89 - Valley Planet

Transcription

89 - Valley Planet

VOLUME 6,
6, ISSUE
ISSUE 10
10
VOLUME
#071008073008
#071008073008
READ
READ THE
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July 10 - 30, 2008
Valley Planet Birthday
Come Meet Us!
IN THIS ISSUE:
Lisa Loeb
The Wiggles
Roger Alan Wade
Vicious Circle
Dixie Derby Roller Girls
Bonnaroo Flashback
FreeWill Astrology
The Biggest and Best
Calendar Ever!
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
(256)
(256) 533-4613
533-4613
InThePlanet
On the Cover:
Harriet Dobbins
H
arriet Dobbins is basically a selftaught artist. She learned perspective
from architecture classes at the
University of Florida and also took many
drawing classes while there. She has also
taken a few art classes in oils and watercolors
over the years. When she started using pastels
she fell in love with the medium because
they are pure pigments. She has been
involved in South Eastern Pastel Society, in
Atlanta, the North Alabama Pastel Society in
Fort Walton Beach, FL and the Huntsville
Art League. Harriet has participated in juried
art shows all over the country including the
Artist Magazine’s juried show and has
won awards in most of these shows. She
has paintings in private collections in
Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado,
Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.
Harriet has recently been traveling all over
this wonderful, beautiful country in her
motor home and doing plein air painting.
She has taken 3000 photos for art reference
material while on this venture. She traveled
to Florida, Georgia, Colorado, New Mexico,
Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Arizona. She
THE VALLEY PLANET
teaches pastel classes at the Huntsville Art
League and loves being able to share the joy
that art brings to her life. “Art is like instant
yoga meditation….. you start painting and
you’re lost in your own creation.”
Harriet does a lot of wildlife paintings
because she has always loved animals and
has learned many things about life from
observing their behavior. She tries to speak
for them through her artwork. She has a
spiritual symbol that she designed that she
puts on all of her artwork with the words
“Everything Matters”. She believes that
they matter, but since they cannot speak for
themselves, she tries to let their voices and
their souls be heard in her paintings.
Harriet likes to paint the micro or close up
view of things and finds the beauty in the
small things that sometimes are not noticed
by others. Hiking is an avid pastime and she
has hiked many miles on Monte Sano, and
has painted many of the wildflowers she has
seen on the mountain. Harriet loves to be
outside, and her paintings are really the story
of her life and the things that she loves.
203 Grove Ave., Huntsville Al, 35801, phone 256.533-4613
Publisher
Jill Wood
Sales
Elaine Nelson
Calendar
Sarajo Taylor
Distribution
Charlotte Griffin
Graphics & Layout
Ari
Photography
Southern Tracks
Contributors
Ed Killingsworth
Jim Zielinski
Tina Leach
Billy Joe Cooley
Allison Gregg
Auntie Jen
Terri L. French
Brad Posey
Fonda Davis
Bonnie Roberts
Ricky Thomason
Courtney Mixon
Margo Lavender
Harry Freeman
James Spagnola
Rob Brezsny
Southern Tracks
& Sherri Carlee
See you at the
Birthday Party
July 13th!
Crocodile Finds New Home!
Q
uestion: What would you do if you got
a flyer in your mailbox that said “Your
neighbor on Grove Avenue wants you to
come out and be a part of the relocation of a
16 ft Crocodile at 1 pm on Sunday…?
Thank you for reading the fine print of
the Valley Planet. The Valley Planet and
valleyplanet.com are published every three
weeks by J W Publications in Huntsville,
AL. You can pick up the paper free all
over the place or get it free on the web.
Copyright 2003 by the Valley Planet, Inc.
All rights reserved. You can contact me at
[email protected]
Reproduction or use without our permission
is strictly prohibited. The views and opinions
expressed within these pages and on the web
site are not necessarily those of the Valley
Planet or its staff. The Valley Planet is not
responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or
art. Back issues are available for viewing
on our web site www.valleyplanet.com in the
archives section. You may reach the Valley
Planet office @ 256.533.4613 or by mail at
Valley Planet 203 Grove Ave. Huntsville, AL
35801.
A
nswer: Neighbors, family and friends
showed up to celebrate and to relocate
the Croc, named Irwin after the late Steve
Irwin, the Crocodile Man.
256-533-4613
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
#071008073008
July 10-30, 2008
NEXT ISSUE July 31, 2008
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On the Cover
Valley Planet Contests
Unchained Maladies, Ricky Thomason
Party of One, Allison Gregg
News of the Weird, Chuck Shepherd
Adventures in the Tennessee Valley, Tina Leach
Back Door Slam, Metallica, and the Avett Brothers at
Bonnaroo 2008, Southern Tracks
Bonnaroo 2008: Jams Reign Supreme, Fonda Davis
Invisible City, Brad Posey
Film Edification, Ed Killingsworth
Lisa Loeb Interview, Ed Killingsworth
Roger Alan Wade at the KaffeeKlatsch July 19
In Rememberance There is Life
The Arts Council Gives You an art@TAC!
The Vicious Circle, Margo Lavender
Dr. Anarcho’s Rx for Old Stuff That Don’t Suck
MUSIC CALENDAR BEGINS
The Wiggles Interview, Ed Killingsworth
REGIONAL CONCERTS
Listings: Pubs, Taverns, & Clubs
CALENDAR OF EVENTS BEGINS
From Mike’s Bookshelf, Courtney Mixon
Hot 103.5, Terri L. French
Auntie Jen’s Animal Crazy, Auntie Jen
Partners - Not Sure We Need the Labels
Next Up at JavaGalleria @ Sam & Greg’s!
Book Review, Harry Freeman
zee’s rocket city bEAT, Jim Zielinski
Listings: Restaurants
Word on the Street, James Spagnola
What Then Must We Do, Bonnie Roberts
Free Will Astrology, Rob Brezsny
Theatre: Imaginary Friend
Gossip, Billy Joe Cooley
Dixie Derby Girls Take on Their Athens Rivals!
Listings: Galleries, Attractions
Music Exchange, Real Estate & All That Jazz
DanaeRileyis
thewinnerof
the
SchnitzelRanch
GiftCertificate!
Wina$50Gift
Certificateto
BistrolaVille!
5themailof
“ValleyPlanet
Rocks!”to
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#071008073008
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE VALLEY PLANET
#071008073008
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
Letter From
the
Publisher
The fourth is over! What was gonna catch
fire…hopefully has been put out and all is
safe! Now that all the hoopla has settled
down, barbeque is over for at least a couple
of weeks and it is time to get back into the
world of the real important things in life…
The Valley Planet Birthday Party is THIS
SUNDAY! Mark it on your calendar. Its
gonna Rock! No cover and AWESOME
Music. It is on Sunday and it is early so you
really have no excuse. We all appreciate the
incredible support that you have given this
newspaper and hope that you will join us in
our celebration!
The Valley Planet is a free paper, run by
a local, independent and we exist because
you keep picking it up and reading it…and
of course because of our advertisers! I
know that you all support them as you do
our paper. Most cities our size have a paper
that is “similar” but what makes the Valley
Planet unique are the same things that make
our community unique. We want this paper
to be your voice! We love to hear from you!
We support freedom of speech, whether
we agree with your opinion or not. We are
community minded; we support the arts, the
music, the restaurants and the bars as well as
every other establishment in our community.
We are all about What Is Happening Here!
If you don’t read the Valley Planet you are
missing out on endless events and activities
that would make you say There Is So Much
to Do in Metro Huntsville! Share it with a
friend!
Jill
Clarissa
Hendersonis
thewinnerof
theDolceGift
Card!
3
Unchained
Maladies
T
Ricky Thomason Writes
he polarization between Republicans and
Democrats, the hawks and the doves,
conservative and liberal is as strong as
any time since the 60s. That decade saw the
assassination of a president and a presidential
candidate, the wounding of another, Martin
Luther King Jr. and a number of other civil
rights leaders and workers killed. We saw our
cities burn, cops riot at the 1968 Democratic
Convention in Chicago, and the weather
underground’s domestic terrorism. National
guardsmen shot and killed four war protesters
on the campus of Kent State University. They
objected to 50,000 of our best and brightest
dying for industrial profit in a hellhole worth far
less than Iraq. Iraq has oil and a lot of it.
At least the 60s had a good soundtrack to go with
it all, and sex wasn’t deadly then. You could get
laid often and well, risk little more than a case
of cooties.
AIDs didn’t crop up for another decade or so
when some dumbasses got very horny and
bored. At the time, it must have seemed little
more than a cartoon moment. On a continent far
away, a group of buds gathered around the fire
in the rainforest wishing they had something,
anything, to do besides each other, when the
drunkest one says, “Whoo Hoo! I’ve got it. Let’s
go screw a monkey.”
The others looked at each other and said, “well,
okay – but it’s got to be a girl monkey; we
wouldn’t want people to think we’re queer or
nothin’.”
The societal rifts today aren’t that bad - yet
- but they exist on every level of politics, and
flavor - taint - every election from dogcatcher to
president, and I have a feeling this presidential
election is going to be the nastiest in history.
I would not even insinuate that all right-wing
conservatives are racist – but I’d bet my big
ol’ butt that 99.9% of racists are right wingers,
many to the far right of Hitler. They think the
Nazis made a good start on the solution to the
problem, but should have expanded the program
by a dozen or so ethnic minorities.
One of them could well do something very, very
stupid in the coming months.
Timothy McVeigh wasn’t a lone nut.
Political subjects are so volatile that they’ve
become the third rail of office conversation. Any
civil exchange of views or reasoned debate is
out of the question. Once an argument starts, it
devolves into a firefight of insults and someone’s
going home mad.
Entries from the Pet Photo Contest
I once believed the American electorate consisted
of 30% wingnuts - 15% each on the far left and
right - and 70% of us wandering somewhere in
the wilderness of the middle have revised those
numbers to 35% extreme left and right, and the
middle has shrunk to 30%.
Some blame the extremities of the right on the
plethora of conservative talk radio shows and
their hosts and think they should be brought
under control.
I don’t buy that. I don’t buy that for several
reasons; number one is free speech. They have
as much right to be wrong as I do. Secondly,
they are preaching to the choir. No minds are
changed.
Winner of the Dolce Gift Card
Cat in the sink sent in by Clarissa Henderson.
4
Hungry Critter sent in by John and Stella
Camp
#071008073008
The true believers wallow in the entertainment
/ propaganda like pigs in mud, saying ditto to
most of it. The Liberals - said like a dirty word
- get mad and change the channel. The few who
are stupid enough to rise to the bait and call in
are not allowed to finish a sentence, much less a
thought without interruption and derision. Even
those who bill themselves as “open-minded
conservatives” are guilty of this, despite small
efforts not to be.
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
Single Girl Seeks Assistant
artwork by Debbie West
And why not? It’s their show.
I’m sure, if I had one, I’d run mine as I pleased
as well. The liberal hosts of short-lived Air
America were no different.
The skeptics who listen for entertainment aren’t
buying the baloney either. Ultimately, it’s a
wash. No one is converted in their views, and
the harm that’s done - if you can call it harm - is
that some of the believers believe stronger and
become even more obnoxious.
I know it’s not a crowd I care to hang with for
long. Where there are sheep, wolves will show.
That said, there’s this: On a recent trip to Biloxi,
we didn’t get in the door of the Casino / hotel
before we noticed hordes of weird looking
people dressed in identical, light blue “Habitat
for Humanity” t-shirts.
I’ve never seen so many burnt-hippie, graying,
balding, guilty white people in one place
before.
Since we weren’t wearing socks with our
sandals and were sans fanny packs, we stood out
like flashing neon signs.
Later, on the casino floor, there arose a clatter,
an excited buzz swept through the place. I
overheard someone cry, “J.C. is in the building!
He’s returned from the Middle East.”
I almost spewed my drink. “What?!” I asked,
“Who? J.C.? Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ, just my
luck. Oh shit. Here I am in a casino breaking six
of the Ten Commandments and He picks now
to return.”
But it wasn’t THAT J.C., it was a much bigger
deal than that; Jimmy Carter was in the building,
just returned from a powwow, sharing hummus
with Hamas in the Middle East.
J.E., John Edwards, was with him, $400 haircut,
Julia Roberts’ teeth and all. They’d come for a
“Say Cheese” op, to be photographed holding a
hammer while standing almost close enough to
touch a poor person.
If Bill Clinton had shown, half of the women
would have squealed and fallen flat on their
fanny packs. Ditto the other half in the
comfortable shoes had Hillary been along, too.
It’s Monday night. I’m tired from two
exhaustive work weeks, which were
interrupted by Salmonella, a viral infector, or
a medication mix up. The dogs have not been
fed. The house is more of a mess than usual,
and I’m starving. Not just mildly hungry, but
STARRR-veee-ing. My appetite has come
back with a vengeance. Unfortunately both
the talent and time to make dinner are nonexistent.
The entourage (my dogs and I) will most
likely head to Subway. Ever since their
footlongs went on sale for $5, we’ve been
eating like royalty. I haven’t had this much
meat since college. The house will continue
to be a mess. At this point, I’m doing all I
can to stay in the game of life. Like most
busy people, I’ve decided I need some help.
Not at the office, that is taken care of, but on
the home front.
This single girl is seeking an assistant. The
idea came to me from two different sources.
At work we have a staff person who works
on Monday, doing the necessities around
the office: prepares packets for meetings,
answers phones, and makes life easier in
general. I love it. I also watch Flipping
Out on Bravo. That guy has FOUR personal
assistants (and 20 times the personal wealth).
Somehow I manipulated myself into
thinking that the universe was sending me
these examples so I could see how to make
my life easier.
On my Facebook page I put up the simple
status: Allison looking for a personal
assistant - please let me know if you know of
anyone who can cook, clean and walk dogs.
The response from my friends was great:
inquires into salary, hours, etc. I chuckled
as I sat down to write this column. My mind
started to race as my stomach continued
to rumble. Yes, saying no is not a regular
occurrence; neither is accepting the status
quo. However, what’s worse is my inability
to delegate. The bad-ness of it is legendary.
Asking people to do things pains this control
freak – literally. The current grumble in my
belly pales in comparison to the fear in my
heart when I ask others to take over a project.
But I’m getting better, or at least I tell myself
that.
If I were really to pay someone to take over
the cooking, cleaning, and caring for the
dogs, could I? Would I clean the house
before they came? Probably. Would I
stress over what’s on the grocery list? Most
definitely. Wouldn’t I miss the 15-minute
walk with the boy? You can bet on it.
Cooking and cleaning wouldn’t be missed.
took a break and called a friend to justify my
latest idea. Being the voice of reason, she put
an end to my fanciful thinking immediately,
citing costs and providing examples of how
to make my own life easier. It’s not easy to
let go or accept an extended hand. But that
goes hand-in-hand with the fact that I have
no idea that there are trees – I focus way
too much on the forest. My friend pointed
this out and then tried to explain the theory
of trees. “Just take 30 seconds and do one
thing. Then do another…”
Apparently an assistant isn’t in my near
future, a change of attitude is. So I will type
a list and stick it on the refrigerator door:
Allison’s daily duties. It’ll contain a simple
list of 15 things I can do in a minute each.
My friend says it’ll change my life. I resign
in agreement. It may take baby steps, but
I’m willing to do it. Because we all know
you never make it through a true forest with
one giant leap.
More Pet Photos
Not much for celebrity awe, I knew this was
another crowd I couldn’t hang with for long,
either. Where there are sheep, wolves will show.
That leaves me stuck somewhere in the middle,
one of the swing voters, one of the moderates
that will decide who becomes the next president
of the U.S.
We’ll decide, but the problem is the choices.
For all of his brilliant oratory, Obama is an
unknown quantity. John McCain is so old he has
an autographed copy of the Bible.
Above: Sent in by Rebecca Keunen
Right: Big Dog (not mine) sent in by Steve
Peters
Age aside, McCain’s biggest liability is his vow
to continue the policies of President Bush. Can
we really take four more years of this?
I have serious doubts.
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE VALLEY PLANET
#071008073008
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
5
Chuck Shepherd’s
EAD STORY
After languishing for two years in the Irish
legislature, the Nuclear Test Ban Bill of 2006
has recently been rethought and refurbished,
according to a June report in the Irish
Independent. Originally, the bill codified the
U.N. Test Ban Treaty, adding some provisions
specific to Ireland. Among those additions was
the punishment for anyone detonating a nuclear
weapon in Ireland: up to 12 months in jail
and/or a fine of up to 5,000 euros (then, around
$6,500), along with language that might even
allow a person found guilty to apply for firstoffense probation. The proposed punishment this
time is expected to be considerably harsher.
Can’t Possibly Be True
In the 1920s, when inmate “chain gangs” were
in their heyday, Alabama sheriffs were allotted
a prison meal budget of $1.75 per prisoner
per day, with thrifty sheriffs allowed to pocket
any excess for themselves. According to a May
Associated Press investigation, the policy, and
the amount, are unchanged to this day in 55
of the state’s 67 counties, and also unchanged
is the fact that sheriffs have cut the menus so
cleverly or drastically that some sheriffs still
make money on the deal. (The per-meal fee under
the National School Lunch program for lowincome students is $2.47.)
Mr. Gokhan Mutlu filed a lawsuit in May against
JetBlue Airways for more than $2 million after
he was ordered out of his seat by the captain
during a full New York-to-California flight and
told to stand up or go “hang out in the bathroom”
for the duration. Mutlu had only a gift ticket, and
an off-duty JetBlue employee who had originally
agreed to sit in the cockpit jump seat changed
her mind and thus was given Mutlu’s seat. Mutlu
pointed out that he was un-seat-belted during
turbulence and during the landing.
Not Exactly Hard Time:
In May, St. Catharines, Ontario, judge Stephen
Glithero released Wayne Ryczak on 14 months’
jail time already served, as punishment for
strangling a prostitute in his trailer home.
He claimed self-defense (improbable in such
a strangulation), but had pleaded guilty to
manslaughter, requesting via his lawyer a twoyear sentence.
Last year, Stephanie Grissom, driving 71 mph
in a 55-mph zone, accidentally struck and killed
a Howard County, Md., traffic officer when he
stepped onto the highway to motion for her to
pull over. In May 2008, the case was closed,
with Grissom fined $310 and three points on her
record.
Vendors in Qingdao, China (where Olympic
sailing events will take place in August), were
reportedly selling, as unofficial Olympics
souvenirs, key rings with heart-shaped plastic
charms that contained live (at least temporarily)
goldfish suspended in water. Animal protection
advocates were incredulous, according to a June
report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Unclear on the Concept
Denmark has already aroused Muslims’ ire for
a Danish newspaper’s publishing blasphemous
caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in 2006,
and in June, the country’s public broadcast
channel DR1 sponsored an Internet-voting
contest to choose among women (presumably
Muslims) modeling headscarves. The winner was
18-year-old Huda Falah, who is Iraqi and one
of the 46 women who submitted photographs.
DR1 insisted that the contest was more about
fashionable headscarves than a beauty contest
for the models. Among the prizes: an iPod and a
subscription to Muslim Girl magazine.
6
“This proves that we are normal,” said the
founder of the Liberty Gay Rodeo Association
in May during the organization’s event in a
Philadelphia suburb. The sight of rugged cowboys
and cowgirls, she said, dispels some sexual
stereotypes that have plagued gays and lesbians.
However, among the events (besides traditional
steer riding and calf roping) was “goat dressing”
(with pairs of contestants trying to put hot-pink
underwear on an uncooperative goat in the
shortest time, according to a Reuters report).
After motorist Mark Holder, 30, had a seizure in
Boynton Beach, Fla., in June, his car swerved off
the road and smashed into a sign, badly injuring
him. Emergency workers arrived and, protecting
against possible nerve damage, attempted to
put a brace on to stabilize his neck. However,
Holder became combative, and sheriff’s deputies
reported that they were forced to shoot Holder
“several times” with a Taser to calm him enough
that the brace could be fitted.
People With Issues
In Singapore in June, a 36-year-old man was
sentenced to 14 years in jail and 18 strokes of
the cane after he was convicted of 23 counts of
molesting women on elevators and other places,
mostly by sniffing their armpits.
In June, a masochist, with tastes similar to
those of the Ontario man reported here three
months ago, was sentenced to four years in
jail for encouraging two underage girls near
Bicester, England, to kick him repeatedly in the
groin until he could no longer handle the pain.
Least Competent Criminals
Not Ready for Prime Time:
James Milsom, 21, was arrested in Avon and
Somerset, England, in June after a hidden
camera in a police bait car caught him breaking
in and swiping the GPS device. It was his third
arrest in four months for breaking into a police
bait car to steal a GPS (caught by the hidden
camera each time).
In June, Reno, Nev., homicide detective David
Jenkins was sitting in his unmarked car (but
one with emergency lights on the dash and a
police radio blaring away) when Mercedes Green,
19, hopped in and, yelling to be heard over the
radio, propositioned him for sex. “You’re not the
police, are you?” she asked. “What do you think,”
he said. “I didn’t think so,” the streetwise woman
replied. After her arrest, Green explained: “You
wear glasses, and I didn’t think police could wear
them.”
Update
Luxury toilets were introduced in hygienesensitive Japan in the 1970s, and within 20
years, models were available to automatically
heat bottom-splashing water, take health
readings of bodily emissions, and supply music
and “white noise” to mask the movements, as
News of the Weird noted in 1990 and 2001.
Though the world is more environmentally
conscious, and Japan is among the leaders
among industrial nations in energy conservation,
the country has not been able to shake its
obsession with smart toilets, which consume
more electricity than dishwashers or clothes
dryers, according to a June Washington Post
dispatch from Tokyo. Said one energy consultant,
“For hygiene-conscious Japanese, the romance
with these toilets is equivalent to the American
romance with the Hummer.”
The Aristocrats!
A 28-year-old woman, unnamed by the Kitsap
(Wash.) Sun, was arrested in May and charged
with stealing her husband’s wallet and
subsequently assaulting an arresting officer.
According to deputies, she had awakened her
husband, 24, demanding sex, but he had rebuffed
her by insisting that from that point on, the
two of them would quit smoking, drinking and
cussing, limit their sexual activities and be
“good Christians.” Part or all of that did not sit
well with the wife, and police arrived to witness
her screaming (described as “blood-curdling”),
swearing, slamming doors and complaining
about her unsatisfactory sex life, while carrying
around a large bottle of whiskey. At one point,
she allegedly tossed the couple’s 20-pound dog at
#071008073008
veil as she slept. The man apologized and said he
would never do it again, but she said the customs
of her village (near the Saudi city of Khamis
Mushayt) dictate that he had contaminated the
marriage by seeing her face.
Questionable Judgments
A bus service that shuttles gamblers from
Colorado Springs to nearby mountain-town
casinos has been awarded $382,000 in Homeland
Security anti-terrorism grants, according to a
May report by the Colorado Springs Gazette.
Federal officials said the grants were part of the
Infrastructure Protection Activities program,
with the money used for “vehicle security,” GPS
systems and training drivers, which means,
according to a bus company official, teaching
them “to be aware of their surroundings, of
what’s unusual and the people on board.”
a deputy (who caught it safely).
