Planet weekly 467

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

NEWS

FORMER GOV. JIM FOLSOM HEADLINES N'PORT CITIZEN DINNER Hole Sponsorships Offered for AAS Golf Tourney The four-man scramble is set for Sept.

11 at Ol Colony Golf Complex. A variety of sponsorships are available but the $150 hole sponsorship is an especially good and easy marketing opportunity! Get a sponsor form here. For more info, contact Loo Whitfield, mailto:loo@ tuscaloosachamber.comor or 391.0563.

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 633.0279 or 469.2410.

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Limited Rooms Still Available for Washington Fly-In 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. Join us Sept. 24-26! Email Stacey@tuscaloosachamber.com for details.

Sponsors this year are D.T. & Freight Co., Inc., Lewis, Smyth, Winter & Ford, Mercedes Benz, Merrill Lynch, Rosen Harwood, PA and TTL. Start Up Weekend Planned for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. Backed by Google and supported by your Chamber and other local entities, a Tuscaloosa event will be held Sept. 26-28 at the South Engineering

Research Complex on the UA Campus.

Visit tuscaloosa.startupweekend.org to register and learn more here.

Northport Citizen Dinner Tables Available, The Northport Citizen Dinner will be held on Oct. 9 at 7p.m. at Five Points Baptist Church with former Gov. Jim Folsom, Jr. serving as the guest speaker. Reserved tables of 8 are available for $275, which includes the company name on the program and table. Individual tickets are $25/person. This dinner will honor a citizen of Northport for their service, as well as individuals in categories such as religion, business, education and others.

Make your reservation for this event today and join us as we recognize outstanding citizens for their contributions. Contact Stacey Gann at mailto:stacey@tuscaloosachamber.comm or 391.0559.

Chamber Launching Innovative 4th Quarter Drive Program The Chamber is launching its inaugural 4th Quarter Drive program, under the leadership of Co-Chairs Dr. Judy Bonner

of The UA and Shane Spiller of Spiller Furniture & Mattress. This volunteerdriven initiative will give our members the opportunity to market their businesses by purchasing sponsorships of 2015 Chamber events and programs. This exciting 8-week effort kicks off on Sept. 17 and runs through mid-Nov. with two simple goals: helping local businesses market products and services while also helping support our mission of providing topquality events and programs. Teams are currently forming for the Drive. Contact Kimberly Adams at 391-0327 for details.

Got Jobs?

As a Chamber member, you have the ability to post your company's job openings on our website. We're proud to offer this as a benefit and hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to promote your business. Please visit our website to post a job or contact LeNa` Powe, Director of Workforce Development at LeNa@ tuscaloosachamber.com or 205-391-0331 for more info.

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

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inside

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STORIES 4 ALABAMA'S SCHOOL SYSTEM // WILLIAM BARSHOP Ranked 3rd from lowest, but there's some hope

HIGH TIDE SPORTS 21 SABAN // "I LIKE OUR TEAM'S ATTITUDE"

By Gary Harris

5 VAPE COMESTO NORTHPORT // JUDAH MARTIN Kick the cigarette habit

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

ADVERTISING 205.792.7 239 205.765- 8007

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS R E G G I E ALL E N W ILLIAM B A R S H OP c a r a br a ke T R E Y B R OO K S ALY X C H AN D L E R R AC H E L D O B SON G A R Y H A R R IS CINDY HUGGINS KEVIN LEDGEWOOD J U D A H MA R TIN L E SLI E POSS JIM REED BRETT REID j o n r o ger s VAN R O B E R TS STEPHEN SMITH

IMAGES Creative Common License unless otherwise credited.

Cover Image: UA Athletic Photography 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 |

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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.

6 DEMAND FOR AUTOMOTIVE WORKERS // CHAMBER Nine companies seeking candidates

8 HEADBANGERS HAIR SHOW // REGGIE ALLEN It's more than hair styles

20 TOP 5 TOUGHEST GAMES FOR 2014 // STEPHEN SMITH Interesting take on the season's future this year

22 WHATCHA WATCHIN'? // CARA BRAKE Random reviews from our readers

27 LOCKN' MUSIC FESTIVAL //

UA Athletic Photography

TREY BROOKS

Reimagining a music festival

Champions of new music

entertainment 10-12 13

FEATURE 26 THE AMERICAN STRING QUARTET //

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

under the cover >>> VISIT US ON THE WEB @ THEPLANETWEEKLY.COM

SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

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>>> I S S U E S | W I L L I A M B A R S H O P

ALABAMA SCHOOL SYSTEM RANKED LOW // BUDGET STILL CONTESTED // THERE'S HOPE of the curve, but the state has fewer incidents of bullying with an overall rank of 12 and a rank of 7 for cyberbullying.

A labama schools are far from having a good reputation. While the South has been stereotyped as uneducated for generations, the teachers and students of Alabama in particular have been permanent fixtures in the narrative of Bible belt poverty. A recent study by WalletHub piles more evidence against Alabama, ranking the state’s school system as third worst in the country.

WalletHub is a leading personal finance network that aims to provide

Richie Bernardo

up-to-date information to consumers and small businesses.

The study, conducted by Richie Bernardo, aims to measure a student’s chance at academic success in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, using metrics like test scores, dropout rates and library access as well as indicators like bullying rates and financial literacy.

Only Mississippi and D.C. schools ranked lower than Alabama overall.

“Quality isn’t just determined by test scores,” Bernardo said. “We have to consider safety of the students. Are they learning in a stable environment?”

Test scores were the weakest area: Alabama ranked 49th in math scores and 40th in reading.

Alabama also ranked 34th in teacherto-pupil ratio, showing large class sizes that put each student at a disadvantage.

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State House Representative Marcel Black, the ranking minority member on the education policy committee, noted this imbalance as one of the most important points to address.

“It’s a difficult task to be on your toes in a room full of 30 kids,” Black said. “Any time I’ve been in a classroom I’ve noticed that. I don’t think anyone could refute that we need more teachers.”

Alabama Department of Education’s Director of Communications, Michael Sibley, said Alabama schools certainly have a long way to go to be up to par, but these scores don’t reflect the improvements that are already gaining momentum.

“The graduation rate in Alabama is the highest it’s been in history,” Sibley said. “We’ve seen a great increase in just the past few years. There’s a great upward trajectory to the students we’re keeping in school.”

Last year’s rate was 5 points lower at 75 percent, and the year before that it was 72 percent. While Alabama ranks 37th among all states, the graduation rate is climbing faster than any other state’s.

Few metrics showed Alabama ahead

Learning on a Budget While there are many factors that determine a school’s success, a lack of funding in rich and poor areas alike is the most prominent issue to be tackled in the Alabama legislature.

Black pointed to the Alabama Accountability Act as the kind of legislation that does more harm than good. The 2013 law gave tax credits to families with students in failing schools to attend a private school or a public school with better performance.

“That legislation drained a lot from the education trust fund,” Black said. “We have made some steps backward in trying to improve our schools.”

The Alabama House Republicans website addresses this popular criticism: “Taxpayers deserve to spend their tax dollars in a place that best serves their student. If that student isn’t being well-served in the school they are zoned for, parents deserve to send their child to a school that addresses their child’s educational needs as they see fit.”

Black also condemned the Responsible Budgeting and Spending Act, known as the Rolling Reserve Act, which bases the education budget on past revenue

Rep. Marcel Black

Michael Sibley

trends. The bill was passed in 2011 with objections from Democrats, only for the spending cap to be exceeded in the budget passed in February of this year.

“You can’t adopt a rolling reserve when you’re at the bottom or the top [of the economy],” Black said. “You have to set these rules when the economy is stable. When the economy is bad, schools are hit.”

Black explained that while Alabama property taxes are relatively stable, sales and income taxes generate less revenue in a bad economy, and schools receive less funding.

While Bernardo agreed that school resources are important, he said the WalletHub study showed no correlation

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between spending per pupil and overall ranking.

“It’s smart spending that counts,” Bernardo said. “Each state needs to be looked at on a case-by-case basis.”

D.C. schools, for example, receive a relatively huge amount of funding, yet experience extremely high rates of violent crime. Students in Texas receive even less funding than their Alabama peers, yet Texas is ranked 12th by Bernardo’s findings, higher than Connecticut and Maryland.

Sibley said schools are barely able to operate on the funding they currently have.

“What teachers are asking for isn’t the extra stuff,” Sibley said. “Not the fluff and fat, but the bare essentials. And we’re still seeing significant cuts.”

Although resources are low, six Alabama schools were named Torchbearer schools in 2014 for displaying highperformance education to a high-poverty student body. These schools, four in Mobile County and one each in Monroe and Talladega Counties, have at least an 80 percent poverty rate and came out among the top 20 percent in statewide tests. 20 schools made the list in the previous school year.

“These schools are made by people who work tirelessly with some exceptional students,” Sibley said. “We know it’s doable. There’s a staggering number of kids who start out doomed to fail. We see them as inherently inferior … as if their circumstances are any indication of potential.”

Math Problems The most severe figure for Alabama in the WalletHub study is the state’s math scores: Alabama ranks 49th, only surpassing Mississippi and the District of Columbia. After years of underperforming on the National Assessment for Education Progress, or NAEP, Alabama did away with the statewide test that had been proved inadequate.

“One of the things we have realized was that our assessments were not on par with the rest of the country,” Sibley said. “What we considered proficient— the exact same level was below basic for national standards. It was below, below basic.”

Alabama students are often met with rude awakenings in college math courses, Sibley said. Being taught less advanced math through their whole lives left them falling behind students from around the country.

“You could graduate high school, step outside state lines and take remedial classes your first year of college,” Sibley said. “They were doing everything we asked them to do, and it wasn’t enough.”

Sibley explained that if he asks his Continued on page 25

>>> B U S I N E S S | J U D A H M A R T I N

Photos by Judah Martin

WHERE THERE'S NO SMOKE... // VAPE COMES TO TUSCALOOSA

Rob Roberts, Tina Roberts, Leigh Ann Ashmore, Jake Woods (blowing the vapor) and Deb Gruwell.

On McFarland Boulevard East in Northport, Nu Way Vape and a discount tobacco store are positioned side-by-side like a fork in the road, taunting smokers like a nagging inner voice to choose once and for all if they want to quit.

For now, the Vape shop is the road less traveled, but a path is quickly being forged as more folks herd in to hear the good news of electronic cigarettes.

“We believe fully that this is a thousand times less harmful than smoking cigarettes,” said Rob Roberts, one of the store's founders, who speaks with the heavy drawl one might expect from a Southern man from Columbus, Mississippi,who wears a fedora reminiscent of Bear Bryant with every outfit. He wears it so often that customers fail to recall his name and just refer to him as "the man with the hat."

“We already know cigarettes kill you," Rob continued, tracing to a spot behind the counter where signs listing tobacco statistics decorate the wall.

"Tobacco smoking kills one person on this planet every six seconds," he recited, pointing to the sign. "[Vaping] has killed no one to date.”

The words fell casually, earnestly from his tongue, with an ease that suggested the fulfillment he gets from sharing his ideas. After all, he has plenty reason to believe in vaping. He and his wife, Tina Roberts, and his sister-in-law, Debra Gruwell, all quit smoking with the vaping products that replace traditional smoke with water vapor. Who knew they would all end up going into business together?

It has been a little more than five years since Tina, quit smoking, thanks to her son's prodding. She had been smoking since her teen years and had never successfully quit. But five years ago she and Rob became grandparents. One way or another, it was time to stop smoking.

"We didn’t want to raise the next generation smoking," Tina said. "My son came up to me and he said 'hey mom, have you ever tried electronic cigarettes?' and I said 'no,' but the more I started looking at it, the more I realized that it really kind of mimicked smoking."

She finally tried one and, honestly, she wasn't impressed. There weren't very many flavors at the gas station. In fact, there weren't very many products available in general. She and Rob looked into it and realized that vapor cigarettes had only been around since 2006. The technology was there but the investment wasn't.

“When we started this business we had no idea how big it would get,” Tina said. “Our goal was to keep the three of us working. The idea that we would have employees and multiple stores never crossed our mind. We just wanted to open a store in Florence and help those people where we live quit smoking and do a job that we had a passion to do.”

The business they began two years ago, Nu Way Vape, now has four locations. They opened the first store in Florence, Alabama, where they now live.

Soon the folks across the river in Muscle Shoals started contacting them, so they opened a store there, as well, and in Rob's hometown, Columbus. A little less than a month ago, they came to Tuscaloosa.

"I think that there was one vape store we knew about so we saw a real need here," Tina said. "My husband is born and raised in Columbus, Mississippi and we were researching the Tuscaloosa market around the time we opened the store there and we saw the need."

One person they met in Tuscaloosa was Leigh Ann Ashmore. Ashmore was a pack-a-day smoker when her daughter talked her into trying vaping. She was skeptical about it at first. It was the next morning, when she went onto her porch

to have her coffee and morning cigarette, that she realized vaping had ruined smoking for her.

"I took two drags and put [the cigarette] out," she recalled. "It tasted like the bottom of an ashtray."

It's been almost a year since she quit.

Now she works with Nu Way Vape in Tuscaloosa to share her success story.

“I’ve had tremendous health problems all my life, and smoking made it worse,” Ashmore said. “I was doing three breathing treatments a day. Now [with vaping] I’m doing three treatments a year.”

Now she is the woman behind the bar at the new location on McFarland. A smoker can come into the store and sample any of their products for free. Ashmore asks them questions about what kind of cigarettes they smoke and how many they smoke in a day.

"Once we determine the nicotine level they need we can set them up with a product," Ashmore explained.

