theloaferonline.com | November 21, 2017
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on the cover
Volume 31 • Issue #51
Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle Cover Design Bill May Advertising Patti Barr Paul Kavanaugh Janie Jarvis Lori Howell Office Coordinator Amanda Lane
Distribution Jerry Hanger Teresa Hanger Published by Pulse Publishing, LLC., P.O. Box 3238, Johnson City, TN 37602 Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com info@theloaferonline.com e-mail: editorial@theloaferonline.com adcopy@theloaferonline.com All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/ or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any lossof expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement, including claims or suits for defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement.
Founder: Bill Williams Let’s Get Social!
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columns & reviews
Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian Bishop Daniel Worley Jason Worley
Stargazer Second Moon Landing a Pinpoint Exclamation Point Skies This Week Batteries Not Included Thanksgiving 2107, Part Two Pop Life Thor: Ragnarok Appalachian Wanderers Warriors Path State Park Puzzle Page Kelly’s Place Giving Thanks
your week’s line-up
12 Ways to use a Turkey Baster
Publisher Luci Tate
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12 Genius Ways to Use a Turkey Baster Country Christmas Show Shop Small Saturday Martha Redbone Roots Project USO Christmas Show Christmas in Olde Jonesborough Spoken Word Open Mic Spirits of the Season What is Flow Arts? Sunrise Hike Christmas Concert & Tree Lighting Spotlight Spread the Glove Hip Gypsy wins Next2Rock Competition Paramount Partners Whiskey Bent Valley Boys @ Carter Fold Pets Of The Week Things To Do
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Genius Ways to Use a
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Turkey Baster
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es, it’s a Thanksgiving prep staple. But turkey basters can also make a number of chores, from changing plant water to touching up a paint job, much easier. We found 12 genius ways to use a Turkey Baster from Reader’s Digest to try out this year. #12 Degrease Meat
Taco night? After cooking meat (say, ground beef), use a turkey baster to remove the extra grease at the bottom of the pan. Faster than ladling with a spoon, this trick lowers the likelihood of searing grease spills.
#11 Change Plant Water
Remove dirty water without disturbing your plants. Use a turkey baster to absorb the old water and replace with fresh water, whether your greens are in a vase or potted plant. This trick is especially handy for high-hanging plants.
#10 Separate Eggs
To cleanly divide egg yolks from egg whites, unscrew the bulb of the turkey baster. Squeeze it to slurp the egg yolk away from the whites. Squeeze again to release into a separate bowl.
#9 Save Wine
Can't find a wine stopper? To preserve an open bottle of wine, drop the thin end of a turkey baster into the bottleneck.
#8 Entertain Children
For a tech-free way to keep young kids busy, hand them Pom-Poms and a turkey baster. Watch them race the balls across the floor by squeezing puffs of air out of the basters. It's cheap entertainment for you and them alike.
#7 Touch Up a Paint Job
For small paint sprucing jobs, use a turkey baster to transfer a small amount of paint from the pail to a disposable cup. You'll have the exact portion you need and avoid drips.
#6 Change Brake Fluid
If you do this job yourself, you know the first step is removing the old, dirty fluid from the master cylinder reservoir. Get it done quickly with an inexpensive turkey baster. (We recommend keeping this particular baster in the garage, not the kitchen.)
#5 Wind Yarn
To wind a pull ball of yarn, remove the bulb from a turkey baster. Thread yarn through the baster, and secure to the thin end of the baster with a piece of tape. Wrap the yarn horizontally around the wide end of the baster. After there is about an inch of wrapped yarn, begin winding diagonally to create a crisscross pattern. Continue until a ball is formed. Tuck the end of the yarn into the ball. Remove tape from the other end. Slide the ball off the baster.
#4 Feed Fish
Use an extra turkey baster to directly feed pet fish that struggle to compete for their share of food. The tool is also handy for feeding invertebrates such as clams, corals, and anemones. Have a gunky tank? Use the baster to remove small bugs that fall into the aquarium or unwanted algae.
Fill turkey basters with paint for creative crafts with tots. Create colorful paper plates or cover blank frames with splats of paint. For an adult project, use a baster to transfer paint into a clear glass bottle. Roll the bottle until the paint is evenly distributed. Dry upside down. Use the painted bottles as bright vases.
#2 Fill Muffin Tins
To add an equal amount of batter to each muffin cup (without a mess!) swap a spoon for a turkey baster. Turkey basters also come in handy for drawing creative pancake shapes on the griddle.
#1 Inject Pastries
Load a baster with your favorite jelly, custard, or pudding mix. Inject into homemade pastries for delicious, gooey treats.
Bonus ** Baste your Turkey
To keep the turkey moist during roasting, you can baste occasionally with the pan drippings or with melted butter. Use a turkey baster, or bulb baster, to pull the juices from the pan, then squeeze out over the turkey.
From our table to yours, Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The Loafer. To see this article online visit rd.com
Country Christmas Show
The 35th Annual Country Christmas Show will return to Viking Hall on its traditional Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, November 24 through Sunday, November 26, 2017.
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he Country Christmas Show was started in 1981 at the National Guard Armory on Bluff City Highway. By the next year the show had out-grown the space and moved to the recently opened Viking Hall, where it has remained for the last 34 years. “Some of the vendors have been with the show since its inception,” said Daisy Carol, owner of the show. “While the show has been around a long time, it has changed some to meet the changing tastes of today’s patrons.” Admission to the show is $5, children 12 and under are free. Hours for the show are as follows, Friday and Saturday doors will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. On Sunday the doors will open at noon with the show closing at 5:00 p.m. Bring the entire family, including those little ones in strollers. Those who may need assistance in getting to the main arena floor may do so via an entry level elevator. Please notify the greeter upon entering the venue should you need assistance. Donations of dry or canned foods will also be accepted for the Second Harvest Food Bank. “For many of our vendors and patrons, the Country Christmas Show has become part of their family’s holiday tradition. We hope you will make it part of yours,” Carol continued. For more information contact Angie Rutherford at arutherford@bristoltn.org or call 423-989-5500.
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#3 Create Artwork
Shop Small Saturday
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The Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with The Coffee Company to give away a free coffee or hot chocolate to the first 50 people who complete a downtown Elizabethton shopping mission on November 25.
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he special occasion is Small Business Saturday, which was created by American Express in 2010 to encourage holiday shoppers to spend money locally with family-owned or independent businesses. Communities around the country will be hosting Shop Small Saturday in contrast with the more corporate Black Friday and Cyber Monday events the same week. Within the downtown Elizabethton shopping district, a total of 50 Shop Small shopping bags containing Shop Small passports will be placed in participating businesses. Those participating businesses are Big John’s Closeout, Blue River Studio, Cannon’s Fine Home Furnishings, Cottage Boutique, Crazy Creek Co-op, The Dressing Room, Fetterolf’s, HIS Space Christian Gifts and More, Lady Bug Cottage and Antiques, Lingerfelt Drug and Gift Center, Ritchie’s Furniture and Appliance and Simple Blessings General Store. In order to win a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, shoppers must obtain one of the shopping bags with a passport inside and then make purchases at participating businesses to fill up the passport with stamps. The completed passport can then be redeemed at The Coffee Company, 444 E. Elk Ave., for a coffee or hot chocolate on that same day. Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce Director Tonya Stevens hopes the activity gives businesses in downtown Elizabethton an economic boost. “We have had several new businesses pop up in the downtown recently,” she said. “We want to support those new folks, but we also hope this event encourages shoppers to visit with those longstanding downtown businesses as well.” While the Chamber is excited to facilitate the activity, Stevens wants all the attention to be focused on downtown businesses. “Here at the Chamber, we strive to support small business everyday,” Stevens said. “Shop Small Saturday is their special day. We hope everyone comes out on November 25 to celebrate and support small businesses along with us.” For more information about the Shop Small Saturday event in downtown Elizabethton, contact the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce at 423-547-3850.
