Planet weekly 464

>>> N E W S | T H E C H AM B E R OF COMM E R C E

NEWS

REGISTER NOW FOR THE BIG TOURNAMENT Early Bird Registration Open for AAS Golf Tournament Early Bird registration forms for the annual Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Adopt-A-School Golf Tournament are now available at www.tuscaloosachamber. com. Register now to take advantage of the discount! The four-man scramble tournament, set for Sept. 11 at Ol' Colony Golf Bill Canary Complex, is the annual fundraising event benefitting the AAS program. All teams will begin play with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

Early bird registration for $500/team is available now through Aug. 1. After that, the cost will be $600/team. Registration fees include greens fee, range balls, cart and lunch.

Also, a variety of sponsorships are available and those forms are online. For more info, contact Loo Whitfield, loo@tuscaloosachamber.com or 391.0563.

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Teams Needed for Bama Brew & Que

Got the best BBQ around? Here's your chance to prove it! Register for the 2nd Annual Bama Brew & Que in Tuscaloosa, a KCBS Sanctioned Event being held Sept.

12-13. There will be a Professional Division and a Backyard Division. Event is sponsored by Young Professionals of Tuscaloosa or YP(t). Click here for an entry form. For more info, email bamabrewandque@gmail. com or call 633-0236.

Northport Citizen Award Nomination Forms Now Available For over 35 years, the Northport Citizen Awards Dinner has celebrated outstanding leadership in the city. This year, the dinner will be held on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at Five Points Baptist Church. Now is your chance to

nominate someone for one of the awards.

You can honor an individual by nominating them for the Citizen Award or choose a leader in the field of education, business, religion, public safety or a Northport historian.

Think of someone deserving of recognition and take the time to nominate them today!

Please be sure to read the criteria for the different categories. Call 205-391-0559 or e-mail stacey@tuscaloosachamber.com to get a nomination form and more info.

Forms are due by Sept. 3.

Join Us on Washington Fly-In

As always, our schedule while in the nation's capital will allow time for interaction with our members of Congress as well as engagements with other elected officials.

It's also an opportunity, unlike any other, to network with fellow Chamber members.

This year, the agenda will include some fun time at a Washington Nationals baseball game. Make plans to join us Sept. 24-26!

Email Stacey@tuscaloosachamber.com for details. Sponsors this year are Lewis, Smyth, Winter & Ford, Mercedes Benz, Merrill Lynch, and TTL. Chamber Names Director Of Workforce Development The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama has named LeNa` Powe as its Director of Workforce Development effective August 15, 2014. Powe will serve as The Chamber’s primary liaison to the Region 3 Workforce Development Council and West Alabama Works, for which the Chamber now serves as both managing and fiscal agent. (see full story on page 17)

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

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inside

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STORIES 4 IT'S A SOUTHERN THING // JUDAH MARTIN Deep South is home to 50% of new AIDS cases

HIGH TIDE SPORTS 21 SABAN SOUNDS OFF // GARY HARRIS

5 PROTECTING THE RIVER // MEEGAN GILDEHAUS One man's effort to protect our most valuable resource

PUBLISHER LIN DA W. J OHNSON MANAGING EDITOR B E R T PAULS EN ASSISTANT EDITOR J U DA H MA R TIN COVER DESIGN LAU R A LIN E B E R R Y EVENTS J U D A H MA R TIN ROAD TRIP T R E Y B R OOK S DESIGN/PRODUCTION HERB NEU

IMAGES Common Use unless otherwise credited

ADVERTISING 205.792.7 239 205.765- 8007

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS R E G G I E ALL E N c a r a br a ke T R E Y B R OO K S M E E G AN G IL D E H AUS G A R Y H A R R IS CINDY HUGGINS KEITH LENNOX J U D A H MA R TIN A D AM MILL E R JIM REED BRETT REID THELMA PAULSEN j o n r o ger s VAN R O B E R TS STEPHEN SMITH

Planet Weekly P. O . B o x 2 3 1 5 T u s c a l o o s a , AL 3 5 4 0 3 Phone: 205.792.7239 | 205.765.8007 Email: publisher@theplanetweek ly.com Please direct correspondence to: publisher@theplanetweekly.com The Planet Weekly is a proud member of The West Alabama Chamber of Commerce. © 2014 All rights reserved. THE PLANET WEEKLY is a registered trademark.

Planet Weekly is published every other Thursday. No part of this publication including editorials may be reproduced, in whole or part, by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the Publisher’s prior expressed written consent. One copy of each issue of THE PLANET WEEKLY is free to each of our readers. Any reader who takes more than four copies without expressed permission of the publisher shall be deemed to have committed theft. The views and opinions of the authors of articles appearing in this publication may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Publisher.

7 BAMA ART HOUSE FALL SEASON Great independent films begin August 19

8 THE FUTURE OF FOOD // CINDY HUGGINS Farm-to-Table may be in your hands

14 TO LIFE // ADAM MILLER

Theatre Tuscaloosa announces its new season

20 GOLD vs. CRYSTAL // STEPHEN SMITH The Players Trophy controversy

27 R.I.P. JOHNNY WINTER // Trey brooks A tribute to one of rock's most influential figures

entertainment 10-12 13

RESTAURANT GUIDE / WINE & BEER

MOVIE REVIEW

16-17

Events Calendar

18

Road Trip

19

Tuscaloosa music

22

THE FLAT SCREEN

23 Horoscopes // Sudoku 24 CROSSWORD PUZZLe

CLARIFICATION & RECTIFICATION In our previous issue (#463) we ran a humor piece by political satirist Nick Vanocur that unintentionally raised the ire of some of our readers.

Satire is the use of irony and humor to explore the complexities and perplexities of our cultural and political state of affairs. That was the intention of the piece. It did not express the opinions, beliefs or political persuasions of the Planet Weekly nor its publisher, Linda Johnson, who is known for her tireless philanthropic and volunteer work in West Alabama.

We apologize if the piece was taken seriously and thereby unintentionally offended any of our readers.

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>>> E X P O S é | J U D A H M A R T I N

IT'S A SOUTHERN THING // HOW HIV/AIDS FOUND ITS NEW HOME IN THE DEEP SOUTH

The southern United States is certainly synonymous with a lot of cultural references — football, benefit-of the-doubt-based hospitality, mouth-watering down-home delicacies, music... According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, AIDS can now be added to that list.

While the South accounts for only 37 percent of the U.S. population, it is home to 50 percent of new HIV infections.

Though the epidemic's history in the United States began more than three decades ago, AIDS has gradually made its way south and, in the last ten years, the region has surpassed the Northeast in prevalence of HIV and AIDS. Of the ten states reported by the Centers for Disease Control as having the most reported HIV/AIDS cases, eight were southern states. These include Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, according to the Southern AIDS Coalition.

Also noteworthy, the period in which HIV crosses the threshold into full blown AIDS is

Kathy Hiers

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statistically shorter for its Southern, often impoverished victims. Consequently, southern states also boast a higher AIDS mortality rate than any region in the U.S. Kathy Hiers, policy committee chair for AIDS Alabama, says the reasons for the disproportionate statistics are complex.

"I think research shows this disease is inexplicably tied with poverty," she said.

"Much of it has to do with structural factors in our society: lack of access to healthcare, poor education systems, all of the things that help. We don't have effective [awareness] campaigns, particularly in the south.”

While these systemic factors heavily influence the ease with which HIV is spread amongst the disadvantaged, Hiers points to a larger, more menacing culprit.

“The more rural you get, the more stigma,” she explained.

Hiers’ fears about stigma are confirmed by a survey from the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS directors, which found that Alabama has the highest amount of HIV stigma.

According to the survey, HIV positive respondents, blacks, Latinos, women and transgendered respondents perceived higher levels of HIV, race and gender-based stigma than any other surveyed groups.

With frustrated sarcasm, Hiers described some the misconceptions that hinder efforts to contain spread of the virus.

“We joke that we can't say the c-word, we can’t say ‘condoms,’” she said. “So when school systems here are required to teach HIV education, they can just check it off by teaching abstinence-only. It’s definitely a lot more conservative down here in the south, and we’re really seeing a lot of young people increasingly contracting HIV here, with the primary means of transmission being sexual contact.”

Hiers finds that, in addition, lack of extensive sex

education allows the uninformed to continue thinking of AIDS as an almost exclusively gay disease, or perhaps one that mostly impacts blacks and other minorities, or some other elusive plague to which they are immune.

This means that people still think that HIV positive people look different, or that they can’t contract the virus if they’re only sexually active with certain people.

“People think they can tell by looking because maybe they've seen people with instage AIDS,” Hiers explained. “Of course we know you can have HIV for ten years and still seem healthy. Additionally now, with meds people can live relatively normal lives for a much longer time.

“What’s worse is that people still think of this as a gay disease; 30 percent of AIDS cases are in heterosexual women, we still have kids being heavily impacted, one out of every three are in the 13-24 age range. In the south, we are among the highest rates of HIV infection among teenagers” In light of modern breakthroughs in medical treatment options, Hiers said the assumption that HIV/AIDS is now a manageable disease promotes a false feeling of security for many.

“One of the biggest [misconceptions] is that HIV is handled, it’s manageable, so people aren't that worried, but they don't realize the number of people know they're infected, the number of people that still hide their status, just because the south is so much worse about stigma,” she said.

As of 2012, 34 states and two U.S. territories have criminal statutes for HIV exposure, according to NASTAD. While these laws are meant to protect the general population from exposure to the virus, Rainey Campbell, executive director for the Southern AIDS Coalition, pointed out that such laws contribute to its spread.

“Criminalization laws are based on knowledge of your status, so even if you're partner is aware that you are HIV positive you can still be prosecuted,” Rainey said.”

Unfortunately, that drives people away from care because if you don’t know you have it then you can’t be prosecuted.”

While the south disproportionately accounts for the majority of the nation’s HIV and AIDS cases, little can be done to combat the statistics.

According to Hiers, federal AIDS funding has been primarily directed eastern states and California, the starting points of the epidemic in the U.S. “When the disease started that's where it was, so the idea was to put the money where the disease was, she said. “But as the

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disease began to move to other places the urban areas didn't want to let go of the money. So each state has two senators but the house members are based on the size of the state’s population, so of course its going to be really hard to get places like New York and San Francisco to let go of their funding.”

Recently, though, thanks to the Ryan White Care Act, named for the late teenage hemophiliac AIDS activist of the 1980s, the stark gaps in federal funding are now filled, providing assistance to people without access to the adequate healthcare necessary for fighting the disease.

Nevertheless, newly diagnosed AIDS cases increase annually, with reported cases increaling from 17,680 to 18,164 in Alabama alone, according to statistics from the Alabama Department of Public Health.

“The disease had moved south, the funding has not,” Hiers said we still have disproportionate funding going to urban areas, even with the Ryan White Care Act. The Ryan White bill got $30 million shifted to the south, now we’re working on the housing bill.”

Inherently, the stigma that encourages people to remain voluntarily oblivious of their HIV status inflates the southern AIDS mortality digits, something Hiers said should be easily avoidable.

“What’s important to remember is that in the last year [scientists] made a huge discovery,” Hiers said. “If a person is on meds and keeps their viral load low they're not really transmissible. If we could just get everybody to get tested we can actually get everyone to end this thing.”

>>> C U R R E N T E V E N T S | M e e g an Gi l d e hau s

Stormy Waters // How one community leader protectS our most important resource Flash - flooded parking lots and streets create rivers and lakes of flowing water throughout Tuscaloosa. A styrofoam cup, cigarette butts, and a discarded water bottle are the boats floating along this channel. A question seldom asked, Where does the journey end for this fleet of litter?

The Black Warrior River is being used as a dumping site for waste generated throughout the watershed. The pollution creates a ripple that ultimately affects the health and well being of the citizens of Alabama, our natural resources, and future generations. This is where the citizen-based Black Warrior Riverkeeper organization and staff Riverkeeper, Nelson Brooke, come into play. The nonprofit initiative was formed in 2001 to protect and restore the Black Warrior River watershed and give a voice of citizen enforcement to the river.

“The reality is that we have a serious problem on our hands but we don’t know the end result,” Brooke said of the abundant and complex issues plaguing the Black Warrior River.

Brooke is a full-time Riverkeeper for the Black Warrior Riverkeepers, averaging about 50 to 60 hours a week testing water, traveling around the state teaching residents of the dangers and consequences of pollution, addressing companies about their pollution, and taking non-compliant polluters to federal court.

Birmingham native and Coosa Valley Riverkeeper Frank Chitwood remembers his first official site visit with Brooke.

“Nelson has so much expertise with field work, he’s one of the best Riverkeepers out there,” he said.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) gives permits to corporations, requiring each to do monthly testing for pollutants in its waste and the surrounding areas. The violation of these permits is not only simple, but also a daily occurrence.

“Our state environmental agency gives out permits to municipalities and private entities to treat waste water properly and discharge it back into our streams, rivers, and lakes,” Brooke said. “And we started reviewing permits and permit compliance, and we found that sewage was a pressing issue because a lot of these permits used were discharging untreated sewage right back into our waterways…into our drinking water.”

When asked how these corporations slide past the regulations unnoticed and if ADEM is to blame for this, Nelson said, “If they don’t know [about the violations] then they’re [ADEM] not doing their job, and if they do know, then they’re not doing their job because they’re not enforcing [the law].”

Brooke’s dedication and passion for saving the most aquatically diverse river in America is nothing short of inspiring. When asked about his personal goal for the river, Brooke said, “Work ourselves out of a job. If the state agency is doing its job, then we won’t have to.”

By targeting sewage, a major aspect of pollution, Brooke hopes to educate Alabamians about the importance of proper disposal of all types of waste and to instill a sense of awareness of unnoticed daily occurrences.

“We’re not taught where our sewage goes, where the landfill is, where our trash goes,” he said. “We just go about our daily life and consume and churn out crap and don’t really think about it.”