At the bar, a variety of "juices" are available. When Rob, Tina and Deb decided to open Nu Way Vape, Tina and her daughter collaborated to open a lab to make the juices for their devices.

The juices are made from propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, pharmaceutical grade nicotine and food-grade flavoring.

Ashmore likes to recall a story about the juices.

“There was a professor who came here from [the University of Alabama] and he bought random bottles and didn't tell us what he was doing with them. Well, he'd went to other stores and he tested the juices and then he came back and told us that our juices were the only ones that contained the same nicotine levels that it said on the label. The [other places] were all over the charts."

For now, Deb, Rob and Tina spend much of their time travelling back and forth between stores. Each one is equipped with a juice bar, a display case where customers can pick out their equip-

ment, a repair station and a lounge area.

"People come out and they learn something every day just by watching the customers and listening to us and what we teach the customer,” Gruwell said. “They learn to rebuild, they can compare builds."

They hope to develop their stores and their brand and to spread the message of vaping further but there is just one small problem. Vaping is still so new that the Food and Drug Administration can’t seem to make up their mind about how to regulate it. If Big Tobacco is making money off of vaping, things could get bad for small business owners like them "They can possibly make becoming FDA-approved so expensive that the small business man can't even afford it, even though they might have great equipment or great juice," Tina said.

Rob worries that more cities will make a decision like the one in Tupelo, Mississippi, where vaping is banned in most public spaces except for businesses that earn 50 percent or more of their revenue from tobacco or vaping products.

“Basically, [vaping products] are regulated the same as [cigarettes], so no vaping in public, not in-doors, not in restaurants,” Rob said. “In other words, you’ve got to go out to the smoke-pit to vape. I think that’s wrong.”

“Once the FDA makes a regulation you either abide by their regulation or you can’t continue the business as you’re doing,” Tina added. “And, unfortunately, some of those rules are being made out of ignorance, meaning they don’t know enough about vaping and how vaping affects a person to make a regulation on it.”

“Rather than the unattainable standard of ‘safe’ we should be thinking in terms of ‘safer’. Despite the risks associated with soccer, I would, for instance, prefer my children play soccer rather than play with live hand grenades.” ~ David Sweanor: Former Advisor to the WHO on Tobacco Control ~

30-foot tasting bar where patrons may sample "juices" for free.

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

SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

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>>> N E W S | S TA FF R E P O R T

WEST ALABAMA ASKS JOB SEEKERS // "ARE YOU READY TO WORK?" University of Alabama’s BAMA Dining, which resulted in 250 applicants being offered jobs on the spot. Organizers hope to have similar results on Sept. 13th and participating companies have committed to streamlining the process so they can also hire on the spot. "We are excited to be a part of this unique event that will revolutionize the way job and hiring fairs are conducted throughout the country,” said LeNa` Powe, Director of Workforce Development for the Chamber.

Anyone attending the fair on September 13th will be asked to fill out an application. Based on experience, qualified individuals will interview for potential jobs with some or all of the following companies:

Since the M ercedes -B enz plant announcement 20 years ago, the State of Alabama has seen tremendous growth of automotive suppliers moving into the area. Alabama now ranks 5th in the U.S. in car and light truck production and the state exported nearly $7.1 billion in vehicles and vehicle parts in 2013.

More importantly for Alabamians and for West Alabama, the auto industry means jobs—jobs at the MercedesBenz plant, and also opportunities for thousands of jobs at its suppliers. And now, job-seekers will get a chance to interview and be hired by the “Family of Companies” supporting the MercedesBenz auto manufacturing plant.

The Region 3 Workforce Development council/ West Alabama Works, Inc. are hosting an Automotive Hiring Fair on Saturday September 13, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy, 2800 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

At least nine companies will be onsite seeking candidates for entry level positions that will pay up to $14.00 an

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hour. The participating companies collectively have from 200-400 open positions in three areas: 1) Production, 2) Service and 3) Material Handling. Many of these jobs need to be filled immediately or within the next three months.

“West Alabama is home to some of the nation's most dedicated workers and we are proud to be able to provide this opportunity to them as well as support many of the companies that contribute to our company’s success," said Jason Hoff, President and CEO of MercedesBenz U.S. International, Inc., the presenting sponsor of the event. Economic developers estimate that for every one job at the Mercedes-Benz plant, it creates a multiplier effect of seven jobs created by suppliers and service providers – translating into more than 20,000 jobs statewide.

"The automotive industry has played a large part in the economic development and growth of West Alabama and the State of Alabama as a whole,” said Larry Taylor, Chair of the Region 3 Workforce Development Council. “We feel that this unique opportunity will not only benefit some of our region’s largest employers, but will more importantly benefit the citizens of West Alabama who comprise our dedicated workforce."

West Alabama Works, a new workforce development system housed at the Chamber, that works with other groups in the community to bring basic skills and literacy training to job candidates to get them hired. In June, West Alabama Works hosted a similar event for the

ABM Industries ARD Logistics BLG Logistics Brose Clean Harbors Eberspaecher Inteva MacClellan Metalsa Quality Vehicle Processing Some of these positions are onsite at the Mercedes-Benz plant, while

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others are at off-site locations. All are critical to the operations at the plant, say job fair organizers.

Although pre-registration is not required, job seekers planning to attend the Fair can reduce their time in line by pre-registering for the event and receiving a FAST PASS at www.tuscaloosachamber.com/jobs. Job interviews will be granted on a first-come/first-served basis. Candidate requirements are as follows: • High School Graduate or GED • Willing to work various and/or rotating shifts that may include nights and weekends as required • An ability to lift up to 50 pounds • Must be able to pass a security and drug screening For more information concerning the Hiring Fair, please visit The West Alabama Chamber of Commerce website: www.tuscaloosachamber.com/jobs.

>>> M U S I C | LESLIE POSS

FAMED AMERICAN STRING QUARTET TO PERFORM IN TUSCALOOSA

Photo: Peter Schaaf

The internationally acclaimed American String Quartet will perform Sunday, September 21, 3:30 PM in the Moody Concert Hall located on the University of Alabama’s School of Music, Tuscaloosa campus. This will be the first concert in the String Quartet Society of Tuscaloosa’s 2014-2015 season. The American String Quartet will perform Joseph Haydn’s: Quartet in D, op.76, no.5; Dimitri Shostakovich’s Quartet in F, op.73; Ludwig van Beethoven’s Quartet in E minor, op.59, no.2.

Tickets are $25 for the general public with free admission for persons eighteen years of age and younger or for persons with valid students IDs. Tickets may be purchased from String Quartet Society members or at the box office the day of the concert.

Internationally recognized as one of the world's finest quartets, the American String Quartet has spent decades honing the luxurious sound for which it is famous.

The Quartet will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2014, and, in its years of touring, has performed in all fifty states and has appeared in the most important concert halls worldwide. Their presentations of the complete quartets of Beethoven, Schubert, Schoenberg, Bartók, and Mozart have won widespread critical acclaim,

and their MusicMasters Complete Mozart String Quartets, performed on a matched quartet set of instruments by Stradivarius, are widely considered to have set the standard for this repertoire.

Resident quartet at the Aspen Music Festival since 1974 and at the Manhattan School of Music in New York since 1984, the American has also served as resident quartet at the Taos School of Music, the Peabody Conservatory, and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

The Quartet's diverse activities have also included numerous international radio and television broadcasts; including a recording for the BBC in May 2012; tours of Asia; and performances with the New York City Ballet, the Montreal Symphony, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Highlights of the Quartet’s 2013 -14 season include performances of an all-sextet program with Roberto and Andrès Díaz, a tour of South America, and performances of the complete Beethoven cycle of string quartets in Israel—the ensemble’s fourth visit to the country in as many years.

The American’s additional extensive discography can be heard on the Albany, CRI, MusicMasters, Musical Heritage Society, Nonesuch, and RCA labels. Most recently the group released "Schubert's Echo," which pairs Schubert's monumental last quartet with works bearing its influence by Second Viennese masters Alban Berg and Anton Webern. This repertoire posits that the creative line from the First to the Second Viennese Schools is continuous – and evident when these works are heard in the context of each other. The CD is on the NSS Music label, a new enterprise by Nadja Salerno-Son-

nenberg devoted to intellectual projects that are frequently overlooked by major labels.

The Quartet’s innovative approach to concert programming has won them a number of notable residencies in recent years, including "Beethoven the Contemporary" at the University of Michigan, “The Six Mozart Viola Quintets” at the Aspen Music Festival with Guarneri Quartet violist Michael Tree (broadcast live nationally via Chicago superstation WFMT), and a four-year cycle entitled “4-5-6…” at Princeton University, where the Quartet performed the complete quintets and sextets of Mozart and Brahms, joined in each concert by renowned guest artists.

As champions of new music, the American has given numerous premieres, including Richard Danielpour's Quartet No. 4, commissioned by Kansas City Friends of Chamber Music, and Curt Cacioppo's "a distant voice calling," commissioned by Arizona Friends of Chamber Music. In January 2009, the Quartet premièred Tobias Picker’s String Quartet No. 2 in New York City in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Manhattan School of Music, and in May 2011 the Americans premiered Glen Cortese’s Four Dances for String Quartet and String Orchestra, a work commissioned by the Oregon Mozart

Players.

Formed when its original members were students at The Juilliard School, the American String Quartet’s career began with the group winning both the Coleman Competition and the Naumburg Award in the same year. Individually, the members devote additional time outside the Quartet’s active performance and teaching schedule to solo appearances, recitals, and master classes. While in Tuscaloosa the members of the American String Quartet will conduct a master class for students at the University of Alabama.

This performance and residency are co-sponsored by The University of Alabama's School of Music and The String Quartet Society of Tuscaloosa.

The American String Quartet performs Sunday, September 21, 3:300 PM in the Moody Concert Hall located on the University of Alabama’s School of Music, Tuscaloosa campus. The American String Quartet will perform quartets by Haydn, Shostakovich, and Beethoven.

Tickets are $25 for the general public with free admission for persons eighteen years of age and younger or for persons with valid students IDs. Tickets may be purchased from String Quartet Society members or At the Door the day of the concert.

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SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

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>>> E V E N T | R E G G I E A L L E N

HEADBANGERS HAIR SHOW // CULTURE AND LIFE

For eight years, G rant has owned and operated Charming Kreations, a small manifestation of her fifteen years in the hair business. But for the past 6 years, she has also served as founder of the Headbangers Hair Show, an annual fashion show dedicated to the art of all things hair. As an entrepreneur, she embraced the idea of displaying her craft for the public eye. But In her opinion, the show's purpose goes beyond that. " I visualize it as bringing the community out to see all the talent. I do competitions, but all are winners that

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take the time to be a part of it [the hair show], Grant said. "...Different stylists that come together, the different looks.

Very creative and great advertising to showcase talent."

But it did not happen overnight. Only a year younger than the salon's senior, Headbangers has grown significantly since its beginning in 2007. Though the first show brought in a staggering 500 attendees, in later years the numbers would only increase.

Throughout the show, seven local competitors will take to the stage , each

showcasing their own individual talents in the art of hair. While it may be a hair show, other factors such as clothing and accessories are also considered during the judging process. This year, Grant decided to add a make up category to highlight an element always in the show but never showcased.

For years, Tiffany Flowers, or Cindy Leway, as many clients know her, has been doing make up behind the scenes.

But now she is excited to finally step out of the shadows and begin marketing herself on stage. Flowers said that even before this category was added, make up was still a crucial element to the show.

"This is the first year make up has been showcased in the show, but we cannot have hair without some extravagant make up. It is super showing," Flowers said before listing the different acts she has witnessed in the past.

"Blow dryers on people's hair, scissors on people's hair made of hair. Someone set the stage on fire as part of their set on stage so you have to have some great make up to go along with it."

Grant believes that her talent is product of a lifetime of following her passion.

She does not go without crediting her success to her friends, family, clientele and her heavenly father. As a devout Christian, she believes in the necessity of hard work, but also the grace of God that provides her with success. The hair show in her opinion is just another blessing.

Grant sees a culture in hair. It is one of things that she believes factors into

everyone's lives. Whether we are losing it, growing it, or getting a piece of it added to the head, it requires human interaction to get the job done. And these connections create bonds that furthermore generate friendships, loyalty, and overall strong relationships. She looks to her friends Q' Toney and Flowers as examples. " When you have support like that, you are unstoppable," Grant said.

She hopes that the show will not only advertise, but be a beacon to those that aspire to enter the industry but also to educate them.

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

>>> A R T E V E N T | R AC H E L D O B son

JUROR NAMES ARTISTS FOR ALA. NATIONAL Robert Sherer, juror for the first annual Alabama National Juried Art Exhibition, has announced the artists accepted into the show that opened August 25, 2014: Douglas Barrett (AL), Lindy Blosser (GA), David Bogus (TX), Gary Chapman (AL), Anathbandhu Chaudhuri (AL), Joanne Fogle (AL), Benny Fountain (TX), Karen Graffeo (AL), Kristina Hamm (GA), Carolyn Harwood (AL), Stacey Holloway (AL), Hyoungseok Kim (GA), Stefanie Liles-Ray (AL), Nan Liu (FL), Ryan Meyer (AL), Rob Millard-Mendez (IN), C.W. Newell (AL), Miriam Norris Omura (AL), James Pace (TX), Raoul Pacheco (GA), Debra Riffe (AL), Don Robson (GA), Robin Snyder (AL), Elizabeth Visscher (GA), Linda Walden (AL), Sarah Wilkins (NC) and Jave Yoshimoto (OK) were chosen by Sherer for the exhibition in the Sella-Granata Art Gallery in UA’s historic Woods Quad.

