adjunct art instructor at Livingston University (now The University of West Alabama) and has received commissions due to her unique style and use of color.

"Dancing 'Round the Rabbit Hole" is about the artist’s own series of rabbit holes: places and faces of magic and mystery, tweaked by her imagination and conveyed through acrylics and watercolors. “Lewis Carroll's Alice encounters the things that dreams are made of on her trip, as do I. Some

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>>> E N T E R T A I N M E N T | REGGIE ALLEN

HBO ORDERS CONTROVERSIAL SERIES

of her experiences evoke wonder, even delight. At times, though, these creatures evoke conflict and concern,” said Mego.

The title piece reflects the love for drama and Shakespeare that the artist’s mother instilled in her as a child; On the other hand, "Rabbit Holes" can represent places of danger, conflict and chaos with “Hiroshima Dream,’” a parallel of this dark element. The relationship between humans and animals, especially birds, fascinates Mego with animals often playing a role in her landscapes. “My grandfather owned a pet crow and he also possessed that magical ability to draw other animals into his space.

Alvin Sella, the painting teacher who most inspired me, once wrote to me that “Fences were made for those who can't fly,’” recalled the artist.

The Arts Council Gallery is open weekdays 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. with free admission.

The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in Downtown Tuscaloosa.

For more information about the CAC, The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should LIKE the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” and follow tuscarts on Twitter. Call 205758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

G

ame of Thrones fans may have rejoiced when the critically acclaimed fantasy series returned for its final season on July 16, but the biggest twist didn’t come from Westeros. The following week, HBO announced that it had ordered a full series for Confederate.

Helmed by GoT showrunners David Beinoff and D.B Weiss, Confederate “takes place in an alternative timeline, where the southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution.” The show is set to feature characters from both sides of the spectrum, including “ freedom fighters, slave hunters, politicians, abolitionists, journalists, the executive of a slave-holding conglomerate and the people in their thrall.”

The controversial series is slated to premiere sometime in the fall after GoT concludes in August. Since the announcement, many voiced their disapproval in the subject matter, calling it inappropriate and untimely.

However, controversy is no stranger to Beinoff and Weiss. Game of Thrones, which is based on George R.R Martin’s best-selling novels, is known for its constant use of incest, murder and rape. Additionally, the provocative series has been scorned for its depiction of people of color, having them mostly portray slaves.

While the backlash is fresh, the idea for the show is not. Shortly after the announcement, Beinoff and Weiss said the period piece is something that has been in the planning process for quite some time. Naturally, one of the missing pieces were writers that could do the series justice.

Enter seasoned African-American writers Nichelle Tramble Spellman and Malcolm Spellman. The two, who have lent their talents to Empire, Justified and the Good Wife, are slated to join the series as executive producers and writers. In an interview with Vulture, Malcolm said the showrunners asked him and his partner to lunch where they pitched the concept, which was originally a film. The project needed “black voices” and the writing duo, who will be tackling the Taraji P. Henson-led Proud Mary, were just the right fit.

After hearing them out, the Spellmans were immediately on board.

“We deal with it directly and have for our entire lives. We deal with it in Hollywood, we deal with it in the real world when we’re dealing with friends and family members,” Malcolm said.

“And I think Nichelle and I both felt a sense of urgency in trying to find a way to support a discussion that is percolating but isn’t happening enough. As people of color and minorities in general are starting to get a voice, I think there’s a duty to force this discussion.”

Despite the backlash, there is no official script or a cast. It appears that the series will be put on the back burner until GoP wraps in mid-August.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • TUSCALOOSA'S SOURCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, SPORTS & THE ARTS

>>> H I G H T I D E S P O R T S | GARY HARRIS

TOMMY BROWN // BAMA THE DREAM SCHOOL FOR STAR OT

F

or Tommy Brown, his commitment to Alabama last Friday was the culmination of a lifelong dream. The standout offensive tackle, who is the son of former Tide shot putter, Vince Brown, grew up watching Alabama football.