Data taken a few years ago showed that only 1 to 2 percent of the population of Alabama recycles. An article in The Birmingham News found that “Alabama’s recycling rate is a meager 8.3 percent, which is far below the 25 percent goal set nearly two decades ago.” This shows the blatant disregard, lack of concern, and lack of responsibility that Alabamians feel toward their own natural resources. However, he isn’t focusing on recycling. He’s still trying to educate about the consequences of littering.

“Either way, whether you’re recycling or not, at least make sure it goes somewhere—not on the ground,” he pleads. “You don’t even know the connection from the street to the river, but the reality is that when you drop that cigarette butt into the street, it goes down the storm drain and into the river.”

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

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>>> B O O K R E V I E W | C A R A B R A K E

>>> B O O K R E V I E W | R E G G I E ALL E N

CLASSIC TALES WITH A CLASSIC TALES WITH A TWIST // FIRST NOVEL TWIST // THIRD NOVEL Everyone wishes , at point in their life, to travel to another world.

Whether to escape bills, stress or work, one dreams of escaping to a land where anything is possible, and the imaginary transcends the reality. For Alex and Connor Bailey, falling into a book was all it took, and they were transported into a world beyond their wildest dreams.

“The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell” tells the story of Alex and Connor Bailey, a pair of twins who, after their father dies in a car accident, lose almost everything that comprised their old life.

They leave their home in exchange for a smaller one, lose the family business, and their hope for a life like their last. After gaining a very special present from their Grandmother, the twins get dropped into a world unlike anything they’ve ever seen. Meeting classic fairytale characters seems like a dream come true, but Alex and Connor soon learn that getting their true wish — the ability to go home to their mother, Charlotte — would be anything but magical.

This is the first novel by author Chris Colfer, who moonlights on Glee as the loveable Kurt Hummel. “The Wishing Spell” isn’t Colfer’s only achievement, however. Honored as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, he is also a Golden Globe winner, winner of two People’s Choice Awards, a Screen Actor’s Guild award, and two Teen Choice Awards. Along with the six wins, he was nominated for thirteen more. He’s also the screenwriter and director of the Key West Film Festival winner Struck By Lightning, in which he also plays the lead character, Carson Phillips.

The media took hold of “The Land of Stories” quickly, and the book soared to the top of The New York Time’s best seller list. With a 3 out of 4 rating from USA Today, and a 4.5 out of 5 on BarnesandNoble.com, the book is sure to please children and parents alike.

Filled with adventure and warm-hearted sentiments, “The Wishing Spell has enough plot twists to keep the reader interested. Colfer paints colorful lands, each filled with it’s own princess, creatures, and dangers. Alex and Connor explore such places as The Red Riding Hood Kingdom, the Sleeping Kingdom, the Dwarf Forest, and the SleepDepitction of a prehistoric wedding ing Kingdom.

Each of these and the ceremony

some

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other five kingdoms and territories has their own ruler, everyone from Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella to the Fairy Counsel.

The ending leaves obvious room for a sequel, which turns out to be a good thing, since this is only the first book.

“The Land of Stories” is a trilogy, and the other two books have already been released. All three books in the trilogy, “The Wishing Spell”, “The Enchantress Returns”, and “A Grimm Warning” are available at Barnes and Noble, its website, Amazon, and where other books are sold. Chris Colfer is also touring around the US this year, signing copies of his books in different cities. He recently recorded audiobooks of “The Wishing Spell” and “The Enchantress Returns”, which are available on Audible.com and other audiobook retailers.

Chris Colfer may be recognized by most for his role on the FOX musical drama Glee, but the actor also moonlights as a New York Times Bestselling author. With three novels published, one of which was adapted into a film, Colfer has recently released a new addition to his young adult series, "The Land of Stories." Returning to the world of faeries, goblins and happily ever afters, the Glee star takes a turn for the past in his newest novel.

In "A Grimm Warning," the third installment of his "The Land of Stories" series, it once again seems like the kids, twins Alex and Connor Bailey, are all right. After their victory against the Enchantress, the duo decide they are better off worlds apart. When the portal separating the magical and non-magical worlds is closed permanently, Alex decides to stay in the titular land of stories — the world inhabited by the faerie tales that we adults and kids grew up with (ie. Cinderella, Snow White, Red Riding Hood, etc.) in hopes of honing her magical abilities under the guideance of her grandmother, respectfully, the Fairy Godmother. Connor is back in the Otherworld ( our world) with his mother and new stepfather and is slowly recuperating from his past adventures, while tackling even bigger challenges: a girl crush and a trip to Germany to hear two new unheard stories by none other than the Brothers Grimm .

When one of the Grimm's seemingly innocent stories appears to foretell an impending doom for the faerie tale world, Connor alongside his Otherworld crush, Bree Campell, must travel across Europe in hopes of reaching his sister and their friends in the land of stories before it is too late. Their enemy? The French Armee, of course.

All the while, the Bailey twins must fight their own individual battles: Their love lives and sense of purpose. Alex struggles with becoming a compatible successor to her grandmother while starting a courtship with a local farmhand. Conner must hide his affection for someone he is a fugitive with for fear of rejection. Just your everyday teenage angst in a novel about faerie tales.

Colfer has proven to be a triple threat on television. He can sing, dance and with an Emmy nod and Golden Globe win on his belt, the man can certainly act. As for his writing? Fun, whimsical, witty and relatable and down to earth

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With characters like a mildly alcoholic Mother Goose, a materialistic Red Riding Hood and a rogue bandit Goldilocks on board, there is not much to hate about the novel. Well, except for the cliffhanger that Colfer dangles over our forehead.

No worries, though. The Glee star has already confirmed that there is going to be a fourth book.

While "A Grimm Warning" is not the next Percy Jackson novel, it is in fact a clever and simple page turner. At times the pace can be a little choppy, but nonetheless is easy to follow. Readers can once again expect to be drawn into a unique fantasy world featuring myriad renditions of some of the world's most popular tales.

"The Land of Stories" is a young adult series and may be more intellectually enjoyable for pre-adolescents in comparison to those of an older demographic. On the other hand, there's a kid in all of us.

editor' s note:

A review of the second novel

by Colfer did not arrive in time for our press KITTY B. HAIVE deadline.

>>> F I L M | STAFF REPORT

FALL INDEPENDENT FILM SERIES BEGINS AUGUST 19 Bama Art House brings current, contemporary independent film to Tuscaloosa, transforming the Bama Theatre into a cinematic Art House, one night a week. Screenings are Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m.

Instead of season passes for each series The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa now offers a punch card—pay $60 for any 10 films. You may purchase your punch card in the box office at any Bama Art House film. Here is the current schedule, with more films to come: August 19: Snowpiercer Sponsored by Left Hand Soap Company (2013) Action/SciFi/Thriller (Rated R)Director: Joonho Bong Writers: Joon-ho Bong, Kelly Masterson Stars: Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Tilda Swinton Synopsis: Set in a future where a failed climate-change experiment kills all life on the planet except for a lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, where a class system emerges.

August 26: Mood Indigo (2013) Comedy/ Drama/Fantasy (Rated R) Director: Michel Gondry Writers: Michel Gondry, Luc Bossi Stars: Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh Synopsis: Wealthy, inventive bachelor Colin endeavors to find a cure for his lover Chloe after she's diagnosed with an unusual illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs.

Stars: Agata Kulesza, Agata Trzebuchowska, Dawid Ogrodnik Synopsis: Anna, a young novitiate nun in 1960s Poland, is on the verge of taking her vows when she discovers a dark family secret dating back to the years of the Nazi occupation.

September 9: Venus In Fur (2013) Drama (Rated R) Director: Roman Polanski Writers: David Ives, Roman Polanski, Leopold von Sacher Masoch Stars: Emmanuelle Seigner, Mathieu Amalric Synopsis: An actress attempts to convince a director how she's perfect for a role in his upcoming production. Seriously very funny, says the NY Times.

September 16 & September 23 & October 7 & October 14: To Be Announced Soon!

There will be no film September 30 due to limiations with the theatre rental schedule.

I'm just looking for the best story being told by the best people and the best part that I can find. If those things add up, I want to be a part of it whether it's a studio film or, more likely in that instance, an independent film. ~ John Hawkes ~

September 2: Ida Sponsored by Left Hand Soap Company (2013) Drama (Rated PG-13) Director: Pawel Pawlikowski Writers: Pawel Pawlikowski, Rebecca Lenkiewicz

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>>> O P I N I O N | C I N DY H U GG I N S

FARM-TO-TABLE // THE FUTURE OF FOOD IS IN YOUR HANDS, MAYBE NOT THE FARMERS'

“Shake the hand that feeds you,” a quote taken from Michael Pollen’s In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto.

Pollen’s book explores the way Americans eat and offers advice on how to get back to eating real food in place of over processed convenient food. In retrospect, convenient food meant heading out to the garden to pick some tomatoes or grab some fresh eggs from the chicken cope.

Today, convenience is the drive-thru window and mechanically altered meat.

Recently, I asked a group of grade school kids if they could eat a rainbow. They looked at me and the other instructor as if

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we had lost our marbles. Most replied with a loud, “no.” One responded with, “Yes, if you eat Lucky Charms.” Another shouted, “You mean, like eating Skittles?”

Fortunately, one girl spoke up and said, “Yes, with vegetables and fruit.”

Most Americans remain out-oftouch with what is considered real food. Generations of rural farmers are in danger of becoming extinct. Mason jars are now a trendy cup to put pretty drinks in or hang decoratively from a ceiling. The concept of canning to provide food for the winter months is a tall tale told by our grandparents. Even with such disconnect from our food, surveys show that American’s are choosing foods to better their health. However, thanks to deceptive marketing and media, the average Americans’ perception of “healthy” is wildly inaccurate. Consumers want to be healthy and eat right, but they are confused. The simplicity of eating real food is lost. It has been reported that just about every brand on the shelves and in the produce section of a big box supermarket is owned by less than one-dozen multi-national food companies.

Efforts to change this mentality started in the 1970’s with the farm-to-table movement.

The founders set out to educate consumers on the importance of eating locally grown food and

understanding where food comes from.

Modern day activists are motivated by the raising concerns of food safety including genetically modified foods and pesticide used in conventionally grown foods.

Global industrial farmers dominate food production.

Increased demand for conventional foods means a need in increased supply.

Hormones, pesticides, and herbicides are used to promote growth, increasing supply. The focus is more on quantity not quality. If industrial farming continues to grow, rural farmers will continue to die out.

Ultimately, industrial farming will be dictating what we eat. Local food relies on sustainable agriculture which produces safe food, free of harmful additives. Farmers, chefs, and food activists keep the movement alive, but it is up to the community to make it thrive and create a sustainable food system for future generations.

Tuscaloosa is fortunate enough to provide the community access to fresh local food through farmers markets and community-supported agriculture programs. The Tuscaloosa River Market has been operating since 2012. Every Tuesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. till noon, community members can peruse over local produce, meats, eggs, seafood, and even baked goods. Homegrown Alabama is a student led organization fueling the farm-to-table movement by

It's up to our communities to create sustainable food systems for future generations.

educating fellow students on the importance of buying and eating local. Every Thursday the group hosts the Homegrown Alabama Farmer’s Market from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. located on the Canterbury Episcopal Chapel lawn.

Tuscaloosa restaurants are even serving up fresh local foods. Farm-to-fork, Chef Tres Jackson based his whole restaurant, Epiphany, around the farm-to-fork movement. Each week the menu is solely based off of what local farmers have to offer. His food philosophy is simply, serving only food made from local fresh ingredients. Manna Grocery and Chipotle Mexican Grill also provide menu items made with locally sourced ingredients.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs allow consumers to purchase local produce for the whole year or a portion of the year. Grow Alabama is a family alliance serving as advocates for rural farmers in the state of Alabama.

They offer a fresh supply of fruits and vegetables delivered to your door weekly.

Snow Bend’s Farm offers a CSA program delivering local produce to a designated pick-up location in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.

The opportunities to support the farmto-table movement are available and the time to start is now. The future of food is in our hands, not the farmers.

From the words of Michael Pollen, “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”

Cindy Huggins, RDN, LD is a registered dietitian and local “foodie.” Follow her on twitter @DietitianCindy

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>>> I N S P I R E D | T H EL M A P A U LSE N

RADISHES // A ZEST FOR LIFE

INSPIRATION — the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative.

Inspiration is a personal matter, dependent upon a seemingly magic blend of internal and external forces that stoke the combustion of creativity. This writer finds inspiration for her true-crime book in an unlikely place: her garden.

I love radishes. I’m not referring only to the spicy hotness of their crimson, crunchy, bulbous roots, or their fuzzy, lacy, leafy tops that are delicious mixed in

salads, too. Although I love to eat them, it’s not the culinary value of radishes that inspires me the most; it is their vigorous zest for life. It is the way they sprout so

fervently from small, brown, round seeds to bright green seedlings within a matter of days, unwittingly stirring feelings hope, faith, reassurance—even trust—that things will work out, that plans will unfold as we wish, as we desire, as we dream.

A mere row over, the carrots slowly emerge, weeks after planting, among the grass and weeds that have now sprouted in the same row just ahead of them. Is that a carrot leaf, I wonder as I peer at the tiny, frail plant, looking as if a hardy watering might extinguish it altogether.

Carrot seedlings are also lacy and beautiful but no comparison in their intent to grow to the hardy butterfly-shaped first leaves of their fellow root, the radish.

No, the radish inspires in my garden like nothing else growing there. And I like, crave, need that inspiration, that encouragement, that evidence of success in my endeavors. I’m a complex character, prone to fits of moodiness with sprinkles of (shhh) paranoia mixed in. In the book I am writing, my goal is to shine a light on a dark subject: kidnapping, rape and a long unsolved murder. As I await the fate of the perp in his newest assault, I continue to write, to edit, to interact with the cast of characters this true story brings my way. It is a cat and mouse game of search, find, respond, react, divulge (too little? too

much?) in an effort to engage and fill in as many aspects of this human drama as I am can. It is full of high highs and low lows.

