152 - Valley Planet

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
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FEBRUARY 2 - 22, 2012
IN THIS ISSUE:
The Final Results Are In For
The Valley Planet’s Best Of The Valley Readers’ Poll
Best Restaurant Overall?
1st
Pauli’s Bar and Grill
2nd
3rd Tie:
Connor’s Steak and Seafood
1892 East Restaurant and Tavern and
Nick’s Ristorante 7%
6%
5.50%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, 88 Buffet, Adtran, Albany Bistro, Alfonzo’s, Another Broken Egg,
Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito- Madison, Bandito Burrito/Governors, Bandito Southside, Baumhower’s of
Huntsville, Beauregard’s, Big Ed’s Pizza, Big Spring Café, Bishops Pub, Bonefish, Brewbaker’s, Brix, Cajun Cafe,
Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Carson’s Grille, Casa Blanca, Cheddar’s, Cheeburger-Cheeburger, Chili’s, Chips and
Salsa, Chuckwagon, Commerce Kitchen, Cotton Row, Cracker Barrel, Crawmama’s, Cricket’s, Curry’s, D&L
Bistro, Edith Ann’s, Edo, El Coyote, El Omeca, Famous Joe’s Pizzeria, Finnegan’s, Furniture Factory Bar & Grill,
Gibson’s Bar-B-Q, Gibson’s, Grille 29, Happy Tummy, Hildegard’s, Hooter’s, Humphrey’s, I Love Sushi, Ichiban,
India Café, Indian Palace, Island Jerk, James Steakhouse, Jamo’s, Jason’s Deli, Jersey Mike’s, Korea House, La
Alameda, LeeAnn’s, Logan’s, Lone Goose, Longhorn, Macaroni Grill, Main Street Café/Huntsville, Main Street
Café/Madison, Mama Annie’s, Mason’s, McAlister’s, Meglios Italian Grill and Bar, Mellow Mushroom, Melting
Pot, Mezza Luna, Mikato, Mikawa, Miso House, Miyako’s, Moe’s Original BBQ, New Market BBQ, Nothing
but Noodle’s, Ol’ Heidelberg, Ole Hickory BBQ, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Pane E Vino, Papa Gyro’s,
Papou’s, Partner’s Bar and Grille, PF Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phuket, Po’Boy Factory, Port of Madison Cafe,
Red Lobster, Rolo’s, Rosie’s, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s Chris, Sam and Greg’s, Schnitzel Ranch, Sebastian’s Restaurant,
Shaggy’s, Shea’s Express, Shogun, Simp McGhee’s, Sitar, Stanlieo’s Sub Villa, Sun Cafe, Surin of Thailand,
“Taters N”” Dawgs”, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Terranova’s, Thai Garden, The Brickhouse, The Daily Brew,
The Docks, The Eaves Restaurant, The End Zone, The Ledges, The Main Dish, The Marketplace Cafe, The Nook,
The Scene Lounge, The Stem and Stein, Vieux Carre, Thomas Pit Barbecue, Tim’s Cajun Kitchen, Tokyo, Tony’s
Little Italy, Top of the River, Tortora’s, Viet Huong, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Watercress, West End Grill
Best Service?
1st Pauli’s Bar & Grill
2nd Nick’s Ristorante 3rd Connor’s Steak and Seafood
7.5%
6.5%
5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 1892 East Restaurant & Tavern, 3rd Base Grill, Albany Bistro, Amendment XXI,
Angel’s Island Coffee, Another Broken Egg Cafe, Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito /Madison, Bandito Burrito
Madison, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, Bandito Southside, Baumhower’s of Huntsville, Bench Warmer, Big
Spring Café, Blue Plate Café, Bonefish Grill, Brewbaker’s, Buffalo Wild Wings ,Café 113, Café Berlin, Café
Lemon Bleu, Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Carson’s Grille, Casa Blanca, Cazadores, Charm Thai, Charrito’s
Bar & Grill, Cheddars, Cheeburger-Cheeburger, Chick-fil-a,Chili’s, Commerce Kitchen, Cotton Row, Cracker
Barrel, Crawmamas, Crossroads, D&L Bistro, Daily Brew, Dales Steakhouse, Dee’s Diner, Dennys, Dominos,
Duffy’s Deli, Edith Ann’s #1, Edo, El Herradura, El Palacio, Famous Joe’s Pizzeria, Finnegan’s, Francesco’s,
Gibson’s, Grille 29, Happy Tummy, Hastings Coffee and Tea, Hildegard’s, Hooter’s, Hopper’s Bar & Grill,
Humphrey’s, I Love Sushi, IHOP, India Café ,Ivey’s, James Steakhouse, Jason’s Deli, La Alameda, Lawler’s BBQ,
LeeAnn’s, Little Rosie’s, Logan’s, Longhorn Steakhouse, Macaroni Grill, Main Street Café/Huntsville, Main
Street Café/Madison, Mama Annie’s, Meglios, Mellow Mushroom, Melting Pot, Mezza Luna, Mikato, Miyako,
Moe’s Original BBQ, New Market BBQ, Nothing but Noodles, Ol’ Heidelberg, Ole Hickory BBQ, Olive Garden,
Papou’s, Partners Bar and Grille, PF Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phuket, Po’ Boy Factory, Port of Madison Cafe,
Red Lobster, Rosie’s, Ruby Tuesdays, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s Chris, Sam and Greg’s, Schnitzel Ranch, Sebastian’s
Restaurant, Simp McGhee’s, Sitar, Stanlieo’s Sub Villa, Steak Out, Stem and Stein, Surin of Thailand, Taters N’
Dawgs, Terranova’s, Thai Garden, The Brickhouse Sports Cafe, The Docks, The End Zone, The Ledges, The
Main Dish, The Marketplace Cafe, The Nook, The Scene, The Vieux Carre, Thirsty Turtle, Tims Cajun Kitchen,
Tommy’s Pizza, Top of the River, Tortoras, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Waffle House Jones Valley, Watercress,
West End Grill
Best Fine Dining?
1st Pauli’s Bar and Grill
2nd Connor’s Steak and Seafood
3rd Nick’s Ristorante Other’s Receiving Votes: 1892 East Restaurant & Tavern, 3rd Base Grill, Albany Bistro, Bonefish, Brix,Café
113, Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Carson’s Grill, Commerce Kitchen, Cotton Row, D&L Bistro, Edo, Grille 29,
Hildegardes, I Love Sushi, James Steakhouse, Lime, Main Street Café/Huntsville, Main Street Café/Madison,
McDonalds, Melting Pot, Mezza Luna, Mikato, Scene Lounge, Ol’ Heidelberg, Parkers Landing in Guntersville,
Partners Bar and Grille, PF Chang’s, Phuket, Port of Madison Cafe, Ruth’s Chris, Schnitzel Ranch, Sebastien’s
Restaurant, Smoke House, Sports Page, Surin of Thailand, Taters n Dawgs, Terranova’s, Thai Garden, The Docks,
The Ledges, The Main Dish, Tony’s Little Italy, Vieux Carre, Wafflehouse Jones Valley, Watercress
2
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2nd Jame’s Steak House
3rd Mellow Mushroom (Jones Valley)
7.5%
4.3%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 1892 East Restaurant and Tavern, 88 Buffet, Anaheim Chili, Apollo Cafe, Brickhouse,
Brix, Cafe 153, Cafe Lemon Bleu, Cafe Marketplace, Cheddar’s, Chef Wills (Lowe Mill), Coffee and Playhouse,
Commerce Kitchen, Connors Steak and Seafood, Cotton Row, Don Quixote, Edith Anne’s, El Monte, Famous
Joe’s Pizzeria, Five A’s, Garam, I Love Sushi, Ichiban, India Cafe, India Palace, Knuckleheads, La Alameda,
Libby’s Catfish, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, Longhorn Steakhouse - Decatur, Los Trajos, Mamma’s Amerian Table,
Marketplace Cafe, Moe’s Original BBQ, My Old San Juan, Nick’s Ristorante, Plaid Apron, Providence Cafe,
Rafael’s, Red Hot Kitchen, Rolo’s Express Cafe, Sam & Greg’s, Schnizel Ranch, Son’s House of Barbeque (Arab),
Sweet C C’s, Taters N Dawgs, Ted’s BBQ, The Eaves Restaurant, The Main Dish, The Melting Pot, The Wing
Shack, Theo’s (Moulton, AL), Tommy’s Pizza, Vitones, Wintzell’s
Best Coffee Shop?
1st Starbuck’s 2nd Olde Towne Coffee Shoppe
3rd Kaffeeklatsch
15%
12.5%
10.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Angel’s Island Coffee, Another Broken Egg, Atlanta Bread Company, Barnes and Noble,
Beans and Bytes ,Book’s a Million, Brewbaker’s, Brickhouse, Bruegger’s, Cafe 153, Cafe Lemon Bleu, Carson’s
Grille, Chocolate Crocodile, Coffee Tree Books and Brew, Commerce Kitchen, Common Grounds, Cuppy’s, Edith
Ann’s South Memorial, Emma’s, Flint River Coffee House, Francesca’s, Granvilles, Happy Tummy, Hastings,
IHOP, India Cafe, Jamo’s, Java Jaay, Java Joe’s, Jittery Joes , Kenny Mango’s, Las Trojas, Lone Goose Saloon,
Main Street Café, McDonald’s, Moe’s Original BBQ, New Day Cafe (Regions Bank Bldg), Newks, Nicks, Panera
Bread, Providence Cafe, Robin’s Exxon, Sam and Greg’s, Shea’s Express, Sweet Dreams Café, Taters N’ Dogs,
Texaco/Bob Wallace-Triana, The Chocolate Café, The Daily Brew, The Marketplace Cafe, Tortora’s, Waffle
House, Watercress
Best Breakfast?
1st Another Broken Egg
2nd Blue Plate Café
3rd Cracker Barrel
22%
12%
9%
Other’s Receiving votes: Albany Bistro, Atlanta Bread, B&B Crossroads, Beans & Bytes, Big Spring Café,
Biscuit Express, Bojangle’s, Brewbaker’s, Bruegger’s, Cafe Lemon Bleu, City Café, Coffee Tree Books and Brew,
Commerce Kitchen, Dallas Mill ,Dee’s Diner, Denny’s, Edith Anne’s Taste of Home, Gibson’s, Hardees, Harvest
House, Hastings Coffee and Tea, Hopper’s, Huddle House, IHOP, Ivey’s, Jack’s, Jackson Family Restaurant,
Kenny Mango’s, Krispy Kreme, Krystal, Libby’s Priceville, Little Farm Grill, Little Rosie’s, Main Street Café,
McDonalds, Meals on Wheels, Meridian Street Café, Mezza Luna, Mimi’s, Mullins, Olde Towne Coffee Shoppe,
Panera Bread, Plaid Apron, Rod’s Diner, Rolo’s, Sage Grill, Shea’s Express, Shoney’s, Sonic, he Daily Brew,
The Eaves, The Little Diner, The Little Farm, Tim’s Cajun Kitchen, Victoria’s Café, Waffle House, Waffle King,
Weston
Best Seafood?
1st Bonefish 2nd Connor’s Steak & Seafood
3rd Po’ Boy Factory
11%
9.3%
8.5%
Best New Restaurant? (Opened 2010-2011)
1st Watercress at Bridgestreet
8%
20%
7.4%
7%
Other’s receiving Votes: 1892 East, Albany Bistro, Bandito/Governors, Cafe Berlin, Cajun Café, Captain D’s,
Carrabba’s, Carson’s Grill, Catfish Cabin/Athens, Charm Thai, Cotton Row, Crawmamas, D& L Bistro, Edo,
Finnegan’s, Fulin, Grille 29, Humphrey’s, I Love Sushi, Landry’s, LeeAnn’s, Libby’s Catfish Cafe, Logan’s
Roadhouse, Long John’s, McCollum’s Catfish, Meteor Buffet, Mezza Luna, Mikato, Mikawa, Miso House,
Miyako, Nick’s Ristorante, Old Greenbrier, Outback Steakhouse, Parkers Landing, Partners Bar and Grille, Pauli’s
Bar & Grill, PF Chang’s, Phuket, Port of Madison Cafe, Red Lobster, Sakura, Shogun, Simp McGhee’s, Sun Cafe,
Surin of Thailand, The Docks, The Ledges, The Main Dish, The Scene, Tim’s Cajun Kitchen, Tokyo, Tony’s Little
Italy, Top of the River, Watercress, Wintzell’s
#020112022312
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
THE VALLEY PLANET
In
The
Planet
february 2 - 22, 2012
NEXT ISSUE FEBRUARY 23, 2012
203 Grove Ave , Huntsville Al, 35801, phone 256 533-4613
Publisher
Jill Wood
Calendar
Joanie Williams
Lay-Out
Douglas A. Lange
Contributors
Bonnie Roberts
Elaine Nelson
Tim Benton
Jackie Anderson
Ricky Thomason
Aaron Hurd
Allison Gregg
Jim Zielinski
Katherine Monahan
Auntie Jen
Terri L. French
Brad Posey
Diana LaChance
“Where’d you learn your Russian? JCPenny’s?”
-- Chevy Chase
THE VALLEY PLANET
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
#020112022312
Table of Contents
2
Best of the Valley Begins
3
Table of Contents,
3
Letter from the Publisher,
3
Best of the Valley
4
Best of the Valley
5
Best of the Valley
6
Best of the Valley
6
The Jazz Lounge, Jackie Anderson
6
True BS, Tim Benton
6
PLEASE/PLEASE, Brad Posey
7
zee’s rocket city bEAT, Jim Zieliński
7
Flying Monkey Valentine’s Day Show
7
Alabama Gives Day TO HELP Local Nonprofits
7
Dixie Derby Girls’ Skate-a-thon to Benefit Local Cats and Dogs Feb 8th
7
The Mardi Gras Ghost, Jessica Penot
8
Best of the Valley
9
Best of the Valley
10
Best of the Valley
11
Party of One
11
Relit: Smokin’ Good reads Worth a ReKindle, Rick Thomason
12
The Single Guy: Communi-Date, Aaron Hurd
12
Unchained Maladies, Ricky Thomason
13
Music Calendar Begins
13
Dr. Anarcho’s Rx For Old Stuff That Don’t Suck
14
More Music Calendar
15
Music Calendar Continues
16
Music Calendar
17
Best of the Valley
18
Calendar of Events Begins
19
Events Calendar Continues
19
Hipster?, Diana LaChance
19
Cirque de la Symphonie – February 4
20
Tammy Wynette and Dr. King Presented by Renaissance Theatre
20
Best of the Valley
21
What Then Must We do?, Bonnie Roberts
21
Regional Calendar
21
Events Calendar Continues
22
Events Calendar Continues
23
Free Will Astrology
24
Best of the Valley
25
Simply Tam, Terri L. French
25
Auntie Jenn’s Animal Crazy
26
News of the Weird
27
Valley Planet Classifieds
Best Publication in the
Valley?
Letter from
the Publisher
B
est of the Valley Results are
in! Drum roll please…
This issue has your votes for the
best of everything in the Tennessee
Valley – and as you know, our
community is packed full of great
restaurants and bars, wonderful
businesses, unbelievably talented
musicians, beautiful parks and too
many terrific reasons to live here
than I can mention! We hope you
enjoy seeing who got what and
perhaps check out some of the
places that you haven’t been before.
As always, this issue is full of tons
of events and activities that you
don’t want to miss, as well as our
regular entertaining articles – so…
Enjoy! And, thank you for voting the
Valley Planet as the Best Publication
in the Valley!
Jill E. Wood,
Tennessee Valley Lover
1st The Valley Planet 96%
Best Reason to Read the
Valley Planet?
All the local info on night life and the goings on
around town
Allison Gregg’s Party of One
Find out what is going on in the Valley
Ya’ll frickin rock!
You know where the Best Places are.
You know!
It’s informative and unbiased.
It’s local!
The articles are informative and many of the
contributors are very funny!
“See what is happening!! And I love the ‘Party
for one Gal’ someone find her the prefect guy, she
deserves it-her writing always makes me smile”
These rankings
To find out where to go…
Music Calendar (and you guys are THE
COOLEST!)
Because it’s awesome and keeps you informed of
what’s going on in your area....AND ITS FREE
Informative and fun to read
Keeps me “in the loop” with the “happening”
places.
Better local coverage of non-politics than the Hsv
Times
Cheers and Jeers
Club calendars
Contemporary local news
“Eclectic group of writers and the “”hot””
publisher” (Note from the publisher -I think you
might have me mixed up with someone else!)
Loads of great info on fun!!
“Local, diverse, FREE”
Long Surveys
LOVE IT ALL!!!
“LOCAL NEWS STUFF NOT REPORTED BY
‘BIGGER’ PUBLICATIONS,
THE OWNER, THE CROC ON THE ROOF.”
Music Exchange and Free Will Astrology
“News of the Weird and To Yuno From Yunohoo”
Rick Thomason
Half of the time Asian Invasion (Michelle Nielson) is
on the back of the cover!
Bonnie Roberts
YOUR AD COULD
BE HERE FOR AS LITTLE
AS $21.25 PER WEEK
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. Subscriptions to the Valley Planet are now available
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
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3
Best Mexican?
1st Rosie’s Cantina 16%
2nd Casa Blanca
3rd Phil Sandoval’s
12%
11%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Bandito Burrito Governor’s,
Bandito Burrito/Madison, Bandito Southside, Burrito
Express, Cantina Laredo, Casa Mexican, Casa
Ole, Casa Santiago ,Cazadores, Chapala, Chapala
(Madison), Charrito’s Bar & Grill, Chips and Salsa,
El Camino Real, El Cantarita, El Cazador No2 (The
Taco Bus), El Charro, El Coyote, El Dorado, El
Herradura, El Mariachi Hazelgreen, El Monte’s, El
Omeca, El Palacio, El Paso, Guadalajara, La Alameda,
La Hacienda, La Michoacana, La Placitas, Laredo,
Las Cazuelas, Las Pinas, Las Trojas, Lime, Los Arcos,
Los Mariachi, Margaritas/Scottsboro, Mexico Lindo,
Mi Hacienda, Moe’s, Salsarita’s, Shaggy’s, Sierra’s
Mexicanismo, Taco Bell, Taco Truck/Jordan Lane,
Taqueria Las Pinas
Best Asian?
1st Surin of Thailand 12%
2nd PF Chang’s
3rd I Love Sushi
11%
8.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 88 Buffet, Asian Grill, Bento
Box, Bubba Ritos, Canton House - Decatur, Charm
Thai, China Buffet, China Cafe, China Cook, China
Express, China Moon, China One, China Sun, China
Taste, Ding How, Dragon Buffet, Dragon Garden, Edo,
Fulin’s, Golden China, Golden Phoenix, Golden Star,
Goram, Great Panda, Great Wall, Ichiban, King Buffet,
Korean House, Kyoto, Mandarian House, Mei Wei,
Meteor Buffet, Mikato, Mikawa, Miso House, Miyako,
Miyako’s, New China Buffet, Orient Express,Panda,
Peking, Phuket, Red Hot Kitchen, Royal Buffet,
Saigon, Sakura, Shogun, Sitar, Sun Café, Surie, Tai
Pan, Thai Garden, Tokyo,Viet Huong
Best Italian?
1st Carrabba’s
2nd Macaroni Grill
3rd Terranova’s
20%
9.5%
8%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Alfonso’s, Big Ed’s, Connors
Steak & Seafood, D& L Bistro, Dominos, Famous
Joe’s Pizzeria, Francesco’s, Grille 29, Marco’s Pizza,
Mellow Mushroom, Mezza Luna, Moglie’s, Nick’s
Ristorante, Nothing but Noodles, Olive Garden, Pane
e Vino, Partners Bar and Grille, Pauli’s Bar & Grill,
Raphael’s, Sam and Greggs, Savelli’s, Stanlieo’s Sub
Villa, Stem and Stein, Tellini’s, Terranova’s, Tommy’s
Pizza, Tony’s Italian Deli, Tony’s Little Italy, Tortora’s,
Village Pizza
Best International?
1st Hildegard’s 7%
2nd Surin of Thailand
3rd I Love Sushi
6%
5.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 1892 East Restaurant &
Tavern, 3rd Base Grill, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s,
Bandito Southside, Big Ed’s, Cafe Berlin, Café Lemon
Bleu, Cajun Grill, Carson’s Grille, Casa Montego,
Charm Thai, Charrito’s Bar & Grill, Cheddar’s,
Connors Steak & Seafood, Curry in a Hurry, D&L
Bistro, Dominos, Edo, Furniture Factory, Grille 29,
Ichiban, IHOP, India Café, India Palace, Jamo’s,
Korea House, Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse, LeeAnn’s,
Main Street Cafe in Madison, Mei Wei, Mezza Luna,
Mikato’s, Mikawa, Miso House, Miyako, Nick’s
Ristorante, Ol’ Heidelberg, Papa Gyro’s, Papou’s,
Partners Bar and Grille, Pauli’s Bar & Grill, PF
Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phuket, Rafael’s, Sakoa
Japan Grill, Sakura, Schnitzel Ranch, Shogun,
Sitar, Spice of India, Sun Café, Tai Pan, Taziki’s
Mediterranean Café, Thai Garden, The Scene, The
Sicilian, Tokyo, Tommy’s Pizza, Tony’s Little Italy,
Viet Huong, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Waffle House,
Watercress
4
Best Pizza?
1st Mellow Mushroom
2nd
3rd
Big Ed’s
Sam and Greg’s
Best Steak?
20%
1st Connor’s Steak &
Seafood
23%
13%
7%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Alfonzo’s, Bellacino’s, Big Daddy’s, Bucks Pizza, Carrabba’s, Chuck E Cheese, CiCi’s,
Dominos, Donato’s, Famous Joe’s Pizzeria, Francesca’s, Giovanni’s, Hopper’s, Jets Pizza, LeeAnn’s, Little
Caesars, Mama Mia’s, Marco’s Pizza, Maters, Meglios, Mezza Luna, Newks, Pane e Vino, Papa Johns, Papa
Murphy’s, Partner’s Bar and Grille, Pizza Hut, Raphael’s, Roman Rooster, Sbarro, Snappy Tomato, Stevarino’s
Scottsboro, Terry’s Pizza, The Nook, The Pizzeria, Tommy’s Pizza, Tony’s Little Italy, Tortora’s, Venice Pizza,
Village Pizza, Vittones, Voodoo Lounge, West End Grill
Best Cajun?
1st Po’ Boy Factory 42%
2nd
3rd
Tim’s Cajun Kitchen
Cajun Café
27%
5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Blackwater Hattie’s, Cajun Grill, Connor’s Steak & Seafood, Crawmamas, Hard Dock
Café, Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Landry’s, Pane e Vino, Papa Dubi’s, Partners Bar and Grille, Popeye’s, Simp
McGhee’s, The Nook, Watercress, Wintzell’s
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
2nd Ruth’s Chris
10%
3rd Pauli’s Bar and Grill 9.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 1892 East Restaurant and
Tavern, Albany Bistro, Applebee’s, Baumhower’s of
Huntsville, Bonefish, Brandin’ Iron, Café 113, Cafe
Berlin, Carrabba’s, Carson’s Grille, Chili’s, Cotton
Row, Crawmamas, D&L Bistro, Dales, Edith Ann’s
South Memorial, Furniture Factory, Grille 29, James
Steakhouse, JW’s Steakhouse - Priceville, LeeAnn’s,
Logan’s, LoneStar, Longhorn, Main Street Cafe in
Madison, Mezza Luna, Mikato’s, Moody Mondays,
Nick’s Ristorante, Outback Steakhouse, Papou’s,
Partners Bar and Grille, Port of Madison Cafe,
Ruggbys, Ryan’s, Shogun, Simp McGhee’s, Sports
Page, Stanfield’s, Steak Out, Steve’s Cue & Grill, Surin
of Thailand, TGI Friday’s, The Daily Brew, The Docks,
The Ledges, The Main Dish, Watercress
THE VALLEY PLANET
Best Burger?
1st Five Guys Burgers and Fries 22%
2nd
3rd
Red Robin
Cheeburger Cheeburger
8%
7%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 1892 East Restaurant and Tavern, 3rd Base Grill, Applebee’s, Backyard Burgers,
Baumhower’s of Huntsville, Beauregard’s, Benchwarmer, Big Spring Café, Biscuit Express, Bishops, Black
Water Hattie’s, Blue Gill Grille in Tim’s Ford, Bonefish, Brickhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, Cafe 302,
Carson’s Grille, CF Penn’s, Checker’s, Cheddars, Chili’s, Chips and Salsa, Chopper’s Bar and Grill, Commerce
Kitchen, Connors Steak & Seafood, Coppertop, Cotton Row, Crickets, Dallas Mill Deli, Dee’s Diner, Dubs,
Duffy’s, End Zone, Finnegan’s, Furniture Factory, Golden Rule Bar B Que, Grille 29, Half-Time Bar and Grill,
Happy Tummy, Hardees, Humphrey’s, Ivey’s, Jamo’s, Kyle Burger, L Rancho in Arab, LeeAnn’s, Little Diner,
Little Farm Grill, Little Paul’s, Littons, Logan’s, Longhorn, Main Street Cafe in Madison, McDonalds, Mezza
Luna, Mr. Henry’s, Mullins, Nick’s Ristorante, Our Place, Outback Steakhouse, Partners Bar and Grille, Pauli’s
Bar & Grill, Po’ Boy Factory, Port of Madison Cafe, RTJ Hampton Cove, Ruby Tuesday’s, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s
Chris, Shaggy’s, Sonic, Son’s House of Barbeque, Soul Burger, Sports Page, Stanfield’s, Steak and Shake, Steak
Out, Taters N’ Dawgs, TGI Friday’s, The Brick Deli in Decatur, The Creek, The Daily Brew, The Ledges, The
Main Dish, The Scene, The Station, Thirsty Turtle, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Waffle House, Watercress, West
End Grill
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Best Wings?
1st Buffalo Wild Wings 16%
2nd
3rd
Baumhower’s of Huntsville
3rd Base Grill
15%
9.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Rooster’s, 52 Sports Bar and Grill, Applebee’s, Bench Warmer, Best Wings, Bishops,
Bison’s, Black Water Hattie’s, Brickhouse, Carson’s Grille, Charlies Wing Shack, Chik-fil-A, Chili’s, Coppertop,
Crickets, Dominos, Edz Wingz, End Zone, Famous Joe’s, Furniture Factory, Hooters, Hopper’s Bar & Grill,
Humphrey’s, LeeAnn’s, Logan’s, Moe’s Original BBQ, Mooresville Bar & Grill, New Market BBQ, Ole Hickory
BBQ, Outback, Partners Bar and Grille, Phuket, Quaker Steak and Lube, Ruggby’s, Scene Lounge, Sidelines
Sport Bar and Grill, Sports Page, Sud’s Grille & Grog, Tenders, TGI Friday’s, Thai Garden, The Creek, The Main
Dish, The Nook, The Station, Thirsty Turtle, Tim’s Cajun Kitchen, Village Pizza , Voodoo Lounge, West End Grill,
Wings Express, Wings to Go, Wintzells, Zaxby’s
Best Hot Dog?
1st Sonic
2nd
3rd
Broken Hearted
13%
Tie: Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Costco 9%
Hot Dog Vendor Downtown Huntsville
8%
Roller Time Skate Rink
707 Arcadia Circle, Huntsville, AL
30% of the proceeds benefit Spay/Neuter Action
Project. Join us as we skate to save animals’ lives.
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, Anaheim Chili, Big Spring Café, Carsons Grill, Checker’s, Chicago Hot
Dog, Coppertop, Dairy Queen, Dip n Dog, Dodger’s Store, Downtown Dawgs - Decatur, End Zone, eww, Five
Guys, Furniture Factory, gross who still eats hot dogs ;), Happy Tummy, Hot Dawgs, Hot Dog It!, Hot Doggin,
Humphrey’s, Huntsville Municipal Golf Course, Jimbos, Joe Davis Stadium, Kangaroo, Krystal, Little Paul’s,
Mason’s, Meridianville BBQ, Milton Frank Stadium, Mullin’s, Nick’s Ristorante, Ole Hickory BBQ, Partners
Bar and Grille, Rave, RTJ Hampton Cove, Ruggbys, Sam & Greg’s, Sam’s Club Deli, Schnitzel Ranch, Shaggy’s,
Sluggo’s, Sneaky Pete’s, Sports Page, Stanlieo’s Sub Villa, Steak n Shake, Stewart’s, Target, Taters N’ Dawgs,
That’s My Dog, The Brick Deli and Tavern, The Daily Brew, The Furniture Factory, The Main Dish, The Nook,
Voodoo Lounge, West End Grill
Best Place to Pig Out?
1st 88 Buffet
2nd
3rd
Bandito Burrito Governors
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
12%
4%
3.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 1892 East, 3rd Base Grill, Apple Bee’s, Bandito Southside, Barnhill’s, Baumhower’s,
Big Ed’s, Blue Plate Café, Bob Gibson’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Canebrake Club Breakfast Buffet, Carson’s Grille,
Casa Blanca, Catfish Cabin II in Athens, Charlies Wing Shack, Cheddar’s, Cheeburger-Cheeburger, China Buffet,
China Gourmet, Chuckwagon BBQ, CiCi’s Pizza, Connors Steak & Seafood, Cracker Barrel, Crawmamas,
Curry-in-a-Hurry, David Gibson’s, Duffy’s Deli, Earthfare, Edith Anns, El Coyote, El Herradura, El Palacio,
End Zone, Famous Joe’s Pizzeria, Furniture Factory, Gibson’s, Granville’s Barbecue, Greenbriar Restaurant, G’s
Country Kitchen, Happy Tummy, Hildegard’s, Hooters,
Hopper’s Bar & Grill, Humphrey’s, I Love Sushi, IHOP,
India Palace, King Buffet, Knuckleheads, Korea House,
Krystal’s, La Alameda, Lawler’s BBQ, LeeAnn’s, Little
Farm, Lone Goose, Mellow Mushroom, Melting Pot,
Meteor Buffet, Mikato’s, Moe’s Original BBQ, New China
Buffet, New Market BBQ, Nicks Ristorante, Old Hickory
BBQ, Papa Gyros, Partners, Pauli’s, PF Changs,Phil
Sandoval’s, Popeye’s Buffet, Publix, Red Robin, Rosie’s,
Ruby Tuesday’s, Ryan’s Steakhouse, Sam’s Club, Schnitzel
Ranch, Shaggy’s, Shogun, Sitar, Stanlieo’s Sub Villa,
Tai Pan, Tater N’ Dawgs, Tenders, The Brick, The Daily
Brew, The Main Dish, Thomas Pit Barbecue, Tia Pan
Palace, Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, Tortora’s, Viet Huong,
Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Waffle House, West End Grill
Best Sushi?
