50 - Valley Planet

Transcription

50 - Valley Planet

READ THE PLANET, IT’S FREE!
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
April 13
13 -- May
May 3,
3,2006
2006
April
IN THIS ISSUE
Inside
Panoply
Rollin w/
Dixie Derby
Girls
Trapt,
Chevelle, and
Nickelback
Letter from the Publisher
C
203 Grove Ave., Huntsville Al, 35801, phone 256.533-4613
Publishers
Frankie Glassco
Jill Wood
Editor
Billy Joe Cooley
Distribution
Charlotte Griffin
Graphics & Layout
Frances Damian
Contributors
Ricky Thomason
Allison Gregg
Steve Moulton
Billy Joe Cooley
Jennifer Roberts
Roy Thomas
Tina Rochester
Tony Ferrari
KorKeya
James Spagnola
Liv Lanier
Siouxsie Slew
Betty Grisham
Tina Leach
Fifi Bordeaux
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in beautiful & sunny Pulaski, Tennessee.
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weeks by J W Publications in Huntsville, AL.
You can pick up the paper free all over the
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Reproduction or use without our permission
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Planet or its staff. The Valley Planet is not
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in the archives section. You may reach
the Valley Planet office @ 256.533.4613.
Email us at [email protected] or
[email protected]
hanges,
changes,
change,
Huntsville is all about changing.
I am not complaining and I think
change is good; however, it sure really
can be a hassle. For instance, all the
work on the Parkway, will it ever be
completed? Now we have some kind
of delay, but what else is new, right?
South Parkway is in such a mess that I
try to refrain from going that way. We
all know that when it is done we won’t
even remember the hassle.
You know downtown is going through
some changes, too. The old Heart
of Huntsville mall will be leveled by
2007, the people from Axis and 721 are
moving up on the hill at the end of Golf
Rd. Man, do I have memories on that
hill. The old Plush Horse, WOW!
On the square, we are getting the “House
of Brews” and Crossroads is heading
for 115 Clinton St. Whew! Changes to
the (previously open) Sammy’s Live are
coming up too. Oh yeah, the Dallas Mill
Deli on Pratt and Washington should be
opening pretty soon. That is enough to
make your head spin.
Panoply is the on its way! We will have
a tent so everyone come by and see us,
OK? You can register for a chance to
win Dora the Explorer tickets while
you are there! I think with the way the
Panoply people are talking that this 25th
Anniversary Panoply is going to be the
best. There will be street performers,
great acts and a lot of cool stuff for the
kids to do. Don’t forget about the good
food either.
Stay Safe!
Later,
Frankie Glassco
In The Planet
THE VALLEY PLANET
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
April 13 - May 3, 2006
NEXT ISSUE May 4, 2006
Page 3
Page 4
Gossip, On The Cover
Page 5
My Soapbox, Panoply of the Arts A Community Tradition, Clear Blue Water
The Hollow
Page 6
Page 7
Unchained Maladies
Page 8
Salsa, Real Live Roller Derby, April Limelight Artist at HAL
When Dreams Come True
Page 10
Word on The Street, Music Calendar
Page 11
Earth Day 2006
Page 12
Keep it Local!
Page 17
Panoply of the Arts: Taking it to the Street
Page 18
Dining with Friends
Page 19
Dr. Anarcho’s
Page 20
Nip it in the Bud
Page 21
Single & Fabulous
Page 22
Party of One
Page 23
Todd Snider, The Garden District
Page 24
Listings
Page 26
News of the Weird
256-533-4613
2
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
THE VALLEY PLANET
Gossip
By Billy Joe Cooley
Avenue. He is still going strong on
ZTV-11 – and looking like a kid -after all these years.
This is “Be Nice to Jeremy Batey
Day” in Section. He is No. 10 on
the Section Lions football team.
Many Huntsvillians trek up to
South Pittsburg for the annual
Cornbread Festival on April 29-30
(Sat. and Sun.). It attracts some
40,000 people from over the world
to my little hometown.
There must be something in the
water, Weddings are in the works
all over town this spring. Our
galpal Barbara Manley will wed
Latham Carmen on June 10.
Then, pretty Tonya Renee Morris
of Sanford, N.C., will marry
Madison pianist (and engineer)
Matt Adams on June 26.
Good things have come to Thomas
English. He is now on faculty at
UAB, is working on his PhD, and he
and wife Heather have a daughter
named Lilli Frances. Meanwhile,
his dad (Dr. Bill) had a knee
replacement this week and back
surgery is pending. Furthermore,
the English’s godson, Rainer
Moore had artwork gracing the
cover of a recent Valley Planet.
David Whitt is 80 and still plays
piano as he did when his duties
included playing the music for
Lloyd Tyget’s ballet school.
What a pleasant surprise running
into TV legend Jamie Cooper
the other afternoon over on Grove
OUR GAL GAIL says “It is with
great disappointment that we bid a
fond farewell to Dave McConnell
(The Sinatra Guy). His job has
sent him to Sweden for 16 months.
We will truly miss his fabulous
Frank Sinatra show around
town. His final show before he
left was March 31 at the Jazz
Factory. His entire band was there
to back him up, as were all his
fans. Slate Sandlison and Laura
Hudson were at the Jazz Factory
on Saturday March 11 to hear the
news about Dave’s departure.
St Patrick’s Day was very hopping.
The Celtic band, Maple Hill,
returned to The Corner Bar and
Grill with a new Irish River dancer,
Laura Thorndike. Great waitress
Amy Grammer was dressed for
the occasion.
Chips and Salsa’s crew was festive
and friendly, bartenders Brandon
Craig and Greg Woodbarry
stayed very busy as did waitresses
Shanon Chaismar and Liz
On the Cover
to choose this work and to honor this
artist in 2006, the 25th Anniversary of
Panoply. Additionally, the title of the
piece, drawn in calligraphy by Vannah
Husband, Betty’s talented daughter,
relates directly to the time of year
Panoply has traditionally been held
since its inception. But the painting
suggests many more meanings and will
undoubtedly resonate differently with
each viewer.
S
pringtime,
by
legendary
Huntsville artist Betty Grisham,
was chosen as the official Panoply
2006 poster for several reasons. One of
the more obvious ones is that the work
was created in 1982, the first year of
Panoply, and it seemed appropriate
THE VALLEY PLANET
Betty Grisham’s art has always been
closely associated with fabrics, from
hand-painted silks to silk needlepoint,
although she has also distinguished
herself working on more traditional
surfaces such as canvas and paper.
Representative of the very best of
Betty’s art, Springtime was painted
directly on a stretched silk surface
using dyes and with the addition of
small geometric pieces of her handpainted fabrics appliquéd directly to the
surface. The wonderful range of colors
causes the surface to pulse with life as if
it’s dancing to a strong musical rhythm.
The effect is dramatic and seems to hint
at all the major art forms showcased at
Panoply.
#041306050306
Justice. Scott Schlapman, Jason
Daniel and Joy Gibbs celebrated
the wearing of green at a Mexican
bar. Like every St. Paddy’s Day,
late night at Finnigan’s kept
a celebrating crowd right up
until closing time. This time it
included Sean Magens, Rachael
Harris, Gabe Phillips and Bret
Kuykendall. Bruce the Barkeep
busily served the very happy
crowd while Chris O’Brian and
Jo Beth Gleason tried to tickle the
ivories of Nancy Marie’s piano.
And happy birthday to Christian
Critelli.
Bo Williams has a website on
which he extols the taste of the
new Diet Mountain Dew: www.n
ewdietdewisyucky.com. He says
he gets lots of attention from the
media and has a good campaign
going.
Gary James Bridge writes to
welcome to the world his grand
niece, Sheriden Skylar Moser.
Our friend Jesse Jones (Tim’s
dad) has opened his Karaoke Café
in Henagar, across from the post
office. And serves absolutely the
best tasting fried onion rings in
existence.
-----My email address is [email protected]
--My book ‘Away Down South’ makes a
fine gift.
Autographed and mailed for $16.
115 W. Clinton, Suite 805, Huntsville
AL 35801
Although not specifically created in
response to Panoply, the painting can
also be interpreted in a very literal way
as heralding the blooming of the arts
in Huntsville. The beautifully-drawn
central rose design features a large
mature blossom that can be viewed
as the many mature arts organizations
that existed in Huntsville in 1982. To
the right, the smaller blossom, just
opening, speaks of newer art forms or
organizations beginning to develop.
And the small, faint bud at the far right
of the stem hints at the world of art that
is yet to be.
Color-wise, the rose design is set against
a warm and relatively-calm space that
describes a valley bound on either side
by mountains of undulating color. The
eight small pieces of appliquéd fabric
seem to be coming down from the
mountains and surrounding the rose
figure. These appliqués can perhaps
be interpreted as the diverse ethnic,
racial, and geographical influences
that have so profoundly enhanced the
flowering of the arts in our valley city,
Huntsville.
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
3
Unchained
Maladies
Ricky Thomason
57 year-old Dave describes himself this
way: I’m an overweight, middle-aged
underachiever. The skull tattoos on
my arms complement my wardrobe,
which I call rural proletarian. I sleep
on the floor in a sparsely furnished
apartment. I urinate frequently and pick
my nose. I’m embarrassed that I own a
Bible. After a tragic foray into Santeria,
I’ve incurred crushing debt. SEXUAL
HABITS: Can be summed up simply:
brief digital, extended oral, premature
genital. I have herpes.
Writes
I
t’s “Panoply,” not “pantie-plea” like
I originally thought.
“Panoply,” is defined by the Merriam
Webster Collegiate Dictionary as: a
noun with an etymology from the Greek
panoplia from pan - + hopla arms, arm
or, plural of hoplan tool, weapon.
It dates from 1632. The meanings given
are;
1.     A: a full suit of armor or B:
ceremonial attire
2.     Something forming a protective
covering
3.     A: a magnificent impressive array
(the full panoply of military funeral)
B: a display of all appropriate
appurtenances (it has the panoply of
science fiction… but is not true science
fiction – Isaac Asimov
An appurtenance is loosely defined as
an apparatus.
Who named this deal? I suppose it
has the appurtenances of a festival
or a carnival without being one or
something. Maybe we were supposed
to wear ceremonial attire, or full suits
of armor.
In truth, I liked it better when I thought
it was a pantie plea. God knows all
young men have made a few of those.
In the movie Sixteen Candles, Molly
Ringwald’s character endeared herself
to the hearts and imaginations of young
geeks everywhere when she answered
Anthony Michael Hall’s character’s
pantie-plea, and gave him the pair she
was wearing.
Talk about a prayer answered; that’s a
girl with a heart. And then someone is
really a nice guy when they’ll give you
the shirt off their back.    
Yeah, I know it was just a movie, and
she was only playing a character, but
they were Molly Ringwald’s panties
and there’s no telling what a real pair
would bring on Ebay today.
If
you
like
pina~
coladas,
and taking walks in the rain
The Wall Street Journal reported that
in the decade-plus since the advent of   
online dating some two-million
Americans met their spouses online
According to the Pew Internet &
American Life Project, a nonprofit
research organization, those two
million married Internet users make up
about half the total number of people
who married last year.
… Now the divorces are starting.
4
Maybe he can get together with
Rebecca: When I feel bad, it helps me
to call you at work. Frequently. Rushing
me off the phone will just make me
cry and pester you with e-mails. I
have a little dog that I tend to bring
everywhere, because if I leave him at
home, he yips. If you plan on sleeping
with me, you will not complain when I
bring him on dates in a little black bag.
I’m a little curious about spanking, but
we can never try it at my house, because
my ex-boyfriend lives on the other side
of the wall and will hear us.
artwork by Debbie West
It seems that there’s now ample evidence
to suggest that people lie online.
You think?
According to WSJ in 1995, Matt
Frassica, tired of singles bars and setups by friends, tried his hand at dating
online. There he met, and later married,
a woman who also liked long walks in
the rain and homemade lasagna. They
were even featured in People magazine
as a prototype of successful cyberromance.
If you’re tired of the lies and games of
online dating, I have just the website for
you. It’s Brutally Honest Personals
(www.esquire.com/brutal/). Everyday
people post ads there “with the hope of
finding someone willing to accept them
at face value. So, please, scan their
profiles. You may not get exactly what
you want, but at least you know exactly
what you’re getting.”
If there is enough interest, your Valley
Planet, ever a little ahead of the curve,
would consider our own “Brutally
Honest Personal Ads” section.
We’re not free, but we are reasonable.
Ricky Thomason is a freelance writer from
Huntsville. Email Rick at
[email protected].
Let Ricky know what you think at our forums at
www.valleyplanet.com.
Then the fairy tale ended. Mr. Frassica
said he realized he was gay, and the
divorce was official last year. “We
avoided getting to know the real
person,” says the 34-year-old corporate
recruiter in San Francisco. “All we
knew was the profiles of each other.”
(His ex-wife confirms that.)
When people describe themselves
online, they tell you about the person
that they’d like to be, not who they
really are. We know everyone is
beautiful in their own way, but it’s far
from the way they think.
Anyone who’s ever spent much time in
online chatrooms, or had face-to-faces
with someone they met online has
stories to tell.
ÿ     If you’re six feet tall, the Empire
State building is a mile high.
ÿ     Yeah? If you weigh 140 pounds, my
Ford Explorer must weigh about 150.
ÿ     If that’s eight inches, a yardstick is
6-feet long.
ÿ     The only thing athletic about you is
your feet.
ÿ     My, you really DO have the face of
a saint. A Saint Bernard.
ÿ      You say you’re a nature lover?
Hard to believe after what it did to you.
ÿ     If you’re outgoing, watch that door.
It’ll hit you in the ass.
ÿ     I said I liked Shrek. That didn’t
mean I wanted to date him.
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
THE VALLEY PLANET
Panoply of the Arts
A Community Tradition
My Soapbox
By Roy Thomas
Redstone Federal Credit Union
By Liv Lanier
life to build. I am sorry that we are
regressing as opposed to progressing.
I am sorry that in the 2004 presidential
election more than 19 million women
did not vote. I am truly sorry that two
thirds of those women were around my
age.
S
o I met Gloria Steinem over spring
break. One of my heroes, and all I
manage is a “You’re Awesome.” It
was one of those moments written right
out of my dreams, and I said, “You’re
Awesome.” Just to make sure you are
hearing me on this one, let me reiterate.
I met Gloria Steinem, a woman partly
responsible for my options in life being
more than wife or secretary and said,
“You’re Awesome.” To make up for
that, I am going to share a few things
with you dear readers, that I wished I
would have spoken of with Gloria (and,
yes, my ‘awesome’‚ comment granted
me a first name basis with her).
First of all, I should have said thanks.
Thanks for giving Me Ms. a name other
than married or not married. Thanks
for fighting tirelessly for ME. Thank
you for creating an outlet for women
to be heard. Thank you for looking in
and speaking out. Thank you for the
revolution.
Right on. I dig people that vote, but
that’s not enough these days. We have
to step it up a little bit, my comrades.
These times are crucial. But why the
lack of interest? Why are people my
age not involved? Why was I the only
one in the room with Gloria younger
than 30?
Perhaps, people feel that there is not an
outlet here. That this is just Huntsville,
what can be done here? (This is where
I tie it all together, pay close attention.
Drum roll, please).
Okay, we are trying to reorganize
the NOW (National Organization for
Women) chapter here in Huntsville.
Anybody interested? Anybody? If so,
contact me, Liv, at HuntsvilleNOW@
yahoo.com. I won’t take up any more
room of this fine paper with my rants,
but feel free to use that email address
for questions, concerns, answers,
comments, I’ll take it all.
Meetings start soon. (Like, NOW).
I
f you’ve never gone to the Panoply
of the Arts event at Big Springs Park
in downtown Huntsville, it’s a lot
of fun, and the cultural aspects of this
weekend-long event are truly unique.
It’s been a tradition in my family to go
to Panoply each year.
It is a springtime event that many
look forward to attending. And which
Redstone Federal Credit Union looks
forward to supporting.
Most people who attend Panoply can’t
wait to see the unique handcrafted
items for sale from Tennessee Valley
artists, many of whom we’ve come to
find out are members here at Redstone.
And others anticipate the rich diversity
of musical performances and enjoy the
talents of people of all ages.
There is a little something at Panoply
for everyone.
An event like this takes a tremendous
amount of support from the entire
community. From the private to the
corporate sector. That is why it’s
wonderful to see that Redstone is such a
huge supporter of this artistic event.
We have enjoyed being a part of this
community for the past 55 years and
we’re not going to stop. It’s who we
are, people helping people.
We will also have a Mobile somewhere
in the park.