But my friends, the robust radishes, are there to cheer me on, to remind me that much is still right with the world, that the stream of life is ever-flowing, that my plans and dreams can ride that flow to fruition, to success, to the possibility of bursting forth like the crimson root that pushes above the soil line, saying, “Pick me. I’m yours. Look at what you have created, just by planting the seed.” It inspires me to believe that the seeds on my non-fiction novel will have the same chance for life. That by hoeing, planting, watering, nurturing, waiting, my seed of an idea will grow into a tangible book with words and pages and readers; that the story will be told. I feel grateful.

I think I’ll end this piece now and go pick some radishes for dinner. Yum. A radish with bread and butter is one of those modest pleasures that is as nourishing to the soul as tomatoes and salt or salami with gherkins. It was their destiny to find each other for man’s joy. ~ Valentine Warner, TV presenter and author of What to Eat Now ~

Blaine Duncan & the Lookers

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

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>>> wine REVIEW | J O N R O GE R S

THE WINE BIBLE // AND A LOOK AT BAREFOOT MOSCATO The Wine Bible is a great resource for learning about terroir. For example, the soil on Santorini is the result of ancient volcanic eruptions. I learned that from the book.

I highly recommend pairing this book with wine! Seriously, if you’re interested in going a little deeper into the background of the wines you’re tasting, get yourself a copy of this book. You’ll definitely learn a lot!

We begin this review with a look at The Wine Bible. The Wine Bible is a book written by Karen MacNeil.

Many years ago when I first started becoming interested in wine, I purchased this book.

It is considered the "go-to" book for all things wine. It’s also the most popular and best known book about wine.

The Wine Bible has something for everyone and appeals to beginning and experienced wine drinkers alike.

Inside you’ll find information about: • How wine is made and where it comes from.

• How to taste wine.

• Country-specific wine information (France, Italy, Spain, USA and more).

• A glossary of many different wine terms.

What I like most about this book is that it is incredibly thorough.

For example, one day I was contacted by a public relations company to find out if I’d be interested in reviewing some wines from Greece.

At that time I knew very little about Greek wine. The wines that I were to review were coming from Santorini and one was an Assyrtiko.

So, I trotted out my Wine Bible and lo and behold there was a whole chapter on Greek wines. I learned that Assyrtiko is a grape that is native to Santorini and makes a crisp dry wine.

My interest was piqued and I gave the go-ahead to have the wines sent.

One of the things I enjoy about tasting wines is learning about their “terroir.”

Terroir is the net effect that the climate, soil and geography has on the grape plants and growing process. The terroir is specific to the location of where the grapes are grown and can give a wine a unique taste.

There can be a reason why a Cabernet Sauvignon from one location in the same state or region tastes completely different from another location. (there certainly could be others as well)

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Barefoot Moscato Review A product of Argentina, Barefoot Moscato is a white wine and has an alcohol content of 9%.

Moscato is typically a sweet wine and is often served as part of the dessert course of a meal.

From the bottle: “Barefoot Moscato is a sweet wine with delicious mouth watering flavors of juicy peach and apricot. Hints of lemon and orange citrus complement a crisp, refreshing finish. Barefoot Moscato is perfect with spicy Asian cuisine, light desserts, fresh fruit and mild cheeses.”

To start, the cork was soft and came out easily. The wine presented a mostly clear and clean appearance with mild color typical of a Moscato. Though not a sparkling wine, it was a little bit bubbly in the glass.

A clean, crisp aroma of light pear was immediately noticed and was pleasant. On the palate, the Barefoot Moscato was sweet and crisp. The sweetness did not overpower the enjoyable tastes of lemon and orange citrus, as promised from the bottle.

The mouthfeel had a texture of satiny smoothness with a finish that landed mostly in the cheeks and somewhat less on the tongue. The finish was short and delicate.

Overall, this Moscato performed perfectly and would easily pair with the foods mentioned above. On their website they also mention that this wine would be a good compliment to coconut cream pie. Nowadays, many restaurants serve a cheese plate as a dessert. Barefoot Moscato came to mind as the perfect compliment to that.

One of the things that Barefoot Wine and Bubbly mentions on the bottle is that they “support the efforts of organizations that help keep America’s beaches barefoot friendly”. With a price of roughly $7 a bottle this wine is not only a good value, but also a good corporate citizen. They appear to embody the spirit of their name.

Recommend!

If you’re looking for a white wine that is not sweet, consider Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc. However, keep in mind Fume Blanc is not a dessert wine like Barefoot Moscato.

More reviews // honestwinereviews.com

>>> RESTAURANTS |

W here to E at in T uscaloosa

BREAKFAST / DINNER 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.

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 International House of Pancakes 724 Skyland Blvd // 366.1130 Jack's 1200 Hackberry Lane | Tuscaloosa // 345.1199 Maggie's Diner 1307 Ty Rogers Jr. Ave | Tuscaloosa // 366.0302 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.

Tuscaloosa Burger & Poboys 1014 7th Ave. | Tusaloosa // 764.1976 Sports bar, breakfast, seafood, Cajun, and of course burgers Over 120 craft beers at the lowest prices in Tuscaloosa Closed Mondays, Tue. - Thu 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. fri - sat 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. sun 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kitchen is open all hours including full menu late night The Waysider 1512 Greensboro Ave // 345.8239 Open for breakfast and lunch. Smoke free.

MEXICAN Chipotle Mexican Grill 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 391.0140 www.chipotle.com Don Rafa's 2313 4th Street | Temerson Square // 345.9191 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 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 Los Calientes Mexican Grill 3429 McFarland Blvd E // 553.1558 Los Tarascos (2 locations) 1759 Skyland Blvd // 553.8896 3380 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 330.0919 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 Pepito’s (2 locations) 1203 University Blvd | The Strip // 391.9028 1301 McFarland Blvd NE // 391.4861 Taco Mama 2104 A University Blvd, Tuscaloosa 409-8173

FINE DINING Chuck’s Fish 508 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 248.9370 Steak, seafood, & sushi specialities. Open for dinner and Sunday brunch. Great atmosphere and excellent service.

Ladies Night on Tuesdays. Ladies receive ½ off on drinks.

Uptown Wednesday - $6 Uptown Shrimp, $8 Uptown Tacos.

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

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and Smoked Chicken with white barbecue sauce. Kid friendly. Closed Saturday lunch. Mike Spiller is featured the first Thursday of every month. 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.

Epiphany Cafe 19 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 344.5583 “New American cuisine” with a strong emphasis on local produce, organic meats, and sustainable seafood. The menu is always changing and features include an extensive wine list, a large vibrant bar and martini lounge area, as well as patio seating. Reservations are available online at epiphanyfinedining.com or through open table. Hours: Mon–Sat 5 p.m. - until 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 Kozy’s 3510 Loop Road E | near VA Medical Center // 556.4112 Eclectic menu, extensive wine list. Dinner at Kozy’s is a romantic experience complete with candlelight and a roaring fireplace. |killionrestaurants.com/kozys/ Twin 3700 6th St, Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa Country Club | 758-7528 | http://twinpowersactivate.com Certified USDA Prime Steaks; specialty Sushi and cocktails.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; 5 – 10 p.m.

JAPANESE Benkei Japanese Steak House 1223 McFarland Blvd // 759-5300 Hours: Mon–Thurs 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Fri–Sat 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

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.

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

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.

ITALIAN Avenue Pub 405 23rd Avenue 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 The pub offers a different menu for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Feature foods include pineapple French toast, pork sliders, and a house burger which changes daily. The drink menu features specialty cocktails, local pints, bottled beer, and wine.

Monday through Friday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday Noon – 11 p.m., Sunday 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 Brumfield's Restaurant 4851 Rice Mine Road | Tuesday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

>>> RESTAURANTS |

W here to E at in T uscaloosa ( cont . )

Buddy’s Ribs & Steaks 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 Chili’s 1030 Skyland Blvd | Near McFarland Mall // 750.8881 Fax: 758.7715 // www.chilis.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 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.

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

Horny's 508 Red Drew Ave | Tuscaloosa // 345.6869 Mon 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. | Tues-Thurs 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Fri 11 a.m. - 3 a.m. | Sat 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.

New Orleans style atmosphere in the heart of Tuscaloosa on the strip. Horny's offerings include a full liquor bar, beer, and a variety of classic American food. Horny's Bar and Grill offers a limited late night menu from 1:30 a.m. - 2:30 a.m.

Tacogi 500 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 342.3647 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.

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 An 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.

O’Charley’s 3799 McFarland Blvd // 556.5143 Open daily for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch www.ocharleys.com Panera Bread 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 366.8780 www.panerabread.com Piccadilly Cafeteria 1701 McFarland Blvd E | University Mall // 556.4960 www.piccadilly.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 Ryan’s 4373 Courtney Dr // 366.1114 Near Marriott Courtyard and Fairfield Inn Sitar Indian Cuisine 500 15th St // 345-1419 Southland Restaurant 5388 Skyland Blvd E // 556.3070 Steaks, chops and home-cooked vegetables Mon–Fri 10:45 a.m. - 9 p.m.

The Southern Dining Room Grill (Behind Ryan's) 4251 Courtney Dr, Tuscaloosa 331-4043 T-Town Café 500 14th Street, Tuscaloosa | 759-5559 |www.ttowncafe.co Mon - Fri: 5 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sat: 5 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sun: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tuscaloosa Burger & Poboys 1014 7th Ave. | Tusaloosa // 764.1976 Sports bar, breakfast, seafood, Cajun, and of course burgers Over 120 craft beers at the lowest prices in Tuscaloosa Closed Mondays, Tue. - Thu 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. fri - sat 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. sun 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kitchen is open all hours including full menu late night 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 Buffalo Phil’s 1149 University Blvd | The Strip // 758.3318 Sports grille with TVs galore. Diverse beer and wine selection, full bar

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 selection, 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 Tuscaloosa Burger & Poboys 1014 7th Ave. // 764.1976 Sports bar, breakfast, seafood, Cajun, and of course burgers Over 120 craft beers at the lowest prices in Tuscaloosa Closed Mondays, Tue. - Thu 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. fri - sat 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. sun 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kitchen is open all hours including full menu late night 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 Dickey's BBQ 9770 Alabama 69; Midtown; and 13544 Hwy 43 North at Rose Blvd. in Northport. Great Texas Barbecue. | 344.6500 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.

Hick’s BBQ 4400 Fayette Hwy // 339.3678 // Tues–Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Moe's Original BBQ 2101 University Blvd.. // 752.3616 Serving up an award-winning, all things Southern BBQ and Live music experience. Come dine-in or sit on the patio and enjoy some great Que, beers, whiskey, and live music on Thursday-Saturday. Roll Tide!

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 Awesome barbecue. The Pottery Grill serves up everything from pork, chicken, ribs and sausage to burgers, hot dogs and salads. Take-out and catering available.

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 Twin Restaurant 3700 6th Street |Tuscaloosa | 758-7528 A full service restaurant specializing in Sushi, Prime Steaks, made fresh daily pasta, and whiskey oriented cocktails 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. // Former Tuscaloosa Country Club

>>> beer review | B R E T T R E I D

LIQUID BLISS PEANUT BUTTER PORTER // OH YES As some of you may know, a brewery in Birmingham called Beer Engineers really reached their fame with one beer.

All of their other beers were subpar, but the Peanut Butter Porter was really what people cared about; at least I can say that for myself.

That was until Terrapin started regularly producing their Liquid Bliss Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter, a game changer of sorts. I knew that I liked a lot of other Terrapin beers, and I was a fan of the Peanut Butter Porter made by a less than consistent brewery, so I decided to purchase the whole six pack and try it out.

Terrapin is another one of those breweries that has labels I love to look at. The Mosaic Red Rye IPA has a beautiful mosaic representation of a hop nugget, and this one is no different. The whole beer has a yin and yang characteristic and compares chocolate and peanut butter to the yin and yang.

The beer pours a pitch black hue with a deep brown head that wasn’t too fluffy, but not nonexistent either; a good finger width that fizzled out quickly. When you take your first sniff, you really, and I mean really, pick up the peanut butter. You also get some really subtle notes of dark chocolate on the back end and along with what I think is some coffee. The smell really reminds me of those dark chocolate Reese’s Cups that were around for a little while, and I love that.

Creating harmony through flavors like chocolate and peanut butter is something a lot of people attempt to do, but very few people do it well. This was a time when it was done extremely well. When you take the first sip, you’re punched in the mouth with a dominant taste of peanut butter.

You even get that weird oily feel on the back of your tongue as you would when you take a big bite of peanut butter. I’m all about bringing the experience with flavors and that aspect drove home peanut butter for me. Toward the end, the beer really starts to develop a mix of flavors that really round it out. There were some slight notes of coffee, but more notably, there was a lot of cocoa. It really helped tie in the peanut butter cup flavor for me, but I did have a few issues with the taste. The creaminess aspect could have been a little milkier for me and I wouldn’t have minded. I prefer milk chocolate in accompaniment to peanut butter, but the dark chocolate flavor added something that I was expecting; it was still tasty nonethe-

less. The coffee undertones I got were a little unwarranted for me. I understand sometimes it’s commonplace for those coffee flavors to be there, but something about this one just didn’t rock my boat like it usually does. If those weren’t there at all, I wouldn’t be mad.

The mouthfeel was excellent and ranked higher than most porters I’ve had lately. The carbonation level was perfect and really lent itself to adding to the velvety quality of peanut butter. After each sip, I would have a strong aftertaste of Reese’s; which is never not a good thing and it always made me want more.