1st I Love Sushi
2nd
3rd
Surin of Thailand
Edo’s
Best Place to Pig Out!
Other’s Receiving Votes: Earth Fare, Fulin, Ichiban, Meteor Buffet, Mikato’s, Mikawa, Miso House, Miyako,
Nama, New China Buffet, Panda, Phuket’s, Publix, Sakoa Japanese Grill, Sakura, Scene, Shogun, Sun Café, Super
88 Buffet, Surie, Tokyo Steakhouse, yuck
THE VALLEY PLANET
#020112022312
Best Thai Restaurant?
1st Surin of Thailand
2nd
3rd
Thai Garden
Phuket
39%
28%
13%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Charm Thai, PF Changs, Spring Garden, Try My Thai, Viet Huong
Best Restaurant for Vegetarians?
1st 1892 East Restaurant and Tavern 13%
2nd
3rd
Happy Tummy
Earth Fare
8%
6.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Again Yuck!, Atlanta Bread, Bandito/Governor’s, Bandito/Southside, Big Spring Café,
Blue Plate, Casa Blanca, Charlies Wing Shack, Charm Thai, Cheddars, Chef Will’s, Connors, Curry in a Hurry,
Dreamland, Fulin’s, Grille 29, I Love Sushi,I ndia Café, India Palace, Jamo’s, Jason’s Deli, Mellow Mushroom,
Mezza Luna, Moe’s, Newks, Nothing but Noodles, Olde Towne Coffee Shoppe, Olive Garden, OutBack, Panera
Bread, Papa Gyro’s ,Partners Bar and Grille, Pauli’s, Phuket,Rolo’s, Ruby Tuesday, Shea’s Express, Shogun, Sitar
Indian Cuisine, Stanlieo’s Sub Villa, Subway, Surin of Thailand, Taziki’s Mediterranean Café, Thai Garden, The
Daily Brew, The Main Dish, The Marketplace Cafe, Viet Huong, Voodoo Lounge, Watercress
Best Indian Restaurant?
1st Sitar Indian Cuisine 29%
24%
14%
12%
Wednesday, February 8th
 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM 
 $10.00 Donation at the Door. 
 Choose a Skater and Pledge an Amount per Lap. 
 You can also make a Flat Donation. 
2nd
3rd
Surin of Thailand
India Café
20%
9%
Other’s Receiving Votes: ALL OF THEM, India Palace, Jamo’s, Macaroni Grill, Masala, Spice of India, Surie in
Madison, Taj Mahal, Taste of India, Tie Curry in a Hurry, Vinny’s
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
5
Best Chinese Restaurant?
1st PF Chang’s 18.5%
2nd
3rd
Ding How II
88 Buffet
14.5%
10%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Bento Box, Canton House/ Decatur, China Buffet, China Cook/Hampton Cove, China
Dragon - Athens, China Express, China House, China Moon, China One/ Meridianville, China Star/Madison,
China Sun, China Taste, Ding How, Fulin’s, Golden China, Golden Phoenix, Golden Star, Great Panda, Great
Wall, Ichiban, King Buffet, Mandarin House, Mei Wei, Meteor Buffet, New China Buffet, Orient Express, Panda
Express, Panda Restaurant, Shogun, Sun Café, Tai Pan, Tai Pei, The China Taste
Best Japanese Restaurant?
1st Mikato’s
18%
2nd
3rd
I Love Sushi
Edo
16%
15%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Fulin’s, Ichiban, Kyoto/ Decatur, Meteor Buffet, Mikawa, Miso House, Miyako, New Ichiban,
Nori Japan, Panda, Sakoa Japanese Grill, Sakura, Shogun, Sun Café, Tokyo, Yamato’s
Best Late Night Grub?
1st WaffleHouse 14%
2nd
3rd
IHOP
Taco Bell
10%
6.5%
W
elcome to The Jazz Lounge. It’s February –
the month of love – Valentines Day. With that
in mind, I thought I would let you know about
a CD from Los Angeles-based jazz vocalist Dwight
Trible. This Katalyst Entertainment release is called
“Cosmic,” and the theme is love. His previous CD was
“Living Water.”
Dwight Trible’s musical influences range from his
mother (a singer), to Nina Simone and Carmen McRae.
He has performed with the likes of Norman Connors,
Bobby Hutcherson and Harry Belafonte. This includes
being a vocalist with the Pharoah Sanders Quartet.
The lineup on “Cosmic” includes Grammy-nominated
pianist John Beasley, percussionist Munyungo Jackson,
bassist Trevor Ware, drummer Dexter Story, and organist
Kenneth Crouch. Djamel Laroussi (from Algeria) is the
featured vocalist on the track “Algeriangeles,” which he
co-wrote with Munyungo Jackson).
Dwight is the producer and arranger on “Cosmic” (with
drummer Dexter Story as co-producer). His unique
vocals can be heard throughout this 9-track CD, which
includes: 1) Speak To Us Of Love; 2) I’ve Known
Rivers, 3) In The Beginning God (which he first sang
Dwight’s official website can be found at: www.
dwighttrible.com.
Remember, you can reach me at: teekynyc@yahoo.
com.
Until next time, stay cool, and keep it jazzy!
True BS
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, Amendment XXI, Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito/ Madison, Bandito Burrito/
Governors, Bandito Burrito/Southside, Big Ed’s Pizza, Bishops, Blackwater Hattie’s, Bojangles, Buffalo Wild Wings,
Carson’s Grille, Charlies Wing Shack, Checkers, Cheddar, Connors Steak & Seafood, Coppertop, Denny’s, Domino’s,
Finnegan’s, Firehouse Subs, Hooters, Hopper’s Bar & Grill, Huddle House, Humphrey’s, Jack’s, Krystal, Lee Ann’s,
Lone Goose, McDonalds, Partners, Ruggby’s, Scene, Shady Lawn Truck Stop/Ardmore, Sonic, Sports Page, Steak &
Shake, Taters N’ Dawgs, The Brick, The Furniture Factory, The Nook, Thirsty Turtle, Vieux Carre, Voodoo Lounge,
Waffle King, Wendy’s, West End Grill
by Tim Benton
W
ith the “Occupy Movement” now in
foreclosure and eviction, it’s time to take
a look at the greater meaning of it all. The
participants in the movement liked to think of their gala
as a “spontaneous uprising of the people.” But it was
more like a love child conceived when a disgruntled
former hippie posted an idea on Facebook. That’s what
happens when a social media whim hits the internet
without protection —it gets fertilized by a tweet. A
suitable gestation followed, and out came a litter of poets,
beatniks, flower children, socialists and songwriters, and
students who would take any excuse not to go back to
class, or former students who would take any excuse not
to go back to jobs they didn’t have.
Best Chips and Salsa?
1st Rosie’s
14%
2nd
3rd
Phil Sandoval’s
Casa Blanca
11.5%
9%
Other’s Receiving Votes:, 3rd Base Grill, Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito/Governors, Bandito Burrito/Madison, Bandito
Southside, Baumhower’s, Brickhouse, Cantina Laredo, Carson’s Grille, Cazadores, Chapala, Charrito’s Bar & Grill,
Chili’s, Chips N Salsa, El Camino, El Coyote, El Herradura, El Mariachi, El Olmeca, El Palacio, Furniture Factory,
Guadalajara, Hopper’s Bar & Grill, Humphrey’s, La Alameda, La Hacienda, La Michoacana, La Placita, Las Trojas,
Lime Fresh, Little Rosie’s, Los Arcos, Los Mariachis, Mexican Express, Mi Hacienda, Moe’s, Partners, Peppers, Red
Robin, Salsarita’s, Sierra’s Mexicanismo, Voodoo Lounge
“Occupy Wall Street” was a revolution of such
transcendent beauty that it soon spawned imitators.
Everyone with a grudge began organizing fellow
victims to gather and occupy something—the goal being
to garner media attention and lobby for new government
programs aimed at ending the grievous indignity suffered
by these unfortunate souls. Funds for the programs were
to be obtained by making the rich “pay their fair share.”
Here’s a review of the various progressive “Occupy”
movements that sprang up like mushrooms (which were
quickly smoked) all over the globe.
Best Health Food Market?
1st Earth Fare
43%
2nd
3rd
Fresh Market
Garden Cove
22%
15%
Occupy Wall Street. The mother of all occupy
movements. The occupiers condemned corporations
and demanded that the rich be made to “pay their fair
share.” This was followed by a demand that President
Obama bring the troops home from Afghanistan and
order them to attack Bank of America. More demands
followed, mostly about sustaining the personal comfort
of the occupiers. These demands included free WiFi,
government vouchers for free catered lunches and
Starbucks coffee, fresh bedding laundered daily,
sanitizing towelettes, and tastefully appointed portable
showers stocked with towels, soaps, shampoos, and
moisturizers.
Other’s Receiving Votes: Food Fair, Foods for Life, Gloria’s Good Health, Green Street Market ,Health Food Garden,
Kroger , Kroger/Hwy 72, Madison City Farmers Market, Nature’s Apothecary, Nature’s Way, Pearly Gates, Publix on
Whitesburg, Star Market, Target, Whole Foods
Best Deli?
1st Jason’s Deli
2nd
3rd
Dallas Mill Deli
Firehouse Subs
19%
9%
6%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, 9th Ave Hub Grub, Atlanta Bread Company, Brewbaker’s, Bruegger’s, Cahoots,
Chef Wills (Lowe Mill), Covington’s, Daily Brew, Duffy’s Deli, Earth Fare, Edith Ann’s South Memorial, Finnegan’s,
Fresh Market, Great Wraps, Happy Tummy, Honey Baked Ham, Jamo’s, Jersey Mikes, Kroger, LeeAnn’s, Lenny’s,
Lyn’s Gracious Goodness, Main Street Café, Mama Goldbergs, Marketplace Cafe, McAlister’s, New York Deli, Newk’s
Express Café, Panera Bread Company, Partners Bar and Grille, Publix, Quizno’s, Rusty Torpedo, Schlotsky’s, Shea’s
Express, Stanlieo’s, Star Market, Subway, Sweet Peppers, The Brick Deli, Thirsty Turtle, Tony’s Italian Deli, Wildwood
Best Desserts?
1st GiGi’s Cupcakes
2nd
3rd
Melting Pot
Tie: Ol’ Heidelberg, Hildegard’s,
1892 East Restaurant and Tavern
6%
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
Occupy Hazel Green. Madison County’s own band
of occupiers condemned corporations and demanded
that the rich be made to “pay their fair share.” The
occupiers then looked around and demanded that
the town of Hazel Green produce something worth
demanding. Finding themselves ignored, the occupiers
disbanded and left for Bridge Street.
Occupy Easy Street. The occupiers condemned
corporations and demanded that the rich be made to
“pay their fair share.” This was followed by a demand
that their lives be made easy.
Occupy Main Street. The occupiers condemned
corporations and demanded that the rich be made to
“pay their fair share.” This was followed by a demand
that the residents of Main Street join the revolution
and stop being so normal. But before doing that, the
occupiers demanded that Main Street residents provide
servings of apple pie.
Occupy The Champs-Élysées. Parisian occupiers
condemned corporations and demanded that the rich
be made to “pay their fair share.” This was followed
by demands for complimentary Camembert cheese
and bottles of Bordeaux and Burgundies, all of a
lovely vintage. Other demands included being given
government jobs with twenty hour work weeks, six
month vacations, and full-pay retirement after four
years of employment. The occupiers further demanded
the French government demand an explanation as to
why the German Army was now assembling on the
national border.
Occupy Las Vegas Boulevard.
The occupiers
condemned corporations and demanded that the rich be
made to “pay their fair share.” This was followed by
demands for complimentary tickets to the MGM’s Crazy
Horse Saloon, La Folies Bergere, and gift cards to obtain
hookers. A final demand was issued that whatever the
occupiers did in Vegas, would stay in Vegas.
Tim welcomes comments at [email protected]
PLEASPLEASE/WRONG BROTHERS
untsville, are you ready for a truly unique
musical experience?
I thought so.
Saturday night. Feb. 11th. 9pm at The
Flying Monkey. Bring your sweetheart out for
a little pre-Valentine’s Day action, featuring the
world’s only all request band: PLEASPLEASE.
They’ve got foxy dancers, a crazy announcer and
a genre twisting batch of cover songs just for you.
As an added bonus you get Rated R Rockers:
WRONG BROTHERS. Imagine Tenacious D
and Drive By Truckers making sweet sweet love
in the back of Motorhead’s Camaro. Get ready
for songs about zombies, animal attacks, robots,
wrestling, U.F.O.s, bestiality and drugs. Unleash
the awesome. Saturday night. Feb. 11th. 9pm
at The Flying Monkey. $7 gets you inside the
electric circus. (Submitted by Brad Posey)
H
Other’s Receiving Votes: Albany Bistro, Angel’s Island Coffee, Applebee’s, Atlanta Bread Company, Bandito Burrito/
Governor’s, Baskin Robbins, Big Bob Gibson’s, Baumhower’s, Bonefish, Brewbaker’s, Brewster’s, Cafe Baba, Café
Berlin, Cahoots, Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Carson’s Grille, Cheddars, Chili’s, Chocolate Crocodile, Chocolate
Gallery, Clementine’s, Coffee Tree Books and Brew, Cold Stone Creamery, Connor’s Steak & Seafood, Cotton Row,
D&L Bistro, Daily Brew, Dairy Queen, Earth Fare, Eaves Restaurant, Emma’s Tea Room, Fresh Market, Gibson’s,
Grille 29, Guadalahara, Happy Tummy, Jamo’s, Jason’s Deli, Landrys, Ledges, Logan’s, Longhorns, Lynn’s Gracious
Goodness, Macaroni Grill, Maggie Moo’s, Main Street Cafe in Madison, Main Street Café/Hville, Mama Annie’s,
Mezza Luna, New Market BBQ, Newk’s, Nick’s Ristorante, O’ Charlie’s, Ole Hickory BBQ, Olive Garden, Orange
Tree, Panera Bread, Pauli’s Bar & Grill, Peggy Ann Bakery, PF Chang’s, Phuket’s, Piccadilly’s, Red Robin, Rosie’s,
Ruby Tuesday’s, Ruth’s Chris, Sam and Greg’s Gelateria/Pizzeria, Schnitzel Ranch, Shea’s Express, Sonic, Star market
in 5 Points, Sun Cafe, Surin of Thailand, Sweet Cece’s, Sweet Dreams, Taziki’s, Terranova’s, TGI Friday’s, The Docks,
The Main Dish, The Marketplace Cafe, The Scene, Victoria’s Café, Watercress, Yogurt Twists
6
Occupy Bourbon Street. The occupiers condemned
corporations and demanded that the rich be made to
“pay their fair share.” This was followed by demands for
complimentary shots of whiskey, rum, vodka, tequila,
and gift cards to purchase Pat Obrien’s Hurricanes and
French Quarter hookers.
Occupy Bridge Street. Huntsville’s own band of
occupiers condemned corporations and demanded that
the rich be made to “pay their fair share.” This was
followed by a demand that P.F. Chang’s Chinese Bistro
provide the occupiers with complimentary wonton
appetizers, moo goo gai pan lunches, gluten-free
dinner buffets, and open bar. Other demands included
complimentary bath, shower, and spa privileges from
the Westin Hotel and varieties of complimentary
confections from The Chocolate Crocodile.
at The Flying Monkey
5.5%
5%
with Kenny Burrell), 4) Love Is Forever, 5) Little Africa
(his signature song), 6) Algeriangeles, 7) Hyko For
Peace/Come Ye, 8) It’s All About Love, and 9) Ooh
Child. My personal favorite is Track #8 – “It’s All
About Love.” You’ll find your own favorites when you
check this CD out.
#020112022312
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
THE VALLEY PLANET
zee’s rocket city bEAT
…by Jim Zieliński
E
ven as I type, THE YEAR OF ALABAMA FOOD is upon us! Each twelvemonth, the Alabama
Tourism Department selects a big promotional theme (e.g. “Year of Alabama Arts,” “Year of
Alabama Music,” “Year of Alabama Small towns and Downtowns”)…there was even an earlier
munch-centric year, but it proved so popular it brought us 360 degrees. So look for our list of area MUSTEATS in the next issue of the VP… this issue, we’ll hold off and make room for the “BEST OF’s…”
Meanwhile, let’s get back to food basics. And the most basic aspect? EATING. I am sick and tired of, and
mortified by, the avalanche of oleaginous chefs competing to see who can in thirty minutes concoct the prettiest
retch-inducing bouillon from smoked blue-ring octopi, heirloom tomato aspic, durian, and crème fraîche. They’re
taking the enjoyment of basic human desire and impaling it on a grid. It makes me think of the geek for whom
I once slaved and of whom I once opined, “If you kicked his a*s off a skyscraper, he’d chart the velocity on
the way down.” Give me something simple (if scary) like Anthony Bourdain, “Man v. Food,” or Andrew
“Omnivorous Curly Howard” Zimmern, for they appreciate the art of food and its inherent recreational benefits.
Flying Monkey
Valentine’s
Day Show
Michelle Malone has received rave reviews in the
New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Guitar Player
to name a few. Her last three recordings were on the
Grammy ballot. Her live show is not to be missed- she
can make the biggest venues seem cozy as a campfire
and an intimate venue seem like the center of the
universe. Here’s a quote from the New York Times“the kind of singer and songwriter who can jolt things
into overdrive”. She’s also a phenomenal guitar player
known for her slide technique. YouTubes and audio
samples are available at michellemalone.com.
So anyway, in keeping with our statewide theme, how much more “Alabama” can food get than that cooked by
Alabamians? Try your hand at reeling in your own surf and turf with a visit to A&V SEAFOOD MARKET
[2000 Cecil Ashburn Drive, SE, Suite # 107; (256) 883-7101]. Karen Alexander is the latest in a long line of
theatre types (recent grillqueen Sharon “Sherri” Ryan and Laurie Whitely Kellogg are two more singing “I’m a
believer”) to laud and magnify their name, commenting that she returned sans tutto mare from a recent Mobile jaunt,
since it was neither better nor cheaper than the load offered back in good ol’ Huntspatch—and you needn’t transport
ooking for a something really spectacular to do
your own. Open seven days a week, occasionally eight, from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., A&V offers quite the haul,
this Valentine’s Day? Then check out the show at Opening the evening is Rosewood, Fire, and Steel with
including whole trout; filets of salmon, grouper, and tilapia; and assorted reef denizens such as sea bass filet, tuna
the Flying Monkey Theater, 2211 Seminole Dr. classical guitarist Phil Weaver and fireographer/sword
filet, flounder filet, scallops, lobster, snow crab, oyster, whole catfish, whole snapper, jumbo lump crab meat, lump
crab meat, claw fingers crab meat, claw crab meat, shrimps, and even “dungeon crab”…which I’m going to assume at Lowe Mill, Tuesday night, Feb. 14th, 7pm. This is a swallower Patricia Forrest. The music includes tango,
is Dungeness and has not, in fact, been locked away by an evil monarch and rescued just in time for you to eat it. double header with critically acclaimed singer-songwriter flamenco, and contemporary combined with dance, fireMichelle Malone performing solo acoustic and the eating, and the ancient art of sword swallowing. Bill
I’m pleased to discover they don’t also offer “ersters.”
alternative classical-sideshow duo Rosewood, Fire, and Kanengiser of the Grammy-winning group Los Angeles
Both Valentine’s Day and Lent will be upon us mere weeks after this issue hits the stands and while you doubtless Steel (Phil Weaver and Patricia Forrest). You can even
Guitar Quartet wrote this after seeing RFS’s video
still reel from the sweetmeats marking Yuletide through Epiphany, eventually everyone has to pop a pastry or buy a dinner from Happy Tummy (mmmhappytummy.
Milonga del Angel- ‘Wow!! Now that’s entertainment!
twelve. com) at the venue, no waiting in a long line for a table at Patricia’s quite amazing and Phil sounded great. Perfect
a restaurant, and you can bring your own beverage if you choice of piece, beautifully played. Keep up the great
Face it: If pizza’s a vegetable, then surely cupcakes are nutritious servings of life-giving wheat. From what I like. Admission to the concert is $12 and the dinner is
work!” Go to philweaverguitar.com to see RFS videos.
hear from Amanda Lund, GIGI’S CUPCAKES [2109 Whitesburg Drive, South; (256) 270-9950; www. $12. Dinner and a show for two for under $50, not a bad
gigiscupcakesusa.com/huntsvillealabama] will bring a smile to Cupid’s lips and all whose arrows he pierces: deal at all! The concert has a convenient early start time
Information about the Monkey is at
presenting…the LOVE BOX (4 cupcakes for $10.99) and the LOTS OF LOVE BOX (6 cupcakes for $15.99). since it’s a weeknight.
flyingmonkeyarts.org
These are assorted Valentines-themed delectables that the gang will assemble for you, and it’s recommended you
pre-order by Saturday, 11 February, or you may be out of lots of luck. For those whose decreasingly significant
others use the “Day of Love” as an excuse to do nothing, because “they know you know they love you” and “we
know you know they’re cheap,” just push the issue and tell them you can save money by forgetting their birthdays
instead. After all, each of us knows the other knows they’re old.
by Jessica Penot
As for Lenten/Easter specialties, those with Polish or other Slavic heritage may be interested in picking up Pączki
he Church Street Cemetery is tucked neatly away in the shadows of the lazy oaks of Mobile, Alabama. The
(pronounced something like “Pawntchkee”), those yummy filled-and-festive doughnuts, to graze upon before fasting
moss drips off the trees and brushes the ancient tomb stones. The graves here are old. Some of them go back
thwarts your meal plans. Or maybe your background isn’t remotely Europa-Europa and you just want to gnosh,
two hundred years or more. During Mardi Gras, the cemetery is almost festive, and several of the tomb stones
already. Regardless, look for these tasty tidbits, similar to the West German Berliners we used to eat and JFK used to
be, at PUBLIX #0574 [Piedmont Point Shopping Center; 4851 Whitesburg Drive, SE, Suite B; (256) 650-2390] are covered in strange bright decorations. Mardi Gras beads hang off some, and tiny plastic monkeys cover a grave
where baker Diane “Dee” Thomas says they are scheduled to arrive sometime betwixt Tuesdays, 31 January and that paved homage to someone
21 February. The flavors on order are Bavarian-, Raspberry-, and Apple-filled. Have at it…you may well find them who loved to throw a party. The
a worthy substitute for Sufganiyot, Krapfen, Bombolone, Fánk, Oliebol, and Kobliha! Regardless, Mardi Gras or bright colors are a stark contrast
to what should be a somber scene. Fasching, bite a bit of tid and be glad you did.
Everything seems a little out of
In an unprecedented move, I recently followed a suggestion by the justifiably notorious Vivienne Atkins, hying place and visitors aren’t sure
myself to Meridianville for an attempt on K-MAY DONUTS [11041 Highway 231, Suite I; (256) 746-4893]. Yes, whether to surrender to the sense
we’re still stuck on the baked goods. Logic alone might lead one to visit K-May; at 69 cents for a regular glazed, it’s that there are ghosts everywhere or
quite a bit cheaper than, as the mob calls them, “certain once-regional-now-national brands whose pastry pricing has crack open a beer and start to party. skyrocketed to ridiculous levels of late.” Second and more importantly, they’re delish, if not nutrish. The sweetness Either option would be appropriate
of a basic glazed or a chocolate cake almost feels as if there were a kiss of coconut in them…and apparently there is. in this setting.
Here you’ll also find éclairs, bear claws, and filled doughnuts. But one of the most perplexing items, not available
at the time I visited, is the egg and cheese kolache, which at least sounds Slavic in origin. A few questions unveil In fact, this little cemetery is the
a further bit of mystery as regards who owns this franchise, how, or if, the various locations relate, and even where starting point for the largest parades
one might find Meridianville, but the great taste is undeniable. BTW, they also sell day-olds at a discount. You can of Mardi Gras. Buried in this
save a few bucks and still have something more than acceptable for those unwanted guests.
cemetery is Joe Cain. Joe Cain
was a civil war veteran who fought
Let’s finish up by saluting preprandial after-dinner speaking. EARTH FARE [5900-C University Drive, NW;
for the South and is credited for
(256) 721-7017; www.earthfare.com] has recently decided to kick off an Open Mic Night! Alerted by authorthe rebirth of Mardi Gras traditions
photographer-talker Virginia Gilbert, we determined these would be occasional (say, bimonthly), on Fridays at
that had been abandoned since the
5:30 p.m., and held in the cafeteria area. So here’s your chance to purchase healthy victuals and immediately wax
French left the Gulf. Partly to
poetic on your heartfelt, or heart healthy, love thereof.
awaken a depressed and defeated
city and partly to spit in the faces of
triumphant union soldiers, on the first Mardi Gras following the civil war Joe dressed up as a Chickasaw Indian and
paraded up and down Government Street. He was joined by other revelers and a tradition was born in Mobile that
would take hold of the city every year that followed. In 1974, Joe Cain’s Merry Widows were formed as one of the
most interesting Mardi Gras Societies. Every Sunday before Fat Tuesday, on Joe Cain Day, these widows dress in
black and go to the Church Street Cemetery. The parade starts from the cemetery and follows the women, dressed all
in black, around the parade route drinking and hurling beads. Even from the grave, Joe Cain is the life of the party.
L
The Mardi Gras Ghost
T
Dixie Derby Girls’
Skate-a-thon to
Benefit Local Cats
and Dogs Feb 8th
J
oin Huntsville’s Dixie Derby Girls Roller Derby
League as they skate to save animals’ lives at the
5th Annual Broken Hearted Skate-a-thon!
Put on some skates for a good cause and join the Dixie
Derby Girls and the Spay/Neuter Action Project (SNAP)
in their quest to skate laps for animals on Wednesday,
February 8th from 5:30pm-8pm at RollerTime Skate
Center (707 Arcadia Cir., Huntsville) the official
practice home for the Dixie Derby Girls Roller Derby
League.
The 5th Annual Broken Hearted Skate-a-thon is a
special event open to the public where fans of all ages
can come skate along side their favorite skater as they
raise pledges for charity. Skaters all are raising pledges
per lap, or flat donations to aid the cause, with 30% of
the proceeds benefiting the Spay/Neuter Action Project
(SNAP) www.snapalabama.org.
Admission is a $10 donation, and all donations are tax
deductible.
THE VALLEY PLANET
Alabama
Gives Day TO
HELP Local
Nonprofits
O
n February 2, 2012 the Alabama Association
of Nonprofits, in partnership with the Alabama
Broadcasters Association, is taking one day
to harness the power of individual contributions
statewide. Never before in our state have Alabamians
had the opportunity to come together in such a
unique and synergized way to support hundreds
of nonprofits during a dedicated day of giving.
Alabama Gives Day is supported by the Razoo
Foundation, the Alabama Press Association, Alabama
Giving, Intermark Group and hundreds of nonprofits
in our state. Alabama Gives Day aims to make
history by connecting new and existing donors with
hundreds of Alabama nonprofits in just 24 hours.
Only through your support can we together make
history and raise much needed funding to support
numerous nonprofits located in our community!
#020112022312
So you have to wonder if Joe Cain’s ghost is anything to fear. His ghost certainly wanders this cemetery waiting for
the party to come to him again. His presence and the presence of other ghosts can be felt as soon as you step through
the gates of the cemetery. Haunted America even ranked this graveyard as one of the most haunted cemeteries in
Alabama. Yet despite the ghosts, I still felt this was more of a happy place. I felt that maybe the ghosts waiting
here were waiting for the next party and that their only unfinished business might be the next Mardi Gras.
What could be a historic event is with one primary goal in mind: to help charitable organizations continue
to provide a broad spectrum of aid across the state. “The Alabama Broadcasters Association is excited to
participate in what will be an historic event for philanthropy in our state and possibly across the nation.
Alabama radio and TV stations will join together in an effort to raise record amounts in gifts for charities
across the state in a 24-hour period,” said Sharon Tinsley, President of the Alabama Broadcasters Association.
How does Alabama Gives Day work? On February 2nd, from midnight to 11:59pm, Alabamians will be driven to
a dedicated online giving portal at www.alabamagivesday.org where they will choose to make a gift to one or more
of the hundreds of participating nonprofits. “Donors will choose the nonprofit(s) they want to support from a list
of 12 areas of interest, i.e. Children and Youth, Animals, Health, Environment, etc.,” said Jackson. “It’s all about
connecting them to the missions they are most passionate about, and hopefully to a nonprofit they’ve never supported.”
“Connecting individual donors to nonprofits, while also promoting the safety and ease of online giving, is critical to helping
our nonprofits be sustainable,” said John Stone, President and CEO for the Alabama Association of Nonprofits. “Never
before has an event of this magnitude taken place in our state. This will be a defining moment for Alabama nonprofits
participating in the event and the impact will be felt far and wide. We’ve seen what Minnesota, Colorado and other Gives
Days have done, and with Alabama’s strong tradition of giving we believe that history can be made on February 2nd.”