Readers’ Choice
Two young men and a juvenile were charged in
May in Houston with corpse abuse after they
allegedly dug into a grave in a cemetery in the
town of Humble, removed the head, and took it
away in order to use it as a bong for smoking
marijuana
Jorge Espinal, 44, was taken to a hospital in Fort
Worth, Texas, in May after an early-morning
incident (alcohol was involved) in which he used
a loaded handgun to scratch a hand-to-reach itch
on his back and accidentally shot himself.
LEAD STORY
China continues to prepare for the Olympics:
Officials have issued a standard chanting routine
that all Chinese spectators should employ during
competitions (translated as “Olympics! Add
fuel!” with two claps and then both thumbs up,
then “China! Add fuel!” with two more claps
and raised fists, according to a June Reuters
dispatch). (“Add fuel” is apparently a traditional
motivational chant in China.) Also preparing was
Dr. Wei Sheng, the Chinese man who holds the
Guinness Book record of sticking 1,790 needles
in his head at one time. In June he stuck himself
with 2,008 pins in the Olympic design and colors.
Cultural Diversity
Dozens of spas operate in Russia’s Caucasus
Mountains region, exploiting the mineral springs
in the area, and apparently colonic treatment is
a specialty. In fact, in June, the Mashuk-Akva
Term spa in Zheleznovodsk unveiled a large
monument to the enema (an 800-pound brass
syringe bulb held aloft by three angels). “Let’s
beat constipation,” read one banner. Said the
sculptor: “This device is eternal; it will never
change. We could promote this brand, turn it
into a franchise with souvenirs and awards for
medical doctors.”
The reputation of the Japanese for being humble
is falling to Western norms among primaryschool parents, according to a June dispatch
from Tokyo in The Times of London. “Across
Japan, teachers are reporting an astonishing
change in the character of parents” as they
push for their children’s “rights.” In one school’s
performance of “Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs,” there were 25 Snow Whites after
“monster parents” bullied officials into admitting
that it was not fair to have just one kid in the
title role.
His countrymen are too polite, wrote French
doctor Frederic Saldmann in his new book
(translated as “Spring Cleaning”) and can
improve their health by uninhibitedly embracing
their bodily functions that he said too many
Frenchmen suppress. According to a May
dispatch from Paris in London’s Daily Telegraph,
Saldmann wrote that the intestines, stomach and
esophagus benefit if gas is expelled promptly and
pores freely excrete toxins. In fact, he wrote,
doing away with antiperspirants also facilitates
“a certain number of messages that are
potentially very attractive to the opposite sex.”
Officials in Chongqing, China, abruptly shut down
the lifestyle magazine New Travel Weekly in May
after it published a photo spread of sexy women
in lingerie posing in the rubble at one of the
country’s recent earthquake sites. The editorial
staff was fired and the company ordered into
“rectification,” which is apparently the process
of self-examination of what in the world the
company might have been thinking.
You’ve Been Left Behind LLC has begun offering
an e-mail service to Christians who are preparing
for the Rapture (in which all “true” Christians
ascend to heaven to meet the Lord). Since the
Rapture may commence suddenly, those chosen
may have to depart without saying goodbye
to their less worthy friends and besides will
leave their property behind during the ensuing
seven years before Armageddon. For $40 a year,
Christians can maintain an e-mail list of up to
62 people who would be notified and can store
encrypted electronic documents, such as PIN
numbers and powers of attorney. “There won’t
be any bodies,” the Web site warns, pointing out
an advantage of its service, “so probate court
(would) take (all) seven years (just) to clear
your assets to your next of kin.”
Fine Points of the Law
“Everyone knows what an ankle is,” said an
official of the association of Texas medical
doctors. Not so, said a lawyer representing Texas
podiatrists: “You don’t have an ankle. The foot
actually includes the ankle.” A state appeals
court in March sided with the medical doctors,
but the podiatrists say it’s not over yet and that
they may continue to treat ankles even though
they are licensed to work only on feet.
When the recent Midwest rains hit Wisconsin,
Lake Delton overflowed and completely drained
out, into the lower-lying Wisconsin River, and the
owner of a Lake Delton resort filed an insurance
claim for “loss of income” since guests, realizing
there was no “lake,” had canceled their plans.
So far, the resort’s insurer has refused to
pay because the whole thing was started by
uninsured “flooding,” even though the only
reason for income loss is that Lake Delton is dry.
Least Competent People
Not Ready for Prime Time:
Police quickly made an arrest in Hughes, Ark.
(pop. 1,800) in May after a Pepsi machine was
stolen from a liquor store; the distinct dolly
tracks led from the store to the man’s home,
and besides, he had left the machine in his front
yard.
Send your Weird News to [email protected]
or P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, FL 33679.
COPYRIGHT 2006 CHUCK SHEPHERD
DISTRIBUTED BY
UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111;
(816) 932-6600
A 50-year-old woman, married for 30 years,
asked for a divorce last October (according to
the Al-Arabiya news Web site in Dubai) because
her husband had peeked at her face under her
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
THE VALLEY PLANET
Let’s All Go to the Lobby...
Y
ou know, if this was a video adventure
column, you’d be seeing dancing
popcorn and singing candy right about
now, tempting you to buy sodas and snacks at
prices that rival mini-bars. However, this is in
print and the best I can do is just say what the
snack dance routine would look like, which is
not quite the same, and is probably just a waste
of ink, so I guess we’d best just move on at this
point and forget I even mentioned it.
...and get ourselves a treat.
Okay, now we’ll move on. Not surprisingly,
this adventure column will be about a
theater. Or more precisely, a theatre (which
is the same thing, only fancier). The Alabama
Theatre in Birmingham (1817 3rd Avenue
North) has started its summer movie series. It
lasts through August 24. Check the website
(alabamatheatre.com) for dates, movies
(Raiders of the Lost Ark, Blazing Saddles,
National Treasure to name a few) and times.
Tickets are $6 and the concession stand has
candy, boxes of popcorn, and a stocked bar
(and possibly movie-themed drinks).
When I went, they showed Jaws. It’s a
dramatic film about the struggle of a fish that
has to make some tough decisions when he
realizes that he’s developed a taste for long
pork. But since most everyone has seen it, I’ll
just concentrate on discussing the theater (re)
I saw it in.
The theatre was built in 1927, and is
absolutely gorgeous (the complete restoration
in 1998 didn’t hurt either). It’s old, it’s ornate,
it’s classic, and it feels like it should be filled
with people wearing hats and smoking while
Movietone News tells them the goings on with
popular celebrities like Ava Gardner and Bob
Hope.
It also helps to have a classic Wurlitzer organ
that ascends from below the stage. And then
they have singalongs. There is that odd feeling
that you’ve left the 21st century behind when
you walk through the door.
The theatre has two balconies and then two
separate box seats on the side. I’ve never
been in the separate ones, nor have I even
seen them open, but it is a goal of mine to
eventually watch something from one of
those. I’ll dress fancy and bring my opera
glasses, and other patrons will look up and
say “My goodness, she must be a princess!” It
could happen you know. Till that day comes,
I’ll just have to focus on plan b: hope it’s left
unlocked accidentally (or learn the fine art of
lock picking, I mean it looks so easy on TV).
Oh, and you need to go to the bathroom. Or
maybe you don’t. Maybe you went before you
left the house. Regardless, you should check
them out. They’re all fancy and stuff with
antique decor and an old circular couch that
can best be described as the kind you’d see in
a 1920s hotel lobby.
In general, I would suggest looking around
after a show. Just respect the history. Look,
don’t touch. If they’re feeling generous, they
might let you get a better look at the Wurlitzer,
maybe get on stage, take a few pictures,
pretend you’re a star...
So, next time you’re in the mood for a movie,
a show, a concert (I saw Morrissey play there
once), I would suggest the short trip to the
Magic City to do it up properly. Just don’t
forget to bring a hat and a fast talking dame.
Free Admission
to the Valley Planet
Birthday Party for Everyone!
THE VALLEY PLANET
#071008073008
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
7
Bonnaroo 2008:
Jams Reign Supreme
by Fonda Davis
I
n spite of slogans like “Make Metal, Not
Rain” and “MetalliRoo” widely seen
and heard at this year’s Bonnaroo, and
the blatant abuse of the universal “metal
horns” hand gesture, the Jams were still at
the heart of Bonnaroo 2008. As it was in the
beginning, it is still, and for many fans will
ever be so.
Back Door Slam, Metallica, and
the Avett Brothers at Bonnaroo 2008
by Southern Tracks
T
he seventh annual Bonnaroo Music and
Arts Festival kicked off on Thursday
June 12th. The four day festival brought
a diverse line-up and many activities for
festival-goers this year as it continues to
grow and expand beyond its jam band roots.
In comparison to last year’s heat and drought
conditions (aka Dustaroo), the weather this
year was great. As second year veterans, we
decided to go with VIP tickets, giving us
access to showers, bathrooms, free food, and
a campsite in relatively close proximity to
the eleven stages and non-stop music. Even
though we were much closer than last year,
we still managed to miss some of the bands
that were on our agenda due to the sheer size
of Centeroo, which is the area of the 700-acre
Bonnaroo farm that contains the music and
comedy stages, the Silent Disco, and artist and
merchant areas, among many others.
We kicked off our 2008 Bonnaroo experience
with Back Door Slam on Thursday night.
The band is composed of Davy Knowles
(guitars & vocal), Ross Doyle (drums) and
Adam Jones (bass), all from Isle of Mann in
the British Isles. They are a self-described
contemporary/traditional blues-rock band. In
addition to songs from their recently released
debut album, Roll Away, the young band
treated their audience to an amazing cover
of Jimi Hendrix’s “Red House.” They played
a fantastic set for their adoring fans that
obviously enjoyed the band’s take on modern
blues-rock.
After missing The Avett Brothers at the
Crossroads in Huntsville recently, I wanted to
make sure we caught their show at Bonnaroo.
We missed a few others to make the trek to the
far side of Centeroo but it was definitely worth
the trip. They are a progressive bluegrass
band, if fitting into any category, that plays
with the intensity of the hardest rockers I’ve
ever seen. I had listened to some of their studio
music but did not have a true appreciation
for this band until I saw them perform live.
Saturday was the hottest day of the festival
but I had chills from the moment I crouched
in front of their stage and started to absorb
what was happening in front of me. I will have
to say this was probably my favorite show of
the festival, just because it was so unexpected.
Not to say I didn’t enjoy the many other artists
we saw and heard, but this performance stood
out to me, which says a lot considering their
competition (except for Kanye West, but that’s
a whole other story). If you haven’t been to an
Avett Brothers show, I highly recommend it.
Despite the widespread skepticism of
Metallica’s place on the Bonnaroo lineup,
they ended up being one of the highlights of
the weekend. Bonnaroo is typically known as
a hippie-fest, so the skepticism was somewhat
warranted. Why were they brining harder acts
like Metallica, Pearl Jam and Mastadon? The
answer to this is that Bonnaroo is constantly
evolving to include more diversity in its
lineup, as a good music festival should.
There were many people who predicted an
apocalyptic event taking place when they
took to the main stage at Bonnaroo this year.
Even some their true fans were somewhat
doubtful of a successful performance. When
we asked some local metal heads if they had
heard Metallica was playing Bonnaroo, they
shrugged and said “I haven’t listened to any of
their stuff since the Black album anyways...”
Back to the show... the What Stage area was
packed. There were no tents burning, metal
heads killing hippies, or young kittens being
sacrificed though. It was a headliner show
almost like any other. Chris Rock introduced
the band and they came out with as much
energy and intensity as ever. The band
addressed the crowd several times and was
obviously excited to be appearing before
The Raconteurs
second CD, “Consolers of the Lonely” in
the spring to excellent reviews. Playing on
the main stage at Bonnaroo seems to suit the
band as they started off with the title track
from the new CD and followed with several
more new cuts before going back to older
material and playing a bring-the-house-down
slow jam of “Store Bought Bones” from the
first Raconteurs CD “Broken Boy Soldier”
followed by a stunning performance of “Blue
Veins” and “Level”. They ended their set
with “Carolina Drama”, a dark, story-song
that is classic Jack White.
the Bonnaroo crowd. They played: Creeping
Death, For Whom The Bell Tolls, Ride
The Lightning, Harvester Of Sorrow, The
Unforgiven, ...And Justice For All, Devil’s
Dance, Disposable Heroes, Welcome Home
(Sanitarium), Master Of Puppets, Whiplash,
Nothing Else Matters, Sad But True, One,
Enter Sandman. For the encore they treated
the crowd to Last Caress, So What, and Seek
& Destroy. Metallica definitely rocked out and
won over many fans in the process. It was
entertaining to see two older hippie ladies
dressed in their tie-dyed garb dancing beside
me during the entire show. While their music
may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it cannot be
argued that their show was one of the best of
the weekend.
Metallica
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Let me preface this by saying it is very rare for
me to be negative towards any artist. Although
I may not particularly enjoy their music, I am
pretty open-minded and have a lot of respect
for people who put their heart and soul into
being a musician. However, I don’t feel Kanye
West is one of these people and while he had
the opportunity to prove himself to many
skeptics (as Metallica did); he pulled a stunt
that was uncalled for and quite lame if you ask
me. Originally set to play on the smaller of the
main stages at the same time Jack Johnson
was playing the bigger of the main stages, he
demanded to be moved to a 2:45 a.m. time slot
on the festival’s biggest stage. When I awoke
at 4:30 a.m. to Goldigger, I assumed he had
While there are many things to see and do
at Bonnaroo, like shop at the various crafts
merchants set up in Centeroo; or eat at one
of the many food vendors selling everything
from Greek sampler platters to arepas (a
personal favorite, sort of like corncakes filled
with mozzarella cheese); get a haircut and
shampoo (courtesy of Garnier Fructis); or try
your skill at out-pitching a major league star
(virtually of course). For me and most other
attendees it is still all about the music. And
what better way to start off a full afternoon of
music than with Jack White’s “other” band,
The Raconteurs? The band released their
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
The Avett Brothers
been playing for a couple of hours. We later
found out he did not take the stage until 4:
20. There were also rumors that he demanded
Phil Lesh end early so that he would be the
only performance during his set. In addition
to this, he never addressed the crowd, never
apologized for being late and ended his set
early, after only having played for an hour.
And this over-hyped “Glow in the Dark” tour
that was supposed to be such a big deal? Well,
it’s kind of a moot point if the sun is coming
up right?
After arriving home exhausted, we realized
that even though Bonnaroo takes a lot of hard
work, it’s always worth the trip. This year we
even awoke refreshed as if we had really taken
a vacation and were already looking forward to
next year. The best thing about Bonnaroo is the
worst thing about Bonnaroo. Nowhere else do
you have the opportunity to see so many artists
in one location in four days. And nowhere else
do you miss so many artists in one location in
four days. Bonnaroo is something every music
lover should experience at least once and with
it being only a few miles up the road, we’re
still amazed at the people we talk to around
town that say “Bonna-who?”
All photos by Southern Tracks JM & Jen Mullins
THE VALLEY PLANET
One of the first, and many would say the best,
sure-bet jams of the festival happened when
the clock struck midnight Friday June 13 and
My Morning Jacket took over the Which
Stage for what they had promised would be
the CD Release Party for their new CD “Evil
Urges” released three days prior on June 10.
And release is exactly what the five-member
band from Lexington, KY, provided for the
tens of thousands of fans that reveled for
more than three hours in the pouring rain
to hear the band perform almost every song
from the new CD. In addition to incredible
new songs like “Touch Me I’m Going To
Scream Pt 2” and the Prince-esque “Highly
Suspicious” the water-logged but not-atall-suffering crowd was treated to MMJ
standards like “Golden” and “Run Thru”.
The band also performed several covers
B.B.King
ranging from the Velvet Underground’s “Oh
Sweet Nuthin’s” to Motley Crue’s “Home
Sweet Home”. But perhaps the biggest
cheer came when Kirk Hammet of Metallica
came onstage to perform the band’s biggest
hit, “One Big Holiday” at the height of the
rainstorm. Pure Bonnaroo magic.
Like the Manchester, TN farmland after
a good rainstorm, Saturday at Bonnaroo
always dawns new and refreshing, and
what better way to start off a full Saturday
afternoon of music than with a living legend?
B.B. King, at 82, may have had to have to sit
through his set, but he played like a man 50
years younger. He was awarded the keys to
the city of Manchester by the Mayor before
the performance started and though he has
won and been given many higher accolades,
he accepted as graciously as if it were a
lifetime achievement Grammy. That, my
friends, is Class. Playing such classics as
“You Are My Sunshine” and “Guess Who?”
King made reference to the fact that he is still
doing what he loves. “People say to me now,
‘B.B., why don’t you just go home?’ How
could I live if I couldn’t see your smiling
faces?” I hope he keeps us all keep smiling
for many, many more years.
Bonnaroo traditionally saves its crown
jewels for Saturday night, and this year was
no exception. It wasn’t diamonds, but pearls
the fans wanted, Pearl Jam that is. Eddie
Vedder and crew haven’t really played the
big festival circuit since Denmark’s Roskilde
Festival in 2000, where several concertgoers
were killed.
Speaking to their noticeable absence from
the festival scene, Vedder said, “But after
you see B.B. King, and Jack Johnson, and
Cat Power, to be up here right now, you
realize it can really work.” Especially for a
band like Pearl Jam whose expressive lyrics
and long, bluesy solos lend themselves to
extended jam sessions in the midst of tried
and true radio mainstays. And especially at
a place like Bonnaroo where the fans trend
towards earlier Pearl Jam material off the
“Vs”, “Yield”, or “No Code” era recordings
and relish in the obscure material brought out
just for them. Material Pearl Jam rarely plays
in arena concerts like “W.M.A”, “Release”,
and “Hard To Imagine”. A hauntingly
beautiful version of “Black” was introduced
by Vedder as “playing the saddest song we
know” to what at that time were probably
the happiest people on earth. When the band
broke out the classics like “Evenflow” and
“Better Man”, Vedder actually paused midlyric during the latter when the entire crowd
was lit with cell phones and lighters and the
enormity of the tens of thousands strong
Bonnaroo crowd stretching well back to
the barricades on all sides was exposed fullforce. “That’s (effing) beautiful,” he said,
as a small city exploded in cheers. A cover
of the Who’s “Love Reign O’er Me” and
Jimi Hendrix “All Along The Watchtower”
galvanized the lovefest between band
and crowd. Vedder, well-known for his
political diatribes, addressed rising gas
prices and American political unrest but was
somewhat low-key, noting that there was
a time and place for such discussion and
reminding everyone of their own ability and
responsibility to effect change.
would be a headliner for Bonnaroo 2008 had
been swirling since the band had announced
they would be reuniting for a one-off concert
in England in late 2007. Unfortunately the
rumors did not come to complete fruition,
but at least one member of the band was
playing Bonnaroo. Robert Plant and Allison
Krauss released a CD in 2008, “Raising
Sand” and are touring in support of the CD.
An unlikely duo at first listen, but the steam
builds quickly between the two and Plant is
one of the most dynamic performers to ever
take any stage anywhere! Their performance
of “Black Dog” may not have been pure
Zeppelin but it was purely breathtaking none
the less. When Krauss sang “Down To The
River To Pray” from the “O Brother Where
Art Thou” Soundtrack with Plant and T-Bone
Burnett on backing vocals, it was another
magic Bonnaroo moment. But definitely one
of the highlights of the festival was the Plant/
Krauss duet of “The Battle of Evermore”,
it may not have been the largest crowd
at Bonnaroo, but the entire audience was
singing along and the cheer at the end could
not have been louder. While Widespread
Panic may have been the “official” closing
band, Plant and Krauss brought the house
down in grand Bonnaroo style.
In the end, it was an unlikely political figure
that caused the most controversy at Bonnaroo
2008: Kanye West. While Pearl Jam’s
incredible set did run a mere 45 minutes
over, they were still unable to perform one of
their most beloved hits, “Yellow Ledbetter”
due to time constraint limits to enable
West to set up for his “Glow In The Dark”
performance scheduled for 2:45 am Sunday
morning. The performance was delayed,
supposedly because of the 45 minute Pearl
Jam overrun and set breakdown/assembly
issues until 4:30 am Sunday morning.
The delay was only announced at the last
minute and not communicated well to the
waiting crowd. The delay and inadequate
communication of the delay and subsequent
shortened performance turned the Bonnaroo
crowd squarely against West to the point of
there being very bad feelings from most of
the crowd and several of the other Bonnaroo
performers. Robert Randolph was quite open
about his disdain for the way West handled
the situation and had very harsh words for
his fellow Bonnaroo performer. Perhaps the
best summations of the feelings of most were
summed up by a sign posted near a mound
of horse droppings on Sunday afternoon:
“Don’t Step In The Kanye West”.
If there was any performer at Bonnaroo
that could create enough buzz to overcome
the “Kayne” vibe, it had to be Robert Plant.
Anticipation that a reunited Led Zeppelin
THE VALLEY PLANET
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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
9
More Pet Photos
Getting There is Half the Fun
Even with gas prices flirting with $5 a gallon,
there is no greater relief from your boring day
job than a good road trip. I’ve often said my
dream vacation is renting an RV, and filling
it with five of my closet friends, and heading
west for two weeks on the road.
Missing Pet? sent in by Steve Peters
Like most of Generation X, I saw a good
bit of the country from the back seat of a
station wagon in the 70s (wearing no seat
belts - naturally). My dad had to stop at
every historic marker from Huntsville to
Washington D.C. Of course now I do the
very same thing.
Here are some great road trip movies to put
in your NetFlix queue this summer. Hey, at
least it is cheaper than filling up your tank.
The Straight Story – Believe it or not, David
Lynch has directed a G rated movie. This
is a true story of Alvin Straight, played
by Richard Farnsworth, who drives a
lawnmower across Iowa & Wisconsin to
visit his ailing estranged brother.
Mabel Roxe sent in by George Hellman
Hitchcock songs. I remember my dad playing
me The Temptations, Jimi Hendrix and Neil
Young, back when I thought Whitesnake was
important.
Invisible City
music... One loved Nine Inch Nails, another
adored the Pixies and most of them seemed
to dig The Cure. One girl was obsessed with
classical music and would blast it at insane
volumes; she also smoked while playing
tennis. I learned a lot from them.
by Brad Posey
H
ow does the music find us? How is
it that the songs we love come in to
our lives? What if I’d never heard
Bo Diddly, Leonard Cohen, Led Zeppelin,
Black Sabbath, Billie Holiday, Johnny Cash,
The Ramones, Jane’s Addiction, Al Green or
Bob Dylan? Over half of my brain-matter
is comprised of old song lyrics and lust.
Any intelligence I have is only exercised
through music. Other people know history,
astro-physics, math, and mechanics. I know
music, but what I don’t know could fill up
a hundred swimming pools. I am a good
student. I study everyday. I have a 6-disc
CD changer in my car. I have 4 CD players
in my house. I listen to music when I cook,
swim, garden, paint and fold clothes.
These days our cell phones are jukeboxes.
