117 - Valley Planet

Transcription

117 - Valley Planet

VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3
READ THE PLANET, IT’S FREE
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(256) 533 • 4613
FEBRUARY 18, 2010 - MARCH 10, 2010
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Feb.26
The “Green” Issue
IN THIS ISSUE:
IN THIS ISSUE:
Appalachian Witches
Best of the Valley Reader’s Poll Results!
Results
Healthy Habits
The Zac Brown Band
The Way I See It
Shacking Up
The Jazz Lounge
Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant
Mental Health, Tolerance and
Addiction
Get Lost: Man vs. Wild
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March 19 - April 8, 2009
The “Geek” Issue
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April 30 - May 20, 2009
The Naked Vine
Get Lost
Mardi Gras
Northern Exposure: Tommy’s Pizza
Scouring the Valley with Runcible
Spoon: Taziki’s Greek Fare
Swimming with the “Fishes”
Live Music, Theatre, Arts, Concerts, Books, Movies, Symphony,
Karaoke, Festivals, Sports, Dance and Everything to do in the
Tennessee Valley!! And It’s FREE!!!!
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7
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May 21 - June 10, 2009
IN THIS ISSUE:
IN THIS ISSUE:
IN THIS ISSUE:
Recycle This! The Jazz Lounge The Invisible City
Little Green Store - All About Green Interview with Olivia Newton-John
Cottoning on to Downtown’s Newest Eatery: Cotton Row
For the Old-School Geeks Calling All Makers News of the Weird
Homeless Woman - Making the World Greener Willie King - The Blues
The Jazz Lounge Huntsville Art Scene Survivor’s Club
To Yuno From Yunohoo: The Completely Anonymous Personals
Panoply Arts Festival Indie Film to Debut Here Chicken & Egg Festival
Chronicles of a Stage 5 Clinger Live Music Calendar Party of One
IN THIS ISSUE:
WhistleStop Festival Huntsville’s First Beer Fest To Yuno From Yunohoo
Get Lost The Jazz Lounge Party of One Bluebird Café Songwriters
News of the Weird Calendar of Events/Live Music
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VOLUME 7, ISSUE 8
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June 11 - July 1, 2009
IN THIS ISSUE:
Music for Meds Keep On Trekkin’ The Invisible City Macbeth
To Yuno from Yunohoo The Jazz Lounge Huntsville’s Art Scene
Party of One News of the Weird Unchained Maladies
Tennessee Valley’s Biggest & Best Live Music & Events Calendar
IN THIS ISSUE:
Market Square Free At Last The Mountain, The Valley, & The Space Between
Hooters: More Than a Mouthful Super NumNums Found in Huntsville
Tipping in Tough Times The Jazz Lounge Unchained Maladies
Jazz-N-June The Biggest and Best Music Calendar in the Valley
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 15
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25 2009
November 5 - 25,
2009
IN THIS
ISSUE:
Mad Tea Party
The Jazz Lounge
Christmas Belles
True BS
Auntie Jen’s Animal
Crazy
News of the Weird
The Most Awesome
Calendar in the
Tennessee Valley
IN THIS ISSUE:
The Final Results Are In For
The Valley Planet’s Best Of The Valley’s Readers’ Poll
Best Place for a Beer?
1st The Nook
2nd Kaffeeklatsch
3rd
Best Bar Overall?
1st KaffeeKlatsch
2nd The Nook
3rd Lee Ann’s
2nd Lee Ann’s
3rd Voodoo Lounge 10%
7%
6.5%
10%
6%
5%
Others Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, 53 Sports Bar and Grill, 801 Franklin, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s,
Bandito Southside, Barnstormers, Benchwarmer, Black Water Hattie’s, Bonefish, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bumper’s,
Cafe 113, Cantina Laredo, CD’S Bar and Grille, Chicken Shack, Chips and Salsa, Club Ozz, Coppertop, Crossroads, Dolce, End Zone, Finnegan’s, Flying Monkey, Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Halftime Bar and Grill, Hard
Dock, Hog Wild, Hooters, Hooters, Hoppers, Humphreys, Lisa’s Lounge, Mason’s, Matrix, Mellow Mushroom,
Mezza Luna, Mickey’s, Monaco, Mooresville Bar & Grill, Olivia’s, Partners, Pauli’s Bar & Grill, Phil Sandoval’s, Phuket, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s Chris, Sammy T’s, Snickers, Sports Page, Sports Vision, Stem & Stein,Surin of
Thailand/Huntsville, TGI Fridays, The Brick, The Horse, The Nook, The Scene Lounge, The Station, The Thirsty
Turtle, TK’s Bar and Grill, Tommy’s Pizza, Vinotini’s, West End Grill, Whiskeys, Wings
Best Patio?
1st Tie: Lee Ann’s and Humphrey’s 12%
2nd 801 Franklin
3rd KaffeeKlatsch
8%
5%
Other Receiving Votes: Bandito Burrito/Governors, Bandito Burrito/Madison, Bison’s, Black Water Hattie’s,
Cantina Laredo, Casa Blanca, Chef’s Table, Club Ozz, Connors, Cotton Row, Crossroads, D and L Bistro, Dolce,
Elks Lodge, Finnegan’s, Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Hard Dock, Hooters, Jamo’s, Jason’s Deli, Ledges, Lisa’s
Lounge, Main Street Cafe, Maria Bonita Grill, Market Street Café, Mason’s, Melting Pot, Mezza Luna, Olde
Towne Coffee Shoppe, Pane e Vino, Partners, Pauli’s/Vinotini’s, PF Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phuket, Rosie’s,
Sage Grille, Sports Vision, Surin of Thailand/Madison,TGI Fridays, The Creek, The Daily Brew, The Docks, The
Horse, The Scene, The Station, The Station No.2 @ Bridgestreet, Tim’s Cajun Kitchen, Tommy’s Pizza, Tony
Mason’s, Tony’s Little Italy, West End Grill, Wing’s
Best Bar opened in 2008-9?
1st The Station no.2 14%
2nd Bandito Southside
3rd Club Rush
13.2%
11%
Others Receiving Votes: Cafe 113 ( reopened after remodeled),Cheddars, El Mariachi, Finnegan’s, Fulin’s,
Highway 53 Bar and Grill, Lounge at the Westin, Matrix, Mellow Mushroom, Melting Pot, Mickey’s, Sports
Vision, TK’s, Whiskey’s
Best Bartender?
1st Thomas Yack/ 801 Franklin 10%
2nd Tess Grella-Stockton/Bandito Southside
3rd Kevin Wesley/Ruggby’s
9%
7%
Others Receiving Votes: Alissa Meade/801 Franklin, Amanda Enfinger/Mellow Mushroom, Anson Helton, Beth
Boswell/Crossroads, Beth Strouth/ Rosie’s, Beverly Dufour/The Nook, Billy Shostrom/Pauli’s Bar and Grill,
BJ/Crossroads, BreAnne Winkler/Grille29, Brian/West End Grill, Brie Patrick/Grille 29, Brisco/The Horse,
Bruce Townsend/Finnegan’s Pub, Carlos/Holiday Inn downtown, Caroline Crunk/Bonefish Grill, Chef Matt
Martin/Pauli’s Bar and Grill, Chris Copeland/Ruggby’s, Chris/TK’s, Chuck/Humphreys, Cindy/Showcase, Cliff
Kerry/The Nook, Damon Eubanks/The Nook, Dan Thompson/Cafe 113 ,Dianne//Sports Page, George/Chophouse, Gina Groce/Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Gina Madison / Humphreys, Heather Scheik/Blackwater Hattie’s,
Jaime Brothers/Ozz, Jason Gulata/The Scene Lounge, Jeff English/KaffeeKlatsch, Jen Martin-English/Vinotini’s
and KaffeeKlatsch, Jen/3rd Base, Jennifer Arbona/Carson’s and Voodoo, Joe/Crossroads, Joey Hicks/801
Franklin, Jonathan Simmons/The Horse, Julie Dziedzic/Finnegan’s Pub, Kari/Whiskey’s, Kate Barnes/Furniture
Factory, Kyle/ Pauli’s and Vinotini’s, LeeAnn/LeeAnn’s, Lindsey Rodgers/Voodoo Lounge, Lonnie/Ruggby’s,
Lucy Allen/Partners, Matt Boden/Bishops Southside, Matt Todd/Crossroads, Meredith Campbell/Voodoo
Lounge, Michelle Nielson/ PF Chang’s/Partners, Mike Yoblonski/Macaroni Grill, My wife, Neeley Kelly/Masons, Nichole/Kaffeeklatsch, Nick/Rosie’s, Phillip Dougherty, Rico/Vinotini’s, Rosa/Jimmy’s, Ryan McGowan/
Scene Lounge, Santosh/Surin’s of Thailand, Stacey Bryant/Masons, Stephanie Clutts/Club Ozz, “Stephanie
Smith, “”Stitch”””,Steve Caron/Hoppers, The Chophouse/Britt, Tim Hastings/Mason’s Pub, Tim/Leeann’s, Tony
Busch/The Station No 2, Tracy Wright/Phil Sandoval’s
2
11%
Tie: Mason’s Pub & Bandito Burrito Governors & Ruggby’s 4%
Others Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill,801 Franklin, American Café, Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito/Madison,
Bandito Burrito/Southside, Beauregard’s, Benchwarmer, Big Ed’s, Bishops, Blackwater Hattie’s, Bonefish, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cafe 113,Cantina Laredo, Casa Blanca, Chili’s, Chophouse, Club Ozz, Coppertop, Crossroads,
Diamonds, El Coyote, Elk’s Lodge, End Zone, Finnegan’s, Foxxtails, Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Halftime Bar
and Grill, Hard Dock, Hooters, Hoppers, Humphreys, La Almeda, LeeAnn’s, Lisa’s Lounge, Market Street Café,
Mellow Mushroom, Mezza Luna, Mooresville Bar & Grill, Olde Towne Brewery, Olivia’s, Partners, Pauli’s Bar
and Grill, Phil Sandoval’s, Po Boy Factory, Rosie’s, Schnitzel Ranch, Sports Page, Stem and Stein, Steve’s, Surin
of Thailand/Madison, TGI Fridays, Thai Garden, The Brick, The Station, Thirsty Turtle, Tim’s Cajun Kitchen,
TK’s, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, West End Grill, Whiskey’s, Windmill Beverages Madison, Wings
Others Receiving Votes: 3rd Base, 53 Sports Bar and Grill, 801 Franklin, Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito/Governors, BanditoBurrito/Madison, BanditoSouthside, Benchwarmer, Bishop’s, Blackwater Hattie’s, Bonefish,
Buffalo Wild Wings, Cafe 113, Cantina Laredo, Casablanca, CD’S Bar and Grille, Chasers, Chicken Shack,
Chips and Salsa, Chophouse, Club Ozz,VieuxCarre, Connors, Coppertop, Crossroads, End Zone, Finnegan’s,
Furniture Factory, Grille 29,Hard Dock, Hooter’s, Hoppers, Humphrey’s, Lisa’s Lounge, Logan’s, Maria Bonita
Grill,Mason’s Pub, Mellow Mushroom, Mezza Luna, Moondog’s, Mooresville Bar & Grill, Olde Towne Coffee
Shoppe, Olivia’s, Partners, Pauli’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phuket,Rosie’s, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s Chris, Sammy T’s, Shooters, Sports Page, Stem & Stein, Surin of Thailand/Huntsville, TGI Fridays, Thai Garden, The Brick, The Scene
Lounge, The Station, Thirsty Turtle, Tim’s Cajun Kitchen, Tommy’s Pizza/Bridge Street, Vinotini’s, Voodoo
Lounge, West End Grille, Whiskey’s, Wildflour Bistro, Wings
Coolest Bar?
1st KaffeeKlatsch
14%
Best Margarita?
1st Rosie’s 12%
2nd Cantina Laredo
3rd Casa Blanca
10%
9.5%
Others Receiving Votes: 3rd Base,801 Franklin, Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, Bandito Burrito/
Madison, Bandito Burrito/Southside, Black Water Hattie’s, Bonefish, Casa Mexicana, Cazadores, Chili’s, Chips
& Salsa, Club Ozz, Crossroads, El Camino Real ,El Coyote, El Mariachi, El Omeca, El Palacio, Eldorado, Furniture Factory, Grille 29,Guadalahara,Halftime Bar & Grill, Home, Humphrey’s, Kaffeeklatsch, La Almeda, La
Hacienda, La Michoacana, LeeAnn’s, Logan’s, Macaroni Grill, Maria Bonita, Mexican Lindo, Mezza Luna, Mi
Hacienda/Decatur, Monaco Pictures(Prive),Olive Garden, Outback, Partners, Pauli’s Bar and Grill, Pepito’s, Phil
Sandoval’s, Ruggby’s, Steve’s Lounge, Surin of Thailand/Huntsville, TGI Fridays, The Brick, The Nook, The
Scene/Monaco, The Station, Tommy’s Pizza, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, West End Grill, Whiskey’s
Best Place for a shot?
1st Kaffeeklatsch 11%
2nd Voodoo Lounge
3rd Humphrey’s Bar and Grill
7%
6%
Others Receiving Votes: 801 Franklin, American Legion ,Bandito Burrito /Governor’s, Bandito Burrito/
Madison, Bandito Southside, Benchwarmer, Bishop’s, Blackwater Hattie’s, Boondock’s, Buffalo Wild Wings,
Bumpers, Cafe 112, Cantina Laredo, Cat and Mouse, cazadores, CD’s Pub and Grill, Charlotte’s, Chasers, Chips
& Salsa, Chophouse, Club Ozz, Connors Steak and Seafood, Coppertop, Crossroads, D & L Bistro, Elk’s Lodge,
End Zone, Finnegan’s, Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Halftime Bar and Grill, Hard Dock, Hog Wild, Hoppers,
LaHacienda, Larry’s Pistol and Pawn, LeeAnn’s, Mason’s, Matrix, Mellow Mushroom, Monaco Pictures (Prive),
MoonDogs, Mooresville Bar & Grill, Olivia’s, Partners, Pauli’s Bar and Grill, Phuket, Rosie’s, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s
Chris, Sammy T’s, Sports Page, Surin of Thailand/Madison, TGI Fridays, The Brick, The Horse, The Nook, The
Scene, The Station, Third Base, Thirsty Turtle, Vinotini’s, West End Grill, Whiskey’s, Wings
Best Place for a glass of wine?