To learn more visit www.alabamagivesday.org
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
7
Best BBQ?
1st Lawler’s BBQ
2nd Gibson’s BBQ
3rd Big Bob’s BBQ Best Special Occasion Restaurant?
1st Connors Steak & Seafood 9%
15%
9%
8.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 305 BBQ in Athens, BB Perrins, Big Cove BBQ, Carson’s Grille, Chuck Wagon, Dead
End, Dreamland, Edith Ann’s South Memorial, Gibson’s ( David’s), Golden Rule, Granville’s, Greenbrier (New),
Greenbrier (Original), Hickory Barn, Hickory Hut, Hickory Stick, Home Style in Hartselle, Jim & Nick BBQ, Johnny’s
BBQ, LeeAnn’s, Little Paul’s, Logan’s, Marshall’s House, Mary’s Pit, Meridianville BBQ, Moe’s Original BBQ, Mr.
Barbeque, Mud Creek BBQ, Nash’s BBQ, New Hope BBQ, New Market BBQ, New Orleans Lunch Box, Old Hickory
BBQ, Ole Dad’s, Ole Hickory BBQ New Market, Pig Stand, Piggin Out, Porky’s BBQ, Scruggs, Smokehouse BBQ,
Smokey’s, Sons in Arab, Sticky Fingers, Surin of Thailand, Tates, Ted’s BBQ, Thai Garden, The Main Dish, Thomas Pit
BBQ, Wagon Wheel, Walker’s Carry Out, Whitt’s
Best Home Cooking?
1st Blue Plate Café
2nd Cracker Barrel
3rd G’s Country Kitchen 9%
7%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, Allen’s Grill and Grog, B and B’s Soul Food, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s,
Bento Box, Big Spring Cafe, Brewbaker’s, Cahoots, Cajun Cafe, Carson’s Grille, City Cafe, Clinton Avenue Grocery,
Commerce Kitchen, Daily Brew, Dee’s Diner, Dot’s, Duffy’s Deli, Edith Anne’s, Ernie’s, Furniture Factory, Gibson’s
Barb-b-que, Grandmother’s House, Greenbrier, Happy Tummy, Harvest House, Hildegard’s, Hopper’s Bar & Grill,
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Ivey’s, Jackson Family Restaurant, Kroger Hwy 72, L Rancho in Arab, LeeAnn’s, Libby’s
Catfish Diner, Limestone Bay Trading Co., Little Debs, Little Diner, Little Farm, Lyn’s Gracious Goodness, M & Ms in
Courtland, Main Dish, Main Street Cafe, Mama Annie’s, Mama’s American, Market Street Café, Meridian Street Cafe,
Minnie Lee’s, Moe’s BBQ, Mullins, My mom Gislea’s food, New Market BBQ, Nick’s Ristorante, Partners Bar and
Grille, Pauli’s Bar & Grill, Piccadilly’s, Posey’s, Rock Cafe, Rolo’s, Ruggby’s, Ryan’s, Schnitzel Ranch, Shea’s Epxress,
Soul Burger, Sports Page, Thai Garden, The Blue Willow Bistro, The Daily Brew, The Main Dish, The Nook, The Rock
Cafe, Tony’s Country Cooking, Victoria’s, Voodoo Lounge, Watercress, West End Grill, Wrights Cafeteria
Best Lunch?
1st 1892 East Restaurant and Tavern 5%
2nd Happy Tummy
3rd Tie: Blue Plate Café and
Bandito Burrito Governors 4%
3.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, 5 Guy’s, 88 Buffet, Adtran, Albany Bistro, Apple Lane Farms, Applebee’s,
Atlanta Bread Company, Atrium Cafe / Hudson Alpha, Bandito Burrito/Madison, Bandito Southside, Baumhower’s,
Beans & Bytes, Bento Box, Big Ed’s Pizza, Big Spring Café, Bishops, Blackwater Hattie’s, Brewbaker’s, Buffalo
Wild Wings, Cafe Berlin, Cafe Lemon Bleu, Cafe Olivia, Cajun Cafe, Carson’s Grille, Casa Blanca, Charrito’s Bar &
Grill, Cheddar’s, China Taste, Chuckwagon BBQ, CiCi’s Pizza, Clementine’s, Commerce Kitchen, Connor’s Steak &
Seafood, Covington’s, Cracker Barrel, Crickets, D&L Bistro, Daily Brew, Dallas Mill, Duffy’s Deli, Earth Fare, Edith
Ann’s Taste of Home, El Herradura, El Palacio, Famous Joe’s Pizzeria, Finnegan’s, Flyboys, G’s Country Kitchen,
Garam Korean Restaurant, Gibson’s BBQ, Grille 29, Hildegard’s, Hooters, Hopper’s, Humphrey’s, Huntsville Hospital
Cafeteria, Ivey’s, Jamo’s, Jason’s Deli, Jersey Mike’s, Knuckleheads, Korea House, LeeAnn’s, Lenny’s, Libby’s,
Limestone Bay Trading Co., Little Paul’s BBQ, Little Rosie’s, Logan’s, Lynn’s Gracious Goodness, Main Street Café,
Mama Annie’s, Marketplace Cafe, McAllister’s, Meridian St Cafe, Mezza Luna, Miso House, Moe’s Original BBQ,
Momma Goldberg’s, New China Buffet, New Day Cafe (Regions Bank Bldg), New Market BBQ, New York Deli
,Newk’s, Nothing but Noodles, O’Charley’s, Ole Hickory BBQ, Pane e Vino, Panera’s, Papa Gyro’s, Pauli’s Bar & Grill,
PF Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phuket, Po Boy Factory,Red Robin,Rolo’s,Rosie’s,Ruby Tuesday,Ruggby’s,Ruth’s Chris,
Ryans, Salsarita’s, Sam and Greg’s, Schnitzel Ranch, Shea’s Express, Sitar, Smokehouse, Speedy Gonzales, Sports
Page, Stanlieo’s, Steve’s Lounge, Subway, Surin of Thailand, Taters and Dawgs, Taziki’s, Terranovas, Thai Garden, The
Brick Deli, The Brickhouse Sports Cafe, The Eaves Restaurant, The Main Dish, The Marketplace Cafe, The Vietnamese
Sandwich Truck, Thirsty Turtle, Timbuk1, Tim’s Cajun Kitchen, Tommy’s Pizza, Tony’s Little Italy, Tortoras, Victoria’s
Café, Viet Huong, Voodoo Lounge, Watercress, West End Grill, Zaxby’s
22%
2nd 1892 East Restaurant and Tavern
3rd Cracker Barrel
14%
7%
Most Romantic?
1st Melting Pot
14%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, Albany Bistro, Atlanta Bread Company, Bandito Southside, Bishops, Brix,
Café Berlin, Cafe Lemon Bleu, Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Carson’s Grille, Casa Blanca, Clementine’s, Commerce
Kitchen, Connors Seafood and Steakhouse, Daily Brew, Decatur Country Club, Ding How, El Camino Real,
Finnegan’s, Furniture Factory, Grandmother’s House, Grille 29, Heritage Club, Hopper’s, Huntsville Country Club,
IHOP, India Palace, Macaroni Grill, Main Street Cafe, Marriott, Masons, Meteor Buffet, Mezza Luna, Mullin’s, Newk’s,
O’ Charley’s, Olde Towne Coffee Shoppe, PF Chang’s, Piccadilly, Rolo’s, Ruby Tuesday, Ryan’s, Salt - Scottsboro,
Shea’s Express, Simp McGhee’s, Snak Shack, Surin of Thailand, TGI Friday’s, The Eaves Restaurant, The Ledges, The
Main Dish, The Westin, Valley Hill Country Club, Victoria’s Cafe, Viet Huong, Waffle House, Watercress
2nd Tie: Nick’s Ristorante and Pauli’s Bar & Grill 7.5%
3rd Cotton Row
6.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 1892 East Restaurant and Tavern, 3rd Base Grill, Albany Bistro, Angel’s Island Coffee,
Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, Bandito Southside, Big Ed’s, Bistro La Luna, Bonefish, Brix, Café 113, Cafe Berlin,
Carrabba’s, Carson’s Grille, Chophouse, Chuck Wagon, Connors Steak & Seafood, D&L Bistro, Dales Steakhouse,
Grille 29, Happy Tummy, Heritage Club, Hildegard’s, Hopper’s Bar & Grill, I Love Sushi, James Steak House ,Jimmy’s,
Landry’s, LeeAnn’s, Macaroni Grill, Main Street Café/Madison, Mezza Luna, Mikato’s, Ol’ Heidelberg ,Olive Garden,
Outback, Pane e Vino, Papou’s, Partners Bar and Grille, Phuket, Red Lobster, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s Chris, Schnitzel Ranch,
Sports Page, Stem & Stein, Sun Cafe, Surin of Thailand, Terranova’s, Thai Garden, The Ledges, The Main Dish, The
Milling Company, The Scene, Tony’s little Italy, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Watercress
Best Cakes/Cupcakes?
1st GiGi’s Cupcakes
42%
2nd Peggy Ann Bakery
3rd Hildegard’s 8.5%
8%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 1892 East, 3rd Base Grill, Albany Bistro, Bandito Burrito Governors, Bandito Burrito
Madison, Bandito Southside, Bonefish Grill, Brix,Cafe Berlin, Carrabba’s, Carson’s Grille ,Casa Blanca, Chuck Wagon,
Clementine’s, Commerce Kitchen, Cotton Row, D & L Bistro, Dale’s Steakhouse, Emma’s, Famous Joe’s Pizzeria,
Grille 29, Guadalajara, Hildegard’s, Hopper’s Bar & Grill, Huntsville Country Club, I Love Sushi, James Steakhouse,
LeeAnn’s, Logan’s, Longhorn, Macaroni Grill, Main Street Café/Madison, Mellow Mushroom, Mezza Luna, Mikato’s,
Nicks Ristorante, Ol’ Heidelberg, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, P.F. Changs, Partners Bar and Grille, Phil
Sandoval’s, Phuket, Po Boy Factory, Red Lobster, Red Robin, Rosie’s, Ruth’s Chris, Sakura, Schnitzel Ranch, Shogun,
Simp McGee’s, Stem and Stein, Sun Cafe, Surin of Thailand, Terranova’s, Thai Garden, The Daily Brew, The Docks,
The Ledges, The Main Dish, The Nook, Voodoo Lounge, Watercress
Best Restaurant for Kids?
1st Chuck E Cheese 16.5%
19%
Best Sunday Brunch?
1st Another Broken Egg
2nd Pauli’s Bar and Grill 3rd Melting Pot
2nd Chick Fil A
3rd Red Robin
10.5%
6.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, Applebee’s, Atlanta Bread Company, Bandito Burrito (Governors Dr), Bandito
Southside, Baumhower’s, Big Ed’s, Burger King, Carson’s Grille, Casa Blanca, Charrito’s Bar & Grill, Cheddar’s,
Cheeburger Cheeburger, Chili’s, Ci Ci’s Pizza, Connors Steak & Seafood, Cracker Barrel, Crawmamas, Famous Joe’s
Pizza, Five Guys, Gibson’s BBQ, Happy Tummy, Home: where they can’t disturb us, Hooters, IHOP, Jason’s Deli,
King Buffet, Little Ceasars, Logan’s, Macaroni Grill, McDonald’s, Mellow Mushroom, Mikato’s, Moe’s Original
BBQ, Newk’s, Nothing But Noodles, O Bryans, O’Charley’s, Pane e Vino, Phil Sandoval’s, Pizza Hut, Rosie’s, Ruby
Tuesdays, Rusty Torpedo, Ryan’s, Sam & Greg’s, Schnitzel Ranch, Shaggy’s, Sonic, Stanlieo’s, Steak N Shake, Taters N
Dawgs, The Daily Brew, The Main Dish, The Marketplace Cafe, Tommy’s Pizza
Best Bargain Restaurant?
1st Tie:Cheddar’s and 88 Buffet 8.5%
2nd CiCi’s Pizza 3rd Bandito Burrito Governor’s
7%
6%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, Arby’s, Atlanta Bread Company, Bandito Southside, Barnhill’s, Baumhower’s,
Beans and Bytes, Bento Box, Big Ed’s, Blue Plate Cafe, Bojangles, Carson’s Grill, Casa Blanca, Charlies Wing Shack,
Charm Thai, Charrito’s Bar & Grill, Chili’s, China Buffet, China Taste, Connors Steak & Seafood, Cracker Barrel,
Dallas Mill Deli, Ding How, Domino’s, Downtown dawgs, Duffy’s Deli, Earth Fare, Edith Anne’s, El Coyote, El
Herradura, El Mariachi, Five Guys Burger and Fries, Gibson’s, Golden China, Granvilles, G’s Country Kitchen, Gyro
Palace, Happy Tummy, Hildegards, Ivey’s, Jamo’s, Jason’s Deli, King Buffet, Krystal’s, La Placitas, Lee Ann’s, Little
Dinner, Logan’s, Main Street Café/Madison, McDonald’s, Mei Wei, Mellow Mushroom, Meteor Buffet, Moe’s Original
Bar B Que, Mullins, Newk’s, Old Greenbrier, Papa Gyro’s, Partners Bar and Grille, Penn’s, PF Changs, Phuket, Po Boy
Factory, Popeye’s, Rafael’s, Red Robin, Rolo’s, Rosie’s, Ryan’s Steakhouse, Sam’s Club, Schnitzel Ranch, Shogun,
Sitar, Sonic, Stanlieo’s, Subway, Surin, Taco Bell, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Tellini’s, Thai Garden, The Main Dish,
The Nook, Tony’s Little Italy, Tortoras, Venice Pizza, Viet Huong, Voodoo Lounge, Waffle House, Wendy’s, West End
Grill, Wintzell’s
Best Chef In the Valley?
1st Matt Martin @ Pauli’s Bar & Grill 11.5%
2nd
3rd Andy Howery @ Pauli’s Bar and Grille Tie: Gerald @ Nick’s Ristorante and
Matt Streeter @ Cotton Row and
Steve Bonner @ 1892 East
9.5%
6.8%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Adam Dewilt @Watercress, Amy Robinson @ Sterling Health, Andy McGregor @ 3rd Base,
Anthony Gutierezz @Scene Restaurant & Lounge, Ashley Carlton @ Carlton’s, Ashley Hendricks/self, Bennie Nevlous
@ Connors, Beverly @ The Nook, Bill Davis @ Hickory Barn BBQ, Bill Harden @ James Steakhouse, Brandon
Johnson @ Stem and Stein, Brandon Pickens @ Providence Cafe, Brock Booker @ 1892 East, Cary Mason @ Carson’s
Grille, Catherine Shearer @ Happy Tummy, Cathy Cormier, Chance Love @ Connors Steak and Seafood, Chef Ann @
Sports Page, Chef Herman formerly @ Clocktower, Chef Jessy@Ruths Chris, Chef Ron @ Canebrake Country Club,
Chef Shawn Duvall @ Shea’s Express, Chris McDonald @ Grille 29, Chris Travis @ Nick’s Ristorante, Chris Worley,
Crista Barton @ Partners Bar and Grille, Cynthia Joiner @ CJ’s Wings & Things, Cynthia Shea @ Shea’s Express,
Damon Foster @Edith Ann’s, David Finnegan @ PF Changs, David Helba @ Ruby Tuesdays, Diana Henry @ Blue
Roof Cafe/RFCU, Drew Brunner @ 1892, Eric @ Nicks Ristorante, Ezell @ Connors Steak and Seafood, Fernando
Sarmiento @ I Love Sushi, G Todd Daniel @ Wine Rack, Goerge Goff @ Edith Anne’s Diner, Gordon Seuell @ The
Schnitzel Ranch, H. Butler, Helen Harrand, Jack Z. @ Mezza Luna, Jake Reed @ Albany Bistro, James Boyce @
Cotton Row/James Steakhouse/ Commerce Kitchen, James Cambell @ Carson’ Grill, James Seay @ Humpreys, Jarmon
Grey @ Connors Steak House, Jason Schauer @ Mezza Luna, Jim @ I Love Sushi, Jimmy Simpson @ Watercress,
Jo Jo Schmidt @ Schnitzel Ranch, Joe Calucci @ Joe’s Famous Pizza , JR Phillips @ 3rd Base Grill, Julio Lopez @
Tortoras, Kelvin Wang @Thai Garden, Ken Linn @ The Main Dish, Kevin Lovell @ Commerce Kitchen, Luke Hawke
@ Cotton Row, Marcus Longwood, Margaret Hale of THe Chef Next Door and The Marketplace Cafe, Marjorie
Hongsdusit @ Thai Garden, Merle Phillip @ The Eaves, Mezza Luna Chef, Micah Cantrell @ Westin Corporate Dining
Concepts, Michael Pauk Jackson @ Watercress, Mike @ Ruggbys, Mike Claxton @ Connors Steak and Seafood, Oscar
Gutierrez @ Bandito Governors, Parker Hughes @ Carson’s Grille, Patrick Sheridan @ Connors, Paul Norris @Connors
Steak & Seafood, Paul Thornton @ Pauli’s, Pedro Santiago @ Furniture Factory, Pete Carrozza, Pierre Le Clercq @
Heritage Club, Prema Monteiro JF Drake State Technical College, Rachael Buckelew @ 1892 East, Richard Britton @
The Ledges, Robert Gunn @ Brewbakers, Roy Bown @ Blackwater Hatties, Ryan Turner, Ryan Zielinski @ Huntsville
Country Club, Sabine Collins @ Hildegard’s, Sam Parks @T he Nook, Samuat @ Surin of Thailand, Scott Curry
@ Curry’s , Sean Kane @ Mezza Luna, Shane Holcomb @ Bandito Burrito Governors Dr.,S lick Nevlous, Stephen
Stockton @ Krogers, The man outside Lowe Mill in the little trailor!, Tom Chapman@Cafe Berlin and Cherokee Ridge
Country Club, Tom Clark @ Clark’s Restaurant , Tony Kelly @ Waffle House, Travis Thompson @ Bandito Burrito/
Governors, Virgina Sivak @ Westin
10%
6%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Albany Bistro, Amy Wharton, Angel cakes by Mel,Artistic Cakes Bakery/Madison, Ashley Hendricks, Baked in the South, Cafe Berlin, Cahoots, Cakes Etc., Costco, Dairy Queen, Doughlicious Desserts, Earth Fare,
Ellen’s Creative Cakes, Emma’s Tea Room, Food Fite, Fresh Market, Hickory Barn BBQ, Irish Oven, JennyCakes, Krispy Kreme, Kristen Chaney, Lucy The Cake Lady, Lulu’s, Lydia Floyd, Lynell’s, Lynn’s Cakes, Main Street Café/Huntsville,
Main Street Café/Madison, Mel’s Sweet Treats, Mother Hubbard’s, New Market BBQ, Newks, Ol’ Heidelberg, Old Vienna, Ole Hickory BBQ, Providence Cafe, Publix, Schnitzel Ranch, Shea’s Express, Slice at a Time, Star Market, Taziki’s,
The Corner Bakery, The Daily Brew, The Great American Cookie Company, The Main Dish, The Marketplace Cafe, The Veranda - Scottsboro, Walmart
8
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
#020112022312
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
THE VALLEY PLANET
Best Bartender?
1st Michelle “Asian” Neilson @ Partner’s 10%
2nd Chase Shelton @ James Steakhouse 3rd Paige Creque @ I Love Sushi 7%
6%
Others receiving votes: Aaron Whetstone @ Crossroads, Ali Petty @ Stem and Stein, Alicia Stigletts, Allen Meeks @ 1892 East, Analeise Crawford @ Humphreys, Angie
@ Benchwarmer, Barbara Jean Carlin @ Crossroads, Belinda Williams @ 3rd Base Grill, Betty Hallmark, Beverly DuFour @ The Nook, Bill Smith, Brandee Mahan,
Brandi Miller @ Nick’s Restuarant, Brandon @Smokehouse, Brandy Maxson @ Sports Page, Bre Winkler @ Grille 29, Brenda Hager @ Nick’s Ristorante, Brian Ham @
West End Grill, Bridgettet @ Moody Monday’s, Brit Crossley @ Mellow Mushroom South, Brittany Mathis @ Longhorn Steakhouse, Camille Spaulding @ Blackwater
Hatties, Caroline Crunk @ Bonefish Grill, Carrie Hipkins, Carter Garza @ End Zone. Chad Henderson @The Brick , Chris Ables @ Watercress , Chris Duncan @ The
Melting Pot, Christy Lee @ Partners Bar and Grille, Chuck Harwood @ Humphrey’s, Cici Nicholas @ Another Broken Egg, Cindy Fyle @ 3rd Base Grill and Ruth’s Chris
Steakhouse, Cliff Carey @The Nook, Courtney Livingston @ Furniture Factory, Craig Westenhofer @ Connors Steak and Seafood, Danna Alm @ Moody Mondays, Dara
Duenas @ Rosies University, David Dufour @ The Nook, Debbie Davis @ Applebees, Deon @ Sports Page, Diane Weiss @ Sports Page, Felicia O’Toole, G Todd Daniel
@ Wine Rack, Gary Smith @ Sammy Ts & Jefferson Street Pub, George Burt @ Vinotini, Gerald @ Amendment XXI, Gina Madison @ Lone Goose, Gina sharp @ West
End Grill, Ginny Martin @ 3rd Base Grill, Gordon Seuell @ Schnitzel Ranch, Greg Sollid @ 1892 East, Heather Sheik @ Copper Top, Jamie Hunter @ Vieux Carre’,
Jeanne Goodenough @ Carson’s Grille, Jeff English @ Kaffeklatsch, Jeffrey Underwood @ The Scene, Jennifer Martin English @ Kaffeeklatsch/Vinotinis, Jimmy @ The
Station, Joe Subramaniam @Crossroads, Johnny Kastanakis @ The Nook, Jonathan Smith @ Connors @Steak and Seafood, Jose Mejia @ Brickhouse, Josh Laney @
Finnegan’s Pub, Joshua Barnett @ Humphreys, Juliet Seedig, Kelly Hill @ Carson’s Grille, Ken Harnery @ Finnegan’s, Kevin Wesley @ Ruggby’s, KP @ Diamonds, Kyle
Stone @ Pauli’s Bar and Grill, Lee Forest - Mickeys, Lindsay Rogers @ Voodoo Lounge, Lonnie Webster @ Ruggbys, Lucius Marion @Ruth’s Chris, M Lucki @ Mezza
Luna, Mac Clem @ Amendment XXI, Maggie Pierce @ Olivias, Maria Reyes @The Brickhouse, Matt Ortega @ Surin of Thailand, Matt Todd @Xroads, Megan Bussell
@ Carson’s Grill, Meredith Campbell @ Voodoo Lounge, Michael Groce @ Lone Goose, Michael Leo @ Simp McGhee’s, Michelle @ I Love Sushi, Michelle Fordham
@Chilis, Mike Slaton @ Pauli’s Bar & Grill, Monica Battle Mueller @ The Nook Tavern, Neeley Kelley @ Lone Goose, Nicholas Poppe @ Humphrey’s, Nicole Green@
Village Pizza, Pam Hovis @ Benchwarmer, Philip Dougherty @ Mellow Mushroom Jones Valley, Priscilla Hughes @ Furniture Factory, Richard Whetstone @ Crossroads
Music Hall, Roy Bown Blackwater Hatties, Ryan McGowan @ The Scene, Scott Alburi @ West End Grill, Scott Johnston, Scott Residori @ Plamor Lanes, Shanna Davis
@ Hooters, Stacey Bryant @ Lone Goose, “Stephanie Smith -@ Bishops Bar and Grill, S. Pkwy, Stephen Blossom, Steve Caron @Hoppers, Stewart Stokes @ Logan’s
Roadhouse ,Stitch @ Bishops, Teresa Boyd Looking, Tess Grella-Stockton @ Bandito Southside, Thirsty Turtle @ Yalitza LaFontaine, Thomas Yack @ 801, Tim
Harwood @ Mason’s, Tommy @ Carrabas, Tracy Wright @ Phil Sandoval’s, Travis Johnson @ West End Grill, Tyler Burns @Vieux Carre, Vanessa Hutley @ Connors
Steak and Seafood, Vincent @ Ammendment XXI, Wade Marona @ Vinotini, Whitney Williams @ 3rd Base ,Yalitza LaFontaine @ Thirsty Turtle, Yunus Hasan @ I Love
Sushi
Asian Invasion
Best Bar Overall?
1st The Nook 8.5%
Best Happy Hour?
1st Nick’s Ristorante 2nd Humphrey’s 6%%
3rd Nick’s Ristorante 5.5%
Others Receiving Votes: 1892 East Restaurant & Tavern, 19th hole, 3rd Base, 53 Sports Bar and Grill, Amendment
XXI, Another Broken Egg, Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito/Governors, Bandito Southside, Benchwarmer, Bishop’s,
Blackwater Hattie’s, Bob Baumhower’s Wings, Bonefish, Brickhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cafe 113, Cantina Laredo,
Carson’s Grille, CD’S Bar and Grille, Chicken Shack, Chips and Salsa, Chophouse, Commerce Kitchen, Connors,
Coppertop, Crossroads, Dew Drop Inn, Diamond’s Sports Bar, End Zone, Finnegan’s, Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Hard
Dock, Hooter’s, Hoppers, I Love Sushi, James Steakhouse, Kaffeeklatsch, Knight Moves, Knucklehead’s,Lee Ann’s,
Lisa’s Lounge, Logan’s, Mason’s Pub, Mellow Mushroom, Mezza Luna, Mickey’s, Monaco Pictures, Moody Mondays,
Mooresville Bar & Grill, Olivia’s, Our Place, P.F.Chang’s, Partners, Pauli’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Rosie’s, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s
Chris, Sammy T’s, Schnitzel Ranch, Sports Page, Stem & Stein, Straight to Ale Taproom, Surin of Thailand, TGI
Fridays, The Brick, The Creek, The Docks, The Lone Goose, The Main Dish, The Melting Pot, The Scene Lounge,
The Station, Thirsty Turtle, Tim’s Cajun Kitchen, Vieux Carre, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Watercress, West End Grille,
Wild Wings Cafe
Coolest Bar?
1st The Nook
8%
2nd Amendment XXI 6.5%
3rd Voodoo Lounge 5.5%
2nd The Nook
3rd Furniture Factory
12%
9%
8.5%
Other receiving votes: 3rd Base Grill, Albany Bistro, Amendment XXI, Another Broken Egg Cafe, Bandito Burrito/
Governors, Bandito Burrito/Madison, Bison’s, Black Water Hattie’s, Baumhower’s, Brickhouse, Cantina Laredo,
Carson’s Grille, Casa Blanca, Connors ,Cotton Row, Crawmama’s ,Crossroads, D & L Bistro, Daily Brew, Grille 29,
Hard Dock, Hildegard’s, Jamo’s, Kaffeeklatsch, Knucklehead’s, Ledges, LeeAnn’s, Los Mariachis, Main Street Cafe,
Market Street Café, Mason’s, Melting Pot, Mezza Luna, Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que, Nick’s Ristorante, Olde Towne
Coffee Shoppe, Pane e Vino, Partners, Pauli’s, PF Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phuket, Rosie’s, Sam and Greg’s Gelateria,
Shea’s Express, Surin of Thailand, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, The Brick, The Docks, The Lone Goose Saloon,
Beer Garden, The Scene, The Station, The Stem and Stein,T he Twilight,The Vieux Carre’,The Zone,Tim’s Cajun
Kitchen,Tommy’s Pizza, Tony’s Little Italy, Tortora’s, Watercress, West End Grill, Westin Hotel
Best Bar Opened in 2010-11?
1st Lone Goose Saloon 50%
2nd Jefferson Street Pub 3rd Straight to Ale Tap Room 2nd Tie: Humphrey’s and The Nook 6%
3rd The Scene Lounge 4%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 1892 East, 3rd Base Grill, Albany Bistro, Amendment XXI, Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito,
Bandito Southside, Beauregard’s, Black Water Hattie’s, Bob Baumhower’s, Bonefish, Brickhouse, Cafe 113, Cantina
Laredo, Carson’s Grille, Casa Blanca, Charrito’s Bar & Grill, Chilis, Chips and Salsa, Classic Wheels, Connors Steak
& Seafood, Crossroads, DD’s Bar and Lounge, Diamonds, El Coyote, End Zone, Finnegan’s, Furniture Factory,
Guadalajara, I Love Sushi, James, Jefferson Street Pub, Joe Davis Stadium, Kaffeeklatsch, Knuckleheads, La Alameda,
Landry’s, Las Trojas, LeeAnn’s, Los Mariachis, Mellow Mushroom, Mezza Luna, Moody Mondays, Olmeca, Pane
Vino, Partners, Pauli’s Bar & Grill, PF Changs, Rosie’s, Ruggby’s, Sonic, Sports Page, Stem and Stein, Stevarino’s,
Steve’s Cue and Grill, Straight to Ale Taproom, TGI Fridays, The Benchwarmer, The Brick, The Lone Goose Saloon,
Thirsty Turtle, Vieux Carre’, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Watercress at Bridge Street, West End Grill, Wintzell’s
Best Local Brewery?
1st Straight To Ale Brewing 58%
2nd Yellowhammer Brewery
3rd Blue Pants Brewery
14%
7%
Best Place for a Beer?