"Alabama has always been my dream school," says the 6-7, 315-pounder from Mater Dei HS in Santa Ana, CA. "Of course, it's my dad's alma mater, but it really came down to a business decision. I wanted to go to a school that could develop me into an NFL player. Alabama has a track record for developing its players for the NFL." At Mater Dei, Brown is an offensive tackle. He's not sure which position he might play at Alabama.

"They always tell me they need tackles, and I have a tackle body type," Brown says. "But I want to contribute. I want to come in as a freshman and do anything I can to contribute. I'll snap the ball if that's what I need to do. I've messed around some at guard. Center is a completely different position. But I feel that I can play every position on the OL." Brown is excited about the opportunity to learn under OL coach Brent Key. "Coach Key was fired up when I told him that I was committing," Brown says. "I just want to play under him."

"Coach Saban told me that I'm not just committing to Alabama. He said that I'm committing to the process of what it takes to be successful. I'm committing to the hard work and the discipline it takes to become the best player that I can be, the best I can be in the weightroom, the best student I can be and to winning championships. That's what it takes to be the best and to win championships."

Brown chose Alabama over a slew of other schools.

Ultimately, it came down to Alabama and Oregon.

Former Tide OL coach Mario Cristobal, who is in his first year at Oregon, recruited Brown for the Ducks.

"It was really hard telling him that I was committing to Alabama," Brown says. "He asked me if we could keep an open line of communication just in case.

I told him we could do that, but that I am onehundred percent Alabama."

Brown, who is the Tide's seventh commitment in the 2018 class, spent this past weekend in Tuscaloosa.

He took part in the Champions Cookout with several of Bama's top targets for 2018 and 2019.

Brown thinks UA is headed for another outstanding class.

"I know a lot of the top recruits that Alabama is recruiting," Brown says. "I feel confident about some of the top recruits. I'm going to do what I can do to encourage other guys. When I get the chance, I'll whisper 'Roll Tide' in their ear."

SLADE BOLDEN Top athlete had awesome time in Tuscaloosa Slade Bolden of West Monroe, LA wasn't at the Tide's Champions Cookout on Friday, but the 5-11, 197-pound all-purpose star did take part in the Alabama camp last week.

"I knew going in that Alabama was going to be nice, but I didn't know that it's as awesome as it really is," Bolden says. "The facilities are very nice. They have a great coaching staff. Everything is top-notch.

consensus at this point is that he ends up at TCU. "Alabama, LSU and TCU are my top three," says Bolden, who also visited Ft. Worth this weekend. "I don't have a favorite yet. It's wide open. I'm going to think it over some and then probably make a decision around the end of the month. I want to go somewhere I feel good about playing football every day, where I can play early."

TWO WILL TRANSFER Emmons, Robinson leaving UA

"They did a really good job of recruiting me. They kept up with us the whole time. Even after we spent about 20 minutes meeting with Coach Saban, he checked in on me a few times afterwards. That's something I will always remember. It's something you can tell your kids about someday."

AL.com was the first to report that sophomore running back B.J. Emmons and sophomore cornerback Aaron Robinson are transferring from the Alabama program. Speculation dating back to the spring was that both players were contemplating leaving UA.

As a junior, Bolden started 12 games at quarterback. He also played some at wide receiver and on defense. He passed for 906 yards and nine TDs. He rushed for 1,370 yards and 24 TDs. He caught 15 passes for 248 yards and four TDs.

Emmons, one of the nation's top prep RBs in the 2017 class, had 173 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries last season. A foot injury that required surgery cut short his freshman season. Emmons is expected to attend Hutchinson CC in Kansas in the fall.

"Alabama is recruiting me as a slot receiver," Bolden says. "Coach Daboll told me that I remind him of some of the guys that he's had before, like (Julian) Edelman and (Danny) Amendola. He thinks I could fit into the offense like those guys do at New England."

Robinson played on all 13 games, mostly on special teams, as a freshman. He was expected to provide the Tide with depth at corner for the upcoming season. Robinson's plans are not known.

Bolden, who has over 20 offers, grew up an LSU fan, but he says that won't impact his decision. The >>> VISIT US ON THE WEB @ THEPLANETWEEKLY.COM

JULY 26 + AUG 9

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>>> PLANETWEEKLY • TUSCALOOSA'S SOURCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, SPORTS & THE ARTS