Music is on every car commercial and in
10
Brad Posey
every sitcom, but let’s face it, MTV has
turned to crap. Our friends are still our best
resources. Keith keeps playing me Gojira
and Lamb Of God. Daniel tells me to listen
to Ben Harper, Damien Rice and The Blind
Boys Of Alabama. I don’t remember much
about my ex-girlfriends except their taste in
#071008073008
On road trips my wife, Jessica and I
subconsciously push the speakers of
our minivan into new and interesting
dimensions. I’ll play Tom Waits and she’ll
play Marilyn Manson. I’ll play The Shins
and she’ll play Rosemary Clooney. I pop
in The Flaming Lips and then she plays The
Muppets. If I put in Weezer she turns off the
radio. We both love John Prine, Iris Dement,
Roger Alan Wade and Nina Simone. Maybe
who we are isn’t what we are like but what
we like. Maybe we are just the sum of our
interests. I like this, you like the same thing...
Oh look we are friends! My oldest daughter
is 5 and likes David Bowie; this makes me
smile big wide smiles. She, her little brother
and I walk around in the yard and sing Robyn
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
There is an old Otis Redding song and in
it the lyrics are, “I was born on a river-in a
little tent-and oh, just like that river-I been
running ever since…” Time is a river, it
moves along into the future and we move
with it. Anything we ever loved, I believe
we always love to some extent, whether that
is an ex-husband or Motley Crue. I read
somewhere that every seven years our bodies
completely rebuild themselves with all new
cells. We change, our desires change. We
survive and adapt or we die. But, I don’t
think we ever lose anything we had or were.
I don’t think of life as a shedding of skins.
It’s more like our orbits keep expanding
throughout our lives. We make new friends,
assimilate new influences and have new
experiences. I am still the little brown-eyed
boy with the bad Beatles haircut and the Kiss
lunchbox, but flip through the cards, past
diamonds and hearts, past queens and kings,
through the years to now. I’m 35, married, a
father to 3 beautiful children. It’s true I look
a little like Rob Zombie if he went on a 6
month cheeseburger binge, but I am happy,
alive and I’ve got Mudcrutch on the radio. I
am rock n roll.
Vacation – Chevy Chase and his
misadventures on a family road trip to
Wally World gone wrong. One of those
classic comedies that gets funnier with every
viewing.
start, and running from the police. Be on the
lookout for a young Brad Pitt.
Deliverance – Well, another road trip gone
wrong, but a good buddy movie nevertheless.
This movie still holds up in spite of all the
Dueling Banjos clichés.
It Happened One Night – Clark Gable &
Claudette Colbert star in a 1934 screwball
road trip comedy. After Gable appeared
shirtless, it caused the nationwide sales of
undershirts to plummet.
Sideways – Another great buddy movie
starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden
Church as lifelong friends embarking on one
last fling in California wine country before
Church’s impending wedding.
Lost in America – Albert Brooks, inspired
by the movie Easy Rider, quits his job and
along with his wife, played by Julie Hagerty,
they head off to rediscover America in a
Winnebago.
Into the Wild - The true story of Christopher
McCandless, a twenty something who
abandoned the restrictions of society to live
off the land for two years, which culminates
in the harsh wilderness of Alaska. Directed
by Sean Penn, it’s one of my favorite movies
from 2007.
Motorcycle Diaries – A Spanish film starring
Gael García Bernal as a young Che Guevara
motorcycling his way across South America.
Thelma & Louise – A road trip movie with
a feminist theme. Geena Davis and Susan
Sarandon star as two women seeking a fresh
Easy Rider – A counterculture film directed
by Dennis Hopper, traveling along with
Peter Fonda, the pair rides motorcycles from
Los Angeles, to attend Mardi Gras in New
Orleans. Hopper and Fonda actually took
acid during the filming of the New Orleans
cemetery sequence.
Ed Killingsworth, film nerd, still has
his rubber spear from Cherokee, North
Carolina
The Invisible City with Brad Posey is
streaming now at www.wlrh.org, go to the
website, select Programs/schedule and then
choose Audio On Demand to listen to an
episode of The Invisible City. Soon to be an
“on air” program on WLRH.
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE VALLEY PLANET
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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
11
Lisa Loeb
Interview
B
Roger Alan Wade at the
KaffeeKlatsch July 19
R
by Ed Killingsworth
oger Alan Wade is coming to
Huntsville. You have been warned.
One part comedian, one part redneck
philosopher and one hell of a rowdy country
journeyman. Imagine a cross between Blue
Collar Comedy Tour alumni Ron “Tater
Salad” White and outlaw country legend
Billy Joe Shaver and you are half way there.
Roger has written songs for Johnny Cash,
Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and George
Jones. He scored a #1 hit for Hank Williams
Jr., writing “Country State Of Mind”.
elieve it or not, it has been 15 years
since singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb hit
#1 with her single, ‘Stay’. Along with
her trademark tortoiseshell glasses, Lisa Loeb
will be performing at the Merrimack Hall in
Huntsville on Tuesday July 8th. In addition
to a recording career, Loeb has appeared in
several TV shows, had her own show on the
Food Network, and most recently, #1 Single,
a reality show on E! Channel,.
Ed: After graduating from Brown University,
what made you move to NYC in the early
90s? Was it in NYC when you became
friends with Ethan Hawke?
Lisa Loeb: (laughs) Oh you are so
welcome!
Lisa Loeb: Yes, I had an existing band at the
time, Liz & Lisa, and we had some record
companies interested in signing us. While it
might have been risky, we felt like we had a
safety net. It was actually at Brown, through
some other friends, that I met Ethan Hawke
and other cast members of the movie Alive.
Lisa Loeb: I always wanted to make a kid’s
record, and then I started having nieces, so
I thought it was the perfect opportunity to
make a kid’s record.
Ed: Your current album just came out last
week, Camp Lisa. Why a children’s record?
Ed: How did you have a single Stay without
an album?
Ed: Now the proceeds of the sales of Camp
Lisa will go to the Camp Lisa Foundation, an
organization that sends underprivileged kids
to camp.
Lisa Loeb: When the song came out, as a
band, we needed to promote the song and
tour, so that meant we couldn’t be in the
studio. I was managing myself at the time,
so I wanted to sign with the right record
company, and have all the business aspects
of it to be in order.
Lisa Loeb: Yes, I though it would be fun to
show kids how fun camp is if they have never
been, and we work with an organization
called Scope, that finds kids and sends them
to camp.
Ed: I have seen you in concert before, as
one of the headliners at Lilith Fair. Do you
still perform on the Festival circuit such as
Bonnaroo or Newport Folk Festival?
Ed: So you went to camp as a kid?
Lisa Loeb: No I didn’t play at Bonnaroo, but
would like to. It is fun to play at festivals, but
I have so many projects going on; I just can’t
be everywhere all the time.
Lisa Loeb: Oh yes. If you have been to
camp you know how much fun it is to sing
around the campfire, learn a crafts, and
develop friendships. There has been research
that shows kids that go to camp learn about
community, leadership, and learn to respect
each other. So there are a lot of benefits to
camp.
Ed: Looking at your upcoming concert
schedule, there are a lot of bookings at
Barnes & Noble.
Ed: What was your experience like with
your reality show #1 Single, and how did
that develop?
Lisa Loeb: We had worked with Barnes
& Noble on the Catch the Moon record, so
the relationship already existed. It is a great
partnership with them, and a great place to
hang out with adults as well as kids.
Lisa Loeb: At the time, I was just out
of relationship with Dweezil Zappa and
someone suggested I do a reality show.
Originally, I thought it was a terrible idea.
But once I got involved with E!, I loved
the production side of it; being a producer,
editing, being on camera, and of course doing
the music. The show was representative of
my real life, other than some of the other
celebrity shows. I felt it was important not
to show the typical bad behavior Hollywood
life. People still come up to me and say that
they date because of the show.
Ed: Speaking of Barnes & Noble, I take it
you are a big reader.
Lisa Loeb: I am huge reader. I also admit to
being a fan of Facebook.
Ed: Ah yes, well thank you for being my
Facebook friend.
Ed: How did you get to work with NetFlix
and outdoor screenings?
You might have seen Roger in Jackass The
Movie, singing along with his cousin Johnny
Knoxville and his merry band of daredevil
misfits. Roger Alan Wade has been featured
several times on Howard Stern, MTV and
MTV2. Like Todd Snider and Tim Wilson,
Roger’s humorous songs have appeared on
many radio programs across America.
In Remembrance
There is Life
L
owe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
presents a one man show of grand
character and significance – “In
Remembrance There is Life” by the artist
Harold Turner, on Friday, the Eighteenth
day of July, in the year of our Lord, Two
Thousand and Eight, from the hour of Six
o’clock p.m. until the hour of Nine o’clock
that evening.
Roger Alan Wade’s songs are very funny,
populated by characters that would be right
at home on an episode of Cops or My Name
Is Earl, but for every cheap laugh in “All
Likkered Up” and “D.R.U.N.K. S.O.B.”,
there is a simple poetic strength in songs
like “Sweet Wine Of Sorrow” and “If You’re
Gonna Be Dumb, You Got To Be Tough”.
A refreshment of fine summer punch and
sweets will be served by our Ladies Grace
and Tina. If you wish for something more
filling, our Ladies Catherine and Ellis, will
be opening up their new restaurant, Happy
Tummy, from the high noon hour until the
evening hour of eight p.m on that particular
Friday.
Roger Alan Wade will be performing at
Kaffee Klatsch Bar, Saturday night, July
19th. Potty mouth duo Bad Ass 3000 will
be opening the show. Bad Ass 3000 is
recommended if you like Tenacious D or The
Moldy Peaches. If you want a beer and a
laugh, everything starts about 8pm.
Artist Harold Turner’s show will be hung
up in the downstairs room of the historic
Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive, and can be
observed from the day of July 18th through
the day of July 25th. It can also be seen
during Huntsville’s gallery tour, in which
Lowe Mill is participating, on Thursday, July
24th. Please visit Harold Turner’s website
with the address of www.haroldart.com,
as well as the website of Lowe Mill at
www.lowemill.net. Your presence will be
greatly applauded and appreciated!
The Vicious Circle
The Arts Council Gives You T
an art@TAC!
here is a new “old” band in town! The
Vicious Circle rocked the Huntsville
nightclub scene in the early 90’s and, true
to their name, they are back & better than ever.
art@TAC Gallery
Von Braun Center
700 Monroe Street, SW
(256) 519-2787 (ARTS)
The Arts Council’s new art@TAC Gallery started as
a means to benefit the public attending Von Braun
Center activities, as well as VBC employees, by
beautifying the walls with local art. Thanks to
cooperation between TAC and VBC personnel—and a
welcomed grant from the Jane K. Lowe Foundation—
it has transmogrified into both a service to the visual
arts community, a greater public presence for the
council, and an “Arts in Education” component. The
gallery will house from three to four shows annually,
with representatives from professional and emerging
artists; in addition, works from children involved in
such youth outreach programs as the Boys and Girls
Clubs will be included. For these community youthcentered organizations, a variety of art activities
or supplies can be provided to assist in producing
art for the gallery. Furthermore, TAC will provide
framing—for the shows only—for the children’s
works that are selected.
Initially art@TAC will house two-dimensional
works. Meanwhile, funding will be sought for
sculpture cabinets and/or vitrines. Work from
professional and emerging artists will be available
for sale, which will also assist with the gallery’s
upkeep. All gallery shows will be open to the public
during special receptions, regular business hours, and
as patrons attend VBC performances and events.
All art@TAC shows will be juried for quality and
content, with the selection process eventually based
on digital images. On average, TAC can house 50-70
pieces of art depending on size (no smaller than 16”
x 20” and no larger than 8’ x 10’). Each year, one
show will partner with the Alabama Tourism Bureau/
Huntsville Convention and Visitors Bureau’s “Year
of Alabama” promotion and be themed accordingly.
The inaugural show is themed “Huntsville” (person,
place, or thing). Generally the rest of the shows will
be open in content.
Gordon Cooper on the drums and Tim Ryan
on bass guitar are the two original members
of the band. They have added Philip Patterson
on lead guitar and Dave Rome on vocals. The
combination is awesome!
The band plays a wide range of “cover songs”
from Pink Floyd and Steppenwolf to Matchbox
20 and Audio Slave, as well as a number of
original tunes. They can please a crowd from
21 to 61!
by Margo Lavender
They are working on a CD of original music
and on their web page – both to be completed
within the next couple of months!
But don’t take my word for it – they are playing
July 12th at the Coppertop on Oakwood
Avenue in Huntsville. We hope you will come
out & listen to the show – then judge them for
yourselves!
If you would like to contact them, Gordon
Cooper can be reached at 755-1293 or you can
reach Tim Ryan at 479-5311
The opening art@TAC reception will be held in
the hallways of the VBC near the TAC offices on
Sunday, July 13 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Included
in “Huntsville” will be such area artists as Sam
Tumminello, Katrina Weber, Alan Davis, Johanna
Littleton, José Betancourt, Brandon Gardner, and
Kara Fuller. The next show prospectus will be out
around August, with the next open show slated for
October. Pictured here is one of the selections for the
opening show, “Chasing Meaning,” by Dana Brown.
For further information, call (256) 529-2787 (ARTS),
ext. 207.
Lisa Loeb: Netflix was looking for a host. I
love movies and traveling, so I thought that
was a perfect fit. And of course I now have a
lifetime subscription to NetFlix.
Ed: You are a big collector of Hello Kitty
items?
Lisa Loeb: I have been a huge fan of
Hello Kitty since I was a kid. The Japanese
company (Sanrio) heard I was a fan, so we
started an ongoing relationship with that cute
cat. (laughs)
Ed: Well thank you so much for your time,
and I look forward to hearing you perform
again.
Lisa Loeb: You’re welcome. Thank you.
“Chasing Meaning” by Dana Brown
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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE VALLEY PLANET
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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
13
’s
O
H
C
R
A
N
A
DR
Rx for Old Stuff That Don’t Suck
N
ow and again even the most ardent of music collectors stumble across bands that
have been around for years, sometimes decades, that we may have heard of, but not
heard much of, and we wonder how and why we missed them.
Sometimes it’s geography. A group will be hugely popular in one area of the country and
relatively unknown in the others except for underground and cult followings. It can even be
continental; many of these regional acts are hugely popular in Europe.
You listen to these bands and even under the scrutiny of a critic’s ear they seem to have it
all: the musicianship, an ability to write really good songs, the sound, tightness as a band,
the looks, the personality, great energy and stage presence in their live shows, the whole
enchilada. They had everything except the hits and recognition they deserved on a national
scale. They always seem on the verge of that big break but remain just outside looking in,
close enough to taste it.
Among these really good perennial almost was bands is the John Cafferty and the Beaver
Brown Band. Nine out of ten of you are saying, “Who the hell is that?” When I tell you it’s
the “real” band that did the Eddie and The Cruisers soundtracks, you’ll go, “Oh, yeah. Them. I
loved that.”
That was their “big break” but it didn’t amount to much more than fleeting recognition on a
national scale.
Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes are another group that almost made it really big.
They’re from New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen’s New Jersey. Some think the popularity of
Springsteen overshadowed SSJ & the Jukes and doomed them to second-class citizenry.
That’s hard to believe. Music should stand on its own, not where it came from. If it’s a
competition, I’d rather listen to The Jukes than Springsteen.
Satellite radio gives some of these regional bands a chance to be heard on a wider scale.
That’s where I listened to enough of them to ask myself, “Why haven’t we heard more from
these guys?”
If you like old school R&B, you’ll like them. If you don’t like horns, you won’t.
Give them a listen. Maybe you can tell me.
Incidentally, if you can believe the websites, Southside Johnny himself has quit the band
and joined a religious order somewhere. The “why” question must have sent him over the
edge. Perhaps it’s proof of what decades of sex, drugs, and rock & roll can do to you.
Dr. Anarcho’s Rx For Old Stuff That Don’t Suck is: Fever! The anthology 1976 - 1991 by
Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes.
Tracks are:
1. I Don’t Want To Go Home
2. The Fever
3. You Mean So Much To Me
4. Sweeter Than Honey
5. Love On The Wrong Side Of Town
6. This Time It’s For Real
7. Hearts Of Stone
8. Talk To Me
9. Take It Inside
10. This Time Baby’s Gone For Good
11. All I Want Is Everything
12. I’m So Anxious
13. Paris
14. Living In The Real World
15. Love When It’s Strong
16. Restless Heart
17. Long Distance
18. Better Days
19. Coming Back
20. Been A Long Time
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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
The Valley’s Most Complete
MUSICCALENDAR
Thursday
July10
3rd Base Grill, Donnie Cox
Benchwarmer, Karaoke w/Carol
Benchwarmer, Too, DJ
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Redd Letters (duo)
Boondock’s, Tony Brooks Band
Crossroads (See ad pg. 15),
Bonepony (Happy Hour Live Music 6-8)
Finnegan’s Pub, Slip Jig
Halftime Bar and Grill,
Tune Doctors Karaoke w/Brian Holder
Hopper’s, DJ Justin (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Juice
Jazz Factory, Jim Cavender
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Dave Anderson
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14),
Rudy Mockabee and the Music Company
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina,
Karaoke with JD Pollard
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill (See ad pg. 15),
Karaoke
Partner’s (See ad pg. 14), Karaoke
Philby’s Pourhouse, Ant and Andrew
Russ T’s (Scottsboro), Jacob Lyda
Sammy T’s Music Hall, Ladies Night w/Live Music
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14), 5 O’Clock Charlie
The Docks (Scottsboro), Kenny and Trey
The Nook, Maple Hill 6-9
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill,
Ladies Night w/Ben Trussell
Friday
July11
11th Frame Bar, Karaoke
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 27),
Christina Lynn and Chuck
Black Water Hattie’s, C.O. Jones
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Saw Mill Road
Boondock’s, Ugli Stick
Club Ozz, Karaoke w/ Miss Sweet “T”
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See Ad pg. 16),
Robert Galloway
Boombox (Alan Little and Jay Wilson 6-8)
El Herradura, Pat Nickel’s One Man Band
Finnegan’s Pub, Sing Along with Nancy
Flying Monkey Arts Center,
Sandia Art Party (8pm, $5)
Furniture Factory, The Scratch Band
Hard Dock Café, Juice
Hog Wild, Bonified
Hopper’s, Peter and the Wolf (8:30)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Ben Deignan
Jazz Factory, ShameTown + The Swing Shift
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Toy Shop
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14), Crush
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, Lucky Lefties
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina, 46 Hush
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Hot Rod Otis
Partner’s (See ad pg. 14), Marge Loveday
Philby’s Pourhouse, Ant and Andrew
Port of Madison (Holiday Inn),
Roberta and Hot Mixx 7-11
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14), Pla’ Station
The Brick, Big Tastey
The Docks (Scottsboro), Live Music
The Nook, Gentle Ben and his Trained Guitar 6-9
The Station, Blackeyed Susan
Ben Trussell w/Jessica Dawn
Saturday
July12
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 27), Devere Pride
Belvidere Market, Live Music Jam Session
Black Water Hattie’s, Ricky Carden
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), 4 Door Ramblers
Boomers, The Legend Band
Boondock’s, Jerry Fordham
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See Ad pg.16),
Open Mic Night at 7pm
Coppertop (See ad pg. 16), Vicious Circle
Crossroads (See ad pg. 15), Noise Organization
Finnegan’s Pub, Dave Merriman
Furniture Factory, Radio X
Hard Dock Café, Groove
Hog Wild, Bonified
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Toy Shop
Jazz Factory, Jim Cavender + Charlie Lyle Quintet
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Live Music
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14), Full Circle
Latoya and Company
Second Hand Lincoln
Partner’s (See ad pg. 14), Live Music
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE VALLEY PLANET
Philby’s Pourhouse, Rob Aldridge
Sammy T’s Music Hall, Splendid Chaos
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14),
The Breakers (members of the Crawlers, new band)
The Brick, Erin Mitchell Band
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Live Music
West End Grill, Karaoke
Sunday
July13
Black Water Hattie’s, Bob Walters Banned
Casa Montego,
Live Jazz featuring Devere Pride Trio
Crossroads (See ad pg. 15), The Valley Planet
Birthday Extravaganza w/Microwave Dave, the
Turner Family Band and the Chris Shepard Band,
No Cover
Hopper’s,
Edgar (Brunch, 11-2)/Janice’s Karaoke (8-12)
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Sunday Blues Jam hosted
by Freddy Earl and the Blues Mercenaries
Karaoke
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14), Karaoke
Karaoke w/DJ Brandon Mac
Monday
July14
Benchwarmer, Too, Karaoke
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Reese
Kaffeeklatsch @Night,
Acoustic Open Mic hosted by Greg Rowell
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse,
Monday Night Open Mic
Karaoke
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14), David Anderson
Tuesday
July15
Coppertop (See ad pg. 16),
HDK Karaoke with Howie
Hopper’s, Janice’s Karaoke (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Lacey Atchison
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Marge Loveday
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, Karaoke
Karaoke
Philby’s Pourhouse, Chad Reeves
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville),
Karaoke Contest
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Dave Anderson
Wednesday
July16
3rd Base Grill, David Anderson 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Blue Parrot (Guntersville),
Bike Night w/Mike and Cathrine
Cazadeores, Open Mic Hosted by Scott Morgan
Songwriter’s Jam 7pm
Crossroads (See ad pg. 15), Charlie Howell 6-8
Flying Monkey Arts Center, Daikaiju, The Super
Vacations, Gary War(8:30pm, $6)
Furniture Factory, Cliff Darby
Hopper’s, Dave Anderson (5-8)/Lil’ Ed (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Kozmic Mama
Jazz Factory, “Frank Sinatra”
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Robertsons
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14), Boogafunk
Ladies Night w/DJ Doc Roc
Karaoke
Philby’s Pourhouse, Tom Cremeens
Russ T’s (Scottsboro), KB and Coach
Karaoke Contest
The Brick, Mike Roberts
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, James Irvin
Thursday
July17
Benchwarmer , Karaoke w/Carol
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Melissa Seigler
Boondock’s, The Nonames
Happy Hour Live Music 6-8
#071008073008
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill,
Proton Joe and the Positive Flow
Jazz Factory, (Brando)
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14), Kickstand
Karaoke
Karaoke Contest
The Brick, Andrew and Anthony
The Nook, Larry Woellhart 6-9
Friday
July18
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 27), Don Henderson
Project
Black Water Hattie’s, Lance Almon Smith Band
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), One Hour Drive
Boondock’s, Bishop Black
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See Ad pg.16), Old
Brown Shoes (formerly known as Tom and Stan)
Crossroads (See ad pg. 15), Nevermind-a tribute
to Nirvana (Alan Little and Jay Wilson 6-8)
Furniture Factory, Kenny Harlan
Hard Dock Café, Chad Bradford Band
Hog Wild, Backwater
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Juice
Jazz Factory, Trio El Camino + The Swing Shift
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Bob Walters Banned
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14), Full Circle
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, Live Music
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina, The Letters
VooDoo Dogs
Partner’s (See ad pg. 14), Betty Roulette
Philby’s Pourhouse, Seducing Alice
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14), Highly Kind
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
The Brick, Jamiee Fox
The Station, Crush
Saturday
July19
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 27), Marge Loveday
Black Water Hattie’s, Pete and Lisa
Redd Letters (full band)
Boondock’s, Christy and Ally
Open Mic Night 7pm
Chris Anderson Birthday Party
Furniture Factory, Live Wire
Hard Dock Café, Room 240
Hog Wild, Backwater
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Five O’Clock Charlie
Jazz Factory, Open Delta+ Charlie Lyle Quintet
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Roger Alan Wade
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14), Second Hand Lincoln
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, Bishop Black
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina, Jukebox Jim
Johnny Black and the Jaybirds
Partner’s (See ad pg. 14), Anniversary Party
Entertainment all day starting at 3p.m.