1st 801 Franklin 17%
2nd Pauli’s Bar and Grill
3rd Chophouse
14%
5%
Others Receiving Votes: Albany Bistro, American Legion Post 236, Bandito Southside, Bishop’s, Bonefish,
Buffalo Wild Wings, Cafe 113, Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Club Ozz, Connors, Cotton Row, Crossroads, D &
L Bistro, Dolce, Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Hoppers, Humphreys, KaffeeKlatsch, LeeAnn’s, Lisa’s Lounge,
Macaroni Grill, Maria Bonita, Mezza Luna, Olive Garden, Partners, PF Chang’s, Phuket, Ruggby’s, Ruth’s
Chris, Sam and Greg’s, Schnitzel Ranch, Simp McGhees, Stem and Stein, Surin of Thailand/Huntsville, TGI
Fridays, The Daily Brew, The Nook, The Scene, The Station, The Stem & Stein, Tommy’s Pizza, Tony’s Little
Italy, Vertical House, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Wine Cellar
Best Place for a Martini?
1st 801 Franklin
2nd Pauli’s Bar and Grill 3rd Tie: Phuket and Surin of Thailand H’ville
12%
9%
7.5%
Others Receiving Votes: Applebee’s,Bandito Southside,Bishops,Bonefish,Cafe 113,Cantina Laredo,Carrabba’
s,Chophouse,Club Ozz,Connor’s Steak and Seafood,Coppertop,Crossroads,Dolce,Finnegans,Focus Martini Bar
and Grill,Furniture Factory,Grille 29,Happy Tummy,Heritage Club,Humphreys,Kaffeeklatsch,LeeAnn’s,Lisa’s
Lounge,Marriott,Mezza Luna,Monaco,Pane e Vino,Partners,PF Chang’s,Phil Sandoval’s,Port of Madison,Ruby
Tuesdays,Ruggby’s,Ruth’s Chris,Simp McGhees,Surin of Thailand/Madison,The Angus Steak House,The
Creek,The Nook,The Scene,The Station,Vinotini’s,Voodoo Lounge
Best Neighborhood Bar?
1st The Nook
7%
2nd Vinotini
6%
3rd Tie: Bandito Southside and Kaffeeklatsch 4.5%
Others Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, 53 Sports Bar and Grill, 801 Franklin, Angus Steakhouse,
Applebee’s,Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, Bandito Burrito/Madison, Benchwarmer, Bishops,Blackwater Hattie’s,
Bob Baumhower’s Wings, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bumpers, Cafe 113, Casa Blanca, CD’s, Chili’s, Chips and Salsa,
Chophouse, Club Ozz, Coppertop, Crossroads, Dolce, El Omeca, Elks Lodge, Finnegans, Furniture Factory,
Grille 29, Halftime Bar and Grill, Hard Dock, Hardees parking lot, Hooters, Hoppers, Humphreys, La Alameda,
LeeAnn’s, Lisa’s Lounge, Mason’s, Mellow Mushroom, Mezza Luna, Moondog’s, Mooresville Bar & Grill,
Olivia’s, Partners, Pauli’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phuket, Ruggby’s, Sammy T’s, Sports Page, Stem & Stein, Steve’s
Lounge, TGI Fridays, The Brick, The End Zone, The Green Room, The Station, Thirsty Turtle, Tip Top Cafe,
Voodoo Lounge,West End Grill
#021810031010
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
THE VALLEY PLANET
In The Planet
FEBRUARY 18, 2010 - MARCH 10, 2010
NEXT ISSUE MARCH 11, 2010
203 Grove Ave., Huntsville Al, 35801, phone 256.533-4613
THE VALLEY PLANET
Publisher
Jill Wood
Calendar
Joanie Williams
Lay-Out
Douglas A. Lange
Contributors
Allison Gregg
Auntie Jen
Ricky Thomason
Tim Benton
Tina Leach
Aaron Hurd
Jackie Anderson
Bonnie Roberts
David Daniels
Terri French
Jim Zieliñski
Terri Schlichmeyer
Elaine Nelson
Shawn Bailey
Michelle Hilbert
Congrats to
Circus Ticket
Winners!!
Nichole Jarvis
Meridith Sledd
Tommy Hill
Kalehua Lee
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
#021810031010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
Best of the Valley Results
3 Letter From the Publisher
4
Party of One, Allison Gregg
4
The Way I See It, David Daniels
5
Zee’s Rocket City Beat, Jim Zielinski
5
True BS, Tim Benton
6
Unchained Maladies, Ricky Thomason
6
Communi-date, Aaron Hurd
7
Gritzfest II
8
9
Jazz Lounge, Jackie Anderson
10 Best of the Valley Results
11
12 Dirty Words, Terri French
12
As Time Goes By (book review)
13 Music Calender Begins
14 Music Calender Continues
15 More Music Calendar
16
Regional Concert Calendar
16
Events Calender Begins
17
Events Calendar Continutes
17 What Then Must We Do?, Bonnie Roberts
18
More Events Calendar
18
Dear Blue Love Diaries
19
Free Will Astrology
19
Animal Lover, Auntie Jen
20-23Best of the Valley Results
ReLit, Ricky Thomason
24
24
Naked Vine
25 News of the Weird, Chuck Sheperd
26
Restaurant Listings
27
To Yuno From Yunohoo
27
Classifieds
LETTER FROM THE
PUBLISHER
Valley Planet Readers…your thousands of votes
have been tallied and we are pleased to announce
the winners of our 7th Annual Best of the Valley
Readers’ Poll! Congratulations to all of the
Winners who have worked hard all year long to
earn your votes! We appreciate what it takes to be
the “Best”. And, we do have a few surprises…
A lot of you have emailed angrily in about “all
of the other media copying” the VP with the Best
of the Valley poll and I really do appreciate your
concern. After 7 straight years of having our
poll and with seeing the success and popularity
of it throughout Alabama, you can’t really blame
others for wanting to have a poll of their own.
So just keep voting and reading and know that
you are the ones who make this poll what it is
and I thank each of you for voting in the Valley
Planet’s Best of the Valley Readers’ Poll! Your
poll! Make sure to congratulate all of our VP
winners – let them know you read the Valley
Planet and that our poll ROCKS! Enjoy!
Jill E. Wood
Keller Williams is performing Friday, February 19th at
Crossroads in Huntsville in support of his new album Odd.
Best Publication in the Valley?
1st The Valley Planet 94%
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Be Here for as Little as $57
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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
3
Could-Have-Been
I
was on the phone when the sirens started blaring. I
glanced outside and noticed the orange hue to the air.
I kept the phone conversation going, recapping the
day’s events with my boss. When I mentioned the sirens, she asked where the storm was. I turned on the TV.
“Right downtown.”
Our conversation ended. I began to take out the trash
when I heard a howling whistle. The first thought in my
head questioned who would be flying a remote-control
airplane. As my eyes searched for the plane, I saw debris
swirling above. It wasn’t a plane, it was siding. As the
trash bag hit the floor, the electricity flashed before the telltale snap of power lines quieted the television. Using
their collars, I pulled the dogs into my arms and rushed my family into the bathtub. I squatted on top of them waiting for the whistling to stop. I reassured them this was normal – a lot of moms sit on their dogs when the world is
coming to an end. Their furry faces looked bewildered as I whispered. Once the world quieted, I made my way
outside to see shingles littering my yard and neighbors gathering.
You see, even though you don’t know it, there are things
in place in your life keeping you safe from what couldhave-been. Be thankful for them when you see them.
Hours later I was on the phone with my brother, the voice of reason. “You’re okay. The dogs are okay. The house
is okay. Go to bed.” Don’t let the fear of what-could-have-been stop you for being thankful for God’s grace.
Nearly two weeks later I find myself saying the same thing. It was early this morning when I was awoken by incessant barking coming from my 12-pound schnauzer, Poncho. Jake Ryan, his older, larger brother growled. Foreign
noises came from the other side of the house. I wasn’t scared. I was tired. Giving in to sleep, I tried to turn over
to go back to sleep, but couldn’t move. Hours later I made my way to the kitchen to find all the back doors open.
Before going to bed I had shut them tight, as I do every night. As I recounted the details to a friend, I realized
what had happened. I survived a would-be break-in attempt. Doors don’t open themselves. Sleeping dogs, mine
especially, don’t rouse in the middle of the night without cause.
Later on, I created my own security system, but was still sick with energy. I hit the treadmill to run off the fear of
what-could-have-been. I ran and cried. I ran and sang. I ran until there was no fear left.
I rushed home, scooping up Poncho, thanking him. He came into my life three years ago, a spur of the moment
decision. I always thought I saved him, but last night he did the saving. Further protection came from Judy, the
ghost of my home’s previous owner. Her energy kept me paralyzed. My guardian angel and guard dogs teamed
up keeping me safe in bed. Had I been able to investigate I may not be here to tell you this story.
But that’s not the point of today’s column. Poncho is curled up next to me as I type and cry. I am humbled by his
efforts to keep me safe. I am appreciative of my ghost. My tears aren’t tears of fear, they’re tears of joy. God’s
plan for me isn’t to be a victim of Mother Nature or midnight thieves. His plan is to keep me safe, because I’ve
yet to finish all I was chosen to do.
The Way I See It
By David Daniels
Album: Rebirth | Artist: Lil Wayne
fter a series of release date shifts, rapper Lil
Wayne drops his anticipated follow-up to
2008’s Tha Carter III. We figured the album
would surprise us. It did, but not in a good way.
A
The album cover for Rebirth depicts Wayne with a guitar in his lap. If you’re a fan then you may have known
this was coming; for everyone else it’s a warning. This
is Lil Wayne’s attempt at a rap-rock record. Genrebending is always a challenge, but maybe he’s got what
it takes to pull it off? ... Naaaah.
To be clear, I’ve got nothing against rap-rock crossovers. Jay-Z and Linkin Park’s 2004 Collision Course
was pretty good. This ain’t that.
There are times when Rebirth works alright. “Ground
Zero” is a particularly solid track with strong production, and “Paradice” is an enjoyable listen in spite of
itself. Most of the time, however, Rebirth comes off as
a kind of Frankenstein’s monster -- a gruesome combination of tired autotune, absurd riffs, stifled beats, and
off-putting rhymes.
The production seems fairly tight, but the conceptual
foundations are so flawed that even the well-crafted
tracks fail. There’s a distinct oil and water feel to the
proceedings. The disparate musical elements here just
don’t sound good together.
Tornado Over Fiv Points
Be even more thankful if you never meet. Hug your
dogs, honor your ghosts. Never let those thank-yous
be could-have beens. Make them a reality. They’ll pay
you back ten-fold, even if you don’t know it.
“The Price Is Wrong,” which sees Wayne doing some sort of MXPX impersonation, is the strangest of all.
The most disappointing thing about Rebirth is that Lil Wayne is capable of delivering something so much better. Why he chose to go the rock route is beyond us. I’m just hoping Tha Carter IV will come along and erase all
memories of this misguided career diversion. The Way I See it, Lil Wayne’s star power may have diminished a bit
in this effort to gain a new demographic. I suggest he stick to hip-hop.
Album: Malice In Wonderland | Artist: Snoop Dogg
While the beats are still chill and the rhymes are entertaining, there’s something missing on Snoop Dogg’s latest
record, “Malice In Wonderland”-- his tenth studio effort. The unique G-funk sound and familiar West Coast vibe
that Snoop has cultivated for the better part of two decades are all but gone. Also largely absent are the clever personal anecdotes and gangsta-spun narratives that the West Coast rapper was once known for, in favor of as much
popcorn as a tub of Orville Redenbacher. It’s not, however, without creative merit.
The clubs, where Malice will likely get the most play, will love this record. You can bet that “I Wanna Rock,”
which samples Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s old school hit “It Takes Two” and twists it into a modern hip-hop
anthem -- tailored especially for the prominent L.A. dance style, jerkin’ -- will be in heavy rotation.
And while the Dirty South sound of “That’s Tha Homie” may have some dee-oh-double-gee devotees scratching
their heads, clubgoers won’t hesitate to shake their asses to this banger.
There’s plenty of fun to be had with Malice, but it will do little to inform longtime Snoop devotees of anything new.
And while there are a few moments which hint at the rapper’s humanity -- Snoop waxes poetic about his spouse
on “Different Languages” -- he mostly comes off like a cartoon. And that’s clearly the intention -- in the run-up to
release Snoop’s been talking a lot in the press about how the record casts him in the role of “supergangster.” But
that doesn’t necessarily mean what we expected it to mean.
Shades of G-funk finally emerge on “Secrets” -- props to producer Battlecat -- featuring rapper-singer Kokane
who reshapes the main lyrics from The Romantics’ “Talking in Your Sleep” into a thinly veiled threat of gangsta
retribution. That we can get down with. But for every “Secrets” there’s a “Gangsta Luv,” a silly auto-tuned ditty
that features The-Dream on the lightweight chorus.
While decidedly uneven, Malice N Wonderland is still a tight effort. Just don’t look too deeply for significance,
insight, or musical innovation. If you know what you’re getting into, you may have fun with it.
The biggest problem with Rebirth, however, is its lyrically weak center. Wayne shows almost none of the
chops he’s displayed on prior recordings. It’s as if the
rock backdrop somehow exposes every songwriting
flaw and lays it bare.
“One Way Trip” features Kevin Rudolf, whom Wayne
successfully collaborated with on “Let It Rock.” This
time, however, the result is a mess of stupid rhymes and
over the top refrains. It’s a cheesefest.