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November 16 • 5-8pm
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Martha Redbone Roots Project What do you get when you mix a Cherokee-Choctaw mother, a gospel-singing black father, youth spent in the coal country of Kentucky, “gritty” teenage years in Brooklyn, New York, and a band of blues and jazz musicians? You get the Martha Redbone Roots Project.
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edbone describes her music as a “blend of Native American elements, funk, folk, country gospel, stomp chants and the high lonesome of a frontporch Sunday pickin’”. Redbone’s “The Garden of Love: Songs of William Blake” will find fertile ground in the hills of East Tennessee on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the D.P. Culp University Center’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium at East Tennessee State University. The ETSU Old Time Ramblers will open the show. In “The Garden,” Redbone interweaves the music of her mountain childhood with a collection of the poems of 18th century British poet, painter and printmaker William Blake. Her partner, Aaron Whitby, an Englishman, suggested she set “one or two of his poems to music,” Redbone recalls. Her first cut was 150 poems. She then narrowed it to a couple dozen poems that struck chords, reminding her of her Harlan, Kentucky, home and the mountains and pastures where she grew up with her grandparents – and the melodies just tumbled out. “I
Heard an Angel Singing,” “How Sweet I Roamed,” “I Rose Up at the Dawn of Day,” “The Echoing Green,” “Hear the Voice of the Bard” and seven more songs based on Blake’s vivid verbiage sprang up in the “garden.” “It was something that was meant to happen,” Redbone says. “It was almost like divine inspiration because it didn’t take a lot of thought. The melodies literally came out as soon as I read these poems.” Redbone and Whitby, who had been playing in a rhythm and blues band, took the songs to friend John McEuen, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founder and Grammy® winner, who made the recordings for her 2012 album. “Music is always in the air in Appalachia,” Redbone says. “I wanted to capture the sound that I remember from my childhood. In a way, every time I sing this music it’s my way of honoring all our family.” The process inspired Redbone to turn the record project into a larger endeavor she calls the Martha Redbone Roots Project. “Many people, especially in New York City, don’t know anything about Appalachia,” she says. “They just call all the
School of the Arts. “She has performed and presented several times at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and she often works to help teach people native languages, Cherokee and Choctaw in particular. “She is doing things on so many different levels. That’s why she calls it a ‘Roots Project’ – a lot of different disciplines are coming into play, simultaneously.” Whether she’s giving a workshop, singing some high lonesome or gospel or writing a new song or musical, Redbone says she’s grateful. “I am fortunate to travel with my husband and our son, as well as the band, so in a way I feel like wherever we are, we’re with our family,” she says. “When I’m up on stage, I’m up there with my husband, the music director, so it just feels like we’re bringing people into our little world, into our living room in a way and I feel a lot of comfort in that. It should be the same for the Nov. 30 audience in the East Tennessee mountains, she adds. “We try to take you to church and bring you back home again with a cup of hot cocoa. That’s what we try to do, try to make you feel all warm and fuzzy.” For more information about ETSU’s Mary B. Martin School of the Arts or to purchase tickets, visit www.etsu.edu/martin or call 423-439-TKTS (8587). For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346. For more on Redbone, visit https://sroartists. com/artists/martharedbone.
Thanksgiving Morning - 8:00am Fleet Feet Sports presents the 8th Annual "Chase the Turkey" 5k race and family walk at the Meadowview Conference and Convention Center.
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asy in and out. Plenty of Parking. Beautiful, scenic course. Warm, heated bathrooms. This friendly 5k begins at Meadowview Resort Center and runs along the Meadowview Parkway and then continues along the cartpaths of the beautiful and serene Cattails Golf Course. This event will be the perfect way for you and your family to start Thanksgiving off right. Make this a family and friends' tradition. Registration ends November 23, 2017 at 11:59pm. Register at tinyurl.com/y7axdogy.
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people from there ‘country’ or ‘hillbillies.’ They know nothing about the beauty of our culture in the hills. So, I thought, ‘This is a wonderful time to educate as well as inspire people musically, show them a different side of what Appalachia is about.’ Part of the idea of folk music, when people say folk, the key word is folk, meaning ‘all people.’ Everyone who came to those hills brought the music of their culture.” Honoring native cultures, educating and communicating through stories and music are true missions for Redbone, who reaches out to diverse communities, celebrating her and others’ roots – in workshops, performances for young audiences and other outreach activities. Her upbringing with a Cherokee/ Shawnee/Choctaw mother and grandmother also inspire her. That, too, she points out, is part of her Appalachian heritage. “People forget that all those mountains – Black Mountain, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Smokies, Clinch Mountain – all of those were original Cherokee territory,” she says. “It’s amazing how today people are not aware of that.” Redbone was a 2015-16 Fellow of the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation and is recognized as an example of Contemporary Native American music in the Permanent Library Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. “Martha is very much engaged in Native American communities,” says Anita DeAngelis, director of ETSU’s Mary B. Martin
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The JRT Presents the 1940s
USO Christmas Show
The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is excited to announce their upcoming production, the 1940s USO Christmas Show. It will run December 7 through 17 at the theatre located at 125½ West Main Street in Jonesborough.
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tep back into the 1940s with JRT’s radio station WJRT as they encourage, entertain, and inform our troops both at home and overseas. Just as America entered World War II, radio airwaves served as a key source of entertainment and news for families on the home front, as well as entertainment for the troops at home and overseas. The WJRT radio station will be broadcasting all of your favorite WWII Christmas tunes such as “The Christmas Song,” “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and many more. The radio cast will broadcast live radio skits as well as sing and dance to many patriotic tunes as we honor our military families with this memorable Christmas celebration of our freedom. This popular show is written and directed by Jennifer Ross, choreographed by Heather Allen, and the band direction is under Lucas Schmidt. The production is sponsored by Denny Dentistry, Morningstar Farm, and by Sonia King and Mary B. Martin. Shows are Thursdays through Mondays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., and Friday the 15th at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $16 general admission, $14 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, call the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010 or go online to www.jonesboroughtheatre.com.
Christmas in Olde Jonesborough
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he Christmas in Olde Jonesborough series will kick off with Whoville on Saturday, November 25th from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. complete with the Grinch and other characters. Dress as your favorite Whoville character and get a “Grinch treat”. Santa will also be in the sleigh for pictures and bring your Santa Letters to drop in the mailbox beside the sleigh. Be sure to include a self-addressed envelope and receive a response from Santa himself. Then at 6 p.m., we welcome you to join us as we officially kick off the Christmas season with the Lighting of the Tree. Music and Storytelling will lead up to the lighting of the large Frasier Fir beside the Washington County Courthouse in downtown. This event is FREE. jbochristmas.com
David Joe Miller's Spoken Word OPEN MIC will end it's successful 2017 season on Thursday November 30th, 7pm at McKinney Arts Center in downtown Jonesborough, TN.
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poken Word OPEN MIC provides a platform for storytellers and poets to share their work with a supportive and enthusiastic audience in the Storytelling Capital of the World. Participants can sign up at 6:30pm for a ten minute time slot. There is no theme, no competition and no censorship. The only rule is to keep your stage time to ten minute or less. OPEN MIC offers a wonderful opportunity for the poet or storyteller to showcase their work, try out new material or just practice the craft of spoken word. Doors open at 6:30pm at the McKinney Arts Center, 103 Franklin Avenue right off of East Main Street in Jonesborough. The show begins at 7pm and there is normally time for ten participants. The event is free and sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. David Joe Miller of Asheville, NC. David Joe created the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild in 1994 and has been a professional storyteller since 1989 and a executive producer of spoken word events since 2014. Thursday nights show will be co-hosted by Lori Olmstead of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild and Lee Lindsey of the ETSU storytelling program and the Johnson City comedy community.