Philby’s Pourhouse, Live Music
Russ T’s (Scottsboro), Live Music
Sammy T’s Music Hall, Another Hero
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14), Hot Soup
The Brick, Trinity Mountain Boys
The Nook, Open Mic with Greg Rowell
The Station, Black Label
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, The Good Souls
Sunday
July20
Black Water Hattie’s, The Crawlers
Casa Montego,
Coppertop (See ad pg. 16), Live Music
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15
MUSIC
ContinuedfromPage15
July20Cont.
Hopper’s,
Karaoke
Monday
July21
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill,
Cristina Lynn and Chuck Rutenberg
Karaoke
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14), Dave Anderson
Tuesday
July22
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Jim Cavender
Karaoke
Karaoke Contest
The Brick, Ben Walker
Wednesday
July23
Bike Night w/Redd Letters (duo)
Furniture Factory, Jerry Fordham
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Crackerjacks
Jazz Factory, Microwave Dave
Chuck Rutenburg and Christina Lynn
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14), Big Daddy Kingfish
Karaoke
Philby’s Pourhouse, Scotty Robinson
Karaoke Contest
The Brick, Ahead of the Wake
The Station, Peacemaker
Thursday
July24
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), B and R Mike and Lee
Boondock’s, Redd Letters
Caddle (Happy Hour Live Music 6-8)
Christabel and the Jons (8pm, $6)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Absolym Rising
Jazz Factory, Jim Cavender
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14), Nobody’s Fault
Karaoke
Philby’s Pourhouse, Ben Trussell
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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
Karaoke Contest
The Brick, Johnny Black and the T-birds
Friday
July25
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 27), Dawn Osborne
Black Water Hattie’s, Hot Rod Otis
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Cowboy Up
Boondock’s, 5ive O’clock Charlie
James Smith and others from the Traditional Music
Association
Black Label (Alan Little and Jay Wilson 6-8)
Flying Monkey Arts Center, Hayes Carll (8pm, $6)
Furniture Factory, The Scratch Band
Hard Dock Café, Straightforward
Hog Wild, Whiskey Straight
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Pla’ Station
Jazz Factory, Don & Kim
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14), Relayer
Blackeyed Susan Luau Party
Sidewinder
Partner’s (See ad pg. 14), Live Music
Philby’s Pourhouse, Brad and Clint
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14), The Judas Goat
The Station, Kozmic Mama
Saturday
July26
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 27), Kim and Donnie
Black Water Hattie’s, Ben Trussell
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Triple X
Boondock’s, Johnny Walker Three
Wrong Way (tribute to Sublime)
Furniture Factory, Jerry McAllister and Joe
Hard Dock Café, Mojo Mixers
Hog Wild, Whiskey Straight
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Big Daddy Jr.
Jazz Factory,
Devere Pride Trio + Charlie Lyle Quintet
Marge Loveday and Jay Wilson
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina, King Kotton
Second Hand Lincoln
Partner’s (See ad pg. 14), Marge Loveday
Philby’s Pourhouse, Wetherly
Sammy T’s Music Hall, 17th Floor
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14), 5ive O’Clock Charlie
The Brick, Black Label
The Station, Handshake Promise
Sunday
July27
Black Water Hattie’s, Trial By Jury
Casa Montego,
Hopper’s,
Karaoke
Monday
July28
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Scott Morgan
ContinuedonPage17
THE VALLEY PLANET
MUSIC
ContinuedfromPage16
karaoke
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14), David Anderson
Tuesday
July29
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Microwave Dave, solo
Karaoke
Karaoke Contest
Wednesday
July30
Bike Night w/Mike and Cathrine
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Mike Zito
Jazz Factory, The Crackerjacks
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Reese
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14), Big Daddy Kingfish
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill (See ad pg.15),
Karaoke
Karaoke Contest
The Brick, Tim Tucker
The Station, Crush
Thursday
July31
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Fearless Four
Boondock’s, Ugli Stick
Happy Hour Live Music 6-8
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Juke Joint Duo Featuring
Cedric Burnside & Lightin’ Malcolm
Lee Ann’s (See ad pg. 14), Crush
Karaoke
Karaoke Contest
The Brick, Open Mic Night
The Docks (Scottsboro), Trey and Kenny
The Nook, Larry Woellhart 6-9
Jazz Factory, The Swing Shift
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina, Sugarstone
Justin Potter
Partner’s (See ad pg. 14), Trailer Trach Gala
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14),
National Act Shawn P. and the Earth Funk Tribe
The Brick, Frankie Velvet and the Velvetones
Ben Trussell w/Jessica Dawn
Saturday
August2
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 27), Devere Pride
Black Water Hattie’s, Live Music
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Chuck and Christina
Lynn
Boondock’s, Jerry Fordham
Crossroads (See ad pg. 15), Discoasis
Flying Monkey Arts Center, Iron Horse (8pm, $6)
Hard Dock Café, Hot Rod Otis
Hog Wild, Backwater
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Nathan Peek Band
Jazz Factory, Charlie Lyle Quintet
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina, Triple X
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill (See ad pg. 15) ,
Bonified
Partner’s (See ad pg. 14), Lisa Busler
Sammy T’s Music Hall, Blackeyed Susan
Sportspage (See ad pg. 14), Black Label
The Brick, Bishop Black
Sunday
August3
Black Water Hattie’s, Driving South
Casa Montego,
Rolling Jazz Revue ($5, 7pm)
TheEnd
Friday
August1
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 27),
Christina Lynn and Chuck
Black Water Hattie’s, The Crawlers
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), The Crawlers
Boondock’s, 5ive O’clock Charlie
Diane Miller
Alan Little and Jay Wilson 6-8
Furniture Factory, The Groove
Hard Dock Café, Big Daddy Kingfish
Hog Wild, Backwater
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Toy Shop
THE VALLEY PLANET
#071008073008
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
17
The Wiggles
Interview
T
RegionalConcerts
ATLANTA
July 10, Carole King, Hard Rock Café
Atlanta
July 13, Kenny Chesney and Leeann
Rhymes, Turner Fields
July 24, Tilly and the Wall, Variety
Playhouse
July 27, BB King and Willie Nelson,
Chastain Park Amphitheatre
August 1, KT Tunstall, Atlanta
Botanical Garden
August 13, Jack Johnson, Lakewood
Amphitheatre
August 13, Nine Inch Nails, Arena at
Gwinnett Center
August 27, My Morning Jacket,
Fabulous Fox Theatre
August 29, John Mayer, Verizon
Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
by Ed Killingsworth
he Wiggles are coming! The Wiggles
are coming! Unless you have young
children, you probably are not aware of
the Australian musical phenomenon known
as The Wiggles.
Following the breakup of the Australian pop
group The Cockroaches, the group began
pursuing a career in pre-school education. A
school project led them to create their first
album and tour as The Wiggles in 1991. The
band became popular during the 90s in the
United States, when the producers of Barney
began distributing Wiggles videos. With
their worldwide stardom and wearing their
trademark colorful shirts, The Wiggles refer
to themselves as,”Your Child’s First Rock
Band.”
BIRMINGHAM
The Wiggles will be performing at the
Von Braun Center Arena on Tuesday July
24th. The following is an excerpt with an
interview conducted with Sam Moran, aka
“The New Yellow Wiggle.”
Ed: You’ve been involved with the Wiggles
for quite some time, starting as an understudy
in 1998?
Sam: Yes, I have been working with the
Wiggles since 1998, and was an understudy
with them for six years. Eight months ago, I
took over for Greg Page. Greg had to leave
the group because of health reasons.
Ed: Did you explain to the children that the
Greg, the Yellow Wiggle got sick, and that is
just part of life?
Sam: Yes, there was a formal change over,
which we explained to the children Greg’s
condition. The children have accepted the
change better than the adults.
August 2, Def Leopard with Joan Jett
and the Blackhearts, Verizon Wireless
Music Center
Sam: Steve was such a great icon in
Australia, and at the time Steve’s daughter
Bindi was into The Wiggles, so we saw that
as an opportunity for us to team up, and talk
about animals with children. Now that Steve
has unfortunately passed on, he has left his
legacy to his daughter, who has her own
show now.
HOMEPORT
20076 N. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-852-8800
HOPPER’S
5903 University Drive, 256-830-0600
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL
109 Washington Square, Huntsville, 256-704-5555.
KAFFEEKLATSCH @NIGHT
103 Jefferson Street, Huntsville, 256-536-7993.
801 FRANKLIN
801 Franklin Street, Huntsville, 256-519-8019.
KICKERS
8716 Madison Blvd, Madison, 256-772-0701
ADRIAN’S
1405 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, 256-582-3106
LEEANN’S
415 Church St, Huntsville, 256-489-9300
ALLEN’S GRILLE & GROG
9076 Madison Blvd, Madison, 256-772-8514.
LISA’S LOUNGE
2313 N. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-534-9520
THE BARN
2510 Ready Section Road, Toney
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
1733 S. Jefferson Street, Athens. 256-232-6161
B.B. PERRINS SPORTS GRILLE
608 Holly St. NE, Decatur, 256-355-1045
MASON’S PUB
115 Clinton Ave., Huntsville 256-704-5575
BENCHWARMER FOOD & SPIRITS
2998 University Drive, Huntsville 256-539-6268.
MOODY MONDAYS
718 Church St, Huntsville, 256-533-4005
BENCHWARMER, TOO!
3000 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-489-9600.
MOONDOGS
2002 13th St. SW, Huntsville, 256-534-8844
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S
10000 S. Memorial Pkwy. 256-489-3333.
NETWORKS LOUNGE
2140 Gunter Ave., Guntersville
Sam: Oh, we have a ball doing it. The other
three guys of course, are older, but they have
all have agreed that they enjoy doing it as
long as they continue to have fun. Well, they
have been having fun for 17 years. There is
no end in sight.
BLUE PARROT MARTINI & CIGAR LOUNGE
7001 Val-Monte Drive, Guntersville, 256-582-0930.
THE NOOK
3305 Bob Wallace Ave. 256-489-0911
BOGEY’S
412 Main St. Guntersville, 256-582-2860
OLIVIA’S
1009 Henderson Rd, Huntsville, 256-837-4728
BOOMERS
125 Albert Mann Rd., New Hope, 256-723-3029
OTTER’S
5 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, 256-830-2222.
BOONDOCKS
Hwy 69, Guntersville, 256-582-3935
PARTNERS
627 Meridian St. , Huntsville, 256-539-0975
Ed: We look forward to you guys coming to
Huntsville.
BUFFALOS CAFE
8020 Madison Blvd., Huntsville, 256-772-4477
PHILBY’S POURHOUSE
Sam: We are starting the tour in Huntsville,
since my wife’s uncle works on Redstone
Arsenal. This is actually the second time we
have opened a show in Huntsville.
CAHOOTS
114 WestMarket Street, Fayetteville, 931 433-1173
Ed: Well Sam, thank you so much for your
time.
CHARLOTTE’S PLACE
1117 Jordan Ln. wHuntsville, AL 35816
Ed: I find it interesting that you guys all
have a background of theater and music. As
a member of the audience, I feel as if I am
attending a rock concert.
Sam: Yes absolutely there is no lip syncing
at all, and we play our own instruments in the
show. We are musicians, which is a huge part
of our success. Anthony and Jeff are trained
preschool teachers, so the blend of the two
things is our winning formula.
Sam: Thank you as well. Keep on
Wiggling!
CACTUS JACKS
1117 Jordan Ln, Huntsville, 256-721-6384
CASA MONTEGO
Jonathan Dr, Huntsville, 256-858-9187 or 714-0155
CD’S PUB AND GRILL
107 Arlington Dr, Madison, 256-773-4477
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
CRICKETS
3810 Sullivan St., Madison, 256-464-3777
CROSSROADS, THE
115 Clinton Ave, Huntsville, 256-533-3393.
EMBER CLUB
10131 Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, 256-881-0057
END ZONE, THE
ESQUIRE CLUB
3701 Governors Dr., Huntsville, 256-534-7303
FINNEGAN’S PUB
3310 Memorial Pkwy S, Huntsville, 256-881-9732
FOCUS BAR & GRILL
2020 Country Club Ave., Huntsville, 256-534-4441
Sam: Yes, in the Latin American version,
there are Spanish speaking Australians
playing The Wiggles. We are dubbed in
Japan and Italy into the local language.
FURNITURE FACTORY BAR & GRILL
619 Meridian Street N, Huntsville, 256-539-8001.
Ed: At one time you guys were very close
with Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, who
appeared in lot of The Wiggles episodes.
How did that relationship develop with
Steve?
HARD DOCK CAFE
3755 U.S. Hwy. 31, Decatur, 256-340-9234
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
HOG WILD SALOON
2407 Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-533-7446
3rd BASE GRILL (2 locations)
1792 Hyw 72 E, Huntsville, 256-852-9191
7904 S. Memorial Parkway 256-882-9500
Ed: The band truly has worldwide appeal.
Do you perform in other languages?
#071008073008
July 16, Hootie and the Blowfish,
Wildhorse Saloon
July 24, Sheryl Crow with James Blunt,
Sommet Center
August 1, Def Leopard, Sommet Center
JESTERS
373 Gunter Ave., Guntersville, 256-293-4307
Sam: (laughs) Yes, I am, indeed!
NASHVILLE
2nd STREET MUSIC HALL
208 2nd Street, Gadsden 256-547-0010
Ed: And now you are married to Dorothy the
Dinosaur?
18
July 19, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Memphis
Botanical
August 2, Dave Matthews Band with
Willy Nelson, Autozone Park
August 3, Stone Temple Pilots, Desoto
Civic Center
August 7, Paramore, Mud Island
Amphitheatre
August 17, Kid Rock, Mud Island
Amphitheatre
INDIGO JOE’S
7407 Hwy 72 W, Madison, AL 256-489-9393
Sam: Ah yes, Dorothy loves to eat roses. We
call her a rosasaurus, not a carnivore.
Shaq Dined at Huntsville’s Dolce Enoteca on June 24.
&Clubs&Bars
MEMPHIS
11th FRAME BAR
8661 Hwy 27, Madison, 256-722-0015
Ed: How long do you see the Wiggles
lasting?
Ed: At the live show, I noticed that the
children bring roses for Dorothy the
Dinosaur.
Listings
Pubs&Taverns
August 9, Journey with Cheap Trick,
Verizon Wireless Music Center
August 28, Martina McBride, Verizon
Wireless Music Center
GENO’S PUB
1015 6th Ave. SE, Decatur, 256-355-9998
THE GREEN ROOM
Jordan Lane, Huntsville,256-837-2232
HALF TIME BAR AND GRILL
8873 Highway 72 W, Madison, 256-430-0266
PORT OF MADISON
9035 Hwy 20 W, Madison, 256-772-7170
ROSEBERRY PUB & GRILL
Hwy 67 Scottsboro, 256-574-4231
RUGGBY’S
RUSS T’S
Hwy 79, Scottsboro, 256-259-0641
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL
116 Washington Street, 256-539-9974.
SANDY’S ROADHOUSE
12740 Hwy. 431 S, Guntersville, 256-571-0450.
SCOOTER’S
Willow St, Scottsboro, 256-575-0800
THE SHACK
105 Swancott Road, Triana 256-461-0227.
SPORTS PAGE LOUNGE & DELI
9009 Memorial Pkwy S, Huntsville, 256-880-9471.
SPORTS ZONE
3429 Hwy 31, Decatur, 256-350-9702
STEM AND STEIN WINE CELLAR AND BAR
1087 County Line Rd. STE. B, Madison, 256-325-3779
THE STATION
8694 Madison Blvd., Madison, 256-325-1333.
STEVE’S BILLIARDS & LOUNGE
2322 Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-539-8919.
THE HORSE
2021 Golf Rd, Huntsville, 256-881-8820
THIRSTY TURTLE
4800 Whitesburg Dr, Huntsville, 256-881-5079
VINOTINI’S
7143 University Dr., Huntsvile, 256-722-2080
VISIONS
6404 University Dr. NW, Huntsville, 256-722-8247
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR AND GRILL
110 Southside Square, Huntsville 256-534-6116
WINGS SPORTS GRILLE
4250 Balmoral Dr. SW, Huntsville, 256-881-8878.
Calendar of
EVENTS
July 10
Tai Chi Beginner Basics for Toning, Balance, and
Relaxation hosted by Squeaking Tribe Puppets,
will be held from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at the Flying
Monkey Arts Center. For more info call Anna Sue
(256) 479-7863.
The Art Krewe presents its annual BBQ and
Bluegrass from 6-9 pm at the Huntsville Museum
of Art. Cold beer, BBQ pork plates and Coca-Cola
will be for sale while everyone enjoys live music on
the North Patio facing Big Spring International Park.
Lawn chairs are welcome. Get your tickets in advance
by coming by the Museum or the Convention and
Visitors Bureau beginning June 9 to purchase your
$12 ticket which ensures that a BBQ plate will be
saved for you!
The regular monthly PFLAG-Hsv meeting is at 6:
30 in the Huntsville Public Library – Main Branch,
room A-B. Come at 6:00 to social and have snacks
before the meeting.
July 10-July 13
Shearwater Pottery: Three Generations of
Southern Masters from the Hogan Collection will
be on display at the Huntsville Museum of Art.
The exhibition includes 86 works by Peter and Jim
Anderson decorated by Walter Anderson, Patricia
Findeisen and Christopher Stebly, from the collection
of Christopher & Kristen Hogan. This exhibition was
organized by the Walter Anderson Museum of Art,
Ocean Springs, MS. See hvsmuseum.org for more
information.
July 10-31
HAL artist Martina Dyer will be exhibiting
watercolor paintings at the Huntsville Times
Gallery. The Huntsville Times Gallery is located at
2317 Memorial Parkway SW, 35801, and is open
Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Please
call HAL at 534-3860 for further information.
HAL artists Terri Shows and Heiki Covell will
exhibit a variety of original art at the Heritage Club
on Washington Street through the end of July. For
more information, please call HAL 256-534-3860.
Huntsville Judo Club offers classes at The Matrix on
Leeman Ferry Rd. beginning each month as follows:
Sunday: 3 - 5 all ages; Tuesday, 6:45 – 7:45 Under 13;
Tuesday, 6:45 – 8:45 Adults. Monthly Fees are $35 for
ages 17 and under and $55 for adults. Discounts are
available for city employees and police.
The second section of the First Tee of Huntsville will
consist of the participants that register after the first
fifty; for more information visit www.thefirstteehunt
sville.org or contact Howard Bankhead at (265)8517491 or [email protected]. First
Tee of Huntsville is a summer youth development
program held at Brahan Spring Recreation Center
3770 Ivy Avenue (just off Drake Ave.)
July 10-August 10
Goddess Class: Re-awakening the True Feminine
with Terri McDaniel will be held at the Dream
Maker, 4004 Triana Blvd in Huntsville. For more
information and reservations contact: Terri McDaniel
882-5670 or E-mail@ [email protected]
www.fourspiritsproductions.com
ContinuedonPage27
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE VALLEY PLANET
#071008073008
July 10-August 17
Burritt’s Big Exhibit Southern Smalls will be on
display at Burritt on the Mountain. The cost to
view this exhibit is included with general admission.
See www.burrittonthemountain.com for more
information.
July 10-August 31
Solid Foundation’s 1st Annual National Future
Hope Family Fun Spot Family Pledge Marathon
is national program designed to employ, educate,
and provide extreme financial relief to families
in the U.S. Register Now for Early Bird Discount!
Proceeds benefit Project Hope: To find out how
you can participate in Project Hope, to enter, or
to find out more about Solid Foundation, visit us
online at www.mysolidfoundationusa.org
The Huntsville Art League Gallery and Visual
Arts Center (HAL) will “Limelight” the HAL artists
who participated in “Collector’s Draw 2008.” The
HAL Gallery is located at 3005 L&N Drive Ste. 2
35802 and is open Monday through Saturday from
10am to 6pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm. Call
HAL 534-3860 for additional information.
July 11
Sandia Art Party will be held at The Flying
Monkey Arts Center at 8p.m. Admission is $5. See
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org for more information.
Join United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville &
Tennessee Valley, Inc. for a fun summer art project
that allows children of all ability levels to work with
clay and create a lasting masterpiece at UCP. Free
Clay Days are taught by local artist S. Renee’ Prasil
and supervised by UCP staff. Children ages three
and older are invited to participate. Classes will be
held from 9 a.m.-noon, at the UCP Therapy Center,
located at 2075 Max Luther Drive in Huntsville. For
more information, call UCP Family Connections
Coordinator Heather Vader at 852-5600, or email
[email protected].
Coffee & Cards will be held at Average To Art from
7:30am-8:30am Exchange business cards while
networking in a relaxing setting. Join local business
professionals at Average To Art’s studio every Friday
morning to build your business relationships. Free
pastries will be provided. Average To Art is located
at 905 Meridian St. N Huntsville. RSVP is appreciated:
256.658.0657. Visit www.AverageToArt.com for
more information.
All are welcome to pack a picnic and come to the
Huntsville Museum of Art’s west lawn at sundown
to enjoy Pillow Talk as part of Classic Movies in
the Park.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly will be shown
at 7p.m. at the Guntersville Public Library, 1240
O’Brig Ave. in Guntersville, Alabama as part of the
F4 season. For more information: (256) 571-7595 or,
[email protected]
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment presents Friday
Night on the Back Dock with Evan Billiter playing
records from 5-9 pm. This will be the last night that
Tina’s Cantina is open for Friday night dinner, so
bring your lawn chairs, kids and coolers for a relaxing
evening on the back dock. There is no cover for this
event, but donations are appreciated. Lowe Mill
is located at 2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville. See
www.lowemill.net for more information.
ContinuedonPage21
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
19
Calendar of
EVENTS
ContinuedfromPage19
By Courtney Mixon
Books Discussed
England, England – Julian Barnes
Middlesex – Jeffrey Eugenides
I know, you opened your copy of The Valley
Planet expecting witty acerbic quips (in
Latin, nonetheless) written by Mike, the
“book guy.” Just call me his “book gal.” I’m
filling in for Mike this issue because someone
has been too busy with work (and out of town
guests and the Euro Cup) to even crack open
a book, so I’m picking up his slack. I’ll try
to do my best Mike. I don’t know Latin, but
I might be able to throw out a French phrase
or two.
As far as introductions go, I’m pretty lousy
(like Mike), so I’m just going to skip the
whole intro thing altogether.
Recently, I was looking at an article in
Glamour about “beach read” books, and my
book choices do not look anything like the
Devil Wears Prada –esque/Lifetime movieish chick lit recommended by the magazine.
I can’t help but think that I haven’t grasped
the concept of the “beach read” book. I
began reminiscing about the books that I read
poolside and beachside in past summers.
Last summer, I was working on a huge
project, so I sat by the pool, suntan lotion
in one hand and Moby Dick, Shakespeare,
and the Russian theorist Bakhtin in the other.