When you see our name, you’ll be
reminded of how important it is for us
here at Redstone Federal Credit Union
to be a part of the community. Have fun
while you’re there and check out the
tent that features student artwork.
Get your
FREE
Valley
Planet
Static Cling
Decal!!
Send a self addressed,
stamped envelope to
203 Grove Ave.
Huntsville, AL 35801
CLEAR BLUE WATER
Then, I should have apologized. I’m
sorry. I am sorry that I Can’t do more
to save what you have worked all your
I was driving to a friend’s house during
the last state of the union speech when
I heard on the radio that Cindy Sheehan
was arrested. When I arrived to my
girl’s house, I looked at her, “Dude!
They just arrested Cindy Sheehan!”
She replied, “Whose Cindy Sheehan?”
I must have had an accusing look on my
face because she then said, “Aww, come
on, I mean I care, I vote.”
THE VALLEY PLANET
#041306050306
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
5
Visit our
Tent at
The Hollow
There’s A Reason It’s A Classic
Panoply
April
28-30
Noah Fairburn, 4th Grade,
Randolph School
6
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
Olivia Skillern, 4th Grade,
Rainbow Elementary
THE VALLEY PLANET
Real Live Roller
Derby – Finally!
By Siouxsie Slew
S
A
alsa in Spring
Art Party at
Museum of Art
the
Huntsville
The Huntsville Museum of Art is
bringing food, music and fun to
downtown Huntsville with Salsa in
Spring, an Art Party at the Huntsville
Museum of Art, Thursday, April 20.
This is the Museum’s opportunity to
open its doors to the public and show
there’s more to be had than beautiful
art.
Starting at 5 p.m., those feeling the
groove can learn how to salsa and
samba with dance lessons in the Great
Hall. There will also be a cash bar
offering margaritas and beer.
The highly popular and energetic band
Mambo Gris Gris will have everyone
moving from 6-8 p.m. Free food will
also be provided.
The event is open to the public and
tickets can be bought in advance for
$8 each. Admission is $10 at the door.
Museum members are FREE.
RSVPs should be made by April 17
- [email protected] or 5354350 ext. 208.
Those wanting to join the Museum
from now until April 20 can do so by
contacting Member Relations at 5354350 ext. 234. A one year membership
of $30 will not only give that person
free admission to upcoming exhibitions
and events, this will also include free
admission to Salsa in Spring.
April Limelight Artist at HAL
The Huntsville Art League “Limelight
Artist” is Peter Grant in the month of
April.  The Huntsville Art League is
located at 3005 L & N Drive, Suite
2.  The Gallery is open Monday
through Saturday from 10 – 6:00 pm
and Sunday 1 – 4 pm.
P
eter, president of the Huntsville
Art League for 2005-2006, lives
and works in Huntsville, AL. .
Born in St. Petersburg, FL, he grew
up in Greenville, SC in the midst of an
artistic family. His brother was a noted
architect, and his son and daughter are
currently working in fine arts.  Peter
took art classes as electives while
pursuing a degree in finance at Clemson
University.   A 20-year military career
after college put painting on hold, but
allowed Peter to explore art around the
world and develop his photography
skills. He brought from this period a
portfolio of beautiful photos capturing
scenes and people from many
countries.  Peter started painting again
following retirement and especially
Rachael Phillips, 4th Grade,
Country Day School
THE VALLEY PLANET
enjoys equestrian scenes.  He is an avid
horseman, and can frequently be found
riding his horse “Echo” during his free
time.
In the Huntsville Art League, you will
be able to enjoy Peter’s Southwestern
touch.  This style has been much
influenced by visiting galleries in Santa
Fe and Taos, NM. Peter paints with
acrylics on canvas using a broad brush
and bold, bright colors to show life and
motion and evoke emotion.  Peter’s love
of this medium is reflected in the energy
seen in his paintings and his subjects
and techniques have become popular
with his many new fans.  Horses in
motion are the focus of most of Peter’s
paintings, although he also does some
other subjects including abstracts.
fter more than a year of
tirelessly recruiting skaters,
promoting the league, and
training feverishly, The Dixie Derby
Girls are giving Huntsville its first taste
of live Roller Derby Action on April 23,
presented by Sledge Body Shop. The
first grudge match is against The Tragic
City Rollers from Birmingham.
You can scream for your favorite derby
girl, rock to The Wednesdays from
Florence during the half-time show and
party with the Derby Girls and The Pine
Hill Haints at Judge Crater’s Tavern at
the after-party.
This is not the campy, cheesy spectacle
that you might remember. Today’s
Roller Derby is a fiercely competitive
sport played on a flat track with slightly
different rules.
Roller Derby 101
The bout is played in heats or jams
that can last up to 2 minutes. There
are three 20-minute game periods with
an unlimited number of jams in each.
Two teams play in each jam, with five
players in the rink for each team: 1
jammer, 3 blockers, and 1 pivot. The
jammers score the points, the blockers
block (of course), and the pivots set the
pace of the pack.
The blockers and pivots for the teams
make up the pack. On the Referee’s
first whistle, the pack takes off; on the
second whistle, the jammers fight their
way through the pack and the first skater
through becomes the lead jammer – she
earns the right to call off the jam at any
time.
After lapping the packs once, the
jammers receive one point for each
member of the opposing team that they
pass. That might sound simple, but
remember that the blockers and pivots
are out to stop the opposing team’s
jammer – at any cost. The team that
scores the most points wins.
Meet Your League
The Dixie Derby Girls – Alabama’s
first All-Girl, Flat Track Roller Derby
League – have grown from a small
group of friends committed to their
newfound sport to a real live Roller
Derby League with over 25 members.
“We’ve worked pretty much non-stop
since December 2004,” says Cherry
Violence. “This is a skater-owned,
skater-run league. So not only do
we train to play, but we also run the
business end of things too.”
The League attracts women from all
walks of life. Jammer Cherry Violence
is a student at Calhoun. Blocker Tura
Terror is a UAH art professor. Jammer
CU Afterclass is, yes, a middle school
teacher. But you’ll only see their Derby
Girl side out on the track.
“Part of the fun is having an alter-ego,”
says blocker Di N. Pain, a hair stylist by
day. “We get to step out of our normal
lives, be a little theatric, while playing a
sport that we love.”
The Details
The Bout: The Dixie Derby Girls vs.
The Tragic City Rollers.
The Day: Sunday, April 23.
The Place: Roller Time Skate Center,
707 Arcadia Circle, Huntsville.
The Time: Doors open at 6:30 pm, the
bout starts at 7:30 pm.
The Price: $10. Tickets on sale at
Roller Time beginning April 10.
The Entertainment: Half-time show
featuring The Wednesdays.
The After-party: Immediately following
the bout at Judge Crater’s Tavern in
downtown Huntsville, featuring The
Pine Hill Haints.
Don’t miss the Peter Grant Limelight
Reception on Sunday, April 9 from 2
-4.  The public is invited to attend and
there is no admission charge.  HAL
is located at 3005 L & N Drive, Suite
2.  For more information, call 5343860.
Randy Wiegman, 3rd Grade,
Holy Family School
#041306050306
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
7
I
n
our
lifetimes
w
e
acquire many
memorable
experiences.
If we are
lucky
we
get
the
opportunity
to add a few
that are truly
When Dreams Come True
Local artist with muscular dystrophy meets three of his favorite bands
BY Toni Ferrari
of here.” running around holding the
microphone, he jumped back and forth,
leaning down to grab the hands of
countless screaming fans.
It doesn’t take long to figure out that
Trapt’s live performance depends very
much on the charisma and intensity
of their lead singer, who works the
people in his own unique way, truly
connecting. Leaving the stage after
playing all the songs you would be
familiar with from both albums, Trapt
quickly returned to an overwhelming
response for “Headstrong”.
The
song that broke Trapt into America’s
mainstream consciousness concluded
their performance with a bang.
unforgettable.
I recently had the
pleasure of enjoying such an experience
thanks to my good friend Daniel May.
Daniel was born with a rare form
of muscular dystrophy, one that is
crippling and fatal. He has already far
outlived his life expectancy, which I
find to be a testament to the true nature
of his spirit. In the time that I have
come to know Daniel I have learned
that he is a talented artist with a very
beautiful spirit that is an inspiration
to everyone that he comes in contact
with. However, Daniel’s progression is
getting worse, and his heart is weak.
As the anticipation built for Chevelle’s
performance David and I made our
way through numerous security guards
towards the photo pit. We glanced
behind us at all of the people clustered
in. The crowd had gotten substantially
larger by now. When Chevelle finally
took the stage the lights dimmed and
the crowd become like a huge thunder
chanting, “Chevelle” repeatedly.
While sharing his music collection
with me one day he introduced me to
the haunting lyrics, intense harmonies
and driving bass sound that is one of his
favorite bands, Chevelle. I had heard
one of their radio hits the “suffocating”
song but didn’t know what it was called.
I wasn’t familiar with their music
beyond that. He mentioned that they
were coming to town with Trapt and
Nickelback, two more of his favorite
bands. He mentioned that he would like
to attend the show.
At that moment a light bulb went off
in my head. I, without giving it a lot
of forethought, offered to arrange for
Daniel to meet Chevelle and attend
the upcoming show. It seemed simple
enough to accomplish. I had many
contacts at their record label from my
years as a magazine publisher and
journalist.
And so it began...
One of the greatest joys I have
experienced in life has been to be
in a position to give people unique
experiences that they would not be
able to enjoy otherwise. I eventually
arranged for Daniel, David (his
brother), Monica (his sister-in-law),
Brad (a close personal friend of mine),
and myself to meet Chevelle and Trapt
and review the entire show. I wanted to
make sure that this was an evening that
Daniel would not soon forget.
I had set up the meeting with Trapt to
happen first and was in contact with
their tour manager, Pete. When we
arrived behind the Von Braun Center
we were greeted by Pete who was
very helpful and gracious. Several
silver buses loomed behind a crowd
of other people who had won meet and
greets with the bands through the radio
station.
The members of Trapt made a beeline
straight to our group and to Daniel.
8
They were very congenial and showed
interest in learning more about Daniel.
They hung out with us while we waited
for Chevelle and signed autographs and
took pictures. They talked about the
tour and the new CD.
The anticipation of seeing Daniel meet
his favorite band was almost too much
to handle. I had worked hard to make
this happen. Chevelle’s management
was not exactly easy to deal with
and didn’t give the green light on the
meeting until a day before the show so I
didn’t know what to expect.
information. They treated him like they
were all lifelong friends.
After the meeting, Pete (Trapt’s tour
manager) saved the day by working out
our parking situation and escorting us in
through the band entrance.
As the lights dimmed and Trapt’s
members took the stage, their lead
singer was nowhere to be seen. Starting
the evening off with “Still Frame,”
Chris Brown came running from an
area backstage yelling, “please help
me cause I’m breaking down, this
picture’s frozen, and I can’t get out
The very moment Pete Loeffler (lead
singer and principal songwriter of
Chevelle) walked over to Daniel and
bent down and shook his hand, and the
look on Daniel’s face...I was rewarded
in ways I can’t possibly put into words.
It was all worth it. I knew right then
that I wanted to do this as many times
as I could and for as many people as I
could. At that moment several dreams
came true. I knew this was one of those
moments that we would never forget.
Lights flashed like crazy. The band
burst into their first song with ferocious
energy. The second song they played
was the one I was very grateful for
being able to be up close and personal
for. The lights went red as Pete played
the opening chords of “The Red”. It was
almost spiritual. He played and sang the
entire song standing at the very back of
the stage behind his mic stand with his
left foot propped on his monitor. He
played with a constrained angst and
passion that immediately reminded me
of Kurt Cobain. At times he leaned so
far back that a normal person would
have fallen only to come flying forward
lightning fast to do it all over again.
Pete Loeffler sang with a haunting
intensity that had me reliving much
of my own childhood angst. They
proceeded to put on an amazing high
energy set. They certainly played their
hearts out. I was so caught up in the
moment that I only know that they
The members of Chevelle were very
friendly and spent longer than I would
have expected talking to Daniel. They
talked about him and his art. They talked
about the band. They talked about the
new CD that they were recording; even
giving Daniel privileged bits of inside
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
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THE VALLEY PLANET
of the most spiritually rewarding I have
done. As well as, being a group of very
talented performers, the members of
Switchfoot are also true humanitarians
supporting many human rights issues,
including underprivileged children
and AIDS victims in our country and
around the world.
Evidence of their immense generosity
was the section that was reserved for
special needs kids and the
VIP treatment that they
received at this show.
played all of their radio hits and more,
including a new song that they told
Daniel they would play. Pete didn’t
talk much, but he came through on
what was important, singing flawlessly
throughout the night, delivering his
signature melodic and tension-filled
vocals. By the time Chevelle left the
stage they had become one of my two
favorite bands and remain so.
The show’s headliner, Nickelback,
was scheduled to come on after a short
break. I hardly imagined that their
performance would even measure up
to that of Chevelle. Nickelback kicked
off its set with Pyro effects adding
extra punch to lead singer/guitarist
Chad Kroeger’s radio driven riffs. The
moment they started playing a wall of
flames exploded on either side of the
drum kit.
Nickelback included within its set
several of the songs from its latest
album, “All the Right Reasons,” and
hits from previous albums. A welcome
surprise was a couple of hits from their
critically acclaimed first album, “The
State”, including an awesome version
of “Leader of Men”.
Nickelback also paid tribute to
Pantera
guitarist
“Dimebag”
Darrell Abbott who was murdered
at a concert a few years ago. Chad
Kroeger mentioned “Side of a
Bullet,” a song on which some of
Abbott’s work appears. He said, “A
good friend of mine and one of the
best guitar players ever was taken
from us. He was murdered on stage
doing what he loved.” That led to a
taped nod of archived footage dedicated
to Abbott’s career, with interviews and
homemade video segments. Videotaped
scenes of “Dimebag” playing guitar
were played along with “Side of a
Bullet.”
At the end of the night when it was
all said and done all three bands were
excellent with Nickelback blowing
us away with pyrotechnic and stage
presence. However, Chevelle left us
with a haunting memorable performance
that we won’t forget soon.
The next weekend I lined up a surprise
for three unsuspecting people including
Daniel and David.
I invited my stepdaughter, Kamie and
David’s sister-in-law, Molly to go with
us to meet and see one of their favorite
bands, Switchfoot, perform.
I was already impressed with Switchfoot
and the lead singer, Jon Foreman,
because of their completely positive
approach to their music and to life in
general. My interview with Jon was one
The
members
of
Switchfoot were the most
humble and gracious
band that my party and I
could have had the honor
of meeting. They were
more than friendly, taking
a very unique interest
in each of us, including
Daniel who they spoke with in great
detail about his art, offering him the
opportunity to upload his art to their
public website.
UK favorites Athlete put on an excellent
show reminding me of Coldplay. They
were energetic and insightful. They
also took the time to meet with us after
the show. Their artistic and melodic
sound was a nice compliment to the
sound of Switchfoot. They were the
ideal opener.
It was amazing to me how quickly the
auditorium filled up before Switchfoot’s
performance. Switchfoot lead singer,
Jon Foreman decided to immediately
connect with the audience. As he leaned
into the front row’s outstretched arms,
he communicated his willingness to get
close to the crowd and to be one with
them. That set the mood for the night,
as Foreman continued to reach out and
connect with the audience.
“The Beautiful Letdown” As from their
recent “Nothing is Sound”. They also
played a couple of newer songs.
Jon likes to climb on things and jump
from speakers and drum risers. He is
very energetic. He and his brother, Tim,
literally flew around the stage. Jon even
paused a moment to play guitar with
his teeth. At one point when Jon was
mingling with the crowd, they almost
pulled him off of the stage.
They played all of their classics like
“Dare You to Move” and “More Than
Fine.” This encouraged audience
participation.
All through the
performance the band showed their
creativity. They played one of Jon’s
favorites, an anthemic ballad from
the newer CD “The Shadow Proves
the Sunshine.” The light show was
excellent considering the venue being a
college fitness center. They joked about
the crowd joining them for a swim
in the pool. The crowd was mostly
students who seemed to be captivated
throughout the night and were happy to
remain in their standing positions clear
up until the encore.
To no surprise, Switchfoot closed the
show with their hit “Meant to Live”
which left us with a very emotional and
spiritually charged evening.
Switchfoot put on an amazing live
performance, the best I have seen in
a while with their positive tone and
intense connection with their audience.
They opened with
the self-pondering
“Stars”
before
launching into the
politically charged
rocker
“Lonely
Nation”.