For more information please contact David Joe at davidjoetells@yahoo.com or visit www.storytellingcalendar.com
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OPEN MIC Spoken Word
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Spirits
of the Season
We have been chatting with a number of folks around town to gain some insights and recommendations for holiday imbibing or gifting. Everyone seems to have a favorite cocktail or spirit for this time of the year. Personally, I have been a fan of eggnog since I was old enough to remember. My mother always mixed the kid’s version with a little milk, so it wasn’t quite so rich. Nowadays, of course, I enjoy the alcohol version. If I have some eggnog around, it is a simple process to mix either some bourbon or rum with it. However, I have discovered that the premixed version from Evan Williams, using their own fine bourbon, is as good as it gets. Just pour over ice and you are good to go! Here are some other recommendations I picked up. By Paul Kavanaugh
Kentucky Mule
This one courtesy of Val at Machiavelli’s in downtown Bristol. It is her go to holiday/winter season drink. She uses Buffalo Trace whiskey, Crabbie’s Ginger Beer and a dash of lemon juice. Stir together in a copper mule mug, garnish with a wedge of lime and enjoy!
Apple Pie Mule
Sara from Knoxville Beverage has two suggestions for us. She ran across the Apple Pie Mule at a customer’s place, Southern Craft BBQ, and really liked it. The recipe calls for Sugarland’s Apple Pie Moonshine. Mix in a copper mule mug with a little apple cider and some ginger beer. Practically dessert in a mug! Her other suggestion is for a nice gift. Calumet Farms now has a premium Kentucky bourbon on the market. This is a high-end whiskey from the same folks who own the horse farm and have had two Triple Crown winners. I plan on giving a bottle of this to myself!
Akashi Plum Whisky
Yes, plum whisky! I was taken aback at first too when Bradley Woods of Best Brands started telling me about this product from Japan. It is apparently quite trendy right now and does have a smooth, unique taste. This could be the gift of the season here. His other suggestion for the beer lovers out there is the Homestyle IPA from Bearded Iris Brewing, a Tennessee award winning craft brewery.
Hot Toddy
Long a cold weather favorite, there are as many varieties as there are ski bars in Colorado! John at Whiskey Rebellion in Bristol said he has two favorite versions. One is a traditional Toddy using spiced honey syrup, ginger, honey, a cinnamon stick and lemon peel. For the bourbon he prefers Eagle Rare in this one. His other favorite is Spiked Hot Chocolate. What a great idea! And you can use the bourbon, or you can get creative with Vanilla vodka or Coconut rum.
Wine
Taking wine? Let’s face it, many of us default to taking wine to a dinner party or gathering. It is easy to do and is always appreciated, whether it gets opened right then or not. Nancy from Corey Ippolito Winery in Blountville says that unless you know in advance what type of wine to bring, take a bottle of red and a bottle of white. Sometimes a dessert wine might be the best idea, especially if the hosts typically have wine available. Gifting wine? This is a different story altogether. First of all, you are not expecting it to be opened when received, just appreciated. Depending on how well you know the recipient, this can be an easy task. Just by his or her favorite! But if that’s not the case, either put some thought into it or ask your local purveyor for a recommendation. They will typically ask you a couple quick questions and be able to suggest something nice. My recommendation? If you want to give a killer bottle of wine without breaking the bank, find a bottle of Charles Krug. There are several good reds, my favorite being the Cab. Mr. Krug was the first California vintner, winning awards and going bankrupt several times in the late 19th century. His wine is still one of the very best America has to offer.
Enjoy one of these suggestions or your own concoction this holiday season. Just do it responsibly please. Bon Appetit!
What are
Flow Arts?
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Tri-Cities Flow University is now offering affordable dance instruction in a noncompetitive environment!
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hat are the flow arts? "Flow Arts" is a general term used to describe the intersection of a variety of movementbased disciplines. Common forms of Flow Arts include Poi & Staff spinning, hula hoop (or “hooping”), juggling, sphere manipulation, and fan dance. New props and expressions are emerging all the time as flow artists cross pollinate with martial arts, yoga, circus, belly dance, and beyond. The broad category Flow Arts includes a variety of pursuits that harmonize skill-based techniques with creative expression to achieve a state of present-moment awareness known as Flow. Mary Beth Parker [Artistic Director] began taking dance when she was three. She is now a junior at ETSU Studying Interdisciplinary Studies: Psychology, Religion, and Dance. She is also Lead Assistant at Dancer's Dreams Performing Arts Academy, and Dance Minister at Samadhi Healing Arts Center. She is is a member of the American Dance Therapy Association, and has had the opportunity to perform as a Flow Artist at many festivals and events in the Appalachian area. She has studied "Hoop Path" under Charity Edwards and Jonathan Livingston Baxter, and hoop dance choreography under Lee Jeffries. She plans to also get her yoga teacher certification by the end of 2018. For more information, see their ad in this issue of The Loafer or visit facebook.com/tricitiesflowuniversity or tricitiesflowuniversity.com
Sunrise Hike on Black Friday Make it a BRIGHT beginning to your BLACK Friday! Our hike will bring us to a perfect spot to watch the morning sun light up the East Tennessee hills! This will be an easy hike to one of the prettiest overlooks in the park. Be sure to come dressed for the weather, and to wear good walking shoes. And don't forget your camera!
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eet Ranger David at the Soccer Fields parking lot - the gravel lot at the end of the road past the Boundless Playground.
Friday, November 24th • 7am Warriors Path State Park · Kingsport, TN
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and Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Spirit of Christmas will echo across the Tusculum campus on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m., as the Tusculum Band program presents its annual Christmas concert in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building.
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rior to the concert at 6:30 p.m., there will be a tree lighting ceremony in front of Byrd Fine Arts Building. Dr. James Hurley and his family will host the lighting of a triad of evergreens and offer the opportunity to join together for some pre-concert caroling. Hot apple cider and hot chocolate will be served. During the holiday concert, the audience can expect to hear new and exciting arrangements of familiar Christmas songs performed by the Handbell Choir, the Jazz Band and the Concert Band. The Handbell Choir will be playing “Carol of the Birds” by Jason W. Krug, “Emmanuel's Night” by David Price, “Children, Go Where I Send Thee” by Benjamin A. Tucker, and “Riu Riu Chiu” by Sondra K. Tucker. The Jazz Band will offer their versions of the Christmas classics “Jingle Bell Boogie” by Bryan Kidd, “The First Noel” by Bob Curnow, “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” by Roger Holmes, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by Dave Wolpe, and “Joy to the World” by Richard DeRosa. The Concert Band will bring down the house with a longer set filled with lesser-known songs such as, “Appalachian Snowfall” by Bob Phillips and
George Megaw, “Candlelight Carol” by Jay Dawson, “When Saint Nick Comes Marching In” by Robert W. Smith, and “Bring a Torch” by David Shipps. Band director David Price is excited about the chance to showcase the band program’s talent to the public, especially Tusculum students. The local community is encouraged to attend the performance, which is free and open to the public. The event is offered as an arts and lecture credit for Tusculum College residential students. More than 300 people are expected to be in attendance. Tusculum, the first institution of higher education in Tennessee and the 28th oldest in the nation, is committed to providing a liberal arts education in a Judeo-Christian and civic arts environment, with pathways for career preparation, personal development and civic engagement. Approximately eighteen hundred students are enrolled on the main campus in Greeneville and two off-site locations in East Tennessee. The academic programs for both traditional-aged students and working adults served through the Graduate and Professional Studies program are delivered using focused calendars.