The body grotesque and the carnivalesque
are not the most relaxing topics – it’s not the
kind of stuff most people want to read while
sipping on a pina colada and lounging on a
float.
So, I decided this summer to attempt to read
a “beach read” type book (well, as close to
a “beach read” as I can muster). I recently
completed England, England by Barnes
and Middlesex by Eugenides. They aren’t
exactly in the Devil Wears Prada genre, but
they are moving a little closer to that side
of the spectrum than my previous summer
choices.
England, England is set in, well, England. In
the novel, billionaire Jack Pitman (a Richard
Branson or Rupert Murdoch-like character)
develops a Disney-like theme park dubbed
England, England where guests can visit all
attractions of England without the hassle of
visiting England proper. (It’s kind of like a
trip around the world at Epcot where Disney
kindly erases all the problems, history, and
war.) At England, England you could visit
Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon, Tower of
London, and see the changing of the guard
at Buckingham Palace (complete with the
king and queen) before lunch. The park
is complete with actors playing famous
British historical figures. There is Sam
Johnson, his trusty Boswell, Robin Hood,
Shakespeare, Henry VII, etc… The park
runs smoothly until the actors begin to live
like their role. Robin Hood begins attacking
park patrons. Sam Johnson (who had quite a
dirty mouth and was racist) begins harassing
patrons. Barnes centers most of the novel
on Martha Cochrane, the park’s manager,
and her personal life, her past, and her
trials with managing the park. I found the
parts focusing on Martha to be tiresome,
and I wanted more of the British characters
running amuck.
Middlesex was an Oprah book spanning
three generations of a Greek family who
migrated from the eastern part of Greece to
Detroit, Michigan. I’m not giving anything
away by saying that the novel describes
how the 3rd generation “daughter” is an
intersex (hermaphrodite). Cal Stephanides
narrates the novel, jumping back and forth
between the present and her/his family’s
past. The novel opens in a village in eastern
Greece with the courtship of two lovers,
who immigrate to Detroit, MI on a boat
at the turn of the century. Cal narrates not
only the courtship of her/his grandparents,
parents, and her/his own, but she/he also
chronicles the ever-changing city of Detroit,
Michigan – from industrial city dominated
by the automotive industry to the metropolis
affected by the tumultuous race riots of 1967.
Eugenides carefully crafts this text to be at
once a gripping epic about a family (with
a few dark secrets) and a narrative about a
person living with a largely misunderstood
condition. I could not put this novel down.
I found it fascinating – it raised serious
questions about gender, and it inspired me
to do some research on Cal’s condition.
My research found that “hermaphrodite”
is an inaccurate and largely offensive term;
“intersex” is preferred, and this genetic
condition appears in 1 in 2,000 births a year.
So, I don’t know if novels dealing with
the Disneyfication of a country or a
misunderstood genetic condition qualify as
a Glamour “beach read,” but they made my
trip to the pool enjoyable. And in the end,
isn’t that the point of a “beach read?”
July 11-12
Theatre Huntsville presents: “Harvey” a comedy
by Mary Chase on July 11-12 at 7:30 pm. It will
be at the VBC Playhouse. For tickets or more
information call 536-0807 or theatrehsv.org. (See
ad pg. 29)
Celebrate Renaissance Theatre’s 10th Anniversary
with Renaissance Theatre Cabaret featuring
many local performers doing selections from either
Broadway or Opera in an intimate formal evening at
the theatre. On Saturday there will be dinner and a
show, and a show only on Friday; all seats are $35 for
the show only, and $45 for the dinner and show on
Saturday. More information may be obtained from
the web site: www.renaissancetheatre.net
July 11-13
Hot 103.5 presents a 3 day car and bike event.
The event includes live performances from Nappy
Roots and Jackie Chan and 17th Floor, a car and
bike showcase, race qualifying, a bikini contest and
much more. The event will be at the Huntsville
Dragway. For more information call 256 -489-9498
or go to hot1035.com.
July 12
Don’t miss another performance of Purgatory
Lounge hosted by Sweet Lucy and the Dreaded
Firefly. The show starts at 9p.m. Admission is $6. See
Local artists and others are invited to set up a
booth at the Flying Monkey Arts Center and
sell their wares to the public for Artist Market.
There will be art, jewelry, vintage clothing, and
more interesting things for sale inside our facility,
safe from rain. We now have air conditioning. See
Art & Espresso will be held at Average To Art from
10am- 4pm. The first 10 visitors to Average to Art’s
studio/showroom will receive a free espresso drink
(or chai tea). Our beans come from Rwanda and $4
of every bag sold goes back to help the families who
are recovering from the Genocide. Drink Coffee &
Do Good. Average To Art is located at 905 Meridian
St. N Huntsville. See www.averagetoart.com for
more information.
Transcendental Drumming/Dancing will be held
at The Dreammaker Shop, 4004 Triana, from 10am
until no later than noon. This event is free, but a love
gift is appreciated. For more information, please call
883-8446.
Want to be more involved in your child’s school?
Come to Alabama PTA leadership training for all
2008-09 PTA officers or future officers at Westlawn
Middle School from 8:30AM-1:00PM. Alabama
PTA will offer invaluable training, share successful
programs experiences and provide pertinent
documents that will help you in your role as a
PTA leader. Principals admitted free! For more
information or how to registrar call 1-800-328-1897
or go online at www.alabamapta.org. Your local
contact is Laurie McCaulley, Alabama PTA President,
256-533-5446.
HYP is going fishing at Ditto Landing at 4p.m. This
is a free special interest event- Please bring your
own tackle and poles. Some people will have extra
so it is ok if it is your first time! Please check the HYP
calendar at www.get-hyp.net for updates on this
and other upcoming events.
Returning for the 9th year, the Wet Dog Triathlon
will be held at Point Mallard Park in Decatur. The
race begins at 7 a.m. with a 400 meter swim in the
Tennessee River followed by a 15 kilometer bike
ride. Participants will finish with a 5 kilometer
scenic run along the banks of the Tennessee River.
There are three ways to register: at the Point Mallard
Ice Complex in Point Mallard Park from 4 p.m. to 7
p.m. on Friday, July 11, online at www.active.com,
or a registration form may be downloaded from
www.bbbsmcal.org. There will be no registration
on the day of the race. This fundraiser will benefit
the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Morgan
County.
Beginning at 8AM until Noon, Renaissance Theatre
is having a Giant Yard Sale in front of the theatre
building at 1214 Meridian Street, selling donated
items to benefit the theatre and our Wheelchair
Lift Fund! We will have hundreds of quality items
as well as furniture and junk, clothing and all sorts
of stuff. When they finish at noon, they will donate
ALL of the leftovers to a local charity thrift store.
More information may be obtained from the web
site: www.renaissancetheatre.net.
20
#071008073008
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE VALLEY PLANET
Camouflage Party II with special guest DJ Marcus
Sims will be held at Casa Montego at 9p.m.
Admission is $7. All proceeds go to A.N.S. School
Supply Drive. For more information call (256)3728651/513-3634.
The Vipers will play Daytona Beach at 7p.m. at
the Von Braun Center Arena.
2nd Book Dedication Program for Dr. Valerie
Martin-Stewart for her book “Rise Above
Rejection” will be held at Von Braun Center
Salon from 1 to 3pm. Book signing, food, and
group dancing will follow the program.
July 13
Don’t miss the Valley Planet Birthday Party at
Crossroads from 5:30pm to 11pm. This is a free
event. Live music will be provided by Microwave
Dave, Turner Family Band and Chris Shepard! (See
ad pg. 2)
by Mary Chase on July 13 at 2 pm. It will be at the
VBC Playhouse. For tickets or more information
call 536-0807 or www.theatrehsv.org. (See ad pg.
29)
Join the Arts Council at the celebration of the
opening of their new gallery “art@TAC” at the Von
Braun Center, 700 Monroe Street, SW, boasting
between 50 & 70 pieces and its inaugural theme,
“Huntsville.” The reception runs from 3:00 to 5:00
p.m.; the exhibition continues through October.
For gallery and artist information, call (256) 5192787 (ARTS), ext. 206.
Please join internationally acclaimed artist Shane
Fero in Grisham Gallery of the Huntsville
Museum of Art at 2p.m. for an informal discussion
focusing on his engaging work in glass and other
media. A reception and catalogue signing will
follow in SPACE 300, where you can chat with the
artist and make a purchase from a special display
of affordable works!
Check out the Acoustic Salon at the Flying
Monkey. It’s a one hour show with guitarists
Phil Weaver (AKA Will Fever) and Emily
(deelybobber) Jones, pianist Ingrid (too tall to
mambo) von Spakovsky, and percussionist Ivy
Joe (congameister) Milan. But there’s more - many
of the selections will be performed with abstract
animation by Stanley Hendrix. The show starts at
3p.m. Admission is $5. For more information see
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
More Pet Photos
July 13-September 28
The Huntsville Museum of Art’s award-winning
Encounters series of regional contemporary art
continues with a selection of engaging works by
internationally recognized artist Shane Fero. For
more information see www.hsvmuseum.org.
July 14
Acoustic Salon hosted by Phil Weaver will begin
at 3p.m. at the Flying Monkey Arts Center. The
music will include works by Piazzolla, Morel,
Cardoso, and Garoto. There will be a reception after
the show. Admission is $5.
Gourmet Cooking Classes will be taught at Cafe
Michael in the Interior Marketplace in Huntsville
by reservation only. Call Interior Marketplace at
256.539.9113 for information.
Branch sent in by Tabby Miller
Libby sent in by Karen Thompson
ContinuedonPage22
#071008073008
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
21
Court. For more information call GHHS at (256)8818081 or (256)534-4566 or visit www.star99.fm or
www.huntsvillehumanesociety.petfinder.com.
July 17
The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster will perform at
Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center. Tickets
are $25. Visit www.merrimackhall.com or call
(256)534-6455 for tickets and more information.
(See ad pg. )
CASA of Madison County invites seniors to
participate in a free health fair to be held from 101p.m. at the District 3 County Shed, 4273 Highway
72 East Brownsboro. Free Health Screenings for
seniors will include: blood sugar, bone density,
blood pressure, vision and hearing. Lunch will be
provided by County Commissioner Jerry Craig.
Free smoke detectors and fire extinguishers will
be available to qualifying county residents age 55
and over.
Calendar of
EVENTS
ContinuedfromPage21
HYP hosts Game Night featuring Rock Band form
6:00 -9:00 pm at Philby’s Pourhouse. There will
be table top poker, Wii games, and everyone’s
favorite....Rock Band on the main stage! To get
in the mood, some have suggested that you
should...”dressed ready to Rock!” This is a free
event- Come experience the fun. Drink specials
will be available. Please check the HYP calendar
at www.get-hyp.net for updates on this and other
upcoming events.
Concerts in the Park will be held at Big Spring
International Park, featuring Anchor’s Eye at
6:30 p.m. and Band of Moose at 7:20 p.m. This
event is free and open to the Public! Blankets,
lawn chairs, & picnics encouraged; snacks & soft
drinks on sale. For more information call (256)
519-2787 (ARTS), ext. 205. For future schedules visit
www.artshuntsville.org.
July 14-18
At Tutus & Tiaras Dance Day Camp, presented
by Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre, child will take
age appropriate ballet and creative movement
classes, make ballet oriented crafts, learn how
dancers tell a story through movement, and gain
an overview of several classical ballet pieces such
as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty.
The camp is for Ages 4-7 and will be held from 9
a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1405-C Weatherly Plaza Drive, 8815930. See www.alabamayouthballet.org for more
information.
Tai Chi Beginner Basics for Toning, Balance,
Relaxation hosted by Squeaking Tribe Puppets
(256)479-7863.
July 17-19
Theatre Huntsville presents Harvey at the Von
Braun Center Playhouse at 7:30 Thursday through
Friday and also at 2:00 on Saturday. This play is
recommended for teen and adult audiences. (See
ad pg. 29)
July 18
Yesterdays Events Center
will
present
“Raindrops and Boondocks”, B J Thomas and
Billy Joe Royal in Concert at the Von Braun Center
Concert Hall at 8p.m. Tickets go on sale to the
general public on June 2nd at several locations
and online from Ticketmaster for $34. Visit
www.yesterdaysevents.com for more information.
more information.
883-8446.
Contra Dance with live music by Wolves A Howlin’
with calling by Jane Ewing will be held in the gym
of Faith Presbyterian on the corner of Airport Rd.
& Whitesburg Dr. All ages are welcome-singles,
couples & families. General admission is $7.00, $4.00
for students, and free for ages 12 & under. See http:
//secontra.com/NACDS.html for more information
or call 837-0656.
An Outdoor ZYDECO Dance & Shrimp Boil
sponsored by Cajun Zydeco Connection of
Huntsville will be held from 5 PM until dark, on
Carters Gin Rd, Toney, Alabama. It will be a shrimp
boil plus everyone brings a “pot luck” dish & folding
chair. Admission is $5 for non-members. See http:
//czdance.com for more information, or call 5342840.
The North Alabama Science Fiction Association
(NASFA) is a general-interest Science Fiction
club based in Huntsville, Alabama. NASFA meets
the third Saturday of each month at BookMark
bookstore. BookMark is located at 11220-J South
Memorial Parkway. Our July program will be a
science fiction and fantasy movie trivia contest.
Meetings are open to the public. You do not have to
be a dues-paying member to attend the Saturday
meetings. For more information send an e-mail to
[email protected] of visit http://www.constellation.org/nasfa.
Pancake Breakfast and Outdoor Yard Sale
hosted by Fraternal Order of Eagles will be held
at 2 pm on the Corner of 10th St. SW and Bob
Wallace. This event is to benefit Operation Smile,
a children’s charity repairing facial deformities
around the world and in USA. Come join us. Eat,
shop, have fun and help a child smile.
Calendar of
EVENTS
ContinuedfromPage22
Athens. The park is located at the corner of Market
Street and Beaty Street. Snacks will be provided
to each student. AOTS is pleased to offer this Art
Camp to Children grades 1-6 for a small fee of
$25.00. Applicants must register by July 15. Local
artists will be the instructors. The children will learn
basic art techniques. Register early; the classes fill
up quickly. Call 216-8300 or pick up application
at Athens Gyros - 106 W market St., Athens. E-Mail
[email protected] Web Site
www.artonthesquareathens.com
Exterior Mural Presentation will be held at
Average To Art from 6pm-8pm. Average To Art
and several local artists will be presenting ideas
about how to beautify Huntsville/Madison County
with exterior murals. Join us for our presentation
and discussion on how to add ambiance to our
community. Average To Art is located at 905
Meridian St. N Huntsville. RSVP is appreciated:
256.658.0657. See www.AverageToArt.com for
more information.
Huntsville Christian Women’s Connection
Monthly Luncheon, themed “Garden Party,” will
be held from 11:30am to 1:00pm at Huntsville
Country Club, 2601 Oakwood Avenue, NW. Cost
is $15.00 (inclusive). Free childcare for age 6
and under will be available offsite. Reservations,
essential for the luncheon and for childcare, are due
by Thursday July 17. Call Betty at 837-8286 or Nancy
at 883-1339.
If you missed out on learning how to dance Salsa
last month don’t worry, it’s back! The Beginner I
class s from 7-8p.m. and the Intermediate I class
is from 8:15-9:15 at the Kinesthetic Cue Dance
Club, 8006 Old Madison Pike, Madison. No partner
necessary! For more information call (256)4648477.
A Massage Therapy Program Open House will be
held from 6-7p.m. on the Calhoun Campus, HealthScience Bldg, Room 231. For more information,
contact [email protected], (256)260-1437, or
visit calhoun.edu/health/massage.
July 23
A Free Zydeco CD Dance sponsored by the Cajun
Zydeco Connection (CZC) of Huntsville will be
held at the Eagles on 10th Street off Bob Wallace.
A class will be given at 7p.m. followed by a dance
practice session until 9 PM. See http://czdance.com
for more information.
July 15
The Art of Men CD celebrates talented male
artists from around the world, and male artists
are needed for this new compilation. Go to
www.artofmencd.com for details and application.
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment presents “In
Remembrance There Is Life,” an art show by
painter/sculptor HaroldTurner (www.haroldart.com).
Punch and desserts will be served from 6-9 pm and
dinner can be ordered with new restaurant “Happy
Tummy” from 5-8 pm. There is no cover for this
event, but donations are appreciated. The event will
be held downstairs. Lowe Mill is located at 2211
Seminole Drive, Huntsville. See www.lowemill.net
for more information.
July 20
Art N Soul Society of Expression presents “Never
Enuff Mic Time” Open Mic/Poetry at 7p.m. at
Alabama A&M Morrison Theatre. This is for
mature ears only. Admission is $5. All proceeds go
to A.N.S. School Supply Drive. For more information
contact (256)372-8651 or (256)513-3634.
Food Not Bombs benefit show will begin at 9:30
outside on back dock at Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole
Drive, Huntsville. See www.lowemill.net for more
information.
July 21
Tai Chi Ongoing Practice Yang Style Short Form
hosted by Squeaking Tribe Puppets, will be held
from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at the Flying Monkey
Arts Center. For more info call Anna Sue (256)
479-7863.
International Park, featuring Christina Lynn and
Chuck Rutenberg at 6:30 p.m. and Out n’ Runnin’
at 7:20 p.m. This event is free and open to the
Public! Blankets, lawn chairs, & picnics encouraged;
snacks & soft drinks on sale. For more information
call (256) 519-2787 (ARTS), ext. 205. For future
schedules visit www.artshuntsville.org.
July 24
Lowe Mill and Flying Monkey Arts Center are
participating in city wide Gallery Tour from
5-9pm. Lowe Mill is located at 2211 Seminole
Drive, Huntsville. See www.lowemill.net for more
information.
If you missed out on learning how to dance Salsa
last month don’t worry, it’s back! The Beginner I
class s from 7-8p.m. and the Intermediate I class
is from 8:15-9:15 at the Kinesthetic Cue Dance
Club, 8006 Old Madison Pike, Madison. No partner
necessary! For more information call (256)4648477.
July 16
Yoga Classes will take place from 8:00pm to 8:
45pm at the Flying Monkey Arts Center with
Casey Bakula along with RYT hosted by Squeaking
Tribe Puppets. For more info call or visit Your Yoga,
(256) 679-7143.
from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at the Flying Monkey
Arts Center. For more info call Anna Sue (256)
479-7863.
The Greater Huntsville Humane Society
announces the Fourth Annual Hot Dogs and
Cool Cats Photo Contest and Fundraiser! The
photo receiving the most votes will be honored as
the cover pet for the 2009 Hot Dogs and Cool Cats
Calendar. Mail photos to GHHS Pet Photo Contest
2812 Johnson Rd SW Huntsville AL 35805 or bring
your photos to Parkway Place, Upper Level Food
22
Join Huntsville Alive! in a free Adult Self-Defense
workshop from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Alexander’s
Martial Arts on 407 Jordan Lane. Participants
should wear comfortable clothes that are easy to
move around in. The workshop will start right at
7, so get there early! For more information, contact:
Alexander’s Martial Arts at: (256) 830-1007.
attendants from the cities of Birmingham, AL ,
Atlanta, GA, Nashville, TN and of course many here
in Huntsville! RhymeSpot is looking for a venue that
is interested in accommodating our event. We are
looking for a place with character and hospitality
to accommodate our guest and RhymeSpot family.
RhymeSpot has always been an event geared
toward all ages and this showcase is no exception. If
you are such a venue or have information regarding
one please contact S. Harris at 256.683.5766. (See
ad pg. 21)
#071008073008
July 18-20
Rapunzel and the Prince, directed by Craig
Reinhart and Kelly Sims and produced by Bob
Baker will be featured at the Renaissance Theatre
at 7p.m.Friday and Saturday with a matinee at 2:30
on Saturday and Sunday. All seats are $10, (matinee
seats are $5) with all profits going into the general
fund of the theatre. The show should appeal to
adults (who refuse to grow up) and to children of all
ages. More information may be obtained from the
web site: www.renaissancetheatre.net.
July 19
by Mary Chase on July 19 at 2 pm. It will be at the
VBC Playhouse. For tickets or more information
call 536-0807 or www.theatrehsv.org. (See ad pg.
29)
RhymeSpot Spoken Word Showcase and Open
Mic is please to announce that this month’s
Rymespot will be an Emmy Spotlight Event.
We will be celebrating the accomplishments of
budding guitar legend Squeeze, Lyricists S. Fly and
Thedweller, Spoken Word Artists John Paul and
Yogi Ec for their contributions to the Emmy Award
Winning Documentary, Mr. Dial Has Something to
Say. This phenomenal event has promised to bring
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
July 21-25
Art Ventures Summer Day Camp “Art through
the Ages” will be held at First Baptist Church;
this camp allows children ages 6-9 to participate
in sessions covering drama, sculpting, music,
dance, and (for older campers) photography. The
cost is only $150 per camper—limited spaces are
available, so register early! For more info or to
register, call (256) 519-ARTS (2787), ext. 206 or visit
the Art Ventures! page at www.artshuntsville.org to
download the application. All camp registrations
must be received by Friday, May 30.
July 22
Art on the Square (AOTD) announces its spring
Children’s Art Camp to be held from 9am - 12
noon, at Big Springs Memorial Park pavilion,
ContinuedonPage23
THE VALLEY PLANET
(256) 679-7143.
Tai Chi Beginner Basics for Toning, Balance,
Relaxation hosted by Squeaking Tribe Puppets
(256)479-7863.
Join The Arts Council at the reception for local
photographer Jeff White at the gallery at Sam and
Greg’s Pizzeria/Gelateria, 119 Northside Square.
Reception begins at 5:00 p.m.; for gallery and artist
information, call (256) 519-2787 (ARTS), ext. 206.
www.samandgregs.com.
July 24-26
Rapunzel and the Prince, directed by Craig
Reinhart and Kelly Sims and produced by Bob Baker
will be featured at the Renaissance Theatre at
7p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with a matinee
at 2:30 on Saturday. All seats are $10, (matinee seats
are $5) with all profits going into the general fund
THE VALLEY PLANET
of the theatre. The show should appeal to adults
(who refuse to grow up) and to children of all ages.
More information may be obtained from the web
site: www.renaissancetheatre.net.
July 24-27
The Whole Backstage Community Theatre in
Guntersville begins their 2008-2009 Season with
Rogers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music,
under the direction of Johnny Brewer. There’s
more information at (256) 582 SHOW (7469) and at
wholebackstage.com.
July 24-August 31
The Photographic Art Exhibit by Jeff White
will be feature at JavaGalleria @ Sam and
Greg’s Pizzeria/Gelateria,
119
Northside
Square, Huntsville . For more information on the
JavaGalleria, contact Edwards at The Arts Council
office at (256) 519-2787 (ARTS), ext. 207. You can
contact the restaurant at (256) 533-9030; their
hours are posted at www.samandgregs.com.
July 25
more information.
All are welcome to pack a picnic and come to the
Huntsville Museum of Art’s west lawn at sundown
to enjoy Back to the Future as part of Classic
Movies in the Park.
Jim Parker’s Songwriter’s Showcase featuring Jim
McBride, Lenny LeBlanc, and Jill Colucci will begin
at 6:30 at the VBC Playhouse. Tickets are $20. For
more information visit www.jimparkermusic.com.
July 26
883-8446.