They
played tracks from
their two latest
releases. In the end,
at least as many
songs were played
from their older but
more
successful
Playing several songs from their
groundbreaking “Silver Side Up,” Chad
Kroeger and company proved their
musical might by playing solos all over
the stage, Kroeger even getting right in
our faces, literally, for drawn out guitar
solo.
They played all of the songs that you
would expect to an almost sold out
crowd. Crowd favorites, “Someday”,
“Too Late”, and “How You Remind
Me,” elicited huge audience sing-alongs.
They even broke through the music
and had an assortment of people shoot
t-shirts and stuff into the audience with
air-powered cannons.
THE VALLEY PLANET
#041306050306
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
9
WORDBy ON
THE STREET
James Spagnola of SWOOP
I
WANTED
Theatre Huntsville’s Play-Reading Committee is now soliciting ideas
and titles for its 2007-2008 season.  The committee will meet regularly
throughout 2006 to consider a wide range of titles and genres which
will be pared down to a list of fourteen presented for TH Board
approval in December 2006.  In turn, the membership will choose
seven titles in January 2007 to comprise the 2007-2008 Season.  TH
is also accepting suggestions for play-director projects from interested
directors for the committee’s consideration. Suggestions should be
submitted by calling (256) 536-0807 or by contacting Play-reading
Chair Sam Marsh at [email protected].
was in Chicago on vacation a
week ago and was naturally on
the constant lookout for homeless
people. In a city the size of Chicago,
you would expect to see homeless
people around every corner, begging
for change or a handout, pushing their
shopping cart homes around, But on
this occasion I did not come across
more than 10 in the span of three days.
I spent a lot of time walking from place
to place, riding on trains and on the
subway. As I observed interactions and
marveled at the diversity in Chicago
I found myself comparing the city to
Huntsville, both very diverse places.
Here are some observations:
The homeless in Chicago are charismatic
beggars. They just don’t sorrowfully
ask for spare change, they laugh, joke
and cuss at you if you ignore them. For
the most part I saw Chicagoans stop and
listen and joke back with the homeless,
the non-homeless public seemed to
accept them as a valid part of society.
People interacted. And this is what
inspires me to write today.
The homeless are a valid part of society,
making people question their own
livelihoods and inspiring compassionate
giving. In some cases their presence
may act as a reminder that bad things
can happen to good people, proving
that success can be easily toppled by
just one bad decision, or one case of
being at the wrong place at the wrong
time. As some take to the streets by
choice and others by circumstance the
homeless population reminds everyone
that community includes every living
person. Our community is rich in nonprofit agencies who help those who have
fallen on bad times, unfortunately we
do not have as much support from the
government as we would like, but we
try to work together to be more efficient
in our causes. This is what SWOOP
is all about, making the connections
for youth in crisis (call 539-9440).
Crisis Services is for anyone in crisis
(call 211), please feel free to call and
interact, strengthening our community
bond...because people power is better
than money power.
The homeless are more visible
in Huntsville. Despite Chicago’s
population, I still see more street people
in Huntsville. Maybe it is because I
know most of them, maybe because it
is warmer, or maybe it’s just that you
can never really tell the difference,
especially if you do not know one
personally. Whatever the reason I
did not observe a massive population
of homeless in Chicago, like in the
movies.
The homeless in Chicago have their
begging down pat. Here, the ones who
do it aren’t very good at it. Begging is not
tolerated in the train depots in Chicago,
but what is allowed is the playing of
music in the subway tunnels for change.
This made me happy. You pay $2.00 to
get in the gates and you can hang out
most of the day in a subway tunnel and
play music and make money. There
are actually signs designating music
playing areas. Huntsville just does not
have the facilities or the population to
do that. Too bad.
The National Runaway Switchboard
is based in Chicago, if you would
like to know more about the nation’s
homeless population or statistics log on
to www.1800RUNAWAY.org or call 1800-RUNAWAY
Zackary Hancock, 2nd
Grade, First Baptist Child
Development Center and
Academy
music calendar
April 13 - May 3, 2006
MUSIC
Thursday
April 13, 2006
3rd Base Grill, Edgar
Benchwarmer Too, Karaoke
Contest
Black Water Hattie’s, Karaoke
Bobby G’s, Karaoke
Coppertop, Southern Rock 3
Crossroads, LaSalle & Halo
Stereo
Freddy’s, Pla’ Station
Home Port Int’l Bar &
Deli, Double Open Mic Night,
(Musicians, Poets, Comedians All
Are Welcome!
Hopper’s, Rudy Mockabee And
The Music Factory
10
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Free
World
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Dave
Anderson
Philby’s Pourhouse, Toy Shop
Sammy’s Sports Bar &
Steakhouse, Bike Night W/The
Crawlers
Sports Page, 5 O’Clock Charlie
The Corner (Bailey Cove), Jim
Cavender
The Corner (Hampton Cove),
Lacey Atchison
The Warehouse, Tom
Cremeens
If you have a venue with Live Music or
Karaoke that you would like for us to
list please email to
[email protected]
Continued on Page 11
THE VALLEY PLANET
Earth Day 2006
Hays Nature Preserve
Submitted By Susan Weber
hike with Bill McAllister, professor at
A&MU and a great birder (bring binocs
if you have them). The hike begins
promptly at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot
of the Preserve. The remainder of the
events begin at 10 p.m. with Bill Cruger
with an Introduction to Reptiles
(Snakes and lizards—oh, my!) that kids
and adults can hold. Dr. Bloom of the
Alabama Zoological Park in Mentone
will be bringing a baby black bear
and other critters at 11:30 a.m.. From
10 until 2 p.m. EarthScope Teachers
will entertain young children with
environmental activities such as
Earth Day 2006 is on April 22,
2006, now in its 36th year of
commemorating the day that
many historians recognize as the
birth of the modern environmental
movement. Organized by Gaylord
Nelson, a Senator from Wisconsin
who noticed that serious concern
about environmental degradation
were obvious everywhere, the first
Earth Day drew instant attention
from a wide range of citizens across
the country. With help, Nelson helped
organize a nationwide grassroots
celebration on April 22, 1970, that
eventually included more than 20
million people.
Scavenger Hunt: ABC’s Among the
Trees
Even after 36 years, Earth Day still
remains a watershed event in the
environmental movement. Since its
inception, interest and participation
in Earth Day has only increased and
spread around the world, with activities,
celebrations, and events growing
steadily over time and millions of
concerned citizens taking part. It is now
recognized as the largest non-religious
holiday in the world.
At 1:00 there will be two guided
ecotours: One in the Preserve and
the other more adventurous hike
in Goldsmith Schiffman Wildlife
Sanctuary. At 2:30 p.m. the same two
Ecotours will be offered again. The
last Goldsmith Schiffman Sanctuary
Tour will be guided by professional
photographer Al Rudd, who will
instruct camera bugs in “Shooting great
nature photos” as we walk through the
swamps and bottomlands.
In Madison County, Earth Day is
annually celebrated at the J.D. and
Annie S. Hays Nature Preserve, an
idyllic location on the Flint River. The
cool green of trees bursting into leaf,
combined with the songs of migratory
birds provides a peaceful backdrop for
this free family event.
Earth Day will begin with a birding
MUSIC
Continued From Page 10
Madison
The Station, Jason Albert Band
Decatur
The Brick, Live Music
Guntersville
Adrian’s, Stan & Dylan
Benchwarmer, Karaoke W/
Craig
Sandy’s Roadhouse, Karaoke
Scottsboro
The Docks, Trey, Kenny &
Coach
THE VALLEY PLANET
Friday
April 14, 2006
801 Franklin, Live Music
American Legion Post 176,
Square One
Craig
Black Water Hattie’s, The
Crawlers
Bobby G’s, Render
Club Ozz, Enchanted Illusion
Coffeetree Books & Brew,
Fred Roberts
Crossroads, Todd Snider/Adam
Hood
Esquire Lounge, Chaos
Flying Monkey Arts
Center, Eyes Around, The
Drownout(Atlanta) & Skware
#041306050306
Touch Table Game
Tree & Plant Identification - Tree Key
Activity
Bat and Cave Expert: Pati Miller - talk
with “Batty Miss Pati” and stamp a Bat
Habitat bookmark.
In the afternoon at 1 p.m. SORBA, the
local mountain biking group, will lead a
Mountain Bike Tour of our REMOTE
trails—where the wild things are!!!
You won’t want to miss this tour.
Exhibitors from various Conservation
Organizations and Earth-Friendly
Vendors will be on hand. Come enjoy
the natural heritage of our Earth. We
have plenty of Earth Day activities for
you to learn about and appreciate.
Need More Info: Go to www.huntsville
preserves.com or call 427-5116
Freddy’s, Black Label
Furniture Factory, Room 240
Home Port Int’l Bar & Deli,
Redd Letters-One Of The Hottest
Bands In Hsv!
The Music Factory
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Free
World
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, The
Crawlers
Moody Mondays, HDK Karaoke
Nikko’s, Edgar
Sammy T’s Music Hall, U.S.
Steakhouse, Mike Roberts
Sports Page, Duane Walker
Band
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
11
MUSIC
Tha’ Loft, The House Of Music
Dj & Dance
The Corner (Bailey Cove),
Dave Anderson
Donnie Cox & Lisa Malone
The Warehouse, Lacey
Atchison, (5-7pm) Happy Hour
The Warehouse, Dan Hardin
And Ron Jeffreys
Decatur
Hard Dock Café, Big Daddy
Kingfish
The Brick, Benefit For Toys For
Tots/Bishop Black & Tucos Pistol
Guntersville
Adrian’s, Mason Reed
Scottsboro
The Docks, Arlo Gilliam,
Straight Out Of Nashville!
Sunday
April 16, 2006
Madison
11th Frame Bar, Karaoke W/
Jim Nelson, Female Karaoke
Contest
The Station, Live Music
Decatur
Hard Dock Café, Blue Flame
The Brick, LaSalle
Guntersville
Adrian’s, Bishop Black
Scottsboro
The Docks, Arlo Gilliam,
Straight Out Of Nashville!
Saturday
April 15, 2006
801 Franklin, Johnny Hayes
Square One
Benchwarmer, Push
Benchwarmer Too, Battle Of
The Bands (5pm)
Black Water Hattie’s, Live
Music
Bobby G’s, Render
Club Ozz, Surprise
Entertainment!
Open Mic Night
Coppertop, Live Music
Crossroads, Memphis Blues
Orchestra, (Am Idol’s Taylor
Hick’s Band)
Freddy’s, Blood River
Furniture Factory, Scratch
Band
Marge Loveday-Best Of The
Valley’s Female Singer Of The
2005!!!
The Music Factory
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Pla’
Station
Victrolas
Nikko’s, Gem
Philby’s Pourhouse, 5 O’clock
Charlie
Pinhook Creek Yacht Club,
Pete, Stacey & Robin
Sammy T’s Music Hall, 17th
Floor
Sports Page, Bone Dry
Tha’ Loft, The Stock Market
Crash & Dorean Lives
James Irving
Live Music
The Warehouse, Jerry Fordham
Madison
11th Frame Bar, Karaoke
W/Jim Nelson, Male Karaoke
Contest
The Station, None The Weiser
12
Coppertop, The Crawlers
Crossroads, Bytchwater/Ho-Ag
Freddy’s, Karaoke
Hopper’s, Brunch W/Edgar And
Evening With Janice’s Karaoke
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Blues
Jam
Sports Page, Tunes Karaoke
Tha’ Loft, Open Mic Night
Sunday Evening Jam Sessions
With Scott Morgan
Monday
April 17, 2006
Crossroads, Open Mic Night
Freddy’s, Band Audition Night
Are Welcome!
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Lacey
Atchison
Kaffeeklatsch @Night,
Acoustic Showcase/Open Mic
Contest
Dave Anderson
Jerry Pearson
The Warehouse, Tim’s Krazy
Karaoke
Guntersville
Tuesday
April 18, 2006
3rd Base Grill, DJ w/Live Trivia
Craig
Coppertop, HDK “Jackpot”
Karaoke
Crossroads, Toy Shop
Are Welcome!
Hopper’s, Janice’s Karaoke
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Jim
Cavender
Philby’s Pourhouse, Mike
Roberts
Scott Morgan
Ben Trussell
Guntersville
Contest
KEEP IT LOCAL!
By Tina Rochester
A
nyone who has ever been
around my group of friends
knows that we try to support
local businesses as much as possible.
By that, I mean we work with and
for our friends and neighbors, we buy
our sustenance from historic grocery
stores and support our neighborhood
restaurants, bars and music venues.
Now that’s not to say that you won’t
spot me at Costco, Target or Kroger ...
it just means that I am uber-conscious
of where and how I spend my money.
I would estimate that about 80% of my
hard-earned consumer dollars support
local merchants. And I would bet that
most of my friends are around that
percentage, as well.
With this and future articles
I hope to highlight all
different types of
locally owned
r e t a i l
shops,
restaurants,
b a r s ,
entertainment
centers,
and
commercial
businesses.
Why?
Because we live in a
world where kids go in
stores like Wally World
and think that everything
they could ever imagine,
dream of, or wish for is there....
all made by little elves in a far-off
magical place called China.
Of course, I think it’s best to go ahead
and get a few of my favorites out of the
way...
Groceries:
Garden Cove - I believe that they have
the best organic fruits and vegetables
in the area. Their bulk spices, pastas,
nuts, grains, and granola are out of this
world. The selection of natural health
and beauty products is unsurpassed in
quality and quantity!
(corner Meridian/Pratt)
Restaurants :
WildRose Cafe - Diane cooks the
best down-home comfort food. All
sorts frequent this downtown favorite
- judges, attorneys, brew masters,
residents of Russell Erskine, etc. And
you never know what you’ll hear sitting
at the counter (usually it’s long-time
employee, Rick, telling someone to kiss
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
his ass). This place and the people who
work there make me
smile - always!
www.wildrosecafe.net
(downtown on the North side of the
Square)
Arts and Entertainment:
The Flying Monkey Arts Center @
Lowe Mill- an art center and venue
dedicated to freedom of expression.
There are some all-ages events ... but
most are geared toward more mature
audiences. Not only does the Monkey
house the live art/music venue, but it
also has numerous artist studios,
a theatre troupe, a martial arts
center, an all-women run
retail shop, the recyclery
(used clothes) and the
most awesome lending
library EVER!
www.flying
monkeyarts.org
(West
on
G o v e r n o r ’s
off
the
parkway
then
left on
Seminole)
And on a side
note ... can’t leave
out....
Coffee:
Kaffeeklatsch coffee, of course.
Where else can you get fresh-roasted
coffee and incredible loose teas? Grant
and Kathy are celebrating their 30th
year in business. If you haven’t tried
it ... I strongly recommend it! You will
convert!
www.kaffeeklatsch.com
(downtown - corner of Jefferson and
Clinton)
So there ya go ... a list of some of my
most favorite local businesses. I hope
you will visit them ... in the future
please watch the Planet for articles
on more local businesses and ways
that you can support your community.
Know of a locally owned business
that should be included in an article?
Contact the Planet. We’ll try and get
them in. Thanks for your time!
THE VALLEY PLANET
MUSIC
Wednesday
April 19, 2006
3rd Base Grill, Mike & Gabe
HDK “Jackpot” Karaoke
Songwriter’s Open Mic Night
Crossroads, Dave Anderson
Freddy’s, Karaoke
Furniture Factory, Brand
Oakley
Are Welcome!
The Music Factory
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, The
Nightburners
Nikko’s, Edgar
Philby’s Pourhouse, Ben
Trussell
Steakhouse, Patio Party W/Live
Music
Sports Page, Pla’ Station
Ben Trussell
Reese Rushton
The Warehouse, Marge
Loveday, (5-7pm)Happy Hour
Madison
The Station, 5 O’clock Charlie
Decatur
The Brick, Tim Tucker
Guntersville
Contest
Thursday
April 20, 2006
Craig
Contest
Crossroads, Sandia
Are Welcome!
The Music Factory
Nightburners
Anderson
Steakhouse, Bike Night W/The
Rocket Scientists
Marge Loveday
Lacey Atchison
The Warehouse, Tom
Cremeens
Madison
The Station, Noel Webster
Decatur
The Brick, Ahead Of The Wake
THE VALLEY PLANET
Guntersville
Adrian’s, Duane Walker
Scottsboro
Coach
Friday
April 21, 2006
Square One
Benchwarmer, The Crawlers
Black Water Hattie’s, Electric
Voodoo
Bobby G’s, Live Music
Maple Hill
Crossroads, Daikaiju/The
Liberty Caps
Freddy’s, Blackland
Band
Pla’ Station-Come Get Your Funk
On!