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Christmas Concert
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Spotlight
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- TUESDAY - November 21st -
Stationflyby w/ The Swashbucklers The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room Downtown Country Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria RyanPieckham/Colly Acoustic Coffeehouse - WEDNESDAY - November 22nd -
- FRIDAY - November 24th -
Rock & Roll Freakshow Woodstone Deli
Pea Pickin’ Hearts Yee Haw Brewing Company
Dom Flemons w/ Amythyst Kiah The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room
Beth Snapp Model City Tap House
Under The Table Band Elizabethton Elks Lodge Loose Leaves Sleepy Owl Brewery
Open Mic The Dawg House Tavern
Dan Deel State Line Bar & Grill
Hillbilly Bad Holston River Brewing Company
Asylum Suite Wild Wing Cafe
Bike Night Bears Bar
Hip Gypsies with Collateral Damage Holston River Brewing Company
- THURSDAY - November 23rd -
HAPPY THANKSGIVING - FRIDAY - November 24th -
Asylum Suite Wild Wing Cafe 49 Winchester Capone’s Earth Suits / Dullside Jon Chambers The Hideaway Live Entertainment at Bone Fire Smokehouse
- SATURDAY - November 25th -
The Rhythm Revue Rush Street
Saul Brooks Band Quaker Steak & Lube
Mal Cooper/SJ Barrow Acoustic Coffeehouse
- SATURDAY - November 25th -
Shooter Band CJ’s Sports Bar
Andy Buckner Wild Wing Cafe
Wyldeheart O’Mainnin’s Pub
If you or your band are playing in the upcoming week and would like to be in The Spotlight, call in advance to (423) 283-4324 or go online to: theloaferonline.com. Due to last minute cancellations or changes, please call the location to confirm.
The Love Monsters American Dropouts Acoustic Coffeehouse 415 in Progress Woodstone Deli Shooter Band CJ’s Sports Bar - SATURDAY - November 25th -
Live Entertainment at Bone Fire Smokehouse Demon Waffle / Doctor Occular Capone’s Exhumed / Araik / Cemetery Filth The Hideaway Abel Brown Band The Hyperion Grill
- SUNDAY - November 26th -
Robinella Down Home
Live Entertainment at Bone Fire Smokehouse
Bulls Eye Buffalo Ruritan Club
Jordanb Kirk Acoustic Coffeehouse
Benefit for Charlie Garcia w/Railway Express & Southern Boys at CJ’s Sports Bar Blue Reign Kingsport Eagles Southern Countrymen Band David Thompson’s Produce
- TUESDAY - November 28th -
Downtown Country Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria Stemwinder Rock’s Wood Fired Pizza & Grill
Red Dirt Romeo Debut Show Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria Chuck Lichtenberger w/ Zack Page & Nik Hope Gypsy Circus Cider Company Fritz and Company Holston River Brewing Company Junkyard Dogz Bears Bar
Bella Bane
Asylum Suite Country Club Bar & Grill Ransom McCoy Band Bristol Country Show Palace
Acoustic Coffeehouse Saturday, Nov. 25th
Rusty Steel w/ Quarter Bounce O’Mainnin’s Pub GW Henderson/ Bella Bane Acoustic Coffeehouse
for show time & more details, visit
theloaferonline.com
Country Club Bar & Grill 3080 W State St Bristol 423-844-0400
Model City Tap House 324 E Market St. Kingsport 423-765-0875
Bear's Bar 4460 Highway 421 Bristol TN 423-502-1975
Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 3005 Linden Dr. Bristol VA 276-466-4100
Quaker Steak & Lube 629 State St. Bristol VA 276-644-9464
Bone Fire Smokehouse at the Hardware 260 W Main St Abingdon VA 276-623-0037
Holston River Brewing Company 2623 Volunteer Pkwy Bristol TN
Rock’s Wood Fired Pizza & Grill 3119 Bristol Hwy. Johnson City 423-262-0444
CJ’S Sports Bar 516 Morelock St. Kingsport 423-390-1361
Lakeview Marina 474 Lakeside Dock Drive Kingsport
TUESDAY
Karaoke w/ Crossroads & Josh Blevins at Dawg House Tavern Family Night Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke w/ Marques at The Cave Karaoke at Numan’s ***********************
WEDNESDAY
Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at American Legion Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke w/ DJ Brad & Top Shelf Entertainment at Quaker Steak & Lube
Sonny’s Marina & Café 109 One Street Gray, TN 423-282-9440
FRIDAY
Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke at The Cottage Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Moe’s Original BBQ Karaoke w/ Toddzilla at Sportsmans Pub Karaoke w/ DJ Brad & Top Shelf Entertainment at BoBo’s - Damascus VA Karaoke at Elizabethton VFW
Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Smokey Bones - Johnson City TN
Karaoke w/ DJ Marquez & Top Shelf Entertainment at Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - Bristol VA
Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN ***********************
Karaoke at Numan’s ***********************
THURSDAY
Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Macado’s - Kingsport
SATURDAY
Karaoke at The Horseshoe Lounge
Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar
Karaoke w/ Toddzilla at Sportsmans Pub
Karaoke at Numan’s
Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge
Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at New Beginning’s
Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN
Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzaria ***********************
Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Macado’s - Kingsport
Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Sportsman’s Bar & Grill
Karaoke at Numan’s ***********************
FRIDAY
Karaoke w/ Shane Rouse at Bear’s Bar
17 theloaferonline.com | November 21, 2017
SPOTLIGHT DIRECTORY
KARAOKE
Acoustic Coffeehouse 415 W Walnut St. Johnson City 423-434-9872
theloaferonline.com | November 21, 2017
18
Second Moon Landing a Pinpoint Exclamation Point
The anniversary of those six American conquests of the Moon is always a time to reflect on what was called man’s greatest adventure when three men aboard the spaceship called Apollo captivated the world.
T Stargazer
By Mark Marquette since 1996 stargazermarq@ gmail.com
his week marks 48 years since three Navy buddies flew to the Moon and made a pinpoint landing that punctuated with an exclamation point America winning the Moon Race against the Communist Soviet Union before the end of the 1960s decade. Apollo 12 was a great Moon mission with Dick Gordon, who died in November 2017, orbiting in the moonship “Yankee Clipper” while walking on the Moon outside their spaceship “Intrepid” were commander Pete Conrad, who died in 1999, and pilot Al Bean, 85. The three Navy astronauts were best friends since flight school and one of the most cohesive spaceflight crews of all time. While the historic first Moon landing of Apollo 11 by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20,1969 was a hair-raising, white knuckle event with lots of problems, the lessons learned allowed for Apollo 12 to make a textbook, smooth touchdown right on target. With three months to solve those navigation and computer problems that plagued Apollo 11, NASA engineers chose to land Apollo 12 next to the Surveyor 3 unmanned lander that proved in 1967 the lunar surface would support weight. The spidery-looking, 700-pound space probe was made of aluminum tubes with three landing legs, fuel tanks, engine thrusters, solar panels, a remote arm with a scoop and the important camera system. When Surveyor 3 landed April 20, 1967 in the Ocean of Storms it was another American triumph of a controlled soft landing of a spacecraft on an alien world. Surveyor 3 landed inside the sloping walls of a small crater a couple hundred yards wide. That became “Surveyor Crater,” and above it was the landing target for Apollo 12. During the midnight hour of Wednesday Nov. 19, 1969, best friends Pete Conrad and Alan Beam landed their moonship Intrepid landed right on top of Surveyor Crater looking down at the little robot that had been waiting for them. After Apollo 11 in July 1969, there was a lot of public sentiment that any more Apollo moon missions were a waste of money and too risky. The Viet Nam War, racial strife and a sliding economy were on the minds of Americans more than another trip to the Moon. The Apollo 12 launch on Nov. 14th in the rain saw the mighty Saturn V, threestage rocket struck by lightning seconds after launch, knocking the circuits out of the Command Module. The Moon rocket continued unphased by two lightning bolts, and the moonship returned to normal. The 3-day trip to the Moon got the usual media coverage, but not as comprehensive as the hour-by-hour telecast of the Apollo 11 mission.