Eminem makes a cursory appearance on “Drop the
World.” But the song’s hyper-inflated lyrical rage (“I
pick up the world and drop it on your f****** head)
just comes off as artificial.
Guest vocalist Nicki Minaj brings an odd Disney-like
warmth to the proceedings on “Knockout.” It’s in
strange contrast to the album’s mostly explicit content.
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THE VALLEY PLANET
TRUE BS
H
by Tim Benton
by Jim Zieliñski
I
n this bEAT, we shall alter our focus a bit. Yes, we
remain ever on the alert for foodstuffs, but today
we view in retrospect rather than crosshairs. Why?
Because a recent experience in the esculent was so out
of the ordinary, it demands to be shared…and beloved
readers, you need be made aware—this is a yearly
event and you are hereby compelled to wait with bated
breath for its return twelve months hence.
I refer to the 4th Annual Wild Game Cookout at the
Redstone Officers and Civilians’ Club (ROCC), to
which I recently trekked mit Daddio and Mama-san.
(Many of you doubtless remember the location as just
the officers’ club—in fact, as “Major General Groucho
Marx,” I was amongst the entertainers at its official
kickoff cabaret back in the mid-80’s—well, it’s greatly
expanded its outreach. Some of our more senior readers may remember the earlier location, as well. ‘Twas
about a block away, on Squirrel Hill.)
Speaking of squirrels, back to the feral feast. And not a
moment too soon, for after it enabled me to finally settle that age-old debate that’s plunged nations headlong
into war and hubbies wallet-first into alimony—yes,
python is truly more tender than yak.
**Cook’s Note: Then again, it depends heavily on
which yak bits you’re incising at any given moment;
as my great-great-grandmother Vinie Jane Warden used
to intone, “Always slow-cook your hirsute Tibetan ungulates, hon.” Then she’d add something that sounded
vaguely similar to “Amn ankees” and commence ashootin.’
This indoor cookout is just one of many events headed up by the arsenal’s Directorate of Family Morale,
Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) (www.redstonemwr.
com). Yep, that same gang that puts together the base’s
very popular Oktoberfest. RSA increasingly sees itself
less as the independent city it used to be viewed as and
more as part of our community “whole,” which is great
news! With options like this, they collectively put their
best feet forward…even if, in many cases, they come in
fours and are hoofed.
Not surprisingly, this savory safari entrapped outdoorsmen, lovers of the exotic, epicures, and the adventurous, alike. Where else can one drift betwixt servings
of chili teeming with pheasant and alligator to platters
of barbecued boar and herds of venison burgers? How
oft are you offered the op to compare the blessings of
luscious rabbit stew vis-à-vis succulent tenderloins of
Amazonian crocodile? When have you ever been given a home where the deer and the antelope filet? It’s a
new vista in victuals!
As such, it recalls a time, many, many moons ago,
when the fairly fastidious Steve Ponder (Pendragon, et
al.) and I debated the merits of sushi with an insidious
local subhuman. Riposted said hag, “I could NEVER
eat octopus.” To which I could merely reply, “Sometimes, it’s your only defense.”
The selections are endless and thus the choices could
be difficult. But why wax wroth over the question…
just eat it ALL! Hopefully next year you, too, will
be able to sit back and chill as our buddy from Cumulus, Aaron Hurd, holds another wolf howl contest
(yep, WOLF 93.3 is one of their stations). Then take
time in-between chews to visit the local herp hobbyist,
William Cruger, who we trust will once again display
his mini-menagerie of serpents both docile and vociferous as circulating employees offer delicious duck
poppers—we downtown denizens know them better as
“Big Springers”—and Chik-fil-A reps hand out certificates for complimentary sammies.
E has Spoken. And so it came to pass, that on the seventh day of the second month, Valley Planet did come
to interview a holy man, known to the faithful as Roy of the Moore clan, from the village of Enoch in the
land of Nod, from which he cometh forth, seeking to serve the people as governor of the blessed state of
Alabama, a land bequeathed unto the Earth by the Highest Power, and known to its people as “God’s Country.”
VP: Judge, thank you for your time today.
Moore: I’m always proud to spread the truth.
VP: You’re running for governor again, even though in the last election Alabama voters rejected you by a margin
of nearly two-to-one. Why do you think you can be elected now?
Moore: Because I believe in redemption. The people of Alabama were blinded by the untruths of a liberal, socialist, heathen, godless media using the tools of pagan sorcery. But I have forgiven the people, and I offer myself unto
them again, for they shall be deceived nevermore.
VP: How did your faith become so central to your political beliefs?
Moore: After graduating from the United States Military Academy, I was enlightened while fighting the godless
communists of Vietnam.
VP: Do you refer to your time as a Military Police commander, when you were so strict about
regulations that the soldiers called you “Captain America”?
Moore: They called me that out of patriotism, respect, and affection.
VP: That sounds somewhat revisionist. Your autobiography says you were so afraid of being
“fragged” by your own men that you slept on sandbags to avoid having a grenade tossed under your cot.
Moore: Soldiers are sometimes misguided by the crucible of war.
VP: Perhaps they thought they could end their own crucible by killing you.
Moore: Satan works in mysterious ways, and yet, by Providence, I endure.
VP: Let’s talk about your stand on the issues.
256-880-6464
Moore: I stand with the Lord and the rock of the Ten Commandments.
VP: We know about your rock, Judge. It got you booted out of office.
Moore: The Judicial Court that judged me chose a path of wickedness, blinded by a mythical “separation of church
and state.” How can you separate God from states, when God made all states, except for the Soviet Union, Red
China, and California, which were created by Pazuzu, the Babylonian demon of storms, which by the way, was the
same demon that possessed Linda Blair and tormented that fine Republican family in the movie “The Exorcist.”
Mon 6am - 5pm
Tue - Sat 6am - 9pm
Sun 8am - 2pm
But the rock you speak of shall literally be the platform upon which I return to office. I shall stand upon that rock,
my platform, as I speak and debate. My campaign will carry that rock around the state, my Lord, in a flatbed
Ford.
VP: Central to your platform is a strong stand against illegal aliens.
Moore: English will be the official language of Alabama. You must speak, read, and write English to get a drivers
license or to vote.
VP: I admire your principle. Mexican resident alien voters could really help you, considering that they come from
a country that’s 95% Christian.
Moore: Uh, well, you know, there you go again, misquoting me as usual. Of course our Mexican brothers can vote
for governor! Voting is a God-given right and it’s typical of you liberal media ideologues to try to deny the vote
to those who would cast their ballot for righteousness. And if our friends from south of the border, those decent
God-fearing folk who just want to work and participate in democracy, don’t have drivers licenses, we’ll carry them
to the polls in our flatbed truck. That’s how most of them got here anyway, in the back of a lettuce truck covered
with a tarp. Imagine enduring that kind of caliente just to come to Alabama so that their voices of somber piety
might be heard in the miracle of free American elections. You have to admire hombres with such mucho grande
cojones. Vaya con Dios and Justiciado Moore, mi amigos!
Note: Judge Moore abruptly terminated the interview to participate in a conference call with Pat Robertson, the
late Rev. Jerry Falwell, and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
email Tim at [email protected]
The point of all this? To both laud the effort AND
to ensure you watch for 2011’s reprise…it’ll be well
worth the wait! Once they’ve established the date, give
them a call at 876-9981.
To all this, what more can one add? Just one simple
caveat: don’t forget, when you eat a crocodile, you’re
eating everyone else he’s eaten before.
Judge Roy Moore
THE VALLEY PLANET
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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
5
UNCHAINED
MALADIES
I
by Ricky Thomason
know this place we call “The South” must be a
weird place to newcomers who arrive from places
we would consider even weirder -- mainly because
they’re nearer the norm of the rest of America.
If you think Huntsville is strange, don’t even venture
to other parts of this state. This place is the good news.
Huntsville is about as good as it gets in Alabama. The
incursion of educated “outside” people associated with
the space program, high tech industry and a top-notch
university or two left its mark on this town. Human
sexuality being what it is many of these multi-national,
multi-cultured people were bound to breed with the natives.
The allure of countless Ellie Mae Clampetts and Daisy
Dukes southern-drawling, “Y’all just drop them fancy
britches, climb your gimlet butts on up here and have
yo’self a good time” was too much to resist. And some
of those big ol’ corn-fed country boys had their appeal
to the newcomer ladies, too.
The expatriate remnants of the Master Race must have
thought their progeny were engaged in various forms of
bestiality. If history is any judge, they didn’t even like
the Jews, a race with proven accomplishments, culture
and enviable brainpower. What must they have thought
about born and inbred Alabamians? Talk about sleeping
with the enemy…
cannot deny that this strange little city was instrumental in mankind’s greatest achievement.
You also have Mercedes with 24” Spree Spinner
wheels, whacka-boom-de-boom-boom stereos
and drivers saying, “Billy Tom, this danged Hitler-mobile just ain’t a actin’right.” You wonder if
it’s really true that Huntsville, Alabama has more
PhD’s per capita than any city in America.
Much of this was made possible by our past congressmen, longtime office holders, Democrats
on powerful committees with enough political
clout to assure that Alabama got its slice of the
moon pie.
What do we have now? Parky-pig Griffith, a traitorous Demapublican who lost committee seats
left and right and sandpapered the ass of the
president who will likely see that many, many
of Huntsville’s high-tech and space program jobs
disappear due to funding cuts. When they do, remember to take a moment and say, “Thank you,
Parker.” That self-serving little man is going to
be the atom-bum that destroys this city. Hide and
watch.
When that happens, people are going to be so
PO’d about it that he’ll want to go into the witless protection program.
artwork by Debbie West
Small wonder that many real doctors in town have long thought Griffith shouldn’t be allowed a driver’s license,
much less one to practice medicine. His best defense is that he got confused, went into the wrong room and took
the hypocritic oath instead of the Hippocratic.
What is the future of Huntsville if the space and tech industries relocate? Will it become like Birmingham after the
steel mills rusted to a halt? Could even Birmingham – much less Huntsville -- become another Detroit after the
auto industry drove out of town? That damned place looks like Baghdad and is almost as dangerous.
The biggest difference between hell and Detroit is that it doesn’t snow in hell.
A couple of generations later, the results may be a
great disappointment to great grandparents Klaus and
Gretchen, but they have certainly proven interesting.
I have a theory that I believe to be a certainty about America’s state of mind right now: About 60% of Obama’s
opposition is truly against his policies, proposals and ideals – or lack thereof. They honestly disagree, and that’s a
good thing in any democracy. The other 40% disagree with his color. Yes, it’s that simple – at least they are.
What do you get when you cross German engineering
with rednecks?
If you doubt that, there’s a herd of about 12 bigoted old farts who meet daily at the Jacks in Morgan County at
the intersection of highways 36 and 67. Come observe them for a bit. The poor girls who work there often have
to come out and call the old fools down for talking loudly about “That nigger president,” usually preceded by a
number of vulgar epithets.
Huntsville, Alabama: rockets soaring out of cotton
fields, tractors that fly, horseless buggies that meander
about the lunar landscape, and yahoos building noncanine rovers that sniff about Mars, scouting another
planet to pee on. From the apparent desolation there,
I’d say if Mars was ever populated, their Republicans
didn’t believe in Global Warming either.
Robert Chambliss must be smiling in hell.
If you’re new here, try and remember that most of us aren’t like that, no matter which party we may support. Here’s
the dirty lowdown: Most Republicans’ aren’t ignorant bigots, but most ignorant bigots are Republicans.
Try and focus on the former. A lot of people are going to have to die before America changes very much.
Textile mill shuttles morphed into space shuttles. You
Communi-Date
M
By Aaron Hurd
y name is Aaron Hurd; I moved to Madison three years ago from California and love the South. About
2 months ago I turned the big 3-0 and to my mom’s sadness, I am STILL a single man! I have dated for
years with great times, embarrassing times, and darn right, what was I thinking times! I learned something with each date and have developed an image of what I want in the “one” and refuse to settle…BUT am I too
picky? Am I scared of commitment, am I too self absorbed, heard that one more than once, or is there (insert scary
music here) no hope!? I need your help ladies?
COMMUNICATION!?! Something we guys seem to have trouble with. DATING…Do we know the meaning!
Do we think we do, of course after all we are “men” right? Okay, let’s be honest, we do not have a clue! However,
I hope we can change some of that here in the Tennessee Valley and perhaps the world (a man can dream right?)
with a new column devoted to us Single Folks here in The Tennessee Valley. Finding the perfect relationship is
a process that starts with Communication, and being single in this great family community can sometimes seem
like a struggle. So, I plan on combining this into one word and one column, hence the name, “Communi-Date”.
However, this is going to be “our” column, so please write in if you have a better name - I need your opinions and
suggestions for this column to survive!
I want this to be a column where singles will share the TRUTH, their advice and their stories. Maybe it will help
someone or maybe it will just entertain the masses. Regardless, I want your help/advice/opinion, and you can ask
for mine (if you want an honest answer) and together maybe we can find the fun in being single or the joy in dating.
You have stories and I have stories. Consider this an invitation to join me each issue as we discuss the single life
here in the Tennessee Valley. I want to hear from you, so let’s communicate through this article I am calling “Communi-Date”! You gotta write in or there will be no column! I will start…
Am I Self-Absorbed?
I mentioned that I know what I want in my next relationship and refuse to settle. I also asked, “Am I self absorbed?” I have heard that more than once from the past girls I have dated and it got me thinking, “Am I?”
Like most guys, I like to play and joke that I am “The Man”, but if a girl sticks around long enough I am sure she
would disagree with that statement (you don’t know how much It hurts me to admit that-but I promised this column
would be true). The thing is, you girls know this game us fellas like to play, and I am sure you have heard it time
and time again, and, to your praise, you act like you are impressed EVERYTIME. Let me be the first to say a big
Thank you for that! In our defense, that is one of the things you girls enjoy about us guys-That crazy ego!