The Music Factory
Fiddleworms
Willie Nelson Impersonation
Night, (Music And Gas)
Nikko’s, Edgar
Olde Towne Coffee Shoppe,
Billy C. Farlow
Philby’s Pourhouse, Booga
Funk
Sammy T’s Music Hall, Live
Music
Sports Page, Big Daddy
Kingfish
Tha’ Loft, Lakota, Big City
Dreams & One Must Fall(7pm)
DJ & Dance(10pm)
Dave Anderson
Live Music
Loveday
Madison
Contest
The Station, Blackeyed Susan
Benchwarmer Too,
Government Warning
Black Water Hattie’s, Live
Music
Bobby G’s, Live Music
Club Ozz, Surprise
Entertainment!
Open Mic Night
Coppertop, The Jammers
Crossroads, Lasalle/Stars
Below
Freddy’s, Redd Letters
Furniture Factory, Anita
Palmer
DJ Azucar-This Ethnic Mix Master
Will Drive You Wild!!
The Music Factory
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill,
Kozmic Mama
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Marge
Loveday
Nikko’s, Gem
Philby’s Pourhouse, Live Music
Sammy T’s Music Hall,
Appetite For Destruction
Sports Page, Lipstick
Tha’ Loft, The Garden District,
Cavalier & On My Honor
Donnie Cox & Lisa Malone
Dave Anderson
The Warehouse, Scott Morgan
Madison
Contest
The Station, Blame Johnny
Decatur
Hard Dock Café, Hot Rod Otis
The Brick, The Crawlers
Guntersville
Adrian’s, Sister Luck
Scottsboro
The Docks, Kenny & Trey
Sunday
April 23, 2006
Crossroads, Live Music
Decatur
Hard Dock Café, Hot Mixx
The Brick, Kevin Purcell & The
Night Burners
Guntersville
Adrian’s, Live Music
Scottsboro
The Docks, Tony Brooks Band
Saturday
April 22, 2006
801 Franklin, Jazzanova
Square One
Benchwarmer, E Z Axcess
#041306050306
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
13
MUSIC
Bike Night on Thursdays at Sammy’s Steakhouse
Flying Monkey Arts Center,
Newt Johnson Quartet, (Jazz At
It’s Best!)
Freddy’s, Karaoke
Judge Crater’s, Dixie Derby
Girls Post Game Party W/Pine
Hill Hanks
Jam
With Scott Morgan
Monday
April 24, 2006
Crossroads, Open Mic Night
Deli, Double Open Mic
Night,(Musicians, Poets,
Comedians All Are Welcome!
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Scott
Morgan
Contest
Dave Anderson
Jerry Pearson
Karaoke
14
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
Guntersville
Tuesday
April 25, 2006
3rd Base Grill, DJ W/Live Trivia
Craig
Karaoke
Crossroads, Toy Shop
Are Welcome!
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Roger
“Hurricane” Wilson, (Solo)
Roberts
Tha’ Loft, A Night Of Acoustics
Scott Morgan
Ben Trussell
Guntersville
Contest
Wednesday
April 26, 2006
HDK “Jackpot” Karaoke
Benchwarmer Too, Male Revue
Crossroads, Dave Anderson
Freddy’s, Karaoke
THE VALLEY PLANET
Furniture Factory, Rockin’
Acoustic Duo
Are Welcome!
The Music Factory
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Roger
“Hurricane” Wilson Band
Nikko’s, Edgar
Philby’s Pourhouse, Donnie
Cox
Steakhouse, Patio Party W/5
O’Clock Charlie
Ben Trussell
Marge Loveday
Loveday, (5-7pm)Happy Hour
Madison
The Station, Kozmic Mama
Decatur
The Brick, Anderain
Guntersville
Contest
Thursday
April 27, 2006
Craig
Contest
Crossroads, Afroman
The Music Factory
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, John
Lee Hooker, Jr.
Anderson
Steakhouse, Bike Night W/
Microwave Dave & The Nukes
The Corner (Bailey Cove), Jim
Cavender
Lacey Atchison
The Warehouse, Tom
Cremeens
Madison
The Station, Straight Forward
Decatur
The Brick, Lanier
Guntersville
Adrian’s, Adam Hood
Scottsboro
Coach
Friday
April 28, 2006
Square One
Craig
Black Water Hattie’s, Cracker
Jacks
Bobby G’s, Voodoo Dogz
Coffeetree Books &
Brew, Farley Drum Circle &
Choir,(6pm), Weinstock(7pm)
Crossroads, Dubconscious
Walker Street Opry
Freddy’s, Fiddleworms
Furniture Factory, Push
Live Music
The Music Factory
Microwave Dave & The Nukes
Hashbrown
Nikko’s, Edgar
Sammy T’s Music Hall,
Brown’s Creek
Sports Page, Live Music
DJ & Dance
Dave Anderson
Jim Cavender
The Warehouse, Chad Reeves
Madison
5
0
20
Contest
The Station, Kozmic Mama
Decatur
Hard Dock Café, Lipstick
The Brick, Toy Shop
Guntersville
Scottsboro
The Docks, Big Nose Roy Band
Saturday
April 29, 2006
801 Franklin, Johnny Hayes
Square One
Benchwarmer, Live Music
THE VALLEY PLANET
#041306050306
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
15
MUSIC
Benchwarmer Too, Live Music
Bama Babez
Bobby G’s, Voodoo Dogz
Club Ozz, Surprise
Entertainment!
Open Mic Night
Coppertop, Jeff Stephens/
Postmaster
Crossroads, Rehab/Stars Below
Freddy’s, Pokerface
Furniture Factory, Lipstick
Old Union-Original Rock & Roll
The Music Factory
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Short
Bus
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Glen &
Libba
Nikko’s, Gem
Philby’s Pourhouse, 4 Door
Ramblers
Sports Page, Live Music
Lynch And Cannon
Live Music
The Warehouse, Dan Hardin
And Ron Jeffreys
Madison
Contest
The Station, Push
Sunday
April 30, 2006
Crossroads, Live Music
Freddy’s, Karaoke
Jam
With Scott Morgan
Monday
May 1, 2006
Are Welcome!
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Jim
Cavender
Contest
Dave Anderson
Jerry Pearson
Karaoke
Guntersville
Contest
Decatur
Hard Dock Café, Bookem Dano
The Brick, 3 Hour Tour
Guntersville
Scottsboro
The Docks, Big Nose Roy Band
16
Tuesday
May 2, 2006
3rd Base Grill, DJ W/Live Trivia
Craig
Karaoke
Night(Musicians, Poets,
Rachel Loy
Roberts
Irish Evening With Maple Hill
Band
Ben Trussell
Guntersville
Contest
Wednesday
May 3, 2006
Hdk “Jackpot” Karaoke
Freddy’s, Karaoke
Band
The Music Factory
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Ron
Jeffries & Dan Hardin
Nikko’s, Edgar
Philby’s Pourhouse, Ben
Trussell
Steakhouse, Patio Party W/Live
Music
Ben Trussell
Reese Rushton
Loveday,(5-7pm)Happy Hour
Decatur
The Brick, Tim Tucker
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
Guntersville
Thursday
May 4, 2006
Craig
Contest
Old Time Relijun
Are Welcome!
The Music Factory
Absylom Rising
Anderson
Nikko’s, Larry Woellhart
Steakhouse, Bike Night W/Live
Music
Sports Page, 5 O’clock Charlie
Marge Loveday
Lacey Atchison
The Warehouse, Tom
Cremeens
Decatur
The Brick, Jamie Woods And
Preston Grammer
Guntersville
Scottsboro
Coach
Friday
May 5, 2006
Square One
Craig
Black Water Hattie’s, Hot Rod
Otis
Bobby G’s, Second Hand
Lincoln
Fred Roberts
Emporer X
Freddy’s, Return Of Red Clay
Addiction
Furniture Factory, Live Music
Live Music
The Music Factory
Governor Davis & The Blues
Ambassadors
Judge Crater’s, Cinco De
Mayo Party W/Ben Trussell And
Micheal Cline
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Cinco
De Mayo Party
Nikko’s, Edgar
THE VALLEY PLANET
Sports Page, Duane Walker
Band
DJ & Dance
Dave Anderson
Lisa Busler
The Warehouse, Live Music
Madison
Contest
Decatur
Hard Dock Café, Big Daddy
Kingfish
The Brick, Runaway Coaltrain
Guntersville
Adrian’s, Wasted Mason
Scottsboro
Coach
Saturday
May 6, 2006
Square One
Benchwarmer, Government
Warning
Benchwarmer Too, Blame
Johnny
Crawlers
Bobby G’s, Second Hand
Lincoln
Club Ozz, Surprise
Entertainment!
Open Mic Night
Coppertop, 4 Door Ramblers
The Queers, The Counter
Clockwise
Freddy’s, Redd Letters
Furniture Factory, GP-38
Live Music
The Music Factory
Governor Davis & The Blues
Ambassadors
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Chris
Cotton Blues From Memphis, TN
Nikko’s, Gem
Sammy T’s Music Hall, Poptart
Monkees
Tha’ Loft, Live Music
Lisa Busler
Dave Anderson
The Warehouse, Live Music
Madison
Contest
Decatur
Hard Dock Café, Room 240
The Brick, 5 O’Clock Charlie
THE VALLEY PLANET
Walker Street
Opry at the
Flying Monkey
By Jennifer Roberts
W
alker
Street
Opry,
a
Huntsville-based bluegrass
band, is coming to the Flying
Monkey Friday, April 28. The show
starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $5.
“The Walker Street Opry bluegrass
band consists of anywhere from zero
to 2.89E23 musicians from all walks
of life,” proclaims the band’s web site.
“However, they do share a common love
of bluegrass music and...puppies...ok,
mostly puppies.”
Although the band claims to “cycle”
in musicians, “flushing” them out
routinely, they have a core of musicians
that includes guitarist and lead vocalist
Rick Taylor, multi-instrumentalist
Phil Easterbrook, lead guitarist Blaine
Anderson, mandolinist Tony Robertson,
and bassist Allan Sparkman.
Taylor has appeared on CMT’s Most
Wanted and TNN’s New Country. He
toured with Grammy-winner Clair
Lynch from the spring of 2003 to 2005,
playing bass and singing harmony.
Colorado native Easterbrook has
been playing bluegrass festivals and
concerts across the Rocky Mountain
region and the west since 1978. Blaine,
the one who supposedly “instigated”
the group, is said to be a member
of the Huntsville Traditional Music
Association (HTMA) as well as the
Society for the Preservation of the
Leisure Suit In America (SPLSIA).
Robertson claims to be a retired circus
performer who chases cars in his spare
time. Judging by his bio, Sparkman is
clearly a deviant.
According to the HTMA’s web site,
“While all the Walker Street Opry
members are talented musicians and
only occasionally play while totally
inebriated, they are currently all blessed
with day jobs, so audiences will not be
exposed to the lean and hungry look or
find the band supporting the arts from
the cover of I-565 overpasses. It is huge
fun listening to Rick and Phil wail into
two or three bluegrass songs in a row
about murder and mayhem and then
lighten up into a transition into their
trademark rendition of Utah Phillips’
Rock Salt and Nails.”
What are critics saying about the Walker
Street Opry? According to the band, the
word is that “this band is really nice.
Kind of like...a puppy.”
For more information, follow the
calendar link at www.flyingmonkeyart
s.org. The Flying Monkey is located at
Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive.
#041306050306
Panoply of the Arts:
Taking it to the Street
By Tina Leach
I
t’s that time again. Time to support
the arts. Time to support local.
Time to go to Panoply. The weekend
festival is in Big Spring Park April 28.
29, and 30.
One of the highlights this year will be
the good number of street performers.
Who will be here? Glad you asked.
Let’s see. There’s Richard Johnston.
He’s gonna be at the corner of Monroe
near the parking garage all weekend.
Johnston is a street performer from
Memphis. Spectators will be delighted
to watch him play his guitar—it’s a bit
different from most. He makes his own
guitars......out of cigar boxes! Huntsville
will be glad to get him, as he has been
considered the most recognized street
musician in the U.S. (A friend of mine
just said yesterday “Richard Johnston’s
going to be there? Oh, now I have to
go.”) Johnston’s debut album “Foot
Hill Stomp” (an independent release)
is a top seller.
Be nice to the statues around Panoply.
One of them might be alive. Yes, that’s
what I said. Michelle Harrell will be
entertaining folks with her talents.
Two words: human statue. She’s been
performing since 1994, starting in San
Francisco. There she was performing
a Living Doll character for various
special events. She then studied dance
and movement under Emilio Artesero
Quesada in Switzerland. She performs
solo as “Statue Viva” nationwide. So
be warned, I know there’s usually
an abundance of sidewalk chalk at
Panoply, but if you try to graffiti the
statues, one of them may take your
chalk away from you!
The Arts Council hosted a talent
contest, the Homegrown EXTREME
Talent Contest to be exact. They
were looking for local talent: strolling
theatrical skits, storytellers, sidewalk
musicians, gymnasts, contortionists,
even mimes. (To be honest, I was
pulling for contortionist mimes, so we
can see exactly how small the invisible
box can get). (All G-rated or family
friendly of course).
I attended the contest in a last minute
effort to get the story, like a good little
reporter should. It was past deadline,
but I got the names, yelled “stop the
presses!” and submitted them just for
you, the reader. Okay, that didn’t really
happen as such, but I can tell you who
the performers are.
Calling all
Poets!
If you would like to
submit your poetry
or prose please email
as an attachment to
jill@
valleyplanet.com
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
The Acoustamaniacs – a strolling guitar
duo
Patrick Perdue – break-dancer
Anthony Hulsey – 12 year old dulcimer
player
Shawn Webster and Rita Burkholder
– percussion and accordion
Alex Worlund - singer
The street performers will be roving,
like troubadours.
They’ll wander
and..... do whatever it is they do, be it
sing, tell stories, dance, play music.
Enjoy the antics of the street performer.
Learn from the wandering artist because
as J.R.R. Tolkien said “Not all who
wander are lost.”
17
Dining with friends: left to right-Melissa Lloyd (Co Chairman of DWF), Ray
Fambrough (Dessert Host), Mary Elizabeth Marr (Director of AAC), Anthony
Nicholson (Chairman of DWF), Peggy Fambrough (Dessert Host).
Dining With Friends
The AIDS Action Coalition is busy planning our eighth annual Dining With Friends
event. This is AAC’s largest fundraiser of the year and the best party in town. Last
year $75,000 was raised and we are hoping for an even bigger event this year. It is
not too late to get involved. Dinner parties are held on or near May 6. Dinner party
hosts provide dinner for their guests and each attendee donates a suggested donation
of $50.00. All dinner guests are able to attend a Dessert Reception with champange
and chocolate desserts. The evening will also feature live entertainment and a silent
as well as live auction. If you are interested in knowing how you can be involved
with Dining With Friends please call the AIDS Action Coalition and speak to Mary
Elizabeth Marr at 536-4700 or call Anthony Nicholson at 651-1748.
Calendar of Events
April 13 - May 4, 2006
Huntsville Museum of Art on Church
St.
April 13
ROMEO’S dinner at the Coffeetree
Books and Brew, across from
Grissom High at 6pm.
April 13
Bike Night sponsored by KC’s
Powersports and Rocket City
Powersports at Sammy’s Sportsbar
and Steakhouse.  All motorcycle
riders age 19 years of age and older
are invited to this free event.  Join
us from 7pm to 9pm for prizes,
food specials and fun.    For more
information, contact Jill at 256-6501177.
Through April 30
YAM 2006, Youth Art Month opens
at the Huntsville Museum of Art.
From 2-4pm Artist Demonstration
by Chuck Long, Linda Ruhl, Robert
Bean and S. Renee Prasil. As part of
the Museum’s Community Free Day
program, admission will be waived to
all visitors on opening day.
Through July 23
The Huntsville Museum of Art’s
“View of the Collection: Art Tells
a Story. The HMA is located on
Church St. For more information
contact the Museum at 535-4350.
April 13
The library will host a series of
evening concerts exploring our city’s
musical past. Concerts begin at 6pm
with free admission. For more info
contact the Huntsville Public Library
at 532-5975.
Through January 21, 2007
A Silver Menagerie: The Betty
Grisham Collection of Buccellati
Silver Animals opens at the
April 15
Hike Monte Sano’s Old Railroad Bed
Trail with hike leader David Young.
This modest 1 1/2 mile hike will
follow the same path as the steam
locomotive that traveled from the
Huntsville Depot to the Monte Sano
Hotel from 1888 until 1896.