The diminutive, 5-foot, 5-inch Conrad was one of the practical jokers in the astronaut corps with unflappable wit. He bet a female reporter $500 that he could say anything he wanted to when he stepped off the ladder onto the Moon. She said NASA dictated Armstrong’s famous words “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” But Conrad knew Neil thought the historic words up on the way to the Moon. Conrad told the reporter what he planned to say, and did when he stepped onto the Moon. His self-effacing words were: “Woopie! That may have been a small one for Neil, but it’s a long one for me.” Conrad said he never collected the bet. Then, a public relations nightmare happened once Apollo 12 had safely landed, and the astronauts were walking about the surface. The special color camera for sending back live photos during the moonwalks was damaged when astronaut Bean accidentally aimed it at the Sun! The inadvertent exposure to the direct, hot Sun fried the video sensor and ruined any hope of sending back live photos. When the astronauts returned to Earth on Nov. 24th, they were quarantined for two weeks like Apollo 11 astronauts as a precaution against any risk of moon germs. Unfortunately, the world was cheated out of seeing the two astronauts on live television standing next to the spidery-looking Surveyor 3 spacecraft. They cut off its camera system, a scoop and some tubing for analysis back on Earth. Conrad and Bean each spent a total of more than 7 hours 30 minutes on the surface of the Moon during two EVAs. But in another faux pas, the astronauts accidently left some color film on the Moon, leaving mostly black and white images to document their amazing mission. Bean literally paints his memories of his space travels. A true artist, his acrylic paintings of astronauts on the Moon sell for tens of thousands of dollars and are the focus of several books. The other surviving moonwalkers are Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11; David Scott, Apollo 15; John Young and Charlie Duke, Apollo 16; and Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17. All in their 80s, the mortality of these unique men is all too apparent. Someday there will be no one left to point the Moon and say they once camped out there. And that will be another milestone to ponder about man’s greatest adventure.
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verybody has been switching out their summer clothes for the warmer sweaters and coats—so why not give them a good work out under the chilly stars? If you have any kind of telescope, a sure hit at any family part is to point it at the Moon this week and let everyone get a peek at some craters and mountains. You’d be surprised how many people have never looked at the Moon through any telescope. Use low power (the highest number eyepiece like 25 mm) and save the higher power eyepieces for those really interested.
Tuesday, November 21 Pegasus is flying high overhead while the mighty hunter Orion leaps over the eastern horizon to become a familiar starry friend through the winter. A star map from Skymaps.com, library book, monthly astronomy magazine or a planisphere from a bookstore will guide you through the changing night skies.
Department of Defense mission, one of a dozen top secret missions the Shuttles were used for. One astronaut aboard, Story Musgrave, is the only person to ride in all five Orbiters—the others being Columbia, Challenger, Endeavour and Discovery. Musgrave has published a very good autobiography, “Story: The Way of Water.”
Saturday, November 25 The Moon is at First Quarter. It’s an interesting week for astrologers to explain as Wednesday, November 22 the Sun entered Scorpius on Sunday, Nov. 23 and remains in the scorpion until Baby Boomers will never forget the 1962 assassination of only this Sunday, Nov. 30. The Sun then enters the non-Zodiacal constellation President John F. Kennedy on this day. That Friday evening the Ophiuchus the Snake Handler, where it remains until moving into Sagittarius on Moon was absent, making a dismal night even darker except for Dec. 18. bright planets Saturn, in Capricornus and Jupiter in Aquarius, shining down as the Milky Way set in the west. The Sun rose the Sunday, November 26 next day over a completely different United States of America. On this 1965 date in space history, France joined the Soviet Union and the United States as space faring nations, launching an orbiting, 92-pound satellite called Thursday, November 23 Asterix from a launch site in Hammaguir, Algeria. Originally called A-1 for the French Thanksgiving Day in America. On this 2002 date in space history, Army, once in orbit it was renamed Asterix, a character in a popular French comic STS-113 was launched with orbiter Endeavour. The Moon is a strip. beautiful crescent in the holiday night skies. Monday, November 27 Friday, November 24 On this 1983 date in space history, Space Shuttle Columbia was launched with On this 1991 date in space history, Atlantis was rocketed to space Europe Space Agency’s Spacelab module in the 40-foot-long cargo bay, beginning on the STS-44 mission. Six astronauts spent seven days on a a lasting partnership with ESA that continues on the International Space Station.
19 theloaferonline.com | November 21, 2017
THIS WEEK
SKIES
Celestial events in the skies for the week of Nov. 21-27, 2017 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.
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Thanksgiving 2017 Part Two
Last week, I talked about what Thanksgiving can be like when you’re a perfectionist, and how to get ready so that you too will have a less stressful holiday. This week, I’m going to talk about how to get the best turkey for the meal, and what to do when the big day comes. As we all know, Turkey is the true star of the meal.
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rozen turkey is the most convenient way to buy a turkey, they are starting with me. This is when the music changes to a masterful tend to travel better than fresh birds, so you’re less likely going blend of ‘70s Glam Rock. If I’m not standing on the dinner table using to wind up with a bruised bird. But, again, you’re going to want a turkey baster as a microphone, belting out “Ballroom Blitz” by to make sure that the turkey you choose was frozen properly. For Sweet, I’m not doing it right. the sake of argument let’s say you need two, twelve-pound turkeys. Thanksgiving day starts just as it did the day before. Meditation, The best way to make sure they were frozen correctly, is to place each prayer, the shrine to Julia. But this day is all about the turkey. Fully bird right under each arm and hold them there for as long as you can brined, I rinse the turkey off in the sink, pat it dry, and then place stand. If you feel like frostbite is about to set in before five minutes is it on a roasting pan, and into the oven, it goes. I want my turkey up, then your bird is good to go. to feel encouraged, so I tape can’t stress enough how If anyone gives you judgmental looks while you do a small paper pendant to the door of my oven that says “Go important it is to remain calm this important test, lock eyes with them and yell champ!” I can’t over-stress the as the big day gets closer. A day importance of that emotional or two ahead of time, make as bond I was talking about many dishes that you can cook ahead of time, to simply reheat later. All the side dishes, the stuffing, the enough. As the turkey roasts, the dishes reheat, the yeast rolls rise, mashed potatoes, the vegetables, the rolls are easy to do. Let’s focus the guests start to arrive. on the turkey. I promise you, my friend, if you follow these next steps Thus, a delicate balancing act begins. You must be social and you will have a full success without the stress! If you have a second welcoming to your guests, while also keeping track of how things oven, I suggest you use it just to roast the turkey, that’s not essential are going in the kitchen. No one wants to eat an overcooked turkey though. What is essential, is that you develop an emotional bond with because you were too caught up in a friend’s anecdote about the time their mother saw the puppeteer who was Alf at Disney World. your turkey. This starts as you begin the thawing process. Before placing your If you’re an enterprising sort, you can keep this chatter going while turkey in the fridge to thaw, cradle it in your arms like a newborn and also getting your friends and family to help you set the table with the sing “We’ve Only Just Begun.” If your spouse or common-law lover special Thanksgiving china you have. should walk in and look at you oddly, again, lock eyes with them Now we will not assume anything goes wrong, as nothing WILL go and yell “I’m doing this for my family!” Music is key to keeping this wrong. But if something should come up, you must remain calm. emotional bond intact. When you prepare the turkey with a dry-brine Most families don’t worry so much about things going wrong with (Don’t skip this, I’ll find out and cry), you should massage it in deeply the food, as much as the conversation at the dinner table. There’s while playing Barry White. Light candles around the kitchen too. Set always the fear of politics rearing its ugly head and ruining the meal. that mood that says “I care about you, and thank you for making this I try to nip those conversations quick and early. In my backyard, I great gift of yourself to my family.” have a shed that I call the “work-it-out” shed. Anyone who engages Thanksgiving truly begins the day before the actual holiday. On this in a political argument must go to the shed. The shed is full of Nerf day, you’re starting the brine for the turkey, and making as many of foam bats, which I encourage people to hit one another with. I’ve the do-ahead dishes as possible. I start this day, and Thanksgiving seen people walk into the shed bitter enemies, then emerge later, morning in a special way. I go to the quietest part of my house—the arms around one another, wanting to get some FroYo. basement bathroom—and I begin a series of meditation and prayer. All I must confess my favorite part of Thanksgiving is the post-meal culminating with the lighting of a small, jar candled that sits in front of time. You’re full of food, you just ate a perfect piece of pie ever, you’ve a framed photograph of Julia Child. When I feel centered, I leave my had coffee, and you slump back into a deep chair. If you have a loving basement bathroom and head for the kitchen. group of family and friends, they will do some of the dishes while I put on my apron, crank my “Hardcore Cookin’” playlist, and begin. you take a most deserving nap. Then, you awake refreshed, you have Coffee is my fuel of choice, I have my recipes all printed out and taped another cup of coffee. You put your arms around your dear friends up on the cabinets. It half looks like a special cooking store had a baby and say “Risk, anyone?” The games begin, and you keep your cool with a homicide department’s evidence board. Cooking lasts all day, I as your friend slowly steamboats over all your armies and claims have a notebook where I cross off what has been cooked, I make notes Kamchatka as his own. Thanksgiving can be stressful, overwhelming, as I go for when they need to go in the oven to be reheated the next and ripe to cause a breakdown. But following what I’ve laid out here, day. Fatigue sets in around the same time I have family arriving who I hope you too will find it easy to pull off. Happy Thanksgiving!