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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
The more I pondered this question, it came to me! I
never hear this phrase until the relationship takes a turn
for the worse. It always comes out when the “new”
wears off and the true personalities come out and with
that the true feelings. Usually, I have heard it most
when I was completely honest with my date and did
the, ‘This is not working” speech, which is never fun
by the way.
I have done the “It’s not you, it’s me” speech, the “I
want to see other people”, and so on. However, the
older I get, I have done what I thought was the best
approach, just plain honesty. I was raised right, my father is a minister, and always taught me honesty is the
best policy. Apparently he did not date much before he
met my mother. But kidding aside, Honesty has worked
best; I just seem to get an ear full of how awful I am
when I use the “Honesty is the Best Policy” approach.
Have any of you guys and girls experienced this?
The one I have used the most, because it is the Truth, is
“Your great, but not the one for me”. Ladies, explain
how you can argue with this? If I know you are not
the one, nothing is going to change my mind. I am
being honest, I am not one to keep a girl around until
something better comes around, and I am not going to
waste her time in finding Mr. Right if I know that I am
Mr. Wrong for her. However, I usually hear the, “You
are so self absorbed”, “You’re not thinking about my
feelings”. What? I just told you I don’t see a future
with you and do not want to waste your time. Is that
NOT putting her feelings in the equation and her time
into consideration? So, if being honest turns me into
a “self-absorbed, Narcissist, inconsiderate” guy, I am
guilty as charged just call me Mr. Self-Absorbed!
What are your thoughts/opinions…? Agree or Disagree? Email me at [email protected]
THE VALLEY PLANET
Relief for Haiti at
Lowe Mill/Flying Monkey
GRITZFEST II COMING TO HUNTSVILLE
little less than five years after the first highly successful GRITZFEST, Swampland.com, Gritz.net and
Concerts South are proud to announce a very special all-star benefit show to be held at Crossroads Music
Hall. The concert will take place on Friday evening, February 26th beginning at 7:30 PM and will benefit
GRITZ Charities, with portions of proceeds going to Haiti Relief.
A
The Southern Rock Homecoming will feature performances by several true “Legends.”
Scheduled to appear are Bonnie Bramlett, “Southern Rock Soul Sister Number One,” whose illustrious career
includes a magnificent body of work with Delaney & Bonnie featuring the late Delaney Bramlett. Bonnie was
also the only “Allman Sister” ever in The Allman Brothers Band. She is also famous as an actress for her role on
TV’s Roseanne and in the recent Kevin Costner movie The Guardian.
Also appearing will be one of Southern music’s finest guitarists, Tommy Talton, co-founder of the 70’s band
Cowboy also recorded and toured with Gregg Allman. Tommy is also an amazing singer/songwriter with two
recent, excellent albums to his credit.
The “house band” will be Tommy Crain & The Crosstown Allstars. Crain was the red hot guitarist for The Charlie
Daniels Band for over 15 years, co-writing many of Charlie’s hits including the multi-platinum “The Devil Went
Down to Georgia.” Crain and his smokin’ band, which now boasts Wet Willie bassist Jack Hall, has a brand new
live album coming soon and are recording their second studio record as well.
Guy Gilchrist wears two hats. He is best known as cartoonist of “Nancy” fame, as well as drawing “The Muppets”
comics, among others. Guy is also a top-notch singer songwriter, and will be performing some of his music at
GRITZFEST.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publishing of To Kill a Mockingbird, Wesley Higgins of Birmingham
has created a 3,000-piece LEGO® replica of the Old Monroe County Courthouse. The Hollywood set of the 1962
film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird was modeled after the Old Courthouse in Monroeville, Ala., and its courtroom. Higgins’ LEGO® courthouse includes a courtroom, complete with characters from the book, and a LEGO®
mockingbird perched on the courthouse roof. The piece took Higgins, a LEGO® hobbyist, designer and collector,
and employee of Alabama Power, seven weeks to complete. No glue or paint was used in its making.
The LEGO® replica of the Old Monroe County Courthouse will be displayed in Birmingham at the Galleria
LEGO® Store in February and at the downtown Birmingham Regions Bank Tower in March.
THE VALLEY PLANET
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Michael Buffalo Smith, Sonny Edwards, Shawna P, and Karen Blackmon Caldwell will also be appearing. There
will be an all-star jam session at the end of the evening, which promises to be quite special. Rumor has it that there
may be some more special guests dropping by as well.
The event will also feature an auction of items donated by such stars as Billy Bob Thornton, Gov’t Mule, Charlie
Daniels, The Marshall Tucker Band and more.
Admission is by a $15 minimum donation. The event is being sponsored by GRITZ, Crossroads Music Hall, The
Huntsville Marriott, The Southern Rock Society, Rocket 95.1, Music Matters Entertainment, Datatek, Bandito
Burrito, and The Valley Planet. Log onto WWW.GRITZ.NET for up to date information on the event.
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
7
Best Late Night Bar?
1st Tie: Kaffeeklatsch and
Voodoo Lounge 8%
2nd Humphrey’s Bar & Grill 6%
3rd Tie: Crossroads andChicken Shack and Ruggby’s 5%
Best Sports Bar?
1st Buffalo Wild Wings
11%
2nd Tie: Mason’s and Bob Baumhower’s Wings 7%
3rd Tie: 3rd Base Grill and Ruggby’s
6%
Others Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, 801 Franklin, Bandito Southside, Benchwarmer, Bishops, Black Water
Hattie’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Café 113, Carson’s, Charlotte’s, Chips and Salsa, Church...I repent!, Club Ozz,
Coppertop, Dolce, Elk’s Lodge, Fantasia, Finnegan’s, Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Halftime Bar & Grill, Hoppers, Jimmy’s, LeeAnn’s, Lisa’s Lounge, Mason’s, Mellow Mushroom, Mezza Luna, Partner’s, Pauli’s Bar and
Grill, Ruth’s Chris, Sage Grill, Sammy T’s, Sports Page, TGI Fridays, The Brick, The Horse, The Nook, The
Pony, The Scene/Monaco, The Shack, The Station, Thirsty Turtle, Tommy’s Pizza, Vinotini’s, Visions, Whiskey’s
Others Receiving Votes: 53 Sports Bar and Grill, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, BB Perrins, Beauregard’s,
Benchwarmer, Bishops, Blackwater Hattie’s,Boondocks, Chips and Salsa, Club Ozz, Crossroads, Diamonds,
Elks Lodge, End Zone, Finnegans, Furniture Factory, Halftime Bar and Grill, Hooters, Hoppers, Inside Out,
Kaffeeklatsch, LeeAnn’s, Logan’s, Market Street Café, Mezza Luna, Moondog’s, Mooresville Bar and Grill,
Olivia’s, Partners, Pauli’s Bar and Grill, Sammy T’s, Sports Page, Sports Vision, Sports Zone, TGI Fridays, The
Station, The Station 2, Thirsty Turtle, TK’s, Voodoo Lounge, Whiskey’s, Wings
Best First Date Bar?
1st Pauli’s Bar & Grill 12%
2nd 801 Franklin 11.5%
3rd Kaffeeklatsch 8%
Others Receiving Votes: Best First Date Bar?, Bandito
Burrito/Governor’s, Bandito Southside, Bonefish, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bumpers, Café 113, Cantina Laredo,
Carrabba’s, Chicken Shack, Chophouse, Club Ozz,
Conner’s, Cotton Row, Crossroads, D & L Bistro, Dolce,
Elk’s Lodge, Finnegan’s, Flying Monkey, Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Hard Docks, Hoppers, Humphrey’s, Ledges,
LeeAnn’s, Lisa’s Lounge, Maria Bonita Grill, Mason’s,
Melting Pot, Mezza Luna, Partners, PF Chang’s, Phil
Sandoval’s, Phuket, Prive at Monaco, Rosie’s, Ruggby’s,
Ruth’s Chris, Surin of Thailand/Huntsville, TGI Fridays,
The Docks, The Nook, The Scene/Monaco, The Station,
The Vertical House Records, Thirsty Turtle, Tommy’s
Pizza, Tonys Little Italy, Vinotini’s, Visions, Voodoo
Lounge, Wendy’s, Whiskey’s
Best Place to
Dance?
1st Crossroads 13%
2nd Flying Monkey
3rd Sammy T’s
10%
9.5%
Others Receiving Votes: American Legion,Club
Rush,Elk’s Lodge, Finnegan’s, FoxxTails,Furniture
Factory,Green Room,Halftime Bar & grill,Hard
Dock,Hog Wild,Hoppers,Humphreys,KaffeeKlatsch,L
eeAnn’s,Matrix,My house (with curtains shut),Ozz,Pa
rtners,Sports Page,The Horse,The Nook,The Pony,The
Shack,The Station,Tommy’s Pizza,Vertical House
Records,Visions,Voodoo Lounge
Best Service ?
1st Pauli’s Bar &Grill 7%
2nd 801 Franklin
6%
3rd Tie: Happy Tummy and Connors Steak & Seafood and
3%
Dales Steakhouse Other’s Receiving Votes: Angel’s Island Coffee,
Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito /Madison, Bandito Burrito/
Governor’s, Bandito Southside, Big Spring Café, Bistro
La Luna, Blue Plate Café, Bob Baumhower’s Wings,
Bonefish Grill, Brewbaker’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cafe
112, Café Berlin, Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Casa
Blanca, Cazadores, Charm Thai, Cheeburger-Cheeburger, Chili’s, Chophouse, Cotton Row, Crossroads,
Curry’s, D&L Bistro, Dolce, Dominos, Finnegan’s,
Gibson’s, Grille 29, Heritage Club, Hooter’s, Humphrey’s, IHOP, Jason’s Deli, Jazz Factory, La Alameda,
LeeAnn’s, Longhorn Steakhouse, Macaroni Grill, Maria
Bonita Grill, Melting Pot, Mezza Luna, Mikato, Mikawa, Miso House, Miyako, Nothing but Noodles, Olive
Garden, Papou’s, Pepito’s, PF Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s,
Phoenix, Phuket, Po’ Boy Factory, Red Lobster, Rosie’s,
Ruggby’s, Ruth’s Chris, Sam and Greg’s, Scnitzel
Ranch, Soul Burger, Steak Out, Surin of Thailand/
Huntsville, Surin of Thailand/Madison, Terranova,
Thai Garden, The Daily Brew, The Ledges, The Scene,
Tommy’s Pizza, Tony’s Little Italy, Vinotini’s, Voodoo
Lounge, Whiskey’s, Wild Flour Bistro
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THE VALLEY PLANET
that “Tavion” has special
meaning to you. What about
the other selections?
Welcome to The Jazz Lounge. Hope all is well since
we last got together. One of the purposes of The Jazz
Lounge is to help introduce you to jazz artists and
projects you might not ordinarily get to hear about. I
recently was doing some research on the internet, and
came across an artist with a new project that really impressed me. In this session, we’ll hear from jazz guitarist Ian Villafana, who is currently based in Louisiana.
He recently performed at the 2010 NAMM show, in
Los Angeles, California.
Ian’s new CD “Epiphany” has 8 tracks: “Asil”, “Klueless”, “Tavion”, “Caribbean Lights”, “Epiphany”,
“Lovers Come Lovers Go, Sunday Morning Love”, and
“Lazy In Love”. If you like your jazz smooth, you’ll
definitely want to get your hands on this one.
I was leaning towards “Tavion” as a favorite. However, it’s hard to choose with such a nice selection of
songs.
“Epiphany” has been described as follows: ‘This music expresses that sudden realization as to the meaning
of true romance. The fact that we so often take our
innermost feelings for granted not being open enough
and so miss out on true love after it has slipped out of
our lives.’
Ian Villafana is an artist whose time has come.
Jackie: Welcome to The Jazz Lounge, Ian.
Ian: Thank you, Jackie. It’s a pleasure being here.
Jackie: Congratulations on the release of “Epiphany”.
I really like this CD.
Ian: Thanks again. Your comments make it all worthwhile.
Jackie: Before we get into the CD, let’s talk a bit about
your background. You were born in Trinidad, in the
West Indies, to Malcolm and Carmen Villafana. I understand you were exposed to music early in life, with
your mother’s passion for music, and your father being
a pianist.
Ian: Yes, I could remember at a very early age my mom
and me tagging along to many of my dad’s gigs, where
he played the piano and the organ in big bands. Mom
loves dancing. We were present as well in the recording
studio till the early morning hours. One of his fellow
saxophonists even gave me the nickname ‘Take Five’,
because I liked repeating the phrase. I even played percussive instruments in the background on some shows
as I got older. Those experiences played an important
part in me having a keen ear for music.
Jackie: What music did you listen to growing up, and
which artists did you find
influential?
Ian: My native music, calypso, lead by then Lord
Kitchener and the Mighty Sparrow, were two of the
main calypsonians I listened to. The strong influence
of bossa novas, mostly by Antonio Carlos Jobim, filled
the air. Later, I was surrounded with music books
by the Beatles, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Burt
Bacharach. On Sunday mornings, mom exposed me to
classical music at my great aunt’s home. My teen years
led me to groups like the Stylistics, Sly & The Family Stone, Parliament, Al Green, and my funk master
James Brown. I remember my dad telling me there’s a
lot more to playing than jamming on those 7th and 9th
chords. I eventually got the message after listening to
George Benson’s rendition of “On Broadway”. From
there, artists like Bob James, Earl Klugh, and Joe Pass
influenced me to get back to my studies.
Jackie: Did you study music in school?
Ian: Music history was the extent of it as a teen in
school. I followed charts mostly. Wished dad was
stricter when it came to that. He reads music. I can
just get by to follow my exercises. I still study from
manuals.
THE VALLEY PLANET
Jackie: Was the guitar always your instrument of
choice?
Ian: Yes. Before my first guitar, I enjoyed playing the
organ, but my love for the guitar was stronger.