April 15
Zydeco Dance lessons at UAH from
1-3pm. Contact Dave Roberts at
256-858-5841 for more info or go to
www.uah.edu/danceclub.
April 15
Special Contra Dance-Live music by
Avant Gardeners of Fredricksburg,
VA with Calling by Beth Molaro
of Asheville. All ages welcome. 7:
30-10:30 pm. Admission $8.00/
$5.00 students. In gym of Faith
Presbyterian, corner of Airport Rd. &
Whitesburg Dr. For more info. call
837-0656.
April 15 & 16
The Huntsville Botanical Gardens
most popular event the annual Bonsai
Show at the garden on Bob Wallace
Ave from 9am-5pm and Sun 1-5pm.
April 17
Huntsville Chess Club meets at
Coffeetree Books and Brew, across
Continued Page 20
18
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
THE VALLEY PLANET
S P OT LIGHT O N MUS I C
O’s
H
C
R
A
DR AN
Rx for Old Stuff That Don’t Suck
As God said to Moses, “Okay,
get out your tablets, we’re
having a pop quiz.”
A pencil and paper will do if
you’re not a stoner – you know,
one of those people that write on
rock tablets, like Fred Flintstone.
You may or may not have heard the
classic old question, but I’m asking all
of you music lovers right now: “What
10 CDs would you carry if you knew
you were going to spend the rest of
your life on a desert island?”
Think about this seriously now. This
is the music you think you will never
tire of, music that will stand the test
of time.
Your Valley Planet and Dr. A would
like hear from you, and see your lists,
just out of curiosity. The reader with
the best list gets a free Valley Planet.
Before you start, let me say that if
you even consider the likes of Britney
Spears, Destiny’s Child,
Ashlee
Simpson, Beyonce, The Black Eyed
Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Kanye West, or
any hip-hop, rap or form of crotchgrabbing,
DJ-scratching--whickawhicka
-baboomba-car-jumping
s**t, drop your pencils now. This test
is not for you.
Why? Because you are a musical
moron and should get back to your
w_______ off and pimple cream;
these lists are for music lovers only.
There. That cleared about half of
them out. Now, let’s eliminate 75% of
the group that remains.
Drop your pencils if you regularly
watch that no-talent show called
American Idol.
Why? Because you are a musical
moron and should get back to your
w_______ off and ice cream; these
lists are for music lovers only.
I know people, people I thought had
good sense, people I once liked and
respected, that freely admit, in public
no less, that they watch American
Idol.
If that’s one of TV’s top-rated shows,
the long-feared, dumbing-down
of this country
isn’t happening
– it has already
happened.
Okay, for the
twelve
people
who remain at
this point, get
ready, set. GO.
Dr. Anarcho’s Rx
For Old Stuff That
Don’t Suck for
this issue is (for
the first time a
DVD): Pink Floyd
- The Wall 25th
Anniversary
(Deluxe Edition)
(1982).
That’s
DVD.
right,
a
Although, I fully believe Real music
started dying for the masses with
the rise of videos. I’m not saying that
there’s anything inherently wrong, or
bad about music videos, I’m saying
that for a couple of generations
now, how music looks has become
more important than how it sounds.
What’s wrong with this picture?
“The
Wall”
soundtrack
was
remastered from the original master
tapes. If you’ve never heard The Wall
on a surround sound system, you are
in for a big surprise. At times, I heard
instruments and nuances that I did
not hear on the album.
For the tekkies among us, you have
a choice of 5.1 surround and PCM
stereo surround. (TECHNICAL NOTE-
If your DVD player has 3D sound
enhancement, you must turn this off
for this disc.)
Additionally, the DVD gives you
specific sound tests and directions
on volume and surround elements,
kind of like the THX optimode on
other discs. They want you to enjoy it
in all of its remastered glory.
Another nice touch, you also have
a choice to watch the film with the
song lyrics below the picture. Let’s
face it, there are times in the original
“Wall” album that I could not figure
out exactly what they were saying,
like when the helicopter flies in,
closer and louder and louder until
someone screams “you! yes, you!
stand still laddy!”
If possible, watch the film in high
definition. It made the transfer from
standard def to HD better than
most films. The images are sharp,
the clarity great, and the colors are
saturated.
Don’t stand still, laddies. You may
rent this DVD, or buy it used at
Amazon.com for about ten bucks. It’s
a must for every Pink Floyd fan.
And one of my desert island picks.
an
dr
THE VALLEY PLANET
#041306050306
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
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19
Nip it in the Bud, sort of
By Steve Moulton
T
oday baseball and steroids are
synonymous with each other.
It’s a match made from hell.
Well either hell or BALCO? From
Jose Canceso to Mark McGwire to
Sammy Sosa to Rafael Palermo to yes
even Barry Bonds. So what caused
Officer Barney Fife, I mean Bud Selig
who is now launching an investigation
about steroids? Was it Canceso’s Book
“Juiced” that started the investigation?
Was it “Game of Shadows”? If you
really want to examine the facts of
why Bud did this then let’s go back to
1994. It was the year that the baseball
players association decided to take half
of a year off. 1994 Strike shortened
season. 1995 God Bless Cal Ripken
Jr. and the Atlanta Braves. 1996 The
“New” New York Yankees. 1997 The
Florida Marlins. 1998 The Home Run
Chase. It’s credited as the one event that
recaptured the American Sports Fan to
the game of baseball. Sammy Sosa and
Mark McGwire were neck and neck
back and fourth, gunning for 61*. All
the “experts” at the time said, “Pitching
is just watered down,” or,” There’s
no way they can keep up this pace.”
Oh how wrong those experts were?
(Probably about as wrong as the experts
who picked the final four this year.)
The chase for the home run record is
the one record that baseball fans and
writers covet the most. This was only
part of the reason for the investigation.
The names, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth
hold a different meaning to the game
of baseball. Now we get Bud and his
crew to investigate steroids in baseball.
Having Bud on your tail is like hearing
a threat from a professional wrestler
talking to “Mean” Gene before the
event, or an honest politician. Maybe
the comparison to Officer Fyfe is unfair.
After all Barney had at least one bullet
at his disposal. All we have from Bud is
a tie in the All-Star Game. Now more
than ever baseball needs a Kennesaw
Mountain Landis. We need a strong
Commissioner to cut ties to any kind of
cheating. Will it happen? No. This age
in which we live is not about right from
wrong it’s about other things mainly
doe ray me. This is another reason for
the investigation. After all I am sure
that the Commissioner of Baseball
set up this committee to take himself
down, right? It would be like hearing
Lawrence Welk trying to rap. It just
doesn’t make any sense, but then again
not much about baseball has made sense
over the last five years. Although I must
say hearing Pete Rose come out against
steroids certainly makes me rethink
my whole position. After all if you’re
on the same side of an argument with
Pete Rose in the game of baseball that’s
like the KKK backing you in a regular
argument.
With that aside, ultimately the real
reason that the Commissioner of
Baseball decided to investigate steroids
in baseball is simple. It’s for the purity
of the game! (Sorry I couldn’t help
myself, just kidding) The real reason
is this: Bank of America Corp., one
of major league baseball’s 18 national
sponsors, said earlier this month that
it won’t be part of any advertising
campaign celebrating a career home
run record by Barry Bonds because
of steroid allegations. Roger Adams,
Home Depot Inc. senior vice president
for marketing said the company would
not be part of a celebration unless an
investigation shows that Bonds didn’t
use steroids. PepsiCo Inc., another
national baseball sponsor, would
recognize Bonds eclipsing Aaron in
a “muted way,” said North America
President Dawn Hudson. If Barry
Bonds were more of a people person
I don’t think baseball would be in as
big of a mess. And this is all because
that egomaniac wants to hit 756 home
runs. Bottom line is sponsors don’t like
you, I don’t like you, and you will never
be known for anything else except the
poster child of baseball’s biggest black
eye since 1919. Well, that and not being
able to throw out Sid Bream at home
plate, Thanks. Go Braves!
Steve Moulton hosts The Pressbox every
weekday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. on
ESPN 1400 in Decatur, Ala. You can email
him at [email protected].
from Grissom on Bailey Cove. Open
to all ages, come and play, learn from
experts 6-10pm.
April 18
North Alabama Woodcarvers
Association will be meeting at
Coffeetree Books and Brew every
Wednesday at 6:00pm. Come whittle
with us!
April 20
April 20
Salsa in Spring Art Party at the
Huntsville Museum of Art. We will
have free dance lessons from 5-6pm
and Mambo Gris Gris band from
6-8pm. Free food and cash bar. $1admission for non-members $8 in
advance. 535-4350 x208.
April 21
20
The Principle Family Fun Fest at the
Huntsville Stars game beginning at
4pm. Come see the most extensive
traveling baseball festival in history
completely free! There will be
about 20 baseball themed attractions
including a museum. This all before
the Huntsville Stars take on the
Mobil Bay Bears at 7pm at Joe Davis
Stadium.
April 21
HSO Guild’s Crescen-Dough Auction
to be held at the VBC beginning at
5:30pm. This year’s theme is “Viva
Hunts Vegas!”. Tickets include
dinner and entertainment. For ticket
iformation or invitation contact
Becky at 256-539-4818.
April 21
25th Black Maria Film and
Video Festival begins at 7pm at
the Huntsville Museum of Art.
Admission is $7 and $5 for Co-op
members. A post-viewing reception
will be held at 9:30pm for the festival
director and filmmakers at the
Burning Nun Book Store, 2nd Floor
of the Flying Monkey Arts Center on
Seminole Dr.
April 22
Shred-it, Crime Stoppers USA and
Wal-Mart are joining forces to help
Americans combat identity theft by
hosting Community Shred events
across the country throughout the
month of April. Community members
are invited to attend the event, part of
the world’s largest Community Shred
campaign taking place at more than
200 Wal-Mart stores.
April 22
Dance workshop to be held at Dublin
Park from 4:30-6:30. For more info
contact
Contact Dave Roberts at 256-8585841.
April 22
Earth Day at Hays Nature PreserveCome enjoy the natural heritage
of our earth. We have plenty of
Earth Day activities for you to learn
about & appreciate. Exhibitors from
various conservation organizations
& earth-friendly vendors will be on
hand. Begins at 10am with a birding
hike at 7am. Free Admission.
April 23
The Huntsville volunteers for
Americans for Fair Taxation will
hold their
monthly meeting at 2pm at the
Huntsville Public Library.
April 23
The Dixie Derby Girls “1st Grudge
Match” to be held at the Family
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Skate Center on Arcadia Cir. The
Dixie Derby Girls will be going
up against B’ham’s Tragic City
Rollers with the doors opening up
at 6:30pm. Admission is $10 and
there will be a half-time show with
The Wednesday’s from Florence.
Skating and Mayhem you don’t want
to miss.
April 24
experts 6-10pm.
April 24-28
Folk Festival week at the Alabama
Constitution Village. Alabama’s
birthplace comes to life as you’ve
never seen before. Hands-on
demonstrations & appearances by
famous figures from America’s past
lead to a fun & educational visit.
Admission Charged.
April 23- June 18
Richard Jolley; Sculptor of Glass-this
is the first retrospective exhibition of
this Southern artist who is America’s
foremost figurative sculptor of glass.
If you have an event that you would
like for us to list, send information to
[email protected]
THE VALLEY PLANET
SINGLE & FABULOUS
In the Rocket City
By Fifi Boudeaux
Shades of Age
I
n many situations, age is
meaningful: Age of Aquarius, aged
wine, Rock of Ages, haven’t seen
you in ages… But does age really
matter in relationships? After a flurry
of attention from gentlemen 12 to 15
years her junior, Fifi began to ponder
the age-ranges of dating and how they
affect relationships. If you were playing
the “Range Game” on the Price is Right
and wanted to shade in an acceptable
dating age range, when would you press
the button?
Dating older works for some, look at
Anna Nicole Smith. She married a
man 60 years older and people have the
audacity to say she did it for money. We
sincere ladies know it was all because 1)
he called her back, 2) he never cheated,
and 3) he had good reasons for not
listening to her or remembering what
she said. For Fifi, dating older has not
worked so famously (nor so richly)…
From experience file #14, Fifi will
recount a relationship with “Daddy
Warbucks”* (* not his real name).
Daddy Warbucks was 18 years older
than Fifi. In the beginning, all was
well. A well educated academic genius,
Daddy Warbucks and Fifi found sports,
travel, and dancing in common. Slowly,
EVENTS
A slide presentation will be at 2pm in
the great hall.
April 25
with us!
April 27
Writers’s Workshop - Area fiction
writers meet, eat, talk and exchange
ideas from story lines to topics such
as self publishing or finding and
signing with a publisher. All are
welcome at the Coffeetree Books and
Brew on Bailey Cove Rd at 7pm.
April 27
the age factor
began to appear, and
it was much more
serious than fine
lines and wrinkles.
After two months
of dating on a trip
to NYC, Daddy
Warbucks flashed
back to where he
was in high school
the day President
Kennedy
was
assassinated. OK, Fifi
had not entered the earth
yet, much less the world
of fashion. All Fifi could
recall at that moment was the
day J.F.K. Jr.’s plane was found,
and tried to empathize. A few weeks
later, Daddy Warbucks happened to see
a photo of Fifi’s mother. “Who’s that?”
he asked with interest. Aaaaaaaaaaagh!
That’s my MOTHER! That’s when the
time machine smacked into Fifi’s Estee’
Lauder post- applied foundation. Daddy
Warbucks was only 5 years younger
than Fifi’s mother, the lady who had
given birth to her at the same time that
Daddy Warbucks was in High School.
That thought sent any sort of passion
packing a big bag. The final damning
situation: Daddy Warbucks began
pressuring Fifi to move in with him
and dropping hints that he was ready to
retire. Whoa! Take off the pumps and
put on the track shoes, Fifi’s going for a
“Zan Boko” (Homeland) presented b
AL A & M and The Film Co-op. The
film begins at 7pm and will be shown
at the JF Drake Memorial Learning
Resources Center on the Campus.
More info: www.filmcoop.org  or
256-489-3884
April 28-30
Aladdin & the Wonderful Lamp at
the VBC Playhouse Fri at 7pm and 1:
30-5pm on Sat and Sun. Contact the
VBC Ticket office for details.
April 28
The Huntsville Botanical Gardens
Butterfly House opens. Butterflies
will be fluttering at the Garden with
the opening of the Tessman Butterfly
House. Sat at 9 and Sun 1-5pm.
Admission Charged.
April 29-30
Spring Farm Days continues at
Burritt on the Mountain with Wild
Animals Around the Farm.  On April
29th from 10am-4pm and April 30th
from 1-4pm, Burritt on the Mountain
will host a variety of wild animals
that one could easily see around a
farm. Snakes, owls, hawks and other
exciting animals will be here for an
interesting and educational weekend.  
April 27
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#041306050306
run! There is not a strong enough word
to describe how over that relationship
was. Fifi’s goals in life did not include
‘caregiver for elderly boyfriend’.
On the other end of the relationship
spectrum, what is the youngest
acceptable dating age? (Fifi means
LEGALLY, Mary Kay LeTourneau!).
To put it scientifically in the Rocket
City, chemistry is fabulous when the
test tubes are unscathed. But if it’s
more your after, deep conversation
and spiritual connection may not exist
unless your both into X Box,
skateboarding, and shopping
at Aeropostal. Reportedly
there
have
been
sightings of HYP event
attendees;
polished
and
professional,
with great dating
potential. If you go
for that, be mindful
that your time lines
may be different
and reference points
disturbed. Ten years
younger than you
translates that you
were in the 5th grade
when your P.O.I. was
born, Fifteen years
younger and you were
a sophomore in high
school during P.O.I.’s birth.
Will P.O.I. know of Sonny and
Cher? Have seen “The Monkees”
outside of reruns? Been a member of
“The Archies” fan club? Remember
President Nixon’s visit to Huntsville?
In turn, do you know who Maroon 5
is? Have you watched all episodes
of The Real World Key West? Know
what “The OC” means? Remember
that Nikky Sixx from Motley Crew
once appeared in court in Huntsville?
See, it works both ways, Demi and
Ashton! Fifi’s advice: Shade your
age range carefully and if your going
for the outdoor “Mountain Climber”
type, catch him before he goes over
the hill and falls into the Valley of the
Unfabulous, and it’s Game Over.
Through April 30
The Clay House Museum is hosting
local artist Michele Lee for an
Exhibit and Sale. Museum entrance
is free on the day of the sale, for
more information contact Robin Hall
Brewer, 256-325-1018. You can also
meet the artist on Sunday April 30
from 1-3.
May 1
experts 6-10pm.