Art work that will be in the Alabama National Juried Exhibition:

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Hannah Brown with granddaughter, Maggie Arrington, in Tuscany

by Gary Chapman of Alabama

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by Jave Yoshimoto of Oklahoma

by Miriam Norris Omura of Alabama

by Karen Graffeo of Alabama

by David Bogus of Texas Sherer, who has served in a wide range of roles in the art world, has set a high standard and established a tradition for this new show. He said, “I find that my entire art career has involved the evaluation of artworks, whether as an art student, visual artist, art professor, arts juror, art critic, lecturer, art dealer or international art competitor. Despite this, jurying art exhibitions never gets easier. It was especially daunting with this inaugural national competition. I was presented with an impressive range of submitted artworks and asked to create a cohesive exhibition for a limited space. The task was difficult but I think the exhibition presents a high quality of artworks while simultaneously embracing a wide range of aesthetics, which is ultimately the goal of any national art exhibition.”

Sherer is an Alabama native and an internationally exhibiting artist known for his use of unconventional media and for four incidents of art censorship. His career in the arts has also covered such disciplines as arts juror, critic, lecturer, educator, art dealer and international art competitor.

His work is the subject of an art book, Blood Works: the Sanguineous Art of Robert Sherer, published by Kennesaw State University Press.

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SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

9

>>> wine REVIEW | J O N R O G E R S

BALLET OF ANGELS AND SUMMER BREEZE // CONNECTICUT WHITES As someone who the opportunity to help pick grapes for Sharpe Hill Vineyard, I can tell you a lot of care goes into how they make their wine. The Sharpe Hill Vineyard Ballet of Angels wine is reflective of that care.

Sharpe Hill Vineyard Ballet of Angels is a nonvintage American White Wine made from ten different grape varietals that are kept secret.

The Sharpe Hill Vineyard is located in Pomfret, Connecticut. Of all the wines made in New England, USA, Ballet of Angels is the most popular.

The wine has the distinction of winning several medals, including “Double Gold – 2006, 2008 & 2010 Florida State Fair International Wine Competition.” For more medals won, check out the Sharpe Hill Vineyard website.

Alcohol content of Ballet of Angels 12.0% per the bottle.

A good friend shared this bottle with me and helped out with this review.

In appearance, Ballet of Angels is extremely light gold in color. It’s a little bubbly upon pouring but is not a sparkling wine. Some of the bubbles suspended on the sides of our glasses.

On the nose, this wine gave forth hints of light citrus. We detected a bit of pineapple in the fragrance and also noticed just a tiny whiff of alcohol.

Taste of the Ballet of Angels was mildly sweet and tart. Both sensations were balanced. The overall flavor was complex and perhaps a little bit peppery.

We again noticed non-sweet pineapple among other citrus flavors.

There was no bitterness in the mouthfeel and a slight puckering was noted on the inside of the cheeks. My friend noticed it in the middle of his tongue.

My friend “noticed a little play time” in the finish. I quantified it as medium to long.

Overall, this is a highly enjoyable white wine. As a Connecticut native, I was pleased to finally share this review with everyone. It’s one of the best known wines in New England and I’ve never heard of anyone who didn’t love this wine.

Sharpe Hill suggests “serving it well had

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SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

chilled as an aperitif or as the perfect accompaniment to spicy foods.”

If you can get your hands on this wine, definitely give it a try! Sharpe Hill Vineyard Ballet of Angels price about $12.50.

Our second Connecticut wine to be reviewed is Cassidy Hill Vineyard Summer Breeze 2012, which is a white wine with strawberries added. This wine comes from Coventry, Connecticut USA. The Cassidy Hill Vineyard is rather new and is considered a jewel of the town.

According to the Cassidy Hill Vineyard website, Summer Breeze is made from Cayuga white grapes and this “sweeter wine shows wonderful strawberry aromas and citric flavors. A perfect wine for that languid summer afternoon.”

Alcohol content 11.0% by volume according to the bottle.

I was given this wine as a gift from a friend and we did the tasting together.

In appearance, this wine is light copper in color. There were no legs noted, however we did see what looked like a little effervescence. A number of bubbles were noticed on the sides of the glass.

To be clear, Cassidy Hill Vineyard Summer Breeze is not a sparkling wine.

Fragrane of Summer Breeze was fruity. I noticed grapefruit and lemon.

My friend noted strawberry. We both described the aroma as “clean.” Also, no alcohol was noted on the nose.

The wine’s taste was surprisingly complex for a white wine. It was sweet with flavors of sweet grapefruit and a hint of strawberry. My friend was able to pick up a little bitterness in the fruit taste. But, nothing that took away from the enjoyable flavor.

Mouthfeel of Cassidy Hill Vineyard Summer Breeze was silky and reminded me of a Beaujolais.

Finish was medium and enjoyable. No alcohol noted in the breathe-out.

Overall we both really enjoyed this wine. Keeping in mind it is fortified with strawberries. What was great was that the strawberry was very subtle. I didn’t know ahead of time about the strawberries, so I was surprised when my friend told me about it.

His overall comment was “Love it. I buy this regularly and felt the word needed to get out about this wine.” My comment was “Super enjoyable. A perfect silky smooth warm weather, mellow sipper.”

Recommend! Price for Summer Breeze is $15.95.

More wine reviews by Jon Rogers at www.honestwinereviews.com

>>> RESTAURANTS |

W here to E at in T uscaloosa

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

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

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

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.

Sweet Home Food Bar 2218 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 764-9346 Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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

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.

El Rincon (2 locations) 1225 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 366.0855 1726 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 330.1274

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.

Fernando's Mexican Grill 824 McFarland Blvd E | Northport // 205.331.4587

ITALIAN

Iguana Grill 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 752.5895

Avenue Pub 405 23rd Avenue

Jalapeno’s Mexican Grill 2001 New Watermelon Rd | Northport // 342.3378

Broadway Pizzeria 2880 Rice Mine Road Northeast Tuscaloosa, // 391.6969

LaGran Fiesta 9770 Hwy 69 S // 345.8871

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

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 Monday - Thursday 5-10 p.m. and Friday - Saturday 5-11 p.m.

Steak, seafood, & sushi specialities. Daily specials: Monday $20 Bottles of Wine; Tuesday - Ladies Night 1/2 off Domestic Beer and House Wine, Select $5 Martinis, $2 off Select Sushi Rolls for Everyone; Uptown Wednesday - $6 Uptown Shrimp; Featured Cocktails and $20 Bottles of Wine.

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

Steaks, seafood and more with Southern flavor. Wine list, full bar. Specialities of the house include Shrimp Cypress Inn and Smoked Chicken with white barbecue sauce. Kid friendly. Closed Saturday lunch. Mike Spiller is featured the first

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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.

Buddy’s Ribs & Steaks 2701 Bridge Ave | Northport // 339.4885

>>> RESTAURANTS |

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

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

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).

Chili’s 1030 Skyland Blvd | Near McFarland Mall // 750.8881 Fax: 758.7715 // www.chilis.com

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.

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.

Buffalo Wild Wings 2710 McFarland Blvd. East | Tuscaloosa // 523.0273 Sports grille with TVs galore. Diverse beer and wine selection, full bar

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 & Seafood Company 1014 7th Ave. | Tuscaloosa // 764.1976 Over 160 craft beers.

Tue. - Thu 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Large selection of decadent desserts 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

The Southern Dining Room Grill (Behind Ryan's) 4251 Courtney Dr, Tuscaloosa 331-4043

STEAKS

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.

Logan’s Roadhouse 1511 Skyland Blvd | next to Sams // 349.3554 Steaks, ribs and spirits

Tuscaloosa Burger & Seafood Company 1014 7th Ave. | Tuscaloosa // 764.1976 Over 160 craft beers.

Tue. - Thu 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Large selection of decadent desserts.

Longhorn Steakhouse 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 345-8244 #412

Zoe’s Kitchen 312 Merchants Walk // 344.4450 A wonderful selection of Greek foods

SPORTS GRILL

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

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

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

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

Chuck’s Fish 508 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 248.9370 Monday - Thursday 5-10 p.m. and Friday - Saturday 5-11 p.m.

Steak, seafood, & sushi specialities. Daily specials: Monday $20 Bottles of Wine; Tuesday - Ladies Night 1/2 off Domestic Beer and House Wine, Select $5 Martinis, $2 off Select Sushi Rolls for Everyone; Uptown Wednesday - $6 Uptown Shrimp;

SEAFOOD

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

BOULEVARD POP-UP SESSION IPA // WORTH A TRY I’m very particular it comes to an IPA. I have a lot that I really hate and a very select few that I absolutely love; and then there’s the middle ground.

The middle ground is usually where I place beers I’ve had and said “ehh this is pretty good” while drinking.

Boulevard’s Single Wide, a traditional style American IPA brewed with six different hops, can be a bit heavy on the stomach and could never be considered a session beer by any means. The Pop Up, on the other hand, is a perfect session IPA, but a not a perfect traditional IPA. If you’re not familiar with what the term “session” means, it is used to label a beer that could be consumed in multiples at one sitting or “session.” I’m glad that Boulevard took on something like this, and I was more than pleased with the results: First off, the beer pours a hazy straw color with some visible carbonation that rose quickly to the top of the glass. This is one of the flaws for me, as I hate a lot of carbonation on a beer. It just masks the flavor and ruins the whole mouthfeel for me. Once it was all poured, there were about three finger widths of foamy off-white head that slows dissipates and leaves some serious lacing elements on the glass. The scent was strong with citrus aromas, mainly orange and grapefruit with some lighter, malty aromas with some hints of floral hops thrown in. I feel like I also picked up on some lemon, but it could just be a mix of the orange and grapefruit. The aroma is West Coast all day, and in my own experience, I have found that the West Coast style IPAs are usually more sessionable than a regular American IPA. I’ve also found myself reaching more towards more West Coast styles lately since the weather has been similar to a level of Hell; really makes the heat a little more bearable.

Upfront, you pick up a lot of malt with some light hints of grain. As the beer settles on your tongue for a moment, you can begin to pick apart the flavors of the grapefruit and orange peel with some added honey notes as well. The honey bit was something I wasn’t expecting, but I really enjoyed it. It seemed to add a bit of smoothness to the beer that took away a bit of the harsh carbonation that I loathe so deeply. As it finishes, you start to pick up the floral hops and then a light amount of bitterness in the finish, which does fade quickly. Overall, the taste mirrors the nose, but not exactly, and I like that. I enjoy a slight surprise when I take the first sip after smelling and assuming what it’s going to taste like. Although there are all of these high points, this is where the beer started to lose me. I’m so accustomed to how fantastically Boulevard executes

when

any of their IPA style beers, that this one just didn’t really reach the bar for me. It seemed like a lighter version of the Single Wide with a little more citrus added and the carbonation bumped up to make it “thirst quenching” which is a term I hate.

I have never drunk a beer because I am thirsty. That makes no sense to me, but that’s beside the point.

As I stated before, the mouthfeel was overpowered by extreme carbonation, which in turn, made the beer somewhat unsatisfying to me. I wish it could have been bumped down a little to let the flavors shine through more. There was a bit of bitterness that settles on the tongue and leaves a nice hoppy aftertaste. Not really astringent, but more so just the flavor of a nice beer. Other than that, the flavors work nicely together and really meld on the tongue well. I think that honey is what did it for me though on the flavor and mouthfeel. It was really a nice addition that worked for the best in my opinion.

Overall, this was a nice take on the session IPA, but not something that I’m going to choose first. If I saw this in the cooler at party, I would drink my fair share, but am I going to run to the store to pick it up—probably not. I still have my favorite session IPAs over this one and I don’t think those spots are in any danger of losing their positions. Boulevard makes great beers, and this one is good, just not the best I’ve ever had. Still worth the try though.

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SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

11

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

>>> RESTAURANTS |

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

PIZZA 120 // THE NEXT BIG CHAIN? // D.I.Y. PIZZA QUICKLY

Featured Cocktails and $20 Bottles of Wine.

6521 Alabama 69 | 752.5444

Red Lobster 2620 McFarland Blvd // 553.8810 McFarland Plaza Shopping Center

Tut’s Place 1306 University Blvd | The Strip // 759.1004

lar

Tuscaloosa Burger & Seafood Company 1014 7th Ave. | Tuscaloosa // 764.1976 Over 160 craft beers.

Tue. - Thu 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Large selection of decadent desserts.

Contrary to the popu slogan, beef is not for dinner. Pizza—it’s what’s for dinner.

The USDA reports that 1 in 8 Americans consume pizza on any given day and adults consume their slices at dinner. Yes, we love pizza and why not? It's affordable.

It's a crowd pleaser. And it's downright danged delicious.

Pizza could easily be the perfect meal. Nutritionally speaking, it has potential to serve up a healthy, balanced plate providing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Optimum word being: potential. Yes, the nutrient quality falls short on most, but the taste does not. Tuscaloosa’s newest eatery, Pizza 120, located at 501 15th Street, brings a new approach to casual pizza pies satisfying everyone’s taste buds. David Kahn, founder of Yogurt Mountain, is the owner and creative mind behind this new restaurant chain. Kahn transitioned from yogurt to pizza, bringing the same buildyour-own concept. Customers create a pie choosing from a variety of dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings. The-10 inch pizza is cooked in a large rotating oven for 2 minutes or 120 seconds. Just enough time to pay the ticket, get drinks, and have a seat. The Italian imported oven can prepare up to 14 pies at a time while reaching upwards of 800 degrees.

Prices range from $5.99 to $7.99 for a single 10-inch pies. The menu also offers a build-your-own salad and customers have the option of sipping on a cold beer or a glass of wine.