1st The Nook
29%
Others receiving votes: 1892, All of them Rock, Back Forty, Sweet Water, The Nook,Yellow Tail
Others receiving votes: 1892 East Restaurant and Tavern, 19th hole, 3rd Base Grill, 53 Sports Bar and Grill,
Another Broken Egg, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, Bandito Southside, Benchwarmer, Bishops, Black Water Hattie’s,
Baumhower’s, Bonefish, Brickhouse, Cafe 113, Cantina Laredo, Carson’s Grille, CD’S Bar and Grille, Chips and Salsa,
Connors Steak & Seafood, Coppertop, Crossroads, End Zone, Finnegan’s, Flying Monkey, Furniture Factory, Grille 29,
Halftime Bar and Grill ,Hard Dock, Highway 53, Hooters, Hopper’s Bar & Grill, Humphrey’s, I Love Sushi, Jackson
Square, James Steakhouse, Jefferson St Pub, Jimmys, Kaffeeklatsch, Lee Ann’s, Lisa’s Lounge, Mellow Mushroom,
Mezza Luna, Mickey’s, Moody Mondays, Nick’s Ristorante, Olivia’s, P.F.Chang’s, Partners, Pauli’s Bar & Grill, Phil
Sandoval’s, Prive’, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s Chris, Sammy T’s, Schnitzel Ranch, Sports Page, Stem & Stein, Straight to Ale
Tap Room, Surin of Thailand, Ten Roof, TGI Fridays, The Brick, The Creek, The Daily Brew, The Docks, The Horse,
The Lone Goose Saloon, The Melting Pot, The Scene Lounge, The Station, The Thirsty Turtle, Vieux Carre, Vinotini’s,
Watercress, West End Grill, Westin Hotel
Best Outdoor Patio?
1st Humphrey’s Bar & Grill
7%
11%
10%
2nd 1892 East Restaurant & Tavern 3rd Mellow Mushroom
4.5%
3.5%
Best Margarita?
1st Cantina Laredo 12%
Others receiving votes: 19th Hole, 3rd Base Grill, Amendment XXI, Anaheim Chili, Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito/
Governors, Bandito Burrito/Madison, Bandito Southside, Baumhower’s, Benchwarmer, Big Ed’s, Bishops, Blackwater
Hattie’s, Bonefish, Brickhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cafe 113, Carson’s Grille, Casa Blanca, Chili’s, Connors Steak
& Seafood, Coppertop, Crossroads, David’s Dream Girls, Diamonds, El Coyote ,End Zone ,Finnegan’s, Foxxtails,
Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Hard Dock, Highway 53, Hildegards, home, Hooters, Hopper’s Bar & Grill, Humphreys,
I Love Sushi, Jefferson St Pub, Jimmys, Kaffeeklatsch, Kroger’s, LeeAnn’s, Lisa’s Lounge, Mason’s Pub, Melting
Pot, Mezza Luna, Moody Mondays, Mooresville Bar & Grill, Nick’s Ristorante, Ol Heidelberg, Olivia’s, Our Place,
Partners, Pauli’s Bar and Grill, Phil Sandoval’s, Redstone Bowling Alley, Rosie’s, Ruggby’s, Scene Restaurant &
Lounge, Schnitzel Ranch, Sports Page, Stem and Stein,Taproom at Straight To Ale, TGI Fridays, Thai Garden, The Brick
Deli, The Daily Brew, The Lone Goose Saloon, The Pony, The Station, The Wine Rack, Thirsty Turtle, Tim’s Cajun
Kitchen, Tortoras, Vieux Carre’, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, West End Grill, Wild Cherry Cabaret, Wine Rack
2nd Rosie’s
11.5%
3rd Tie: Phil Sandoval’s and Casa Blanca 7%
Others receiving votes: 1892 East, 3rd Base, Amendment XXI, Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, Bandito
Burrito/Madison, Bandito Southside, Bison’s, Black Water Hattie’s, Bonefish, Buenavista, Carson’s Grille, Casa
Mexicana, Cazadores, Chapala, Charrito’s Bar & Grill, Chili’s, Chips & Salsa, Connors Steak & Seafood, Crossroads,
El Camino Real, El Coyote, El Herradura, El Mariachi, El Omeca, El Palacio, Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Guadalajara,
Hopper’s Bar & Grill, Humphrey’s, I Love Sushi!, James Steakhouse, Jefferson Street Pub, Kaffeeklatsch, La Alameda,
La Hacienda, Las Trojas, LeeAnn’s, Lime @ Bridge Street, Logan’s, Los Mariachi, Los Mariachis, Mason’s, Mezza
Luna, Moody Mondays, Nick’s Ristorante, Outback, Partners, Pauli’s Bar and Grill, Red Lobster, Ruggby’s, Surin of
Thailand, TGI Fridays, The Brick, The Melting Pot, The Nook, The Scene, Vieux Carre’, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge,
West End Grill, Wild Cherry
Others receiving votes: 19th Hole Albany Bistro Franlkin St Fresh Lime Grill Grille 29, I Love Sushi bar, Jackson
Square, Jame’s Steak House, Mellow Mushroom, Smokehouse, Vieux Carre, Watercress Bridgestreet, Wild Cherry,
Wine Rack
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9
Best Place for a Shot?
1st Partners 6%
2nd Voodoo Lounge
3rd Humphrey’s
5.5%
5%
Others receiving votes: 3rd Base Grill, 8 Ball Billiards, Bandito’s Southside, Benchwarmer, Bishop’s Eastside, Bishop’s Southside, Black Water Hattie’s, BottleNecks, Bumper’s, Cafe
113, Carson’s Grille, Chicken Shack, Chips and Salsa, Crossroads, Diamonds, Dream Girls, End Zone, Glasses, Lee Ann’s, Lone Goose, Lowe Mill, Madison Bowling, Mickey’s,
Our Place, Redstone Arsenal, Rounder’s, Ruggby’s, Shooter’s, Silver Dollar Sport’s Page, Steve’s Lounge, The Brick, The Green Room, The Station, The Zone, Thirsty Turtle, Vieux
Carre’, Wild Cherry Cabaret
Best Place for a Glass of Wine?
1st Nick’s Ristorante 8.5%
2nd 1892 East Restaurant and Tavern 3rd Pauli’s Bar & Grill
8%
7.5%
Others receiving votes: Cafe 113, Earth Fare, Exxon/Hospital District, Fresh Market, Fuel City 5 Points, Great Spirits, Kala’s Cottage, Kroger, Lee Ann’s, Liquor Express, Market
Place, Mary’s Grocery, Papa Jacks 5 Points, Pauli’s Gourmet Foods and Wine, Providence Cafe, Shell Station/Decatur, Star Beverages/ Decatur, Star Market, Stem and Stein,
Texaco/5 points, The Grapevine, Vino’s/Arab, Vintage Wine & Cigars, Wagonwheel, Windmill Beverages, Wine Cellar, Wine Market, Wine Rack
Best Place for a Martini?
1st Surin of Thailand 9%
2nd Amendment XXI 3rd Nick’s Ristorante 8%
7.5%
Others receiving votes: 1892 East Restaurant and Tavern, 3rd Base Grill, Albany Bistro, Applebee’s, Bandito Southside, Bishops, Black Water Hattie’s, Bonefish, Brix,Cafe
113, Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Carson’s Grille, Connor’s Steak and Seafood, Cotton Row, Crossroads, D&L, Finnegan’s, Focus Martini Bar and Grill, Furniture Factory,
Grille 29, Heritage Club, Hopper’s Bar & Grill, Humphreys, I Love Sushi, James Steakhouse, Kaffeeklatsch, LeeAnn’s, Lisa’s Lounge ,Mezza Luna, Outback Steakhouse,
Pane e Vino, Partners, Pauli’s Bar & Grill, PF Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phuket, Port of Madison, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s Chris, Simp McGhee’s, The Melting Pot, The Nook, The
Scene, The Station, Vieux Carre’, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Watercress
Best Sports Bar?
1st Buffalo Wild Wings
2nd Brickhouse Sports Café 3rd Baumhower’s of Huntsville
10%
7.5%
7%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 19th Hole, 3rd Base, Grill 53 Sports Bar and Grill, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, BB Perrins, Benchwarmer, Bishops, Blackwater Hattie’s, Sports
Cafe, Carson’s Grille, Charlies Wing Shack, Chips and Salsa, Crossroads, Diamonds, End Zone, Finnegan’s, Furniture Factory, Halftime Bar and Grill, Hooters, Hopper’s Bar
& Grill, Humphrey’s, I Love Sushi, Knight Moves, Knucklehead’s, LeeAnn’s,Logan’s, Lone Goose, Mezza Luna, Mickeys, Moe’s Original BBQ, Mooresville Bar and Grill,
Nicks, Olivia’s, Partners, Pauli’s Bar and Grill, Ruggby’s, Sammy T’s, Sidelines, Sports Page, TGI Fridays, The Nook, The Station, The Wing Shak (County Line Rd), The
Zone, Thirsty Turtle, Vieux Carre, Voodoo Lounge, West End Grill
Best Place to Dance?
1st Crossroads
2nd Mickeys
3rd Tie: Sammy T’s and Vieux Carre
12.5%
10%
7.5%
Others receiving votes: 3rd Base Grill, American Legion, Bandito Southside, Bar 109, Carson’s Grille, Club Rush, Eagles Lodge, Elk’s Lodge, Flying Monkey, Foxxtails,
Furniture Factory, Green Room, Halftime Bar & Grill, Hard Dock, Hoppers, Humphreys, Kaffeeklatsch, LeeAnn’s, Lobby of redfcu, Moody Mondays, Partners Bar and
Grille, Rocket City Dance Club, Schnitzel Ranch, Sports Page, The Magnolia Room, The Nook, The Pony, The Station, Tommy’s Pizza, Vertical House Records, Visions,
Voodoo Lounge, Wherever Dancing Dave is, Wild Cherry Cabaret
Best First Date Bar?
1st Amendment XXI 2nd 1892 East 3rd Tie: Bonefish and Nick’s Ristorante
8%
7%
5%
Others receiving votes: 3rd Base Grill, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, Bandito Burrito/Madison, Bandito Southside, Benchwarmer, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bumpers, Café
113, Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Carson’s Grille, Chicken Shack, Chophouse, Connor’s, Coppertop, Cotton Row, Crossroads, D & L Bistro, Finnegan’s, Flying Monkey,
Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Hard Docks, Hopper’s Bar & Grill, Humphrey’s, I Love Sushi, Jame’s Steak House, Jefferson Street Pub, Kaffeeklatsch, Krystal, Las Trojas,
LeeAnn’s, Lone Goose Saloon, Melting Pot, Mezza Luna, Moe’s BBQ, Old Town Coffee, Outback, Partners, Pauli’s Bar & Grill, PF Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phuket, Prive
at Monaco, Rosie’s, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s Chris, Sam & Gregs, Sammy Ts, Schnitzel Ranch, Simp McGhee’s, Sports Page, Stem and Stein, Surin of Thailand, The Brick, The
Daily Brew, The Docks, The Nook, The Scene Lounge, The Station, Thirsty Turtle, Tommy’s Pizza, Tony’s Little Italy, Vertical House Records, Vieux Carre’, Vinotini’s,
Visions, Voodoo Lounge, Watercress, West End Grill
Best Place to Hear Live Music?
1st Crossroads 15.5%
2nd Humphrey’s
3rd Flying Monkey 12.5%
6.5%
Others receiving votes: 3rd Base Grill, Angel’s Island, Bandito Southside, Baumhower’s of Huntsville, Beauregards, Benchwarmer, Berkeley Bob’s Coffee House, Bishops,
Blackwater Hattie’s, Brickhouse, Burritt on the Mountain, Carsons, Cazadores, Chestnut, Coppertop, Daily Brew, Eagles Club, Finnegan’s, Furniture Factory, Halftime
Bar and Grille, Hard Dock Cafe, Hog Wild, Hopper’s, KaffeeKlatsch, Knight Moves, LeeAnn’s, Lisa’s Lounge, Lone Goose, Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment, Magnolia
Room, Mellow Mushroom, Partner’s, Sammy T’s, Shea’s Express, Songwriter’s Showcase, Sports Page, Stem & Stein, The Brick, The Magnolia Room, The Nook, The
Princess Theater, The Station, Tip Top, VBC Concert Hall, Vertical House Records, Vieux Carre, Voodoo Lounge, Watercress
10
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
THE VALLEY PLANET
Relit: Smokin’
Good Reads
Worth a
ReKindle:
by Rick Thomason
Brian Lumley - The Necroscope Series.
F
or those who like fantasy and horror, particularly
vampire horror that doesn’t smell like teen angst
with a Justin Bieber soundtrack, Brian Lumley’s
Necroscope series will be a delight. The vampires in the
Necroscope series, referred to in the ancient Rumanian
term “Wamphyri” are neither Bela Legosi’s Dracula, nor
Anne Rice’s pre-Jesus bitten herd of blood suckers, nor
the confused crew of wankers in “Twilight.”
These are some mean mofos and their nemesis. Harry
Keogh stands between them and world domination.
and help. They tell him anything he wants to know, and
many things he doesn’t.
Long buried in the mountains of Rumania, bound by
earth and silver, Thibor Ferenczy, a master vampire, lies
trapped between death and life. He longs for freedom
and hungers for an unearthly revenge.
The vampire’s earthly tool is a super secret Russian spy
agent named Boris Dragosani, a man eager to plumb the
depthless evil of the vampire’s mind. Ferenczy teaches
Dragosani the terrible skills of the necromancer, giving
him the ability to rip secrets from the minds and bodies
of the dead.
Come join us Fri and Sat Night
for Ladies Salsa Night
8760 Madison Blvd.
Suite L
Madison AL, 35758
(256)772-3490
Bistro style environment
with full bar
Call For Reservations
San Juan
My old
For Authentic Puerto Rican Food!
Dragosani’s goal is world domination forging an iron
fist with the knowledge raped from the dead.
His only opposition is Harry Keogh, champion of the
living and the dead. To protect Harry, the dead will do
anything, even rise from their graves.
Four thick paperbacks sounds like a lot too many, but to
the true horror/sci fi/fantasy fan it isn’t enough.
Fans of Stephen King at his alcoholic and coked-up
wildness should find this set of books right up their
alley.
While they say “dead men tell no tales,” they haven’t met
Keogh, a college student with the relatively rare ability
to track the dead and draw upon all of their knowledge
Words of Regret
e all do it. I am the queen of doing it. My friends know, when it comes to words of regret, that with me,
it’s not “What will Allison do?” but it’s “When will Allison do it?” My filter is broken and I’m known
for saying stupid stuff that makes strangers look at me with tilted heads and friends laugh. I want to share
these experiences with you so that, should you find yourself in the same position, you’ll push up your filter and hush
your mouth, child!
W
1. The phrase: In my mind, you are what I look like. The recipient: A runner in a 5k. She was my height, 5’10”,
weighed about 130; her flaxen blonde ponytail swished rhythmically with her stride. From the back, she was
beautiful. Her a*s didn’t extend sideways. The muscles of her upper back and shoulders exposed themselves as her
arms pumped back and forth. She ran without effort or sweat, like a precious angel or a playboy bunny, whichever
you prefer in your fantasies. How it went down: As I slowly approached her and began to pass, about 2.5 miles
into the three-mile race, I looked at her in the face. She wasn’t wearing earphones. Maybe it was the southern
Alabama humidity. Maybe I was mesmerized by her beauty, but stupid came out of my mouth. I extended my
index finger and pointed up and down at her. “In my mind, you are what I look like.” Her return look was puzzled,
as if she didn’t get it. Here I was, soaked with sweat, panting, a*s as wide as the trail, ogling her, from behind, for
two point five miles. And I, the creeper, who weighed a good 60 more, was passing her. She took off and finished
a good two minutes ahead of me. I like to think that I inspired her to push herself. The lesson: Focus on the run.
Refrain from finger gestures.
2. The phrase: If the sh*t goes down, I’m expecting you to take care of us. I’ve got two dogs to get home to. The
recipient: A soldier in military cammos. How it went down: The flight was to be less than two hours, taking off
from Florida heading to Texas. The plane was filled with stereotypical business travelers, me included. I wanted
to simply thank him for his service to our country, a sacrifice I could only imagine. I smiled as he settled into the
seat across the aisle. He acknowledged me, a nod from his young face. I mumbled out something that felt like a
compliment, commenting on his bravery, and that’s when it popped out. He looked around the plane and assured me
we’d be just fine. The lesson: Limit your compliments; stop talking when the thanks have been delivered.
3. The phrase: There was a game this weekend? The recipient: Any Alabama resident. How it went down:
Thanksgiving 2011 was anything but idle. It was a non-stop whirlwind: friends in town, running a race (see issue
#1), hosting Olympians, and tending to life. With all these things going on, I simply forgot about that cross-state
football game. I had other things to do that Saturday. So when Monday rolled around, I found myself focusing on
the week ahead, not the happenings of 48 hours before. The guys were talking sacks and such. I stuck my head in
and the phrase tumbled out. They looked at me, rolled their eyes and blew me off. The lesson: If you have nothing
to add to a conversation go find yourself a cup of coffee and tell it your woes.
FIX YOUR PET!
$10 or LESS!!
If you or someone in your household is
on Medicaid, WIC, Food Stamps, SS Disability
or if your annual household income
is $25,000 or less, you qualify.
4. The phrase: I love you, but only in a BFF kind of way. Like I’ll add you to my holiday card list (if it existed)
and friend you on Facebook, but we’ll never live together. I mean, you’re all about a good time and we’ve had some
kick a*s experiences together, but I can’t run at your pace. You’ll be fine and I’ll be back. The recipient: Bourbon
Street, New Orleans. How it went down: With her in my rearview as I head east on I-10, every time. And I keep
my promise, I always go back. The lesson: New Orleans has been through some stuff, she needs no excuses.
Call 830-8459.
Please leave your name and
number. Someone will
return your call.
Madison Co.
E
FRE SHOT residents only.
IES
RAB WITH Y
GER
SUR
R.RING (Kelley Deal & Mike Montgomery of Ampline),
and their touring partner Jerry DeCicca (of The
Black Swans) is coming to Crossroads in downtown
Huntsville on Monday, February 20. Amy McCarley is
opening for the group at 8pm.
THE VALLEY PLANET
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
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11
Unchained
Maladies
Now I’m probably going to get investigated
and find a rattlesnake in my mailbox. Save
your money. If it’s illegal, immoral or
fattening, you name it, I’ve probably tried it.
Something about a cruise seems like going
on a $5000 vacation – but you can’t leave
the hotel. Okay, occasionally you can rush
the shore like lemmings, eat bad food and
buy useless crap you neither want nor need
from locals who hate you.
by Ricky Thomason
W
here did the Italian cruise ship
captain go after he abandoned ship?
He hailed a taxi and tried to haul
a*s, that’s where. Hope they didn’t let the SOB drive.
So his little close coast “fly by” of his hometown didn’t
work out so well. Give him a break, folks, anyone can
make a mistake and wreck a floating city awash with
4000 other drunks. That it happened to be larger than
an aircraft carrier is beside the point; you should still
be able to buzz the shoreline and splash water on your
friends.
His defense? “I did go down on the ship, well, actually
it was the first mate. On the ship, with the ship, two
phrases that mean the same thing.”
Why do cruise ships always seem to be effing up? They
strand you at sea, give you Legionnaire’s disease, and
you can get crabs anywhere on board, including the
buffet.
I’ve never been on a cruise. Even if I won a cruise on
“Wheel of Misfortune I’d tell Pat Sajack to keep it;
I’d rather spend a week on Vanna. Sleeping in a closet
with only a little porthole to look out of sounds like a
claustrophobic’s worst nightmare. Talk about one way
out, Lord I just can’t go out that door.
Okay, Tom, just because I said “Cruise,” and “closet”
in the same sentence doesn’t necessarily mean I think
you’re gay and it doesn’t make a rat’s a*s to me if
you are. Jumping up and down on Oprah’s sofa didn’t
persuade many people for long, not even Katy Holmes.
You’d have gotten more bounce for your buck if you’d
jumped up and down on Oprah. You’ve bought and
paid for your Scientology Stairway to Heaven so why
get your panties in such a wad when the South Park
boys lampooned the deal? For the moment at least,
America still has freedom of religion. You can attend
any cult you want.
Hell, I can do that at the mall.
The news is not all bad; Carnival Cruise Lines is
offering the survivors a free cruise during hurricane
season. Even the survivors of the dead can go.
Carnival Cruises say there’s never a dull moment. They
have fun games like, “Find the Lifeboat,” and “Pin the
Tail on the Capitan” as he shoves you out of the way to
be the first one launched. They are more fun than the
MGM Theme park. Where else can you so realistically
re-enact “The Poseidon Adventure,” and “Titanic” to
the point you’ll think you are really drowning? They say
all participants will receive a complimentary life jacket,
but they lie. The passenger who stays under water the
longest gets a free corpse makeover and you’ll be as
bloated as Shelly Winters.
Uh oh. I mentioned the “Titanic,” movie. Saying that
word auto-triggers my wife into a retelling of the entire
movie in a futile effort to convince me to watch the
whole thing instead of wandering off to watch paint dry.
It’s gotten to the point that I just stick my fingers in my
ears and holler, “La la la la la la, I can’t hear you!” like
that cheese wheel.
There are estimates that this stunt could cost Carnival
Cruise Line as much as 90 million dollars. I’d say a
million dollars per passenger would be about right for
a start, so that’s some 4 billion there. Throw in a billion
each for the families of the dead and it begins to sound
like real money.
As for the ship, how are they ever going to get that biga*sed boat off those rocks? I’m betting they can’t. The
captain’s little town can use it as a tourist attraction and
keep him on board on display for life in a jail cell.
The Single Guy:
Communi-Date
By Aaron Hurd
“2012: End of Aaron’s World”
H
ere it is--a New Year-- and, for us singles, another year of putting ourselves out there and searching for
that special “one.” Another year of learning and growing as we continue to do this game we call “dating.”
Recently, I’ve been putting myself out there a lot more, and quickly. In fact, I had my first date on Dec. 30th.
I just couldn’t wait for 2012! And it was a great time, as dating should be. It’s after the fact that my stress begins.
What a way to start off the New Year: with unnecessary worry.
It seems like the more I date, honestly, the lonelier I feel. It’s just so much easier to be single, live my life, and
have no worries. I am still trying to figure out if dating makes me feel lonely because it reminds me of how much I
REALLY do want someone. Or if it’s the stress of wondering “does she like me” that kills me so much, or if I am
just not ready to put the effort in to start a relationship. (Lords knows relationships are A LOT of work). And of
course there is always that fourth option: FEAR.
Take this latest date, for example. I had a fantastic night with a beautiful, talented, and incredible woman. I even
cleaned my car for this date, planned it out (yes, made reservations and all) and thoroughly enjoyed her company.
We had fun! Then comes the after-the-date-maintenance: make sure you call the next morning to say how much
fun you had, plan that second date quickly, compliment her, and on and on. This is enough to make anyone have
a nervous breakdown or just give up altogether. Bottom line is “its work”--work I do not mind putting forth if I
know it is going to pay off. The fear comes from not knowing. I have said many times that I love a challenge, but
it is always sweeter if I know I have good odds of a happy turn out. And in dating, let’s be honest: We ALL want a
happy ending!
My ex-girlfriend used to tell me during 90 % of our fights, “This is Not Aaron’s World!” And the older I get the
more I think she had a point. The problem with me when I start dating someone new is I think she thinks like
me. I analyze and interpret everything she says as if it is coming from me. After all, it is “Aaron’s World, right?”
Unfortunately NOT, which is a blessing, believe me! But I think like that. So when I ask for a second date and she
says “Oh I would love to, but I can’t, but how about a rain check?” I think “Yeah I’m not feeling you.” Of course,
when I am turning someone down, that is usually the way I would do it, in “Aaron’s World.” And that rain check
would never happen. I actually did get a second date, which even scored me a kiss! Then I get the “I am busy this
weekend” text and it all starts again! By the time I score a third date, I am tired and worn out from the emotional
roller coaster in my head. I convince myself it is just so much easier being single. Dating should not be this hard,
and in reality it isn’t. However, in “Aaron’s World” it is Hell on earth! So what is it exactly?
I think it is a combination of things. Yes, it is work (a whole lotta work). Yes, it is the stress of wondering if she likes
me and it ALL falls under the umbrella of FEAR. I admit it: It terrifies me! One thing I LOVE about women—and
many of you email me—is that they are not afraid to go into a new possible relationship feet first and see where they
land, time after time, no matter how bad they were hurt in their last relationship. My fear is afraid of falling and
NOT getting up or even landing!
I act like a guy who went through a horrible divorce and have been burnt by tons of women. The fact is that has
NEVER happened, but in “Aaron’s World” everyone is out to get me. Again, I think its fear and the big challenge for
me this year is to overcome it and practice what I preach, and actually have FUN! Enjoy the dating process and know
that in the end I will end up with who I am supposed to end up with, and when I do, I will look back and think “that
was easy!” However, in order for that to happen, I need to step out of the creepy, wimpy, scaredy-cat of “Aaron’s
World” and wake up in 2012 in the REAL WORLD!
Any suggestions on how to overcome this? Thoughts? Opinions? Email me at [email protected].
Thanks for reading!
Best Reason to Live
Here?
Small town atmosphere, big city amenities
Affordable standard of living, access to both
city/rural living
It’s Home
Flying Monkey Arts Center
It’s Huntsville, no explanation needed, it’s just a
great place
It’s family oriented so it’s a great place to raise
a family
It’s better than Birmingham
Great weed!
All the things to do with a small town feel
Good Economy, Good Jobs, Good people
Beautiful mountains and friendly people
Everything, everything, Everything is here!!
Centrally Located to All the Big Cities
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
Valley Planet
That you would put the Dead Children’s Park
in the running for best park. Shows that no
matter how big the area grows, local humor still
prevails.
IMPROV Entertainment
and Restaurant Coming this
month to Oakwood Village!
Offering “4,825 square feet
of upscale entertainment
space: a raised stage, dance
floor and a state-of-the-art
sound system that will be
suitable for any event such
as fashion shows, plays,
poetry, stand-up comedy,
art shows, film screening,
concerts, talent shows, etc.”
Huntsville is clean and quiet!
The people are wonderful!
Not too big, not too small. Juuuust right for
family
Five Points
It’s not like the rest of Alabama
It’s not rocket science...oh wait...
Dixie derby Girls
It’s the local beer capital of Alabama!
Diversity and southern hospitality
Lack of Rednecks
Cost of living
The hot, smart women
Pictured: William D.
Smothers (Owner and
General Manager of
IMPROV), Terra D.
Smothers (Daughter of
William and the Assistant
General Manager) and
Randy Taylor (President of
the Tom Taylor Agency)
# 1 It’s where my girlfriend lives # 2 The
Nook
Geography, smart people, local beer, good
economy, great relationship with military, four
seasons, lots of green space
Food delivery
The Arts!
It’s a melting pot of people… it’s Huntsville!
All the great places to eat
12
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
#020112022312
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
THE VALLEY PLANET
Thursday, February 2
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON), Marge
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Dave Anderson
BENCHWARMER, Open Mic
BENCHWARMER TOO, Rave Glow
CROSSROADS, The Ataris w/ special guest
DAILY BREW (DECATUR), Open Mic Night
EL PASO (NEW HOPE), Karaoke w/ Rob
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Slip Jig
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
GUADALAJARA (DECATUR), DJ Jammin’ Jeff
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Karaoke Contest
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Moustache Mojo,
featuring members of Playback
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Dave Anderson
KNIGHT MOVES, Karaoke
LEE ANN’S, Keith Taylor and Roberta Silva
LONE GOOSE, ‘TRACI’S ANTI-OPEN MIC
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
(ATHENS), Open Mic/ Acoustics
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ Amber
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, 5ive O Clock Charlie
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Pat and the Peeps
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Trey Browder
THE STATION, Live Music/ Karaoke
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS),
Barry Kay
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL,
Open Mic Night
Friday, February 3
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176,
The Mersey Band
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON),
Jonathon Laird
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Tangled String
BENCHWARMER TOO, Toy Lady
BILLY’S SPORTS BAR (HAZEL GREEN),
Karaoke w/ Larry
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Jolly Roger
CASA MONTEGO, Reggae & More with
DJ Frankie J
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG13),
Barry Kay
COPPERTOP, Drivin’ Under
CROSSROADS, Yelawolf
DIAMONDS, Big Daddy Kingfish
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
EL PASO (NEW HOPE), Karaoke w/ Brandon
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Sing Along with Nancy
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Howie and HDK
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Hot Rod Otis
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Shameless
HOPPER’S, The Breakers
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Harper
KNIGHT MOVES, Whiskey Straight
KNUCKLEHEADS, Crush
LEE ANN’S, Pla’station
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/ DJ Aubrey Walker
LONE GOOSE, Minor Street Band
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke
MOORESVILLE BAR & GRILL, Section 8
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL,
Partner’s Cabaret Show
PRINCESS THEATRE, The Grascals
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
MY OLD SAN JUAN,(SEE AD PG. 11)
Salsa Night w/DJ
SPORTS PAGE, We 3 Kings
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Playback
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Austin Jennings
THE STATION, Live Music/ Karaoke
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL,
Seducing Alice
Saturday, February 4
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, Karaoke
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Dave Anderson
BILLY’S SPORTS BAR (HAZEL GREEN),
Karaoke w/ Larry
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Bone Dry
BRIDGESTREET, Barry Kay
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG13),
Open Mic Night
THE VALLEY PLANET
COPPERTOP, Oto Benga
DIAMONDS, Drivin’ Under
ELK’S LODGE, Karaoke
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Whiskey River Kings
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Square One
GEE’S PLACE, The Poor Boys Band
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Booty Shakers
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Shameless
HOPPER’S, The Breakers
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, LaSalle Trio
KNIGHT MOVES, DJ Matt
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Rudy Mockabee
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/DJ Mike B
LONE GOOSE, ‘TRACI’S ANTI-OPEN MIC
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
(ATHENS), DJ Calvin
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke w/ Sweet T
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Karaoke
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
MY OLD SAN JUAN,(SEE AD PG. 11)
Salsa Night w/DJ
SPORTS PAGE, Black Label
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Leaky Sneaker
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Jonathon Batey
and Justin Cooper
THE STATION, Crush
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL,
Lacey Atchison
Sunday, February 5
BENCHWARMER,
Karaoke w/ Shannon Hubbard
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Karaoke
CASA MONTEGO, Devere Pride Trio and
Open Jazz Jam
DIAMONDS, Open Mic/ Open Jam
w/ the Crawlers
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Karaoke
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Sunday Blues
Jam hosted by Freddy Earl and the Blues
Mercenaries
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Super Bowl Party
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Cabaret w/
Kinsey Malone
SPORTS PAGE, David Merriman
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/
DJ Brandon Mac
Monday, February 6
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Acoustic Open Mic
hosted by Greg Rowell
SPORTS PAGE, Dave Anderson
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Tim Tucker
Tuesday, February 7
108 JEFFERSON STREET PUB,
Karaoke w/ Doc Roc
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Que Rico
COPPERTOP, HDK Karaoke with Howie
FURNITURE FACTORY`, Karaoke
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Charlie Howell
LEE ANN’S, Potluck
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
(ATHENS), DJ Ezell
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL,
Singer/Songwriter’s Night
SPORTS PAGE, Chelvis and the Bean
THE STATION, Karaoke
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS),
Matt Prater
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL,
Dave Anderson
WATERCRESS, Live Jazz
Wednesday, February 8
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, Karaoke
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Microwave Dave
music cont. on pg.14
#020112022312
Dr. Anarcho’s Rx For Old Stuff That Don’t Suck: Paul
Thorn.
ongtime readers of Dr. A know I love to find the
gems hidden in a field of stoners. Paul Horn is
just that: a quietly kept secret that’s getting out,
but slower than it should. Paul Thorn, from Tupelo MS,
writes and sings an amazing amalgam of blues, country,
gospel and Muscle Shoals rock that’s as infectious as
Swamper fever.