Jackie: When did you decide that you wanted to focus
on smooth jazz?
Ian: Smooth jazz sort of snuck up on me. I’ve been
writing songs for many years in that genre, some mixed
with Latin and calypso influences. I find it difficult
characterizing my compositions, because I feel that
it tends to limit my boundaries. I love to play bebop
phrases in the middle of a simple ballad, and spice up R
& B with a flare of Latin. I guess if you’re not playing
straight jazz, then it’s simply smooth. Smooth doesn’t
have to be ‘boring’ as some folk put it.
Jackie: I understand you were kept pretty busy with
live performances, which include TV and radio appearances.
Ian: Yes. During my last few years in Trinidad, I surrounded myself with an elite group of experienced
musicians, some of whom were making huge strides
in calypso jazz, while incorporating the steel drum for
stage performances. It wasn’t long before I was in the
limelight doing many concerts and studio recordings.
A friend and fellow pianist of my dad saw my potential
in playing solo jazz guitar, and taught me the art of accompaniment. That led to the television shows with
a female jazz singer, radio interviews and solo guitar
performances. Trinidad’s a small island.
Jackie: Did you perform at the first Montgomery Jazz
Festival, in Alabama?
Ian: Yes. I performed with saxophonist Quintin Gerard
W at the first Riverwalk Jazz & Blues Festival, at the
Amphitheater, in 2006. We played mostly songs from
Quintin’s first CD, and surprised the crowd with a cool
duet Quintin and I did, with a rendition of John Mayer’s “Daughters”. Jeff Lorber and Kirk Whalum were
among the artists who performed that weekend.
Ian: Yes. I composed all 8
songs, and really enjoyed
playing the bass on most of
them. My granddaughter’s
name is Tavion. She’s almost six. She’s precious.
“Asil” and “Sunday Morning Love” were both composed early one Sunday
morning on my front porch while watching the sunrise.
“Klueless” was my humble way of saying thanks to
my earlier influence, guitarist Earl Klugh. In Trinidad,
the opening day of Carnival is celebrated by J’Ouvert.
Steel drum music is most prevalent then, and I tried to
capture both guitar and ‘pan’ music with “Caribbean
Lights”. “Epiphany” speaks for itself, all about love.
“Lovers Come, Lovers Go” was my way of stepping
into the R & B vibe. I love R & B. Writing the lyrics
was fun. “Lazy In Love” was intended for those who
don’t put enough effort into their relationships. You get
so much more when you’re open and true.
Jackie: Where is “Epiphany” available, and what is
your official website?
Ian: It can be purchased on my website: www.ianv.us.
It will soon be on the iTunes store, but is now available
at Digstation and CD Baby: www.digstation.com and
www.cdbaby.com/cd/IanVillafana.
Jackie: What’s next for Ian Villafana?
Ian: I have many more compositions that I’ve been
sitting on for some time now. My next CD will release
more of my guitar skills, yet keep those sweet melodies
and arrangements in the forefront.
Jackie: Well thanks Ian, for being my guest in The Jazz
Lounge.
Ian: Thank you, Jackie. I do appreciate the opportunity
you’ve given me to showcase what I have to offer.
Jackie: Much success with “Epiphany”. I’m sure we’ll
be hearing more about you and your music.
Ian: I do hope that it reaches many listeners around the
world. I have so much more to give.
Thanks for all the emails. I can always be reached at:
[email protected].
Until next time, stay cool, and keep it jazzy!
Jackie: Didn’t you first meet Quintin after he had returned from touring with Jeff Lorber?
Ian: Yes. A fellow musician told me that he had met
a guy who played with Jeff Lorber, moved back home
from Los Angeles, and lived about a mile away from
me. It wasn’t long after I heard his first “Fnkysax”
CD, that I realized this was someone I needed to be
acquainted with. Soon, I was recording both acoustic
and electric guitars in his home studio on his second
project. After completion of “Epiphany”, I played on a
few tracks of Quintin’s upcoming CD.
Jackie: Didn’t he encourage you to record a CD of
your own?
Ian: Yes. I’ve always had that dream. After listening to some of my music, Quintin encouraged me to
clean up my home studio, so I could better arrange my
ideas and compositions. In came Protools with my low
budget studio, and I was able to quickly capture those
sweet melodies that came at 2 AM. I could record those
string arrangements in my head. I remember him asking me if I was going to just ride around in my car with
my music, or take the next step and get serious. The
rest is history.
Jackie: Please tell us about “Epiphany”. What was the
concept behind it?
Ian: I’ve always wanted my first CD to capture the
minds and hearts of my listeners – to feel what I feel
when I want to get away from the stress of daily life
- like a breath of fresh air, a calming of the soul in this
fast-paced world we live in. “Epiphany” serves as a reminder for those who take their innermost feelings for
granted, not opening up to the true meaning of love.
Jackie: The music is very smooth, and I find it to be
quite soothing. Did you compose all 8 songs? I know
#021810031010
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Lounge page?
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Valley Planet 256 533-4613
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
9
Best Seafood?
1st Bonefish 12%
2nd Pauli’s Bar & Grill 8%
3rd Red Lobster 6.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 801 Franklin, Albany Bistro, Cajun Café, Captain D’s, Chophouse, Connors Steak and
Seafood, Crawmama’s/Guntersville, D& L Bistro, Dolce, Edo, Finnegan’s, Grille 29, I Love Sushi, Landry’s,
LeeAnn’s, Logan’s Roadhouse, Long John’s, McCollum’s Catfish, Mezza Luna, Mikato, Mikawa, Miso House,
New Moon, Old Greenbrier, Outback Steakhouse, PF Chang’s, Phonenix, Po’Boy Factory, Shogun, Simp
McGhee’s, Surin of Thailand/Huntsville, Surin of Thailand/Madison, The Docks, The Ledges, The Scene, Tim’s
Cajun Kitchen, Tokyo, Tonys Little Italy, Top of the River, Wild Flour Bistro, Wintzell’s
Best Restaurant Overall?
1st Pauli’s Bar & Grill
10%
Best Mexican?
2nd 801 Franklin
8%
3rd Phuket 6%
1st Bandito Burrito/Hville18%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Albany Bistro, Alfonzo’s/ Decatur, Angus, Applebee’s, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s,
Bandito Southside, Beauregard’s, Big Ed’s Pizza, Big Spring Café, Bob Baumhower’s Wings, Bonefish, Brewbaker’s, Café Berlin, Café Michael, Cajun Cafe, Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Casa Blanca, Cheeseburger Cheeseburger, Chili’s, Chophouse, Connors Steak & Seafood, Cotton Row, Crossroads, Curry’s, D&L Bistro, Dales/Florence, Dolce, Dominos, El Coyote, El Palacio, Finnegan’s, Grille 29, Happy Tummy, Heritage Club, Hildegard’s,
Hooter’s, Humphrey’s, I Love Sushi, Jamo’s, Jason’s Deli, La Alameda, LeeAnn’s,Logan’s, Longhorn, Macaroni
Grill, Maria Bonita, Mellow Mushroom, Melting Pot, Mezza Luna, Mikato, Miso House, Nothing but Noodle’s,
Ol’ Heidelberg, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Pane E Vino, Papou’s, PF Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Po’Boy
Factory, Red Lobster, Rolo’s, Rosie’s, Rusty Torpedo, Ruth’s Chris, Sage Grill, Sam and Greg’s, Schnitzel Ranch,
Shogun, Simp McGhees, Sitar, Soul Burger, Stanlieo’s Sub Villa, Steak and Shake, Surin of Thailand/Huntsville,
Surin of Thailand/Madison, Terranova’s, Thai Garden, The Daily Brew, The Docks, The Ledges, The Phoenix,
The Scene Lounge, Tim’s Cajun Kitchen, Tokyo, Tony’s Little Italy, Viet Huong, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Wild
Flower Bistro
Best Fine Dining?
1st 801 Franklin
13%
2nd Pauli’s Bar & Grill
12%
3rd Tie: Heritage Club and Connor’s6%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Albany Bistro, Angus Steakhouse, Bandito Burrito/Governors, Bonefish,Café 113,
Cantina Laredo, Captain D’s, Carrabba’s, Chophouse, Cotton Row, Curry’s, D&L Bistro, Dales, Dolce, Edo,
Finnegan’s, Grille 29, Hooters, Landry’s, LeeAnn’s, Macaroni Grill, Main Street Café, Melting Pot, Mezza Luna,
Mikato, Ol’ Heidelberg, Olive Garden, Pane e Vino, PF Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phoenix, Phuket, Red Lobster,
Rolo’s, Ruth’s Chris, Simp McGhees, Surin of Thailand/Huntsville, Surin of Thailand/Madison, Terranova’s, The
Ledges, The Scene, Tony’s Little Italy, Vinotini’s, Wild Flour Bistro
Best New Restaurant?
(Opened 2008-2009)
1st Mellow Mushroom
17%
2nd Melting Pot
5%
3rd Tie: Cheddars, Daily Brew and Pane e Vino 4%
2nd Rosie’s
3rd Casa Blanca
16%
12%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Bandito Burrito Southside, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, Bandito Burrito/Madison,
Bandito Burrito/South Pkwy, Burrito express, Cantina Laredo, Casa Mexican, Cazadores, Chips and Salsa, El
Camino Real, El Cazadore (S Parkway), El Coyote, El Dorado, El Hueduro, El Mariachi, El Omeca, El Palacio,
El Paso (of Hwy 53 in Toney), El Portel, Fiesta Mexicana, Furniture Factory, Guadalahara, Guadalajara JaliscoMadison Blvd, La Almeda, La Hacienda, La Michoacana, La Placita, las vias, LeeAnn’s, Maria Bonita Grill,
Mexican Express, Mexico Lindo, Mi Hacienda, Michael Douglas’s wife, Pepito’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Taco Bell,
Taqueria El Cazador
Best Asian?
1st Tie: PF Chang’s &
Surin of Thailand/Hville 12%
2nd Phuket
3rd Mikawa
11%
5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Charm Thai, China Buffet/Madison, China Moon, China Sun, China Taste, Ding How,
Dragon Buffet, Dragon Garden, Edo, Fulin’s, Golden China, Golden Phoenix, Golden Star, Great Panda, I Love
Sushi, King Buffet, Korean House, Kyoto, Lucy Liu, Mei Wei, Meteor Buffet, Mikato, Miso House, Miyako,
Mongolian Grill, New China, New Great Wall, Panda “corner of Airport&Whitesburg”, Royal Buffet, Saigon,
Sakura, Shogun, Sitar, Spice of India, Surin of Thailand/Madison, Tai Pan, Thai Garden, Tokyo, Viet Huong,
Wok Express
Best Italian?
1st Carrabba’s
2nd Macaroni Grill
3rd Tony’s Little Italy 18%
16%
9%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Albany Bistro/Decatur, Bandito Southside, Luciano, Mei Wei, Shaggy’s, Smoke
House BBQ, Soul Burger, Sports Vision, Timbuck 2’s, Trojan Hut
Other’s Receiving Votes: Alfonso’s, Big Ed’s, D& L Bistro, Dolce, Dominos, Grille 28, La Strada, Luciano’s,
Marco’s Pizza, Mellow Mushroom, Mezza Luna, Moglie’s, Nothing but Noodles, Olive Garden, Pane e Vino,
Pauli’s Bar & Grill, Tellini’s, Terranova’s, Tommy’s Pizza, Tony’s Italian Deli, Tortora, Village pizza, Wild Flour
Bistro
Best Coffee Shop?
1st KaffeeKlatsch
Best International?
1st Ol’ Heidelburg
2nd Olde Towne Coffee Shoppe
3rd Starbuck’s
20%
2nd Tie: Phuket and Surin of Thailand
3rd Pauli’s Bar & Grill
12%
11.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Angel’s Island Coffee, Another Broken Egg, Atlanta Bread Company, Barnes and
Noble, Beans and Bytes (in Digium’s lobby), Book’s a Million, Brewbaker’s, Bruegger’s, Chocolate Crocodile,
Coffee Tree Books and Brew, Common Grounds, Cuppy’s, Denny’s, Frizzle’s Chicken, Hastings (formerly
Rocket Rush), IHOP, Jamo’s, Java Jaay, Java Joe’s, Kenny Mango’s, Main Street Café, Market Street Café,
Minuteman Gas Station on ,”Mr Henry’s Hartselle, AL”, Panera Bread, Robin’s Exxon, Rocket Rush, Sam and
Greg’s, Shea’s Express, Shoney’s, Stearns Coffee, Sweet Dreams café, The Chocolate Café, The Daily Brew/Decatur, Waffle House
Best Breakfast?
1st Another Broken Egg 19%
2nd Cracker Barrel
3rd Blue Plate
7.5%
6%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 801 Franklin, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, Bandito Southside, Big Ed’s, Casa
Montego, Charm Thai, Chef’s Table, Curry in a Hurry, D&L Bistro, Dolce, Dominos Italian sausage, Edo,
Furniture Factory, Grille28, Hildegard’s, I Love Sushi, India House, Jamo’s, Korea House, Kyoto Japanese
Steakhouse,LeeAnn’s, Maria Bonita, Mei Wei, Mezza Luna, Mikato’s, Mikawa, Miso House, Miyako, Papa
Gyro’s, Papou’s, PF Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phonenix, Sakura, Schnitzel Ranch, Shogun, Sitar, Spice of India,
Tai Pan, Terranova’s, Thai Garden, The Scene, Tokyo, Tommy’s Pizza, Tonys Little Italy, Viet Huong, Vinotini’s,
Wild Flower Bistro
Best Pizza?