Since the beginning of summer, I had been anticipating the grand opening of Pizza 120. The simple concept of creating my own pizza had me a little excited. One week after they lit up the open sign, my husband and I went for a visit. The restaurant has an easily accessible location being on the east side of 15th street next to Replays Gameware & DVDs. The interior is presented as a modern day pizzeria, somewhat cheapened with the demanding black and red walls, floors, and furniture. The ordering line mimics that of Subway’s, displaying all of the fresh ingredients. Before we approached the line, the manager greeted us and proceeded to explain the pizza making process. He also pointed out a menu offering several traditional and specialty pizzas. The first on the list was a cheeseburger pie made with cheddar, beef, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. Though intrigued by the menu, my husband and I had come to create. Both of us chose the signature dough made to portray an authentic Italian pizza crust. Sauce choices consisted of tomato, pesto, and Alfredo. On one half of my pie was tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and olive

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

oil. Fresh mozzarella has quite a different flavor and texture when compared to shredded processed mozzarella. I encourage you to try it. The other half stayed classic with tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella and sliced pepperoni.

The employees were quiet and reserved, but polite. After creating our pie, we paid the cashier, made drinks, and found a booth. It was midafternoon and the restaurant was nearly empty so seating was ample. The same employee who prepared the pies delivered them to our table. Two sizzling hot pizzas were set in front of us and immediately taken away once the server discovered the missing basil. In a matter of seconds, the savory smell was back. Melting cheese was still bubbling from the quick trip to the oven.

The heat from the pie exaggerated the sweet aroma of the basil leaves. The first piece slid smoothly off of the plate.

Strings of cheese stretched from plate to mouth without a snag. The texture in each bite was soft, no crispy or crunchy crust. In fact, the crust was rather underwhelming to be labeled as a signature item. No real contributions came from the crust, other than to be used as an edible utensil. During each bite excess grease drizzled down my hand. The only issue I had with that was lack of paper towels on the tables. Unashamed, I devoured the whole pie.

Obviously, I enjoyed the food and I love the concept. However, the restaurant's layout and design choices took away from the overall experience. I felt as if I were just sitting in a shiny fast food joint. And this is why I am thankful for a call-in and carry-out option! Let us know where you are eating by tweeting us @ ThePlanetWeekly Cindy Huggins is a registered dietitian nutritionist and local “foodie”. Follow her on tweeter @DietitianCindy You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I'm not hungry enough to eat six. ~ Yogi Berra ~

SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

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

China Garden Hwy 69 S | Hillcrest Center // 758.0148

Momma Goldberg’s Deli 409 23rd Ave // 345.5501 www.mommagoldbergs.com

Hot Wok Express 6751 Alabama 69, Tuscaloosa // 758.0148

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

Lee Palace 6521 Highway 69 S // 391.9990 Open daily 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

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

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

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

Pearl Garden 2719 Lurleen Wallace Blvd | Northport // 339.0880

COFFEE SHOP

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.

Barnes & Noble 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa 349.6366

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 Hungry Howie’s (2 locations) 1105 Southview Ln | South Tuscaloosa // 345.6000 1844 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 333.2633 1211 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa | The Strip // 366.1500 4851 Rice Mine Rd | Northriver/Holt // 345.3737 Lenny’s Sub Shop 220 15th St // 752.7450 Fax: 752.7481 // www.lennys.com Little Caesars Pizza 1414 10th Ave // 366.2220 | 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 120 50115th St. East | 561.6853 Pizza Palace Buffet

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DELICATESSEN

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

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 Mary's Cakes & Pastries 412 22nd Avenue | behind Opus | Northport // 345.8610 www.maryscakesandpastries.com Mon–Fri 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Sat 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Smoothie King (2 locations) 415 15th Street | Tuscaloosa // 349.1721 Fax: 349.1945 1403 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 462.3664 Sweet CeCe's Frozen yogurt Treats 2217 University Blvd. | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 561.6458 A fun and friendly make your own creation, yogurt experience!

TCBY (3 Locations) 2304 Mcfarland Blbd | Meadowbrook Shopping Center // 349.4661 // 2 Mcfarland Blvd | Northport | Essex Shopping Center // 758.6855 // 1130 Univ. Blvd. | The Strip // 345.0804 Yogurt In Love Patriot Center 7402 Highway 69 South 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

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"THE EXPENDABLES 3" // DELIGHTFUL // PACKS A LOT OF TESTOSTERONE ✭✭✭✭

4 ou t of 4

More bang for your buck is what you get with "The Expendables 3." Sylvester Stallone reprises his role as good guy mercenary-for-hire Barney Ross, with Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), Toll Road (Randy Couture), and Caesar (Terry Crews) at his side. Unlike “The Expendables 2” (which I enjoyed thoroughly), “Expendables 3” shuns most of the clever one-liners from earlier films that the hard-knuckled screen icons appeared in during their prime. Nevertheless, co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger gets to recycle his “Predator” line “Get to the chopper,” and his “Commando” line “I lied.” “Red Hill” director Patrick Hughes and original “Expendables” scenarist Sylvester Stallone along with “Olympus Has Fallen” co-scribes Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt struggle but succeed to infuse enough spontaneity into this predictable but entertaining nonsense that foregoes the blood & gore of the two earlier R-rated entries. The worst thing about the third “Expendables” epic is that you know what will happen even though it is gratifying when it occurs. Unfortunately, neither martial arts sensation Jet Li nor multiple welterweight boxing champion Victor Ortiz has a chance to display their respective skills. Unless we’re given a chance to catch the three-and-a-half-hour rough cut of the film, we’ll never know if they did show-off their skills.

Those who’ve seen the first two “Expendables” will enjoy the allusions to those actioneers. Barney Ross had to hump it in “The Expendables” when he scrambled hell-bent-for-leather down a dock toward his seaplane as hundreds of bullets perforated the planks at his heels.

“Expendables 3” gives Stallone another chance to hump it under conditions far worse than anything that he faced in the first film. While the action has a delightful, dog-eared quality to it, the spectacle of star power compensates for the déjà vu familiarity. Fresh out of real-life prison for tax evasion, “Blade” star Wesley Snipes, who went toe-to-toe with Stallone in the 1993 thriller “Demolition Man,” is still an action star to respect. Mel Gibson

makes an awesome adversary who we are told co-founded the mercenary force with Barney. The “Lethal Weapon” star qualifies as a first-rate dastard with treachery to spare. The biggest surprise is “Zorro” star Antonio Banderas, who is cast as a loquacious Hispanic suffering from survivor’s guilt. “Indiana Jones” star Harrison Ford replaces Bruce Willis as Stallone’s new CIA contact. Clocking in at a rather lengthy 127 minutes, “Expendables 3” pits our heroes against an army of evil antagonists equipped with tanks and helicopters galore. From its adrenaline-laced opening sequence involving a slam-bang aerial rescue from a prison train to its war-as-hell finale, this polished Lionsgate release should assuage the appetites of action fans until the rumored fourth installment comes out.

“Expendables 3” opens with an explosive, rip-snorting, action set-piece as Barney flies a helicopter with Lee Christmas, Gunnar, and Toll Road riding shotgun with automatic weapons. They are out to rescue one of their old comrades, Doctor Death (Wesley Snipes) who is locked up like a serial killer on a heavily-fortified train bound for a maximum security prison. Naturally, bullets fly by the billions, and the villains cannot hit the side of an invisible barn, while the bodies pile up with little in the way of blood & gore.

Interestingly, “Expendables 3” is the first in the franchise to obtain a PG-13 rating.

Once aboard Barney’s chopper heading home, Doctor Death borrows Gunnar’s enormous, pig-sticker of a knife and shaves himself. I haven’t any action hero shave himself with a knife since Lee Van Cleef did in the 1968 Spaghetti western “Death Rides A Horse.” Anyway, Barney needs Doctor Death for a job in Somalia, and everything appears to be going splendidly for our aged but agile mercenaries until Barney gets the shock of his life. A villain shows up who turns out to be one of the Expendables’ founding fathers, Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson of “Lethal Weapon”), and he shows Barney that Barney’s best days may be behind him. Stonebanks has Barney in his gun sights, but he decides to blast away at

Caesar before he blows the rest of them to kingdom come. Naturally, Barney and his pals survive this trial by combat, but our rugged, Spartan protagonist believes he needs new blood to nab the elusive Stonebanks. Several well-dressed CIA goons approach Barney outside the New Orleans hospital where Caesar’s life hangs by a thread. Drummer (Harrison Ford of “Raiders of the Lost Ark”) isn’t happy about the turn of events. Nevertheless, he wants to use Barney again to capture Stonebanks. The inevitable catch is that Barney must deliver the sadistic Stonebanks to The Hague, where Stonebanks will be put on trial as a war criminal. You see, Stonebanks has been selling weapons of every description for twenty years to anybody who can afford them. Originally, Barney thought he had killed Stonebanks, but the latter’s body armor enabled him to survive the ordeal.

Now, Stonebanks surrounds himself with an army of hired guns.

After Barney delivers the bad news to his brothers-in-arms, he contacts a scruffy character, Bonaparte (Kelsey Grammer of “Down Periscope”), to help him assemble a new team. The action slows down a mite during this phrase of the story so these two guys can audi-

tion replacements. Anybody who's seen any of “The Magnificent Seven” westerns knows what to expect during this interim. Barney enlists four youngsters who qualify as the toughest of the tough.

Mars (Victor Ortiz), Smilee (Kellam Lutz of “Twilight”), Thorn (Glen Powell of “The Dark Knight Rises”), and a gal named Luna (MMA fighter Ronda Rousey) comprise his new team. This robust quartet can do virtually anything that Barney’s old team did but with greater tech savvy. The catch here is that Mel Gibson’s roguish Stonebanks is no slouch and has more than a few tricks hidden up his sleeve.

Although all the usual clichés appear intact throughout “Expendables 3,” this testosterone-laden release packs more blood, sweat, and sneers than most entire action franchises.

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

BACKROAD ANTHEM SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

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>>> E X P L O R I N G A L A B A M A | J E R O M E A D A M S

Photos: Jerome Adams

GETTING THE TRASH OUT OF THE SPLASH IN ALABAMA // SERIOUS WORK // HUGE IMPACT

An annual event called "Alabama Coastal Cleanup" will be held on September 20, 2014, all along the coasts of our "Alabama the Beautiful" state, in an effort to keep it that way. For the twenty-seventh time, volunteers will gather at several locations along our border with the Gulf

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SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

of Mexico to collect debris left by beach and water users as well as stuff washed from the land and carried by our mighty river systems that dump into Mobile Bay. Coastal Cleanup will occur all around the coasts of the United States and some other countries, too, on the same day.

Each time someone on the beach opens a bag of chips and leaves the bag NOT in a trash receptacle it does not disappear, but becomes litter. Each time a baby's diaper is changed and the used one left on the sand it does NOT disappear. Each time a boater dumps ice into a chest and tosses the plastic bag over the side it does NOT just go away. If each beach/water user were to leave even one trash item behind there would be nothing but litter all over the beaches and in the water! Fortunately, most have learned to place trash into collection barrels. Most have learned to be good stewards of this natural resource by doing the right thing.

Yet, there is still education to be done by parents, teachers and and anyone involved in youth and/ or adult activities. Some adults need some reminding, too.

Items composed of any type of plastic take a very long time to degrade and may become hazards to marine and other animals and humans. Sea turtles may mistake bags for jelly fish, a normal part of the turtles' diet. This plastic, of course, is not any kind of food and cannot be digested but may become lodged in the

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

digestive system and cause the animal to starve to death. The plastic could become a choking hazard and since sea turtles don't have gills they would asphyxiate.

Mono-filament (fishing line) is another very dangerous material when improperly disposed of or lost during fish harvesting that can cause animals to become entangled and unable to care for themselves and die needlessly. This line can also become wound around a boat propeller and other marine machinery causing mechanical problems. Injury or even death might possibly occur for a diver due to entanglement. There are proper receptacles for mono-filament marked and easily found at

"ATLANTIS" by Joni Gruber

fishing areas.

According to data gathered from prior Coastal Cleanups, cigarette butts (55 million) constitute about 25% of the types of items collected. Wikipedia reveals that the filter is usually cellulose acetate and not degradable. Filters are small and may be mistaken as food by shore birds or other animals that visit the beach. Any responsible smoker knows to "field strip" his or her butt and place the remains in a proper receptacle.

Though our shoreline is very small compared with California or Florida, it is still very important to us due to its relative closeness and beauty. Tourists and others sometimes take samples of Gulf of Mexico beach sand to show others how very white it is. Our shoreline is certainly worth the effort to preserve and enhance its beauty and cleanliness.

Water from the Mobile River and the Tensaw Delta drains up to one fourth of the fresh water of our country into the Gulf of Mexico at Mobile. The marsh areas

where the salt and fresh waters meet are the natural nurseries for gulf fish that many of us like to catch and eat and it also supports the salt water fishing industry.

Most of the water that one might observe flowing by in the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa ends up in the Gulf of Mexico along with whatever has been put into it.

Though ,this part of our coast may not have beaches suitable for swimming it is still affected by trash and is very important to our ecosystem.

September 20 is the last day of summer and the beach is very beautiful and mostly vacant because the majority of the tourists have gone home. Coastal Cleanup participation is a great excuse and reason to go to the beach one more time and do something beneficial for the environment, too. It is the "off" season so there are many motel rooms and condos available. Even better, Gulf State Park is a short distance east of the junction of Highway 59 and Highway 182 In Gulf Shores and much less expensive. The park has many camp sites with water, power and sewage.

Bath houses are located strategically so that no camper is very far away and they are air conditioned!