The beer rested well on the tongue so you could allow time for the flavors to fully develop. This is definitely an after dinner beer, because it is really heavy. I couldn’t imagine drinking more than one of these at time for fear of falling asleep or being too sick to think straight and at 6.7%, the beer really has no alcohol taste at all.

All in all, I have easily replaced Beer Engineers entirely, because Terrapin does what they set out to do much better; and at a lesser price (around $8.99 at Hop City in Birmingham.) The overall quality of the beer is on a much higher level and the flavors are more in your face, which is what I look for when drinking something so strange, like a peanut butter flavored beer. I would definitely enjoy this beer again and maybe not even just in the typical way. I want to pour this bad boy over some vanilla ice cream and then die, because nothing will ever taste that good again; or so I imagine. So if you’re on the fence about this one, branch out and try something that may not sound good to you, because being adventurous can be rewarding; at least it was for me.

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JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

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>>> RESTAURANT REVIEW | C I N D Y H U GG I N S

BRUMFIELD'S // GOURMET WITHOUT THE GOURMET PRICE // FABULOUS

Joel Brumfield is the man behind the successful franchise Newk’s Café in both Tuscaloosa and Huntsville. He and his partners, Warner Johnson and Paul Giggi, set out to make their own mark in the restaurant industry, resulting in Brumfield’s Restaurant. Classified as southern comfort food, they serve up burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and seafood. As unoriginal as it may sound, Brumfield brings a modern twist to a traditional southern menu. My husband and I were pleasantly surprised with our dining experience.

The first door led us into the bar area.

A pianist played lively jazz tunes while customers sipped on tall glasses of wine and cocktails. Dim lighting filled the room creating an inviting atmosphere. I felt the urge to sit down, order a drink and engage in small talk. Though, my growling stomach argued otherwise. The main dining area is divided from the bar and offers a more vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere.

A young hostess greeted us and escorted us to a booth. Menus were laid flat in front of us with the drink menu strategically placed on top. The drink selection screamed summertime offering a variety of fruity and frozen beverages.

We ordered a couple bushwackers to sip on while we perused the main menu.

A sophisticated—terrific—cocktail landed on the table, not the expected frozen beverage typically enjoyed out of a red "solo" cup. Chocolate syrup draped the inside of a petite glass and a hint of cocoa topped it off. It tasted semisweet with a nice balance of Kahlua liqueur and rum. It was hard to put down.

The main menu was refreshing. Some surprises included house-made hummus, a black bean burger, and a Southern Philly made with smoked sliced beef brisket and peppers.

However, my ears perked when I heard that the catch of the day was Mahi Mahi. My husband decided on the Ribeye steak cooked medium rare. The pleasant waitress took our order using an iPad and announced it would be out shortly.

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Happily sipping on my drink and browsing over the modern décor, my gaze landed on a Pac Man machine. In a small room towards the back of the restaurant is an arcade. The manager explained that it’s available for kids to play a little Xbox or classic arcade games while they wait to be served. although, they wouldn’t have much time to play. Our food was served within 15 minutes of ordering.

The Alabama fight song carried from the bar area as our meals were served. My plate presentation mimicked that of a gourmet meal, without the gourmet price. The serving of Mahi Mahi was large. The layer of melted butter gave it an appetizing glow. My fork slid right through the tender cut. A mixture of spices and herbs overwhelmed my taste buds leaving a mild Cajun flavor in my mouth. It was blackened perfectly.

Sitting patiently beside the fish was a mountain of mashed potatoes decorated with cheese, savory bacon, and green onion. They were rich and creamy with an occasional crunch from the onion. I was so completely indulged with my meal that I hadn’t noticed my steamed vegetables were forgotten. At the end of our meal my husband and I were overly satisfied. The dinner ticket totaled just over $40, which is a steal for a plate of steak, a plate of Mahi Mahi, and 2 cocktails.

North River has gained a fabulous restaurant that offers an evening at the bar with friends or a casual dinner for the whole family. Go and enjoy!

Brumfield’s Restaurant is located north of the river at 4851 Rice Mine Rd. Hours of operation are Tuesday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday - Saturday: 11 a.m.

- 10 p.m., and Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Check them out on Facebook for updates on specials, happy hour, and live music.

Let us know where you are eating.

Tweet us @ThePlanetWeekly.

Cindy Huggins, RDN, LD is a registered dietitian and local “foodie.” Follow her on twitter @DietitianCindy

>>> RESTAURANTS |

W here t o E a t i n T u s c a l o o s a ( c o n t . )

SEAFOOD

Chuck’s Fish 508 Greensboro Ave // 248.9370 Happy Hour 3pm-6pm with $5 house wine, $5 top shelf, $3 well. $1 off bottle beer Red Lobster 2620 McFarland Blvd // 553.8810 McFarland Plaza Shopping Center Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar 4851 Rice Mine Rd NE #460 // 462.3399 McFarland Plaza Shopping Center & Temerson Square Wintzell’s Oyster House 1 Bridge Ave | Northport // 247.7772 Casual riverfront dining Sun–Thurs 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Fri–Sat 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

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

DELICATESSEN Honeybaked Ham Company 421 15th St. E // 345.5508 www.honeybaked.com Jason’s Deli 2300 McFarland Blvd // 752.6192 Fax: 752.6193 // www.jasonsdeli.com Located in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center.

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 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

China Garden Hwy 69 S | Hillcrest Center // 758.0148

Newk's 205 University Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 758.2455

Hot Wok Express 6751 Alabama 69, Tuscaloosa // 758.0148

Schlotsky’s Deli 405 15th St. E // 759.1975 schlotskys.com

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 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

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

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 Firehouse Subs 1130 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 248.0680

Which Wich University Blvd.// Downtown Tuscaloosa // Mon – Sat 10:30 – 9 // Sunday 11 – 7 // Fun atmosphere,fresh ingredients, great sandwiches. 764.1673

COFFEE SHOP Barnes & Noble 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa 349.6366 Chloe's Cup 2117 University Blvd.| Tuscaloosa // 764.0218 Crimson Cafe International Coffee House & Gourmet Deli 1301 University Blvd | The Strip // 750.0203 Mon–Fri 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. | Sat & Sun 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. thecrimsoncafe.com Five Java Coffee, fresh juices, smoothies and treats from Mary's Cakes.

Open Monday - Saturday at 7am; 9am on Sundays Heritage House 18 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 758.0042 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

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

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.

Lenny’s Sub Shop 220 15th St // 752.7450 Fax: 752.7481 // www.lennys.com

Smoothie King (2 locations) 415 15th Street | Tuscaloosa // 349.1721 Fax: 349.1945 1403 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 462.3664

Little Caesars Pizza 1414 10th Ave // 366.2220 | 1www.littlecaesars.com Little Italy 1130 University Blvd. // 345.4354 Mellow Mushroom 2230 University Blvd | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 758.0112 Subs n' You 2427 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 205.758.0088 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 Pizza Palace Buffet 6521 Alabama 69 | 752.5444 Tut’s Place 1306 University Blvd | The Strip // 759.1004

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 Phone Number: 764.9173 Fax Number: 764.9228 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

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

"TAMMY" // IT'LL KEEP YOU CACKLING ✭✭✭ REGARDLESS

21/2 ou t of 4

A hoot and a holler for least half of its length, “Tammy” is a woman-run-amuck comedy about a lots-to-love lady whose head is as thick as her figure. “Mike & Molly’s” Melissa McCarthy has a field day with a stellar cast that includes Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Dan Aykroyd, Toni Collette, and Gary Cole in this above average laffer. Despite its uneven tone and narrative quality, McCarthy displays her signature comic genius as only she can. She heaps on the humor in a goofy fast-food restaurant robbery, a roadside encounter with a deer, and a Jet-Ski boating accident where she really makes waves. Occasionally, this larger-than-life clown finds kindred spirits with two minor supporting characters, Ben Falcon and Sarah Baker, who match her irreverent sense of humor.

Although it doesn’t qualify as the laugh riot that “Identity Thief” and “The Heat” were, “Tammy” ripples with enough jokes and sight gags to keep you cackling even during its drab moments. The picture builds up a full head of steam, but the insanity loses its momentum about an hour into her antics. McCarthy co-wrote this pleasantry with writer & director Ben Falcone who is also her husband in real life. Unfortunately, they suck the wind out of their madcap protagonist’s sails and make her a mite too ordinary to be interesting after she winds up in the pokey. Additional scenes featuring Falcone and Baker as well as a woefully under-utilized Aykroyd could have brightened this lightweight comedy.

When we first meet our clueless heroine, Tammy (Melissa McCarthy) is having the mother of all bad days. First, our heroine is doing something else when she should have been watching the highway and collides with a deer. Miraculously, the animal survives the crash and sucker punches Tammy in the nose. Tammy’s Toyota isn’t as fortunate. Now, Tammy’s vehicle is so badly smashed up that she has to steer it with her head sticking out the window and her hair blitzing in the breeze.

She isn’t a pretty sight when she shows up at work. Tammy works at a Topper Jack’s fast-food restaurant. Not only does she look like an accident herself, but she also is late. Tammy’s prickly, stuck-up supervisor,

Keith Morgan (Ben Falcone of “Enough Said”), fires her on the spot. Naturally, Tammy makes a scene going out the door.

She is heading home when her smoking Toyota breaks down. If things couldn’t possibly get worse, our bedraggled heroine finds her husband, Gregg (Nat Faxon of “The Descendants”), cheating with a neighbor, Missi (Toni Collette of “Muriel’s Wedding”), over a meal that he has prepared for her. Incensed by Gregg’s treachery, Tammy storms out screaming and marches two doors down the neighborhood to her mom’s house. She begs her mother, Deb (Allison Janney of “Juno”), to let her borrow her car. Deb refuses to loan Tammy either her car or her husband’s vehicle. Deb points out every time her daughter suffers a meltdown, Tammy leaves home, only to turn around and come back.

Tammy finds help from an unexpected quarter. Her foul-mouthed, alcoholic grandmother, Pearl (Susan Sarandon of “Thelma & Louise”), who is afflicted with diabetes, agrees to let Tammy drive her Cadillac as long as she can accompany her. Initially, Tammy wants to rough it alone. When she learns that her grandma carries around thousands of dollars in cold cash, they embark together on a road trip, and interesting things happen. At a nearby lake, a reckless Tammy crashes a Jet Ski into a pier, and Pearl has to ante up several thousands of dollars for the damage. At a Louisville barbecue restaurant, Pearl picks up a man, Earl (Gary Cole of “Office Space”), and they have sex in the back of her Cadillac in the parking lot, while Earl’s adult son Bobby (Mark Duplass of “Parkland”) and Tammy stand around and chat. The local authorities arrest Pearl when they discover she is taking oxycodone rather than her diabetic medicine.

Tammy robs a Topper Jack with little more than a bag on her head and another on one hand so she appears to have a gun.

She also appropriates pies galore as part of the robbery and has pies distributed to the employees. Before she can use the loot to bail out Pearl, Earl has paid her bail. A police alert about a fat lady in a blue Caddie towing a water bike prompts Pearl to get contact her lesbian cousin,

Lenore (Kathy Bates of “Misery”), who helps them destroy the Caddie and the Jet Ski. The authorities aren’t as easily fooled as Tammy and Pearl’s cousin believe, and they disrupt Lenore’s Fourth of July party to arrest Tammy. Afterwards, considerably less colorful things occur.

McCarthy has been acting professionally since 1998. As Sookie St. James, she appeared in 153 episodes of the WB Network’s “The Gilmore Girls.” Nevertheless, she didn’t make an impression until she co-starred in the comedy “Bridesmaids.” Three triumphant comedies later, McCarthy is probably the only plus sized lady in Hollywood since Shelly Winters who could open a big screen release on the Fourth of July.

Produced for $20 million, “Tammy” has raked in almost triple its budget.

This 97-minute, R-rated, Warner Brothers release has coined over $60 million at the box office.

Sadly, despite several funny scenes, “Tammy” isn’t half as humorous as either ‘Identity Thief” or “The Heat.” Comparatively, McCarthy’s “Tammy”

character resembles the credit card hacker in “Identity Thief” more than her Boston cop in “The Heat.” Like “Tammy,” McCarthy’s “Identity Thief” character does time for her crimes, but she didn’t emerge as squeaky clean as Tammy. The worst thing Falcone and McCarthy do is rehab Tammy so she is no longer as colorful as she was when she was misbehaving. Worse, they add an obligatory romance between Tammy and Earl’s son that generates little chemistry. Aside from the riotously funny Falcone, Sarah Baker is amusing as the hot tub Topper Jack employee that Tammy eventually visits.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

BACKROAD ANTHEM JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

13

>>> T H E A T E R | A D A M M I LLE R

THEATRE TUSCALOOSA // NEW SEASON IS THEMED "TO LIFE"

Theatre Tuscaloosa announces its 2014-15 season lineup themed “To Life.”

“To Life” is the title of a song from Fiddler on the Roof, the summer musical for the upcoming season. Fiddler will wrap up the season that begins with Hands on a Hardbody, followed by Little Women in December and Wit in February 2015. The lineup also includes two special events outside of the mainstage programs: Page to Stage: Kate Campbell and Dr. Wayne Flynt; and the Shelton State production of Brigadoon.

“Our 2014-2015 season is a celebration of all the highs and lows, joys and sorrows, and inspirations and challenges that life brings to every one of us,” said Tina Turley, Executive Producer of Theatre Tuscaloosa. “We are thrilled to bring our audiences this diverse line-up of exciting shows.”

Hands on a Hardbody, written by Doug Wright with lyrics by Amanda Green and music by Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, is based on the documentary film of the same name. The musical takes place in Texas and tells the story of ten contestants in a radio contest who are competing for a “hardbody” truck: last one with a hand on the truck wins it.

Anastasio, of the band Phish, has put together a musical score with a mix of country, rock, bluegrass and gospel, with each song focusing on a specific character.