L
Once you listen to Thorn you will wonder why he isn’t
playing larger venues, like the VBCC concert hall as
a headline act. He has opened for a number of stars,
Bonnie Raitt among them. But it almost seems Thorn
is content to be the big fish in the smaller ponds. He
has a funny, entertaining live show with his band or
solo acoustic.
He writes from his heart and his life. One of his albums
is named “Pimps and Preachers” because his daddy is a
preacher and his uncle is a current or former pimp.
Seems logical to me; both professions are designed to
screw people out of money.
Once I bought and listened to the P&P CD I quickly laid
hands on two more: “Long Way From Tupelo,” and
“Ain’t Love Strange.” You can catch random songs by
Thorn on You Tube.
Try him. You won’t be disappointed.
Tracks: Pimps and Preachers
1. You’re not the Only One
2. Pimps and Preachers
3 Tequila is Good for the Heart
4. Love Scar
5. Weeds In My Roses
6. Better Days Ahead
7. Ray Ann’s Shoes
8. You Might Be Wrong
9. Buckskin Jones
10. I Hope I’m Doing Right
11. I Don’t Like Half the People I love
12. Nona Lisa
13. That’s Life
Chris Walters and trio (R. Scott Bryan,
drums (Cheryl Crow, Peter Mayer
Group), Marc Torlina, bass (Cheryl
Crow, Peter Mayer Group), and Jeff
Taylor, accordion (Elvis Costello, Buddy
Green) play at the Flying Monkey Theatre at Lowe Mill on Friday, Feb. 17.
“New Orleans born pianist Chris
Walters has resided in Nashville since
1989, serving as music director for
country music legend Barbara Mandrell
until her retirement in 1997. When
not touring with his own group, Chris
performs and records as the keyboardist
with various artists, including the Jeff
Coffin Mu’tet, Peter Mayer, and the
country group Alabama. He attended
the Jazz Studies Program at Webster
University in St. Louis and was listed by
them as a notable alumnus in a recent
Downbeat magazine article. His debut
album, ‘Strange Fruit’, was featured
on National Public Radio’s Jazz South
program.”
http://cityloremusic.com/
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
13
music cont. from pg.13
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Open Mic
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG13),
Songwriter’s Jam
COPPERTOP, Open Mic w/ Thad & Co.
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
HOPPER’S, DJ Lil’ Ed
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Love Child
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Andrew Sharp
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Rudy Mockabee
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/ DJ Aubrey Walker
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke w/ Sweet T
OUR PLACE (DECATUR), Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Ladies Night/
Talent Contest
SPORTS PAGE, Chris Cook
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Chop Daddy
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), The
Grant and Charles Show
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, James Irvin
Thursday, February 9
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON), Marge
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Dave Anderson
BENCHWARMER, Open Mic
DAILY BREW (DECATUR), Open Mic Night
EL PASO (NEW HOPE), Karaoke w/ Rob
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Slip Jig
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, Kinerva
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
GUADALAJARA (DECATUR), DJ Jammin’ Jeff
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Karaoke Contest
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Melody Guy and
The Alabama Barn Cats
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Dave Anderson
KNIGHT MOVES, Karaoke
LEE ANN’S, Keith Taylor and Roberta Silva
LONE GOOSE, ‘TRACI’S ANTI-OPEN MIC
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
(ATHENS), Open Mic/ Acoustics
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Karaoke
14
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ Amber
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, 5ive O’clock Charlie
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Frank and Gary
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Trey Browder
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), Barry
Kay
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic
Night
Friday, February 10
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, The Mersey
Band
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON), Jonathon
Laird
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Silverstreak
BILLY’S SPORTS BAR (HAZEL GREEN),
Karaoke w/ Larry
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Black Tomorrow
CASA MONTEGO, Reggae & More with DJ
Frankie J
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG13),
Gary Glover
COPPERTOP, Bone Dry
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
EL PASO (NEW HOPE), Karaoke w/ Brandon
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Sing Along with Nancy
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Howie and HDK
GEE’S PLACE, The Poors Boys Band
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Proton Joe
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Shameless
HOPPER’S, Pla’station
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, 5ive O’ Clock
Charlie
KNIGHT MOVES, Double Shot
LEE ANN’S, Full Circle
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/ DJ Aubrey Walker
LONE GOOSE, Loveday
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke
MOORESVILLE BAR & GRILL,
Jason Albert Band
MY OLD SAN JUAN,(SEE AD PG. 11)
Salsa Night w/DJ
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Partner’s Cabaret
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
#020112022312
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, Liquid Caravan
THE BRICK (DECATUR), We Three Kings
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Ethan Denty
THE STATION, Black Eyed Susan
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Dawn
Osborne Band
Saturday, February 11
108 JEFFERSON STREET PUB, Jason Albert
Band
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, Karaoke
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Dave Anderson
BILLY’S SPORTS BAR (HAZEL GREEN),
Karaoke w/ Larry
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Off Bros
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG13),
Open Mic Night
COPPERTOP, No Sccone Profits, Uncle Touchy
and Dyess
ELK’S LODGE, Karaoke
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Square One
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Kozmic Mama
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Shameless
HOPPER’S, Pla’station
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Seducing Alice
KNIGHT MOVES, DJ Matt
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Gryphon Rocks
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/DJ Mike B
LONE GOOSE, The Mentones
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
(ATHENS), DJ Calvin
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke w/ Sweet T
MY OLD SAN JUAN,(SEE AD PG. 11)
Salsa Night w/DJ
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Pride of Kings
Variety Show
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, Angry Native/Eyes Like 20/L.I.E.
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Natchez Trace
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Asher
THE STATION, Live Music/ Karaoke
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Toy Shop
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
Sunday, February 12
BENCHWARMER, Karaoke w/ Shannon
Hubbard
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Karaoke
CASA MONTEGO, Devere Pride Trio and Open
Jazz Jam
DIAMONDS, Open Mic/ Open Jam w/ the
Crawlers
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Karaoke
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Sunday Blues
Jam hosted by Freddy Earl and the Blues
Mercenaries
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Cabaret w/ Kinsey
Malone
SPORTS PAGE, Josh Gant
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/
DJ Brandon Mac
Monday, February 13
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Acoustic Open Mic
hosted by Greg Rowell
SPORTS PAGE, Dave Anderson
108 JEFFERSON STREET PUB, Karaoke w/ Doc
Roc
Tuesday, February 14
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Jazz Jam Open Mic
COPPERTOP, HDK Karaoke with Howie
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER (SEE AD
PG.7), Michelle Malone w/ Rosewood, Fire, and
Steel (Phil Weaver and Patricia Forrest)
FURNITURE FACTORY`, Karaoke
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Charlie Howell
LEE ANN’S, Rudy Mockabee
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Singer/Songwriter’s
Night
SPORTS PAGE, Chelvis and the Bean
music cont. on pg. 15
THE VALLEY PLANET
music cont. from pg. 14
THE STATION, Karaoke
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), Matt
Prater
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Dave
Anderson
WATERCRESS, Live Jazz
Wednesday, February 15
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, Karaoke
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Microwave Dave
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Open Mic
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG13),
Songwriter’s Jam
COPPERTOP, Open Mic w/ Thad & Co.
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
HOPPER’S, DJ Lil’ Ed
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, J.Speegle Duo
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Andrew Sharp
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Potluck
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/ DJ Aubrey Walker
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke w/ Sweet T
OUR PLACE (DECATUR), Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Ladies Night/
Talent Contest
SPORTS PAGE, Gus Hergert
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), The
Grant and Charles Show
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, James Irvin
Thursday, February 16
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON), Marge
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Dave Anderson
BENCHWARMER, Open Mic
CLUB ENVY, Karaoke
DAILY BREW (DECATUR), Open Mic Night
EL PASO (NEW HOPE), Karaoke w/ Rob
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Slip Jig
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
GUADALAJARA (DECATUR), DJ Jammin’ Jeff
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Karaoke Contest
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Fatso
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Dave Anderson
THE VALLEY PLANET
KNIGHT MOVES, Karaoke
LEE ANN’S, Keith Taylor and Roberta Silva
LONE GOOSE, ‘TRACI’S ANTI-OPEN MIC
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
(ATHENS), Open Mic/ Acoustics
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ Amber
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, 5ive O’clock Charlie
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Jason Speegle
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Trey Browder
THE STATION, Live Music/ Karaoke
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), Barry
Kay
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic
Friday, February 17
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176,
The Mersey Band
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON),
Jonathon Laird
BILLY’S SPORTS BAR (HAZEL GREEN),
Karaoke w/ Larry
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Blue Handle
CASA MONTEGO, Reggae & More with DJ
Frankie J
CLUB ENVY, Live Music/ DJ
COPPERTOP, Thad & Co.
CROSSROADS, Here Come the Mummies
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
EL PASO (NEW HOPE), Karaoke w/ Brandon
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Sing Along with Nancy
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, Chris Walters
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Howie and HDK
GEE’S PLACE, The Poor Boys Band
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Full Circle
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Shameless
HOPPER’S, The Breakers
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Black Eyed Susan
KNIGHT MOVES, 4 Way Stop
KNUCKLEHEADS, Jason Albert Band
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/ DJ Aubrey Walker
LONE GOOSE, Lost Troubadours from the
Ford Galaxie
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke w/ Sweet T
#020112022312
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke
MY OLD SAN JUAN,(SEE AD PG. 11)
Salsa Night w/DJ
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Partner’s Cabaret
Show
SAM AND GREG’S, Chip Gulbro and Friends
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, CD RELEASE Gus Hergert/5ive
O Clock Charlie
THE BRICK (DECATUR), The Other Brothers/an
Allman Brothers Tribute Band
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Austin Jennings
THE STATION, Live Music/ Karaoke
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL,
Lance Almon Smith
Saturday, February 18
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, Karaoke
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Dave Anderson
BILLY’S SPORTS BAR (HAZEL GREEN),
Karaoke w/ Larry
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Smokin Guns
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG13),
Open Mic Night
COPPERTOP, Dirty Swagger s/ Random Conflict
ELK’S LODGE, Karaoke
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Whiskey River Kings
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER,
Jimmy Henderson
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Square One
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Cheezee
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Shameless
HOPPER’S, The Breakers
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, We Three Kings
KNIGHT MOVES, DJ Matt
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Kozmic Mama
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/DJ Mike B
LONE GOOSE, The Robertsons
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
(ATHENS), DJ Calvin
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke w/ Sweet T
MY OLD SAN JUAN,(SEE AD PG. 11)
Salsa Night w/DJ
music cont. on pg. 16
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
15
music cont. from pg.15
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Ladies of Disillusion
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, The Other Brothers/an Allman
Brothers Tribute Band
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Trinity Mountain Boys
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Jonathon Batey
and Justin Cooper
THE STATION, Jason Albert Band
TK’S, Crush
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL,
Travis Posey Band
Sunday, February 19
BENCHWARMER, Karaoke w/
Shannon Hubbard
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Karaoke
CASA MONTEGO, Devere Pride Trio and Open
Jazz Jam
DIAMONDS, Open Mic/ Open Jam w/ the
Crawlers
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Karaoke
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Sunday Blues
Jam hosted by Freddy Earl and the Blues
Mercenaries
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Cabaret w/
Kinsey Malone
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/
DJ Brandon Mac
Monday, February 20
CROSSROADS, R.Ring w/Jerry DeCicca and Amy
McCarley is who is at crossroads feb. 20
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Acoustic Open Mic
hosted by Greg Rowell
SPORTS PAGE, Dave Anderson
Tuesday, February 21
108 JEFFERSON STREET PUB, Karaoke w/ Doc
Roc
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Jazz Jam Open Mic
COPPERTOP, HDK Karaoke with Howie
FURNITURE FACTORY`, Karaoke
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Fat Tuesday Roux
Du Bayou
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Charlie Howell
LEE ANN’S, Potluck
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
(ATHENS), DJ Ezell
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Singer/Songwriter’s
Night
SPORTS PAGE, Chelvis and the Bean
THE STATION, Karaoke
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), Matt
Prater
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Dave
Anderson
WATERCRESS, Live Jazz
Wednesday, February 22
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, Karaoke
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Microwave Dave
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG13),
Songwriter’s Jam
COPPERTOP, Open Mic w/ Thad & Co.
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
HOPPER’S, Lil’ Ed
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Chelvis and the
Bean
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Andrew Sharp
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Rudy Mockabee
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/ DJ Aubrey Walker
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke w/ Sweet T
OUR PLACE (DECATUR), Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Ladies Night/
Talent Contest
SPORTS PAGE, Chris Cook
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), The
Grant and Charles Show
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, James Irvin
Thursday, February 23
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON), Marge
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Dave Anderson
BENCHWARMER, Open Mic
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Open Mic
CLUB ENVY, Karaoke
COPPERTOP, The Matt Taylor Band
DAILY BREW (DECATUR), Open Mic Night
EL PASO (NEW HOPE), Karaoke w/ Rob
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Slip Jig
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
GUADALAJARA (DECATUR), DJ Jammin’ Jeff
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Karaoke Contest
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL,
Lance Almon Smith
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Dave Anderson
KNIGHT MOVES, Karaoke
LEE ANN’S, Keith Taylor and Roberta Silva
LONE GOOSE, ‘TRACI’S ANTI-OPEN MIC
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
(ATHENS), Open Mic/ Acoustics
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ Amber
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, 5ive O’clock Charlie
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Trey Browder
THE STATION, Live Music/ Karaoke
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), Barry
Kay
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic
Night
Friday, February 24
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176,
The Mersey Band
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON),
Jonathon Laird
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Bourbon & Shamrocks
BILLY’S SPORTS BAR (HAZEL GREEN),
Karaoke w/ Larry
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Pla’station
CASA MONTEGO, Reggae & More with
DJ Frankie J
CLUB ENVY, Live Music/ DJ
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG13),
Wayne Gamwell
COPPERTOP, Your Pest from Tokyo
CROSSROADS, Within Reason, Almost Kings
and Super Bob
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
EL PASO (NEW HOPE), Karaoke w/ Brandon
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Sing Along with Nancy
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Howie and HDK
16
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
GEE’S PLACE, The Poor Boys Band
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Black Eyed
Susan
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Shameless
HOPPER’S, Pla’station
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Trio El Camino
KNIGHT MOVES, Widow Grove
LEE ANN’S, Playback
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/ DJ Aubrey Walker
LONE GOOSE, 45 Surprise
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke
MY OLD SAN JUAN,(SEE AD PG. 11)
Salsa Night w/DJ
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL,
Partners Cabaret Show
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, The Mentones
THE BRICK (DECATUR), White Noise DJ Clint
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Lacey Atchison
THE STATION, Live Music/ Karaoke
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL,
An Abstract Theory
Saturday, February 25
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, Karaoke
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Dave Anderson
BENCHWARMER, Karaoke w/ Shannon
Hubbard
BILLY’S SPORTS BAR (HAZEL GREEN),
Karaoke w/ Larry
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Dave Anderson
BRIDGESTREET, Barry Kay
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG13),
Open Mic Night
ELK’S LODGE, Karaoke
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, Chip Gulbro
and Friends with Que Rico
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Square One
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Juice
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Shameless
HOPPER’S, Pla’station
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Toy Shop
KNIGHT MOVES, DJ Matt
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Big 40
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/DJ Mike B
LONE GOOSE, Chinchillanaires
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
(ATHENS), DJ Calvin
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke w/ Sweet T
MY OLD SAN JUAN,(SEE AD PG. 11)
Salsa Night w/DJ
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.11),
Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Cabaret
w/ Kinsey Malone
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, Loveday
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Black Label
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO),
Burt David Newton
THE STATION, Live Music/ Karaoke
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, We Three
Kings
Sunday, February 26
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Karaoke
CASA MONTEGO, Devere Pride Trio and Open
Jazz Jam
DIAMONDS, Open Mic/ Open Jam
w/ the Crawlers
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Karaoke
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Sunday Blues
Jam hosted by Freddy Earl and the Blues
Mercenaries
SPORTS PAGE, Josh Gant
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/
DJ Brandon M
THE END
THE VALLEY PLANET
Best Place for Karaoke?
1st The Station 17%
2nd Voodoo Lounge
3rd Mickey’s
Best Rock Artist or
Band?
1st
10%
9.5%
Others receiving votes: 3rd Base Grill, American Legion #237, Bandito Southside, Benchwarmer Too, Bishop’s, Blackwater Hatties, BottleNecks, Carson’s Grill,
Charlottes, Coppertop, El Omeca, Elk’s Lodge, End Zone , eww, Finnegan’s, Flying Monkey, Halftime Bar and Grill, Hog Wild, Hoppers, Knight Moves, Lisa’s
Lounge, Mac’s Bar & Grill, Madison Bowling Alley, Moody Mondays, Olivia’s, Our Place, Partner’s, Plamor Bowling Center, Ruggby’s, The Eagles, The Furniture
Factory, Tip Top, TK’s, Vieux Carre’, West End Grille
Best Karaoke DJ?
1st Terri Michal (Sweet T)
2nd DJ Brandon “Mac” McEvoy
3rd Doc Rock (James Wright)
23%
15%
8%
Others receiving votes: Amber Sidel, Aubrey Walker, Brian Carpenter, Bubba ( Randall Rice), Bubba Rocket, Carol Adams, Carter, Chris Kelly, Derek , DJ Allen Meeks,
DJ Keobot, DJ Matt Shamblin, Howie HDK Entertainment, Jay,Jim Bo, Jim McGriff, ,John McCarthey, Marty William, Matt Todd, Matthew Shamblin, Mike Alexander,
Panama Jay, Phil Weaver, Sara Beth Franks, SuperDave, The Spoon, Todd Phillips
Best Band Overall:
1st 5ive O’Clock Charlie 2nd Full Circle
3rd Dawn Osborn Band
8%
6%
5%
Others receiving votes: 45 Surprise, 12 Miles north, 45 Surprise, Absolute Zero, Abstract, Alabama Blues Brothers ,An Abstract Theory, Asher, Bazooka, Benga, Black
Label, Blackbird, Blackeyed Susan, Blue Handel Band, Blue Light Vocal, Bone Dry Bourbon & Shamrocks, Brent Morgan Band, Bridges Burn, C. O. Jones Band, Caddle,
Chip Gulbro and Friends, Classical Blues Cabaret, Counterclockwise, Crawlers, Cross Fire, Crush, Daikaiju, Disc Oasis, Down Stroke, Emerson Moody, Fat Momma,
Fatso, Fistful of Beard, Fly By Radio, Gentlemen Bastards, Gryphon, G-side, Halo Stereo, Hash Browm, Here Come The Mummies, Hiddenelement, Hot Rod Otis, Jason
Albert Band, Jay & Traci, JUICE, Jury, Kool Bone, Kozmic Mama, Kristen Ford Band, KUSH, Lance Almon Smith Band, Liberty in Embers, Liquid Caravan, Local Orbit,
Mambo Gris Gris, Maple Hill Band, Marge Loveday’s Band, Mentones, Mercy Band, Michelle Malone Banned, Microwave Dave & The Nukes, Minor Street, Mistaken
Identity, Moon Dust Band (Big Band), Nadaband ,O’Dell Johnson Duo, OFF Brothers, One Hour Drive, Perpetual Groove, Peter and the Wolf, Pine Hill Haints, PlaStation,
Playcousans, PleasPlease, Porcharitas, Proton Joe, Purple Ravens, Really Loud Hamburgers, Rearview Ghost, Richie and Deemer, Roadkill, Sentimental Journey, Shawna P
& The EarthFunk Tribe, Silver Streak, Snake Doctors, Stacy Mitchhart, Tangled Strings, The Big 40, The Children’s Crusade, The Chinchillionaires, The Red Letters, The
Robertsons, The Sideshow, The Smoking Guns, The Turner Family Band, The Underdogs, The Whiskey River Kings, Thomas Function, Tim Tucker, Toy Shop, Uglistick
,Unleashed, Watters-Felts Project We Three Kings, Whiskey Straight, Wolf Among Sheep
Best Musician Overall?
1st Dave Anderson
2nd Tie: Microwave Dave and Marge Loveday
3rd Tie: Rob Aldridge and Kimberly Stone 22%
4.5%
3%
Best Female Singer?
1st Dawn Osborne 26%
Best Country Artist
or Band?
1st Jason Albert Band
11.5%
Others receiving votes: 45 surprise, 12 Miles North,
5 o’Clock Charlie, Alabama, Alabama Blues Brothers,
Backwater, Bob Pitts, Chad Reeves, Colin Bugbee,
Elvis Moonshine, Eric Maddox and the Hired Guns,
Jason Albert, Jeff Whitlow, Jeff Whitlow and the
Old Barn Band, Jimmy Got Shinsplints, Jonathon
Giles, Luke Dunkin, Marge Loveday, Matt McNeil,
Matt Michael, Mercy Band, Microwave Dave, Mike
Kilpatrick, Noel Webster, Peter and the Wolf, Phil
Weaver, Pine Hill Haints, Richie and Deemer, Robin
Ray, Shane Wilson, Songbird, Tangled Strings, The
Blake Scott Band, The Robertsons, Wayne Mills,
Wayne Mills Band, Whiskey Straight
Best Blues Artist or
Band?
18%
8%
Others receiving votes: Ally Free, Amy McCarley, Ashley Vaughn, Barb Carbon, Brooklyn Johnson, Casey Bakula, Connie Smith, Cristina Lynn, Daphne Emery, Diane
Morgan, Florence and the machine, Francheska, Greer Underwood, Holly Hines ,Ingred Felts, Jazmine Sullivan, Joi Tiffany, Josia Fiore, Karen Lanier, Kaylynn Hall, Kim
Coffey, Kimberly Stone, Kristen Ford, Lacey Atchinson, Lauren Leach ,Linda Turner, Linda Wood, Lisa Malone, Luz Ladrillono, Margaret Bibb, Mary Katherine Samples,
Melani Higginbotham, Michelle Malone, Nichelle Johnson, Pam Thrower, Roberta Silva, Ruthie Puckett, Sandy Lane, Sara Cahill, Shawna P, Shelly Sumner, Traci Traci
Best Male Singer?
1st Dave Anderson 15%
2nd Mike Johnson 3rd Rob Aldridge
Others receiving votes: 12 Miles North, 5 O’Clock
Charlie, Ally Free, Almost Kings, An Abstract Theory,
Angry Native, Asher, Ben Deignan, Black Eyed Susan,
Black Label, Bone Dry, Bourbon & Shamrocks,
Bridges Burn, Charlie Howell, Chelvis and the Bean,
Counterclockwise, Crush, Daikaiju, Dawn Alta
Osborne, Dawn Osborne Trio, Electric Teeth, Emerson
Moody, Fiddleworms, Fistful of Beard, Force of Havoc,
Full Circle, Group6, Halo Stereo, Hightide Blues,
Hot Rod Otis, James Irvin, Jay & Traci, Josh Macero
,Juice, Karen Lanier, Kozmic Mama, Kristen Ford
Band ,Kush ,Liberty in Embers, Liquid Caravan, Local
Orbit ,Lucero, Mambo Gris-Gris, Marge Loveday, Matt
Michael, Mentones, Michelle Malone, Michelle Malone
Banned, Microwave Dave, Microwave Dave & The
Nukes, Mike Roberts, Minor Street, Mox Nix, O’Dell
Johnson Duo, Oto Benga, Peter and the Wolf , Pinehill
Haints, Proton Joe, Proton Joe/Bobby Hendricks,
Random Conflict, Really Loud Hamburgers, Rearveiw
Ghost, Richie and Deemer, Roadkill, Scott Morgan,
Silver Streak, Smoking Guns, Snake Doctors, The
Children’s Crusade,T he Fiddleworms, The Jason Albert
Band, The Mentones, The Porcharitas, The Robertsons,
The Sideshow, The Underdogs, Tim Tucker, Tony
Mason, Toyshop, Uglistick
2nd Jonathan Carter 10%
3rd Crystina Lynn
3.5%
Others receiving votes: Ally Free, Amy McCarley, Andrew Sharpe, Andrew Sybert, Andy Johnson, Anson Helton, Ashley Vaughn, Austin Jennings, B.K Saiki, Barry
Norwood, Bert Wallace, Bill Hicox, Bill Swindell, Blake Nix, Bobby Hendricks, Bobby Taylor, Brent Morgan, Brian Hudson, Brian Miller, Chad Reeves, Chapman James,
Charlie Howell, Chip Gulbro, Chopper Wilson, Clay O’dell, Danny Hall, Dawn Osbourne, Donnie Cox, Doug Brannon, Drew Bolling, Duane Jones, Edgar, Felts/Watters
Project, Geoff Ryan ,Gus Hergert, James Irvin, Jason humphress ,Jay Balcerek, Jay from Black Eyed Susan, Jay Robertson, Jeff Gobel, Jeremy Braswell, Jim Beck, Jim
Cavender, Jim Leverett, John Isom, John Savage, Jordan Lambert, Josh Allison, Karen Lanier, Ken Watters, Kenny Tannehill, Kira Hughes, Kirk Bowie Russell, Kosmic
Mama, Kristen Ford, Krys Carpenter, Lance Almon Smith, Mark Torstenson, Matt Michael, Matt Ross, Matt Shook, Michelle Malone, Mike Johnson, Mike Myerson, Mike
of the Jason Albert band, Mike Roberts, Mike Wyatt, Mishka Hess, Noel Webster,P Grammer, Phillip Dougherty, Raidy Hodges, Rashard Phillips, Richie Henthorne, Robbie
Robinson, Robert Daniel, Robert Lasalle, Robin Ray, Russ Holder, Scott Morgan, Sean Hopkins, Sean Todd ,The Kid - Drummer for Crackerjack, Tim Tucker, Tommy
Waugh (Proton Joe), Tony Mason, Traci Traci, Trent Gilbert, Tyler Steinfath, Walter Robinson, Wes Russell, Will George
2nd Marge Loveday 3rd Carla Russell We Three Kings 12%
2nd Tie: PlayBack and
Dave Anderson 7%
3rd Fatso 6.5%
8%
6%
Others receiving votes: Alan Llittle, Albert Simpson, Allen Meeks, Andrew Fry, Andrew Lange, Andrew Sharpe, Andrew Sybert, Andy Vaughn, Anthony Nicholson, Austin
Jennings, Bert Corbin ,Bill Hicox, Bob Pitts, Bobby Hendricks, Bobby Taylor, Brent Morgan ,Chad Reeves, Chapman James, Charlie Howell, Chase Shelton, Clay O’Dell,
Colin Brooks, Colin Duckworth, David McCullough, David Merriman, Dean Isley, Drew Bolling, Eddie D. Yessick, Gabe Larose, Geoff Ryan, Gus Hergert, J Richter,
James Irvin, Jason Albert, Jason Humphress, Jason Stewart Opie, Jay Robertson, Jeremy Meyer, Jim Cavender, Jim Parker, John Savage, Jon Freeman Gray, Jonathan Carter,
Jonathan Laird, Jordan Lambert, Joseph Weldon, Josh Allison, Josh Macero, Keith Sullivan, Kenny Tannehill, Kevin Bullard, Lance Almon Smith, Lyle Douglas, Matt
Bakula, Matt Micheals, Matt Shook, Michael John Thomas, Microwave Dave ,Mike McAnally, Mike Roberts, Mike Wyatt, Noel King ,Noel Webster, Raeph Hargrove, Rich
Partain, Richie Henthorne, Ricky Gasky, Robbie Robinson, Robert Norman, Rudy Mockabee, Russ Holder, Ryan Boyle, Scott Morgan, Sean Hopkins, Sean Kendrick, Sean
McLennan, Spike Cleghorn, Tim Tucker, Tom Cremeens, Tommy Waugh, Tony Mason, Tracy Slayton, Tyler Henderson, Tyrese
Best Jazz Artist or Band?
1st Ken Watters and Ingrid Phelps
2nd Jim Cavender 3rd Tie: Chip Gulbro and Friends and Dawn Osborne Band 1st Microwave Dave and
the Nukes 33%
2nd Lance Almon Smith Band 8.5%
3rd Blue Handel Band 5%
Others receiving votes: 5 o’Clock Charlie, Alabam
Blues Brothers,Blackbird, Bob Walters, Brakers, C.