1st Big Ed’s
16%
2nd Terry’s Pizza
12%
3rd Tie: Tony’s Little Italy & Mellow Mushroom 7%
13%
10%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 5 points hardees, Atlanta Bread Company, Big Spring Café, Biscuit Express,
Bojangle’s, Brewbaker’s, Broken Egg Cafe, Bruegger’s, City Cafe, Country Vittles, Dallas Mill, Denny’s,
Edith Anne’s Taste of Home Diner, Gibson’s, home, Hopper’s, Huddle House, IHOP, Ivey’s, Jackson Family Restaurant, Kalou’s, Kenny Mango’s, Little Farm Grill, Little Rosie’s Taqueria, Main Street Café, Masons,
McDonalds,McGriddle, Meridian Street Café, Mezza Luna, Mullins, Panera Bread, Peaches & Cream, Rolo’s,
Rosie’s, Sage Grill, Shea’s Express, Shoney’s, The Little Farm, Victoria’s Café, Waffle House, Waffle King, Wild
Rose Café
10
8%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Alfonzo’s, Bellacino’s, Big Daddy’s, Carrabba’s, Chuck E Cheese, CiCi’s Pizza,
Dominos ,Donato’s, Giovanni’s, Hopper’s, LeeAnn’s, Little Caesars, Mama Mia’s, Marco’s Pizza, Mezza Luna,
Newks, Pane E Vino, Panera Bread, Papa Johns, Papa Murphy’s/Hartselle, Papa Murphy’s - Madison, Pizza Hut,
Roman Rooster, Sam & Greg’s, Sbarro/Pkwy City, Terranova’s, The Pizzeria, Tommy’s Pizza, Tortora’s, Village
Pizza, West End Grille
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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
THE VALLEY PLANET
Best Desserts?
1st Tie: 801 Franklin and
Chocolate Crocodile
Best Cajun?
1st Po’Boy Factory
2nd Tim’s Cajun Kitchen 3rd Cajun Café
2nd Pauli’s Bar & Grill 3rd Ol’ Heidleberg
32%
30%
9%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Blackwater Hattie’s,”Breaux Bridge, LA”, Bunzo’s, Cajun Grill, Crawmama’s, Hard
Dock Cafe, Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Jesse Duplantis, Landry’s, Pane e Vino, Popeye’s, The Nook, Windzell’s
2nd Chophouse 3rd Ruth’s Chris
8%
7.5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 801 Franklin, Angus Steakhouse, Applebee’s, Bob Baumhower’s Wings, Bonefish,
Brandin’ Iron, Café 113, Cafe Berlin, Cafe Michael, Carrabba’s, Curry’s, D&L Bistro, Dales, Elk’s Lodge,
Furniture Factory, Grille 29, Heritage Club, Kroger, LeeAnn’s, Logan’s, LoneStar, Longhorn, Mezza Luna, Oh!
Bryans’, Outback Steakhouse, Papou’s, Pauli’s Bar & Grill, Paulis, Phoenix, Port of Madison, Ryan’s, Simp
McGhee’s, Sports Page, Surin of Thailand/Huntsville, Surin of Thailand/Madison, TGI Friday’s, The Ledges,
The Scene at Monaco, Valley Hill Country Club, Waffle House, Wild Flour Bistro
Best Burger?
1st Five Guys Burgers & Fries 11%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill,53 Sports Bar and Grill,801 Franklin,Allen’s Grill and Grogg,
Applebee’s,Backyard Burgers,Beauregard’s,Benchwarmer,Big Spring Café,Biscuit Express,Black Water
Hattie’s,Bob Baumhower’s Wings,Bonefish-Kobe Beef Burger,Buffalo Wild Wings,Burger King,Checker’s,C
hili’s,Chopper’s Bar and Grill,Connors Steak & Seafood,Cracker Barrell,Dallas Mill Deli,Dubs,Duffy’s,End
Zone,Finnegan’s,Five Guys Burgers and Fries,Furniture Factory,Grille 29,Happy Tummy,Hardees,Hooter’s,Hu
mphrey’s,Ledges,LeeAnn’s,Little Diner,Little Farm Grill,Little Paul’s,Logan’s,Mezza Luna,Mooresville Bar &
Grill,Mr. Barbeque,Outback Steakhouse,Partners,Phoneix,Rolo’s Cafe,Ruby Tuesday’s,Ruggby’s,Sonic,Sports
Page,Steak and Shake,Steak Out,The Creek,The Ledges,The Scene,Thirsty Turtle,Trojan Hut,Vinotini’s,Vinotini’
s,Voodoo Lounge,West End Grill,Wild Rose Café,wings
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, 52 Sports Bar and Grill, 801 Franklin, Allen’s Grog and Grill, Applebee’s, Bison’s, BlackWaterHattie’s, Chili’s, Dominos, Five Guys, Furniture Factory, Hawk, Humphrey’s,
Indigo Joe’s, Inside Out, LeeAnn’s, Logan’s, Madison Bowling Alley, Mooresville Bar & Grill, Ole Hickory
House, Olivia’s, Outback, Rooster’s/Madison, Roosters/Decatur, Ruggby’s, Sports Page, Sports Vision, Tenders,
TGI Friday’s, The Creek, The Nook, The Station Madison, Third Base, Thirsty Turtle, Tim’s Cajun Kitchen,
Voodoo Lounge, West End Grill, Wings Express, Wings to Go, Zaxby’s
#021810031010
6%
5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Allen’s Grill and Grog, B and B’s Soul Food, Bandito’s/Governor’s, Barnhill’s,
Brewbaker’s, Cahoots/Hartselle, Cajun Cafe, Chef’s Table, city cafe, Country Vittles, Dee’s Diner, Dinner
Plate, Dot’s, Edith Anne’s Diner, Ernie’s, Furniture Factory, Gibson’s, Greenbrier, Humphrey’s Bar & Grill,
Ivey’s, Jackson Family Restaurant, LeeAnn’s,”Libby’s Catfish Diner, Priceville”, Little Diner, Little Farm, Lyn’s
Gracious Goodness, Main Dish, Main Street Cafe, Mama Annie’s, Market Street Café, Minnie Lee’s Decatur,
Mullins, My next door neighbor, Penny’s Restaurant/ New Market, Piccadilly’s, Posey’s, Rolo’s, Ryan’s, Soul
Burger, Sports Page, TGI Fridays, Thai Garden, The Blue Willow Bistro/Scottsboro, The Skillet , Tony’s Country Cooking, Victoria’s, Wild Flour Bistro, Wild Rose Café
6%
5%
4%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, 801 Franklin, Adtran, Albany Bistro, All Wright Bakery/decatur, Apple
Lane Farms, Applebee’s, Atlanta Bread Company, Bandito Burrito/madison, Bandito Southside, Barnhill’s,
Big Ed’s Pizza, Big Spring Café, Blackwater Hatties, Blue Plate Café, Bob Baumhower’s Wings, Brewbaker’s,
Buffalo Wild Wings, Cafe Berlin, Cajun Cafe, Casa Blanca, Casa Mexicana, Chuckwagon Bbq, Cici’s Pizza,
Clementine’s, Connor’s Steak & Seafood, Covington’s, Cracker Barrel, Crickets, Currys / Decatur, D&l Bistro,
Dallas Mill, Diamonds, Dolce, Duffy’s Deli, El Palacio, Elk’s Lodge, Finnegans, G’s Country Kitchen, Grille
29, Hooters, Hopper’s, Humphrey’s, Ivey’s, Jackson’s Family Restaurant, Jamo’s, Jason’s Deli, Jersey Mike’s,
Korea House, Krystal’s, Leeann’s, Lenny’s, Little Debbie’s, Little Farm Grill, Little Paul’s Bbq, Little Rosie’s,
Logan’s, Lynn’s Gracious Goodness, Main Street Café, Mama Blue’s, Mcallister’s, Mezza Luna, Moe’s, New
China Buffet, Newks, Nothing But Noodles, O’charley’s, Pane E Vino, Panera’s, Papa Gyro’s, Pauli’s Bar &
Grill, Pepito’s, Pf Chang’s, Phil Sandoval’s, Phoenix Bistro, Phuket, Rolo’s, Rosie’s, Ruggby’s, Rusty Torpedo,
Salsarita’s, Sam And Greg’s, Shea’s Express, Sitar, Smokehouse, Soul Burger, Stanlieo’s, Steve’s Lounge,
Subway, Surin Of Thailand / Huntsville, Taziki’s, Thai Garden, The Brick Deli, The Little Diner, Thirsty Turtle,
Tim’s Cajun Kitchen, Tommy’s Pizza, Tony’s Little Italy, Victoria’s Café, West End Grill, Wild Flour Bistro,
Wild Rose Café, Zaxby’s
15% Best Sunday Brunch?
1st Another Broken Egg 17%
7%
6%
Other’s Receiving Votes: 9th Ave Hub Grub, Brewbaker’s, Bruegger’s, Cahoots, Covington’s, Curry/Decatur,
Duffy’s Deli, Finnegan’s, Firehouse Subs, Fresh Market, Great Wraps, Honey Baked Ham, Jamo’s, Jersey Mikes,
KaLou’s Corner Market, Kalou’s in Providence, Kroger, LeeAnn’s, Lenny’s, Lyn’s Gracious Goodness, Main
Street Café, Marketplace, McAlister’s, New York Deli, Newk’s Express Café, Panera Bread Company, Philby’s,
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, Tropical Smoothie, Wildwood
THE VALLEY PLANET
2nd Happy Tummy 3rd G’s Country Kitchen 2nd Bandito Burrito/governors
3rd Daily Brew
2nd Buffalo Wild Wings
18%
3rd Bob Baumhower’s Wings & Hooters 9%
2nd Tie: Daily Brew and Dallas Mill Deli 3rd Tie: Happy Tummy and Atlanta Bread Company 18%
15%
11%
Other’s Receiving Votes: BB Perrins, Beauregard’s, Big Bob Gibson’s, Big Cove BBQ, Cajun Cafe, Chuck
Wagon, Dreamland, Golden Rule, Hickory Hut, Hickory Stick, Johnny’s BBQ (Cullman), LeeAnn’s, Little
Paul’s, Mary’s Pit/Mooresville, Masons, Meridianville BBQ, Mr. Barbeque, Nash’s BBQ, New Greenbrier, New
Market BBQ, Old Greenbrier, Old Hickory BBQ, Ole Dad’s in Hazel Green, Pig N Out, Pig Stand/Hartselle,
Porky’s BBQ in Grant, Scruggs, Smokey’s,”southern Hickory Hartselle,AL”, Surin of Thailand/Huntsville, Thai
Garden, The Smokehouse, Wagon Wheel
Best Lunch?
1st Happy Tummy 20%
Best Deli?
1st Jason’s Deli
3rd Tie: Whitt’s BBQ and Lawler’s
Best Home Cooking?
1st Tie: Blue Pate Café and
Cracker Barrel 16%
2nd Tie: Red Robin and Cheeburger Cheeburger 9%
3rd Soul Burger
7%
Best Wings?
1st Beauregard’s
Other’s Receiving Votes: Angel’s Island Coffee, Applebee’s, Atlanta Bread Company, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, Bob Baumhower’s Wings, Bob Gibson’s, Bonefish, Brewster’s, CAFE BABA, Café Berlin, Cahoots, Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Chef’s Table, Chili’s, Chophouse, Clementine’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Connors Steak
& Seafood, Cotton Row, Currys/Decatur, D&L Bistro, Dairy Queen, Dolce, Emma’s Tea Room, Fresh Market,
GiGi’s Cupcakes, Grille 29, Happy Tummy, Hildegard’s, Jamo’s, Kaleidoscoops Madison, Ledges, LeeAnn’s,
Logan’s, Longhorns, Lynn’s Gracious Goodness, Macaroni Grill, Maggie Moo’s, Melting Pot, Mezza Luna,
Mullins, O’ Charlie’s, Olive Garden, Panera Bread, PF Chang’s, Phonenix, Phuket’s, Piccadilly’s, Rosie’s, Ruby
Tuesday’s, Rusty Torpedo, Ruth’s Chris, Shea’s Express, Sonic, Surin of Thailand/Huntsville, Sweet Dreams,
Sweet Peppers, Terranova’s, TGI Friday’s, The Daily Brew, the fudgey nut, The Ledges, The Melting Pot, The
Scene, Tonys little italy, Victoria’s Café, Wild Flour Bistro
Best BBQ?
Gibson’s
13% 1st
2nd Thomas Pit
Best Steak?
1st Connor’s Steak & Seafood
7%
6%
5.5%
2nd 801 Franklin
3rd Cracker Barrel
10%
9%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Atlanta Bread Company, Bandito Southside, Café Berlin, Canebrake Golf Club,
Cantina Laredo, Carrabba’s, Clementine’s, Connors Seafood and Steakhouse, Decatur Country Club, Ding How,
El Camino Real, Finnegan’s, Grandmother’s House, Great Wraps, Heritage Club, Holiday Inn, Hopper’s, Huddle
House, Huntsville Country Club, IHOP, Luciano’s, Macaroni Grill, Main Street Cafe, Market Street Café, Marriott, Mezza Luna, Mullin’s, Newks, O’ Charley’s, Olde Towne Coffee Shoppe, PF Chang’s, Piccadilly, Sage Grill,
Shea’s Express, Shoney’s, Stearns Coffee, Surin of Thailand / Madison, TGI Friday’s, The Blue Willow Bistro /
Scottsboro, The Ledges, The Station, The Westin, Waffle House, Wild Flour Bistro
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
11
The Merit of Dirty Words
by Terri L. French
rofanity has been around since the first prehistoric thumb was hit with the first crudely made
hammer. The earliest writings, which date from 5,000 years ago, include off-color descriptions
of body parts and bodily functions. The word “piss,” which was once a perfectly acceptable
term for urine, even appears in the King James version of the old testament (1 Ki 16:11, 2 Kings
18:27, Isa 36:12).
P
According to the all-knowing Wiki, the original meaning of the adjective “profane” referred to
items not belonging to the church, i.e. “secular.” As a result, profanity has come to describe a word,
expression, gesture, or other social behavior which is socially constructed or interpreted as insulting,
rude, vulgar, desecrating or disrespectful. These taboo words or gestures differ by culture or even
region and change with the times. When early settlers came to America and stubbed their toes getting
off of the ship they might have said “Odsbodikins!” a swear word that meant “God’s little body.”