Turley will direct Hands on a Hardbody, which runs September 26-October 5, 2014. This will be the Alabama premiere of Hands on a Hardbody.

The holiday season will bring the classic, Little Women, written by Peter

14

JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

Clapham, based on the timeless novel

by Louisa May Alcott. This version of the play follows the novel, visualizing the story of the March sisters; Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy; their mother; and Laurie, the boy next door. The tale shows how the family celebrates joyous events, cries during heartache and loss, and manages day-today life, all while the girls’ father is away in the Civil War. Turley will also direct Little Women, which runs December 5-14, 2014.

Wit is the third show of the season, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Margaret Edson. The play takes place in the last few hours of the life of Dr. Vivian Bearing, an English professor, dying of ovarian cancer.

During these hours, Vivian, played by Theatre Tuscaloosa veteran Drew Baker, reflects on her life, largely using wit from the early 17th century English poet, John Donne. Edson used inspiration from her work experience in a hospital to write this real-life representation of the transformation of one woman as she finds new meaning in death, and life. Jeff Wilson will direct Wit, which runs February 20-March 1, 2015. Theatre Tuscaloosa will team up with the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation for the show.

Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Paul Looney, will wrap up the 2014-15 season. In this musical, Tevye struggles with instilling into his five daughters the

value of tradition. He must teach them the importance of their Jewish heritage while the Russian culture and government are growing increasingly anti-Semitic. For 10 years, Fiddler held the record for Longest Running Broadway Musical after it opened in 1964. The book by Joseph Stein is based on tales by Sholem Aleichem. For the on-stage production, Jerry Bock wrote the music with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.

The musical runs July 10-19 of next year.

The 2014-2015 season will contain two special events. The first is Page to Stage: Kate Campbell & Dr. Wayne Flynt.

This event is a collaborative exchange of songs, stories, and readings between acclaimed singer-songwriter Kate Campbell and award-winning author/historian Dr. Wayne Flynt. Campbell’s literate songs weave effortlessly with Flynt’s chosen passages from some of the South’s most noted authors. This presentation by Alabama artists will have two performances only, on January 16 and 17, 2015.

The other season addition is the Shelton State production of Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon, directed by Michael Carr with Glinda Blackshear as musical director. From the writers of My Fair Lady and Camelot, Brigadoon tells the story of two men who stumble upon a mysterious Scottish village that only appears once every 100 years. The tourists get to take part in the local festivities while getting to know the villagers and learning about

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the mystery surrounding the village of Brigadoon.

Presented by the Shelton State Fine Arts Division, Brigadoon will run April 2326, 2015.

Season tickets are currently on sale for the 2014-15 season. A subscription includes a ticket to each of the mainstage productions, with an offered discount on tickets to add-on special events. Patrons can choose either a traditional season subscription, in which they receive the same reserved seat on the same night for each production, or a flex subscription, which includes four vouchers redeemable in any order and combination. Patrons save 15% on ticket prices by purchasing a season subscription.

Subscribers also have the advantage of being able to exchange tickets to different performances or productions, a benefit not offered on individual-ticket purchases.

To purchase tickets or get more information, visit theatretusc.com or call the Theatre Tuscaloosa ticket office at 205.391.2277.

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

JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

15

>>> EVENTS CALENDAR |

T H E S O U T H E A S T ' S L A R GES T

NOTE: All events listed here have phone numbers in the 205 area code unless otherwise indicated.

THURSDAY, JULY 24

“Wash” Exhibit WHEN: 5 p.m.

WHERE: Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center PHONE: 758.5195 LINK: tuscarts.org DESCRIPTION: The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa presents the collaborative exhibit “Wash.” This installation features large format sculptures, digital imagery and music created by visual artist Jamey Grimes and composer Rick Snow in the Black Box Theatre. The Arts Council Gallery hours are 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. 4 p.m. on weekdays. Friday, July 25, is the final day of the exhibit.

UA Sculpture: Virginia Eckinger & Craig Wedderspoon WHEN: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: The University of Alabama Gallery PHONE: 758.5195 LINK: cac.tuscarts.org DESCRIPTION: The UA Gallery is hosting an exhibit of work by Craig Wedderspoon, Associate Professor of Sculpture at the University of Alabama, and Virginia Eckinger, who is currently opening a studio in Northport. Thursday, July 31, is the final day of the exhibit.

"Hairspray" WHEN: 7:30 pm COST: $22-$7 WHERE: Theatre Tuscaloosa PHONE: 391.2277 LINK: theatretusc.com DESCRIPTION: “It is a family-friendly musical piled bouffant high with laughter, romance, and deliriously tuneful songs.

It is 1962 in Baltimore, and the loveable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire--to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is trandformed from a social outcast to a sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network, all without denting her ‘do!”

Sunday, July 27, is the final performance.

Clay Days with Hayes Dobbins WHEN: 9 a.m.

COST: $95 WHERE: Kentuck’s Clay Place PHONE: 758.1257 LINK:kentuck.org DESCRIPTION: Children 9-12 are invited to learn basic hand building skills. Students will take home bug mugs, masks, leaf plates and bowls and face mugs.

SATURDAY, JULY 26

National Day of Dance WHEN: 10 a.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Northridge Center parking lot PHONE: N/A LINK: visittuscaloosa.com DESCRIPTION: Nigel from “So You Think You Can Dance” has declared July 26 National Day of Dance. Tuscaloosa’s Dance Initiative will host a free dance event that includes food and free giveaways.

16

JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

MONDAY, JULY 28

West Alabama Mountain Biking Association Weekly Beginner’s Ride WHEN: 5:45 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Monny Sokal Park PHONE: 562.3220 LINK: wambarides.org/ DESCRIPTION: Interested in mountain biking but don't know where to ride in Tuscaloosa? Come out to Sokal Park and join the beginners' group that ride out weekly on Monday evenings.

Estate Planning and Asset Planning Workshop WHEN: 4 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Red Oak Legal, PC PHONE: 764.1262 LINK: redoaklegalpc.com DESCRIPTION: Educational workshop presented by local attorneys Steve Wiggins and Raley Wiggins. The workshop covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting assets from creditors, bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care and Medicaid qualification. Those who wish to attend can register online or by phone.

TUESDAY, JULY 29

Woman2Woman Empowerment Volunteer Orientation and Info Meeting WHEN: 6p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Tuscaloosa Main Public Library PHONE: LINK: woman2womanempowerment.org Description: Woman2Woman Empowerment is a 501(c)3 service organization to ex offender and currently incarcerated women . We our participants by providing them with the knowledge, skills and training they will need in order to make a successful transition from a correctional facility to the rest of their lives.

Tuscaloosa EyeCare iLasik Seminar WHEN: 5 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Tuscaloosa EyeCare PHONE: 758.0242 CONTACT EMAIL: teyecare@eyecaretuscaloosa.com DESCRIPTION: The event will include two sessions with Lisa Williams from VisionAmerica. Refreshments will be included.

Beginner Throwing W/ Fred Mitchell WHEN: 4:30 p.m.

COST: $125 co-op member/$150 nonmember WHERE: The Kentuck Museum PHONE: 758.1257 LINK: kentuck.org DESCRIPTION: Students will have the opportunity to learn basic ceramic throwing skills by designing three basic shapes, which includes a bowl, cylinder and plate.

After creating these basic pieces, students will trim, decorate, and glaze their works leaving them with their own finished products to take home.

>>> PET PLANET | T H I S M O N T H ' S P E T S

TROY AND HANNAH // SMART CHOICES FOR A FUR-EVER HOME Meet Troy, a six-year-old male German Shepherd with a thick predominantly black coat and tan markings. He is a large dog, weighing 82 pounds, though he is a “gentle giant” who wants only to be loved. Troy is sweet and social and loves attention! He has only three full legs since one of his hind legs was partially amputated; the leg is fully-healed and his handicap does not stop him from getting around! Troy will require a fenced yard to allow plenty of room to run and get exercise, though he will want to be indoors with his new family and should not be an exclusively outside dog. He seems to do well with other dogs and should be fine with children 12 and older. Troy has started his crate training, is up to date on vet care, heartworm negative, neutered, micro chipped and on heartworm and flea/tick prevention. If you are interested in giving Troy the forever home he wants and deserves, visit the West Alabama Humane Society at www.humanesocietyofwa.org or call us at 554.0011. (Editor's note: German Shepherds are among the most intelligent dogs in the world and do best with experienced, intelligent, knowledgeable humans.)

Meet Hannah, a silver and charcoal marbled gray tabby female. Hannah is an older kitten at 9 months old. She can be a little shy at first, but she is a very sweet and mellow girl! She is a perfect companion kitty.

Hannah would do well with older children, but we are not sure how well she would adjust to a dog. Hannah is negative for FIV and FeLK, is current on her vaccinations and is spayed. If you are interested in giving Hannah the forever home she wants and deserves, visit the West Alabama Humane Society at www.humanesocietyofwa.org or call us at 554.0011.

VOLUNTEER 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.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

>>> E V E N T | STAFF R E PO R T

CHAMBER NAMES DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT // JOBS IN THE MAKING Before moving into the aforementioned role at BBA, Powe served as a project manager for minority and small business development for the organization.

Powe is a native of Birmingham and a two-time graduate of The University of Alabama, receiving a BA in Community Development and an MA in Communication Studies.

The list of honors and awards she has earned is impressive. Powe was named a USA Today All-American Team nominee, Second Runner-Up for the 2009 Miss Alabama Community Service Award, 2013 Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama Role Model Award and served as Miss Tuscaloosa 2007, among other honors.

Chamber President and CEO Jim Page said, “Ensuring that we have an adequately prepared workforce has become of critical importance to business and industry leaders throughout this entire region. It has long been a top priority for the Chamber’s Board of Directors, investors and local workforce development officials. The vision, experience and energy that LeNa` will bring to this effort on a full-time, daily basis will allow us to continue to put words into action.

We are very proud to add someone of her caliber to an already outstanding team of professionals.”

The mission of The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama is to provide the leadership, vision and catalyst for the advancement of the economic prosperity, business climate, and quality of life for the entire community. Learn more at www. tuscaloosachamber.com.

The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama has named LeNa` Powe as its Director of Workforce Development effective August 15, 2014. Powe will serve as The Chamber’s primary liaison to the Region 3 Workforce Development Council and West Alabama Works, for which the Chamber now serves as both managing and fiscal agent. She will provide a central point of contact for any private or public entity seeking information and assistance with workforce training in the seven-county region. Powe will be responsible for building alliances and coordinating with local training providers, employment agencies, Chambers of Commerce, IDBs/IDAs, education officials and elected leaders.

Powe brings strong leadership and experience in workforce development, education and public policy to the Chamber. She most recently worked for the Birmingham City Council as a community liaison and external community affairs representative. In that role, Powe helped launch the Birmingham Live campaign to increase workforce development partnerships and opportunities in the City of Birmingham.

Prior to this, she worked for the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) as an education and workforce development project manager where she was responsible for marketing and managing signature workforce events, had oversight of workforce and student recruitment efforts, and coordinated educational outreach initiatives and partnerships. She also developed the Talent Recruitment Newsletter and managed the Talent Recruitment Project, as well as supported several workforce development projects under BBA’s Jimmy Welborn, "Mr. Piggly Wiggly" Blueprint Birmingham strategic plan.

>>> EVENTS CALENDAR |

THURSDAY, JULY 31

North River Canoeing WHEN: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

COST: $25 WHERE: Smith Hall CONTACT: The Alabama Museum of Natural History, museum.programs@ ua.edu, (205) 348-7550, DESCRIPTION: Come spend a lazy day canoeing down North River and enjoying the sights on our great lake. Enjoy a picnic  lunch on Treasure Island and escape the hot summer sun in beautiful Lake Tuscaloosa! Swimmers only, please. Age 10 and up. Children under 12 may come accompanied with an adult.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

2014 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday begins.

WHEN: Beginning at 12:01 a.m. and ending at twelve midnight on Sunday August 3, 2014.

DESCRIPTION: Alabama will hold its 8th annual sales tax holiday giving shoppers in Tuscaloosa County the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers and clothing free of state and local sales tax. Not all cities participate but Tuscaloosa and Northport do. Be sure to shop local!

LINK: For more info, including a list of approved items. www.revenue.alabama.gov/ salestax/SalesTaxHol

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2

Book ‘Em WHEN: 11 a.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Northport Civic Center PHONE: LINK: DESCRIPTION: This is the first-ever book event in West Alabama where the community can join authors and book lovers of all genres for addresses, panel discussions and readings. The event will celebrate writing, honor book culture, and promote reading and literacy. Also addressed will be the practical concerns of getting published.

Glaze Lecture and Workshop WHEN: 1 p.m.

COST: -$15 student -$10 co-op member -$20 non-member WHERE: Kentuck’s Clay Place PHONE: 758.1257 LINK:kentuck.org DESCRIPTION: This lecture class and workshop will cover basic glazing techniques while focusing on understanding glazing materials. Students will discuss formulation and application of glaze materials. We will demystify the art of glazing by giving students more confidence in their own abilities.

Vendors Affair Expo WHEN: 10 a.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Snow Hinton Park PHONE: 233.7000 LINK: http://eventful.com DESCRIPTION: The Vendor Affair Expo

T H E S O U T H E A S T ' S L A R GES T

was designed to assist local business owners with promoting their business, marketing their products and tapping into unknown markets of consumers.

Tuscaloosa’s Largest Indoor Flea Market WHEN: 8:15 a.m.

COST: $2 WHERE: Bryant Conference Center PHONE: 310.3810 CONTACT EMAIL: capstonefleamarket@ gmail.com DESCRIPTION: Children 12 and under can get in for free. If you are interested in renting a booth, the charge is $40.00.