The Vipers will play South Georgia at 7p.m. at the
Von Braun Center Arena.
July 28
International Park, featuring An Evening of
Gospel with The Mike Cole Family Band at 6:
30 p.m. and Wing and a Prayer at 7:20 p.m. This
event is free and open to the Public! Blankets,
lawn chairs, & picnics encouraged; snacks & soft
drinks on sale. For more information call (256)
519-2787 (ARTS), ext. 205. For future schedules visit
www.artshuntsville.org.
July 28-31
The Huntsville Stars will play four games against
Montgomery at Joe Davis Stadium. The Monday,
Wednesday, and Thursday night games will start at
7:05 and the Tuesday night game will start at 6:05.
July 30
(256) 679-7143.
from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at the Flying Monkey Arts
Center. For more info call Anna Sue (256) 479-7863.
August 1
Olde Towne Coffee Shoppe host Drum Circle on
the first Friday of each month.
Flying Monkey First Friday Open House begins at
7p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
Monkey Speak begins at 8p.m.at the Flying Monkey
Arts Center. See www.flyingmonkeyarts.org for
more information.
Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters
will perform at Merrimack Hall Performing
Arts Center. Tickets
are
$27.50. Visit
www.merrimackhall.com or call (256)534-6455 for
tickets and more information. (See ad pg. )
High Rollin’ For Recovery 7:00 - 11:00 PM at the
Huntsville Depot Roundhouse 404 Madison
Street, Huntsville. The cost is $30 per person at the
door which includes admission, food and $20,000
in casino play dollars. For More Information Contact
Pat Morgan (256) 533-9333 or Kim Grant (256)
698-1729
August 1-2
100th Annual DeKalb County Fiddlers’
Convention will be held at the Fort Payne Middle
School. Come out and join in the “Jam Sessions”,
greet old friends, meet new ones, and “Celebrate
The Heritage”. For more information, Contact the
Big Wills Arts Council at 256-845-2224 or e-mail the
director at [email protected]. Be a friend at
www.myspace.com/dekalbfiddlers.
August 1-3
The Whole Backstage Community Theatre in
Guntersville begins their 2008-2009 Season with
Rogers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music,
under the direction of Johnny Brewer. There’s
more information at (256) 582 SHOW (7469) and at
www.wholebackstage.com.
August 2
Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters will
perform a second time at Merrimack Hall
Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $27.50. Visit
www.merrimackhall.com or call (256)534-6455 for
tickets and more information. (See ad pg. )
One on One with Billy Bob Thornton will be held at
4p.m. at Merrimack Hass Performing Arts Center.
One-on-On will be structured in a format similar to
Inside the Actor’s Studio with a moderator who will
ask Billy Bob questions and guide us through his
career as a musician, writer, actor and director for
the first hour. Billy Bob will also take questions from
the audience for the last 20 minutes. All tickets are
$20. Visit www.merrimackhall.com or call (256)5346455 for tickets and more information. (See ad pg. )
August 2-3
2nd Annual Day Beach 7-Aside Soccer Showdown
offers adults an opportunity for a weekend of fun at
an affordable price. There are divisions for every
player, from the most competitive to those just
looking to have some fun. The location of the fields
will be announced. For up to date information
please view www.southernsoccer.net or contact
Southern Soccer at [email protected] or
256-479-9247 with any questions. July 13th is the
last day for early registration ($175), and July 27th
is the last day for registration ($200).
883-8446.
The End
July 31
All Artists in any medium are invited to participate
in the Redstone Arsenal Annual OktoberfestJuried Art Show at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville,
AL. Today is the submission deadline. Oktoberfest
will be held September 11-14. This is a great
opportunity to display and sell your artwork to a
very large public audience. For more information
and application contact: Event Coordinator, Alison
Levson at 256-975-1975 or [email protected]
#071008073008
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
23
Hot 103.5
by Terri L. French
H
untsville’s summers are humid and
sweltering, but the weather’s not the
hottest thing in The Rocket City these
days, that slot is filled by one of the city’s
newest radio stations, WHWT/Hot 103.5.
Al Stroh, owner and operator of Stroh
Communications Inc. based in Montgomery,
Alabama, purchased the frequency in the fall
of 2007. Launched under the direction of
Mickey Johnson, Director of Programming
and Steve Smith of Radio Ratings Consulting
Service, the station has quickly become
home to “Huntsville’s Hottest Hits.”
Hot plays a multicultural mix that appeals to
a wide age group. Artists featured include
Plies, Lil Wayne, Leona Lewis, Rhianna,
Usher, Colby Odonis and Mariah Carey,
playing a mix of CHR, Pop, Rhythmic Music
better known as Hip Hop.
“As we grow this station in Huntsville, we
hope to make it a staple in this city for the
growing diverse audience that’s changing
every day,” says afternoon drive host and
Program Director, DJ Fresh.
Al Stroh, President of Stroh Communications
Corporation.
Nationally
syndicated
“Big
Boy’s
Neighborhood” morning show starts out
the day from 5 – 10 am. The show, which
is the number one rated Hip Hop show
in California and all over the west coast,
features entertainment news, artist interviews
and the world famous “Phone Taps.”
Missy E doubles as mid day drive host and
morning and afternoon Traffic Reporter. The
night show, 7 – 10 pm, is presided over by
“The Shady Nation.” And, Lee Lee holds
down weekends on Hot 103.5.
The fast-paced hit oriented station also has
plenty of contests, giveaways. fly-a-ways,
and more.
The station launched with a give-way for two
winners to attend the Grammy Awards in Los
Angeles.
Hot 103.5 is both a listener’s and advertiser’s
haven. “We offer advertisers a land of
opportunity to reach a group of consumers
who don’t look alike, don’t think alike, but
have one thing in common. . .a culture. .
.a Hip Hop culture that shares music as a
form of communication and entertainment,”
says Karen Porter, Director of Sales and
Internet Marketing. “This audience consumes
everything…says
Porter, “cars, homes, furniture, appliances
and very high tech equipment.”
Our
T
I’ll begin with Scout, a soon to be 13-yearold Black Lab who is the love of my artist
friend Katie McDill’s life. I’ve only known
Scout and her sisters since early spring, but I,
too, am hopelessly in love with Scout.
24
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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
THE VALLEY PLANET
ball catcher. But once she’s done showing off
her impeccable skills, she’s ready for a good
rub down and brushing. She has a particular
fondness for leg and butt rubs and under-thecollar scratching. (Her collar, by the way, is
pink and green, the colors of her mom’s alma
mater, Sweet Briar College in Virginia. Scout
likes to help her mommy represent).
Once Scout gets her royal pampering, her
ears perk up, her eyes glow with joy, and the
puppy inside her really shines through.
And Scout is more than just sweet; she’s
one hell of an athlete. At 12, she remains
without a doubt the world’s champion tennis
Speaking of puppy, this brings me to Annie,
her Golden Retriever sister who will be one
year old this Christmas. This puppy supreme
has to be crated during the day while her
parents are away at work. But when Auntie
Jen comes over to let her out for pee-pees and
playtime—look out! She’ll give you a calm,
angelic look from the other side of the crate,
but it’s really a clever yet innocent con job.
Once the door opens, out comes an orange,
lanky bucking bronco full of kisses and
bouncin’ wild puppy energy. Dad Jeremy,
the “alpha dog” of the bunch, is a Marine
who successfully takes her for no-nonsense
morning runs on the mountain to work off
THE VALLEY PLANET
#071008073008
Every time my key turns in the door, Scout
quickly finds her way to the living room so
she’s sure to be the first to greet me with her
wise doggie eyes, a face of endless love, and
a spirit that in itself makes this world a better
place.
So, Huntsville, stay cool and tune in to
WHWT/Hot 103.5.
Hot 103.5 owner, Al Stroh feels Huntsville
was hungry for a station that really played
“The Hits”
Miami’s hot artist Flo Rida dropped into the Hot 103.5 studio’s to meet the staff. (l-r) DJ Fresh,
Le Le, Flo Rida,Miss E and His Shadyness.
that energy. But by midday, after I’ve
delicately wrestled her to the carpet to attach
her leash, she’s ready to go again. I always
appreciate the challenge of being dragged
by this sweet, small horse of a puppy…and
I’ve come to expect and rather enjoy the
free canine chiropractic adjustments she
provides.
oday I walked up to a door to find one
of the most precious and thoughtful
things awaiting me—a piece of white
paper decorated with pink, green and blue
paw prints that read “Welcome Back, Auntie
Jen!”
These nieces—Scout (named after a
character in To Kill a Mockingbird), Annie
(named after novelists Annie Proulx and
Annie Dillard), Jude and Boots—of whom I
write are so dear to my heart that I couldn’t
resist writing both a comical and sentimental
tribute piece about them and their parents.
That’s why he chose the Rhythmic format.
“In a progressive market like Huntsville, I
feel confident Hot 103.5 listeners will enjoy
hearing hit music constantly”, says Stroh.
“We’ve got a huge slate of promotions
planned for this summer, as we continue the
station’s concert series,” says Fresh, “The
station has already showcased the most
popular artists in the Huntsville market to
include Flo Rida, Plies, Shawty Lo, and Ying
Yang Twins. These artists performed at
local venues. On July 12th, Hot 103.5 will
showcase Nappy Roots at the Huntsville
Dragway and
on Sunday, the station will showcase the
very popular Hip Hop band, 17th Floor at the
Huntsville Dragway.
Auntie Jen’s
Animal Crazy
It was precious because it was from four
of my beloved cat and dog nieces who had
been missing me. (Well, they confessed their
mom helped them with the note a little.)
audience likes to purchase the “best” and
will purchase what they want…when they
want it”. Porter says advertisers need to
understand that a typical Hot 103.5 listener
is likely to be sporting a $150 pair of jeans,
a $500.00 phone, charge cards, a home, and
a couple of children. “They may be medical
or legal professionals, business owners,
or a college student. Hip Hop is a culture
that has no racial, economic, or educational
barriers. “Rhythmic is Hip Hop, and that’s
Hot 103.5.
Annie is also quite the student, especially
when I scoop the cat litter. She intensely
watches and studies the process, but it
always ends in a short, disappointing lecture
in which she is denied the cats’ “Tootsie
Rolls.”
Speaking of the cats, they are also
characters. Jude is a one-year-old with
some of the softest fur you could dream of
touching. Katie claims her only “quirk” is
a chronically “smelly butt,” but I’ve never
noticed. What I have noticed is that this
little girl often enjoys hiding out before
making a sneak attack, and then poof—she
disappears back into thin air. I also suspect
she has an unaccounted for distaste for the
Beatles, or perhaps just my singing voice.
Whenever I pet her or brush her, she has no
qualms with the physical contact. But when
I start up with “Hey Jude,” it’s slap-slapslap, and she’s out.
As for 10-year-old kitty Boots, she’s a doll,
but she rarely makes a floor appearance. She
spends most of the day on a comfy pillow
atop the kitchen cabinet, far from the reach
of cat & dog drama—and conveniently
close to the bottles of red wine.
At the end of my hour with them, it’s hard
to say goodbye until next time, but I always
have the comfort of knowing that soon
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
another key will be in the door, and it will
be their devoted mom or dad returning home
to give them the love they deserve and never
go without.
I appreciate these nieces of mine and all the
fun and loving times we share, but I also
appreciate their mom and dad. Both pets and
people of this caliber should not be taken for
granted, as they each uniquely heal the lives
they touch. I know they have all helped to
heal mine. To the four-legged girls, I say
“woof woof” and “meow meow”; to Katie
and Jeremy, I say “thank you.”
25
Next Up at the JavaGalleria
@ Sam & Greg’s!
Partners - Not Sure
We Need the Labels
I
The JavaGalleria @ Sam and Greg’s
119 Northside Square
Huntsville, AL 35801
n celebration of their first year in
business, Partners Neighborhood Bar
and Grill located at 631 Meridian Street
in Downtown Huntsville is having a Huge
Party on July 19th! We decided to ask
Michelle Burgett, one of the owners, a few
candid questions about opening a bar and
grill in Huntsville.
N
ext on the agenda at the JavaGalleria is
the literally theatrical photography of
Huntsville native Jeff White. A Fine
Arts major from UA, White is well known as
an actor (Noises Off, Little Shop of Horrors)director (Romeo & Juliet, Shakespearian
Shorts) in the Huntsville-Madison area, but is
also renowned when he’s NOT on stage and
behind the camera, shooting special events at
clicksfoto.com. It’s no surprise that he’s the
grandson of famed area photographer William
Buel Case, Sr.
VP: So, you are having a first year
anniversary of opening a bar/restaurant in
Huntsville? Is it more fun than you ever
imagined?
Michelle: Indeed it is! We started this
hoping to bring some unity to the community.
Partners is certainly doing that. We have
brought lots of people together that never
really had a neighborhood place to hangout.
And in doing this we have created great
energy and helped so many in our community
with fundraising events. We have helped
raise thousands for various causes in our
first year including North Alabama Wildlife
Rehabilitation, The Alabama Renegades, and
recently helped raise money to send Grace
Ragland to a national mountain bike event
in Vermont.
VP: Are you glad you opened?
Michelle: Yes. We have had the usual ups
and downs related to opening a new business,
but the passion for what we are doing has not
changed.
VP: Why did you decide to open a gay bar in
Huntsville? Or should I call it a gay bar?
Michelle: Gay bar, straight bar, I am not
sure in 2008 we need the labels. Yes, many
of our patrons are gay, but mostly they are
just hard working, taxpaying citizens of
Huntsville and surrounding areas. Partners
is not a meat-market bar so it’s hard to tell
who is straight or gay. It is just a bar full of
people having a drink and something to eat;
playing darts or pool or hanging out at the
bar watching “Funniest Home Videos” on
TV. It is really just a “regular Joe” place, but
with class, of course.
VP: Have you had any negative feedback,
negative actions, etc…personally or against
the business for opening?
Michelle: Actually no. We get along fine
with all the neighboring businesses. Many
of the Furniture Factory patrons come over
to check us out and then end up coming
back for Karaoke nights. That is why is it
so important to be a “people bar” no need
to worry about being labeled just cause you
hang out at Partners. I think we’ve helped
change some of the prejudices about gay
folks by being open to everyone. . We
welcome anyone that comes through the
door. However, good manners are a rule.
If you disrespect or offend anyone, you are
asked to leave.
VP: What do you plan to do different in the
coming year, if anything?
Michelle: We would like to continue to
expand our menu and eventually open for
lunch. Chef Jennifer Smith has introduced
an excellent menu to Partners. We still offer
bar fare, wings and burgers, but you can also
get Blackened Salmon, Shrimp Diablo, and
Chicken with roasted red peppers, all of
which are fresh and served with homemade
sauces.
VP: Tell us about your Anniversary Party.
Michelle: We are very excited about this
event on July 19th. We plan to secure the
north parking lot and have live entertainment
from 3pm until closing. Several bands are
scheduled along with comedy acts, contests,
and food all day. This will be a day of fun
and celebrations. A perfect day to check out
what we are about!
VP: What do you think people need to know
about Partners?
Michelle: Partners has a great energy and a
“my place” feel to it. Everyone comments
on the ambience of the brick interior and
how comfortable it feels. Kind of like
Cheers, you get a hearty welcome from
everyone at the bar when you enter, and yes
we do usually know your name!
Over the years, Tennessee Valley residents have
seen quite a smörgåsbord of Jeff’s eye-catching
creations through the multitudinous programs,
posters, magazines, TV ads, and newspapers
addressing plays, musicals, operettas, and
the like. His support of such arts groups as
Theatre Huntsville, Renaissance Theatre,
Ars Nova, Huntsville Community Chorus,
Fantasy Playhouse, and more has aided greatly
in promotional efforts and strengthening
their public image. The works of this visual
cornucopia take drama a bit further, escaping
the confines of the stage. As such, they will be
a cornerstone of the retrospective. In addition,
White will showcase such historical subjects as
Burritt on the Mountain and the Lincoln Mill
area.
The JavaGalleria is one of two galleries The
Arts Council has opened in 2008. “Our work
with Sam & Greg’s is an extension of what
Book Review
by Harry Freeman of Starkville Reads
Through Sgod’s Eyes
by Daniel L. Gardner
W
ant to know the real scoop on how
dogs got on earth and why they
are a lot more intelligent that us
humans? Then pick up Daniel Gardner’s new
book, “Through Sgod’s Eyes.” Gardner, a
syndicated columnist who lives in Starkville,
MS, combines equal parts of science fiction,
fantasy, his obvious love of dogs, and his
personal philosophy into this short book to
produce an enjoyable and thought provoking
read. The premise is that rather than being
just dogs, many of the loveable animals are
actually sgods (pronounced “God” beginning
with an‘s’) sent to earth from the planet,
Sgodia (long ‘o’ sound), around the time
of the Creation to monitor humans. How
zee’s rocket
city bEAT
D
by Jim Zielinski
aniel Jada, Rhonda Prentice, CQ,
and I betook ourselves to the 14th
Annual RC and Moon Pie Festival (
www.bellbucklechamber.com/rcmoon.html)
in Bell Buckle, TN. And yes, we did try a
bite of the World’s Largest Moon Pie. Just
our luck, it was that all-too-omnipresent
banana variety…give me basic chocolate any
day…but at least it tasted a little like banana
pudding. A welcome diversion in a hamlet
that says they’re “100 years behind the times
and proud of it”—you might consider the
festival for one of your 2009 day-trips. I’m
just sad we missed the synchronized wading
performance.
TAC is doing at the Von Braun Center with our
art@TAC Gallery. “Although we are an all-arts
organization, these galleries spotlight the visual
arts in our community, providing a readily
accessible venue for visitors,” says David
Edwards, TAC’s Programs Assistant. “We also
hope this will help ‘grease the wheels’ for a
greater acceptance—and thus installation—of
public art in this city. We would like to help
do the same for other businesses, even if
it’s only for the sake of enriching employee
environments.” The “Art in Public Places
Program” is an important subject to TAC, the
Create Huntsville Committee, the Huntsville
Art League, and other organizations; the
renowned Skip Van Houten sculpture, Geode,
is one result of this movement. The sculpture
resides in front of the M. Louis Salmon Library
on the campus of the University of Alabama in
Huntsville.
For more information on the JavaGalleria,
contact Edwards at The Arts Council office at
(256) 519-2787 (ARTS), ext. 207. You can
contact the restaurant at (256) 533-9030; their
hours are posted at www.samandgregs.com.
If you go…
What: Photographic Art Exhibit by Jeff
White/Grand Opening
Where: JavaGalleria @ Sam and Greg’s
Pizzeria/Gelateria, 119 Northside Square,
Huntsville
When: Thursday, 24 July 2008 (show
continues through August)
Admission: FREE
Call: (256) 519-2787 (ARTS), ext. 205 for
information
does Gardner know this? Well, it turns out
his dog, PJ, is actually a descendant of the
original sgods and explains it all to him in
a series of conversations. (Incidentally, for
you doubters, PJ assures the author in an
early conversation that “the Genesis record
is accurate.”)
In a series of short chapters with titles like
Play, Food, Naps, Riding Around, Garbage
Cans, Socks, and Tummy Rubs, the author
relates some of PJ’s observations on the
human condition from a different perspective.
“Humans generally take too few walks and it
shows,” and “Riding around is a lot more
fun than arriving.” I found the book to be
a fun read and several times put it down to
reflect on one of PJ’s observation. I suspect
that a dog lover will find it even more of a
fun read. PJ’s final bottom line is “Tummy
rubs are like heaven, filled with truth, trust,
and love.” The book is available at from the
author at [email protected].
Listings
[email protected]
Cont.from19
801 FRANKLIN
APPLEBEE’S
3150 N. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256 859-4200
11331 Hwy 72 E., Athens
BEAUREGARD’S (3 Huntsville locations)
1009 N.Memorial Pkwy , 256-512-0074
511 Jordan Lane, 256-837-2433
975 Airport Rd. SW, 256-880-2131
1421 H.Paramount Dr., Huntsville, 256-489-5380
BISTRO LA LUNA
7001 Val-Monte Drive, Guntersville, 256-582-0930.
BISTRO LA VILLE
7914 South Memorial Pkwy, STE E16, Huntsville 256 489-1515
B&J RESTAURANT
Hwy 231 S., Lacey Springs, 256-880-0521
THE BLUE PARROT
7001 Val Monte Drive, Guntersville, 256 582-0930
BONEFISH GRILL
4800 Whitesburg Dr. , 256-883-0643
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
2750 Carl T. Jones Dr., Huntsville, 256-650-4115
CAFE 113
113 Grant St. SE, Decatur, 256-350-1400
CAFÉ MICHAEL
5732 HWY 431 S, Huntsville, 256-539-9113.
CAHOOTS
114 WestMarket Street, Fayetteville, 931 433-1173
#071008073008
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
THE VALLEY PLANET
ALFONSO’S
2400 6th Ave. SE, Decatur, 256-355-1045
SOUL BURGER
2900 Triana Blvd. SW, Huntsville, 256-534-8585
AROMA’S
6275 University Dr. NW #24, Huntsville, 256-425-0495
TONY’S ITALIAN DELI (2 Locations)
119 James Madison Drive SW, Huntsville, 256-772-444
Airport Rd., Huntsville,
CRACKER BARREL (2 Locations)
2001 Drake Ave, Huntsville256-881-4177
120 Cleghorn Blvd., Madison,256-461-7670
Italian
SCHLOTZSKY’S DELI (3 locations)
4319 University Drive NW, 256-830-6400
11120 Memorial Pkwy SW, 256-650-6300
8969 Hwy. 20, Madison, 256-464-5300
STANLIEO’S SUB VILLA (2 Huntsville locations)
605 Jordan Lane, 256-837-7220
602 Governors Drive, 256-536-6585
COFFEE TREE BOOKS & BREW, THE
7900 Bailey Cove Rd., Huntsville, 256-880-6464
ROSIE’S MEXICAN CANTINA (2 locations)
7540 S. Memorial Pkwy, 256-382-3232
SAM & GREG’S GELATO CAFE
119 North Side Sq. , Huntsville, 256-533-9030
ANGEL’S ISLAND COFFEE
7538 S.Memorial Pkwy., Huntsville, 256-319-3424
COFFEE AND TEA COMPANY
Madison Square Mall, Huntsville 256-837-7085
PHIL SANDOVAL’S MEXICAN RESTAURANTE
6125 University Dr., Huntsville, 256-489-5711
CARRABAS
Parkway Place Mall Huntsville, Al 35801
LA STRADA
524 Gunter Ave., Guntersville. 256-582-2250.
LUCIANO
964 Airport Road SW, Huntsville, 256-885-0505
RICATONI’S ITALIAN GRILL
107 N. Court St., Florence, 256-718-1002
BBQ
ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL
5901 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-722-4770
BB PERRINS
608 Holly St, NE, Decatur, 256-355-0980
TELLINI’S CAFE & GRILL (2 LOCATIONS)
4855 Whitesburg Dr. Huntsville, 256-881-9155
1515 Perimeter Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-726-9006
CLEM’S BBQ & FISHERY
3700 Blue Spring Rd., Huntsville, 256-852-6661
TERRANOVA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
1420 Paramount Dr., Huntsville, 256-489-8883
DREAMLAND
3855 University Dr., Huntsville 256-539-7427
Japanese
DAILY BREW
2941 St. Mallard Pkwy, Decatur, 256-355-0330
EDO JAPANESE RESTAURANT
104 N. Intercom Drive, Madison, 256-772-0360
CHOPHOUSE, THE
109 Washington Street, Huntsville, 256-704-5555.
ELK RIVER COFFEE COMPANY
117 Main Avenue North, Fayetteville, 931- 438-9888
MERIDIANVILLE BBQ
11537 Hwy. 231N., Meridianville, 256-828-3725
I LOVE SUSHI
2000 Cecil Ashburn Dr. ATE 102, Huntsville, , 256-885-1818
CLAYSVILLE SNACK BAR
21192 U.S. Hwy 431, Gunterville
JAMO’S CAFÉ
413 Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville, 256-837-7880.