I Batteries Not Included
By Andy Ross aross@ theloaferonline.com
“
I’m doing this for my family!”
SPREAD the Glove It is getting cold out there! Lower temperatures are the first sign that it is time for the city 3rd Annual “Spread the Glove” program. The program will kick-off Friday evening, December 1st, with a “yarn-bombing” of downtown Bristol. This will be followed in the coming months with city staff and volunteers blanketing parks and public spaces throughout Bristol with scarves, hats, and gloves for all ages.
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nitters from throughout the area work all year to supply the items needed for the project. Neighbors watch for sales after the winter season and purchase new items for children to be distributed during the coldest months of the season. In years past, children from different schools have brought gently used items and helped in placing them on park benches, light poles, and other places where anyone needing a little something extra to keep warm could find it. Each of the items have a tag attached stating that the item is not lost, but is there for anyone who needs the winter accessory to keep warm. Last year the city distributed a number of cozy hats, scarves, and gloves that were donated by the community. “Before the season ends we will have distributed well over 500 items within the downtown area and in other outlying areas in Bristol, Tennessee. I am reminded each year just what kind of community we live in and how blessed we are to live in a place like Bristol where there are such loving and affectionate people,” said Terrie Talbert, Director of the Office of Community Relations. “Over the past three years we have distributed over 2,000 donated pieces.” For more information on locations and dates of distribution please go to the City’s website at www.bristoltn.org and click on Spread the Glove on the left at the home page. To donate, please contact the Office of Community Relations at 423-989-5500 Ext. 2055 or email tsmithtalbert@bristoltn.org. Donations of new or slightly used winter accessories may be dropped off at any Bristol, Tennessee Fire Station or at Bristol, Tennessee City Hall lobby customer service desk.
“
The Loafer is my go to souce for live music happenings across the Tri-Cities." Amy M.
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Hip Gypsy Wins Next2Rock Competition
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ongratulations to Hip Gypsy for winning the WQUT sponsored battle of the bands, Next2Rock competition!!! Come see them LIVE on November 24th at Holston River Brewing Company at 8:30pm!!! Should be a great show and they will certainly be playing their winning song at least once! But that’s not all at the Brewery this week. Wednesday night brings Hillbilly Bad to the main stage at 8:30. These dynamite performers will be the perfect start to your holiday weekend. Fans are always in line for a rousing good time when these guys get rolling! Come check out the rock'n'roll energy of Fritz & Co. Saturday night at Holston River Brewing Company. Come Vibe with them, get some funkadelic moves out of your system, all while drinking cold craft beer!! Get ready for a full night of music, friends, and shenanigans!!
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Thor: Ragnarok Personally I have never been happy Disney bought Marvel Studios. I feel since the Mouse took over Iron Man and friends they are determined to make their superhero movies into comedies with some action thrown in for good measure.
I theloaferonline.com
Pop Life
By Ken Silvers ksilvers@ theloaferonline.com
just want to say to Disney "clam down, this isn't an animated movie." If you have ever read or picked up a superhero comic book, you know they are very serious, save for a few characters that rely on humor, and those are the minority. Alas, the over done humor is back in the new film "Thor: Ragnarok", a title that doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. The story line basically boils down to a family feud between Thor (Chris Hemsworth), his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), and their sister Hela (Cate Blanchett). For those unfamiliar with the character Thor, he is based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name. The Thor in the Marvel Universe is the crown prince of Asgard, a realm that appears in space as a flat planet. Thor, a member of The Avengers, must deal with his adoptive brother and nemesis Loki, who is always mischievous and a trickster. This Thor adventure begins with Thor escaping from the demon Surtur, only to discover Loki posing as their father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) back on Asgard. Thor forces Loki to help find their missing father, and thanks to a cameo by Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), they find Odin in Norway. Unfortunately, Odin is dying, and his passing will allow his firstborn child, Hela to escape from the prison where she was held. Hela meets her brothers in Norway, and when they escape
POP LIFE
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(Rated PG-13) 3 hammers (out of 4)
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Warriors Path State Park
Appalachian Wanderers
By Jason & Daniel Worley jdworley@ theloaferonline.com
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Whether they are urban parks protecting historical memorials, such as Tennessee Capitol Mall State Park in downtown Nashville, or sprawling wilderness areas covering thousands of acres, as is the much-loved Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee's state park system is as widespread as it is diverse.
he Cumberland Trail seeks to span the state from Fort Patrick Henry Lake is the obvious star, as it divides the park Chattanooga to the Kentucky border at Cumberland Gap. into three distinct units: the east shore, west shore, and Duck Island State historic parks tell the stories of communities and in the center. Visitors can rent boats and kayaks from the marina to famous Tennesseans who left their mark on history, from ply the park's waters. Numerous boat ramps provide plenty of access Davy Crockett and Sgt. Alvin York to the Cherokee Nation. Seven to those who bring their own watercraft. Fishing areas are accessible Islands State Birding Park just outside Knoxville creates a perfect throughout the park and at the designated fishing pier. environment for those who set out to record the region's abundant The east shore is home to more woodlands as well as Warriors avian residents, while Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park is Path Golf Course, an eighteen-hole course featured as a part of the unique in that it protects the free-flowing waters of the Hiwassee Tennessee Golf Trail. Designated a Certified Audubon Cooperative River as it flows through Cherokee National Forest. Sanctuary, the course serves as a retreat for many bird species as well This year marks a special milestone for the state parks of Tennessee. as the traffic-weary human. Adjacent to this, visitors will find a riding In the year 1937, the Tennessee Department of Conservation was stable where they can explore two miles of trails with their equestrian established to manage and protect our earliest state parks. Many friends. Those on foot can choose several hikes, from the bluffof these were lands originally climbing Devil's Backbone Trail purchased by TVA in the thirties While it would be a great feat to complete all to the more relaxed boardwalks and forties as they created the along Sinking Waters Trail; here network of reservoirs along the the adventures before January 1st, it’s never the trail meanders through a Tennessee River watershed. too late to enjoy what nature has to offer series of wetlands which are Eighty years later, the Tennessee home to a variety of wildlife. Department of Environment and Conservation sports not only a new A short drive is required to reach one of the park's award-winning name, but more responsibility also as dozens of new parks have mountain bike trail system. Six miles of trails meander through the joined the system. woods and offer a challenging ride for bikers of all abilities. To celebrate the 80th anniversary of our park system, the park Duck Island is home to several park amenities, from tennis and service has put together a list eighty adventures that can be found volleyball courts to a half-mile paved running trail. This is one of across Tennessee. Check it out at www.tnstateparks.com. While the the best areas for birders to catch a glimpse of the park's myriad year is rapidly drawing to a close and many of us are already caught waterfowl species; great blue herons are a common sight on the up in the frantic bustle of the holidays, it’s worth taking the time to rocky shoreline. Picnic pavilions are scattered throughout, and it's visit one of our state parks in the coming weeks. also the home of the Recreation Lodge. Visitors are able to rent this One doesn't need to venture too far away to take part in the state large facility to host a variety of events. park experience. Warriors Path State Park rests on the shores of Fort The park's primary amenities are accessed from the west shore. Patrick Henry Reservoir in nearby Colonial Heights. A twenty-minute Here sits a spacious campground, multiple picnic pavilions, and drive from Johnson City and only ten minutes from Kingsport, the the marina. Bring Frisbees if you’re interested in checking out the reserve is ideally situated in the center of the Tri-Cities area. extensive disc golf course. Any young ones in tow will be excited to One of our most unique state parks, Warriors Path was one of the discover Darrell's Dream Boundless Playground, probably the largest earliest to be acquired and covers just under a thousand acres. While playground in the area and home to an accessible tree house as well! most state parks have a primary purpose to preserve some aspect Children of all abilities can enjoy this, an adjacent amphitheater, and of nature, whether it be the cascades of Cummins Falls or the cedar the Lions Narnia Brail Trail. In summer, the park offers an olympicbarrens of Cedars of Lebanon, Warriors Path exists almost exclusively sized pool to beat the heat, completely staffed by trained life guards. for outdoor recreation. While there are many opportunities to enjoy Several short trails are scattered throughout the area, allowing quiet the Tennessee Valley's natural beauty throughout the park, you'll lakeside walks or more vigorous climbs to the summit of small bluffs. be well aware that wilderness takes a back seat here. That's not necessarily a bad thing either.