MONDAY, AUGUST 4

West Alabama Mountain Biking Association Weekly Beginner’s Ride WHEN: 5:45 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Monny Sokal Park PHONE: 562.3220 LINK: wambarides.org DESCRIPTION: Interested in mountain biking but don't know where to ride in Tuscaloosa? Come out to Sokal Park and join the beginners' group that ride out weekly on Monday evenings.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5

TPL Monthly Book Discussion WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Tuscaloosa Public Library.

Brown Branch PHONE: 391.9989 LINK: Tuscaloosa-library.org DESCRIPTION: The Tuscaloosa Public Library will discuss Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s by John Elder Robison

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 Kentuck Art Night WHEN: 5 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: 503 Main Avenue PHONE: 758.1257 LINK: kentuck.org

PUBLICIZE YOUR EVENT. CONTACT

planeteditor@yahoo.com

Streaming Video Now Available From TPL

Watch videos from the Tuscaloosa Public Library anytime, anywhere!

Streaming video is now available to enjoy from the library's website. This new service, powered by OverDrive, is free for users with a TPL library card. Visit digitallibrary.tuscaloosa-library.org to browse for eBooks and digital audiobooks in addition to streaming video.

The growing catalog of digital feature films, documentaries, educational, children's favorites and more can be viewed on most mobile and desktop devices.

No late fees!

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

17

>>> ROAD TRIP | SOUT H E AST E R N CONC E R TS AN D E V E NTS

PAULA POUNDSTONE // ATLANTA // JULY 25

ROYAL HORSES // HUNTSVILLE // JULY 27

THE MILLBURNS // NEW ORLEANS // JULY 31 PHISH // OAK MOUNTAIN // AUGUST 2

saturday, JULY 26

THURSDAY, July 24

BIRMINGHAM Songs of Water, WorkPlay Theatre 17th Floor, Zydeco

BIRMINGHAM Luke Bryan, Oak Mountain Amphitheatre Heat Wave, Zydeco Claude Stuart, Comedy Club Stardome Splendid Chaos, Iron Horse Café

MONTGOMERY Diamond Rio, Alexander City Sportsplex Rumor Mill, Blue Iguana Dead Horse, The Sandbar

HUNTSVILLE Heather Luttrell, Humphrey’s

HUNTSVILLE Brian Ashley Jones, Fast Jacks Bar and Grill Marge Loveday, The Loose Goose Saloon

MONTGOMERY Tony Brook, Cigar and Fine Spirits Bar ATLANTA Vans Warped Tour, Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood 311, Tabernacle

ATLANTA OAR and Phillip Phillips, Chastain Park Amphitheatre Michael Bolton, The Gathering Place Gov’t Mule, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park

NASHVILLE ZOOGMA, Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom

FRIDAY, JULY 25

BIRMINGHAM The Park Band, Zydeco Triple Dippers South American Tour, Bottletree Café HUNTSVILLE Jonathan Laird, Below the Radar Ned Van Go, Coppertop Pioneer Chick’n Stand, The Brick Deli and Tavern

SUNDAY, JULY 27

HUNTSVILLE Gala of Royal Horses, Von Braun Concert Hall BIRMINGHAM Steely Dan Jamalot, BJCC NEW ORLEANS MKTO, House of Blues Wynton Marsalis, Saenger Theater

MONTGOMERY The Gillis Silo, War Eagle Supper Club Miss Used, Blue Iguana Them Vibes, Alley Bar

NASHVILLE Us the Duo, Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom

NASHVILLE Ray LaMontagne, Mansion at Fontanel Lisa Lampanelli, TPAC-Andrew Jackson Theater Carrie Underwood, Grand Ole Opry House Bob Schneider, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill The Crystal Method, Anthem

NEW ORLEANS The Panorama Jazz Band, Gasa Gasa

ATLANTA Luke Bryan, Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood Avett Brothers w/ Emmylou Harris, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park Paula Poundstone, Variety Playhouse Black Label Society, Center Stage NEW ORLEANS American Idol Live, Saenger Theater Bricks in the Wall, House of Blues Quincy Mumford, Howlin’ Wolf

MONDAY, JULY 28

BIRMINGHAM He is Legend, Zydeco

TUESDAY, JULY 29

BIRMINGHAM Hard Working Americans, Iron City Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes, Zydeco ATLANTA John Legend, Chastain Park Amphitheatre NASHVILLE Jurassic 5, Marathon Music Works Cumberland Blue, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30

ATLANTA Fall Out Boy and Paramore, Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood Yes, Symphony Hall Atlanta

NASHVILLE Sara Bareilles, Mansion at Fontanel Altan, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill NEW ORLEANS Jet Lounge, House of Blues

THURSDAY, JULY 31

NASHVILLE Ricky Skaggs, Ryman Auditorium NEW ORLEANS The Millburns, Gasa Gasa

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

HUNTSVILLE Rick and Bubba, Von Braun Concert Hall Kozmic Mama, The Station Bar and Grill

JAMES TAYLOR // ATLANTA // AUGUST 5

ATLANTA Gavin DeGraw, Atlanta Botanical Garden NASHVILLE Every Mother’s Nightmare, Exit In NEW ORLEANS Jesse McCartney, House of Blues Grieves w/ SonReal, One Eyed Jacks

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2

NASHVILLE Michael Franti and Spearhead, Mansion at Fontanel Mint Condition, Riverfront Park ATLANTA Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Blues Traveler, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park Passenger, The Buckhead Theatre BIRMINGHAM Phish, Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3

NEW ORLEANS Justin Timberlake, New Orleans Arena

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5

BIRMINGHAM Hank III, Zydeco

ATLANTA James Taylor, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park Mayhem Festival, Aaron’s Ampitheatre at Lakewood

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6

HUNTSVILLE Black Stone Cherry, Sammy T’s Music Hall NEW ORLEANS Frankie Valli, Saenger Theater

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7

NASHVILLE Miley Cyrus and Lily Allen, Bridgestone Arena

HAVE YOUR VENUE AND EVENTS LISTED HERE FREE. PLEASE EMAIL PLANETEDITOR@YAHOO.COM

>>> 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

Moe’s Original BBQ 6423 Park Dr 251.625.7427

Amphitheater at the Wharf 23101 Canal Rd 251.224.1020

The Hangout 251.948.3030 thehangout1.com

Bridgestone Arena 501 Broadway 615.770.2000

Marathon Music Works 1402 Clinton St 615.891.1781

Montgomery Performing Arts Center 201 Tallapoosa St 334.481.5100

Centennial Olympic Park 265 Park Ave W NW 404.223.4412

Minglewood Hall 1555 Madison Ave 901.312.6058

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205.324.1911 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 2200 Encore Pkwy 404.733.5010 Von Braun Center 700 Monroe St SW 256.551.2345

The Nick 2514 10th Ave S 205.252.3831

WorkPlay 500 23rd St S 205.380.4082

Sloss Furnaces 20 32nd St N

Zydeco 2001 15th Ave S 205.933.1032

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

TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT ISSUE.

WRITERS WANTED CONTACT PLANETEDITOR@YAHOO.COM

>>> LOCAL MUSIC | WHO'S PLAYING AROUND TOWN

URI // COPPER TOP

MOJO TRIO // RHYTHM & BREWS

// JULY 25

THURSDAY JULY 24

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2

// JULY 26

CASEY THRASHER // ROUNDERS

Buck Wild, Rhythm & Brews Motherfunk, Rounders Freshwater Duo , Copper Top Pen Pals, Green Bar

90 Proof, Copper Top

LORDY,

FRIDAY, JULY 25

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8

Who Shot Lizzy, Mike's Place

LORDY,

Uri, Copper Top Matt Bennett Band, Rounders Farmers Daughter, Rhythm & Brews Drowning Olsyn and Songs of Water, Green Bar

// AUGUST 1

WE JUST TURNED 40!

SATURDAY, JULY 26

Please join us during the remainder of July for pink lemonade, cookies, and conversation. Thousands of paperbacks in gently used condition. We're the place to come to for great summertime reading. We are located in the Parkview Shopping Center.

Randy Livingston & The Jazz Seekers, Green Bar Tequila Mockingbird, Copper Top Mojo Trio, Rhythm & Brews

TUESDAY, JULY 29

Plato Jones, Copper Top

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30

Ladies Night W/ DJ ProtoJ Rhythm & Brews Open mic w/Ham Bagby, Green Bar Kandy, Copper Top

THURSDAY, JULY 31

The Old Paints, Green Bar Nick and Charlie, Copper Top Snazz, Rhythm & Brews

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

The doctors and lawyers, Copper Top Casey Thrasher, Rounders

HAVE YOUR LOCAL MUSIC EVENT LISTED FREE. PLEASE EMAIL PLANETEDITOR@YAHOO.COM

>>> LO C A L B A R S 4th & 23rd

Buffalo Wild Wings // 523-0273

Gallettes // 758-2010

Jackie's Lounge // 758-9179

Rhythm & Brews // 750-2992

1831 // 331-4632

Capones // 248-0255

Gnemis Top Shelf Tavern // 343-0020

The Jupiter // 248-6611

Rounders // 345-4848

Alcove // 469-9110

Carpe Vino // 366-8444

Grey Lady // 469-9521

The Legacy // 345-4848

Bear Trap // 345-2766

Catch 22 // 344-9347

Harry's Bar // 331-4151

Mellow Mushroom // 758-0112

Big Al's // 759-9180

Copper Top // 343-6867

Houndstooth // 752-8444

Mike's Place // 764-0185

The Booth // 764-0557

Downtown Pub // 750-0008

Innisfree // 345-1199

Mugshots // 391-0572

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

JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

19

>>> O P I N I O N | S T E P H E N S M I T H

GOLD VS. CRYSTAL // DID THE COMMITTEE MAKE A RARE MISS? look like the BBVA Compass Bowl Trophy.

A new chapter may call for bigger dreams, but the quality shouldn’t be diminished. The NCAA was shooting for a trophy that holds football standards with a sleek design. The coaches’ trophy had it. With its football-shaped prism, the coaches’ trophy weighed 45 pounds and was 34 inches tall. It was created at Waterford Crystal (Waterford, Ireland) and took nearly three months to complete.

People were raised on tradition and the crystal ball exuded the tradition of greatness. From Alabama to Florida State, fans of power-five conference schools witnessed their program kiss the crystal ball in excitement. As we enter a new era, let’s look back on the programs that captured a crystal ball in BCS era.

Bowl Coalition // National Championship Teams 1992: Alabama Crimson Tide 1993: Florida State Seminoles 1994: Nebraska Cornhuskers Bowl Alliance // National Championship Teams 1995: Nebraska Cornhuskers 1996: Florida Gators

Since 1992, a crystal ball served as a reflection of the passion and affection of college football. It represented class, elegance and the mark of a champion.

Twenty-two programs hoisted a coveted crystal ball during the era of the Bowl Championship Series (1998-13) and its predecessors, Bowl Coalition (1992-94) and Bowl Alliance (1995-97).

Change is good, but should we leave tradition behind? 2014 unveils more than a new playoff system; it also reveals the award given to a new champion. The successor to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Trophy will be the College Football Playoff Trophy.

20

JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

According to SB Nation, the playoff trophy was created by Pentagram, a noted international design consultancy.

The trophy was then commissioned and handcrafted by Polich Tallix in Rock Tavern, New York. The design of the trophy includes a focused football at the center of the base that rises to form an actual-size ball.

The playoff’s trophy weighs approximately 65 pounds and was made from 24-karat gold, bronze and stainless steel.

Despite its Internet buzz, the college football playoff trophy resembles a regular bowl game trophy. If one was to remove its golden feature, the playoff trophy would

1997: Michigan Wolverines Bowl Championship Series // National Championship Teams 1998: Tennessee Volunteers 1999: Florida State Seminoles 2000: Oklahoma Sooners 2001: Miami Hurricanes 2002: Ohio State Buckeyes 2003: LSU Tigers/USC Trojans (Split) 2004: USC Trojans (AP Champion) 2005: Texas Longhorns 2006: Florida Gators 2007: LSU Tigers 2008: Florida Gators 2009: Alabama Crimson Tide 2010: Auburn Tigers 2011: Alabama Crimson Tide 2012: Alabama Crimson Tide 2013: Florida State Seminoles Who knows what the future holds?

The new playoffs trophy could be a good investment, yet it will be difficult for fans to get acquainted with not seeing a crystal ball. Seasons change and time moves forward, but did the committee err on the trophy?

Cory Whitsett

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

>>> HIGH TIDE | G A R Y H A R R I S / W V U A S P O R T S D I R E C T O R

SEC MEDIA DAYS // SABAN SOUNDS OFF // "WE WANT TO RE-ESTABLISH OUR IDENTITY" SEC TEAMS SHOULD PLAY "I know that everybody thinks I'm crazy, but I think that, you know, every player that comes to an SEC school should play every team in the SEC, which means you have to play two or three teams on the other side. People should make those decisions beyond us. They should do it based on what is in the best interest of our league and college football in general."

Dallas Warmack

Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban weighed in on numerous topics at the recent SEC Media Days in Hoover.

ON REPORTS HE ALMOST LEFT FOR A $100 MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT AT TEXAS "I didn't have any conversations with Texas, and nobody offered me anything.

This is the station in my life… where I want to establish one great program. I'm very happy at Alabama. Miss Terry is very happy here. We enjoy the challenges here, and this is where we plan to end our career."

ON THE 2014 ALABAMA SQUAD "Our situation as a team is a bit different than when we were coming off two championship seasons. Having come off two losses to end the season, you need to check your ego at the door. That's everybody in our organization who needs to trust in our ability to be successful, and have the willingness as a family and a group to help each other so we have the opportunity to improve. It's about buying in. "…We're basically an unproven team.

We have a lot of question marks, like quarterback.

We have a transfer player (Jacob Coker), and we have a player in Blake Sims who's a little bit different kind of quarterback. "…I think every quarterback has to go through a process. There are three critical factors.

Decision making and judgment are critical.

Accuracy with the ball is critical. And leadership is a critical factor. "…Jake Coker has

the opportunity to come in and compete.