For some, cursing is habitual, others may use the occasional expletive, or sometimes it’s just an urge
to say something wildly inappropriate, out of the norm, and impulsive. Then there are those, because
of upbringing or other sensitive inclinations, that cannot choke up a cuss word to save their lives. For
these people there are euphemisms—some examples are shucks, shoot, poop, crap, gosh, golly and
even Jiminy Crickets! The most curiously entertaining euphemism I have ever heard was the phrase
“Monkey Feathers,” used in a movie dub.
Teenagers, who often utilize a parent/teacher filter when it comes to profanity, are great at coming
up with new euphemisms. Younger children have not yet grasped the wisdom behind the filter and
for some uncanny reason seem to pick up and retain curse words (where do they hear such things!?),
using them at the most inappropriate times, such as when expressing their distaste for grandma’s pot
roast.
In Steven Pinker’s book, “The Stuff of Thought,” he breaks profanity down into five categories:
1) Dysphemistic – which is substituting a harsher term for a milder one, the opposite of a
euphemism.
2) Abusive – used to insult
3) Idiomatic – used to arouse interest or “show off”
4) Emphatic – to emphasize or exaggerate another word
5) Cathartic – used when something bad happens to express pain or a negative emotion.
Different cultures and individuals have various affinities and aversions to different curse words.
Having spent a number of years as a good Baptist, I still abhor blaspheming, or “using the Lord’s
name in vain.” I also cringe at racial slurs or what I consider crude references to body parts (I know
what does that leave, right?).
Investigators who have examined the physiology of cursing have determined that hearing profanity
elicits a literal “rise” out of people in which the hairs on their arms rise, pulse quickens, and breathing
becomes shallow. Kate Burridge, a professor of linguistics at Monash University in Melbourne,
Australia, says a similar “rise” occurs when those who consider themselves educated listen to bad
grammar or even slang expressions (ain’t that the truth?).
A well placed curse word can serve several redeeming purposes. First of all, when used for emphasis
they can be very persuasive. My father was known to let loose with some lively language when he
was angry. He definitely got his point across to my sister and me. I don’t advocate this discipline
strategy, but it was highly effective.
There is also a correlation between swearing and relaxation. Studies show that when with close
friends, the more relaxed a person is, the more he/she swears. Occasionally voicing a curse word can
help deflect a bad mood and get a person to lighten up. Sometimes obscenity can release hostility or
aggression, a more effective way of venting than punching someone in the nose or going postal on
their a*# to be sure.
I don’t like to hear a conversation liberally peppered with obscenities. Nor do I think comics who rely
on the “f-word” instead of developing an amusing story or joke particularly funny. But as long as it
does not become a crutch of the ignorant or a sword wielded against others, discretionary profanity
serves a useful purpose to the emotional health and well-being of the individual and society as a
whole.
“As Time Goes By”
by Abigail Trafford
c.2009, Basic Books
$15.95
275 pages, includes index
he first few notes of the song begin, and his eyes
meet hers from across the room. Shyly, they
smile. It’s their wedding day, and this is “their
song”. She leaves her guests and approaches her new
husband. He takes her hand, and they dance.
T
Like any wedding, there are toasts and dancing children,
a thrown bouquet and tearful moments, cutting the
cake and tender kisses between bride and groom. But
starry-eyed love isn’t just for teenagers and twentysomethings. This is his second marriage. It’s her third.
And they’re both in their 80s.
In the new book “As Time Goes By”, author Abigail
Trafford examines love, loss, and loving again in the
second half of life. Once upon a time, when the average
human lifespan was 50 years, people married young
12
and stayed “til death do you part”. Now, at a time
when we can live four decades past that old milestone,
relationships in the second half of life can give us a
second chance at love. But it’s not easy: Trafford calls
later love, “The Big Churn”. The kids are gone and it’s
just the two of you again. Everything is old, and it’s all
new. You want to stay together but need separate lives.
Past roles have flip-flopped. It’s like an amusement
park ride that both scares and thrills you to death.
Learning to be together anew can be difficult, Trafford
says, and old issues can surface with surprising ferocity.
Studies show that older couples are more likely than
younger couples to “pull the plug” on a marriage that’s
unfulfilling. At some point, mortality may play a role:
one partner suddenly decides that it’s not an option to
live with the status quo in whatever life they have left.
But that’s not necessarily the end of love, Trafford
writes. People in their 50s, 60s, and beyond are
re-creating “normal” with boomerang marriages,
throwback romance and serial spouses, triangle
marriages, marriage-without-a-spouse, newly renewed
unions, and fabulously single lives with many love
affairs.
Wow.
I read this book with rapt fascination for two reasons:
one, because there is an amazing amount of food
for thought in this book. Mixing advice and societal
study, author Abigail Trafford includes interviews
with real people, hard research and data, and stories
that will sound all-too-familiar to anyone who’s had
a relationship. Which brings me to the second reason
I enjoyed “As Time Goes By” so much: if you are
near or past 50, gay or straight, man or woman, your
relationship past is in this book. Reading it will put a
lot of things into perspective - not just for you, but for
your friends and children. Surprisingly, because it’s
a cautionary look ahead, it’s a good book for thirtysomethings, too.
If you’ve ever been in love, if you are struck by the fact
that the number of years you have left are fewer than
the number of years you’ve lived, or if you’re looking
anew at an old relationship, you need this book. “As
Time Goes By” is simply engaging.
Review by Terri Schlichenmeyer
#021810031010
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
THE VALLEY PLANET
the valley’s most complete
MUSIC CALENDAR
Thursday, February 18
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Dave Anderson
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Shane Wilson
CLUB RUSH, DJ Rosco
CROSSROADS, Battle of the Bands, (See ad pg 13.)
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Slip Jig
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, Plastic Fantastic Lover
GENO’S PUB (DECATUR), Karaoke
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR), Chad Reeves
HALF TIME BAR & GRILL, Karaoke
HOG WILD SALOON, Karaoke w/ David
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Reese, solo
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Dave Anderson
LEE ANN’S, The Letters
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE (ATHENS),
Open Mic w/ Trey
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/DJ Sweet T
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SANDY’S ROADHOUSE (GUNTERSVILLE), Karaoke
SPORTS PAGE, 5ive o clock Charlie
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Tim Tucker
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Trey Browder
THE NOOK, Larry Woellhart
THE STATION, U4IA
THE STATION 2, Ladies Night DJ
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), Barry Kay
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic
Friday, February 19
11TH FRAME BAR, Karaoke
801 FRANKLIN, Devere Pride, (See ad pg 26.)
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Shametown
BENCHWARMER, Karaoke
BENCHWARMER TOO, DJ Party
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Fat Momma
CASA MONTEGO, Reggae & More with DJ Roger
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW, Mohr 4, (See ad pg 5.)
COPPERTOP, Live Music
CROSSROADS, Keller Williams, (See ad pg 13.)
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
ELK’S LODGE, Karaoke
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Sing Along with Nancy
FURNITURE FACTORY, Ricky Pierce
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR), Stiff
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Pla’station
HOG WILD SALOON, Backwater
HOPPER’S, Peter and the Wolf
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, The Dawn Osbourne Trio
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Jay Shawn Wilson
LEE ANN’S, Love Child
LENAE’S PLACE, Karaoke
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/ Jimbo
DJ Chris Slayton
MARIA BONITA GRILL AND CANTINA (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ DJ Pollard
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke
MOORESVILLE BAR & GRILL, Travis Posey Band
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL, Live Music/Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Partner’s Cabaret Show
SAM & GREG’S, Chip Gulbro and Friends
SPORTS PAGE, Jason Albert Band
STEM & STEIN, Live Music
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Live Music
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Scott and Chad
THE STATION, Crush
THE STATION 2, Juice
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL,
The Rooster Blues (Hattisburg, MI)
WHISKEY’S, Live Music
Saturday, February 20
801 FRANKLIN, Cody Bowen, (See ad pg 26.)
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Metal Mania
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW,
Open Mic Night, (See ad pg.)
CROSSROADS, That 1 Guy and Planet Ink, (See ad pg 13.)
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Acoustics with Dave Merriman
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, Jimmy Henderson
FURNITURE FACTORY, Rob Aldridge
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR), 2 Days Gone
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Black eyed Susan
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, LaRose
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Benefit with Live Music
THE VALLEY PLANET
LEE ANN’S, Proton Joe
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/Jimbo
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL, Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Betty Roulette Burlesque
SPORTS PAGE, Black Label
THE BRICK (DECATUR), J Curly Band
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Live Music
THE STATION, Peeping Tom
THE STATION 2, Juice
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, CO Jones
Sunday, February 21
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Neeve and Friends
CASA MONTEGO,
Live Jazz featuring Devere Pride Trio and Friends (7-10:30)
CROSSROADS, Open Mic, (See ad pg 5.)
HOPPER’S, Karaoke with Lee Kearns
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Sunday Blues Jam w/
Freddy Earl and the Blues Mercenaries (3pm-close)
MOORESVILLE BAR & GRILL,
Chris Roach and Melissa Daniels
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ Sweet T
SPORTS PAGE, Smokin’ Guns
Karaoke w/ DJ Brandon Mac
Monday, February 22
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Gus Hergert
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Karaoke w/ Howie
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR), Karaoke w/DW
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Open Mic w/ Microwave Dave
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT,
Acoustic Open Mic w/ Greg Rowell
SPORTS PAGE, Dave Anderson
Tuesday, February 23
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Marge Loveday
BENCHWARMER TOO, Open Mic Night
COPPERTOP, HDK Karaoke with Howie
HOPPER’S, Karaoke
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Watson and Nash
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Live Music
LEE ANN’S, Rudy Mockabee
Karaoke w/ Doc Roc
MOORESVILLE BAR & GRILL, DJ Jeff Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke hosted by Sweet T
SPORTS PAGE, Chelvis and the Bean
THE STATION 2, Karaoke Tuesdays w/ Joel Mullins
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Dave Anderson
Wednesday, February 24
3RD BASE GRILL (SOUTH PARKWAY), David Anderson
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Microwave Dave
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Team Trivia w/ Open Mic Night
CAZEDORES, Karaoke Night
CLUB RUSH, Karaoke w/ Doc Roc
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW, Songwriter’s Jam,
(See ad pg 5.)
CROSSROADS, Lil’ Webbie, (See ad pg 13.)
ELK’S LODGE (DECATUR), Soul Driven Train
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Bourbon and Shamrock
FURNITURE FACTORY, Alibi
HOPPER’S, Lil’ Ed
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Carla Russell and Matt Shook
LEE ANN’S, Johnny Collier Band
Karaoke with DJ Pollard
MELLOW MUSHROOM, Live Music
SAM & GREG’S, Open Mic Night
SPORTS PAGE, 4 Guys on a Coach
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Shawna P
VIEUX CARRE, Marge Loveday
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, James Irvin
music cont. on pg.14
#021810031010
Dr. Anarcho’s Rx for Old Stuff That Don’t Suck for this issue is: Cadillac Records (Deluxe) (Music From the
Motion Picture) (Audio CD).
S
ooner or later, everything old (except people) is new again. That is exactly the case with the soundtrack of the
recent movie, “Cadillac Records.” Cadillac Records is the story of Leonard Chess, who co-founded Chess
Records with his brother Phil. The Chess label was instrumental in the history of rock and roll by bringing
its main influences, the black bluesmen and women, to “mainstream, mass-market radio audiences,” which may
be read as “white people.” Chess, and his new electrified Chicago versions of the Mississippi Delta blues made the
Blues as most know it now – but the music had to make a trip through Britain before it came home to America; at
the beginning of the 60’s the Rolling Stones, John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Peter Green and more were captivated by
the old Chess records and the labels’ blues stars.
Parents of several generations may not have liked this new “devil’s music,” but the kids sure did. Why they didn’t
call “Cadillac Records what it was, “Chess Records,” is probably a matter of marketing and money. It may be the
story of Leonard Chess, but it is equally the story of some of Chess Record’s artists, namely Muddy Waters, Little
Walter, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry and last but not least, Etta James. Etta was smoldering hot and oozed sex appeal
to both the eyes and ears.
I am conflicted; they remade the original recordings of the blues masters and mistresses. That would normally
be grounds for justifiable homicide, especially considering who played the parts and sang the remakes: Jeffery
Wright, Beyonce, Mos Def, Raphael Saadig, Solange, and Mary Mary. I was surprised by the talent they displayed.
These are, at heart, musicians. Why they waste this talent on the crap they put out today is beyond me. Who’d have
thought Beyonce could ever do a good Job covering Etta James – unless she lay down on her. Not me. I thought
she was just another one-named diva who screws up the national anthem by yodeling their own twists into it, and
trying to show off their 6 octave range by hitting notes that sound like they were discovered during a mammogram.
She can even act a little bit.
I thought Mos Def was an explanation of, and the reason behind the guy’s modern releases. I was again surprised
that he did a credible job portraying Chuck Berry. Cedric the Entertainer did a passable Willie Dixon. Eamoon
Walker, excelled as Howlin’ Wolf, ditto Columbus Short as the crazy, harmonica playing mofo, Little Walter.
Finally Jeffery Wright pretty much nailed Muddy Waters. Purists will never be satisfied and many will always prefer the original versions, though the movie remains pretty true to all of them. Facts are, no younger audience would
have looked out the window to see this movie if it hadn’t been chock full of stars of their generation. Who knows?
This movie may have turned some tin ears a new direction. One can hope. Enough flowers for this bunch because
they just had to pee on it at the end. They tacked on some rap crap, but that will be easy enough to skip.