OLE HICKORY PIT BBQ
5061 Maysville Road New Market, 256-859-2824
CRAWMAMMA’S
5000 Webb Villa, Guntersville, 256-582-0484
JAVA JAAY CAFE (2 Decautr Locations)
1713 6th Ave. SE, Decatur, 256-351-8555
1801 Beltline Rd. (Colonial Mall), 256-350-6700.
SIMMON’S BBQ
10099 SOUTH MEMORIAL PARKWAY, 256-882-5030
MIKATO JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE & LOUNGE
4061 Independence Dr. NW, Huntsville, 256-830-1700.
SMOKEY’S BARBEQUE
8073 Hwy 72, W, Madison, 256-721-0300
MIKAWA RESTAURANT
1010 Heathland Dr, Huntsville, 256-837-7440.
TAILGATER’S BBQ
5638 Hwy 53, Huntsville 256- 852-3388
MISO HOUSE
404 Jordan Lane, Huntsville. 256-489-7766
THOMAS PIT BBQ
Hwy 72 ,W, Madison, 256-837-4900
MIWON JAPANESE RESTAURANT
404 Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville, 256-533-7771
CUES STEAKHOUSE
12361 U.S. Hwy 431, Guntersville,
D&L BISTRO
7500 SW Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville,
256-881-7244, located in Main St. South
KAFFEEKLATSCH
LAGNIAPPES COFFEE CAFE
119 East Moulton, Decatur
MAMA FU’S ASIAN HOUSE
6920 University Dr. Huntsville, 256-830-4433
THE DOCKS
417 Ed Hembree, Scottsboro, 256-574-3071
LITTLE DINER (across form Chuckee Cheese)
1219 Jordan Lane Suite A, Huntsville, 256 837-6971
DOLCE
365 The Bridge Street, Huntsville, 256-327-8385
MAMA ANNIE’S
4550 Meridian St. N, Huntsville, 256-489-3275
EDEN’S EAST
2413-B Jordan Lane, Huntsville, 256-721-9491
O’HOULIHAN’S
101 East Market Street, Fayetteville 931 433-0557
BILL’S CAFE
111 East Market St., Fayetteville, 931 433-5332
SHO GUN JAPANESE STEAK & SUSHI BAR
FURNITURE FACTORY BAR & GRILL
OLDE TOWNE COFFEE SHOPPE
511 Pratt Ave NE, Huntsville, 256-539-5399
BISCUITS AND BLUES
325 The Bridge Street, Huntsville, 256-327-8490
TOKYO JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE & SUSHI BAR
1105 Wayne Road, Huntsville, 256-217-1719
STEARNS COFFEE
2113 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256-534-0513
BLUE PLATE CAFE
3210 Governors Drive, Huntsville, 256-533-8808
SUBWAY
14450 hwy 231-431 STE A, Hazel Green
DUFFEY’S
5125 Moores Mill Rd., Huntsville, 256-859-6003
WILD ROSE CAFE
121 North Side Square, Huntsville, 256-539-3658
ERNEY’S
1605 Pulaski Pike NW, Huntsville, (256) 533-5734
GAME DAY GRILL
10871 County Line Rd. STE E, Madison, 256 461-8082
GRILLE 29
445 Providence Main, Huntsville, 256-489-9470.
HOOTERS
Cajun
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL
109 Washington Street, Huntsville, 256-704-5555.
CAJUN CAFE
704 Hwy 231 Lacey’s Spring 256-650-5586
INDIGO JOE’S
7407 Hwy 72 W Madison, AL 256-489-9393
PO BOY FACTORY
815 Andrew Jackson Way, Huntsville, 256-539-3616.
JAZZ FACTORY
109 North Side Square, Huntsville, 256-539-1919.
K C’s COYOTE CAFE
410 Old Town St., Guntersville, 256-582-1676
KETCHUP
Bridge Street Town Center, Huntsville, 256-327-8390
LE BISTRO DU SOLEIL
300 Franklin Street, Huntsville, 256-539-7777
LOGAN’S ROADHOUSE (3 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
MAMA ANNIE’S
4550 Meridian Street N, 489-3275
THE PALETTE’ CAFÉ
5000 Whitesburg, Huntsville, AL, 256-533-2230
PAULI’S BAR & GRILL
7143-C Hwy 72 W, Huntsville, 256-722-2080.
THE RESTAURANT
2167 Winchester Hwy, Kelso, TN, 931-433-9946
SCENE AT BRIDGE STREET
370 The Bridge Street, Huntsville,
SHEA’S EXPRESS
415 E Church St, Huntsville AL, 532-5277
SWAMP JOHN’S RESTAURANT
2850 N. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, Al 851-7760
26
Breakfast
Coffee&Lunch
COFFEE CREATIONS
616 HWY 31, S ATHENS, AL 35611
PEPITO’S
3508 Mem. Pkwy. S, Huntsville, 256-858-0059
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS
2720 Carl T. Jones Dr., Huntsville, 256-650-1367
365 The Bridge St., Huntsville, 256-327-8530
WILD FLOUR BISTRO
501 Jordan Ln., Huntsville, 256-722-9401
BROKEN EGG CAFE
2750 Carl T. Jones Dr., Huntsville
MARIA BONITA GRILL & CANTINA
125 E. Moulton St., Decatur, 256-552-1903
McALLISTER’S DELI (2 Huntsville locations)
4800 Whitesburg Drive S, 256-880-1557
1480 Perimeter Pkwy, 256-425-0034.
WEST SIDE COFFEE PLACE & CAFE
2699B Sandlin Rd., SW, Decatur, 256-353-2025
ALABAMA BREAD COMPANY
975 Airport Rd., Huntsville, 256-882-2010.
LITTLE ROSIE’S TAQUERIA
4781 Whitesburg Dr S, Huntsville, 256-882-0014
HOTDOGGIT
6610 Old Madison Pike, Huntsville
TOP O’ THE RIVER
7004 Val-Monte, Guntersville, 256-582-4567
GIBSON BBQ (4 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
CHILI’S (2 Huntsville locations)
2740 Carl T. Jones, 256-882-1230
HAZEL GREEN FAMILY RESTAURANT
13903 Hwy 231-431 N, Hazel Green 256 828-7959
A little more information on the cooking
classes at Williams Sonoma. But first, what
about their “Technique Classes?” These
Sunday 30- to 45-minute tutorials are FREE,
held at noon, led by culinary experts, and
cover such diverse topics as “Pizza” (13
July); “Summer Fruits & Vegetables” (27
July); “All About Tomatoes” (10 August);
and “Cooking with Olive Oil” (24 August).
Cooking classes ($40 per class/$35 if
booking more than one) are held on Tuesdays
and offer a 10% discount on store items once
the class concludes. Next up are: “Summer
Cocktail Party” (15 July); “Making Pizza at
Home” (22 July); and “Summer in Provence”
(29 July). Classes max out at about twelve
students; a cursory view of a recent session
revealed some delicious-looking foodstuffs
and some happy, inquisitive scholars.
Condiments and basic ingredients come
straight off the shelves in the store, so it’s
really a chance to try before you buy. (256)
534-2008 for info.
TGI FRIDAY’S
4935 University Drive NW, Huntsville, 256-830-2793
WINGS SPORTS GRILLE
4250 Balmoral Dr. SW, Huntsville, 256-881-8878.
LA ALAMEDA
3807 University Drive NW, Huntsville, 256-539-6244
FIREHOUSE SUBS
3022 S.Mem.Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-880-8246
8572 Madison Blvd.,, Madion, 256-774-8028
TINA’S CANTINA @ Lowe Mill
2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville, 256-457-0977
THE VALLEY PLANET
TIM’S CAJUN KITCHEN
114 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, 256-533-7589.
Mediterranean
PAPOU’S
110 South Side Square, Huntsville, 256-534-5553
Burgers,Deli
&Pizza
BELLACINO’S PIZZA & GRINDERS (2 locations)
4851 Whitesburg Dr, 256-880-8656
BIG ED’S PIZZERIA
903 North Parkway Huntsville 256-489-3374
C.F. PENN HAMBURGERS
121 E. Moulton St., Decatur, 256-553-1903
CHEEBURGER, CHEEBURGER (3 locations)
300 Hughes Rd, Madison, 256-464-9990
Providence Main, Huntsville
DALLAS MILL DELI
500 Pratt Ave. Huntsville, 256-489-4240
DUFFY’S DELI
2324 Whitesburg, Huntsville, 256-533-4179
#071008073008
HomeCooking
MIYAKO
10013 South Parkway, Huntsville, 256-880-9879
ROYAL BUFFET
2003 Drake Ave. Huntsville, 256-883-8998
Thai
PHUKET
Providence Town, Huntsville, 256-489-1612
G’S COUNTRY KITCHEN
2501 Oakwood Dr., Huntsville, 256-533-3034
SURIN OF THAILAND (2 locations)
975 Airport Rd SW, Huntsville, 256-213-9866
Hwy 72 ,Madison
MAMA ANNIE’S
4550 Meridian St. N, Huntsville, 256-489-3275
THAI GARDEN RESTAURANT
800 Wellman Ave. NE, Huntsville, 256-534-0122
Chinese
MULLIN’S
607 Andrew Jackson, Huntsville, 256-539-2826
ROLO’S CAFE
505 Airport Rd., Huntsville, 256-883-7656
Mexican&
Southwestern
BANDITO BURRITO (3 locations)
3017 Governors Dr SW, Huntsville, 256-534-0866
208 Main St., Madison, 256-461-8999
11220 S.Parkway, Huntsville, 256-489-3232
NEW CHINA
German
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
HILDEGARD’S
OL HEIDELBERG CAFÉ
6125 University Drive NW E14, Huntsville, 256-922-0556.
EL CAMINO REAL
41782 Hwy 231, Meridianville, 256 828-2942
SCHNITZEL RANCH
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
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
DING HOW II
TAI PAN PALACE
2012 Mem. Pkwy, S, Huntsville, 256-539-5797
CASA OLE
13989 Hwy 231-431 Hazel Green,, 256 828-6000
GUADALAJARA MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
11208 S. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville 256-882-7311
8572 Madison Blvd, Madison 256-774-1401
CHINA MOON
11700 S Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-880-2626
PANDA
5000 Whitesburg Dr., Suite 128, 256-880-3220/880-1395
CANTINA LAREDO
300 The Bridge Street, STE 100, Huntsville, 256-327-8580
EL PALACIO
2008 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville 256-539-6075
ASIAN CITY
10871 County Line Rd. STE C, Madison, AL, 256-772-8282
Caribbean
ISLAND JERK
2501 Jordan Ln, Huntsville,. 256-489-4774
CASA MONTEGO INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE
2117 Jonathan Drive, Huntsville, 256-858-9187.
ContinuedonPage30
27
What Then Must We Do?
by Bonnie Roberts
used to be middle-class. I still have more
than many poverty-level individuals, like a
home, on which I still pay a mortgage, and
Blue Cross Insurance, as secondary coverage
to Medicare. Many on poverty level don’t
have any insurance at all, or, among the
elderly, just Medicare or Medicaid.
I
I
hope that gas goes up to 10 bucks a
gallon. I hope that oil runs out and
people stand up for the preservation of
wildlife on oil rich land. People though,
especially people with addictions always
find a new way to create the means to feed
their addictions, often with little regard for
anyone or anything else around them. What
is it with driving? The speed, the power
the control? It’s an addiction, I know, I’m
a recovering automobile user, name’s Jim.
About 35-40% of automobile trips are less
than 2 miles, which is a 5-10 minute bike
ride, 10 minutes if you are on a Huffy full
suspension mountain bike with flat knobby
tires. Commuting by bike, especially short
trips average 0-15 percent longer by bike
than by auto (see www.cicle.org). Here’s my
own personal example, Kroger is around 2
miles from my house. I take at least 2-3 trips
there each week by bike. My work office is
5 miles, a 20 minute trip by bike, 3-5 times
a week. Sometimes I drive, because I don’t
plan my mornings well, I have to deliver
tools or bicycles or my daughter won’t let me
sleep the night before. I spend about $15.00
a week on gas, so that’s roughly 4.5 gallons
each week. If I replaced my bike trips with
car trips I would be spending about $40.00
a week on gas or consume 10-15 gallons a
week. Based on these calculations I’m not
much of a gas addict because I make the bike
my primary vehicle. If gasoline was crack
cocaine I know plenty of people who would
be lying in vacant houses with boarded up
windows, wallowing in their own filth.
Much like with addictions, those who are
continually using are the biggest danger to
themselves and society. Whatever, it’s all a
matter of perspective anyway right? Heck,
the deformed animals, sick people and dead
cyclists say the same thing, too. Right?
and other needs. The companies who supply
real needs deserve every right to pay $1.00 a
gallon, and the guy who drives 2 miles daily
to the convenience store to get cigs and beer
deserves to pay $25.00 a gallon. I don’t think
my trip to Kroger in a car would have been
justified tonight because all I was getting was
cat litter and milk. Trust me, I am still trying
to break the gas addiction too, I could have
easily hopped in the car and guiltily justified
my trip.
If you cannot bike due to missing limbs,
a special bike can be built for you. If you
can’t bike because you’re “big” then the bike
will help you lose weight. If you can’t bike
because you are blind, deaf or paralyzed,
well, the automobile was made for you,
granted you have a chauffeur. If you can’t
bike because you fear the road then contact
me, I know the roads and I know people who
will be more than happy to help you ride
safely. Please feel free to respond or inquire
about road courses or all other cycling events,
email me at [email protected]. And as
always, Life Cycles, the bike coop needs old
bicycles, any old bicycles, call me personally
if you have any donations or inquiries on
the program. My number is 256-348-5189.
Shop your local bike shop; let them hook you
up with a new but healthy habit!
On a positive note, I hear that very inexpensive
clothing is the “in” thing--Wow, so many of us
have always been ‘tres chic’ and just didn’t
know it! (So much for trends.)
When I first had to take early retirement, I
thought I could still keep living as I once had.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha. . . That laugh
could go on until it turns into total silence.
At some point, I smashed into the economic
wall.
Through trial and LOTS of error, I can now
offer practical ways of getting by on a small
income. Although I abhor thinking about
things financial, it is a matter of survival.
(Many of the suggestions happen to be
environment/energy friendly, as well.)
1. I have given up plastic bags. If I use
nothing in the garbage can, I have to empty
it more, or make sure the lid in on tight
(“fragrance”). I rinse it out with a cup of
water and tablespoon of vinegar. I did without
Ziploc bags when growing up; I did not suffer,
and I do not suffer now.
Other than toilet paper, I do not use paper
products. I buy inexpensive, reusable rag
cloths from Family Dollar and my mother’s
slightly frayed cloth napkins, which I like
because they remind me of her.
2. No washing until the washer is full. Once, I
mindlessly popped in just a pair of jeans and a
tee-shirt. To save on utility bills, use warm or
cold, not hot. I go to the Dollar Tree for liquid
detergent. If they don’t have allergen-free (I
have asthma), I visit Family Dollar.
3. During the day, I leave all the lights off
in my house. I have windows. If you don’t
have lots of windows, you may need some soft
interior light (to avoid bills for broken bones).
But, even at night, I never have on more than
one light at a time. If you don’t believe me,
ask my neighbors who wonder what it is I’m
doing over here in the dark.
There is a national organization called
BikeWalk that can help motorists kick the
habit of driving. Think of pro-bike/walk
agencies as a sort of rehab. There are plenty
of educational resources out there to learn
how to coexist with addicts...um I mean
drivers on the road. Go to Alabike.org for
statewide advocacy or visit bikewalk.org
for the national center for biking and
walking. Let me say though, I understand
the necessary use of the automobile. The
automobile is a luxury, a convenience but
most importantly it has a wonderful use as
fast/safe transport for infants, food, medicine
When I leave, I cut off ALL power. If
there’s a switch with a red light connected to
ANYTHING, that goes off, too. (Exceptions:
refrigerators, burglar alarms, gas appliances)
4. In the summer, it’s hard for me to keep the
thermostat at 77 degrees, as recommended.
However, when I go to bed, and wild things
(like me) quiet down, it’s okay. In the winter,
it’s easier to keep my thermostat low; I wear
sweaters and great big socks I bought years
ago in Ireland. They’re full of holes, which I
darn occasionally (sew up without any skill).
It doesn’t matter if they’re “indescribable” (?);
they remind me of the Irish Sea. Since I’ve
been poor, I look for meaning or memory, but,
then, I’ve always done that.
5. I love giving. It’s hard to resist picking
up bird seed for Joe Berry, a Tibetan book for
Tom West. Instead, I give the best of myself
for presents--laughter, affirmation, ideas,
compassion. Sometimes, I write stories or
poems about the time I spend with people. I
can write one for you.
6. At restaurants, I no longer try to steal the
check. I TRY to be gracious if someone is
gracious enough to offer paying.
7. If I eat out, it’s at Bandito Burrito, where the
nutritious meal is about six dollars, including
a brownie made by Oscar; or, at Subway, tasty
and nutritious for the money, especially if you
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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
get the apple slices, instead of chips.
8. No extras on my phone that raise my bill.
As far as cable television, that has been easy.
I have not watched television in decades, and
certainly do not want cable. Surfing may be a
“drug of choice” and just as damaging as any.
I prefer to have Fred and Charlotte drag me on
a walk, play a free computer game that might
stimulate brain cell growth, or swing in my
hammock.
9. Primary news source, computer and car
radio.
10. No expensive cleansers that devour a
week’s supply of groceries. Vinegar and
baking soda are as good, and better for you.
No need for silver polish. If you have silver,
why haven’t you hocked it?
11. I’m addicted to foreign and independent
films. For $4.45 a month, Netflix sends all the
movies you want, all kinds, no deadlines, no
late fees, no bigger bottom from large buttered
popcorn. Library rents FOR FREE.
11. Once a book-buyer, I borrow books from
friends or the library. They read the same.
12. For the age-conscious. Neutrogena’s
“Anti-Wrinkle Cream.” If that’s too costly,
gentle soap and water and a simple moisturizer.
Avoid sun damage. Hamlet had the truth of it
when he encountered Yorrick’s skull: “Now
get you to my lady’s chamber, and tell her, let
her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must
come” (Act V, sc. 1).
13. Do NOT buy DAILY for groceries.
Prepackaged is also more expensive, full of
sodium and long words. At Garden Cove, I
buy Red Lentil Soup w/curry. That makes four
hearty servings for me in a month, and is rich
in A, C, Calcium, and Iron. Seasonal fruits
and vegetables are relatively inexpensive at
Farmers’ Market. I can stretch one bell
pepper by dicing it with a few mushrooms
or a tomato, putting all in a sealed container,
and topping potatoes, couscous, or salads.
Stretching is fundamental.
14. Each month, pay bills in this order: After
stocking in toilet paper, pay your mortgage or
rent, utilities, food. Phone, if it’s vital. NO
411 calls @ $1.25 per. Your next car. Give
up status; go for: “what gets you there” and
best mileage possible. With the hog you have,
bundle errands.
15. Entertainments: You can 1) dance to
the radio, 2) plant a summer garden. . . .ad
infinitum.
Treat yourself occasionally to
something special, so you don’t go on a
spending spree, i.e. give in to three exorbitantinterest credit offers, buy a ticket to some
exotic place, run over your credit limits,
work without a visa in a fish market 18 hours
a day just to survive in a shelter, only to be
eventually imprisoned and deported.
For free events in parks, on Monte Sano, and at
our two former-mills-turned-art-centers, check
out The Valley Planet. Also, some people find
it incredibly joyful to help someone else.
Follow this link to “Our Vulnerability Is Our
Strength”
>http://www.npr.org/templates/
story/story.php?storyId=91244099&sc=emaf:
NPR for an amazing story.
Cheryl Carlson cooked up the best greens
from Farmers’ Market a few weeks ago and
asked me over to Sunday dinner with her and
Tom. Good friends and neighbors. Talk about
good living! Absolutely no charge. And no
jail time.
Free Will
Astrology
by Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): “The only way
to get a difficult feeling to go away is simply
to love yourself for it,” says author Christiane
Northrup. “If you think you’re stupid, then love
yourself for feeling that way. It’s a paradox, but
it works. To heal, you must . . . shine the light
of compassion on any areas within you that you
feel are unacceptable.” While I personally believe
this is a crafty strategy, I suggest adding a twist in
order to double its effectiveness: As you’re loving
yourself for your difficult feeling, literally laugh
out loud at how crazily worried and wound up you
are about it.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): According to
Harper’s Index, 97 percent of us believe that
following our own conscience is a sign of a
strong character. On the other hand, 92 percent
of us think that obeying authorities shows strong
character. What that apparently means is that most
of us feel we can and should heed the dictates of
our own conscience and please the people who
control things. In the coming weeks, I think that
might be possible for you to do once or twice. But
most of the time, I suspect you’ll have to decide
between being either an impeccable rebel or loyal
devotee.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Some people skip
to the end of a book and read the last few pages
while they’re still in its early stages. They want
to know what will ultimately happen without
going through the steps that lead up to it. While
it’s harmless to prematurely peek at how a book’s
story resolves, trying a similar approach could
cause problems if you do it with your life in the
coming weeks. Distortions might arise from trying
to “time-travel” to a future date and foresee the
outcome of a process you’re in the middle of.
It could sap your ability to carry out the work
you’ll need to do. Or it may fill you with false
expectations that cause you to misjudge your
allies. Be patient.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Mazel tov is a
Hebrew phrase meaning “good luck,” but its
literal translation is “may the stars be good to
you.” It suggests that stellar energies influence our
fate. In his book Jewish Magic and Superstition,
Joshua Trachtenberg riffs on Judaism’s ancient
debate about the subject: “The stars determine
human actions, but they too are creatures of
G-d, established by Him to perform this special
function, and therefore the influence they exert
is subject to His Will. Repentance, prayer, piety,
charity, good deeds . . . are the instruments by
means of which man can induce G-d to alter
His decrees and consequently to modify the fate
that is written in the stars for him.” I offer this,
Cancerian, as evidence that the title of my column,
“Free Will Astrology,” is not an oxymoron. You
have more power to shape your destiny than you
imagine -- and now is a perfect time to prove it.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): This oracle was originally
commissioned by a spiritual wilderness school to
train its students in high-stress meditation. It
has been tested by disciplined explorers who’ve
learned to be fluid and resourceful in the midst
of natural chaos. Now it’s being made available
to you, Leo -- just in time for the last stretch of
your dash (or crawl) across the wasteland. By
contemplating the code phrase that appears at the
end of this message, you will discover the key for
turning poisons into medicine, taking advantage
of your weaknesses, and knowing your direction
without a compass. Here it is: Love the beauty and
intelligence that are hidden in your darkness.
that as he carried out his heroic feat, he wet his
pants. He testifies to the event in the documentary
film In the Shadow of the Moon. I suspect you
may soon have a comparable experience, Libra:
experiencing a little boo-boo or no-no while
you’re riding high. Though it may make you feel
vulnerable at the time, it’s trivial in the big scheme
of things and isn’t likely to stick with you. How
many people even know that Aldrin accidentally
peed at his moment of glory?