Blake Sims has already been competing.

The development of that position is going to be critical to the success of our team."

ON LANE KIFFIN "The players have responded to him very well. New energy, new enthusiasm, new ideas to do some things offensively that would enhance our chances of being successful. I'm really excited to have the opportunity to work with him. "…I think all of us would be remiss, I was a head coach once and went back and worked as an assistant, and that's a difficult transition for anybody. I think Lane has certainly handled that very, very well."

ON DISCIPLINE VS PUNISHMENT "Discipline is not punishment. Punishment is only effective when it can help change somebody's behavior.

"Now, when somebody proves they can't be part of an organization, then sometimes you got to get the wrong people off the bus… but I just want you all to know that we all have to be committed to trying to help our young people from a culture standpoint have a better chance to be successful in their life. That's something that we're very much committed to and really is the reason that we coach 'cause that's the part that I like the best. It gives me the most positive self-gratification to see somebody have a chance to be successful."

ON PLAYERS HE HAS DISMISSED "I want you to know that there's not one player, not one player, since I've been a head coach that I kicked off the team that ever went anywhere and amounted to anything and accomplished anything, playing or academically. All right? That's not always the answer. Discipline is not punishment. Punishment is only effective when it can help change somebody's behavior."

ON HOW HE HAS CHANGED AS A COACH "As a coach we learn things all the time, from other people, from being a good listener, adapting to technology, I don't think the core values of what is important to be successful have changed at all."

ON BEING A NEW GRANDFATHER "I've only made a few mistakes in terms of being a grandfather to this point.

That's after so many times of as soon as the baby makes a peep, seeing somebody run to pick her up, you say, She'll be fine, just let her cry. That was a mistake now.

That was a huge mistake."

ON THE VALUE OF AN EXPERIENCED STAFF "The more experience that your staff has, obviously I think the better they understand the big picture and have the kind of foresight that you need to have that you know when you make changes, what the cause and effect of those changes are going to be."

ON HOW MANY CONFERENCE GAMES

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

21

>>> ADVICE | J U S T A S K

>>> T H E F L AT S C R E E N | C A R A B R A K E

SIMONE says... it is important to be financially successful, and while I certainly want to experience security and independence, I’m struggling to know what I value and what difference any of it makes in the current state of the world.

Signed, All grown up

Q: Simone, I’m a twenty-nine (thirty in fortyfive days) year-old woman with a dilemma, one faced by too many females. I have dated my boyfriend for three years (he is two years younger). About six months ago he bought a house, and I moved in with him, at his request. We’ve been in love for a long time, have much in common and enjoy our time together, but evolvement of the relationship has stagnated. I want a commitment and to start a family. He dances all around that subject. Last week we had big fight over this (not our first). I don’t know what I should do. If I break up with him — because I want more NOW and he doesn’t — and then don’t find anyone else, what I have I accomplished? I’ll be in the same place but ALONE. Help.

Signed, “Between a rock and a hard place” A: Dear “Between...,” You are facing a difficult challenge.

You have a deep bond with a long-term boyfriend with whom you have much in common. But it has reached a point where what each of you wants from here on out seems to be different. If you leave the relationship, you go through pain and loss and face being single again. If you stay, nothing changes (in the short-term), but you give up the chance to find someone who is looking for the same things as you, a life partner.

Having the confidence to determine where we are and what WE want in our individual lives, and then act on that awareness, takes a leap of faith — faith that when we close one door, another eventually opens. I would never presume to tell you what you “should” do in your relationship.

But I do encourage you to honor your heart, your intuition, your desires. If the actions of your boyfriend don’t match the desires of your heart, your intuition is directing to right action. May you have the wisdom to recognize your intuition talking, the faith to follow its lead and honor your heart, and the courage to act accordingly. You deserve no less.

Signed, Simone Q: I’m a twenty-two-year-old guy who just finished my bachelor’s degree in English.

I’m trying to determine what is next. And while this could be a time of excitement, anticipation and planning, I’m feeling weighted down with doubt and disillusionment. I’m considering a master’s in creative writing or maybe attending film school, but which career path to choose isn’t my problem. My doubt and disillusionment, which sometimes morph into feelings of depression, are related to the state of this crazy, war-torn, politically dishonest and materialistically skewed world I’m walking into. In my family

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JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

A: Dear All grown up, Seems as if you have a creative career path ahead. Congratulations. It is hard to deny that there is much out of order in the world in which we live. Greed, cruelty and corruption abound. But there is always so much beauty to see and experience.

Embrace your current feelings of doubt as part of a process through which you are going in order to do the very thing you addressed: distill your values and incorporate them into your chosen career. Perhaps your work will contribute to the discussion and exploration of the role these very values have in determining the quality of life, not just for yourself but for the world at large. When one engages with others with honesty, respect, compassion and integrity, no matter how casual or brief the encounter, all are lifted up in the process.

If your “depression,” as you defined it, is not fleeting and is actually interfering with your ability to function, please talk to a trusted other or a professional counselor. Then determine how your positive values can be incorporated into your life goals and actions through your work and your being in this sometimes chaotic and disordered world.

We all need your positive participation.

Signed, Simone Simone, a pseudonym, is a a clinical social worker licensed to practice in Alabama. If you have a problem for Simone, email planeteditor@yahoo.com, subject: Simone. Your query will be confidential.

“Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi ~

"HALT AND CATCH FIRE" // AMC IS BACK FROM THE DEAD

Most of us now have a "default" form of communicating — the "smartphone." It’s also in every movie, show, and web series that needs a cell phone. The smartphone is a way of life for us today — and in TV shows. Likewise, laptops are everywhere as well.

So what happens when a show comes along that pre-dates the iPhone, or even the first laptop, and the race to come up with the latest technology had just begun, and the competition turns dangerous?

“Halt and Catch Fire” is about three partners at the height of the technological age-right after IBM has the technology world in their pocket with the release of the IBM PC. Former IBM executive Joe MacMillan (Lee Pace) forces his new company into the personal computer race, along with engineer Gordon Clark (Scoot McNairy) and technological prodigy Cameron Howe (Mackenzie Davis). Each of MacMillan’s partners has something to lose-Clark’s marriage is on the rocks after a failed attempt and a new invention, and Howe’s career could end before it begins, destroying her chance at a future. Yet they ask themselves, is it worth it?

Though in only the seventh episode of it’s first season, the show has already caught the attention of entertainment websites and has brought AMC back from the dead after their glory days of “Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men”. The Hollywood Reporter calls it, “...a triumphant pilot with excellent writing, impressive acting and a noteworthy cinematic visual style.”

While Rolling Stone hasn’t caught on to the 80’s era frenzy quite yet, the website promises that “...the likelihood that Halt will show us something we haven't seen before is growing.”

Another special aspect of the show is Lee Pace’s return to television since “Pushing Daisies” was cancelled in 2009. Pace has filled his time with the big named “Lord of the Rings” series, making his debut as Thranduil, Legolas’ father in The Hobbit. His biggest name television performance was introverted pie maker Ned on “Pushing Daisies”, but he has big projects on the way. He scored roles in movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy (Ronan the Accuser), a currently untitled Lance Armstrong biopic, and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (Thranduil). Scoot McNairy isn’t exactly a big name, but he will be with the newest DC Universe movie coming out in 2016, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”.

He was also featured in the popular drama “12 Years a Slave”, and in “Argo”. Mackenzie Davis doesn’t have that many credits under her belt, but one would not be able to tell from her performance in “Half and Catch Fire”. Her most recent movie is That Awkward Moment.

The interesting plot and even more interesting characters show “Halt and Catch Fire” to be a promising television show with characters one could easily fall in love withor hate. The show is on episode 8 and airs on Sundays at 10/9 central on AMC. Warning for mild language and sexual content.

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

>>> HOROSCOPES |

w e e k l y ov e rvi e w

>>> PUZZLEMAniA |

Sudoku

There's an accent on communication, although a cautious approach might best on Tuesday, when edgy influences could encourage arguments. If you want to stay friends with someone, it's best not to rock the boat. However, Thursday can be excellent for detailed work, planning, and organization. You can make great strides if you put your mind to it. Relationships could become a lot more passionate when Mars jogs into Scorpio on Friday. However, control battles might also be a problem unless you work to keep the peace.

The Sun joins Jupiter in Leo on Tuesday, spotlighting communication and interaction. This can be a great time to showcase your abilities or advertise your goods and services. However, you could also make a lot of money promoting and selling other people's products. The movement of Mars into Scorpio on Friday enlivens your zone of work and health. If you've been feeling under the weather, you might want to consider a short detox as a way to cleanse and refresh your body.

Finances look set to improve with Jupiter now in your money sector, and this week's move of the Sun into Leo adds emphasis to this area. Opportunities to increase your earnings may become more plentiful, especially if you're willing to work hard to find them.

This is a time when the more effort you put in, the more you'll get out. The move of Mars into Scorpio brings passion to your romance sector. If you're a writer or artist, your creations may have a rich, deep intensity.

With Jupiter now boosting your energy and enlivening your creativity, you're truly in your element. Hang on to your hat, as the next twelve months may be a real roller-coaster ride. You'll be a beacon of warmth and natural charisma as the Sun eases into your sign on Tuesday. Yet home and family matters may be stirred up when Mars moves into Scorpio on Friday, with a focus on transformation in this area. The New Moon in your sign on Saturday is perfect for making a fresh start.

A powerful focus on your spiritual sector shows up as the Sun joins Jupiter in Leo. You're in a natural phase when exploring your dreams, paying attention to your intuitive impulses, and becoming acquainted with your deeper purpose is very much in the fore. As a result, you may want to take time out to reflect, meditate, and tune in. However, you'll also be diving in deep as Mars moves into your communication sector. With detective-like ferocity, you may leave no stone unturned in your quest for knowledge.

The "fun meter" is set on high, with a delightful focus on dating, socializing, and romance. You'll be in your element when the Sun joins Jupiter, organizing events, matchmaking, and generally bringing folks together. Thursday could be particularly delightful for romance or even a first date, as a warm and cozy atmosphere encourages intimacy. Financial matters get a lively bump as Mars enters Scorpio on Friday. Perhaps you'll be more determined to sort out debt - and increase your earnings while you're at it.

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 27

The spotlight beckons this week as the Sun joins Jupiter in Leo to make you the star of the show. Now more than ever it's time to prioritize your goals and focus on those that matter most. Success may become even more of a possibility as Mars moves into your sign on Friday. After what may have seemed like months of treading water, you'll be in the thick of the action. Along with this you'll be motivated to overcome challenges and explore new pathways to greater happiness.

New adventures open up for you as a focus on exploration coincides with a restless need to travel. You might also be motivated to study, perhaps to gain a certification, or try lecturing, teaching, or getting published. Yet deeper currents of energy might draw your attention to inner impulses and feelings or to events that may have caused trauma at one time or another. Mars moves into Scorpio, which indicates the weeks ahead may bring an opportunity for healing and rebirth.

The current lineup can be helpful if you're an entrepreneur or businessperson with ambition. As the Sun joins Jupiter in Leo and your zone of shared resources, your optimism and willingness to take risks may ratchet up a notch or two. Being practical and down to earth, it helps to make a plan before you get started. Your social life perks up as Mars moves into Scorpio, enlivening relationships with friends and associates and connecting you to people with power and influence.

You're in a phase when relationships are at an all-time high, especially since Jupiter moved into Leo. This week the Sun moves in, too, spotlighting interactions with others and bringing sunshine, warmth, and energy to business or romantic partnerships. Your social life may get busier and busier, which you might quite enjoy. However, career matters also get a boost as Mars moves into Scorpio on Friday. As it's here for a few months, the energy and determination to overcome challenges may be very pronounced.

A feeling of vitality and radiance could give you a boost that not only enhances energy levels but also gives you that feel-good factor. With Jupiter and the Sun in Leo it's very possible you'll get a promotion, if not now, then at some point in the future. Romantic opportunities may coincide with intense exchanges, where control battles and a desire for power could unleash sexual desire. You might be trying hard - and failing - to resist someone's advances. Passion may win out in the end.

This is a mixed week in which Uranus enters its retrograde phase, possibly bringing out the rebel in you. This, along with the Sun's move into Leo, encourages risk taking and a desire for adventure. However deeper currents show up as Mars moves into Scorpio on Friday. If financial matters have been rather slow to improve, progress can now be made. A strong determination to overcome challenges in this area will encourage you to put 100 percent into solving problems for good.

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JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

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>>> PUZZLEMANIA | C R O SS W O R D P U Z Z LE

>>> MUSIC | tr e y brook s

T-TOWN & iTUNES // AFTER THE LIVE PERFORMANCE

Across 1. Creator of Mammy Yokum 5. Parrot's cousin 10. Lessen 14. "__ se habla espanol" 15. Dry Spanish wine 16. Hour not found on a grandfather clock 17. Crackpot's output 19. Lawyers' degrees 20. __ hole in (corrodes) 21. Some batteries 23. Impresses 26. Playwright Sean 27. Acts silly 32. 'Now is the winter of __ discontent' (opening line of 'Richard I') 33. Tentacled sea creature 34. 1983 Barbra Streisand title role 38. __ - a - brac 40. Ice cream dispenser 42. Comedic actress Martha 43. Engendered 45. Authors Ferber and O'Brien 47. H&R Block hire 48. Mobile home 51. Oort cloud's composition 54. "I get it, stop nagging me!"

55. Make inroads 58. Rain clouds 62. Granular show 63. Edit 6. Genesis on 67. Olympic racers 68. Word with flower or show 69. ". __a man with seven wives" 70. Reviewer Roger 71. Caesar and Vicious, e.g.