The park extends to the gulf water with a very wide expanse of beautiful beaches. A boardwalk is at one of the locations and enables one to cross the dunes with out harming the eco- system of the dunes or frying one's feet! There is also a park beach pavilion offering shelter from the sun and stormy weather that might come up and has restrooms. Since the

last major hurricanes that damaged much along our coast, Gulf State Park has added many nice facilities and improved the ones already there.

September 20 offers an annual opportunity for participation in a nationwide exercise called Coastal Cleanup. Seventeen sites are listed for Baldwin County and six for Mobile County. www.alabamacoastalcleanup.com is the web site for information or call 251.621.1216. A participant will be given a collection bag; a score card for indicating the type and amount of refuse gathered; gloves; and a pencil. Working in partners is recommended by the writer.

Care for your body with sunscreen, insect repellent, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and a water bottle. The mechanical pinchers for gathering trash/nuts without having to bend down save backs and are a safer way of picking up glass, and other sharp objects.

Debris collected is turned in at noon and weighed. Collectors are then given T shirts of the the event and usually treated to a light lunch.

Explore Alabama as a volunteer and enjoy the beach and ocean at the same time by joining somewhere in the Alabama Coastal Cleanup and "Get the Trash Out of the Splash!"

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SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

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>>> EVENTS CALENDAR |

THE SOUTHEAST'S LARGEST

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

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

KENTUCK ART NIGHT WHEN: 5 – 8 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Historic Downtown Northport CONTACT: kentuck.org DESCRIPTION: Inspired by New Orleans; live jazz performed by the Voodoo Saints.

Beer tasting by Druid City Brewing Co. Pop-up shop with Left Hand Soap Company, fresh gumbo served. Artist reception with NOLA-based ceramicist Joy Gauss.

Cob oven pizza, open artist studios, open galleries.

ALABAMA NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION WHEN: 10 a.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Sella-Granata Art Gallery PHONE: 758.5195 LINK: art.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: The University of Alabama Department of Art and Art History presents the first annual Alabama National, a fine art juried competition open to all artists 18 years or older.

“REDEFINING THE MULTIPLE: 13 JAPANESE PRINTMAKERS” WHEN: 9 a.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Sarah Moody Art Gallery PHONE: 348.1891 LINK: art.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: Redefining the Multiple, 13 Japanese artists interpret printmaking in a wide range of methods. The exhibition features digital technology in three-dimensional modeling and image projection, as well as more traditional methods of printmaking. Some works engage the tradition of the framed artist’s print; others have a more experimental presentation. Through Thursday, Sept. 18.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

FIRST FRIDAY WHEN: 5 – 9 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Downtown Tuscaloosa LINK: tuscarts.org DESCRIPTION: Local galleries, businesses and restaurants are open as an event for the community. Gallery owners and merchants showcase their offerings after hours within the festive atmosphere created with the downtown arts community.

CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS III WHEN: 5 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: The Bama Theater Gallery PHONE: 556.4900 LINK: thearc.org DESCRIPTION: Presented by The Arc of Tuscaloosa County, The public will have a chance to meet the artists, view and purchase artwork. Items at the show will include scarves, note cards, magnets, ornaments and vases.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 7th ANNUAL HEADBANGERS’ HAIR SHOW WHEN: 7 p.m.

COST: $25 at door, $35 VIP WHERE: Bama Theatre

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SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

PHONE: 758.5195 LINK:bamatheatre.org DESCRIPTION: Join Erica Barnes Grant and Charming Kreations for a full night with, barbers, stylists, makeup artists, and vendors.

FAMILY EXPO WHEN: 3 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Northport Civic Center PHONE: 333.3006 LINK: cityofnorthport.org DESCRIPTION: A family event that features health screenings, prizes, vendors and more

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

5TH STREET VINTAGE MARKET WHEN: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: 4150 5th St. Northport, 35476 LINK: 5thstreetvintagemarket.com DESCRIPTION: Now in its third year, 5th Street Vintage Market is West Alabama's only vintage day market. Curated by This Ol' Thing Vintage, Grace Aberdean Habitat Alchemy and DJ Tom Kat Kitten, 5th Street Vintage Market brings a one of a kind shopping experience to the area.

We will feature dozens of dealers from the region who specialize in vintage goods, handmade items and vinyl records

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

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, SEPTEMBER 9

ALS SUPPORT GROUP WHEN: 6 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Hospice of West Alabama PHONE: 519.9030 LINK: alsalabama.org DESCRIPTION: The Alabama Chapter was founded in late 2004 to serve the needs of those living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and their caregivers.

The ALS Association sponsors seven ALS Support Groups in Alabama for ALS patients (PALS), their families, caregivers, friends and anyone interested in supporting the ALS community.

FORZA FINANCIAL WORKSHOP WHEN: 6 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: 800 22nd Avenue, Tuscaloosa, Al PHONE: 210.8083 LINK: forzafinancial.com DESCRIPTION: Chris Lewis, Financial Services Representative for Principal Financial Group, will speak to small business owners. Forza Financial is a microfi-

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

MEET PIPER AND INDIA // LOVING ADDITIONS TO YOUR FAMILY

This peppy pup will make your day! Meet Piper, a darling 9 month old rat terrier mix. She is a small dog, weighing only 15 pounds and will not get much bigger when she is full grown. She has a smooth white coat with brown markings.

And check out those ears! Too cute! Piper is a fun, energetic dog.

She loves to run and around and play, but she loves to be with you and loves attention. She is still a puppy so she will need training and structure to help her develop into a well-mannered adult dog. She could be an apartment dog if she gets plenty of exercising. She will require a fenced in yard or will need to be on a leash. Piper does well with other dogs and should be fine with children over 12. We are working on her crate training. Piper is up to date on her vet care, spayed, heartworm negative and is micro chipped. She is on heartworm and flea/tick prevention. If you want some fun in your life, then Piper is the dog for you! If you are interested in giving Piper the forever home she wants and deserves, visit the West Alabama Humane Society at humanesocietyofwa.org or call us at 554.0011.

This beautiful lady is India, a female adult tabby. Her base color is charcoal gray, but a good bit of orange shows through in what is called a tortoiseshell tabby. India has Tortoiseshell colors with a tabby coat pattern.

She is gorgeous! India is hard to photograph - she's constantly head butting and prancing for attention! She is very sweet and affectionate. India socializes well with other friendly cats, but she really prefers human interaction.

She would do fine with other cats or as an only pet. She should do well with gentle children, but we aren't sure how India feels about dogs. We recommend a trial adoption if a dog is in the home. India is negative for FIV and FeLK, current on vaccinations and spayed. If you are interested in giving the India the forever home she wants and deserves, visit the West Alabama Humane Society at humanesocietyofwa. org or call us at 554.0011.

Canine Classic 5K Road Race To Benefit the Humane Society of West Alabama SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 See Page 25 for Details

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

>>> F I L M | K E V I N L E D G E W O O D

TUESDAYS // TREATS FOR FILM BUFFS Screenings of the nine feature films in the Bama Art House Film Series began on Aug. 19, with five films remaining as of this printing of the PW. Screenings are at the Bama Theatre on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. with the box office opening at 6:30 p.m. and doors at 6:45 p.m.

Discount Punchcard Tickets ($60) are available at the door prior to the screenings and are good for any 10 Bama Art House films. Single Tickets are priced at $8 general, $7 seniors & students and $6 Arts Council members. Patrons can visit www.bamatheatre.org/bamaarthouse to view the list of films, details and accompanying trailers.

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 16: Life Itself (2014) Documentary/Biography (Rated R) Director: Steve James Stars: Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert, Gene Siskel Synopsis: The life and career of the renowned film critic and social commentator, Roger Ebert.

he can chew when he joins an eccentric pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank.

Sept. 30: Bye Week Oct. 7: Magic in the Moonlight (2014) Comedy/ Drama/Romance (Rated PG-13) Director & Writer: Woody Allen Stars: Colin Firth, Emma Stone, Antonia Clarke, Natasha Andrews Synopsis: A romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle.

Personal and professional complications ensue.

Oct. 14: Art and Craft (2014) Documentary (Rated R) Directors: Sam Cullman, Jennifer Grausman, Mark Becker Synopsis: When one of the most prolific art forgers in US history is finally exposed, he must confront the legacy of his 30-year con.

Sept. 23: Frank (2014) Comedy/Drama/Mystery (Rated R) Directors: Lenny Abrahamson Writer: Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan Stars: Michael Fassbender, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Domhnall Gleeson Synopsis: Jon, a young wanna-be musi- Jimmy Welborn, "Mr. Piggly Wiggly" cian, discovers he's bitten off more than

>>> EVENTS CALENDAR |

THE SOUTHEAST'S LARGEST

nance organization located in Tuscaloosa that provides small-scale business loans and other services to small business in the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham area.

sion, the Black Jacket Symphony returns to the stage to perform a collection of greatest hits by the evening's artist.

BAMA ART HOUSE WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

COST: -$7, general admission -$6, students and seniors -$5, Arts Council members WHERE: Bama Theatre PHONE: 758.5195 LINK; bamatheatre.org/bamaarthouse DESCRIPTION: The Bama Art House will show the film Venus in Fur, starring Roman Polanski and Leopold von Sacher Masoch. The mission of Bama Art House is to bring current, contemporary independent film to Tuscaloosa, transforming the Bama Theatre into a cinematic Art House, one night a week.

SUPER SATURDAY! WHEN: 10 a.m.

COST: Under 3 years: $6, 3-59 years: $9, 60 years and above: $7 WHERE: Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa PHONE: 349.4235 LINK: chomonline.org DESCRIPTION: This event features a bug show that will teach children to differentiate between insects and arachnids.

Children can also participate in a “make your own bug” activity.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 ALABAMA MINING INSTITUTE WHEN: 6 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Bryant Conference Center PHONE: 348.6222 LINK: training.ccs.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: Anyone interested in mining, geology, mining regulations, mine construction and development, mine health and environmental issues, coal bed methane, and related subjects can participate.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 SUNDOWN LECTURE SERIES: “TUSCALOOSA ANTIQUE ROAD SHOW” WHEN: 5:15 p.m.

COST: $5, general public WHERE: Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion PHONE: 758.2238 LINK: historictuscaloosa.org DESCRIPTION: Just for fun, local identifiers will be available in various categories of antiques like silver, porcelain, crystal, tools, jewelry, folk art etc.

TPL MONTHLY BOOK DISCUSSION WHEN: 5:30 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: TPL, Weaver Bolden Branch PHONE 758.82.91 LINK: Tuscaloosa-library.org DESCRIPTION: The Tuscaloosa Public Library will discuss The Quite Game by Greg Iles.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 WAMBA Weekly Beginners Ride WHEN: 5:45 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: Munny 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.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

THE BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY: PINK FLOYD’S DARK SIDE OF THE MOON WHEN: 8 p.m.

COST: $30 WHERE: Bama Theatre PHONE: 758.5195 LINK: bamatheatre.org DESCRIPTION: A selected album is performed in its entirety by a group of handpicked musicians specifically selected for each album. With no sonic detail being overlooked, the musicians do whatever it takes to musically reproduce the album.

Following the album and a brief intermis-

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

SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

17

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

LES CLAYPOOL // NASHVILLE // SEPTEMBER 5

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

BIRMINGHAM August Alsina, Iron City Corners, Bottletree Café Black Tide, Iron Horse Café

MONTGOMERY Jerriell Braswell, The Mansion

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

KINGS OF LEON // BIRMINGHAM // SEPTEMBER 10

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

ATLANTA Austin Mahone, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park Digitour, Tabernacle Parachute, The Loft

NASHVILLE Jay Leno, TPAC Andrew Jackson Hall The Four Tops, Schermerhorn Symphony Hall

MONTGOMERY The Jarekus Singleton Band, Capitol Oyster Bar

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

MONTGOMERY The Fab Four, Montgomery Performing Arts Center

NASHVILLE Ty Segall with Wand and Circle K, Mercy Lounge/ Cannery Ballroom

NASHVILLE Vertical Horizon and Tonic, Wildhorse Saloon Les Claypool’s Duo De Twang, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

NASHVILLE How to Dress Well, Exit In

HUNTSVILLE Chris Simmons, Sebastien’s on Main ATLANTA Jason Mraz, Fabulous Fox Theatre

saturday, SEPTEMBER 6

MONTGOMERY Jessie Lynn, Montgomery Motor Speedway James A. Jack, 2nd and Charles

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

BIRMINGHAM Kings of Leon w/ Young the Giant and Kongos, Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

HUNTSVILLE Bret Michaels, Oasis Restaurant and Sports Bar

HUNTSVILLE Payton Taylor, The Celtic Cup Coffee House

ATLANTA 3 Doors Down Acoustic, Tabernacle

ATLANTA ZZ Top and Jeff Beck, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park R5, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center NASHVILLE The Piano Guys, Ryman Auditorium Josh Doyle and Brave Town, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill The Josh Abbott Band & Casey Donahew Band, Marathon Music Works NEW ORLEANS Ron White, Mahalia Jackson Theatre Cakewalk and Sexual Thunder!, Howlin’ Wolf

AUGUST18 29 SEPTEMBER

NEW ORLEANS Alex and Sierra, House of Blues Delta Spirit, One Eyed Jacks

BIRMINGHAM Pinback, Bottletree Café

NEW ORLEANS G-Eazy, Republic New Orleans

WILL DOWNING NEW ORLEANS // DEMI LOVATO // NEW//ORLEANS //

HUNTSVILLE Payton Taylor, The Celtic Cup Coffee House

HUNTSVILLE For Lack of Lythium, Hideaway’s Lounge

ATLANTA Maze and Frankie Beverly, Chastain Park Amphitheatre

SEPTEMBER 13

Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow and Gloriana, Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood Mad Caddies, The Masquerade Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet, Variety Playhouse