O. Jones Band, Chad Reeves, Charlie Howell, Chop
Daddy, Dave Anderson,Dave Gallaher, Dawn Osborne,
Dawn Osborne Band, Elle Vaughn ,Elvis Moonshine,
Fatso, Freddy Faust, Hot Rod Otis, James Irvin, Jason
Stewart ‘Opie’, Jimmy Got Shinsplints, Joanna Conner
Band, Jones, Josh Allison, Kim Stone, Kozmic Mama
,Kush, Ma, Marge Loveday, Mentones, Michelle
Malone, Microwave Dave, OFF Brothers, Otto Benga,
Peter and the Wolf, Rick Ward, Robert Johnson, Rudy
Mockabee, Shannon Hubbard, The Crawlers, The
Robertsons, Tom Waited
17.5%
12%
9.5%
Others receiving votes: 911 Reporters, A Mellow Tone, Chad Reeves,Chip Gulbro, Cindy Bradley, David Stocks, Dawn Osborne, Devere Pride, Elvis Moonshine, FATSO, Hot Soup, Jeff Lober Fusion, Keith Taylor, Ken Watters,
Mark Copeland, Microwave Dave, Newt Johnson, Oto Benga, Pete Harrison, Peter and the Wolf, Pla Station, Rick Ward, Rob Aldridge, Sunday night at the Kaffeeklatsch, Walter Robinson
THE VALLEY PLANET
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
17
Now Showing in
“An hour of stories
and conversation to
feed your soul.”
SHOW NG:
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February 2012
h alk
of the Town
SHOWING:
Week of February 5
Week of February 12
Thursday, February 2
Art with a Twist will be at the Huntsville Museum of
Art from 5:30-8:30pm. www.hsvmuseum.org.
Throughout February and March, the Atrium Art
Gallery on the first floor of the Huntsville/Madison
Public Library, will feature artwork produced by local
artists that celebrates African Americans.
www.hmcpl.org, 256-532-5989.
Lifetree Café at Latham United Methodist Church
will present “Simplify your Life - How a Hollywood
millionaire walked away from it all” from 6:30 pm to
7:30pm. It is located at 109 Weatherly Road Southeast in
Huntsville. Complimentary childcare provided.
www.lifetreecafe.com. (256) 881-4069 (See ad pg. 18)
The Madison Mega-Marathon challenges you to read
a book a week – 52 books by year’s end – and rate those
books on the library’s GoodReads website.
256-461-0046.
The Winter Festival - Dog Days of Winter will be at the
Huntsville Botanical Gardens from now until February
29, 2012.www.hsvbg.org.
SHOW NG:
SHOWING:
Week of February 19
Week of February 26
The Huntsville Christian Women’s Connection
Luncheon will be from 11am until 1pm at the Huntsville
Country Club. The speaker will be Rita Schwarz. www.
stonecroftministries.org,
256-883-1339.
Alabama Gives Day will be at Huntsville Ballet School
and Huntsville Ballet Company from 8am until 11pm.
www.huntsvilleballetschool.org.
“Finding our African-American Ancestors” will be at
the Huntsville/Madison Main Library from 2-3pm.
Resident genealogy expert Richard White will teach
classes on how to use the newest genealogy resources
and technology to find your African-American ancestors.
It will also be offered, February 8, 15 and 23rd. www.
hmcpl.org.
Every Thursday 6:30-7:30 pm
CHILDCARE PROVIDED
LATHAM UNITED METHODIST
109 WEATHERLY ROAD, SE
Alumni football is coming to Huntsville. Gridiron
Alumni is planning several full contact alumni football
games. Players are needed to sign up and the first 40
players on each team get to play. Teams from Huntsville,
Johnson, Lee, Randolph Academy, Westminster
Christian, and other area teams are forming now. Games
are scheduled for March and April. www.gridironalumni.
com, 530-410-6396.
The Leaders and Lunch Spring Series, Essential
Documents; Licenses, Permits and Accounts
will be today from 11:30am-1:00pm, sponsored by
Rock Solid Wealth Strategies, LLC, 1629 4th Avenue,
Decatur. The registration fee is $20, which covers
the cost of lunch and materials. 256.686.2999,
[email protected].
The Decatur/Morgan County Releases New Civil
War Geocaching Challenge. Civil War enthusiasts can
participate in a 21st century treasure hunt and learn
about Civil War-related attractions and their unique
stories behind each destination while visiting the state of
Alabama. To take the challenge, go to www.decaturcvb.
org or visit the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and
Visitors Bureau located at 719 6th Avenue SE in Decatur.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center will proudly present
“100 Years of Von Braun: His American Journey” – an
awe-inspiring exhibit showcasing the life of Dr. Wernher
von Braun, in honor of his 100th birthday on March 23rd,
2012 now through May 2012.
www.ussrc.com.
The Huntsville Museum of Art will have the exhibit,
American Studio Glass and Buccellati Silver Animals.
The collections will be on continuous, rotating view in
the Museum of Art’s new wing. 256-535-4350 or www.
hsvmuseum.org.
Moody Mondays will have a video golf tournament
every Thursday at 6:30pm. The cost to play is $10 per
person. 256-539-9945.
The Huntsville Museum of Art will have the exhibit
Huntsville Photographic Society Members Showcase,
Southern Comfort. Now through February 26. www.
hsvmuseum.org.
Align and Wine will be every Thursday at 6pm at the
Huntsville Museum of Art. It is a Yoga Class followed
by wine and hors d’oeuvres. The class is $15 and if staying
for wine and hors d’oeuvres please donate at least $2.
http://mitziconnell.
What Would You Do With the World’s Biggest Rocket?
An Overview of NASA’s Space Launch System,
presented by HAL 5 will be at the Huntsville-Madison
Main Public Library from 7-8:30pm. This event is free
and open to the public. www.hmcpl.org.
18
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
Friday, February 3
The Huntsville Vegans meet every Friday night at 6pm
at Cafe 153 at Bridge Street to share food, and plan
events. [email protected],
www.facebook.com/huntsville.vegans.
There will be a Salsa Party with Crew of Primetime TV
at Gee’s Place.
The Family and MWR Outdoor Recreation Annual
Wild Game Cookout will be from 5-10pm at the
Community Activity Center Conference Hall (at the
corner of Patton and Aerobee Roads). The cost is $15/
$20 advance or $25 at the door. 256-876-4868.
(See ad pg.25)
There will be Write Out Loud: a writing/performance
workshop from 6-8pm. The suggested is donation $5.
This will be just prior to regularly scheduled Monkey
Speak. This is a workshop for writers to learn how to
present their own works. It will be at the Beloved
Community Bookstore on the second floor of Lowe Mill
ARTS & Entertainment.
Monkey Speak will be at the Flying Monkey Arts
Center from 8-11pm. The cost is $5. Monkey Speak is a
spoken word open-mic night, an open stage for anyone
to read perform or improvise poetry drama or prose or
any variation of the spoken word.
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
The Princess Theatre presents IBMA’s Entertainer of
the Year in 2006 and 2007 and SPBGMA’s Bluegrass
Band of the Year in 2010 and 2011, The Grascals.
It will be at 7:30pm. Tickets are $21-29 in advance. www.
princesstheatre.com.
The Stradivari Quartet will be at Trinity United
Methodist Church from 7:30-9:30pm. 256-489-7415.
Jim Parker’s Songwriter’s Series will be at the VBC
Playhouse. www.jimparkermusic.com.
February 3-4
The Huntsville Havoc vs. Pensacola Hockey Game will
be at the VBC Arena at 7:30pm.
Saturday, February 4
There will be a Dart Tournament at 7pm at the
Benchwarmer on University Drive in Huntsville.
“GREEN Means GO” Alms House/Waterline Trails Hike
will be from 9am until 10pm.
www.landtrust.org.
There will be a Mardi Gras Event at the Historic
Huntsville Depot.
http://huntsvilleurbannetwork.com.
There will be an Artist Market at the Flying Monkey
Arts Center from noon until 4pm. Admission is free. It
will be every Saturday. There will be art, jewelry, vintage
clothing, records, and more interesting things for sale
inside our facility. www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
The Central North Alabama Alumnae Chapter of Delta
Sigma Theta will have the Annual “GO RED” Luncheon
for Heart Health Awareness at the Marriott Hotel.
The cost is $40. Proceeds will benefit the American
Heart Association. 256-683-9913, 256-683-6230.
There will be a Contra Dance in the gym of Faith
Presbyterian Church at the corner of Airport and
Whitesburg Drive. There will be live music by Perpetual
E-motion and calling by Gary Nelson. It is from 7:30pm
until 10:30pm. Lessons begin at 7pm. Admission is $7
and $4 for students, children are free. 256-837-0656,
http://secontra.com/NACDS.html.
The swinging sounds of Tuxedo Junction with Rick
Jobe, featuring Chip Gulbro and the lovely Leilani are
sponsored by Huntsville Swing Dance Society with a
lesson at 7pm, music and dancing at 8pm at the Flying
Monkey Arts Center. The cost is $10 or $7 for students.
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
The World Conspiracy’s Rocky Horror Picture Show
will be at the Flying Monkey Art Center at 11pm. The
cost in advance is $10 and $15 at the door.
256 534 3198.
The Cirque de la Symphonie will be at 7:30pm at the
VBC Concert Hall. There will be amazing acrobatics
and soaring feats, accompanied by the sounds of the
Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. www.hso.org, 56-5394818. (See ad pg. 19)
Prime Time TV goes Latin will be at the VBC Playhouse.
This is a 2 Hour Show with performances from Gilligan’s
Island, Baywatch and more, with a Latin Twist. There will
be a before party on Friday and after party workshops on
Sunday. www.salseroblanko.net.
events cont. on pg.19
THE VALLEY PLANET
Cirque de la Symphonie –
February 4
M
Come Fly
With Us
asterpieces of music come visually alive as aerialists fly overhead and acrobatic feats are performed on the
shared stage when the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra presents Cirque de la Symphonie in the Mark C.
Smith Concert Hall on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at 7:30 p.m.
Amazing acrobatics
and soaring feats,
accompanied by the
sounds of the Huntsville
Symphony Orchestra.
It’s Cirque de la Symphonie
in the Mark C. Smith
Concert Hall, VBC.
The evening’s Pops Series concert, sponsored exclusively by SAIC, will feature the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra,
under the direction of Joseph Lee, performing powerful classics including selections from Carmen, Masquerade,
and Swan Lake. As you hear the emotional nuances of the music, you watch the impressive feats of the most
amazing veterans of exceptional cirque programs throughout the world- aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists,
dancers, jugglers, and strongmen. Performing beside (and above!) the orchestra, the aerial artistry, mind-boggling
strength and agility, and graceful dance have left audiences stunned and amazed at music halls everywhere. These
artists are among the best in the business, and they include world record holders, gold-medal winners of international
competitions, and some of the most original talent seen anywhere.
Huntsville Symphony Orchestra
invites you to experience the magic of
some of the best cirque artists in the
world performing visually stunning
choreography on the same stage as
our symphony orchestra in Cirque de
la Symphonie. Mark your calendar
for Saturday, February 4 at7:30 p.m.
at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
in the Von Braun Center. Tickets are
selling quickly for this thrilling and
innovative program, suitable for the
entire family. To purchase tickets,
call (256) 539-4818 or go online to
www.hso.org today!
Cirque de la Symphonie
Saturday,
February 4th
7:30 p.m.
Hipster? Or Heading for a
Broken Hip?
by Diana LaChance
I
think I am getting old. Not old like it’s my 92nd birthday old. But old like no longer hip. And the reason I think
this is because I’m starting to disagree with movie reviews. That’s because, for me, movies have always been my
pop cultural touchstone. We all have one, whether it’s music or fashion or art. You know you’re hip when you
like what’s current. And when you stop liking what’s current, you can be pretty sure you’re old. Case in point: my
parents had a friend who refused to watch contemporary movies, and by contemporary he meant made in the last 50
years. He much preferred those hokey black-and-white Errol Flynn movies, which to him represented the golden age
of cinema. Man, that guy was old!
Thankfully, I’m not quite there yet. I enjoyed many that I saw this past year, most of them in theaters, like The
Muppets (though it could be argued that particular movie had a nostalgic appeal), Cedar Rapids, The Lincoln
Lawyer, Win Win, Source Code, and Crazy, Stupid, Love. I even liked a lot of the big-budget, plot-lite blockbusters
like Thor, Kung Fu Panda 2, and X-Men: First Class. But I have to question some of the reviews I read for several
other movies, whose unwarranted (in my opinion) hype made them that much more disappointing to watch.
Take Melancholia, for example, which got a rating of 7.4 out of 10 stars on Rotten Tomatoes. What!? I want to give
that movie the benefit of the doubt and say I’m not artsy enough to get it, but I’m not positive there is anything to
get. A depressed person who decides to duck out of her elaborate and expensive wedding to [spoiler alert] have sex
with her boss’s nephew in a golf course sand trap while her crazy mother glares at her dad and his two dates (both
named Betty. Huh?) and her sister tries to cover up her absence from her naïve, indulgent husband? Don’t forget the
part where the formerly upbeat and sane brother-in-law decides to [another spoiler alert] kill himself in their horse’s
stable, leaving his wife and young son to face the planet’s imminent demise on their own. Then everyone goes into a
teepee constructed of saplings and holds hands and cries while the world explodes. The end. I’m not making it up.
Drive was another movie that I was surprised got rave reviews (8.2 out of 10 stars on Rotten Tomatoes). Full
disclosure: I have a major crush on Ryan Gosling. But even that couldn’t convince me that this movie deserves an
A grade. The plot actually isn’t terrible: a taciturn, albeit hot, get-away driver falls for the literal girl-next-door and
risks his life to protect her and her son from the Mafioso-type thugs who are after her husband, himself a newly
released prisoner. See? It sounds plausible. But that’s because I left out the part where the girl and the driver NEVER
TALK and spend most of their time driving around a Miami Vice set at night or smiling at each other over the son’s
head while he plays games and asks the driver cute-slash-prying questions. The rest of the time the driver spends
in graphically violent situations trying to kill someone or almost getting killed himself. It’s all noir and seedy LA,
which is great for a TV show (or L.A. Confidential) but gets old, quick when you have to sit through two hours of
it.
And then there’s War Horse (7.2 out of 10 stars on Rotten Tomatoes), which was perhaps one of my most anticipated
films of the year - and thus the one that disappointed me the most. I was a huge fan of the book, but my problem
wasn’t that the movie diverged from the source material. Far from it, in fact. I’m quite happy that I didn’t see Joey’s
friend, a fellow horse, explode to death after being hit by a mortar round. What I couldn’t take was how corny the
movie was. And yes, I know it’s about a boy and his horse and that some sentimentality is inevitable. That’s fine.
What wasn’t fine was how one-dimensional so many of the characters were: proud war-hero pa who has a drinking
problem, strict but loving ma who defends dad but understand son’s frustrations, dim-bulb best friend who adds
calculated levity, snobby upper-class nemesis who comes to appreciate the courageous, salt-of-the-earth working
class, etc. Not to mention the ridiculously played out final scene when [spoiler alert] Albert and Joey come home
from war down the long farm road with the setting sun glowing luminously as a backdrop to embrace each parent,
then both parents, then cut to Joey, aaaaand scene.
I could go on. But even if I did, I realize I’m still only talking about a handful of movies out of the one hundred and
fifty or so released nationwide each year (some of which don’t even count because they are horror movies, which I
refuse to see!). So maybe I’m not old quite yet. Maybe I’m still a hipster, but one who has her own brain and doesn’t
necessarily agree with the masses about every single movie. And maybe I’ll just wait and see what 2012 brings to
my local theater before I decide whether or not I’m officially old.
Tickets: 256-539-4818
or hso.org
events cont. from pg.18
Sci-Quest, Hands-on Science Center will host Parents’
Night Out from 6- 9pm. Parents can drop their children
off at Sci-Quest where they will enjoy dinner, science
activities, and time with Sci-Quest’s hands-on exhibits.
This event is for children ages 4-12. Admission is $20 for
the first child and $15 for each additional child in the
same household. www.sci-quest.org.
The US Space and Rocket Center will have a Build a
Monkey Workshop from 10:30am until 12pm and from
1-2:30pm. www.spacecamp.com.
Sunday, February 5
The Film Co-op monthly workshop will meet in Don’s
Studio, at the Flying Monkey Arts Center. Admission is
free. It will be from 2-4pm. www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
The Black History Month Celebration: Lecture: “Black
Conservative Intellectuals in Modern America” will be
from 2 to 4 pm at the Huntsville/Madison Main Library.
256-532-5940, www.hmcpl.org.
The Huntsville Literary Association and Co-Sponsor
IBERIA Bank will have Dr. Holly Tucker, Professor at
Vanderbilt talk on her book Blood Work. It will be a the
Davidson Center for the Arts, in the Huntsville Museum
of Arts at 2pm. Admission is free.
www.hsvmuseum.org.
Monday, February 6
The Huntsville Art League will have Figure Drawing
Group (non-nude), every Monday from 9 am until noon
at the HAL Gallery. http://huntsvilleartleague.org.
Family Craft Days will be at the Madison Public Library
at 2pm. Admission is free. It will also be on February 13th.
www.hmcpl.org.
There will be a Women’s Mountain Bike Ride every
Monday at 5:30pm. It leaves from the Biker’s parking
lot. Beginners are welcome. www.bicyclesetc.
The Small Business Lunch & Learn: “Speaking for a
Change!” will be at the Huntsville/Madison County
Public Library from noon until 1pm. www.hmcpl.org,
256-532-5975.
There will be Film series,” Screwball! Romantic Comedy
before the War,” at the Huntsville/Madison Main
Library. The first film will be It Happened One Night at
6pm. Admission is free. www.hmcpl.org.
Tuesday, February 7
Gee’s Place will have a Line Dance class every Tuesday
from 6-8pm. The cost is $5.00.
The Health Event, Take Heart will be at the Huntsville/
Madison County Public Library at noon. Linda Mitchell
will speak about heart-healthy habits and heart disease
and stroke prevention and answer your questions.
www.hmcpl.org.
The Dance Club presents the best in ballroom dancing
every Tuesday night. It is located at South Memorial @
Mythewood Dr., Aldersgate. It will begin at 7:30pm and
dancing continuing until 10:15pm. The cost is $5 for
regular and $3 for students. 256-883-6107,
dancehsv.mindspring.com.
Every Tuesday there will be a Comedy Open Mic Night
at Providence Cafe in Providence, sign ups start at 7pm
and the open mic starting at 7:30pm.
[email protected].
The Huntsville Branch of the American Association
of University Women will hold its dinner meeting from
5:30-7:30 pm, at the Covenant Presbyterian Fellowship
Hall, 301 Drake Avenue SE. 256-464-0469,
[email protected]. The Carnegie Visual Arts Center will have the exhibit,
Let the Good Times Roll! (Mardi Gras Comes to North
Alabama) now though February 25th.
www.carnegiearts.org.
Lego Mania will be at the Huntsville/Madison County
Public Library at 4:30pm. Admission is free. It will also
be on February 13th. www.hmcpl.org.
Wednesday, February 8
There will be a Wednesday Night Road Ride every
Wednesday at 5pm leaving from Bicycles Etc. It is a 2730 mile one climb, usually 2 groups form. A helmet and
light are required. www.bicyclesetc.
There will be a Single Malt Scotch Tasting at Watercress
at Bridgestreet from 6-8pm. The cost is $75 per person.
256-585-3265.
There will be a Peer Critique every Wednesday at 7pm at
the HAL Gallery.
http://huntsvilleartleague.org.
events cont. on pg.21
THE VALLEY PLANET
#020112022312
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
19
Tammy Wynette
and Dr. King
Presented by
Renaissance
Cumbie, the show features Decatur native Anneliese
Canada as Tammy Wynette, Charelle Hudgins as Donna
Chapel and Barry Norwood as Don Chapel and George
Jones. Produced by Renaissance Theatre. Tickets are
$20 and the play takes place at Burritt’s Old Country
Church. Performances are February 10 and 11 at 7:30
and February 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30. There are two
matinees, February 12 and February 19 at 2:30. Buy
tickets at www.burrittonthemountan.com or call 256536-2882. Don’t miss this poignant, music-filled show!
L
Also on tap this month at Renaissance Theatre
is a new workshop play, Dr. King... My Life:
Looking Back. Written by Robert Riddle Baker
and inspired by Percy Littleton. Featuring Percy
Littleton in the role of Dr. Martin Luther King.
ocal community theatres usually produce only
one play every other month, on average, with
the exception of one: Renaissance Theatre has
the unique situation of having its own performance
space. Bob Baker, the artistic director for Renaissance
Theatre, has announced there will be two productions
during the month of February, both original works!
Venture back with us to 1967. A young girl of 14
moves to Nashville to join her father and meet his
new wife, Tammy Wynette. Not many people had
heard of Tammy at this point, but that was all about
to change! Don’t miss this new musical based on
the true story of Tammy Wynette, as told by her one
time stepdaughter, Donna Chapel. The show has been
enjoying a successful mini-tour around Alabama and
most recently to Terre Haute, Indiana.
Following on the heels of a sell-out Sanders Family
Christmas during the holidays, Burritt on the Mountain
and Renaissance Theatre have united once again to
offer another favorite, Standing By… Tammy Wynette.
Written and directed by Robert Riddle Baker, with
musical arrangements by Barry Norwood and Margie
In celebration of Black History Month, travel back to
Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. An introspective
Dr. Martin Luther King is in Room 306 at the Lorraine
Motel, readying himself for dinner with Memphis
minister, Billy Kyles. The last few moments of Martin
Luther King, Jr.’s life are revealed in this moving play.
The work also contains several rarely heard speeches
as well as portions of his most famous speeches.
Tickets are $14.00 for General Admission and $12.00
for Students/Seniors. Tickets may be purchased online
at www.ShowClix.com or by calling (256) 536-3117
(leave a message, the phone is staffed by volunteers and
not manned full-time). For more information, please
visit our www.renaissancetheatre.net. The theatre is
located upstairs at 1216 Meridian Street, Huntsville, Al
35801 in the historical Lincoln Center.
Best Tattoo Shop?
Best Golf?
2nd Artistic Ink 19%
3rd No Regrets 13%
2nd The Ledges 12%
3rd Redstone Arsenal 7%
1st Blue Rose Tattoos
26%
Others Receiving votes: All The Rage, Bama Tattoos,
CMB Tattoos, Devotion Tattoo, Green Ink inc.,
Hate Tatoo’s!, Hot Rod Tattoos, Ink City, Ink Spot,
Kreations, Living Ink Tattoos, “Mad Tatter’s”, Madison
County Jail, Magic Needles, Platinum Koi, Rocket
City Tattoo, Tattooed Lady, The Pulse
Best Adult Store?
1st Pleasures
54%
2nd Adult Emporium 19%
3rd Naughty and Spice 13%
Others Receiving votes: ABC Store, Adult Video, BP,
Envy, Hit Video, Peace Pipe, Red Light Video, Still
Smokin, Vertical House Records, Wagon Wheel, Zero
Gravity
Best Place to Hike?
(Within 60 miles)
1st Monte Sano Mountain 36%
2nd Green Mountain 13%
3rd Land Trust Trails 10%
Others receiving votes: Bankhead National Forest,
Bell Mountain, Bucks Canyon, Burritt,Camp
MACOBA, Cathedral Caverns, City Hall, Elkmont
Rails to Trails, Fagan Spring, Guntersville State Park,
Hay’s Nature in Owens Cross Roads, Huntsville
Mountain, Lake Guntersville, Madison County Nature
Trail, McMullen Cove, Mill Creek Wilderness Trail,
Mt Le Conte, Rainbow Mountain, Sewanee, Sipsey
Wilderness, Tennessee River/Wheeler Wildlife Refuge,
Tim’s Mom’s Backyard, Wade Mountain Preserve,
Walls of Jericho
1st Robert Trent Jones @ Hampton Cove 27%
Others receiving votes: Braham’s Spring (Disc),
Broken Arrow, Canebrake, Carson’s Grille, Cherokee
Ridge, Chriswood, Colonial, Disk Golf / Mastin
Lake Course, Fighting Joe, Fox Run Golf Course,
Funtasia, Goose Pond, Günter’s Landing, Huntsville
Country Club, Huntsville Municipal, Madison Golf,
Monte Sano (Disc), Point Mallard, Richland, Southern
Adventures, Sunset Landing, Terri Pines in Cullman,
UAH Huntsville - Disc Golf, Valley Hill CC
Best Park?
1st Big Spring Park 28%
2nd 3rd Monte Sano State Park 23%
Tie: Green Mtn and
Guntersville St. Park 6%
Others receiving votes: Braham’s Springs Disc Golf,
Creekside, Creek Wood, Dead Children’s Playground,
Delano Park, Dog park HSV, Dublin Park, Indian
Creek Greenway/Dog Park, Insanity Skate Park, Joe
Wheeler State Park, Kid’s Kingdom, Kid’s Space,
Land Trust, Lincoln Bridgeforth, Lydia Gold Skate
Park, Madison County Nature Trail, Maple Hill
Cemetery, McGucken Park, ,Oxford Lake, Palmer
Park, Philpot Park, Research Park, Rhodes Ferry
Park ,Sharon Johnston Park New Market, Sherwood
Park’s Park, Don’t Get Out Enough, Sparkman Park
- Hartselle, Willow Park, Wilson Morgan
Best Yoga Studio?
1st Tie: Yoga Center of Huntsville and YMCA 13%
2nd Hot Yoga 3rd Huntsville School of Yoga
11%
9%
Others receiving votes: Center for Lifelong Learning, Flying Monkey, Head to Toe Pilates, Huntsville Athletic
Club Huntsville, Museum of Art, Huntsville Wellness Center/Jones Valley, Huntsville Wellness Center/Medical
Mall, Jason’s Bedroom, Jennifer Bail Wellness, Lobby of the RFCU Building, Madison Pilates Studio, Matrix,
Merrimack Theater, Mitzi Connell, Nomadic Tapestry, Dance Trance, Pure, The Wellness Center, Jones Valley
(Nirmal and Jennifer), Total Fitness, UAH Fitness Center, Up Dog Yoga, Yoga with Mitzi, Your Yoga
20
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
#020112022312
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
THE VALLEY PLANET
REGIONAL CONCERTS
I
once was firmly planted in the “middle class,” but, of late, I’ve rapidly dropped through, what feels like the
floors of old houses, giving way, to the ranks of the “poor.” And the “poor” have become “more poor.” For
some, it’s the Recession. For others, it’s getting ill within a very sick system of medical insurance.
To survive my new status as “poor,” other than wondering if I’m going to stay afloat, I’ve realized there are some
things I can do without. First, I don’t watch television. It’s the source of “A Thousand Lies.” You must “have,
wear, own, live in, drive . . .” in order to be happy. Our children believe it. They haven’t learned to distinguish
“need” from “want”; but as mature adults, I’m sure we have and can say “no” to every new electronic gadget that
rises, every day, like a lighted UFO. Right?
To keep from sleeping with some feral outdoor cats in the gutter, I have been forced to learn the difference in need
and want: I . . .
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
...do not need garbage bags. Grocery bags do nicely.
...do not need name-brand cleaners. Mr. Clean does not jump out of that bottle. Vinegar, baking soda,
and water clean just as well as the noxious blue stuff that takes a chunk of money from my food budget-and air from my lungs.
...no longer pretend to have money. To ease any awkwardness at lunch with a friend, when the waiter
asks, “One check or two?” I dead-eye the waiter, and calmly say, “Two, please.”
...cannot participate in “obligatory giving.” If someone gives me a Christmas gift,” I express my thanks
for his or her expression of affection or friendship the best I can. I am learning to send cards.
...shop at the store where everything’s a dollar. I purchase what I need, usually dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent. The danger--“hog wildness.” I have to remind my impulsive self that one dollar
items add up quickly into many dollars.
...love the Dollar Store and Family Dollar, but don’t buy food items, in general. I find relatively in expensive washcloths, batteries, socks and underwear there. Large grocery stores, like Publix, sell food
items for less because of volume.
...have stopped buying sodas or bottled water at convenience stores. “Hi, my name is Bonnie, and I’m
a gas station soda drinker.”
...cook at home and enjoy it. It’s an acquired activity. Buy healthy foods, avoid fats, high salt and
sugar content. When I can, I buy in bulk, i.e., a dozen frozen chicken breasts, and cook as needed. I
never eat at fast-food places. Empty calories and fat content serve as extra incentives.
...resist ANY trial offers of ANYTHING on or off the Internet. I’ve been burned with large bills for a
product or service I forgot to cancel at the end of the “trial” period.
...cut off the lights in every room, except the one I’m in. I wash fewer batches of clothes and in cold, not hot, water. I turned down my water heater a few degrees. A warm shower, instead of a scalding one, has not killed me and is better for my skin.
...make do with what I have. I’ve learned new skills; how to stitch a torn seam in a perfectly good skirt.
...find clean, name-brand clothes at thrift stores all over town. You would be surprised to know some of
the most nattily dressed people who have bought from thrift stores for years. (Talk to me, and I can
drop a few names!)
...check out books at the library--for free--or exchange with friends
...hang my towel to dry; use it several times before I toss it in the dirty clothes hamper.
...do not buy paper towels. Rags outlast them and are less expensive in the long run.
...share poems with a friend; laugh with Beth and Betty; create something; blog in the Red Room; visit
Brien in his art studio; take a walk; learn some Spanish from Guadalupe at Lowe Mill; edit a book or
read one; or make a shark movie with my daughter on Photo Booth. These things are both good and free.
For those of you who haven’t fallen very much, you can do a lot to make life a little easier for those of us who
have. Demands on food banks, and on churches for help with doctor bills and utility bills, are at an all-time high.