May 5
Monkey Speak is spoken word open
mic. Readers of poetry, short stories
and more are invited to participate.
Admission is $5 and will be at the
Flying Monkey Art Center in the
Lowe Mill on Seminole Dr. *For
Mature Audiences
May 2
with us!
May 4
Story telling night at the Coffeetree
Books and Brew on Bailey Cove
Rd starts at 7pm. Area Story Tellers
gather and entertain with tales, some
tall, some humorous and others filled
with history or lessons for living.
May 4
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
May 5-6
The Renaissance Theatre presents
Agatha Christie’s “The Hollow”
beginning at 8pm at the Lincoln
Center on Meridian St. Romance,
deceit, classic Christie wit, and of
course…. murder…. are sure to keep
you on the edge of your seat. For
more information contact the theatre
at 536-3117.
May 5
Jim Parker presents Songwriter’s
Showcase at the VBC Playhouse.
Don Henry, Steve Nelson, James
Wold & opener Roger Dale. For
Continued Page 22
21
The Men We Need
M
EVENTS
more information contact the VBC
Ticket office.
May 5-6
Rocket City BBQ Whistle Stop
Festival will be held at the Historic
Huntsville Depot from 4-11 on
Friday and 10am-11pm on Sat.
Come join the many different kinds
of award winning BBQ and live
music. Admission Charged.
May 6
Special Contra Dance-Live music
by Kaleidoscope with Calling by
Erin Magire, Doug Roth & Bryan
Walls. All ages welcome. 7:30-10:30
pm. Admission $8.00/$5.00 students.
In gym of Faith Presbyterian, corner
of Airport Rd. & Whitesburg Dr. For
more info. call 837-0656.
May 6
Free day with Sacred Harp singing
at the Burritt on the Mountain. 9:30
a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Come hear the music
from the movie “Cold Mountain.”
Held in the Madison Baptist Church
on the Museum grounds, this all
day singing attracts singers from
around the Southeast. Sacred harp is
a shaped-note religious folk music,
which is sung acappella. Sacred harp
singing roots go back to the founding
of our country, and today it survives
primarily in the South. No admission
fee.
en are getting a bad rap these
days. Commercials make
them out to be bumbling
idiots. Talk shows portray them as
whores who can’t control their sexual
urges. If we leave them up to their own
devices, they’re likely to harm, maim,
or even accidentally kill something.
These images are far from the truth.
Men are great – they truly are the best
toys God gave women. If you play with
them properly and use them to your
advantage, you’ll come out ahead. I’ve
seen the list of five men every woman
should have, I’ve got a different take on
it. In no particular order, they are:
The
one
who
loves
you
unconditionally: Nearly seven years
ago I met the man who plays this role in
my life. He is the only person that gets
away with calling me Allie (a nickname
I despise). Through his unconditional
support, I’ve been able to grow in
countless ways. During the darkest
days of my life, he was one of the few
people that were there on a daily basis,
coaching me through. We aren’t exactly
touchy-feely-cordial. No, quite the
opposite. We’d pull each other’s hair
and tease like second graders. Half-adozen years later, our friendship is one
of the strongest I have. Just last month
we were on a walk when he commented
on the early years of our friendship and
how much I had changed for the better.
He often looks at me and says with a
smile, “Oh Allie, you’re just as lovely
as the day I met you…” For one brief
moment, I am the most special woman
in the world. Before I can argue that I’m
actually lovelier today, the moment has
passed and we go back to elementary
school-age behavior. Our relationship
filled a hole in my heart, and I’m
grateful to say that while time passes
and significant others come and go, he
will always have a place in my heart.
Having someone who cares for you
unconditionally will propel you to great
things, even if you never realize they
were the ones pushing you.
The one who lets you behind the
curtain: Women are difficult to
understand. I’ve been one for more than
32 years and they still confuse the heck
out of me. However, as often as they
leave me scratching my head – men
are worse! I see guys dating women
who are pure trouble, preoccupied with
raising kids, or just not worth it. As I
was pondering this with a guy friend he
pointed out some things that I would
never suspect. And if I did realize that
was what was going on, there’s no way
I’d waste my time dating “that kind of
guy”. According to him, guys date girls
who are rude because they think the
women have a soft spot for them. He
said that, “She can be mean to every one
else, but if she’s nice to me, it makes
me feel special.” And he also said
dating single moms is great for several
22
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
...we are
people
who need
people...
reasons, first and foremost, they won’t
be occupying all your time – they’re
busy with the kids. Plus, if you don’t
want kids of your own: presto, instant
family.
The one who believes in you more
than you possibly can: For eight
years, one man has stood behind me
making me look good – literally. My
hairdresser, Tony, believes in me more
than I could ever imagine. A true
Southern gentleman, he goes to great
lengths to point out what’s obvious to
everyone but me. He’ll remind me I’m
independent (a little too much), to stop
talking about the great American novel
and start writing it, and that I’m only
young once. While the young is starting
to slip, he’s got a point with the other
two. In my mind, the limitations to my
achievements are omnipresent. Through
his eyes, there are none. He thinks I’m
every ounce of fabulous. I hope that one
day I’ll see myself through his eyes –
I’ll see a girl who is capable and strong,
not how I see myself now: anxious and
self-conscious.
We are people who need people – all
of us. We need people to love us and
believe in us, because sometimes it’s
a little hard to do ourselves. We need
people to show us how the other half
lives and why. But more than that, we
need to listen to them: they’ll cheer us
on, steer us from danger, and pull us
ahead. I can’t imagine my life without
these men. Despite what the media
might be trying to tell me, I know who
I’m going to listen to and why. Because
in the end, they’re the ones who listen
to me.
Allison Gregg is an eternal optimist who has never
had it so good. Email Allison at
[email protected].
THE VALLEY PLANET
TODD SNIDER
--THAT WAS ME: TODD SNIDER 1994-1998 --
The Garden
District
By Korkeya
LIVE at the Crossroads
on Friday, April 14 at
11 p.m.
“Todd Snider (has) the heart and humor
of John Prine, the wild unpredictability
of Roger Miller, and a fresh, original
spirit and freedom of imagination
that’s absolutely his own.” --Kris
Kristofferson
“Todd Snider writes great songs and
also is great performer. He totally
connects with every audience. Hardest
act to follow since Steve Goodman.”
-- John Prine
“When Todd Snider played it was
absolutely one of the best gigs I’d ever
seen. He has a wonderful take on the
world and the craziness that goes on and
he tells it like it is with a great sense of
humor. He’s a rebel with a cause and I
love him.”
- Johnnie Walker, BBC Radio
If you’ve never heard of Todd Snider,
then “That Was Me: Todd Snider 19941998” (Hip- O/UMe), released Aug.
30, 2005, is an introduction. If you’re
already a fan, then his first compilation,
following seven critically acclaimed
albums, is a tribute to the wry, honest,
brutal and yet funny Snider. Featuring 17
tracks culled from his first three albums
plus a previously unreleased cover of
Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” -- all
digitally remastered from the original
master tapes --That Was Me was
created with Snider’s full participation
and includes his own liner notes and
detailed songography.
Jerry Jeff play in a local bar, Snider
indeed decided that was what he wanted
to do with his life.
During a mid-80s stint in Memphis
where he established a residency at the
Daily Planet club, he was discovered
by Keith Sykes, a member of Jimmy
Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. John Prine
then hired Snider as an assistant and
eventually had him open shows. When
Buffett heard Snider’s demos, he signed
him to his MCA imprint Margaritaville
Records. His debut album, 1994’s Songs
For The Daily Planet, starred “Talking
Seattle Grunge Rock Blues” as well as
“Alright Guy,” “Trouble,” “You Think
You Know Somebody,” “Easy Money”
and “That Was Me.”
For 1996’s Step Right Up, Snider
and his band, the Nervous Wrecks,
continued blending bluegrass, blues,
folk-rock and country-rock to forge
their own distinctive sound.
Snider has since issued four albums on
Prine’s indie Oh Boy Records, including 2004’s East Nashville Skyline, and
he continues to tour across the country.
I
t just doesn’t get much better than
this. Idle Hands Records Rock
band “The Garden District” will
be rocking the stage at tha Loft, April
22nd, at 7pm. Idle Hands Records is
an independent record label based in
Auburn, Al.. Using the term, “record
label” loosely, Idle Hands says, “We are
more like a lower-middle class family
of artists whose goal is to pool our
resources and get the music out to more
people”. This means you will have the
opportunity to hear really great music
again. Which is something that has
been missing from the music industry
for a long time. Many people from
the older generation know a lot about
this but the new generation (the late
70’s and 80’s babies) know very little
about great live independent music. It’s
Auburn and Huntsville, Al. Baby! The
independent and underground music
scene is about to emerge!
This is independent and underground
music at it’s best!
The Garden
District, from New Orleans, Louisiana,
comprised of four super musicians,
Kevin Frank on guitar and vocals,
Jonathan Pretus on guitar and vocals,
Matt Shouppe on Bass and vocals
and Jeremy Miller on the drums and
vocals, have the ability to “rock your
socks off”, as the new saying goes.
These guys bring an element not seen
in every band, with everyone from the
lead guitarist to the drummer doing
vocals. It’s like everyone is backing
each other on this one. These guys have
an incredible sound!
You don’t want to miss this exciting
show. Also performing with “The
Garden District”, April 22nd, 7pm at
tha Loft, will be another exciting band
from Corinth, Ms., “On My Honor”
and “Cavalier” from, Gadsden, Al. We
can say that this show is going to be an
incredible show because both “on My
Honor and “Cavalier” have played at
tha Loft before and they rocked the
house...literally.
These guys don’t
just sing, they perform. They are very
exciting to watch!
So don’t miss Auburn based, Idle Hands
Records Rock band, “The Garden
District” Live, at tha Loft, April 22nd,
at 7pm. It is going to be an amazing
night!
For more information, please visit us
at, www.thaloft.com. You can check
out any of these bands on our “shows
and events page”. We’re located at
22l1 Seminole Dr., inside the Historical
Lowe Mill building on the 3rd floor. We
hope to see you there.
An iconoclastic hero of alt-country,
Americana, college radio and modern
folk, Snider’s influences are the likes
of Randy Newman, Bob Dylan and Neil
Young. Born in Portland, OR, he moved
to Santa Rosa, CA, after high school
and learned to play the harmonica. His
brother, living in Austin, TX, figured
Todd might find a job in a band there so
he sent him a plane ticket. After seeing
THE VALLEY PLANET
#041306050306
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
23
LISTINGS
[email protected]
MAMA ANNIE’S
4550 Meridian Street N, 489-3275
801 FRANKLIN
801 Franklin Street, Huntsville (Downtown by
Medical Center), 256-519-8019. Lunch: M-F 11-2,
Dinner: M-W 5-10 pm & Th-Sa 5 pm-1 am. Lounge
opens 4 pm M-F. Full Bar & Extensive Wine List.
www.801franklin.com
BEAUREGARD’S (3 Huntsville locations)
1851 University Dr. , 256-512-0074
511 Jordan Lane, 256-837-2433
975 Airport Rd. SW, 256-880-2131
BENNIGAN’S
1009 Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-534-6141
www.bennigans.com
BISTRO LA LUNA
Covenant Cove Lodge & Marina, 7001 ValMonte Drive, Guntersville, 256-582-0930.
www.covenantcove.com
BONEFISH GRILL
4800 Whitesburg Dr. , 256-883-0643
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
2750 Carl T. Jones Dr.
256-650-4115
CHEF GREEN’S ON THE FOUNTAIN
Fountain Row
Huntsville, Al 35801
CHILI’S (2 Huntsville locations)
4925 University Drive, 256-722-9620
2740 Carl T. Jones, 256-882-1230
CRAWMAMMA’S
5000 Webb Villa, Guntersville, 256-582-0484
D&L BISTRO
7500 SW Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville,
256-881-7244, located in Main St. South
THE DOCKS
Goosepond Colony, 417 Ed Hembree, Scottsboro,
256-574-3071.
EDEN’S EAST
2413-B Jordan Lane, Huntsville, 256-721-9491
Vegetarian fare, M-Thu: 11am-6 pm; Fri: 11am-3pm
FURNITURE FACTORY BAR & GRILL
619 Meridian Street N, Huntsville (just north of
Downtown), 256-539-8001.
GREEN HILLS GRILLE
5100 Sanderson Street NW, Huntsville (corner of
Wynn and University), 256-837-8282.
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL
109 Washington Street, Huntsville (Downtown,
corner of Washington and Clinton), 256-704-5555.
11 am – 2 am everyday.
www.downtownhuntsville.com
Live music almost every night – SEE CALENDAR
JAZZ FACTORY
109 North Side Square, Huntsville (Downtown on
the Square), 256-539-1919.
K C’s COYOTE CAFE
410 Old Town St., Guntersville, 256-582-1676
LE BISTRO DU SOLEIL
300 Franklin Street, Huntsville (Downtown on the
Square), 256-539-7777
LOGAN’S ROADHOUSE (2 Huntsville locations)
4249 Balmoral Drive, Huntsville, 256-881-0584
University Drive NW, Huntsvile
2315 Beltline SW, Decatur, 256-432-2746
MAIN STREET CAFE
101Main Street, Madison, 461-8096
THE PALATTE’ CAFÉ
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church St.
PAULI’S BAR & GRILL
7143-C Hwy 72 W, Huntsville (corner of Slaughter
Road & Hwy 72), 256-722-2080.
PAULI’S CHOPHOUSE
109 Washington Street, Huntsville (Downtown,
corner of Clinton and Washington), 256-704-5555.
M-Th 5 – 10 pm, F-Sat 5 – 11 pm, Sun 11 am – 2
pm. www.downtownhuntsville.com
PRINCETON’S CEDAR MILL GRILLE
1208 Beltline SW, Decatur, 256-351-6247
SILVER POINT RESTAURANT
7840 Hwy 72 Madison, 856-895-3343
STARFISH
Corner of Pratt & Russell, Huntsville, 256-327-5555
T-BIRDS CAFE
1792 Hwy. 72 East, Huntsville, 256-852-9191.
TGI FRIDAY’S
4935 University Drive NW, Huntsville
256-830-2793, www.tgifridays.com
TOP O’ THE RIVER
7004 Val-Monte, Guntersville, 256-582-4567
WILD FLOUR BISTRO
600 Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville (shopping center,
corner of Holmes and Jordan). 256-536-0939.
WINGS SPORTS GRILLE
4250 Balmoral Dr. SW, Huntsville, 256-881-8878.
www.wingssportsgrille.com
ALABAMA BREAD COMPANY
975 Airport Rd., Huntsville, 256-882-2010.
CAFE BABA
5000 Whitesburg, Huntsville, 256-519-2323.
CAFE DOMAIN
6585 Hwy 431 S, Ste. C, Huntsville, 256-882-6747
COFFEE CREATIONS
616 HWY 31, S ATHENS, AL 35611
COFFEE AND TEA COMPANY
Madison Square Mall University Dr.
Huntsville 256-837-7085
COFFEE TREE BOOKS & BREW, THE
7900 Bailey Cove Rd., Huntsville, 256-880-6464
HIGHLANDER COFFEE SHOPPE
Bob Wallace Ave
JAMO’S CAFÉ
413 Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville, 256-837-7880.
JAVA JAAY CAFE
1713 6th Ave. SE, Decatur, 256-351-8555.
KAFFEEKLATSCH
103 Jefferson Street, Huntsville, 256-536-7993.
KENNY MANGO’S COFFEE SHOP & GALLERY
119 N Side Square, Huntsville, 256-755-6559.
LAGNIAPPES COFFEE CAFE
119 East Moulton, Decatur
Coffee, Espresso, Bakery & Deli.
OLDE TOWNE COFFEE SHOPPE
511 Pratt Ave NE, Huntsville, 256-539-5399
SEATTLE SOUTH
2113 Whitesburg Drive S, Huntsville,(Whitesburg
Medical District), 256-534-0513
WEST SIDE COFFEE PLACE & CAFE
2699B Sandlin Rd., SW, Decatur, 256-353-2025
WILD ROSE CAFE
121 North Side Square, Huntsville, 256-539-3658
CAJUN CAFE
704 Hwy 231 Lacey’s Spring 256-650-5586
PO BOY FACTORY
815 Andrew Jackson Way, Huntsville (in Five
Points) 256-539-3616.
TIM’S CAJUN KITCHEN
114 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, 256-533-7589.
PAPOU’S
110 South Side Square, Huntsville, 256-534-5553
Greek Restaurant, Lunch & Dinner, Full Bar.