NEW ORLEANS Sucre, House of Blues

BIRMINGHAM Wick-It the Instigator, Sloss Furnaces The Young, Bottletree Café

BLACK LILLIES // HUNTSVILLE //

NEW ORLEANS Black Lips, Tipitina’s Stick Figure, House of Blues Afrobeat, Gasa Gasa

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

BIRMINGHAM Needtobreathe, The Alabama Theatre Crowbar and Revocation, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark ATLANTA

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

BIRMINGHAM Colbie Caillat, Iron City Little Raine Band, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

ATLANTA Tedeschi Trucks Band, Chastain Park Amphitheatre Ed Sheeran, The Arena at Gwinnett Center Rend Collective, Variety Playhouse NASHVILLE Journey, Bridgestone Arena Jerrod Niemann, Ryman Auditorium The Steeldrivers with Brigette Demeyer, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill Life in Color, LP Field NEW ORLEANS Will Downing, Saenger Theatre Southern Journeys, House of Blues David Nail, House of Blues J Boog, House of Blues Dirty Bourbon River Show, Freret Street PubliQ House

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 ATLANTA Charlie Wilson, Chastain Park Amphitheatre Little Mix, Tabernacle

HUNTSVILLE Terry McNeal, The Stem and Stein The Black Lillies, Northeast Alabama Community College Julie Taylor, John’s T BBQ BIRMINGHAM Jackopierce, WorkPlay Theatre Earphunk, Sloss Furnaces

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

NASHVILLE The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom Justin Currie, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

ATLANTA The Pretty Reckless, The Masquerade NASHVILLE Leftover Salmon, Ryman Auditorium

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

BIRMINGHAM Balance and Composure, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark MONTGOMERY Hannah Thomas, Cloverdale Playhouse Vivace Music Group, Crosby Theatre

NASHVILLE The Afghan Whigs, Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom NEW ORLEANS DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist, House of Blues Denzel Curry and Deniro Farrar, House of Blues

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

MONTGOMERY John Bull Band, Montomery Performing Arts Center ATLANTA Lilly Allen, Tabernacle Erasure, Symphony Hall Atlanta

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

NEW ORLEANS Demi Lovato, UNO Lakefront Arena

MONTGOMERY Sir Charles Jones, Garrett Coliseum NASHVILLE Kris Kristofferson, Ryman Auditorium

>>> 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

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

Centennial Olympic Park 265 Park Ave W NW 404.223.4412

Minglewood Hall 1555 Madison Ave 901.312.6058

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SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

Montgomery Performing Arts Center 201 Tallapoosa St 334.481.5100 The Nick 2514 10th Ave S 205.252.3831 Sloss Furnaces 20 32nd St N 205.324.1911 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 2200 Encore Pkwy 404.733.5010

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

Von Braun Center 700 Monroe St SW 256.551.2345 WorkPlay 500 23rd St S 205.380.4082 Zydeco 2001 15th Ave S 205.933.1032

WRITERS WANTED CONTACT PLANETEDITOR@YAHOO.COM

>>> LOCAL MUSIC | WHO'S PL AYING AROUND TOWN

MANCHINO // GREEN BAR

// SEPTEMBER 5

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4

SISTER HAZEL // JUPITER BAR

RICKY YOUNG // ROUNDERS

// SEPTEMBER 11

// SEPTEMBER 12

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Anthony Orio, Rhythm & Brews Atlas Road Crew, Green Bar The Devines, Rounders

Johnathan East, Mike's Place

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

Plato Jones, Innisfree

Another Hero, Rhythm & Brews Trigger Proof, Rounders A Drawing Benefitting the Austin Shepard Foundation, Jupiter Manchino & Abstract Theory, Green Bar

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Sean Rivers, Rounders

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Forgotten Clay, Green Bar Nic Snow / Trigger Proof, Rounders Jason Miller Band, Rhythm & Brews

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Plato Jones, Innisfree

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 10

Dj Protoj, Rhythm & Brews Kings of Leon, Oak Mtn. Amphitheater

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Sister Hazel, Jupiter , Rhythm & Brews Matt Bennett Acoustic, Rounders

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

, Rhythm & Brews , Green Bar Ricky Young, 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

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

SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

19

Photo: UA Athletic Photography

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

ALABAMA FOOTBALL // FIVE TOUGHEST GAMES IN 2014

Analysts have made bold predictions and the Coaches’ Poll has released its preseason top 25 rankings.

Alabama enters this season ranked No.2 in the nation. The placement adds a chip on the Tide’s shoulder, but Alabama looks to reclaim its spot atop college football. The Crimson Tide’s first triumphant matchup was against West Virginia in Atlanta on Aug. 30. 33-23.

The Mountaineers were first on Alabama’s plate, but other challenging programs await the Tide in 2014. As Alabama begins its quest for a 16th national title, here is a list of the five toughest opponents it will face this season: 5. Mississippi Rebels (Ole Miss) Coach: Hugh Freeze 2013 record: 8-5, 3-5 (SEC) Returning players: (Offense) Bo Wallace, I’Tavius Mathers, Jaylen Walton, Mark Dodson, Laquon Treadwell and Evan Engram. (Defense) Cody Prewitt, C.J. Hampton, Denzel Nkemdiche and Serderius Bryant.

Location: Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss.

Summary: Mississippi entered 2013 under a lot of hype. The Rebels started last season with three straight wins. Before the Alabama game, many of the players took to social media for trash talking. As a result, the Tide’s defense held Mississippi scoreless. Ole Miss looks to redeem itself from the 25-0 beat-down Alabama handed them.

The Crimson Tide will head to Oxford this season. The Rebels will have a spirited crowd behind them, in hopes to provide a hostile environment for the Tide. Bo Wallace completed 54.8 percent (17/31) of his passes for 159 yards last season against Alabama. It will be up to him to compose the Rebels and make smart decisions with the ball in 2014.

20

SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

4. Florida Gators Coach: Will Muschamp 2013 record: 4-8, 3-5 (SEC) Returning players: (Offense) Jeff Driskell, Matt Jones, Mack Brown, Kelvin Taylor, Quinton Dunbar and Demarucs Robinson. (Defense) Dante Fowler and Vernon Hargreaves III. Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Summary: Florida lacked rhythm on offense in 2013. Jeff Driskel broke his fibula against Tennessee. The Gators went through many quarterbacks, but had little success. Florida’s defense held its own to start the season, but struggled down the stretch. The Gators finished 15th nationally, surrendering 21.1 points per game.

2011 was the last time Florida faced Alabama. The venue was Bryant-Denny Stadium and Alabama was the victor, 38-10. With a healthy Driskel and the hiring of Kurt Roper (offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach), Florida looks to be much improved in 2014. Dante Fowler and Vernon Hargreaves are the leaders on defense. Fowler had 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2013. Hargreaves totaled three interceptions and 11 pass breakups last season.

3. Mississippi State Bulldogs Coach: Dan Mullen 2013 record: 7-6, 3-5 (SEC) Returning players: (Offense) Dak Prescott, Ashton Shumpert, Josh Robinson, Jameon Lewis, Malcolm Johnson, De’Runnya Wilson. (Defense) Chris Jones, Benardrick McKinney, Jamerson Love and Taveze Calhoun.

Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Summary: It appeared like Mississippi State would finish 2013 at 4-8. The Bulldogs pulled out close victories over Kentucky, Arkansas and Ole Miss to finish at 7-6 last season. After its 44-7 victory

against Rice in the Liberty Bowl, Mississippi State has Southeastern Conference dark horse written on them.

The Bulldogs were one of few teams that gave Alabama a fight in 2013, despite losing 20-7. Mississippi State returns 85 percent of its offense in 2014, headlined by quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott accounted for 23 touchdowns and 2,769 yards last season. Jameon Lewis and De’Runnya Wilson are gamechanging receivers.

The Bulldogs return and experienced defense led by Benardrick McKinney. He recorded 70 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2013. Defensive lineman Chris Jones totaled 32 tackles and three sacks last season. Jamerson Love and Taveze Calhoun led the secondary as they combined for six interceptions in 2013.

2. Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers Coach: Les Miles 2013 record: 10-5, 5-3 (SEC) Returning players: (Offense) Terrence Magee, Kenny Hilliard, Travis Dickson and Colby Delahoussaye. (Defense) Jalen Mills, Tre’ Sullivan, D.J. Wetler, Ronald Martin and Tre’Davious White.

Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, La. Summary: Like Alabama, LSU has to find a new quarterback. With Zach Mettengberger in the National Football League, the battle is between Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris. Jennings got some action in 2013. He passed for 181 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

He will get the nod to start this season, but Harris will be breathing down his neck.

LSU was embarrassed in the second half against Alabama last season. The Tigers’ offensive line failed to protect Mettenberger as he was sacked four times in the contest. The Tide’s defense held LSU to three points in the second half and won the game 38-17.

The Tigers were heart broken in Alabama’s last visit to Tiger Stadium. A 28-yard hookup from AJ McCarron to T.J. Yeldon via screen pass doomed LSU 21-17 in 2012. The Tigers have experience players returning, but also a plethora of talented freshmen coming in. Tiger Stadium has had some renovations made to it. The atmosphere will be louder than even before in 2014, especially when Alabama comes to town.

1. Auburn Tigers Coach: Guz Malzahn 2013 record: 12-2, 7-1 (SEC) Returning players: (Offense) Nick Marshall, Cameron Artis-Payne, Corey Grant, Ricardo Louis, Sammie Coates, Quan Bray, C.J. Uzomah, Reese Dismukes

and D’haquille Williams. (Defense) Gabe Wright, Montravius Adams, Cassanova McKinzy, Jermaine Whitehead, Robenson Therezie and Jonathon Mincy.

Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Summary: This game needs no explanation. Revenge is the lone reason. Auburn shocked the world in 2013. After winning three games in 2012, the Tigers notched 12 wins last season. Auburn led the nation in rushing, averaging 328.3 yards per game.

Auburn had a lot of balls bounce it way, but none bigger than Chris Davis’s 109yard missed kick return for a touchdown against Alabama. The play won Davis an ESPY award and placed Auburn in the SEC title game.

Despite losing Tre Mason and Greg Robinson, the Tigers return a potent offense in 2014. Quarterback Nick Marshall recorded 26 touchdowns and 2,044 yards.

Both Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant rushed for over 600 yards and combined for 12 touchdowns in 2013. Sammie Coates led the receiver core with 1,016 yards and nine touchdowns.

Auburn was shamed in its last visit to Bryant-Denny Stadium. In 2012, Gene Chizik was head coach and the Tigers were shut out 49-0. Alabama will look to repeat that stat, while Auburn looks to defeat the Tide on the road.

Honorable Mentions: Texas A&M Aggies Coach: Kevin Sumlin 2013 record: 9-4, 4-4 (SEC) Returning players: (Offense) Kenny Hill, Tra Carson, Trey Williams, Malcolme Kennedy and Ricky Seals-Jones. (Defense) De’Vante Harris, Deshazor Everett, Tyrell Taylor and Alonzo Williams.

Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Summary: Gone are the days of Johnny Manziel. Like Alabama and LSU, it’s time for Texas A&M to find its next explosive quarterback. Kenny Hill received playing time in 2013 and Sumlin has given him the nod this season. Talented freshman Kyle Allen will continue to battle Hill for the starting position. The Aggies loss Ben Malena, but return a dynamic duo in Tra Carson and Trey Williams. Carson rushed for 329 yards last season. Williams recorded 407 yards rushing and both combined for 13 touchdowns in 2013.

Malcolme Kennedy will be the primary receiver in 2014. He had 658 yards receiving and seven touchdowns last season.

It was a shootout at Kyle Field between Texas A&M and Alabama in 2013.

Both offenses went back and forth. The Crimson Tide emerged victorious, 49-42.

The Aggies defeated Alabama 29-24 in its last visit to Bryant-Denny Stadium (2012).

Alabama will look to prevent that from happening this season.

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

Photos: UA Athletic Photography

>>> 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

SABAN // "I LIKE OUR TEAM'S ATTITUDE"

Dallas Warmack Lane Kiffin and Blake Sims

“I thought we made plays when we needed to make them,” Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban said. “There’s a lot of things we can improve on. I was pleased with the way we controlled the ball on offense (37:47 to 22:13 advantage in time of possession).”

Many questions after the contest focused on first-time starting quarterback Blake Sims (24-33 passing for 250 yards with one interception and 42 yards rushing).

“I thought Blake Sims really settled down in the second half and was able to play better.,” Saban said. “In the second quarter, Blake got a little rattled. I told Jake [Coker] to loosen up, that we might have to put him in the game. Then I said to Lane [Kiffin], 'Let’s go no-huddle,’ and Blake got back in sync. I’m happy with his performance.”

On Kiffin, Saban had some terse words about his coordinator’s critics.

“Lane did a great job today," Saban said. "He helped Blake with some of his checks and managing the game. You guys [in the media] need to fess up: the guy’s a really good coach. Most places that don’t like him are mad because he left, not because of anything he did while

he was there. Do a little research on that.”

Saban added that he felt that having Kiffin on the sidelines was very beneficial to Sims. “And that’s why we did it,” he said.

Asked to expound about Sims’ success with the no-huddle, Saban said, “We could do it as much as we want. We’ll do what benefits our players the most.

“Now, we run a regular offense. We’re like the ‘Dinosaur Age’ when it comes to offense. But, I’ve found out that, because everybody else is running spread and no-huddle, it makes it more difficult to defend us.”

Blake Sims said this about his debut as the team's starting quarterback.