The Downtown Rescue Mission needs supplies; the homeless need blankets. When the collection plate comes
around at church, please add a little extra. Or, call any of the following services to find out how you can best help
those in need: CUP, 539-8720; Catholic Center of Concern, 536-0041; HAP, 539-2320; Madison County Senior
Center, 382-0923; United Way, 211; Downtown Rescue Mission, 536-2441.
“What then must we do?” We must take care of one another.
I send love and gratitude to my daughter, to all my friends, and to local churches--all of whom have taken care of me.
events cont. from pg.19
Gee’s Place will have West Coast Swing every Wednesday
from 6:30-8:30pm. The cost is $5.00.
The Alabama Small Business Development Center
Network will have a workshop on How to Start a
Business. It will be from 10am until noon at the Chamber
of Commerce of Huntsville/ Madison County The cost
is $20 per person. www.asbdc.org.
Dixie Derby Girls skate to save animals’ lives at the 5th
Annual Broken Hearted Skate-a-thon from 5:30pm8pm at the RollerTime Skate Center (707 Arcadia Cir.
Huntsville. Admission is $10 donation with 30% of the
proceeds benefitting the Spay/Neuter Action Project
(SNAP) www.snapalabama.org. (See ad pg.6)
Thursday, February 9
The Tennessee Civil War Round Table Meeting will be
at the Elk’s Lodge in Huntsville. It will feature Thomas
R. Flagel, Columbia State College, Franklin, TN, on
“Messengers of Death: How the Press Reported the Civil
War”. It will be at 6:30pm and is free to the public.
256-541-2483.
The Lifetree Café at Latham United Methodist
Church will have The End is Near, the Countdown to
the Apocalypse. It will be from 6:30-7:30pm. www.
lifetreecafe.com. (See ad pg.18)
There will be a Salsa Night at OK Corral, 2322 South
Memorial Parkway, from 7:00pm until? It will be the
THE VALLEY PLANET
second and fourth Thursday of every month. The cost is
$2. www.salseroblanko.net
Girls Night Out- Valentines Bucket of Love will be at
the Huntsville Botanical Gardens from 5:30-6:30pm.
Create a fun project for grown ups. www.hsbg.org.
February 9-11
Dixie’s Tupperware Party will be at the Merrimack
Hall Performing Arts. Tickets start at $35. Performance
times are Thursday and Friday at 7:30pm and Saturday at
2pm and 7:30pm. www.merrimackhall.com.
There will be a Master Artist Workshop – Guadalupe
Lanning Robinson at the Huntsville Museum of Art at
6pm. www.hsvmuseum.org.
Friday, February 10
An evening of short, snappy performances and dessert,
Tarts, will be at the Flying Monkey Theatre. It will be
from 8-11pm. Admission is $8.
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
A Valentine’s Dinner Theatre featuring the new stage play,
“He Completes Me”
will be at the Holiday Inn Research Park. The show
will begin at 8pm. Tickets are $20. 256- 772-9922, @
beaconhillwc.com.
AAMYou Wellness Expo will be at AAMU Wellness
Center from 10am until 2pm. There will be a free health
screening, vendors, live music, food samples and more.
This event is free to the public. 256-372-7001.
#020112022312
ATLANTA
February 2, Anthrax, The Tabernacle
February 8, Tool, Gwinnett Center
February 9, Celtic Woman, Fox Theatre
February 10, George Strait w/ Martina McBride, Gwinnett Center
February 10, Allstar Weekend, Masquerade
February 13, Willie Nelson, The Tabernacle
February 18, Moody Blues, Fox Theater
February 23, Kelly Clarkson, Fox Theatre
March 1, Radiohead, Philips Arena
March 5, Aretha Franklin, Fox Theatre
BIRMINGHAM
February 10, Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans & Hunter Hays, BJCC Arena
February 10, Kem, BJCC Concert Hall
February 11-12, Celtic Woman, BJCC Concert Hall
February 17, Bill Cosby, Alabama Theatre
February 20, Needtobreathe, Alabama Theatre
February 25, Jimmy Buffet, BJCC Arena
HUNTSVILLE
February 2, Miranda Lambert w/ Chris Young & Jarrod Niemann, VBC Arena
February 3, Jim Parkers Songwriters, VBC Playhouse
February 23, Jason Aldean w/ Luke Bryan, VBC Arena
March 9, Jim Parkers Songwriters, VBC Playhouse
MEMPHIS
February 3, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fed Ex Forum
February 10, Kevin Hart, Orpheum Theatre
February 26, Puscifier, Orpheum Theatre
March 1, Jimmy Buffet, Verizon Arena
NASHVILLE
February 2, Dierks Bentley, Ryman Auditorium
February 10, Rick Springfield, Wildhorse Saloon
February 17, Drake, Bridgestone Arena
February 20, The Band Perry, Ryman Auditorium
February 21, Ron White, Gran Ole Opry
February 22, Lady Antebellum, Nashville Municipal Auditorium
February 23-24, Needtobreathe, Ryman Auditorium
February 24, Jason Aldean, Bridgestone Arena
February 26, Nashville Blues Festival, Nashville Municipal Auditorium
March 2, Dianna Ross, Ryman Auditorium
The Dog Ball, Prancing with the Stars, will be at the Von
Braun Center South Hall at 6pm. www.dogball.org.
February 10-12
Standing BY Tammy Wynette from Renaissance Theatre
will be at Burritt on the Mountain. Tickets are $20.
Performance times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm
and Sunday at 2:30pm. www.burrittonthemountain.
com. (See ad pg.20)
The Whole Backstage presents its winter season
production of Pride and Prejudice. Evening
performances begin at 7pm and Matinee’s will be at 2pm.
256- 582-7469.
Saturday, February 11
There will be a Dance Passion West Coast Swing Dance
at Gee’s Place.
There will be a Pleasplease Valentine event hosted by
Jonny ReQuest, performing off-kilter arrangements of
songs requested by real audience members with dancing
by the Pleasniks and special guests the Wrong Brothers.
It will be at the Flying Monkey Theatre from 9-11:30pm
and admission is $6. www.flyingmonkeyartscenter.org.
Joe’s House of Music presents a Valentine’s Day Blues
concert featuring Bobby Rush, with Denise LaSalle,
Latimore, Theodis Easley, Diedra with special guest
Huntsville’s own KSS. It will be at the VBC South Hall at
6:30pm. 256-533-1953, 256-679-3272.
Have a Heart Day will be at Sci-Quest, Hands-on
Science Center from 10:30am until 2:30pm. Have a Heart
Day is free with general admission to Sci-Quest.
www.sci-quest.org, 256-837-0606.
The Huntsville Havoc vs. Mississippi River Kings Game
will be at the VBC Arena at 7:30pm.
Sunday, February 12
Come Fly with us! We fly our small electric radiocontrolled airplanes and helicopters indoors on select
Sundays from 1-4 pm in the Grace United Methodist
Church Ministry Center Gym at 2113 Old Monrovia Rd.
This family-oriented sport flying is free and open to the
public. 256-772-3946.
There will be a Pony Painting Party from 2:30-4:30pm.
The theme of the sessions will be horses, and people are
welcome to bring a photo of their own horse to work
from. The workshops are limited to 10 people, ages 8 and
up are welcome. It is located at MY Designs Studio 114 in
Lowe Mill. www.myhorsesart.com.
The Black History Month Celebration: Lecture:“Looking
to the Future” will be from 2 to 4 pm at the Huntsville/
Madison Main Library. 256-532-5940, www.hmcpl.org.
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
The Madison Hospital Grand Opening Month- “Baby
Shower” benefiting the Mother/Baby Unit will be at
the Madison Hospital Nursery from 2-4pm. The cost is
$10 per mother/grandmother and $1 per child. http://
foundation.hhsys.org.
The Winter Winds 2 & 4 Mile Road Races and Kids Fun
Run will be at the Huntsville Track Club, 8811 Edgehill
Drive at 2pm.
Monday, February 13
There will be Film series,” Screwball! Romantic Comedy
before the War,” at the Huntsville/Madison Main
Library, The film will be Ninotchka at 6pm. Admission is
free. www.hmcpl.org.
February 13-14
The Rocket City Barber Shop Chorus presents, Singing
Valentines. A rose, personalized Valentine’s Day card and
2 love songs, delivered by a Rocket City Quartet
The cost is $45. Delivery hours are 8am until 8pm. 256693- 721l, [email protected].
Tuesday, February 14
The Flying Monkey Valentine’s Day Show will be
at 7pm. There will be live music by Michelle Malone
performing solo acoustic and the alternative classicalsideshow duo Rosewood, Fire, and Steel (Phil Weaver and
Patricia Forrest). Admission to the concert is $12 and the
dinner is $12. www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
(See ad pg.7)
There will be a Book Signing with Tam McDowell, The
Healing Year, at Coffeetree Books and Brew. It will be
from 5-7pm. www.coffeetreebnb.com.
The Small Business Lunch & Learn: “Fundamentals of
Good Fiction” will be at the Huntsville/Madison County
Public Library from noon until 1pm. www.hmcpl.org,
256-532-5975.
There will be a Valentine’s Lunch at Carrabba’s Italian
Grill to benefit the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. It will be
from 11am-2pm. The cost is $45.00 for two lunches with
drinks and gratuity included. www.hsvbg.org.
There will be a Valentine’s Day event, Geek Prom at
Bailey Cove Library at 6pm. Celebrate Valentine’s Day
the geeky way! Dress in your best geek wear (or like a
famous geek, Dr. Who or Harry Potter, for instance).
www.hmcpl.org.
February 14-15
Midsummer Night’s Dream performed by the American
Shakespeare Center on Tour, will be at UAH University
Exhibit Center at 7pm. 256-824-2369.
events cont. on pg.22
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21
events cont. from pg.21
Wednesday, February 15
There will be a Salsa Night at Empire Fitness on Hwy
72 from 7:30-11:30pm. It will be the first and third
Wednesdays of every month. The cost is $5.
www.salseroblanko.net.
The Madison Hospital Grand Month- Ladies Luncheon
is at the Madison Hospital Atrium. It will be from 11:30am
until 1pm. The cost is $40 per person.
http://foundation.hhsys.org.
Thursday, February 16
Chainmail day with the Huntsville Bead Society will be
at the Huntsville Madison Main Library in the A&B
Room. Social hour is from 5 to 6pm and the class will be
from 6:30-8:30pm. The cost is $20 - members, $25 nonmembers. RSVP required at hsvbeads@gmail.
The Lifetree Café’ at Latham United Methodist Church
will have Can God Love a Mess like Me, an interview with
the author of The Shack. It will be from 6:30-7:30pm.
www.lifetreecafe.com. (See ad pg.18)
The Leaders and Lunch Spring Series, Essential
Documents; The Effective Business Plan will be today
from 11:30am-1:00pm, sponsored by Rock Solid Wealth
Strategies, LLC. 1629 4th Avenue, Decatur. The registration
fee is $20, which covers the cost of lunch and materials.
256.686.2999, [email protected]. The Winter’s Tale, performed by the American
Shakespeare Center on Tour, will be at UAH University
Exhibit Center at 7pm. 256-824-2369.
February 16-19
Standing By Tammy Wynette presented by the
Renaissance Theatre will be at Burritt on the Mountain.
Tickets are $20. Performance times are Thursday-Saturday
at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm.
www.burrittonthemountain.com. (See ad pg.20).
The Whole Backstage presents its winter season
production of Pride and Prejudice. Evening
performances begin at 7pm and Matinee’s will be at
2pm. 256-582-7469.
Friday, February 17
Fri. @ 5 will be at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center,
featuring the exhibit Let the Good Times Roll! Mardi Gras
Comes to North Alabama. www.carnegiearts.org
Sofia Talvik is playing a live concert at Berkeley Bob’s
Coffee House at 8pm. It is located at 304 1st Avenue in
Cullman. www.sofiatalvik.com, 256-775-2944,
www.berkeleybob.com.
February 17-19
Fantasy Playhouse presents Many Moons at the Von
Braun Center Playhouse. The cost is $14 per ticket.
www.letthemagicbegin.org.
Saturday, February 18
There will be a Contra Dance in the gym of Faith
Presbyterian Church at the corner of Airport and
Whitesburg Drive. There will be live music by Jim and
Inge Wood and calling by Archie Faulkner. It is from 7:3010:30pm. Lessons begin at 7pm. Admission is $7 and $4
for students, children under 12 are free. 256-837-0656,
www.secontra.com/NACDS.html.
Union Chapel MBC Education Assistance Ministry Annual
Historical Black College and University (HBCU) Career
and Recruitment Day will be from 10am until 1pm. It will
be at Union Chapel Family Life Center, 315 Winchester
Road. 256-852-1150.
There will be a Concert “A Music Lovers Concert for
President’s Day” from 7 -9pm at the Huntsville/ Madison
County Library. Admission is free. www.hmcpl.org.
Huntsville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Second
Annual Red & White Party will be at the VBC South
Ballroom at 8pm. http://huntsvilleurbannetwork.com.
February 17-19
Broadway Theatre League presents, Rock of Ages. It will
be at the VBC Concert Hall.
www.yourseatiswaiting.com.
The Boat Show will be at the Von Braun Center
South Hall.
February 18-19
The Official Blues Brothers Revue: Sanctioned by Dan
Akyroyd & the Belushi Estate will be at the Merrimack
Hall Performing Arts at 7:30pm.
www.merrimackhall.com.
Tuesday, February 21
Instrument Pilot Ground School will be held on Tuesday
nights from 6-9pm. It will be at Huntsville’s Executive
Airport located 358 Bolling Road in Merdianville. This
10 week course will teach you what you need to know
to earn your Instrument Rating. Cost for course is $425
which includes tuition and all materials. 256-828-1403,
[email protected] (SEE AD PG.10)
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
The Huntsville Havoc vs. Knoxville Hockey Game will
be tonight at 7:30pm at the Von Braun Center.
There will be an Author Talk: Taylor Polites at the
Huntsville/Madison Main Library at 6:30pm.
www.hmcpl.org.
The Society for Technical Communication (STC)
Huntsville Chapter general membership meeting
will be held at 5:30pm at The Scene Lounge (Monaco
Theater). http://stc-na.org.
Wednesday, February 22
The Alabama Small Business Development Center
Network will have a workshop on Understanding the
SBA Loan Program. It will be from 10am until noon.
It will be at the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/
Madison County. The cost is $20 per person. www.
asbdc.org.
Thursday, February 23
The Lifetree Café’ at Latham United Methodist Church
will have “Playing God, Is Science Going too Far?” It will be
from 6:30-7:30pm. www.lifetreecafe.com.
(See ad pg.18)
The Small Business Lunch & Learn: “Social Media for
Social Good: A How-To Webinar for Nonprofits,” will be
at the Huntsville/Madison County Public Library from
noon until 1:30pm. www.hmcpl.org, 256-532-5975.
There will be a Salsa Night at OK Corral, 2322 South
Memorial Parkway, from 7:00pm until? It will be the
second and fourth Thursday of every month. The cost is
$2. www.salseroblanko.net.
February 23-24
The Decatur Civic Chorus Dinner Theatre will have the
production entitled “Music from the Sizzlin’ Sixties”.
It will be at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church, 3310
Danville Road. It will be at 6pm and tickets are $25.
256- 350-0338.
“Family Warfare” will be at the Flying Monkey Theatre
from 7-9pm. Admission is $8. All proceeds go directly to
the GLBT. Written, produced and enacted by members
and friends of GLBT Advocacy and Youth Services the play
addresses contemporary lifestyles and is recommended
for mature audiences. www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
February 23-26
The Renaissance Theatre will have a new workshop play,
Dr. King... My Life: Looking Back. It will be at 7:30pm
each night and Sunday at 2:30pm.Tickets are $14, for
general admission and $12 for students/seniors. www.
renaissancetheatre.net. (See ad pg.21)
Friday, February 24
Steven Curtis Chapman’s Songs and Stories Tour
will be at Capshaw Baptist Church in Harvest at 7pm.
itickets.com, 1-800-965-9324.
February 24-26
Fantasy Playhouse presents, Many Moons at the Von
Braun Center Playhouse. The cost is $14 per ticket.
www.letthemagicbegin.org.
Saturday, February 25
The Art of Giving Painting Party will be from 3-5pm in
Studio 114 on the first floor of Lowe Mill. The cost is $35.
15% of the proceeds from these workshops will go to a
local charity. www.lowemill.net.
Sci- Quest Hands on Science Museum will have 3, 2,
and 1…Blast Off, to celebrate National Engineering
Week. Engineers from the Boeing Company will help
children to build and launch their own water rocket.
www.sciquest.org.
February 25-26
Salseroblanko presents The Lost Rhythms in Salsa
Winter Summit at the Kinesthetic Cue Dance Club
Studio. Josue Joseph, renowned producer of the
famous LA EPOCA films (Part I & II) will be there.
www.salserblanko.net.
Sunday, February 26
Radar Magazine’s 2nd Anniversary Celebration and
Fashion Show, The Royal Experience, will be at the
Calhoun Community College.
http://huntsvilleurbannetwork.com.
The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library
archivist Susanna Leberman will talk about the people
in Maria Howard Weeden’s famous paintings. Linda
Wright Riley will recite poems that accompany the
original artwork. The program will be held in the second
floor events room of the Main branch. It will be from 23pm. www.hmcpl.org.
The Friends of the Library Hertha Heller Forum:
“Reading and Writing as Tools for Life” will be at 2pm at
the Huntsville/Madison Main Library.
www.hmcpl.org.
the end!
THE VALLEY PLANET
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
argument to you, Virgo. In the large scheme of things, your suffering right now is small. Try to keep
your attention on your blessings rather than your discomfort.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I stumbled upon an engineering textbook for undergraduates. There was
a section on how to do technical writing, as opposed to the literary kind. It quoted a poem by Edgar
Allan Poe: “Helen, thy beauty is to me / Like those Nicean barks of yore / That gently, o’er a perfumed
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Sad but true: A lot of people seem to be perpetually in a state of wanting sea, / The weary way-worn wanderer bore / To his own native shore.” Then the book gave advice to
what they don’t have and not wanting what they actually do have. I’m begging you not to be like that the student: “To express these ideas in technical writing, we would simply say, ‘He thinks Helen is
in the coming weeks, Aries. Please? I’ll tell you why: More than I’ve seen in a long time, you will have beautiful.’” Don’t take shortcuts like that, Libra. For the sake of your emotional health and spiritual
everything going for you if you want precisely what you do have -- and are not full of longing for what’s integrity, you can’t see or treat the world anything like what a technical writer would.
unavailable. Do you think you can you manage that brilliant trick? If so, you will be amazed by the
sublimity of the peace that will settle over you.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Are you ready to start playing in earnest with that riddle wrapped in a
mystery inside an enigma? Are you looking forward to the rough and tumble fun that will ensue after
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Of all the signs of the zodiac, Tauruses are the least likely to be arrogant. you leap into the middle of that sucker and start trying to decipher its impossibly interesting meaning? I
Sadly, in a related development, they’re also among the most likely to have low self-esteem. But your hope you are primed and eager, Scorpio. I hope you can’t wait to try to answer the question that seems
tribe now has an excellent opportunity to address the latter problem. Current cosmic rhythms are to have no answer. Be brave and adventurous, my friend -- and be intent on having a blast.
inviting you rather loudly and dramatically to boost your confidence, even at the risk of you careening
into the forbidden realm of arrogance. That’s why I recommend Taurus musician Trent Reznor as SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Lessons could come to you from unforeseen sources and
your role model. He has no problem summoning feelings of self-worth. As evidence, here’s what he unanticipated directions during the next few weeks, Sagittarius. They will also come in expected forms
confessed when asked about whether he frequents music social networks: “I don’t care what my friends from all the familiar influences, so the sum total of your learning could be pretty spectacular. To take
are listening to. Because I’m cooler than they are.”
maximum advantage of the opportunity, just assume that everyone and everything might have useful
teachings for you -- even people you usually ignore and situations that have bored you in the past. Act
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “If Mark Twain had had Twitter,” says humorist Andy Borowitz, “he like an eager student who’s hungry for knowledge and curious to fill in the gaps in your education.
would have been amazing at it. But he probably wouldn’t have gotten around to writing Huckleberry
Finn.” I think you’re facing a comparable choice, Gemini. You can either get a lot of little things done CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “The consuming desire of most human beings is deliberately to plant
that will serve your short-term aims, or else you can at least partially withdraw from the day-to-day their whole life in the hands of some other person,” said British writer Quentin Crisp. If you harbor
give-and-take so as to devote yourself with more focus to a long-range goal. I’m not here to tell you even a small tendency in that direction, Capricorn, I hope that in the coming days you will make a
which way to go; I just want to make sure you know the nature of the decision before you.
concentrated effort to talk yourself out of it. In my astrological opinion, this is a critical moment in the
long-term evolution of your healthy self-sufficiency. For both your own sake and the sake of the people
CANCER (June 21-July 22): You now have a special talent for helping your allies tap into their dormant you love, you must find a way to shrink your urge to make them responsible for your well-being.
potentials and latent energy. If you choose to use it, you will also have a knack for snapping lost sheep
and fallen angels out of their wasteful trances. There’s a third kind of magic you have in abundance right AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you go to California’s Yosemite National Park this month, you might
now, Cancerian, and that’s the ability to coax concealed truths out of their hiding places. Personally, I’m get the chance to witness a reddish gold waterfall. Here’s how: At sunset, gaze up at the sheer east face
hopeful that you will make lavish use of these gifts. I should mention, however, that some people may of the rock formation known as El Capitan. There you will see what seems to be a vertical river of fire,
resist you. The transformations you could conceivably set in motion with your superpowers might seem also known as Horsetail Fall. I nominate this marvel to be your inspirational symbol for the coming
alarming to them. So I suggest that you hang out as much as possible with change-lovers who like the weeks. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you will have the power to blend fire and
strong medicine you have to offer.
water in novel ways. I encourage you to look at the photo here -- bit.ly/fluidicfire -- and imprint the
image on your mind’s eye. It will help unleash the subconscious forces you’ll need to pull off your own
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Publishing a volume of poetry is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand natural wonder.
Canyon and waiting for the echo,” said author Don Marquis, speaking from experience. Something
you’re considering, Leo, may seem to fit that description, too. It’s a project or action or gift that you’d PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): After singer Amy Winehouse died, actor Russell Brand asked the public
feel good about offering, but you also wonder whether it will generate the same buzz as that rose petal and media to scale back their derisive opinions about her struggle with intoxicants. Addiction isn’t a
floating down into the Grand Canyon. Here’s what I think: To the degree that you shed your attachment romantic affectation or glamorous self-indulgence that people are too lazy to overcome, he said. It’s a
to making an impact, you will make the exact impact that matters most. Give yourself without any disease. Would you mock a schizophrenic for his “stupid” propensity for hearing voices? Would you
expectations.
ridicule a victim of multiple sclerosis for not being vigorous? I’m of the opinion that all of us have
at least one addiction, although it may not be as disabling as Winehouse’s weakness for liquor and
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Comedian Louis CK told a story about his young daughter. She had a fever, narcotics. What’s yours, Pisces? Porn? Sugar? Internet? Bad relationships? The coming weeks would
and he gave her some Tylenol that was bubble gum flavored. “Ewwww!” she complained. Louis was be a very good time to seek help in healing it.
exasperated. “You can’t say ‘ewwww,’” he told her. What he meant was that as a white kid in America,
she’s among the most privileged characters in the world -- certainly far luckier than all the poor children Homework: You can read free excerpts of my recent book at http://bit.ly/HotExcerpts. Tell me your
who have no medicine at all, let alone medicine that tastes like candy. I’m going to present a similar thoughts: [email protected].
February 2 - February 22
© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny
THE VALLEY PLANET
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
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23
Favorite Local Sports Team?
1st Dixie Derby Girls 28%
2nd Huntsville Havoc
3rd Huntsville Stars
20%
18%
Others receiving votes: Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Bob Jones High School, Carson’s Beer League,
Chargers Hockey, Grissom Tigers, Hartselle Tigers, Huntsville High Football, Huntsville Hockey Club, Huntsville
Rocket City Titans, Huntsville Rugby Team, Huntsville Tigers, Rocket City United, Rolling Arsenal of Derby,
Tanner Rattlers, Titans, United Soccer Club
Best Bowling Alley?
1st Plamor Lanes
2nd Redstone Arsenal Bowling Center 3rd AMF Parkway Lanes Others receiving votes: Madison Bowling, Pin Palace, Rivercity, The Zone
Best Florist?
1st Glenn’s of Huntsville 26%
23%
18%
2nd In Bloom
3rd Albert’s Florist
15%
13%
Others receiving votes:, Any Blooming Thing, Athens Florist, Bishop’s Florist, Blossoms N Bloom, Buddys
Country Flowers, Buttercups, Carol’s, Decreations, Edible Arrangements, Gatehouse Flowers, Gates Flowers,
Harvest Florist, Heritage Florist, Huntsville Florist, Huntsville Helium, Jolly Green Thumb, Kroger’s Madison,
McBridens, Michelle’s, Mitchell’s Florist, Olive Branch, Parkers, Pearsall’s, Peggy’s Log Cabin, Publix,
Simpson’s Florist, Stones Floral, Talk of the Town, Trish Land, Wholesale Florist
Best Place for Pool?
1st Bumper’s 16%
2nd Shooter’s 3rd Chips and Salsa
17%
9%
7%
Others receiving votes: 3rd Base Grill, 8 Ball Billiards, Bandito’s Southside, Benchwarmer,Bishop’s Eastside,
Bishop’s Southside, Black Water Hattie’s, BottleNecks, Cafe 113, Carson’s Grille, Chicken Shack, Crossroads,
Diamonds, Dream Girls, End Zone ,Glasses, Humphrey’s, Lee Ann’s, Lone Goose, Lowe Mill, Madison Bowling,
Mickey’s, Our Place, Partners, Redstone Arsenal, Rounder’s, Ruggby’s, Silver Dollar, Sport’s Page, Steve’s
Lounge, The Brick, The Green Room, The Station, The Zone, Thirsty Turtle, Vieux Carre’, Wild Cherry Cabaret
Best Art Gallery?
1st Flying Monkey
2nd Huntsville Museum of Art
3rd Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment 29%
23%
21%
Others receiving votes: Artistic Images, Bandito Southside, Burritt Museum, Carlisle Gallery, Carnegie Visual Art
Center, Carol Foret Gallery, Finnegan’s, Forever20, Fortunes Rock, Grille 29, Hale Fire and Glass, Huntsville
Art League, Imhotep Gallery, Little Green Store, Madison Square, Meridian Arts, Railroad Antiques ,Ruggiere
a Gallery in Decatur, Sam and Greggs, SOCA Galleria, Spirited Art, Susan Knecht Studio, Thai Garden, UAH
Student Gallery, Uptown, Vertical House, Willis Gray
Best Wine Shop?
1st Wine Cellar
2nd Stem and Stein 3rd Great Spirits
21%
11%
10%
Others receiving votes: Cafe 113, Earth Fare, Exxon/Hospital District, Fresh Market, Fuel City 5 Points, Kala’s
Cottage, Kroger, Lee Ann’s, Liquor Express, Market Place, Mary’s Grocery, Papa Jacks 5 Points, Pauli’s Gourmet
Foods and Wine, Providence Cafe, Shell Station/Decatur, Star Beverages/ Decatur, Star Market, Texaco/5 Points,
The Grapevine, Vino’s/Arab, Vintage Wine & Cigars, Wagonwheel, Windmill Beverages, Wine Market, Wine
Rack
Best Nursery?
1st Bennett’s Nursery
2nd Across the Pond
3rd Tie: Earth Touch and The Greenery 45%
14%
6.5%
Others receiving votes: Bochancey’s, Catbird Seat, Enchanted Garden, Exotic Harvest, Gene’s Down the Street,
Home Depot, Huntsville Nursery and Garden Center, Indian Creek, Lowe’s, Mom’s Backyard, Monks, Reseda’s
Nursery, Riverton Nursery, Stanley’s, Sugar Magnolia’s, The Garden Center, Tim’s Mom’s Garden
Best Gift Shop?
1st Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment 10% Best Place to Buy Antiques?
2nd Flying Monkey
9.5%
1st Firehouse Antiques 17%
3rd Harrison Brothers
8%
Others receiving votes: ABC Store, Adult Emporium, AL Christopher, Botanical Garden, Cracker Barrel, Dream
Maker, Emma’s Tea Room, Golden Griffen, H Raines, Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Huntsville Massage
Marketplace, i invite u In Bloom ,Indigo Boutique ,Interior Marketplace ,J Whitener ,Jan’s Hallmark, Josies at
Burritt on the Mountain, Kala’s Cottage, Karma Rags (at Flying Monkey), Kirklands, Lawren’s, Lin Z Dru’s,
Lola’s Flowers and Gifts, Lynn’s Hallmark, Marie’s Hallmark, Mole Hole, Naughty and Spice, Ozaki Fine Art,
Pauli’s Gourmet Foods and Wine, Pleasures, Railroad Station Antiques, Red Door Interiors, Sam Frank and Moore,
Savvy Gifts, Space and Rocket Center, Spencer’s, Sterling Health, Susan Knecht Studio, Switch House, Tammy
Eddy Antiques & Interiors, The Little Green Store, The DeeP Comics & Games, The Mustard Seed, Topiary Tree,
Trishland, Tuesday Morning, Two Friends, Vertical House Records, Williams and Sonoma, Wine Cellar, Zazzy’s,
Zero Gravity
Best Used Book Store?