SAZIO
Corner of Pratt & Russell, Huntsville, 256-327-5555
Mediterranean Cuisine, Full Bar, Patio Dining
BELLACINO’S PIZZA & GRINDERS (3 locations)
4851 Whitesburg Dr, 256-880-8656
8572 Madison Blvd, Madison, 256-774-1918
11700 N So Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-6504648
BIG ED’S PIZZERIA
721 Clinton Avenue, Huntsville, 256-536-2872
CHEEBURGER, CHEEBURGER (3 locations)
5000 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256-885-3700
300 Hughes Rd, Madison, 256-464-9990
Providence Main, Huntsville
DUFFY’S DELI
2324 Whitesburg, Huntsville, 256-533-4179
McALLISTER’S DELI (2 Huntsville locations)
4800 Whitesburg Drive S, 256-880-1557 and
1480 Perimeter Pkwy, 256-425-0034. Appetizers,
Salads, Sandwiches, Spuds & Desserts. Kid’s Menu.
TONY’S ITALIAN DELI
119 James Madison Drive SW
Huntsville, 256-772-4448
SCHLOTZSKY’S DELI (2 Huntsville locations)
4319 University Drive NW, 256-830-6400
11120 Memorial Pkwy SW, 256-650-6300
8969 Hwy. 20, Madison, 256-464-5300
SOUL BURGER
2900 Triana Blvd. SW, Huntsville, 256-534-8585
STANLIEO’S SUB VILLA (2 Huntsville locations)
605 Jordan Lane, 256-837-7220
602 Governors Drive, 256-536-6585
TERRY’S PIZZA (3 Huntsville locations)
9034 Memorial Pkwy S, 256-881-5987
3612 Governors Dr, 256-536-3389 and
2514 Memorial Pkwy N, 256-539-3467
BB PERRINS
608 Holly St, NE, Decatur, 256-355-0980
CLEM’S BBQ & FISHERY
3700 Blue Spring Road NW
DREAMLAND
3855 University Dr., Huntsville 256-539-7427
GIBSON BARBECUE (3 Huntsville locations)
3319 Memorial Pkwy., Huntsville, 256-881-4851
8412 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, 256-882-0841
735 Hwy 72 E, Huntsville, 256-852-9882
1715 6th Ave., SE, Decatur, 256-350-6969
MERIDIANVILLE BAR-B-QUE
11537 Hwy. 231N., Meridianville, 256-828-3725
OLE HICKORY PIT BBQ
5061 Maysville Road
New Market, 256-859-2824
Smokey’s Barbeque
8073 Hwy 72, W, Madison
256-721-0300
Thomas Pit BBQ
Hwy 72 ,W, Madison
256-837-4900
BLUE PLATE CAFE
3210 Governors Drive, Huntsville, 256-533-8808
ERNEY’S
1605 Pulaski Pike NW
Huntsville, (256) 533-5734
G’S COUNTRY KITCHEN
2501 Oakwood Dr., Huntsville, 256-533-3034
MULLIN’S
607 Andrew Jackson, Huntsville, 256-539-2826
ROLO’S CAFE
505 Airport Rd., Huntsville, 256-883-7656
BANDITO BURRITO (2 locations)
3017 Governors Dr SW, Huntsville, 256-534-0866
208 Main St., Madison, 256-461-8999
CASA BLANCA MEXICAN RESTAURANT
(4 locations)
7830 Hwy 72 W, Ste 230, Madison 256-864-0360
140 Browns Ferry Rd, Madison 256-464-6044
7900 Bailey Cove Rd, Huntsville 256-883-4447
1802 Hwy 72 E, Ste D, Athens 256-771-0130
EL MARIACHI (3 locations)
14450 Hwy 231/431 N Hazel Green, 256-828-1466
1836 Winchester Road, Huntsville 256-851-7255
7193 Hwy 72 W, Madison, 256-890-0900
EL PALACIO
2008 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville 256-539-6075
GARIBALDI’S
2107 Old Blue Spring Rd. Hsv 256-851-7394
GUADALAJARA MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
11208 Memorial Pkwy S, Huntsville
256-882-7311 &
8572 Madison Blvd, 256-774-1401
LA ALAMEDA
3807 University Drive NW
LITTLE ROSIE’S TAQUERIA
4781 Whitesburg Dr S, Huntsville, 256-882-0014
PEPITO’S
3508 Mem. Pkwy. S, Hsv
256-858-0059
QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL
4800 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville 256-489-1367
ROSIE’S MEXICAN CANTINA
(2 Huntsville locations)
6125 University Drive, 256-922-1001
7540 S. Memorial Pkwy, 256-382-3232
Continued On Page 25
24
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
THE VALLEY PLANET
LISTINGS
CARRABAS
Parkway Place Mall
ITALIAN PIE
5000 Whitesburg Dr, Huntsville, 256-883-9112
LA STRADA
12824 Hwy 431, Guntersville. European cuisine.
256-582-2250. www.lastradabama.com
LUCIANO
964 Airport Road SW, Huntsville, 256-885-0505
RICATONI’S ITALIAN GRILL
107 N. Court St., Florence, 256-718-1002
ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL
5901 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-722-4770
TELLINI’S CAFE & GRILL
4855 Whitesburg Dr. Hsv
256-881-9155
EDO JAPANESE RESTAURANT
104 N. Intercom Drive, Madison, 256-772-0360
MIKATO JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE & LOUNGE
4061 Independence Dr. NW, Huntsville, (one block
N. of University on Jordan Ln.), 256-830-1700.
MIKAWA RESTAURANT
1010 Heathland Dr, Huntsville, 256-837-7440.
MIWON JAPANESE RESTAURANT
404 Jordan Lane NW
MIYAKO
10013 South Parkway
256-880-9879
NIKKO JAPANESE RESTAURANT
6565 Hwy. 431, Hampton Cove, 256-536-3690
SHO GUN JAPANESE STEAK & SUSHI BAR
3991 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-534-3000.
TOKYO JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE & SUSHI BAR
1105 Wayne Road, Huntsville, 256-217-1719
MAMA FU’S ASIAN HOUSE
6920 University Dr. Huntsville, 256-830-4433
SURIN OF THAILAND
975 Airport Rd SW, Huntsville, 256-213-9866
THAI GARDEN RESTAURANT
800 Wellman Ave. NE, Huntsville, 256-534-0122
CHINA MOON
11700 S Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-880-2626
DING HOW II
4800 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256-880-8883
JADE PALACE
4925 University Drive NW, Huntsville,
256-830-2458
TAI PAN PALACE
2012 Mem. Pkwy, S, Hsv
256-539-5797
DEUTSCHE KUCHE
418 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, 256-534-4807.
Authentic
HILDEGARD’S
2357 Whitesburg Dr., Hsv
256-512-9776
OL HEIDELBERG CAFÉ
6125 University Drive NW E14, Huntsville,
(shopping center next to Rosie’s), 256-992-0556.
TASTE OF D’ISLANDS
2105 Mastin Lake Road, Huntsville, 256-851-9262.
CASA MONTEGO INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE
2117 Jonathan Drive, Huntsville, 256-858-9187.
2ND STREET MUSIC HALL
208 2nd Street, Gadsden 256-547-0010
3RD BASE GRILL
7904 Memorial Pkwy S, Huntsville, 256-882-9500.
ADRIAN’S
1405 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, 256-582-3106
ALLEN’S GRILLE & GROG
9076 Madison Blvd, Madison, 256-772-8514.
THE BARN
2510 Ready Section Road, corner of Pulaski Pike,
Toney
THE VALLEY PLANET
BENCHWARMER FOOD & SPIRITS
2998 University Drive, Huntsville 256-539-6268.
www.benchwarmersportsbar.com.
BENCHWARMER, TOO!
BILLIARD STREET CAFE
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S
10000 S. Memorial Pkwy. 256-489-3333.
BLUE PARROT MARTINI & CIGAR LOUNGE
7001 Val-Monte Drive, Covenant Cove Resort,
Guntersville, 256-582-0930.
www.covenantcove.com/parrot.htm
BOBBY G’S PLACE
1009 Henderson Road, 256-837-4728
BRICK DELI & TAVERN, THE
209-A 2nd Ave. SE, Decatur
256-355-8318.
CHARLOTTE’S PLACE
1117 Jordan Ln.
CHIPS & SALSA CANTINA
10300 Bailey Cove Rd SE Huntsville, 256-880-1202.
CLUB MIRAGE
4701 Meridian Street, Huntsville, 256-851-2920.
COPPER TOP BAR & GRILL
200 Q Oakwood Ave., Huntsville, 256-536-1150
Formerly Zesto’s in Five Points. Appetizers,
sandwiches & more. Karaoke & Live Music
CORNER GRILL & PUB, THE
(2 Huntsville locations)
10300 Bailey Cove Road SE, 256-880-2103.
129-A Old Highway 431,Hampton Cove
CROSSROADS, THE
721 Clinton Ave, Huntsville, 256-533-3393. Live
Music 7 nights. www.crossroadsmusic.biz
END ZONE, THE
FINNEGAN’S PUB
3310 Memorial Pkwy S, Huntsville, 256-881-9732
FREDDY’S
4070 Mem. Pkwy South Huntsville 35802
256-880-2590
Corner of Golf Rd. & The Paekway
New Restaurant with a New Attitude!
FURNITURE FACTORY BAR & GRILL
619 Meridian Street N, Huntsville (just north of
Downtown), 256-539-8001.
HARD DOCK CAFE
3755 U.S. Hwy. 31, Decatur, 256-340-9234
HALF TIME BAR AND GRILL
8873 Highway 72 W, Madison, 256-430-0266
HOG WILD SALOON
2407 Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-533-7446
HOOTERS
HOPPER’S
Holiday Inn-Research Park, 5903 University Drive,
256-830-0600
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL
109 Washington Square, Huntsville, 256-704-5555.
Beef, seafood, sandwiches. Come for the food
– Stay for the Fun. Best Patio in Huntsville. Happy
Hour every day 11 am – 6 pm. Live music every
night, no cover. Open 11 am – 2 am everyday.
INSOMNIA
6402 Hwy 72, W
JEMISON’S EATERY & PUB
350-A Market St. NE, Decatur, 256-351-0300.
JUDGE CRATER’S PUB & GRILL
110 Southside Square, Huntsville 256-534-6116
KAFFEEKLATSCH @NIGHT
Live Music nightly.
THE MAIN OFFICE
Hwy 231/431, Hazel Green, 256-829-9100
MARTINI’S OF MADISON
Ramada Inn, 8716 Madison Blvd, Madison,
256-772-0701.
MOODY MONDAYS
718 Church St, Huntsville, 256-533-4005
NIKKO JAPANESE RESTAURANT
6565 Hwy. 431, Hampton Cove, 256-536-3690
OTTER’S
Marriott Hotel, 5 Tranquility Base, Huntsville
256-830-2222.
#041306050306
PHILBY’S POURHOUSE
PINHOOK CREEK YACHT CLUB
2704 Johnson Road, Huntsville, 256-880-3714.
ROSEBERRY PUB & GRILL
Hwy 67 Scottsboro
256-574-4231
RUGGBY’S
SAMMY’S LIVE
2322 Memorial Parkway, S
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL
116 Washington Street, 256-539-9974.
www.sammytsplace.com
SANDY’S ROADHOUSE
12740 Hwy. 431 S, Guntersville, 256-571-0450.
THE SHACK
105 Swancott Road, Triana 256-461-0227. The bar
that never closes!
SPORTS PAGE LOUNGE & DELI
9009 Memorial Pkwy S, Huntsville, 256-880-9471.
THE STATION
8694 Madison Blvd., Madison, 256-325-1333.
STEVE’S BILLIARDS & LOUNGE
2322 Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-539-8919.
TABU & THE VIP ROOM
7200 Governors West, Huntsville, 256-830-1233.
www.theentertainmentcomplexhsv.com
TWILIGHT ZONE
2140 Gunter Ave. in the Holiday Inn,Guntersville,
256-582-2220
UPSCALE
2021 Golf Rd, Huntsville, 256-881-8820
www.clubupscale.com
VISIONS
6404 University Dr. NW, Huntsville, 256-722-8247
WINGS SPORTS GRILLE
4250 Balmoral Dr. SW, Huntsville, 256-881-8878.
www.wingssportsgrille.com
5 POINTS GALLERY
401 Pratt Ave. NE, 256-539-9658
801 FRANKLIN
801 Franklin Street, Huntsville, (Downtown by
Medical Center), 256-519-8019. Dine with fine art.
www.801franklin.com.
ATHENS ST. STUDENT UNION ART GALLERY
300 N. Beaty St., Athens, Athens State University,
800-522-0272
ARTISTIC IMAGES
2115 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, 256-534-3968.
www.artisticimagesgallery.com
CAROLE FORET FINE ART
206 West Market St., Downtown Square, Athens
256-232-2521. www.caroleforet.com
DRAGONFLY GALLERY & DESIGN
125 Main Ave. S., Fayetteville, TN, 931-433-3024
HUNTSVILLE ART LEAGUE GALLERY
3005 L&N Drive, Suite 2, Huntsville, 256-534-3860.
Monday-Saturday 10 am - 6 pm; Sunday 1-4 pm.
www.huntsvilleartleague.org.
HUNTSVILLE MUSEUM OF ART
300 Church Street So. in Big Spring International
Park, Huntsville. Gen. admission fee is $7 for nonmembers. Discounts for seniors over 60, military,
students with a valid ID, and groups of 10 or more.
Admission is half-price for non-members on Thurs
nights. Members & children <6 free. Hours 1-5pm.
Sunday; 10am-5pm. Mon-Sat; extended hours on
Th 5-8 pm. Call 256-535-4350 or
1-800-786-9095, or visit www.hsvmuseum.org.
LADAGE ARTISTRY
321 S. Jefferson, Athens,256-216-0039.
http://ladage.dews.net.
MERIDIAN ARTS (2 locations)
305-A Jefferson Street, Huntsville, 256-534-7475.
M-F: 10 am – 6 pm, Sat: 10 am – 4pm; and
370 Little Cove Road, Gurley, AL, 256-7764300. Tu-F: 10 am – 6 pm, Sat: 10 am – 4 pm.
www.Meridianarts.net.
MONDO DE TATUAGE GALLERY
Corner of 6th Ave. and 7th St., Decatur
256-306-9099.
MVAC FINE ARTS GALLERY
300 Gunter Ave.,Guntersville, 256-582-1454.
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-4, Sat 10-3.
http://mountainvalleyartscouncil.org
SIGNATURE GALLERY
2364 Whitesburg Drive S, Huntsville,
256-536-1960.
TWO FEATHERS NATIVE AMERICAN GALLERY
7529-A S. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-8820078.
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
25
Chuck Shepherd, photo Bob
Baggett Photography
Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of
Technology are working on a high-tech
device with seemingly a multitude of
uses in lessening our crushing overload
of banality: a boredom detector. A talker,
via a wearable camera and software
that measures facial expressions and
movements, could know whether he has
lost touch with a listener (via signals
from eyebrows, lips, nose, etc.). The
device was designed for the autistic (who
are typically oblivious of other people’s
reactions), but would be useful to anyone
underskilled at being interesting. So far,
the software is said to be accurate 64
percent of the time, according to a March
report in New Scientist.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit
Bold Marketing: (1) Among men’s
colognes recently launched: the Elizabeth
Arden-NASCAR
“Daytona
500”
fragrance and the Ecuadorean Football
Federation’s set of three soccer-motif
scents, ranging from a “sporting” aroma
to “an intense smell ideal for after work.”
(2) Butte, Mont., has long been unhappy
with the presence of the Berkeley Pit,
a huge, putrid, toxic lake filled by
runoff from arsenic, copper, cadmium,
cobalt, iron and zinc mines. Last year,
however, the town began to figure out
that tourists would actually pay to see the
500-acre, 900-foot-deep, foul, wretched
mess. Attendance was so good that the
admission price was recently increased.
Specialty Products: The apparently
successful Iraq Insurance Co. (a
state-owned firm with 50 salespeople
nationwide) is thought to be the only
company in the world to offer “off-theshelf” terrorism life insurance (paying
a bodyguard’s beneficiary, for example,
the equivalent of about $3,500, which
is a policeman’s yearly salary, for a
$90 premium, according to a New York
Times dispatch). As of mid-March, no
policyholder had been killed. (2) Among
the “brand” names used by marijuana
traffickers to sell dope-laced candy,
according to federal agents who made
arrests in March in Oakland, Calif., are
Buddafingers, Pot Tarts, Double Puff
Oreo, Puff-a-Mint Pattie and Toka-Cola.