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): About nine million
people see this column regularly. On average, 36
of them experience a one-in-a-million coincidence
each month. In the next 21 days, however, I believe
as many as 270,000 of my readers will have that
kind of mind-blowing synchronicity, and most of
them will be Scorpios. That’s because your tribe is
in a phase when happy accidents and miraculous
flukes are practically unavoidable. Even if you
don’t brush up against a one-in-a-million stroke
of lucky fate, I bet you’ll be touched by a one-ina-thousand event.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Dear Flow
Meister: I’ve been surfing the tidal waves of
emotion for many days, and am proud to say I
haven’t wiped out once (though there were two
near-misses). But to tell you the truth, I don’t know
how much longer I can perform this balancing act.
How much stamina can one person have? Do you
psychically see signs that I’ll reach shore anytime
soon? -Wobbly Surfer.” Dear Wobbly: I predict
an end to your trials by Wednesday, July 23 -- or
earlier if you, too, become a flow meister.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Ice cream
is both innocent and erotic,” writes Klintron
on Technoccult.com. “Coffee promises to
be both stimulating and relaxing.” These
examples illustrate the idea of “paradessence,”
or paradoxical essence, which was developed
by Alex Shakar in his novel The Savage Girl. I
suspect that you’ll specialize in paradessence in
the coming days, Capricorn. Will that make you
feel tormented by crazy-making contradictions
or will it excite you with an expanding sense of
complex possibilities? It will be largely up to your
intentions. Which would you prefer?
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Dear Rob:
After a long stretch of patiently putting up with
God’s mean-spirited tricks, I decided I’d had
enough. So I fired Him. Now I’m going to create
a brand new deity from scratch. Do you have
any recommendations on what qualities a truly
cool divine being might possess? - Awakening
Aquarius.” Dear Awakening: One quality your
fresh god should have is an appreciation for
your originality. You also deserve a deity who
likes it when you take your fate into your own
hands. That’s all I’ll say. It’s a good time for you
Aquarians to shun other people’s ideas about the
divine influences and brainstorm extravagantly
about what’s true for you.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The world’s oldest
penises are 400 million years old. Discovered in
Scotland in 2001, they’re part of the fossilized
remains of an arachnid species known as
daddy longlegs. In reporting their find, the
paleontologists marveled that the reproductive
organ was two-thirds the size of the entire creature.
Let’s make this ancient genital a power symbol for
you, Pisces. (If you prefer, you can focus on the
400-million-year-old daddy longlegs’ vaginas
that were also found.) I hope it inspires you to
think back to the time when your sexual desires
first began to stir. The future of your intimate
relationships will benefit from you reconnecting
to the primal purity of your original erotic urges.
Homework: Devise a plan not to get back to where
you once belonged, but rather to where you must
one day belong. Testify at FreeWillAstrology.com.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In Terry Pratchett’s
book Wyrd Sisters, there’s a passage in which he
talks about how the sun conspires with the forest
to pump millions of gallons of sap hundreds of feet
from the ground up into the sky. And it all happens
“in one great systolic thump too big and loud to be
heard.” That’s the kind of activity I recommend
for you in the coming weeks, Virgo. Collaborate
with the source of all life -- the physical sun, if
that’s your preference, or God or Goddess, if
that works better for you -- to pull off a huge
movement of lifeblood that brings sustenance
from below to above.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In July 1969, astronaut
Buzz Aldrin was the second human to walk on the
moon. That was the good news. The bad news was
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE VALLEY PLANET
#071008073008
Imaginary Friend?
D
id you ever have an imaginary friend?
Was your friend a girl, a boy, or maybe
a giant rabbit? Middle-aged Elwood
Dowd has a best friend named Harvey.
Elwood introduces Harvey to everyone, but
truthfully, no one else can see the six-footand-some-inches tall rabbit. Is he real or is
he an imaginary friend? Elwood’s visible
friendscan be found at bars all over town, and
they don’t seem to mind too much about
Harvey. But Elwood’s sister and niece think
Elwood is crazy and an embarrassment and
they want to put him away in a sanatorium.
Sometimes things don’t turn out as planned!
To quote Caroline Prince, “I love being part
of a play about an imaginary rabbit. Rabbits
are cute and creepy at the same time, and
the idea of a giant bunny wearing a hat with
holes cut out for the ears warms my cold,
cold heart.”
“Harvey”, the 1944 Pulitzer Prize-winning
play written by Mary Chase was made into
a movie in 1950 starring James Stewart as
the lovable, but slightly eccentric, Elwood
P. Dowd. Theatre Huntsville is bringing
“Harvey” to the stage of the VBC Playhouse
with Paul Buxton as Elwood, Karen
Alexander as his socially conscious sister,
Veta Louise Simmons, and Caroline Prince
as his niece, nearly-a-spinster Myrtle Mae
Simmons. Rounding out the cast are John
Seigh, Jake Barrow, Kristen Barnhill, Jason
Graham, Carlos Bofill, Dannye Drake,
Mo Hayden, Rhonda Hogan, Samantha
Musto, and Jon Busdeker. Harvey portrays
himself in the title role. From Ingrid
Holst, Asst Stage Manager, “I’ve worked
in professional theatre before this and you
know what? Those professional actors
were all whiney babies compared to these
obsessed volunteers putting in just as much
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
professionalism, time and energy--all in their
spare time!”
Director Leslie Bofill (winner of the 2007
Wings Awards for Best Show with Music
and Best Director) and assisted by Mark
Moore, has pulled together a multi-talented
cast and crew for this ever-popular, heartwarming comedy. Technical Director Matt
Swerdzewski has designed a set strikingly
different from those usually seen in the
Playhouse. The stage is definitely worth
a look-see, as are Katie Herald’s true-tothe-times costume designs. “We Techies
can certainly relate to Harvey the “Pooka”;
defined as being a mystical being that
can change shapes and appear to certain
people, often playing “pranks”. Techies
must be all things to all people, sometimes
making things appear as if by magic…and
still maintain a sense of humor even under
fire.” says Sheila Summerville, Assistant to
Costumer.
“Harvey” opens in the VBC Playhouse in
Huntsville on Friday, July 11th. The show
dates and times are as follows: July 11, 12,
17, 18 and 19 at 7:30 pm. July 13 and 19
at 2:00 pm. Call Theatre Huntsville at 256536-0807 to make reservations and purchase
tickets.
29
Gossip
The downtown art stroll brought out some
interesting artisans. Berry Baugh Allen
(Huntsville High ’96) exhibited his designs, as
did Tracey Allyn Greene, who specializes in pet
artistry. And music was everywhere. Guitarist
Eric Moore played his originals, while Justin
McGehee listened. Justin is home from Univ. of
Mobile. Then came massage pros Kathy Curry
and Dave Marty.
by Billy Joe Cooley
Good morning to songwriter Karen Newsum, who
turned out to hear comic Aaron Wilburn the other
day at Mable Hill Church.
And whatever happened to DJ Rex Holiday,
a favorite radio voice who grew up in my
hometown?
Some of us strolled across the street to hear
Jeanette Watson’s North Alabama Flute Choir,
which included Casey Johnson, Kelsey Ball,
April McDowell, Paige Denton, Stephanie Pesto,
Amy Stewart and Alexis Duncan.
UA engineering student Ryan Tucker is home in
Hazel Green for the summer.
Huntsville’s astronautical author Homer Hickam
signed his books at the Smithsonian Institute’s
Folklife Fair on the Mall in Washington, DC, for
two days last month. It was an honor requested by
NASA to support the fair’s spotlight this year on
the space agency.
Our friend Nell Coiner was part of that Legacy
Luncheon crowd at the Railroad Depot’s
roundhouse the other day.
It was nice to sip tea the other evening with
Josephine (Mrs. Julius) Scruggs and Shirley
Clemons at a political function. And Maggie
Willis was there.
We joined our lifelong friends the Kemp family
of Bridgeport last weekend at their reunion in
Welcome home Mary Jo Deaver, who has been
at family doings in Texas, and Patsy Trigg, who
has been on music business in California, and our
bosslady Jill Wood, who enjoyed a long visit on
the beaches to the south.
Hollywood, Who among us could ever forget popular barkeep Shirley
Kemp Ray. My boyhood pal Dr. Calvin Hudson and wife Ellen were
there from Jacksonville, Florida.
And while we were having our July 4 excitements, the folks up in
Odessa, Missouri, were going wild with their first-ever duck race.
People from, all over the world were there. My Nashville daughter is
even buying a home there for a couple of years. Long story.
How nice to see food king Boots Ellet again. He barkeeps afternoons at
Holiday Inn downtown these days.
Dixie Derby Girls Take on
Their Athens Rivals!
H
untsville’s Dixie Derby Girls will brawl
it out against the “Classic City Roller
Girls” from Athens, Georgia on Sunday,
July 20 at Roller Time Skate Center located at
707 Arcadia Circle in Huntsville, Al. Doors will
open at 6:30 and the bout starts at 7:30, with a
special half time entertainment!!
Don’t miss the hard smacking, fast rolling
action as the Dixie Derby girls attempt to
grab their SECOND victory of the season!!
The Dixie Derby All Stars will be mixing it up
with the fans while the Dixie Derby Girls put
a classic beat down on the Classic City Roller
Girls! Hemsi will be on stand by as usual!
ATTENTION all Military Personnel! The
Dixie Derby Girls want to show their sincere
appreciation to the armed forces by allowing
the 1st 50 individuals who show their Military
I.D. to get in absolutely FREE!!! So get their
early for a ring side action packed seat!!
Listings
MoreListingsCont.from27
Attractions
ALABAMA CONSTITUTION VILLAGE
109 Gates Ave., Huntsville, 256-564-8100.
AMERICAN INDIAN MUSEUM
2003 Poole Drive NW, Huntsville, 256-852-4524.
BURRITT ON THE MOUNTAIN:
3101 Burritt Drive SE, Huntsville, 256-536-2882.
CATHEDRAL CAVERNS STATE PARK
637 Cave Road, Woodville. 256-728-8193.
EARLYWORKS MUSEUM COMPLEX
404 Madison Street SE, Huntsville, 256-564-8100.
GORHAM’S BLUFF
Pisgah, 256-451-ARTS.
HARMONY PARK SAFARI
431 Clouds Cove Road, New Hope. 1-877-7ANIMAL.
HARRISON BROTHERS HARDWARE
124 Southside Square, Huntsville, 256-536-3631. Alabama’s oldest hardware store.
HUNTSVILLE BOTANICAL GARDEN
4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, 256-830-4447.
HUNTSVILLE STARS
Joe W. Davis Stadium, 3125 Leeman Ferry Rd, Huntsville, 256-882-2562.
30
The Dixie Derby Girls will donate 10%
of the door to a very special local charity.
The half time performance will feature the
2008 Tennessee Valley Viper Cheerleaders.
Admission is $10.00 and FREE for children
ages 6 and under. For more information or
advance ticket orders, check us out online at
www.dixiederbygirls.com.
has even got the attention from Hollywood.
Drew Barrymore will make her directorial
debut in Whip It, a roller derby movie now in
pre-production.
Never seen Roller Derby before? Well there’s
NOTHING greater! Roller Derby is hotter than
ever, and the Huntsville’s league has grown so
much over the last year that they have FINALLY
confirmed the long anticipated booking at the
Von Braun Civic Center on Saturday, Nov 1st.
That’s right!!! A Saturday night bout with food,
beer and room for thousands!!! Make plans to
be a part of this double header! More details
to come!
Roller Derby is a competitive, contact sport
with no choreographing. Theatrics are part of
the game, but nothing is scripted, so “what you
see, is what you get”. This is the only sport
that brings together the love of roller skating
as a fierce competition, with brawling fishnets,
mini skirts, and short shorts as a lipsticked
melodrama. Never seen Roller Derby before,
well there’s NOTHING greater! So don’t miss
the hype! See you there!
DDG not only plays hard, they party hard
at the after party!! Join the girls at the
BENCHWARMER, located at 2998 University
Drive. Great food, FUN, spirits, karaoke, and
music!
HUNTSVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
North Side Von Braun Center, Huntsville 256-539-4818.
INTERNATIONAL VOCAL STUDIOS
2358 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256-512-5571,
LOWE MILL
2211 Seminole Dr., Huntsville,
THE LAND TRUST TRAILS
Bankhead Pkwy., Huntsville, 256-534-LAND
MONTE SANO STATE PARK
5015 Nolen Ave., Huntsville, 256-534-3757
SCI-QUEST
102-D Wynn Drive, Huntsville, 256-837-0606.
US SPACE & ROCKET CENTER
1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, 256-837-3400.
VON BRAUN CENTER
700 Monroe St. Huntsville, 256-533-1953.
HUNTSVILLE ART LEAGUE GALLERY
3005 L&N Drive, Suite 2, Huntsville, 256-534-3860.
HUNTSVILLE MUSEUM OF ART
300 Church Street So., Huntsville. , 256-535-4350
LIVING ART WATER GARDENS
220 Old Hwy 431, Hampton Cove, 256-288-0003
MAYES BLACK DANCE THEATRE (M.B.D.T.)
2419 Oakwood Ave. NW Suite #F Huntsville, 256-489-5903
MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND STUDIO
3614 Jackson Highway Sheffield Al.
RENAISSANCE THEATRE AT LINCOLN CENTER
MERIDIAN ARTS
370 Little Cove Road, Gurley, AL, 256-776-4300.
THEATRE HUNTSVILLE
1701 University Dr, Suite 1, Huntsville, 256-536-0807.
MONDO DE TATUAGE GALLERY
Corner of 6th Ave. and 7th St., Decatur, 256-306-9099.
THE WHOLE BACKSTAGE THEATRE
1120 Rayburn Avenue, Guntersville, 256-582-7469.
MVAC FINE ARTS GALLERY
300 Gunter Ave.,Guntersville, 256-582-1454.
Galleries
THE WEEDEN HOUSE
300 Gates Avenue SE, Huntsville, 256-536-7718
801 FRANKLIN
PARSONS ART GALLERY
3rd Floor Railroad Station Antiques
315 Jefferson St., Huntsville, 256-520-2360
SIGNATURE GALLERY
2364 Whitesburg Drive S, Huntsville, 256-536-1960.
ARTS COUNCIL, THE
700 Monroe street, Suite 2 Huntsville AL 35081, 256-519-2787
ATHENS ST. STUDENT UNION ART GALLERY
300 N. Beaty St., Athens, Athens State University,
800-522-0272
THE STUDIO
1219 C Jordan Lane, Huntsville, 256 318-0169
BROADWAY THEATRE LEAGUE
700 Monroe St. Suite 410, Huntsville, 256-518-6155.
ART@TAC GALLERY
Von Braun Center, 700 Monroe St., Huntsville, 256-519-ARTS (2787)
UNIVERSITY CENTER ART GALLERY
University of Alabama in Huntsville, 256-824-1000
FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN’S THEATRE
3312 Long Avenue SW, Huntsville, 256-539-6829
ARTISTIC IMAGES
2115 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, 256-534-3968.
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER
2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville, 256-489-7000
CALVERT STUDIO
627 Gunter Ave., Guntersville,
FOOTLIGHTS COMMUNITY THEATER
302 Hoffman St. Athens, 256-216-0903
CAROLE FORET FINE ART
206 West Market St., Athens, 256-232-2521.
HUNTSVILLE BALLET COMPANY
800 Regal Drive SW, Huntsville, 256-539-0961
CORRON STUDIOS
8006 Old Madison Pike #15, Madison, 256-325-7622
WILLIS GRAY GALLERY
211 2nd Ave. SE, Decatur, 256-355-7616
TheEnd!
Bass player needed for rock
- metal band
contact doom_
[email protected] or
227-2562
Pianist - Looking for restaurant/
lounge gig in Huntsville with a
piano - oldies, jazz, blues, new
age. 931-433-0565 or
931-625-5101
KEYBOARD: Roland RD-600
88 key piano-weighted keyboard
w/stand. Great, solid kick-butt
keyboard; needs one key
repaired. Ideal for keyboardist
looking for an additional workinggig-horse. Originally purchased
at $1,300. AS IS: $350, obo. Call
Lori: 457-9204.
For Sale:
1985 Fender MIJ Stratocaster,
white, gigbag, ding on bottom.
$600 obo. 2005 SX SPJ-62
Sunburst Bass (Fender P/Jazz
copy) w. T-I strings. $125 obo.
2005 Stellar Mercury 001 (Les
Paul Standard copy) Sunburst.
$150 obo. 2005 Peavey JF1
EX (ES-335 copy) Dark wine
red. $150 obo. 2005 Tech21
Trademark 10 guitar amp $200
obo. 2005 SWR LA10 bass amp
$150 obo. Please call 256-4688136 for more info.
Violin Teacher Wanted to teach
music classes, contact Ann at
[email protected] or
256-512-5571
For Sale:
Refinished Wurlitzer Upright
Piano, Tropicalized-(256)7774072, $350
Gibraltar Road Series
Multiclamp(sc-grsmc) $12.00,
(256)777-4072
Gibraltar SC-GPRMC Power
Rack Multi-Clamp $10.00,
(256)777-4072
Carbonlite 33” bar $45.00,
(256)777-4072
DW 5000 HiHat Stand in Good
Condition $100.00 (256)777-4072
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
Lead GUITARIST / SINGER:
Searching for experienced female
vocalist/musician or male/female
guitarist that sings or Keyboardist
that also sings for high-tech TRIO
Band. Prefer baby-boomer era
artists with roots in the 60’s, 70’s,
Blues, Motown, Rock, Country
etc., genre. Must be professional,
dependable, focused, reliable
transportation, pro equipment, no
drugs, no alcohol, willing and able
to commit to the mutual goals of
the band. Not a “bar band”, per
se. Will be doing predominately
wedding receptions, Corp. party’s,
special occasions, etc. Rehearse
2X a week.
I am a veteran of the HSV club
scene, owed booking agency
and have played in many Bands.
Much equipment & lights John,
256-468-4233 johnnymack7@mi
ndspring.com.
Rhythm guartist seeking to join/
form alternative/rock band
ask for dave 256-682-7663
FOOTLIGHTS COMMUNITY THEATER
302 Hoffman St., Athens, 256-777-0822.
#071008073008
Multi-range metal vocalist who’s
creative and fun and open for suggestions needed for local thrash
metal band Konflyct.
Call: 256-694-1055
Rock band needing bassist in
Decatur, 227-2562
HUNTSVILLE COMMUNITY CHORUS
3312 Long Avenue, Fantasy Arts Center, Huntsville, 256-533-6606
HUNTSVILLE HAVOC
700 Monroe Street. Huntsville, AL (256) 518-6160.
THE VALLEY PLANET
Need a pet sitter? “If
you’re not home to play
Mommy or Daddy, Auntie
Jen will take care of your
furry family.”
Detailed info at
auntiejenpetsitter.com,
or call (256) 566-2020,
5am-9pm, 7 days/wk.
MUSIC EXCHANGE
Singer seeking band: Female, wide range; into alternative or modern rock, open
to other genres. Contact at
[email protected]
If you haven’t noticed yet, roller derby is
statistically, the fastest-growing sport in the
United States! In 2005, there were a maximum
of 60 leagues in existence. In 2006, that number
doubled. And then by 2007, they have grown
to over 200 leagues! The sport’s growth spurt
ARS NOVA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
7908C Charlotte Drive, Huntsville, 256-883-1105.
CLAY HOUSE MUSEUM
16 Main Street, Madison 256-325-1018.
Thanks to Ernest Hill for bussing a bunch of us
from Mount Zion down to Charles and Jean
Borum’s Stoney Point manse (on Smith Lake) for
a day of feast and fun.
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 [email protected] or send them by snail mail to
Music Exchange,203 Grove Ave. Huntsville AL, 35801. NO AD WILL RUN UNTIL PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED!
THE VALLEY PLANET
Looking for versatile guitarist
who likes to play funk, rock and
groove style music. Call Bryan at
655-4178
Wanted someone for banjo
lessons 5 string. Call 652-3791.
Guitarist forming instrumental
Surf band. Need drummer,
bassist, 2nd guitarist/
keyboardist for show on 4/19.
Other gigs to follow. Mix of covers
and original material. Vintage
or reissue gear a plus. email:
[email protected]
For sale: 15.5 inch Viola. Case,
bow, & headrest. great condition.
$700.00 or best offer. 701-6413
Church Looking for Musician
Morris Chapel Church Desperately seeking a musican for
Sunday Services Contact: Mozella
Davis 256-852-8844 Email:
[email protected]
Veteran, professional guitarist
and singer looking to start a
Band or join a Band with mature,
experienced players. Duo, trio or
full band? Prefer Classic Rock,
Blues, Motown, Hard Rock but
not medal. Influences: Clapton,
Hendrix, Allman Bros., Skynyrd,
Led Zeppelin, Grandfunk RR,
Santana, Bad Company, Eagles,
Joe Walsh, Gary Moore to
name a few. I am dependable,
drug free, alcohol free, nonsmoker. Pro equipment
and gear. 35 plus years
experience. Veteran of local club
scene. 256-461-2903. John
#071008073008
Musician looking for local working band...
I am a professional guitarist looking for a working Band. I can sing
lead or backup, play rhythm or
lead guitar. I have lots of equipment and know the local club
scene. I’m in my 50’s. I prefer
the classic stuff best... 60’s, 70’s,
80’s, Motown, Blues and Rock.
Call me. Johnny Mack 772-8037.
For Sale
Crate CA125D acoustic amp. $350
Epiphone Valve Junior combo amp $100
468-8136
OLDIE SEEKING OLDIES AARP Bassist looking for AARP
drummer to form Prog Rock/
Fusion Jazz cover band. Contact
Andy at [email protected]
or 256-885-3746.
Singer wanted for original
rock bank. Visit myspace.com/
seekingasinger for details.
Professional Drummer Versatile
Styles Chris @ 227-6490
Sciatica, local metal band on
Dreamscape Records seeks
drummer. We’re looking for
someone who loves music, is into
all styles of music(not just metal),
and willing to practice, record, and
tour some. We’re into everything
from pink floyd and neurosis to
the cro-mags and pantera. Hit us
up at [email protected].
And you can check out our stuff
at: http://www.myspace.com/
Vsciatica666
BASSIST NEEDED
IMMEDIATELY! for show on
4/27/07 256-431-5130/278-0343/
374-9110 Everyone welcome
to audition. Studio band Keyboard player needed. Contact
[email protected]
Authentic Reggae Band
looking for drummer and
other musicians (keyboard/
back up singer). Contact
[email protected] 714-5089
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10
31

89 - Valley Planet

Transcription

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