1st BookLegger
2nd Coffeetree Books & Brew
3rd Old Towne Books 34%
Others receiving votes: 1st and Charles, A New Leash on Life Market Place, Barnes and Noble, Beloved
Community Bookstore, Book Peddler, Book Shelf, Books a Million, Cary’s House, Decatur Public Library,
Expansion Books, Friends of the Library Used Book Store, Huntsville/Madison County Library, Shaver’s,The
DeeP, Wheeler Basin Public Library
2nd Blue Med Spa 3rd Tie: Beleza Salon and Spa and
Huntsville Massage Professionals 15%
6%
Best Place to Buy Musical Instruments?
1st Fret Shop 31%
13%
11%
Others receiving votes: Alabama Music, American Pawn and Jewelry, Band Wagon, Boaz Music and Sound,
Counts Brothers Music, Emiron Music, Forks Drum Closet, Guitar Bob’s, Hallman’s, Harmony Sound, Henry’s
Music/Hartselle, Millennium Music, Musicians Friend, Nickel CBG at Lowe Mill, Railroad Bazaar, Robbins
Music, Southeastern Music, T Shepard, Tim Hasting’s Mom’s garage
Best Place to Buy Music for Listening?
1st Vertical House Records 14%
2nd F.Y.E.
3rd Best Buy
37%
15%
14.5%
Others receiving votes: 50% Off Store, American Pickers, Argosy, Bank St. Antiques, Bella Reese - Hartselle,
Bulldog Antiques, Candlelight Antique Mall, Elkmont AL, Dream Box, Encore Consignments, Goodwill, Hard
Times Thrift Store, Harrison Brothers, ,Interiors by Consign, Limestone Flea Market, Lincoln Center Antiques,
Lowe Avenue Antiques, Madison Station Antiques, Magnolia Mall, Mary’s Antiques & Junk, Mountaintop Antique
Mall/Trinity, My Mother’s Garage, Packard’s, Red Rooster, Tammy Eddy, The Cotton Patch, Trish Land, Tuesday
Morning,,
2nd AB Stephens
3rd Guitar Center 13%
7.5%
Best Day Spa?
1st Terrame 2nd Railroad Station Antiques
3rd Hartlex Antique Mall 12%
11.5%
Others Receiving votes: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CD Exchange, Grimey’s, is there such a place anymore?,
iTunes, Kmart, Limewire, Pegasus Records, Spotify
Others receiving votes: AfterGlow, Ageless Aesthetics, Artisans, Attitudes, Baron’s, Bella Dai, Bella Sorto, Dan
Tera, DanTera II, Deloians, Elite Nails, Embassy Suites ,French Door, Healing Arts Center, Kama, La Belle,
Millideane’s, Nail Studio, Radiant, Royal Spa, Salon 921 ,Sea Bella, Shear Artistry, Spa Botanica, Tallulah’s
Salon, Terra Bacio Salon Spa
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THE VALLEY PLANET
T
his is a tribute to the beautiful, misunderstood pit bull.
Pit bulls are still facing unfair discrimination in
America today. Thanks to both biased media groups and
gossip, we’ve all heard horrific stories that villainize these
snuggly babies. But I’m not here to rehash prejudices and
negativity but rather to share how you can lift the pit bull
up with your pit love!
I came across this picture of Inara on StubbyDog Project
on Facebook. She was the judge’s pick in the StubbyDog
Super Hero Calendar Contest. The caption reads: “This
kiss-a-bull won us over with her special super hero power...
Inara may be deaf, but she can hear with her heart!”
And she looks just like my baby girl Sharky! I have kissed
Sharky all over her sweet lil pit face many times before;
she wears lipstick on her head exactly like Inara! I don’t
care what Sharky’s DNA results reported. That dog is no
Bichon Frise. My little girl is a pit mix—and I’m proud!
Are you a proud pit parent who wants to help better your
pup’s public image? Perhaps you’re not familiar with
positive pit news and would like to read a touching story
that will make you feel awesome about life? Well, allow
me to properly introduce you to some resources for both
your information and entertainment…
Start by opening a browser and typing www.stubbydog.
org. There you’ll discover all kinds of cool stories, like
tales of pit heroes who have risked their lives to save
human lives; pits who lead happy lives with both adults
and children; and pits who serve as therapy dogs, while
others earn kibble sniffing out drugs and bombs.
can also influence how people view pit bulls.
3. Be open to starting a conversation. Hearing the
same stereotype comments every time you say your
dog is a pit bull can get old, but don’t get defensive.
Remember that many people are just repeating things
they’ve heard elsewhere. Educate yourself, and use
these opportunities to help others understand the pit
bull’s plight and true nature.
4. Take your responsibility seriously. Because we are
under additional scrutiny, those of us with pit bull family
members must take on an extra sense of responsibility.
This is especially true in off-leash areas, such as dog
parks. Dog parks can be chaotic, and spats between
dogs are common. Even if a pit bull doesn’t start the
tiff, he may get blamed. Know your dog, and make offleash decisions carefully.
5. Let the world see your love. If your dog has
some special talent, get out there and celebrate your
partnership as you show the world the wonderful things
pit bulls can do…You have the opportunity to help
people rediscover the pit bull.
You’ll wanna follow StubbyDog Project on Facebook,
too. There you’ll find other pit groups that post info about
fundraisers and shelter contests, pics of adoptable pits, Thanks to all of you who meet doggone ignorance
and merchandise like calendars and clothing to celebrate and intolerance with woofin’ proper education and
compassion.
Together we can help give pits the
and show your support.
positive rep they really deserve—one of tender-hearted
Do you share a household with a pit? StubbyDog offers love and bull-headed loyalty!
ways pit families can help change public perception about
pits. Below is a shortened list of suggestions; full article In closing, I’d like to give special thanks to Molly and
Blondie, two sweet pit girls who helped nurse me back
at StubbyDog.org.
to health last year after I was mauled by another dog
1. Cultivate a well-behaved dog. It’s been said a thousand (NOT a Pit Bull). Just hours after I was attacked,
times, but actions really do speak louder than words. The these girls instinctively went right to work healing me
most important thing you can do if you have a pit bull is with their love and affection. And thank you, “Nurse
to train and socialize your companion. When your dog is Sharky,” for always licking my proverbial wounds and
young, take him or her places, let him see new things and generally making me a better dawg!
meet people and pets of all types and ages. Teach your dog
Send ideas and comments to me at writers@
basic obedience.
2. Choose your training style and collar carefully. valleyplanet.com. Thanks for reading and sharing my
Using harsh methods of correction can result in a fearful column with friends! Woof out, puppies!
dog and further negative perceptions about the behavior of
bully breeds…Also, remember that what your dog wears
Simply Tam
by Terri L. French
T
here is nothing simple about Tamecia McDowell,
a.k.a. “Simply Tam.” She is a mother, author, poet,
philanthropist, blogtalk radio host and motivational
speaker. Her magnanimous spirit prompted her to form
the Simply Tam Foundation for Artful Living, LLC, not
only to promote herself as an artist, but to provide her the
means to establish and support other struggling artists.
But the road to “artful living” has not always been a smooth
one. McDowell spent her early years in the Birmingham
projects with her sister and a mother who suffered from
schizophrenia. The sisters were eventually sent to various
foster homes. In some of those homes they experienced
neglect and abuse. Later McDowell attempted suicide,
had relationship problems, divorced and went through
physical and financial difficulties. But through it all, she
prevailed.
At the 2011 National Poetry Awards she was named
“Most Influential Poet of the Year.” Her latest book, a
novella entitled “The Healing Year” was officially release
on January 28. A kick-off book signing for her national
tour will be held February 14 from 5 p m.-7 p.m., at
The Coffee Tree Books and Brew, 7900 Bailey Cove.
Recently I got the opportunity to sit down and chat with
this interesting lady.
She’s who I always wanted to be growing up. I was a
quiet, scared, sad and lonely child. I didn’t like myself
very much. Simply Tam is the opposite of that and she’s
teaching me to find myself more and more every time she
puts herself out there.
Why do you speak of Simply Tam in the third person?
So many people tell me “You don’t know how good you
are.” Until I fully believe that statement I will call Simply
Tam “her.”
Why is she the author of your new book, “The Healing
Year,” rather than Tamecia McDowell?
Simply Tam’s name is on the book because she’s the one
who got me to this point.
Does the book parallel your (or Simply Tam’s) life in
any way?
Well, there are two sides to what a woman goes through
in life. Each of the four sisters in the story has struggles
and strengths, just like Tam McDowell and Simply Tam.
What do you hope the reader gleans from “The Healing
Year?”
I hope they see that there is a point to everything we go
through in life. Life is not random.
What is on the horizon for Simply Tam?
Ok, why “Simply Tam?”
The first time I hit the mic the host gave me that name. She
asked me what my name was and I said “Tam.” She said,
“Simply Tam, that’s it?” The name stuck.
But who is Simply Tam?
THE VALLEY PLANET
Ultimately, I hope to retire to the French Mediterranean
with the love of my life . . . and simply write.
To find out more about The Foundation for Artful Living,
The Healing Year, and the endeavors and adventures of
Tam McDowell and Simply Tam, visit the website
http://www.simplytam.com.
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
25
by Chuck Shepherd
Your Government Knows Best: A 2007 federal energyindependence law required companies that supply motor fuel in the U.S. to blend in a certain cellulose-based
ingredient starting in 2011 -- even though (as the Environmental Protection Agency well knows) the ingredient
simply does not now exist. A New York Times reporter
checked with the EPA in January and found that the
companies will still have to pay the monetary penalties
for noncompliance (and almost certainly the even-stiffer
penalties for 2012, since the ingredient is still two or
three years from development). “It belies logic,” said a
petrochemicals trade association executive.
Cultural Diversity
Two dozen religious leaders in India’s Karnataka state are, as usual, protesting the annual, centuriesold Hindu ritual in which lower-caste people roll around
in food leftovers of upper-caste people. “Hundreds” performed the exercise at temples, according to a January
Times of India report, believing that contact with sophisticates’ food will alleviate pernicious skin conditions.
Far away from Karnataka, in the urban center
of Calcutta, India, engineers are trying to save the historic Howrah Bridge from collapsing due to corrosion from
spit. A half-million pedestrians (aside from the frenzied
vehicle traffic) use the bridge every day and frequently
spit their guthka and paan (half-chewed betel leaf and
areca nut and slaked lime) onto the steel hangers that
hold up the bridge -- thus reducing the hanger bases by
50 percent in just the last three years. (Engineers’ immediate remedies: cover the bases in washable fiberglass
and conduct an education campaign in which “gods”
implore pedestrians to hold their saliva until they’ve
crossed the bridge.)
On Nov. 5, the 220 inhabitants of Coll, an island off the coast of Scotland, endured the first “crime”
that any of the residents could remember. Someone vandalized the public lavatories at a visitors’ facility, doing
the equivalent of about $300 damage. A constable was
summoned from a nearby island to investigate, but seas
were rough, and he had to wait for two days for the ferry
to run. One Coll resident vaguely recalled an incident at
a pub once in which a man threatened to throw a punch
(but didn’t), and another remembered that someone took
whale bones left on a beach by researchers (but later
gave them back). According to a Daily Telegraph report,
the culprit is “still at large.”
Latest Religious Messages
The U.S. Air Force Academy last year installed an $80,000 rock garden/fire pit on its campus for
use by several “Earth-based” religions (pagans, Wiccans,
druids, witches and various Native American faiths). For
the current year, only three of the 4,300 cadets have
identified themselves in that group, but the academy is
sensitive to the issue after a 2005 lawsuit accused administrators and cadets of allowing too-aggressive proselytizing on behalf of Christian religions. For the record, the
26
academy currently has 11 Muslim cadets, 16 Buddhists,
10 Hindus and 43 self-described atheists.
In separate incidents during one week in December in Polk County, Fla., four church pastors were
arrested and charged with sex-related crimes involving
children, including Arnold Mathis, 40, at the time working for the Saint City Power and Praise Ministry in Winter Haven, but who has moved on to the Higher Praise
Ministries in Lake Wales and who was allowed to work
for the church despite a sex-crime rap sheet.
Just two weeks before the January worldwide Internet protest against proposed copyright-protection legislation, the Missionary Church of Kopimism
in Sweden announced that it had been granted official
government status as a religion (one of 22 so recognized), even though its entire reason for being is to celebrate the right to share files of information -- in any
form, but especially on the Internet. Swedish law makes
such religious recognition easy, requiring only “a belief
system with rituals.” The Kopimism website demonizes
“copyright believers” who “derive their power by limiting people’s lives and freedom.”
Milestones in Government Regulation
According to recent consumer-protection
rulings by the European Food Safety Authority, sellers
of prunes are prohibited from marketing them as laxatives, and sellers of bottled water are forbidden to offer
it as preventing dehydration. In both cases, the commissioners referred to the underlying science of the body to
defend their decisions, but the rulings were still widely
derided as anti-common-sense. Members of the European Parliament complained, especially given the current precarious state of the European Union itself. One
parliamentarian challenged an EFSA policymaker to a
prune-eating contest: If it’s not a laxative, he said, let’s
see how many you can eat and not have your “bowel
function” “assisted.”
Oops!
In December in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan, a group of luxury car enthusiasts gathered and
began a caravan to nearby Hiroshima, but one of the
drivers, changing lanes, hit a median barrier and spun
across the highway, resulting in a chain-reaction pileup
involving 14 cars, including eight red Ferraris, a Lamborghini and two Mercedes-Benz. Drivers suffered only
cuts and bruises, but “some” of the vehicles were reported “beyond repair.”
David Dopp of Santaquin, Utah, won a fundraising raffle sponsored by the non-profit organization
“teamgive” in November -- a Lamborghini Murcielago,
valued at about $380,000. He picked up his prize on Dec.
17, but six hours later, he spun out of control, knocked
over several fence posts, and disabled the Murcielago’s
front end.
Chutzpah!
Logan Alexander, 63, a school security guard
in Trenton, N.J., who was fired after pleading guilty in
2007 to twice inappropriately touching students, was
later sued by a third girl for similar behavior but settled
that lawsuit in 2010 by agreeing to pay the girl $12,500.
Recently, according to a December report in the Trenton Times, Alexander filed a lawsuit against the Trenton
Board of Education, demanding that the board pay the
$12,500 to the girl because, after all, Alexander was “on
duty” when he committed the inappropriate touching.
Least Competent Criminals
In Bennington, Vt., in December, Adam
Hall, 34, was accused of vandalizing his ex-girlfriend’s
car, including scratching the word “slut” into the hood
(except that the word was spelled s-u-l-t). Hall initially
denied any involvement until an officer handed him a
sheet of paper and asked him to write the sentence, “You
are a slut.” Sure enough, Hall spelled slut “sult” and was
promptly charged with malicious mischief.
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
The District of Calamity
In November, the Washington Times reported that the Washington, D.C.-area Metro transportation
agency had hired, as a financial consultant, a woman
with multiple convictions for bank fraud and who had
been implicated in one of Washington’s largest heroin
rings. Furthermore, even when the agency learned of her
record, it neither disciplined her nor removed her from
her finance responsibilities. According to the Times,
Metro has other lax management issues. A Maryland
state attorney recently revealed that a Metro employee
had been “storing” 70 unaccounted-for pieces of Metro
property (including computers and televisions) at his
home for years, and following that news, according to
the Times, other employees began sheepishly returning
similar property.
Update: Hon. Marion Barry, 75, former four-term mayor (and one-time famous cocaine user), is now in his
second post-prison term as a Washington, D.C., Council member and announced in January that he will run
for another four years. In December, the Internal Revenue Service filed a new lien on a home Barry owns in
Washington, based on unpaid income taxes from 2010.
Barry is currently making payments out of his council
paycheck for D.C. and federal taxes back to 1999 after
pleading guilty in 2005 to failure to file tax returns at
all for the previous six years. The very next year, 2006,
he failed to file for 2005, and after getting caught then,
he subsequently failed to file for 2007. On the D.C.
Council, Barry is a member of the finance and revenue
committee.
Traditional bridge replacement on as prominent a highway as Interstate 15 in Mesquite, Nev., has generally
required rerouting traffic for as long as a year, but the
new “accelerated” technology in January necessitated
detours for less than a week. Excited engineers traveled in from around the country to watch the old bridge
be demolished and the new one (which had been built
on a platform off to the side) be slid into place using
hydraulic jacks and Teflon-coated metal beams -- lubricated with Dawn dishwashing detergent to glide them
smoothly into the old frame. The Nevada Department
of Transportation estimated that the accelerated process
saved commuters about $12 million in time and fuel
costs.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit!
“(Our critics) are absolutely right. We are
professional liars,” said Everett Davis, founder of
the Internet-based Reference Store, which supplies
pumped-up, but false, resumes for job-seekers having
trouble landing work. Davis and associates are, he told
Houston’s KRIV-TV in November, ex-investigators
schooled in deception and therefore good at fooling human resources personnel who follow up on the bogus
work claims. Davis admitted he would even disguise a
customer’s past criminal record -- but not if the job is in
public safety, health care or schools.
Veterinary technician and food blogger Lauren Hicks recently inaugurated service on what is surely
one of the few food trucks in the country catering exclusively to dogs. She parks her “Sit ‘n Stay Pet Cafe” -- a
retrofitted mail truck -- in downtown Winter Park, Fla.,
on Thursday nights (according to an October Orlando
Sentinel report), serving gourmet organic snacks like
the Poochi Sushi (jerky), “Ruff-in” muffins, and “Muttballs” and “Grrr-avy,” among other specialties.
Western nations and foundations have tried
for decades to build sewage treatment plants in sub-Saharan Africa, with little success (since many countries
lack stable governments to assess operating fees), and
to this day, raw sewage is still merely collected and
dumped, either in rivers or directly onto beaches, such
as the notorious (and formerly beautiful) Lavender Hill
in Ghana. U.S. entrepreneurs recently established Waste
Enterprises in Ghana to build the first-ever fecal-sludgeto-biodiesel plant (funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation). Feces undiluted by water, and then heated,
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
is highly concentrated and more resembles coal than the
goo that Americans associate with sewage.
Cutting-Edge Science
Medical Marvels: The British Medical Journal reported in December that a 76-year-old woman had
been unbothered until recently by the felt-tip pen she accidentally swallowed 25 years earlier. It was removed
without complication, and, though the plastic was flaky,
the pen still had an ink supply and was “usable.”
Twice during 2011, babies with two heads
were born in Brazil. Though the first, in Paraiba state,
died hours after birth, the 9.9-pound “Emanoel” and “Jesus,” born in Para state in December, are apparently otherwise healthy. (The baby has two heads and two spines
but shares one heart, liver, pelvis and pair of lungs.)
Medical Marvels (Canine Edition): The Dogs
Trust in Kenilworth, England, was soliciting potential
homes in December for “Bentley,” a Border Collie whose
monophobia might make it what the Daily Mail calls the
“most cowardly” dog in the country. While frisky around
people, Bentley immediately goes into a frightened sulk
when left alone, cowering from cats, holing up behind a
couch, and constantly biting his nails, even at the sound
of a cat on television. (Bentley was recently outfitted
with special lace-up booties to preserve the nails.)
Ratnagiri, India, businessman Murad Mulla,
48, filed a complaint recently with the Maharashtra
Medical Council after his surgeon used an outdated procedure to cure his urine-retention disorder. Previously,
skin from the scrotum was routinely used for urethral
repair, but current science recommends using skin from
the mouth to avoid the worst-case risk, which Mulla apparently experienced. Specifically, the scrotum contains
both hair-bearing tissue and non-hair-bearing tissue, and
only the latter is usable. Evidently, Mullas’ surgeon used
hair-bearing tissue, and as a result, Mulla’s urethra itches
constantly, and he expels specks of pubic hair with his
urine.
Leading Economic Indicators
Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme cost 16,500
investors a total of as much as $18 billion, according to
the court-appointed trustee, but at least Madoff is not on
death row. In Hangzhou, China, in November, Ji Wenhua and his brother and their father (who were managers
of the Yintai Real Estate and Investment Group) were
sentenced to death after their convictions for cheating
15,000 investors out of the equivalent of $1.1 billion.
Prosecutors said the men had continued to collect money
by claiming profits while losses mounted.
News of the Privileged: Among the high-end
items catching consumers’ fancy last holiday season was
premium firewood, for those who need to burn trees for
reasons beyond merely warming the house. “Pretty white
birch logs” were a best-selling item for Paul’s Fireplace
Wood of Little Falls, Minn., and the owner of J.N. Firewood (Fort Ripley, Minn.) touted its “really cool blue
flame and crackling noises,” according to a December
Wall Street Journal report. (The wood itself goes for well
over $1 a pound, even before adding the substantial shipping cost.)
Poor Anger Management
Janet Knowles, 62, was arrested in January
in Jupiter, Fla., for aggravated assault after allegedly
bludgeoning her housemate, 65, with a hammer as they
watched television. The victim said only that Knowles
was “upset with Judge Judy.”
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
THE VALLEY PLANET
A CLASSIFIED AD WITH THE VALLEY PLANET GETS YOU:
A line ad (up to 30 words) in print in the Valley Planet for one issue
(3 weeks). Internet ads for 3 weeks on The Daily Classifieds.com,
CraigsList, LYCOS Classifieds, Oodle, myspace classifieds, military.com,
Google Base, (Real Estate classifieds will additionally be on Google Maps
Real Estate Listings, Zillow.com, trulia and Rentals will also be on
hotpads.com.) SERVICE INCLUDES DAILY VIEWER REPORTS.
ALL THIS FOR $40. Employment ads, Rentals, Items for Sale, etc…
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.
Two Lighted Open signs for sale. $60 each or
two for $100. Great for bar, restaurant or any
retail store. Call 256 479-9463
Stainless Steel steam pans $5 EACH,various
sizes about 20. Stainless steel cart (like for
bussing tables) $25 EACH. Call 256 479-9463
Send in your random encounters today. It’s FREE!!
We are putting all the categories together since it
seems like there are always more jeers than anything
else!! But just to give you an idea of what the To
Yuno from Yunohoos are about… I Saw you: but you
didn’t catch my name, You saw me or you think you
were seen: Cheers: Pay your respect to those who
deserve it and of course Jeers: Frustrated? Tell us all
about it. Thankfully, we don’t know who you are!
To send in your FREE ad
1. Keep your word limit to 40 words. No names, just
initials if you want.
2. Meet the deadline.
3. Get it to us: Put “To Yuno from Yunohoo” in the
subject line of the email and send to classifieds@
valleyplanet.com.
JRQ- Please play “Baby I’m a Star” at your next show.
BJ
T2 - It was only a matter of time. Dumba*s. Smoking
that stuff’’ll make you hurt yourself, family, friends
and coworkers. U.S.
L. You too sexy for your britches. Take them off.
Little Drummer boy – wink at me again and see what
happens From the blonde with the partyhat!
The Valley Planet Music Exchange is FREE to any individual (not businesses) looking to
buy, sell, trade or find bandmates. You get a headline and 3 lines of text for FREE!
Please call (256) 533-4613 or
email your ads to [email protected].
Drummer wanted-tight, punchy, dynamic,
innovative, for unique rock/jazzblues/trance/
fusion project. Duo with me should expand to
include bass and lead/rhythm people. I play
piano, organ, synth, el/ac gtr, compose, doing
lead or backup including on vocals. Must be
able to play with looped or sequenced stuff
that I add to in real-time. I have killer keys, gtrs,
FX, more. Joe, 831-331-7006 (Cali cellphone #
but I’m here now).
COLLINGS CUSTOM D2HA GUITAR,
$4000.00 call for details 256-364-0106.
GUITARIST seeking interested jazz, classical,
easy listening, and light rock musicians in
northern Alabama and southern Tennessee for
jam sessions.
(931)438-3298 or [email protected]
2001 Custom Grote model Epiphone for
sale. Display guitar, barely used in mint condition $350 firm. Patrick, 256-457-6937.
Musicians to play Open Mic Jam with the
Crawlers on Wednesdays 8 to 12 at Coppertop.
Call 256 759-7571
Southern Gospel Quartet, all parts needed:
singers, bass, tenor, baritone and lead. Instrument players needed also.
Call Billy 256 612-7509 or Wayne 256 603-4650.
WANTED: Drummer and bassist, ideally already tight together (onesinging), for trio w/
keybd/gtr/vocalist. Origs and select covers. Joe
at [email protected]. NOTE: D/B who
contacted me, pls recontact! Lost yr info!
Something different? Rock Opera / Musical
performance piece. Our project needs M &
F singers to complete CD production. If U can
sing & are interested in broadening UR musical
resume, call us. Mike @ 828-342-3117 or Vic @
256-497-4491
Pioneer Speakers: 15 inch woofers, solid wood
cabinets. $150/pair. Call 256-694-3924
For musical experiment of 2 girl/2 guy punk/
thrash/alt band with clean female vox. For
more info contact adam @ 256-431-5130 or
THE VALLEY PLANET
Aye-Damn Jackson on facebook. Should be
open-minded, willing to travel and want to play
music full-time.
B-52 professional PA speakers 300 watts
each, 80 ohms, 40-19 hz, 15 inch woofer and
horn, used very little. made in USA. mfg has
web site, call 256-706-3278
Musicians of all kinds needed for a lady with
a Nashville record deal. Prefer women players
and singers. Men are welcome, too. Located in
Huntsville area. Call 318-491-1995
HORN PLAYERS NEEDED! Local original band
seeking experienced horn players. Reggae, jazz,
soul, blues, rock. 256.361.5524
New Age Folk: Wanting to mix Master P, NIN,
WP, Indigo Girls into 15 yrs of folk originals, accomplished baritone using simple rhythms.
Smokers Only. [email protected]
Seeking a band or person: Experienced banjo/guitar player seeking a band, person or persons to perform with, preferably gigs but just to
jam is good also. I also sing. Contact Tim at 281650-2573 [email protected]
Drummer seeking open-minded musicians
to join OR to start a new project,arrange
originals & play the local scene & beyond.
Musically I’m very open but I’d prefer alt rock/
neo-grunge/post emo on the level of FooFighters, Mutemath, Janes Addiction(great local
band ‘Eyes Around’) all the way to stuff like Tool,
APC, NIN, The Cure, Dido, Tegan & Sara to Portishead. Voyage2Infinity@hotmail or
256-232-7505 Kirk
To the idiot at Decatur Walmart: Look before you back
up! At least then you can see the expression of the
person you have pinned up against their car! Fool.
Judy – Pleazzze Don’t answer the door like that for
anyone but me! JM
HDJ - Making bails doesn't always mean you're making hay.
LGT - That perfume you wear smells like sex should.
You get that s++t from a gypsy or something? Love
potion no. 69.
Maybe there is a reason your
21 to Z-reaux? my. my. my. RTR - LT
BR – say yes! RW
I think Auburn and Alabama fans should make a joint
effort to roll the dead tree at Toomer's Corner with
Harvey Updike.
Cindy, I miss you. Lisa
Tim Tebow didn't get his ribs hurt playing football in
Denver; God took one of them to make him a wife. R
Love is like a rollercoaster with you Baby – but I will
ride forever! TJ
Richie, I still don't miss you. Lisa
SS - You got crabs big enough to fry and make a
sandwich.
Cheers to all the Best of the Valley Winners! You
Rock!
Cheers to the William, Taylor, Wood girls for candle
ear waxing! Is this a new Sunday tradition or just on
Leap Year?
WeNoHoo - In Baseball, three strikes means you are
out. In the lowlife, three strikes means you're in. Yay
More of the Best Reasons to Read the
Valley Planet…from You! Thank you!
Great source for what’s happening in the valley.
From you know to you know who
They don’t tell LIES
Happenings in the area
Has a wonderful variety of articles and authors-a little of
everything!
Horoscope & local events
Great place to see what’s up in Huntsville.
Cool stuff!
I love Party of One
It has its finger on the true pulse of the arts and crafts of
our city!
It Rocks
Let’s u know entertainment that goes on everyday in
Huntsville!
Live Music Calendar
Most comprehensive publication of things to do in
Huntsville and surrounding area
Grassroots
Most diversity
Most entertaining and informative piece of news/events
Guitar Player Wanted to accompany a local
singer/songwriter who plans to focus on spiritual but NOT religious music. Would like to start
working on building up repertoire and eventually publish and hopefully tour Unitarian Universalist churches. Must be willing to follow my
lead yet add new ideas or possibly collaborate
in writing. Must enjoy playing inspiring and
hopeful, liberal, spiritual music. Please contact
Vanessa at 256-585-0260 or email me at [email protected].
#020112022312
You disappeared after you bought me the yager…wish
you hadn’t! Come back Friday…CH
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
Unchained Maladies
Jill
News of the weird
Nightly events
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You may get to see a picture of yourself.
You will always learn something.
Super info
Pulse of Huntsville
Music Calendar
Its cool!
It’s free!
It’s good
Current trends and information
Cutting edge information
Articles on local musicians
Articles
All the entertainment in one place
To see what’s going on locally
Munch is a sweet friendly 17 week old
kitten who needs a home. She is a gray
tabby with light brown eyes - and such
a sweetheart! She has been spayed
and has had her rabies shot. Litter box
trained. If you are interested call 256
479-9463 - $25 donation to local non
profit animal appreciated.
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
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“I’m a member!
and I got a great rate
on my auto loan”*
You’ll love the great rates and service on our loans,
as well as a host of other products, including GAP
coverage.** GAP covers the difference between the
vehicle’s value and the amount you still owe. And
when you have a checking account, you are eligible
for even better rates with Redstone MemberPlus!†
Ask about it today!
* Must be RFCU member to obtain loan; all loans subject to credit approval; restrictions apply; contact us for
more information. This Credit Union is Federally Insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
** For a complete list of benefits and rules, see the GAP Waiver Election Form. The purchase of GAP is voluntary
and cannot be required as a condition of loan approval. GAP is a loan/lease deficiency waiver and is not
offered as insurance coverage. Applies only to collateral financed by Redstone Federal Credit Union. A fee
applies, please contact RFCU for more information.
† Must have checking account to be eligible for Redstone MemberPlus! Restrictions apply.
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2
THE VALLEY PLANET