Volleyball is quite popular among female
devout Muslim refugees in Kenya,
according to a March New York Times
dispatch, even though the women’s
bulky hijabs frequently shift around,
hindering the “digs” and “spikes.” The
Nike company recently came to the
rescue by designing (and then donating)
sleek hijabs that cover the skin and hair
appropriately, but also permit much freer
movement on the court. Nike is silent on
its marketing plans, but worldwide, the
number of Muslim girls and women of
prime sports-playing age is huge.
26
Science on the Cutting Edge
In work by various labs in the United
States, the Netherlands and Australia
(reported by Toronto’s Globe and Mail
in March), meat was grown in test tubes,
and such dishes may yet be a staple in
progressive kitchens. “Before bed, throw
starter cells and a package of growth
medium into the (coffee maker-sized)
meat maker and wake up to harvest-fresh
sausage for breakfast,” wrote the Globe
and Mail. Engineered meat would taste
like beef or pork, but could be created
to be as healthful as salmon. One private
group told researchers it was interested
in growing human meat, but funding for
any of the work will be difficult, said a
Medical University of South Carolina
scientist.
A family has been found in Kurdish
Turkey whose members walk on all fours,
use the palms of their hands for balance,
and stand upright only with difficulty,
according to researchers who filmed the
family for a March British television
show. According to Professor Nicholas
Humphrey of the London School of
Economics, scientists’ best guess for the
family’s condition is that their inbreeding
caused the reprise of genetic traits long
thought to have been evolutionarily
passed over.
Man’s Best Friend (Except Sometimes)
In February, two girls (aged 12 and 13) ran
away from home in Cleveland, headed by
bus for Minneapolis, along with Bambi,
one girl’s family dog (represented to the
driver as a “guide dog”). However, the
girls overfed Bambi on junk food, and
the dog became so flatulent as to cause a
commotion on the bus, which eventually
drew police officers, who then discovered
the girls were runaways.
Bright Ideas
In February, the Missourian newspaper
reported that Columbia resident Adam
Ballard, 22, now in his second year in the
Army, is overeating and under-exercising
so as to gain weight rapidly and exceed
the Army’s body-fat requirement, which
will force his discharge rather than his
deployment to the Middle East war zone.
According to The Columbian, 3,285
soldiers were discharged for excess body
fat in 2004 (although not all were warzone shirkers). Ballard said he had no
qualms because recruiters had originally
assured him a desk job.
Least Competent Criminals
Inexplicable: Phillip Williams, 47, for
some reason approached two uniformed
police officers in Tampa, Fla., in March
to ask their opinions of whether the
substance he had just purchased for the
crack pipe he was holding was indeed
cocaine. After examining the pipe, the
officers suspended their then-current
investigation of a burglary and put the
cuffs on Williams. The month before, in
Orlando, Michael Garibay, 34, approached
a sheriff’s deputy in a marked patrol car
and asked him if he was “straight,” which,
as Garibay proceeded to explain to the
befuddled officer, meant, “Do you want
to buy cocaine?” After Garibay pulled out
a baggie of white rocks, he was arrested.
Recurring Themes: In March, Gary
Brunner became the latest person to go
to a police station and ask naively if
there were any warrants on him, only to
find the answer to be yes and that he was
under arrest (for drug possession, Carmel,
N.Y.). And Bryan Palmer, 21, and Peggy
Casey, 31, were interviewed by police
investigating a burglary in South Windsor,
Conn., in March, but were released.
Detectives changed their minds, though,
and were futilely searching for them when
the pair showed up at the police station to
innocently ask how the investigation was
going.
The Sacred Institution of Marriage
(1) In February in Pattaya, Thailand, the
woman who was the former Guinness
Book recordholder for living in a cage
with scorpions was married to the
man who holds the equivalent record
for time spent with centipedes, with
consummation immediately afterward
in a coffin. (Kanchana Ketkaew had
stayed 32 days with 3,400 scorpions
and Bunthawee Siengwong 28 days with
1,000 centipedes.) (2) After Ms. Sohela
Ansari told friends in their village in West
Bengal state in India that her husband had
mumbled “talaq, talaq, talaq” in his sleep,
word got to local Muslim authorities, who
declared the couple divorced. (A Muslim
husband may obtain a divorce merely by
the utterance, and the West Bengal clerics
ruled that he need not be awake at the
time.)
Readers’ Choice
In March, Deputy Fire Chief Leroy
Johnson, 52, of Mesa, Ariz., announced
his retirement after becoming possibly
the highest-status person in the country
in recent years to be allegedly witnessed
having sex with a barnyard animal (a
lamb). Another possible record-setter
was Kimberly Du, 36, who was charged
in February in Des Moines, Iowa, with
faking her December death to avoid
prosecution on several traffic tickets,
which might be the pettiest criminal
charge anyone has ever tried to avoid by
faking death.
Not Even Safe in Your Own Bed
Anymore
People who recently had their sleep
disrupted by out-of-control vehicular
traffic crashing into their homes and
right over their beds: Maryella Wallace,
Davenport, Iowa, June 2005 (no serious
injuries). A couple in Altamonte Springs,
Fla., December (driver in a stolen car;
no serious injuries). Juan Diaz, Fairdale,
Ky., March (no serious injuries). A couple
in the Houston suburb of Missouri City,
Texas, March (two fatalities).
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
#041306050306
Are We Safe? In a two-day period in
March, alarming reports revealed that
“dirty (radiation) bombs” easily entered
the country in car trunks in tests, that
one-third of U.S. civilian nuclear research
reactors were insufficiently secure, and
that concerns were heightened about
the 2,000 shoulder-fired missiles said
to be unaccounted for in the world’s
arsenals. On the other hand, the Los
Angeles Times reported that the fishing
village of Dillingham, Alaska, at least,
is secure, now that a $200,000 Homeland
Security anti-terrorism grant has paid for
60 “downtown” surveillance cameras
(with 20 more to come). Dillingham
(pop. 2,400) is about 300 miles from
Anchorage, with no roads linking it to
anywhere.
Compelling Explanations
In earnest testimony in March, Douglas
Dyer explained how it was just bad luck
that his married girlfriend got shot twice,
fatally, in the middle of her back by the
rifle he was holding. Dyer said he had
originally intended to kill himself, but
when she grabbed at the gun to stop him,
it fired into her hand. Then, as she ran out
a door, he followed and bumped the door
open with the gun, causing it to fire and
accidentally hit her flush in the back. As
his body flinched from the shot, banging
into a wall, the rifle again accidentally
fired, putting another bullet in the center
of her back. (The Rockland, Maine, jury
apparently didn’t believe a word of it and
convicted him of murder.)
Brian Blair is now a Republican county
commissioner in Tampa, Fla., but before
that was a professional wrestler for
20 years. He now says it wasn’t the
dropkicks, pile drivers or neck breakers
that ended his career, but rather tripping
over a tray of dirty dishes at a Carrabba’s
Italian Grill in Tampa in 2001, which he
said injured his head, shoulder and knee,
and his lawsuit is still pending. (His
previous lawyers resigned in March.)
Blair wrestled for four months after that
injury, but said the matches were the
less-strenuous “tag-team” contests. Also,
hospital records show a blood-alcohol
reading of 0.089 90 minutes after the
incident, though Blair told the Tampa
Tribune he only had a sip.
At the Nov. 14 meeting of the governing
board
of
Provincetown,
Mass.,
Selectwoman Sarah Peake raised a formal
objection to the continued presence of the
historical painting that graces the board’s
meeting room, though it is of a previously
uncontroversial scene of Pilgrims voting
on the Mayflower Compact. Peake’s
objection (according to a November
report in the Boston Globe) is that there
are no women in the painting.
Send your Weird News to Chuck Shepherd
P.O. Box 18737, Tampa FL 33679
or [email protected]
or go to www.NewsoftheWeird.com.)
COPYRIGHT 2004 CHUCK SHEPHERD
DISTRIBUTED BY
UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111;
(816) 932-6600
THE VALLEY PLANET
The Valley Planet Music Exchange is FREE to any individual looking to buy, sell, trade or find bandmates. You get a headline and 3 lines of text for the low, low price of
nothing. If you wish to embellish your ad further, say, with a small photo (add $5) or more words (add $1 per line), it’s up to you. Now, if you are a business, you gotta
pay a little something, $12 per column inch. Please call Jill Wood at (256) 533-4613 if you would like to put your business in the Exchange. Email your ads to classifieds
@valleyplanet.com or send them by snail mail to Music Exchange,203 Grove Ave. Huntsville AL, 35801. NO AD WILL RUN UNTIL PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED!
MUSIC EXCHANGE
Wanted, exp. lead guitarist
Call George @ 337-9856
Professional Drummer
Versatile Styles
Chris @ 227-6490
Torin Asunder
Death Metal Band
Jay @ 783-3176
Wanted, members for a
Christian Band
Contact 256-716-3731 or
[email protected]
CLASSICAL GUITAR
AND LUTE New to
Huntsville; exp teacher/
performer
Michael Poulos, BM, MM
539.6838
DRUMMER
Looking to start or join open
minded musicians to play
prog. Alt-rock 232-7505 &
[email protected]
Wanted, free ads to put here,
send to
[email protected]
Guitarist
Looking For A Band Classic
Rock From A-Z
New Music Too
call Mike@603-7937 or
Leave Message@776-9749
For sale
Audio-Technica Headset
Mic, Model ATM 75-$125,
881-0755
1983 Tama Imperialstar
drumkit Contact Adam
Jackson @ 256-233-2118/
431-5130
[email protected]
WANTED: Upright bass
player for Rockabilly Trio. I
have the bass if you can play
it. Slapping a must. We already have gigs waiting. Call
Matt @ 256-566-6330.
Billy Joe Cooley
Theatre Huntsville’s PlayReading Committee is now
soliciting ideas and titles for
its 2007-2008 season. The
committee will meet regularly
throughout 2006 to consider a
wide range of titles and genres
which will be pared down to
a list of fourteen presented
for TH Board approval in
December 2006. In turn, the
membership will choose seven
titles in January 2007 to comprise the 2007-2008 Season.
TH is also accepting suggestions for play-director projects
from interested directors for
the committee’s consideration. Suggestions should be
submitted by calling (256)
536-0807 or by contacting
Play-reading Chair Sam Marsh
at [email protected].
AMERICAN INDIAN MUSEUM
2003 Poole Drive NW, Huntsville, 256-852-4524.
www.american-indian-museum.com
BURRITT ON THE MOUNTAIN:
A LIVING MUSEUM
3101 Burritt Drive SE, Huntsville, 256-536-2882.
Summer Hours (April - Oct): Tues- Sat 9am to 5pm
Sun noon to 5 pm. Regular Adm. fee is $5 adult,
$4 senior, military & students, $3 child (children
under 2, free). www.burrittmuseum.com
CATHEDRAL CAVERNS STATE PARK
637 Cave Road, Woodville. 256-728-8193 Open
daily at 10 am.
CLAY HOUSE MUSEUM
16 Main Street, Madison 256-325-1018. Tour this
antebellum home with “A Walk Through Time”, 100
years of decorative style from 1850 - 1950 featuring Noritake Porcelain.
COVENANT COVE RESORT & MARINA
7001 Val-Monte Drive, Guntersville
256-582-1000 or 888-288-COVE.
www.covenantcove.com
EARLYWORKS MUSEUM COMPLEX
404 Madison Street SE, Huntsville, 256-564-8100.
GORHAM’S BLUFF
Pisgah, 256-451-ARTS. The Gorham’s Bluff
Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to
THE VALLEY PLANET
Billy Joe Cooley, 115 W.
Clinton Ave., Suite 405,
Church Groups, Civic Clubs
America’s Storyteller
Banquet Speaker, Humorist
providing arts and cultural activities to Jackson
County and Northeast Alabama.
VON BRAUN CENTER
700 Monroe St. Huntsville, 256-533-1953. Check
calendar for events. www.vonbrauncenter.com
HARMONY PARK SAFARI
431 Clouds Cove Road, New Hope. 1-8777ANIMAL. Drive through animal exhibits. Open
March through November.
THE WEEDEN HOUSE
300 Gates Avenue SE, Huntsville, 256-536-7718
HUNTSVILLE COMMUNITY CHORUS
3312 Long Avenue, Fantasy Arts Center, Huntsville,
256-533-6606
ARS NOVA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
7908C Charlotte Drive, Huntsville, 256-883-1105.
www.arsnovahsv.com
HUNTSVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
North Side Von Braun Center, Huntsville 256-5394818.
HARRISON BROTHERS HARDWARE
UNIVERSITY CENTER ART GALLERY
University of Alabama in Huntsville, 256-824-1000
UPTOWN GALLERY
1220 South Memorial Parkway, Huntsville 256880-2044. www.uptowngallery.com
WHITNEY DAVIDSON GALLERY
501 Church Street NW, Huntsville, 256-539-0063
WILLIS GRAY GALLERY
211 B Second Ave. SE, Decatur, 256-355-7616
ALABAMA CONSTITUTION VILLAGE
109 Gates Ave., Huntsville, 256-564-8100. Open
daily, 9 am - 5 pm, except Sundays.
Email:
[email protected]
Dates Available for
Bassist & drummer for
accoustic/electric band
Rod @ 759-1919
LISTINGS
Call Now:
(256) 534-8888
124 Southside Square, Huntsville, 256-536-3631.
Alabama’s oldest hardware store.
HUNTSVILLE BOTANICAL GARDEN
4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville,
256-830-4447. The 110-acre garden is open yearround. Summer Hours, Memorial Day through
Labor Day: M-Sat, 9am-8pm; Sun, 1–8pm. $8
Adults, $6 Senior or Military, $3 Children ages 318.www.hsvbg.org.
HUNTSVILLE STARS
Joe W. Davis Stadium, 3125 Leeman Ferry Rd,
Huntsville, 256-882-2562.
BROADWAY THEATRE LEAGUE
700 Monroe St. Suite 410, Huntsville
(all performances held at Von Braun Center)
256-518-6155. www.btleague.org
FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN’S THEATRE
3312 Long Avenue SW, Huntsville, 256-539-6829
HUNTSVILLE HAVOC
Professional Hockey, Eastern Hockey League. 700
Monroe Street. Huntsville, AL 35801 (256) 5186160.
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER
2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville, 256-489-7000
Flying Monkey Arts Center is a not for profit
community arts collective that encourages,
supports and promotes the arts. www.flyingmon
keyarts.org
THE LAND TRUST TRAILS
Bankhead Pkwy., Huntsville, 256-534-LAND
Year-round hiking on 547 acres of Monte Sano
preserve. www.landtrust-hsv.org
FOOTLIGHTS COMMUNITY THEATER
302 Hoffman St. Athens, 256-216-0903
www.footlightstheater.org
[email protected]
HUNTSVILLE BALLET COMPANY
800 Regal Drive SW, Huntsville, 256-539-0961
LOWE MILL
2211 Seminole Dr., Huntsville, Art, Music, Film and
Poetry. See Calendar for Event Dates
RENAISSANCE THEATRE AT LINCOLN CENTER
1214 Meridian Street N, Huntsville, 256-536-3434.
www.renaissancetheatre.net
THEATRE HUNTSVILLE
Business Office. 1701 University Dr, Suite 1,
Huntsville, 256-536-0807. www.theatrehsv.org.
CARMIKE CINEMAS
1359 Old Monrovia Road, Huntsville,
256-430-0770.
607 Fourteenth Street, Decatur, 256-350-0935
www.carmike.com.
FUNTASIA FAMILY FUN CTR.
2016 N. Mem. Pkwy Huntsville
256-536-0676
MADISON BOWLING CENTER
8661 Hwy 72 W, Madison, 256-722-0015.
MONTE SANO STATE PARK
5015 Nolen Ave., Huntsville, 256-534-3757
SCI-QUEST
102-D Wynn Drive, Huntsville, 256-837-0606.
An exciting hands-on science center.
www.sci-quest.org
TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS
Arena Football, American Conference Southern
Division. 700 Monroe St, Huntsville, VBC, 256-5513240. www.vipersaf2.com
THREE CAVES
Directions: Off California St., turn onto Hermitage,
left onto Kennemer Dr. Call The Land Trust at (256)
534-5263 to reserve your spot on a public cave
tour or to arrange a private tour for your group.
US SPACE & ROCKET CENTER
1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, 256-837-3400. Open
9am-5pm year round except for Thanksgiving,
Christmas Eve and Day, and New Year’s Eve and
Day. Admissions: Museum only – Adults $12 &
Child 3-12 $8, www.spacecamp.com
#041306050306
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5
27
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50 - Valley Planet

Transcription

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