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Discounts available with ticket stub day of performance
her attack via a wormhole, Thor lands on Sakaar, a garbage planet surrounded by wormholes. The planet is ruled by the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum), made up as if he were part of "The Hunger Game" series, and he is happy to have Thor enter his Contest of Champions. Here Thor happily (in his mind) is pitted against friend and fellow Avenger The Hulk. I must add most of the interactions between Thor and Hulk, other than their arena battle, are like a stand up comedy routine. In addition, Hulk talks! I have always been under the impression Hulk is only supposed to grunt. Hulk's conversations are very child-like in nature, but he still has plenty of opportunity for the witty banter Marvel Studios is so fond of. I kept wondering if the two would end up in a comedy club on Sakaar. Thankfully the aforementioned never happens, and Thor forms his team of Hulk and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), a resident drunk and bounty hunter, to take on his sister Hela. Speaking of Hela, her costumes would be at home on the stage of any Cher or Lady Gaga concert. Hela is responsible for a shocking twist concerning Thor, who during the early part of the film has a makeover. Apparently the filmmakers, or Hemsworth himself, decided the time was ripe to do away with the long blonde hair. Thor, being the god of thunder, does have some awesome moments with his power over thunder, and those are some exciting segments in the film. The two siblings duel it out, and all appears to be in favor of Hela, until Loki comes to the rescue in a surprise twist. Sadly, Asgard does not escape unscathed, and after Thor is crowned king, the survivors of the planet head to Earth. The highlights of this film for me were the special effects and Loki. Why doesn't Marvel just make a movie starring the marvelous Hiddleston as Loki? His character is more than capable of carrying a film on his own. When all is said and done, "Thor: Family Feud", I mean "Thor: Ragnarok", is a film that is far from perfect and relies a bit too much on humor, but does provide for some enjoyable moments from Hemsworth and company. However, next time leave the talking Hulk at home.
Paramount Partners
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• Bristol Station Brews & Taproom Half off first pint or flight • Broad Street on State 20% off your check of $6 or more • Stateline Bar & Grille 2 for 1 Appetizers • Studio Brew 1/2 Half off first pint Free Appetizer or dessert w/Entrée Purchase • Machiavelli’s Free order of breadsticks with any entrée • Whiskey Rebellion Half off your appetizer • J Frank Free dessert and immediate parking Discounts valid for all performances of Annie.
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Whiskey Bent Valley Boys
Saturday, November 26th, 2017, at 7:30 p.m., the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert by the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys – an old time band.
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dmission to the concert is $10 for adults, children 6 to 11 $2, under age 6 free. Tickets are available at the door. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The Carter Family Museum and the Carter Birthplace Cabin are open from 6:00 p.m. till show time and again when we take intermission between sets. This concert will be the first for the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys at the Carter Family Fold. The Boys will take you through the hills of old Kentucky with mountain songs, stories and traditions dating back a century. This old time band delivers with an intensity that would knock the socks right off their forefathers’ feet. Songs from the tobacco fields to the rivers, iron skillets to moonshine stills – upbeat and professional, this band possesses the skill to honor history and preserve the instruments, their style and every authentic nuance of the day. With their sense of fashion - from overalls to string ties, straw hats to silk vests, along with a turbo charged performance, their approach breathes fire into this vintage genre. No matter what’s chillin’ in your mason jar – hopefully sweet tea – come on out for a live show where the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys will be pounding out the swing dancing, foot stompin’, hard driving tunes that are guaranteed to tickle your innards. For more information on the band, check them out on YouTube or visit their web site at http://whiskeybentvalley.tumblr. com/. Pack up all your family and friends and join us For information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276-386-6054.
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Answers on page 30
Bella is 9 months and Rex is 15 months. These sweeties are Terrier mixes and good with children and other dogs. They are deeply bonded and must be adopted together.
Gracie is a wonderful mommy cat here with her precious kittens! Make memories this holiday season with a new furrbaby for your family!
Large dogs and adult cats are at half price adoption price until Dec. 15th!
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he Bridge Home has an ongoing aluminum can can collection in front of the shelter at 2061 Hwy 75 in Blountville, TN 37617 and a second aluminum can collection site at Airworks Heating and Cooling, 5633 Memorial Blvd Kingsport. The cans are collected by a volunteer and the money from the aluminum goes towards badly needed food and supplies for the animals. The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue has started a pet food pantry for people that have had financial hardships because of job loss or medical problems and are struggling to feed their pet. They can come by the shelter and get cat or dog food to get through the tough time.
Donations can be sent to The Bridge Home Shelter PO Box 654 Blountville, TN 37617 Every animal in their care is spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated before being adopted. Being a non profit the shelter is funded entirely by membership dues and private donations. They always need volunteers or monetary donations. Other always needed items:pet food, cat litter & cat toys dog treats & dog toys,paper towels, cleaners, office supplies,Purina weight circles. Phone: 423-239-5237 Hours are Mon-Fri 12pm6pm Sat 12pm-3pm and Sun 2pm-4pm. Website is www.bridgehomerescue@ gmail.com or like them on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/bridgehome
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PETS
OF THE WEEK
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THINGS TO DO Big Brothers Big Sisters Looking for Community Volunteers Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tri-Cities (BBBSGTC) is looking for community volunteers to make a difference in a child’s life. Spending approximately 4 hours a month with an at-risk youth can help them improve in school, their behavior and their self-esteem. “Our kids have a need, and we are looking for caring adults to step up and volunteer,” said Kathy Lowdermilk, Regional Director of BBBSGTC. “If you have a few hours a month and the desire to make a difference, we want to talk with you about our program.” Our local Big Brothers Big Sisters office, which serves the Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City area, is part of one of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organizations in the United States. It’s a system that has been proven to work and transforms the lives of children who might not otherwise ever get the support they need to grow and successfully meet life’s challenges. Child-volunteer matches are made based on in-depth and comprehensive interviewing with parents, children and potential volunteers. Stringent safeguards are in place to assure that all parties are safe. Volunteer and parent engagement and training also play a big role.Anyone wanting to find out more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tri-Cities should contact the office by calling 423-247-3240, or visiting TennesseeBig.org. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Blood Drive Marsh Regional Blood Center will conduct public blood drives at the area locations. Visit http:// tinyurl.com/n4aujx9 to find a location near you. In addition to
scheduled blood drives, donors are welcome at Marsh Regional’s collection centers: 111 W. Stone Drive, Suite 300, Kingsport, 2428 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City and 1996 W. State St., Bristol. For more information about scheduling a blood drive at a local business, church, school or community organization, please call 423-408-7500, 423-652-0014 or 276679-4669 or visit marshblood.com. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Casual Word Adult Creative Writing Class Join us for a free, fun, engaging, and different look into writing. In this class, we will not focus on structure, form, or rules, but on the freedom of writing. It is the goal of this class to open the mind to its full creative potential by allowing participants to write what they want, how they want to write it. Sessions will be student lead; we will engage in topics and subjects that are of interest to the students. The atmosphere is casual and jovial. This class is designed for all those 18 and up who wish to try their hand at creative writing. Thursdays @ 6:00 p.m. Jones Creativity Center. Bristol Public Library. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Food for Fines & Pet Food for Fines The Washington County Library is again accepting donations of food for area food banks during the month of November in lieu of collecting fines for overdue materials. The Jonesborough Library will be donating their collections to the Jonesborough Area Ministerial Association’s Food Pantry (JAMA). The Gray Library is collecting for the Gray Community Chest Food Pantry. The foods needed are assorted canned food items