Down 1. Walking stick 2. Pastel color 3. Golfer's tap

4. Log cutter 5. High-tech med. diagnostics 6. Pitch in for 7. Princetonian or Yalie 8. Unshut 9. "Til there __" 10. Deposed chief 11. Fives and tens 12. Seminary text 13. Cowardly person 18. Shows boredom 22. Manhattan educ. inst.

24. Law office titles: Abr. 25. Hollandaise and others 27. Cooperstown charter member 28. Entice, as into a trap 29. Not secondhand: Abr. 30. __ Oro, Western Sahara 31. Tooth prefix 35. Salt, chemically 36. Stereo ad-on 37. Jet-set jet 39. Rational 41. Place the car 44. Dog who followed the yellow brick road 46. River of Burgundy 49. Fit for service 50. 11th book of the Bible 51. Shelley tragedy (with "The") 52. When "S.N.L." ends in N.Y.C. 53. Surname of two Fleetwoed Mac members 56. Wood for Woods 57. More than large 59. XXiX x XXXVIII 60. Roadrunner, e.g.

61. Complaints 64. Always, to bards 65. Winter clock setting in S.F

SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMANIA CROSSWORD ON PAGE 27

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Every night in the bars and theaters of Tuscaloosa patrons can hear the sounds that define the musical landscape. Rock, folk, country, electronic and even hip hop permeates the air and electrifies the essence on University Blvd and Temerson Square.

While many groups make their living playing tried and true covers for wiling audiences, many others are making their marks with original music that has set the town abuzz with anticipation for new material. Whether it’s at Green Bar, The Jupiter, Rhythm and Brews or several other prime venues, the city is alive with original music being played live.

However, many people believe that once the show is over, you can’t hear this music again until the next gig in town, or Birmingham if you don’t mind the travel. For several groups, this could not be any further from the truth. Popular local groups have been recording material available for fans to take home with them, and keeping with the current times many of these recordings are available online. Many groups make their music available through streaming sites like Soundcloud. Others have put their music up for sale on the popular iTunes store. iTunes is by far the biggest vendor for online music. A product of the downloading boom of the last decade, iTunes has cornered the market and has been embraced by artists who once resisted the market shift from compact disks to digital downloads.

While iTunes is dominated by majorWidespread label artists,Panic the site has plenty to offer for independent artists, and the bands of Tuscaloosa have taken notice.

The Tuscaloosa connection to iTunes goes back deep into the last decade. Dead Man in Reno, a now defunct metal band, made their way into the online music store.

Their self-titled album is still available for download on the site. Another local legend The Dexateens are well represented on Apple’s music center. As of now their self-titled album, Red Dust Rising, Singlewide and Hardwire Healing are available for download.

Local guitar hero Ham Bagby sang “I Want to be in the Dexateens”, and you can get that song as well as the rest of his album Sh!T’s Crucial Is Track 7 on iTunes.

CBDB has been blowing up on the regional scene, playing gigs from Atlanta to Nashville. The “joyfunk” favorites gave the city of Tuscaloosa more representation on iTunes here recently. Fans can find their debut album phone.keys.wallet on the music site for download. Organic Androids have a unique mix of rock and hip hop that sets them apart from any other group in Tuscaloosa. Their self-titled EP is available on iTunes, though be careful when searching as there are other albums with that name.

Callooh! Callay! have also made a serious notch in the music scene of Tuscaloosa. On iTunes, listeners can buy their albums Sassprilluh Champagne and Talk as well as their “Wide Awake” single. iTunes is not the only place online where Tuscaloosa music fans can find their favorite local artists. The web is full of streaming sites that cater to independent artists.

Soundcloud, as mentioned above, is a good place to look for music streaming. Other artists offer downloads, free or not, from their band sites or label sites. However, iTunes is the elephant in the business, and having music available on this site can really expand the profile of an artist and lead to better sales.

However, downloading the album should never replace seeing the band live. The groups mentioned above cut their Dispatch teeth in the venues of Tuscaloosa, and the fans should continue to show up to the gigs and experience the music firsthand. But, when the band isn’t playing, having the album is the next best thing. Even more important, financially aiding these bands will help keep the scene alive and well, as well as encouraging new artists to present their music to willing audiences. So next time you’re looking for new music to download, keep your favorite local band in mind: their music might be easier to find than you think.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

@ Trey B r o o k s 8 8

>>> R O C K T R I B U T E | K E I T H LE N N O X

THE PIXIES // PERHAPS THE MOST UNDERRATED BAND OF AN ERA

A shame, really, that such talent, and a wonderfully unique band, never got their commercial dues. So, I’m afraid it must be enough to reflect on a band whose music shall remain, as all classic rock is, timeless.

The recent revival of the band with a tour and an album (Indie Cindy) released in April of this year, is not the salad days for the band by any means and the absence of Kim Deal only provides solid proof that, indeed, you can’t go back. But, given that, I can only hope that because

of this new album and tour, a whole new generation of listeners will be turned on to a band whose music will forever remain timeless and as fresh when you spin it tomorrow as it was all of those 25 years ago when they quietly appeared on the rock scene.

Thanks for allowing me to wax nostalgic on one of my favorite American bands.

The Pixies have given me so much enjoyment over these past years that I felt a certain need to pen a little something about them. As I take my leave, I am heading to the stereo to indulge in some of their music now, but where to start? I think I will begin at the beginning and see where it takes me.

Keith Lennox presides over www.Alllen-All.com. If you enjoy edgy and quirky, this is a good spot.

The Pixies, 1986

One very early morning seven or eight years ago, while desperately searching for something, anything to watch on TV on a particularly sleepless night, I stumbled across a movie on The Documentary Channel called loud QUIET loud: A Film About the Pixies. The Pixies?

Who the f**k are the Pixies? Can’t be that much special about them, me being a music fanatic to the nth degree and all... a music snob as I have been called by my nearest and dearest friend… one that prides himself on his knowledge of rock history and I’d never heard of them. Well, I was about to receive an education in how much I didn’t know, and although I was embarrassed by the fact that I had no idea about this band and had never heard them before, I knew after hearing the first 12 bars from the opening song in the movie that I was forever hooked….. head over heels crazy about a band that survived in relative obscurity for a half a dozen years.

Loud QUIET loud weaves the tale of a newly reunited alt rock band that tours the world after a very acrimonious split over a decade earlier. The unlikely surge in their popularity happened after Kurt Cobain, who along with his band Nirvana were at the peak of their game, was quoted in a Rolling Stone interview that when writing his mega hit, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," “I was trying to write the ultimate pop song.

I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies. I have to admit it, when I heard the Pixies for the first time, I connected with that band so heavily I should have been in that band — or at least in a Pixies cover band. We used their sense of dynamics, being soft and quiet and then loud and hard.” That was all it took. Pixies saw a resurgence in record sales immediately and band front man, Charles Thompson IV (aka Black Francis, Frank Black) summoned his former band mates about the possibility of reuniting for a tour. Plans exploded and in February 2004 the locations and dates of the upcoming tour were released to the public. What followed was a sell out of tickets at most locations within minutes. The band’s four-night run at London’s Brixton Academy was the fastest selling show in the venue’s 20 year history… no mean feat, considering previous acts included the likes of Eric Clapton,

The Clash, Iron Maiden, Madonna, Dire Straits, The Police… and on, and on it goes.

Immediately, and I do mean immediately, after watching the documentary I hopped on Amazon and ordered "Doolittle" and "Surfer Rosa" and then paced for the four days it took for them to arrive in the mail. When they did find their way into my sweaty little hands and I got to listen to them from star to finish, I realized that I had stumbled upon, what was perhaps, the happiest accident in all of my years of rock and roll fascination. I had found a band that not only was fine, but bordering on Utopian. I was blissfully gobsmacked by what I had just heard… I played them both again back to back…and once more.

Surely, this could not be. It is virtually impossible to find an album without a single bad-to-mediocre track on it — I had just listened to two flawless recordings — never seen (heard) anything like it before or since. And it doesn’t stop there; every song from "Caribou," the opening song off of the band’s first demo release, "Come on Pilgrim." to "Havalina," the last cut on their final album Trompe le Monde, there isn’t a single bad song…. not one that you feel inclined to hit the skip button on.

Quite staggering when you look at it from that angle.

In Boston, back in 1986, Charles sought out and got one of the best back up trios in the history of American rock.

Joey Santiago playing a guitar like it was a frail woman on one song and a chain saw the next. The ever-present and fastforward drumming of Dave Lovering never hiccups once — never. And certainly not least, the beguiling Kim Deal (who along with her twin sister Kelley formed the modestly successful band The Breeders) on bass guitar and backing vocals providing a beyond adequate backbeat and the voice of an angel sent to us straight from heaven. But, alas, as it happens more often than not, the band was not meant to last. Five years and four studio albums later the acrimony was too much to bear and the four went their separate ways.

They were not revered in North America but found a modicum of popularity in the UK with their albums cracking the top 10 while never seeing one break 70 here.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

The Pixies, 2014

JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

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>>> RED CLAY DIARY | J I M R EE D

THE ITSY BITSY RED CLAY SPIDER TAKES A SHOWER ON THE WEB

I groggily open the shower door as part of my zombie-esque morning routine, prepared to permit the Hot Water Spray Gods to blast me awake and drive my adrenalin rush. It’s the only way I can truly come alive each day.

But today is special. Even without my glasses, I can see that there is something different about the shower stall.

Just above eye level, right over the nickel plated controls, there rests a large, red-clay-hued wiggling spider.

Thus, I am frozen in the metal pedestrian-sign pose of a man who has just heard an alarm go off.

Suddenly, all the moral and philosophical arguments of the ages rush together in my mind, and I am conflicted for a moment.

Is this a poisonous spider? I have no idea. If not poisonous, does this spider bite anyhow? Even if it is not poisonous or bitey, do I want to trust it not to leap upon my face while showering?

I have trouble killing anything at all, much less minuscule critters who are more pesky than dangerous. But I do know that if I don’t do something about this spider, Liz will be hysterical should it introduce itself later. I have to be The Man. Where are my weapons? Uh, I don’t own any because I never have the desire to weaponize anybody or anything. But basic instinct prevails. Hoping the spider won’t leap upon my naked body as I draw near, I grab a box of Kleenex and solidly WHOMP the intruder.

The tale is over. The spider is now in that big web site in the Cloud along with all the other spiders we humongous humans have dispatched over the centuries.

The murder is swift—but painless? The only way to know is to interview the spider, who is no longer in any condition to reply. Did I just set my Karma back a thousand years? Will all the insects I’ve encountered be waiting for me when I take my place beside them Up There?

I resolve to accept the fact that I am a serial killer. Won’t do me any good to continue the inner dialogue right now—there will be plenty of time to face things after something WHOMPS me down the road.

For now, I will merely take my shower, ask the spider for forgiveness, and go about the day with a touch more humility than is customary.

Now to get to work and face the REALLY dangerous realities, the ones you can’t solve with just one red clay WHOMP ©2014 by Jim Reed | jim@jimreedbooks.com

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>>> MUSIC | tr e y brook s

REST IN PEACE, JOHNNY WINTER

SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMAINIA SUDOKO PAGE 23

SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMAINIA CROSSWORD PAGE 24

@TreyBrooks88

July 16th brought America closer to the end of an era. As the years go on, the country loses more and more artists who forged one of the most influential genres of American popular music: blues. Born in the Deep South out of African-American folk music, blues crossed over to white mainstream society around the 1950’s and 1960’s, and became the basis for rock n’ roll, which would become the most revolutionary form of popular music in the history of recording. While many artists continue to be influenced by delta and Chicago blues, very few true blues artists remain. This past month, the world lost another when Johnny Winter passed away in St. Gallen, Switzerland. He was 70 years old.

Winter didn’t exactly fit the stereotype of an old blues artists. Not only was he white, he suffered from albinism. And his home of Beaumont, Texas was not like epicenters of New Orleans, Memphis and Chicago. His family included brother Edgar Winter, known for hard rock radio hits “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride” in the 1970’s. But Winter was raised to be a musician, and when he began listening to blues in his teen years he took to learning the art as if it were a more traditional discipline. He was a student of Muddy Waters, B. B. King and other masters from the late 50’s and soon began sitting in with local blues outfits.

After some minor recording success with several outfits in the late 60’s, Winter signed to Columbia Records after label representatives saw him perform at the famous Fillmore East in New York City. In 1969, he released his first album for Columbia and performed at the now legendary Woodstock festival. He also had a brief affair with singer Janis Joplin during this time, leading to a performance at Madison Square Garden featuring the two. Later in the 19070’s, he released albums with his band The McCoys (later billed as “Johnny Winter And”), which included future star guitarist Rick Derringer. Unfortunately, he also developed a severe heroin addiction during this time.

He recovered, but spent many years in frail health leading to his death.

Aside from his own recordings, Johnny Winter is important to the blues movement for helping modern critics and fans rediscover the masters of the past. In the late 1970’s, Winter began recording with blues legend Muddy Waters, one of his idols. The recordings gave Waters his greatest financial success, and brought traditional blues to audiences who were more familiar with derivative forms such as rock and soul. The albums also brought Winter his only Grammy wins of his long career. Winter would also raise the profiles of blues artists such as John Lee Hooker and B. B. King. In return, Winter became an icon to blues-influenced guitarists such as Warren Haynes, Eric Clapton and Billy Gibbons. His recordings also helped give rise to the southern rock genre, with groups like The Allman Brothers and CCR covering blues standards in their early records.

Winter’s health had been in decline for quite some time, but that did little to slow down his production. He continued to record and perform right up until his death. In fact, his last performance was on July 14th, just two days before he passed. He still has recordings that are yet to be released. It goes to show that this was man who lived the blues instead of just playing them. The recent revival of interest in vinyl and folk music will hopefully bring his music to an entirely new generation. Or maybe there is an artist out there who will do for Winter what he did for Muddy Waters and other blues legends.

Until then, we remember the man who kept the blues alive. RIP Johnny Winter.

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JULY 24 + AUGUST 7

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