“Saban told me to play with composure. I told him when it comes time, I’ll be ready. I didn’t think about [starting Saturday for the first time] too much. I just went out there and played. Through spring and summer, I was focused on getting the team ready. I knew I would be ready to go if I got the call. I found out Friday I was starting.

“I think I did OK. I can always get better, in all situations. We can all get better.

We feel very confident with what we did

[in rolling up 538 yards of offense and 33 points.]”

Another man doing his job full-time for the first time was sophomore kicker Adam Griffith, who nailed four field goals and all three extra points. Griffith connected on field goals from 47, 41, 27 and 45 yards.

“We’ve always had a lot of confidence in ‘Grif,’” said Saban. “There were times last year when we thought about making him the kicker. When we had him as a [high school] sophomore at our camp, he was as good a kicker as we’d seen. We’re excited about his future.”

Saban had mixed feelings about a defense that gave up only 28 yards on the ground but 365 through the air to the Mountaineers.

“We didn’t play the gap fits on the run a few times," Saban said. "The two big stops we made inside the 10-yard line were big for us. We made a lot of mental errors, but we had two new starters at linebacker [Reggie Ragland and Reuben Foster].

"When you have leadership on defense and everybody concentrates on the call they’re making, and then you go against no-huddle… But, these are all things we’ve executed against before.

"There were some plays out there today where I thought we could have done better [like the WVU kick return for a touchdown]. We had a missed tackle on that return, and that’s something we’ve got to clean up.”

Junior safety Landon Collins agreed.

“We just have to get familiar with the game plan,” he said. “And we just missed on some of our personal packages, but we got the win, so that is all that matters.

We had a game plan coming in, and it didn’t quite work, but in the second half we settled down.

“It’s all mental. We knew we needed to make the [second half red zone] stops, and get off the field. We have to do a better job of picking the offense up, and we have to have each other’s back, of-

fense and defense. Toward the end of the game, we did a better job of that” While it was not the most beautiful win of the Saban era, the Tide’s eighth-year boss likes the way things are moving forward.

“I like our team’s attitude," Saban said.

"I like the way they work. At quarterback, and some other positions [like linebacker and cornerback], we don’t have the experience. You [in the media] ignored that. I couldn’t. I really thought West Virginia had a better team than everybody thought. [The media] created the perception that this was going to be a lopsided game. I thought this was going be like the Virginia Tech game here [in Atlanta in 2009, when Bama won 34-24].”

Saban said senior receiver DeAndrew White left the game with a shoulder problem and should be out about a week.

Bama had two backs over 100 yards against West Virginia, as T.J. Yeldon went for 126 and 2 touchdowns and Derrick Henry chipped in 113 yards and one touchdown. Amari Cooper led all receivers with 130 yards on 12 grabs. Collins had 8 tackles to lead the defense.

Adam Griffith

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

Photo: TouchdownAlabama.net SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

21

>>> FILM | A LY X C H A N D L E R

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

WHATCHA WATCHIN'? // "BOYHOOD" GOES BEYOND // ACCLAIM FROM "BOB'S BURGERS" // "MONK" FILMGOERS AND CRITICS When school is back in session, more premiers and pilot episodes of favorite television shows are sure to follow. Fall is a prime season for new ideas to emerge, and reimaginings of current shows to appear, allowing for new plots, characters, and villains.

There’s still a small gap, however, between summer reruns and fall episodes where the public needs something small to fill their time.

Never fear, because we can find options by asking our friends and neighbors.

It’s been more than a few years since the timeless Boy Meets World made its rounds on family’s TVs across the country. The 90s parents and kids still remember growing up intertwined in Corey and Topanga’s heartwarming love saga. For a full seven seasons the same actors and actresses underwent the trials of boyhood with Corey from an early age through marriage.

Now a new movie explores the same concept of family drama—or more so, how it has changed.

“Boyhood,” a 2014 Richard Linklater-directed Sundance film previously titled “12 Years,” takes a riskier, eye-opening approach to the coming-of-age concept of boyhood. While Boy Meets World episodes were planned and filtered for a family-friendly image of the perfect 90s ideal, “Boyhood” filmed the same crew with little funding for only three to four days once each year. Its tale focuses on Mason, played by actor Ellar Coltrane at the early age of 7 all the way till age 18. With an already-crafted script, Linklater followed Mason’s life all the way to his first year of college, spotlighting the family’s trek to survive and its influence on Mason's life. This independent film lets the not-so-extraordinary yet humorous moments of boyhood blister into the all too common dysfunctional moments of divorce and crisis that comes with growing up within a twenty-first century family.

It's quite a scene change from Boy Meets World. So the question stands, who wants to pay for a night to see the darker memories from their childhood displayed on a big screen, anyways?

But the bravery in the idea in itself is what makes “Boyhood” extraordinary. The honesty invested in the film is sky-rocketing the box office. Linklater paints recognizable scenes of people growing up in America, but without lending any one moment too much of its own attention. He lets the moment speak abruptly for itself. Filmed through the eyes of a kid that doesn’t know any better, “Boyhood” becomes a movie that's impossible to watch without a knot of understanding forming for what it takes to grow up in this generation.

Linklater successfully doesn’t paint the concept of boyhood too dramatic or unbelievable, nor does he hook happy ever after sentiments for Mason over the years. He lets the honesty grip the audience—sometimes with a lump in their throat—while the film goes on, as simply as life does. He leaves the characters unresolved and in cliffhangers. This is, incidentally, exactly how each of us grew up and will continue to grow up.

But by filming it like this, the movie leaves the audience knowing exactly why he ended up the way he did.

Thus it also leaves audience members with a chance to evaluate their own growth.

This is probably why "Boyhood" went from a Sundance film to a movie critics continue to be impressed by. It is geared to audiences of all ages—everyone recognizes Mason's vulnerability. There’s moments when children can say nothing but the truth, and Boyhood achieves an evolution of a more realistic—even if uncomfortable—picture of a child. Movies typically tend to stray away from this life-like portrait, but Linklater embraces it head on.

“Boyhood” is definitely worth the drive to Birmingham or any nearby independent film theater. It's unforgettable nature is a reminder that childhood has Jil Chambless its impact—both good and bad.

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Meghan Steel, a graduate of the University of Alabama, offers up her current favorite Meghan Steel show, “Bob’s Burgers”. “Bob’s Burgers” is an animated show on FOX about Bob Belcher and his family as they run a mom-and-pop burger joint, Bob’s Burgers. Bob, along with his wife Linda, daughters Tina and Louise, and son Gene, deal with crazy antics and a weird landlord along with trying to keep the restaurant alive. With the help of Linda, Bob also has to try and wrangle in his mischievous kids: Tina is a teenager pining for the boy next door, Louise is a troublemaker, and Gene is always one step behind everyone else, but together the family of five manage to overcome their troubles and live happily and content. With four seasons and a 2014 Primetime Emmy win for Best Animated Program, “Bob’s Burgers” is a force to be reckoned with.

“The storylines are original,” said Steel of the award-winning show, “the characters are unique, relatable, and endearing. The music is hilarious and well written, and the humor doesn't have to resort to crudeness or insult.

Picking a favorite character is impossible becaue each one is so well-developed. I find people are often hesitant to give this show a chance-I was for years-but I think anyone would enjoy it as soon as they watch just one episode.”

Crime dramas make interesting television, and comedy adds a little something extra to make a great television show. Julia Wildgrube recommends “Monk” to fill that craving. “Monk” is a now retired USA Network show about former detective Adrian Monk, who everyone in his precinct would agree is an amazing detective-with one flaw. Monk has Obsessive ComJulia Wildgrube pulsive Disorder, and that tends to get in the way of his detective work. On leave from a psychiatric hospital, he and his friend and nurse, Sharona, help the police solve crimes. Despite Monk’s illness, he has a photographic memory and can piece the smallest details together, and that makes him invaluable to the police. In its time between 2002 and 2009, “Monk” scored a Golden Globe for Best Actor, given to Tony Shalhoub, who plays Monk. It also racked up 16 other wins, including Primetime Emmy’s and Screen Actor’s Guild awards.

“The quirkiness of the show, and all of the characters together,” said Wildgrube when asked why she loved the show so much. “The character development is great.

You can see Monk grow as a character, along with a lot of the main characters. The episodes keep you interested; you can always ask yourself, ‘Is Monk wrong this time?

What’s wrong with Monk this time?’ The episode titles are amusing as well.”

“Bob’s Burgers” has three seasons available on Netflix to stream, and season four is available to watch on Hulu, iTunes, and Amazon Video. “Bob’s” has also been renewed for a fifth season, which will premier on October 5th on FOX. “Monk” is no longer available on Netflix, but is available on Hulu, Amazon, and iTunes.

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>>> HOROSCOPES |

weekly overview

>>> PUZZLEMAniA |

Sudoku

Getting the right balance between work and play or diet and exercise could be easier starting this week. You'll be motivated to pay attention to what works best for you and what doesn't in terms of lifestyle issues. It's time to review your habits and chuck any that don't support your ultimate goals. Romantic opportunities brighten over this week, too, with Venus enhancing dating options and enticing you out for more fun. Home-based projects fare well, too, especially if you have something ambitious in mind.

Romantic opportunities show up as Mercury eases into Libra, enhancing seductive and flirtatious conversation. You might also be drawn to cultural activities, such as exhibitions, music, and the arts in general. You'll also be busy on the home front and eager to clear out clutter and create some space around you. The move of Venus into Virgo hints that you may be doing more entertaining at home for business or pleasure. You're also in a phase when researching and sharing important information could be quite lucrative.

Concerning money, you may feel more relaxed and optimistic about your situation. The presence of Jupiter can incline you to splurge, though it also pushes you to seek opportunities to earn extra cash. In addition, a new focus on family matters encourages conversation as a way to increase harmony at home. Constructive discussion might also push you to start a project that's so far been in the planning stages. Meanwhile, the move of Venus into Virgo might entice you to explore fitness opportunities and so enhance Though you're upbeat and positive, you might find that the situation at home taxes your strength. Thankfully, a tricky issue seems to be easing, which may reassure you that things really can improve. When it comes to getting your message out to the world, try to do so in as balanced a way as possible. Consider everybody's needs and target your words in a way that people can understand and resonate with. Financially, you may be motivated to splurge on small luxuries, but you deserve it!

The spiritual and mystical side of life continues to be in focus as Jupiter enhances your intuitive awareness and encourages you to pay attention to dreams or unusual synchronicities. Ardent desires may find release as a budding romance develops its more passionate side. Either way, things are looking up. As Venus edges into your sign, this is an opportunity to think about your image and consider your style signature. Tweaking your everyday wear just a little could enhance your confidence and the opportunities that come your way.

You'll find it easier to put words to your feelings and express yourself in general as Mercury bops into your sign early this week. You'll be more inclined to chat if you have plans to share or something to get off your chest. Your social life continues to be a positive experience that you should nurture as much as possible. Make a point of networking regularly and you'll greatly benefit in the romantic as well as business sense.

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

Even though things may have been tough lately, you seem to have come through with flying colors. While you're not completely out of the woods, the current alignment adds strength and support that you'll greatly appreciate. You may be in the spotlight or in a position of importance, but a part of you may feel like keeping a low profile, or at least keeping your cards close to your chest as a way to ensure your privacy. Encouragement from pals may be all you need to stay strong and succeed.

The idea of cutting ties and sailing into the wild blue yonder may appeal to you, particularly with Jupiter urging you on. Mercury's presence in Libra, starting Monday, hints that romance can happen when you're willing to socialize and move in new circles. Career ambitions also beckon this week, and it helps to have a plan or strategy that can move you along the path to success. As Venus dances into Virgo, you'll also find that mingling with the right folks can help you achieve your goals.

You're in the mood to profit from any business ventures and explore entrepreneurial ideas for investment and pure fun. There's also a focus on learning and discovery, suggesting that this is a good time to upgrade your skill set or explore subjects that pique your interest.

A career matter or personal goal might benefit from liaising with the right people. Advice from someone in the know could be the missing ingredient that helps you make great progress this week.

Romantic, business, friendly, or other relationships continue to flourish.

But Mercury's move into Libra hints that it's time to move in new circles and connect with people who can pique your imagination and enthusiasm for new ideas. Finances benefit from a sound budget and strong plan. This is a good time to start repaying debt and so ease any attendant anxiety. Make time to meditate, too. You'll find that it helps to bring peace of mind no matter what challenges come your way.

Positive experiences on the work front may be giving you more confidence, encouraging you to showcase your skills and abilities, and helping you to feel good about the future. This is a great time to look for work that might be more challenging and lucrative. Relationships also come into focus, enticing you to see key connections in a new light or from a fresh perspective. Plus, Mercury's move into Libra is all about balancing your financial situation and feeling more harmonious as result.

Relationships and romantic opportunities show up this week as Mercury eases into Libra, making it easier to talk about tricky issues and find the best solution for all. Plus, the continued presence of Jupiter in Leo puts you in the mood for fun and fresh adventures, especially of the amorous kind.

However, there's work to do, too, and the move of Venus into Virgo could be a reminder to keep things sweet with co-workers. Regarding health, you might want to amp up the attractor factor by getting yourself in shape.

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SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

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

>>> ISSUES | C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 4

SCHOOL SYSTEM RANKED LOW geared at students who have to work or take care of a child during the day, and drop-in academies for students close to earning their diploma.

“We also want every student entering 9th grade with a four-year plan,” Sibley said. “If they identify their skills and their passion, they’re less likely to drop out and they’re more likely to take classes that prepare them for the next step.”

On another stop of the education tour, Bice recommended giving students the end-of-the-year test during the first week of school. Finding out what the class can already do and finding the students who are already ahead of the curve can save valuable time and energy.