(fruit, vegetables, meat, etc.), dried beans, cereal, peanut butter, rice and pasta, cereals, boxed dinners. Also included are baby formula and baby food. Remember, we cannot accept glass containers, perishable food, or out-of-date items. Both libraries are also doing a Pet Food for Fines drive. Donations will go to Good Samaritan Ministries Pet Food Pantry. We can accept canned cat/dog food, cat litter, bagged food (small bags preferred), treats, and potty- pads. No open packages please! For each qualified item donated, $1.00 in fines will be forgiven. Payment for lost or damaged library materials and processing fees are not included in the program. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Polar Express storytelling and Tweetsie holiday excursion The George L. Carter Railroad Museum at East Tennessee State University will host two holidaythemed events on Saturday, Dec. 2, including storyteller Linda Poland’s presentation of “Polar Express” at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and a bus ride to the new “Tweetsie Christmas” railroad excursion in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The “Polar Express” storytelling presentations will be held in the D.P. Culp University Center Forum
Room 311. Admission is by ticket only. Tickets are $10 each. A separate ticket is required to attend the Tweetsie Railroad excursion. Tickets are $90 each and include a three-mile train ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains in an open-air train car pulled by a historic steam-powered locomotive, as well as a visit with Santa in his gingerbread house and full access to the Tweetsie Railroad theme park. Tickets to attend both the storytelling performance and train excursion are $99 each. The bus will depart the Carter Railroad Museum parking lot at 3:30 p.m. and arrive at Tweetsie Railroad at 5 p.m. Riders will enjoy the excursion and dazzling holiday light display, then the bus will depart the Tweetsie Railroad at 8:30 p.m. to arrive back at the ETSU campus around 10 p.m. Those attending the storytelling presentations only may purchase tickets up to the day of the event and some may be available at the door. Ticket order forms and liability waiver forms for the train excursion can be picked up at the Carter Railroad Museum, located in the Campus Center Building at ETSU and open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or online at www.memrr. org by clicking on “excursions.” A signed liability waiver form must
accompany the ticket request form. Space is limited. For more information, contact Carolyn Gregg at carolyngregg55@ yahoo.com or 423-639-3966. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• John McCutcheon coming to Jonesborough Nationally renowned folk musician, story teller and multi instrumentalist John McCutcheon will be live at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough on December 11 for two shows. Details are at http://www.storytellingcenter.net/ news/jonesborough-welcomesjohn-mccutcheon/ John is an incredible musician and performer and he released his 38th album, Trolling for Dreams on February 3. You can stream the album at http://bit.ly/2ejcPDp, let me know if you would prefer a hard copy or download link. He plans on releasing album #39 this coming February. John plays numerous instruments including piano, guitar, auto harp and banjo. You will hear him play all or most of these instruments during his one man show. He was one of the nominees for Artist of the Year at this year's Folk Alliance International conference in Kansas City.
Cryptogram: Of all the worldly passions, lust is the most intense. All other worldly passions seem to follow in its train. DropQuote: "We are often at the mercy of the White House for the news we report. Frequently, we simply repeat verbatim what the White House tells us."
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Kelly’s Place
By Jim Kelly since 1989 jkelly@ theloaferonline.com
very morning as I enjoy my oversized bowl of cereal, I am thankful for the existence of curated news apps. Yes, I still like to read an “old school” newspaper while I create mush in my bowl, but I also look forward to waking up to a much larger selection, thanks to apps like Apple News, Flipboard, News 360, and the usual roundup of CNN, USA Today, The Guardian, and Reuters. Not only can I keep up with politics and world affairs, but I can also peruse entertainment, music, movies, and various technological gadget apps. And I also can flip through the glossy pages of several magazines, thanks to my Texture subscription. Sure beats having to stumble over stacks of largely unread magazines in my living room (and cheaper too). I am thankful for books that accompany me through life, and I know I have far too many of them at home and in my office. Even though I read far more nonfiction than fiction I am thankful for novels like THE GREAT GATSBY, the 1925 F. Scott Fitzgerald novel that doesn’t have a single uninteresting or wasted sentence. Turn to any page and read any random sentence and be amazed at the power of words. Not many novels offer passages like this one, which describes a first kiss between Gatsby and Daisy: “. . . .when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath . . . .” And then there is this incredible passage from John Steinbeck’s EAST OF EDEN: “A kind of light spread out from her. And everything changed color. And the world opened out. And a day was good to awaken to. And there were no limits to anything. And the people of the world were good and handsome. And I was not afraid any more.” And then there’s the last chapter from Walter Isaacson’s new biography of Leonardo da Vinci that lists the man things we can learn from his life: things like always being curious, seeing the world with new eyes, and learning about the virtues of procrastination (I particularly like that one). I often say there is nothing but music, with everything else being merely a distraction. When it comes to music, I agree with Mikal Gilmore, who confesses in his book of essays, NIGHT BEAT: A SHADOW HISTORY OF ROCK & ROLL, that music “defined my convictions and my experience of what it meant (and still means) to be an American, and it gave me a moral (and of course immoral) guidance that nothing else in my life
ever matched, short of dreams of sheer generous love or of sheer ruthless rapacity or destruction.” Today, I count among my favorites Bach’s 6th Brandenburg Concerto, Petula Clark’s “Downtown,” Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” Jon Lord’s Hammond Organ solo on Deep Purple’s “Hush,” Bill Evans’ “My Foolish Heart,” and the tracks on Taylor Swift’s new “Reputation” album I won’t hear until they are available on Apple Music, hopefully by the time you read this sentence. I am thankful for the miracle of motion pictures, which today appear on many screens other than the one found inside the tiny theatre of my youth. This week I am particularly thankful for two among the hundreds I count as my favorites--”Personal Shopper,” this year’s psychological thriller starring Kristen Stewart that offers a thought-provoking take on how movies are modern-day ghost stories, and “Pandora’s Box,” the 1929 silent film starring the spellbinding Louise Brooks. For some reason, I find eerie connections between these two yearsapart movies. Ask me next week and I will give you a different perspective and different movies. I no longer watch commercial television--if such a thing still exists--but I do watch lots of TV in different formats. The history of television is one of my interests, and I have many shows on DVD and Blu-Ray. For me, the greatest series is “Mad Men,” I often rewatch those wonderful “Columbo” episodes, and I still love “The Twilight Zone.” I have just about finished the “Penny Dreadful” series, have given up on “The Walking Dead,” and look forward to finally getting a copy--perhaps for Christmas--of the six-disc “Ernie Kovacs Collection,” starring perhaps the most anarchic person to ever appear on the small screen (back in the pre-Facebook era of the 1950s). If I could choose one person to bring back from the dead it would be Kovacs. If I could choose another it would be Groucho Marx, and why not all his brothers as a bonus? I will bring this thankful column to a close by offering heartfelt thanks for someone more special than all the people I’ve mentioned this week--my threemonth-old granddaughter, who I love watching more than any movie. Here’s hoping she will enjoy her first Thanksgiving by offering thanks for her pacifier, bottle, and Huggies. See you next week.
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Giving Thanks
Although we should give thanks every day, this is the one week each year when we feel compelled to find things for which to be thankful. So, in keeping with this tradition, I will offer my thanks for some of the these things. My list, of course, would be different if I were to present this column next week, so I am just offering a snapshot of what is rattling around in my mind at the moment.
theloaferonline.com | November 21, 2017
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