“The most underserved group may be gifted students, who might already be proficient in a subject.” Sibley said. “Let Getting Ahead of the Curve them grow.”

For an issue as complex as educaSibley said success comes down to tion, the answers won’t be found in the the freedom to customize a school sysback of the book. Sibley noted ambition, tem to the students it serves. creativity and communication as key fac“Of course lack of funding puts everytors for immediate results and long-term one in a box,” Sibley said. “In resources, solutions. we’re limited. In creativity, we’re not.”

“Why do we have graduation once Representative Black said more a year?” Sibley said. “We have schools power needs to be put in the hands of who have three ceremonies a year, each teachers, who know how run a classroom as big as the last. Why are classes only available at the same times for everyone? better than anyone else.

“They’re overburdened by tests,” There’s no law or code that says school Black said. “They need some freedom is in session Monday through Friday, 7 to to teach the subject. You need some 3:30.” guidelines, sure, and some oversight, but On the Future of Public Education the goal is for the students to grasp what tour, superintendent Bice showed a they’re learning. I would like to see us crowd a picture of 10 or 11 students at getting more input from teachers at the their high school graduation, all of whom ground-level.” had come to him a few years prior and When a system is in bad shape, we said “I want to drop out.” need a little extra faith that the teachers Sibley said communicating with a stuknow what they’re doing to put it on the dent one-on-one is the best way to keep right track, Sibley said. them on track to graduate.

“Education reform is like turning a Widespread Panic “The assumption is that if a student cruise liner, not a speed boat,” Sibley wants to drop out, they must not acasaid. “We haven’t even scratched the demically cut the mustard,” Sibley said. surface of what we can do for these “That’s not always the case. A lot of students.” problems are fixable.”

The full WalletHub report and results Sibley described schools that open are available on WalletHub.com storefronts to offer night classes, usually daughter to wash the dishes, he will find the dishes clean—but the laundry will still be dirty and the floor still won’t be mopped.

“I didn’t ask her to do that.” “We have to ask for more if we want them to achieve more. We were holding our students back by expecting them to do poorly.”

The previous motto of the Alabama State Board of Education was “Every Child a Graduate” but with the new Plan 2020, led by state superintendent Tommy Bice, it reads “Every Child a Graduate— Every Graduate Prepared.”

“We know college is not for everyone,” Sibley said. “We want them to have a choice.”

Across 1. Welk word 5. Barbershop items 10. Piece of concrete 14. City in China known for its terra-cotta warriors 15. Name repeated in a 1963 hit song 16. Decline in power 17. Not certain 19. Piscivorous bird 20. Rabies 21. Produces again 23. Work units.

26. Composition's original form 27. Fruity, flaky dessert 32. Here, in Quebe 33. Prefix with iliac 34. Some dental records 38. Hit the runway 40. Stone monument 42. Did in, as a dragon 43. Tatum or Ryan 45. Nostril 47. Santana's "___ Como Va" 48. Put through the ringer 51. 1982 role for Meryl 54. Like a Playmate of the Month 55. Delivered a sermon 58. Get on the class list 62. Wise ____ owl 63. "And that's that!"

66. Passed the word 67. To be, in Tijuana 68. "Gentleman's Agreement" Oscar-winner Celeste 69. Endings for hydrocarbons 70. Sixth in San Marino 71. Hebridean isle Down 1. Angle between stem and branch 2. Itty-bitty 3. Mouthfuls of gum

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4. "Just a moment..."

5. XV x X + I 6. Ending for ball or bass 7. He wrote "The Yosemite" 8. Tug at the fishing line 9. Escorts to the penthouse 10. Pullovers 11. Not quite jumbo 12. Add on 13. 'If thou ... Stephano'...'The Tempest' 18. Bus money 22. Cereal with the flavor wildberry blue 24. Detroit financing co.

25. Trigonometry ratio 27. Venus de___ 28. Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Yes ___" 29. Prime-time hour 30. Windows typeface 31. Television's Liz 35. Quite frequently 36. Style of 1960's French pop music with a repetitive name 37. Scand. country 39. Experts 41. Day's opposite in commercials 44. Pertaining to the flock 46. Classic battlers 49. Titters 50. Moogs et al.

51. Sudden rush 52. Bean on screen 53. Washington painter 56. First word in Mass. motto 57. Banned insecticides 59. Castle for Kasparov 60. Concordes land there 61. Connecticut town with a disease named after it 64. Feed bag item 65. To and ___ (back andforth) SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMANIA CROSSWORD ON PAGE 27

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>>>T H E AT R E |AM E LIA W E B B E R

THEATRE TUSCALOOSA TO HOLD AUDITIONS // "LITTLE WOMEN" Theatre Tuscaloosa open auditions for its upcoming production of “Little Women” on Monday, October 13, at 6pm and Tuesday, October 14, at 6pm in the Wilson Carr Rehearsal Hall off the Lobby of the Bean-Brown Theatre at Shelton State Community College (9500 Old Greensboro Rd).

Based on the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott, “Little Women” interweaves the lives of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March. Their mother strives to provide her daughters with a happy childhood despite the absence of their dear father, who is away fighting in the Civil War. This cleverly written story of a family’s enduring love through difficult circumstances touches audiences of all ages, and it’s perfect for the holiday season.

All ages (8 and up) and races are encouraged to audition. Auditions will include cold readings from the script.

Actors may present a headshot and acting resume if available. Those auditioning should bring their calendars so that they can list any conflicts they may have with the rehearsal schedule. Copies of the script are available to read in the Theatre Tuscaloosa ticket office. Scripts may not leave the premises, however.

The ticket office is open Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.

– noon.

Rehearsals for “Little Women” will begin shortly after the auditions. Rehearsals are generally held Monday through Friday evenings, and Sunday afternoons.

will hold

Some Saturday and Sunday evening rehearsals may occur, too. Each show is unique, however, and a precise rehearsal schedule will be finalized after casting.

“Little Women” will run Dec. 5–14, 2014, at the Bean-Brown Theatre on Shelton State Community College’s Martin Campus. Performances will be at 7:30 pm Thursdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Sundays. A Pay-What-You-Can dress rehearsal will be presented on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m.

More details, including a list of characters, are available at www.theatretusc. com or by phone at 391.2277.

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

SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

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

FRESH START 2014

PAINFUL THOUGHTS OF BUGS BUNNY // AND OTHER SMART REMARKERS

YOU CAN CLEAN THE SLATE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 8 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22 Have fines, overdue materials or damaged items been keeping you from all the great stuff at your local Tuscaloosa Public Library location? TPL customers can now get a clean slate, thanks to the library’s “Fresh Start” initiative.

Starting Monday, September 8, 2014 and running until Monday, September 22, 2014, TPL will welcome customers to get a “Fresh Start” with the Tuscaloosa Public Library. The campaign is designed to encourage library cardholders to donate school supplies or pet supplies in exchange for amnesty on any accumulated fines, missing items or damaged materials. A donation of any amount will wipe the slate clean on the library card account.

The collected school supply items will be donated to Tuscaloosa’s One Place. The pet supplies will go to the Humane Society of West Alabama.

The “Fresh Start” campaign is intended to start customers with a clean slate in mid-September, when a new fine structure begins for materials. The purpose is to get people back to the library, who might have stopped visiting a TPL library location because their cards had been suspended for fines or missing materials. The “Fresh Start” campaign is a way to encourage those customers to come back and enjoy many new and exciting services provided by the library. Also, replacement cards will be issued for free during this period too.

For more information on the “Fresh Start” campaign, getting a new replacement library card, or the new fines structure, call 345.5820, or visit the library’s website, www.tuscaloosa-library. org.

Canine Classic 5K Road Race To Benefit the Humane Society of West Alabama

T

he eleventh annual Canine Classic 5K road race to benefit the Humane Society of West Alabama will be held Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Kentuck Park.

The 5K road race will start at 8 a.m. and is part of the Tuscaloosa Track Club Grand Prix of West Alabama. Registration starts at 7 a.m., and the cost is $20 day of the race. Humans only, please, in the road race.

The race course is a flat, fast certified course. The first 150 registrants will receive a t-shirt on the day of the race and all entrants will be entered into a drawing for door prizes. Sport drinks, food, fruit and water will be available and walkers are welcomed. Participants can download a registration form from either www.TuscaloosaTrackClub.com or www.HumaneSocietyofWA.org, or pick one up at local gyms and sports retailers. Awards will be given out to standard age groups.

The Humane Society of West Alabama, founded in 1971, is a no-kill, all volunteer, non-profit organization. For more information please call 554-0011 or visit HumaneSocietyofWA.org.

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Pain is what you don’t expect. Surprise!

Surprise can be painful; pain is always surprising.

Pain is what you anticipate and anticipate and anticipate.

Didn’t Billy Shakespeare say, “Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once.” I guess that means cowards tend to allow their imaginations to get the best of them. Valiant people must be deeply into avoidance in order to survive.

Relief comes from finding out that what you anticipated isn’t as bad as you expected.

Pain is all in your head.

Wait…

Pain is all in your body.

OK, pain is everywhere in your body and your head, it’s just that some pains are more extreme than other pains, so the body does a kind of prioritizing—the most resounding pain is the pain you have to deal with to the exclusion of all other peckingorder pains. The tiniest pain gets the least attention, but is the tiniest pain always the least important pain?

Level of pain does not seem to have much to do with degree of danger. A hangnail can be excruciating, but how often is it life-threatening?

“He died of hangnail pain, poor S.O.B.” As Bugs Bunny once said, “Pain hurts!”

Why will I do anything to avoid pain, even if that specific pain has little to do with degree of danger?

Walking barefoot across loose gravel is enormously painful, but will it kill me?

“He died of barefoot gravel-walking, poor S.O.B.” Since this whole subject is painful, I think I’ll change the subject.

Avoidance can be a great pain-manager.

For me, it’s probably the only pain-manager.

Avoidance is a way of life, and it can work wonders, especially when you find it impossible to deal with the reality of things.

I recommend avoidance whenever possible.

I never recommend pain ©2014 by Jim Reed jim@jimreedbooks.com blog: www.redclaydiary.com

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>>> MUSIC | T R E Y B R O O K S

UA Student, Shanley, says

LOCKN' REIMAGINES MUSIC FESTIVALS

"I wish I'd found The Book Rack before my senior year. I love Lynn Kurland. She's an author I am excited to read"

Half-Off Publishers’ Prices

The modern day music festival is a chaotic scene, to say the least. Aside from the many vendors, displays, carnival attractions and so on, there could be as many as four music acts playing at the same time. The confusion and logistical nightmare can be too much for some patrons, who just want to see their favorite bands perform. Well, one festival in Virginia looks to cure these ills. Is it possible to have one of the biggest festivals of the year without any artists interfering with each other? The answer, surprisingly, is yes.

Beginning last year, Lockn’ Festival (pronounced “Lock In”) provided an all-star festival lineup while making sure no two shows played simultaneously. How did they do that? By putting them all on one stage. The result was a resounding success with fans that has led to an even bigger event this year. Legends, stars and up-and-comers will take the same stage for four nights, September 4th-7th. Artist collaborations are heavily encouraged, so look for some interesting sit-ins and co-headlining shows. Let it be known that the most electronic thing you will hear at Lockn’ is a distorted guitar. No raves and DJs at this event, just good ole fashioned bands.

This year’s Lockn’ Festival has plenty of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers performing. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers made what seemed like an endless stream of gold and platinum records from the late 70’s to mid 90’s. They still tour relentlessly and Lockn’ will be far from their first festival to headline. Same can be said for The Allman Brothers Band, who will recreate their classic live album Live at the Filmore East at the festival. And you can’t have a festival without some former Grateful Dead members. Pioneers in the genre of psychedelic rock, former member Phil Lesh and Bill Kreutzmann will be at Lockn’ with their solo projects, but you can expect to hear many Dead classics in their sets. Finally, country music legend Willie Nelson will also be in attendance.

The bulk of the remaining lineup is made up mostly of veteran festival artists. Widespread Panic will play two shows at Lockn’, with former Traffic singer Steve Winwood sitting in during the first set. The String Cheese Incident will play four sets at the festival, with the first being dedicated to soul/funk legend Sly and the Family Stone (featuring members of New Orleans’ famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band). Other artists making multiple appearances include Wilco and Umphrey’s McGee, who Tuscaloosa fans might remember from their recent show at the Amphitheatre.

There will be some other highlights to look for as well. Drive-By Truckers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Gary Clark Jr and the Del McCoury Band will all surely put on wonderful shows. Smaller names to look out for at Lockn’ include Lettuce, SOJA, The Wood Brothers and The Revivalists.

This year, there will be at least one other stage, though it exists only for early morning and late night shows that will not interfere with any main stage performances.

Artists to watch for here include blues legend Taj Mahal, Chris Robinson of the Black Crows, Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass, Hot Tuna and Dumpstaphunk.

Lockn’ festival challenged a lot of theories about festival scheduling when it first came about. In year two, the test will be if it can keep audiences coming back. With the success of the lineup, it’s hard to imagine fans wouldn’t embrace it with open arms. The artists clearly approve, as many are veterans of last year’s event. I expect this year to be another success, and look for Lockn’ to be a force on the scene for some time.

(Near OZ Music)

Gently used — most like new

PARKVIEW SHOPPING CENTER • 205.758.5770 SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMAINIA SUDOKO PAGE 23

SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMAINIA CROSSWORD PAGE 24

@TreyBrooks88

Allman Bros. Band. 2014 may be their last year of tours.

Tuscaloosa’s oldest and only Independent Book Store Celebrating 40 Years of Great Book Bargains

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SEPTEMBER 4 + SEPTEMBER 18

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