Cadillac Records (Deluxe) (Music From the Motion Picture) (Audio CD)
1. I’m A Man Jeffrey Wright | 2. At Last Beyoncé | 3. No Particular Place To Go Mos Def
4. I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man Jeffrey Wright | 5. Once In A Lifetime Beyoncé
6. Let’s Take A Walk Raphael Saadiq | 7. 6 O’Clock Blues Solange | 8. Nadine Mos Def
9. The Sound Mary Mary | 10. Last Night Little Walter | 11. I’d Rather Go Blind Beyoncé
12. My Babe Columbus Short | 13. Bridging The Gap Nas featuring Olu Dara
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
13
music cont. from pg.13
CLUB RUSH, DJ Rosco
CROSSROADS, Battle of the Bands, (See ad pg 13.)
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, Barnstormers,
Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Posey Peep Show
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Garrett Tucker, solo
LEE ANN’S, LaRose
Open Mic w/ Trey
SPORTS PAGE, 5ive O Clock Charlie
THE BRICK (DECATUR), 8 Years Later
THE STATION, Radio Tremors
THE STATION 2, Ladies Night with DJ
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic Night
Friday, February 26
801 FRANKLIN, Jim Cavender, (See ad pg 26.)
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Andrea, Dan, & Scott
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Smokin Guns
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW, Shane, (See ad pg 5.)
COPPERTOP, Red Letters
CROSSROADS, GritzFest II, (See ad pg 13.)
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
FURNITURE FACTORY, Juice
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Crush
HOG WILD SALOON, Bonafide
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Liquid Caravan
LEE ANN’S, Full Circle
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/Jimbo TalentQuest Contest
DJ Chris Slayton
MOORESVILLE BAR & GRILL, Jason Albert Band
SPORTS PAGE, McPherson Struts
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Sunday Best
THE STATION, Handshake Promise
Lance Almon Smith Band
801 FRANKLIN, Rush Hour, (See ad pg 26.)
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Metal Mania Random Conflict
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW,Open Mic Night,(See ad pg 5.)
COPPERTOP, Shine
CROSSROADS, DJ, (See ad pg 13.)
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, The Dean Martinis
FURNITURE FACTORY, Rob Aldridge
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Group 6
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Black eyed Susan
LEE ANN’S, Second Hand Lion
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL,Best of Both Worlds Variety Show
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, Chippendale Dancers
SANDY’S ROADHOUSE (GUNTERSVILLE),
Karaoke Contest
SPORTS PAGE, A.Z.
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Black Label
THE STATION, Naked Eskimos
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS),
The Tony Brook Band
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Husky Brunette
WHISKEY’S, A.Z.
Sunday, February 28
CASA MONTEGO, Live Jazz featuring Devere Pride
Trio and Friends (7-10:30)
Freddy Earl and the Blues Mercenaries
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke
14
SPORTS PAGE, Scottie R.
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ DJ
Brandon Mac
Monday, March 1
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Open Mic w/ Ant and Andrew
Acoustic Open Mic hosted by Greg Rowell
Tuesday, March 2
COPPERTOP, HDK Karaoke w/Howie
HOPPER’S, Karaoke
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Melody Guy
LEE ANN’S, Rudy Mockabee
Karaoke w/ Doc Roc
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ by DJ Sweet T
THE STATION 2, Karaoke w/ Joel Mullins
Wednesday, March 3
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Open Mic Night
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW,Songwriter’s Jam,(See ad pg 5.)
FURNITURE FACTORY, Live Music
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Chelvis and the Bean
LEE ANN’S, Potluck
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, DJ
Karaoke Contest
SPORTS PAGE, The Robertsons
Thursday, March 4
CLUB RUSH, DJ Rosco
CROSSROADS, North Mississippi Allstars, (See ad pg 13.)
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Jim Cavender
LEE ANN’S, LaRose
Open Mic w/ Trey
Karaoke Contest
THE STATION, Live Music
THE STATION 2, Ladies Night with DJ
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic
Friday, March 5
801 FRANKLIN, Devere Pride, (See ad pg 26.)
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Lisa Bustler
#021810031010
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, CO Jones
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW, Fred Roberts and the
Straight to the Heart Band, (See ad pg 5.)
COPPERTOP, Fat Momma
CROSSROADS, Live Music, (See ad pg 13.)
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Radio Tremors
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Gary Pfaff
LEE ANN’S, Gryphon
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/Jimbo TalentQuest Contest
DJ Chris Slayton
MOORESVILLE BAR & GRILL, Tucos Pistols
SANDY’S ROADHOUSE (GUNTERSVILLE),Karaoke Contest
SPORTS PAGE, Live Music
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Group 6
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Scott and Chad
THE STATION, U4IA
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Live Music
Saturday, March 6
801 FRANKLIN, Don Henderson and Kim Coffey, (See
ad pg 26.)
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Turner Family Band
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW, Open Mic Night, (See
ad pg 5.)
COPPERTOP, Dan Hardin
CROSSROADS, Lucero, (See ad pg 13.)
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, Michelle Malone
and Phil Weaver
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR), 2 Days
Gone
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Black eyed Susan
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, The Dawn Osborne Trio
LEE ANN’S, Love Child
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, 80’s rewind w/ DJ Sweet T
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Imbo
THE STATION, Jason Albert Band
Sunday, March 7
Trio and Friends
Freddy Earl and the Blues Mercenaries
MOORESVILLE BAR & GRILL, Chris Roach and
Melissa Daniels
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Open mic night with
Marge Loveday and Ally Free
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Karaoke with DJ
Brandon Mac
Monday, March 8
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Open Mic - Ant and Andrew
Acoustic Open Mic w/ Greg Rowell
music cont. on pg.15
THE VALLEY PLANET
music cont. from pg.14
Tuesday, March 9
COPPERTOP, HDK Karaoke with Howie
HOPPER’S, Karaoke
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Chris Cavanaugh, solo
LEE ANN’S, Rad
Karaoke w/ Doc Roc
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ DJ Sweet T
THE STATION 2, Karaoke Tuesdays w/ Joel Mullins
Wednesday, March 10
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Team Trivia w/ Open Mic Night
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW, Songwriter’s Jam
(7pm), (See ad pg 5.)
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL,
Carla Russell and Matt Shook
LEE ANN’S, LaRose
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, DJ
SPORTS PAGE, 4 Guys on a Couch
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Gary Nichols
Thursday, March 11
CLUB RUSH, DJ Rosco
CROSSROADS, Live Music, (See ad pg 13.)
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, The Hot Seats
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Chad Reeves
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Microwave Dave solo
LEE ANN’S, U4IA
Open Mic w/ Trey
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke with Sweet T
Karaoke Contest
THE STATION, Proton Joe
THE STATION 2,
The Les Richardson Band from Nashville
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic Night
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, Helen Keller’s Ukulele
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Ben Deignan
LEE ANN’S, Pla’station
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/JimboTalentQuest Contest
DJ Chris Slayton
MOORESVILLE BAR & GRILL, Bar Flies
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL, Live Music
SANDY’S ROADHOUSE (GUNTERSVILLE),Karaoke Contest
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Shawna P and the Earth Funk Tribe
THE STATION, Black eyed Susan
Saturday, March 13
801 FRANKLIN, Live Music, (See ad pg 26.)
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW, Open Mic Night, (See
ad pg 5.)
COPPERTOP, Tim Risbon
CROSSROADS, Live Music, (See ad pg13.)
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER,
Stephaniesid & Heypenny
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Liquid Caravan
LEE ANN’S, Proton Joe
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL,
Pride of Kings Ladies Variety Show
Karaoke Contest
SPORTS PAGE, The Uglistick
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Natchez Trace
THE NOOK, Maple Hill Band
THE STATION, Black Label
Sunday, March 14
Trio and Friends (7-10:30)
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER,
Balthrop, Alabama & Helen Keller’s Ukulele
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Sunday Blues Jam hosted
by Freddy Earl and the Blues Mercenaries
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ Sweet T
SPORTS PAGE, Pork McEllhinney
Karaoke w/ DJ Brandon Mac
Karaoke Contest
THE END!
Friday, March 12
801 FRANKLIN, Rush Hour, (See ad pg.26)
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Silver Streak
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, 5ive o clock Charlie
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW, Don Henderson, (See
ad pg. 5)
COPPERTOP, LaGrange
CROSSROADS, Live Music, (See ad pg.13)
THE VALLEY PLANET
#021810031010
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
15
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Healing of Magic Continuing Education
Workshop will be at Merrimack Hall at 5:30pm. The
cost is $65. For more information on the Healing of
Magic program, visit the official website. To enroll
call Merrimack Hall at 256- 534-6455 or go to www.
merrimackhall.com. The exhibit, Molded in Chocolate will be on display
at the Burritt Museum now through February. Enjoy
the beauty & history of more than 100 chocolate
molds that comprise Sharlene & Phil Coker’s exquisite
collection. The exhibit is open Tuesday-Sunday.
There is an admission charge for this event. For
more information call 256-536-2882 or go to www.
burrittonthemountain.com.
celebrate National Engineering Week rockets. There
will be assistance from engineers from The Boeing
Company, learn how rockets work by building and
launching your own water rocket! You can even make
your own rocket at home and bring it to the launch.
Instructions for making the rocket will be available.
For more information call 256-837-0606 or go to
www.sci-quest.org.
A Salute to Hee Haw will be at the Alabama Opry,
located at 24861 Airport Road in Athens, tonight
at 7pm. Tickets are $10. For more information call
George Hill at 256-216-1151 or email to GWH228@
aol.com.
There will be a noon time concert at First United
Methodist Church, 501 Holmes Street in Huntsville.
It will be from 12:10-12:50am. For more information
call 256-694-6650.
Self Portraits an Artist reception for Rita Burkholder
with the acoustic styling of Oakland songstress, Kim
Vermillion will be at the Lowe Mill 3rd floor from 6pm
- 9pm. There is no admission charge for this event.
For more information go to www.lowemill.net. (See
ad pg. 13)
The Lowe Mill will have Third Thursday on the
Third Floor with artist James Lambert. James will
be giving a talk about his art work and there will be
refreshments and light o’dourves from 5-7 pm. There
is no admission charge. For more information go to
www.lowemill.net. (See ad pg 13.)
Super Science Saturdays will be at Sci-Quest, Handson Science Center starting at 10 am. Children in
grades kindergarten through 9th grade can choose
from making their own robots to learning about
speed. For more information call 256-837-0606, ext.
252 or go to www.sci-quest.org.
February 18-21
RenaissanceTheatre’s production of The Fantasticks,
directed by Gary Knight (with assistance from Bill
Hubscher) will run on the AlphaStage, downstairs
at 1212 Meridian Street. It will be Thursday, Friday
and Saturday at 8pm and Saturday and Sunday
at 2:30pm. Tickets are $20 for general admission
seating to all shows. Group Rates are available for ten
persons or more. For more information go to www.
renaissancetheatre.net.
There will be a Contra Dance with live music by Ed
Baggot & Elsie Peterson with calling by Jane Ewing.
It will be in the gym of Faith Presbyterian Church at
the corner of Airport and Whitesburg Drive. All ages
are welcome: singles, couples and families. There will
be a workshop at 7pm and the dance from 7:30pm
until 10:30pm. Admission is $10/$5 students and free
for ages 12 and under. Go to http://secontra.com/
NACDS.html or call (256) 837-0656.
Friday, February 19
The Sci-Quest, Hands-on Science Center will host
Parents’ Night Out from 6 – 9 p.m. Parents can
drop off their children where they will enjoy dinner,
age-appropriate science activities, and time with
Sci-Quest’s hands-on exhibits. This program is for
children ages 4-12. The cost is $20 for the first child
and $15 for each additional child in the same family.
Members receive a 10 percent discount. For more
information call 256-837-0606, ext. 252 or go to www.
sci-quest.org.
February 19-20
Merrimack Hall presents Spencer’s Theatre of
Illusion, 2009 International Magicians of the Year. It
will be at 7:30pm Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $22
for adults and $17 for children. For more information
go to www.merrimackhall.com.
February 19-21
Fantasy Playhouse presents The Magic of Beauty
and the Beast. It will be in the VBC Playhouse, Friday
at 7pm, Saturday and Sunday at 1:30pm and 5pm. For
tickets or more information call 256-539-6829 or go
to www.letthemagicbegin.org.
The Whole Backstage Theatre in Guntersville
presents, Leading Ladies. It will be Friday and
Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $15
for adults and $12 for seniors. Group rates are also
available. For more information on “Leading Ladies”
or any other Whole Backstage Theatre event, contact
the theatre office at 256-582-SHOW (7469) or visit
online at www.wholebackstage.com. A
labama A&M’s series Books and Coffee will continue its 2010 season of books and reviews with a discussion of W.C. Handy: The Life and Times of the Man Who Made the Blues by David Robertson at 1:00
p.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2010. W.C. Handy (Knopf, 2009) is a look at the life of the Florence,
Alabama native and musical innovator who helped to bring the blues to a wider national audience through songs
such as “St. Louis Blues,” “Memphis Blues,” “Yellow Dog Blues,” and “Beale Street Blues.” Robertson explores
Handy’s many musical influences and traces the evolution of his national identification with the blues style. Of
particular interest to local audiences will be details about Handy’s brief tenure as band director and music professor
at Alabama A&M University. The book provides new scholarship on one of the influential American musicians of
the twentieth century.
In March, the Books and Coffee series will celebrate Women’s History Month with a discussion and book signing
for The Right to Write: The Literary Politics of Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley by Kathrynn Seidler Engberg
at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. Dr. Kathrynn Engberg, a professor in the English department at Alabama
A&M University, will present her book and lead a post-review discussion. The Right to Write (University Press
of America, 2010) traces the careers of American writers Bradstreet and Wheatley through the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries. It examines how each writer, in her own way, managed to break through cultural barriers of
the time, overcoming significant odds to achieve publication. Engberg proposes that each writer “gained agency
within a traditionally patriarchal field of literary production.” Engberg’s examination brings fresh perspectives to
two significant voices of the early American experience.
Books and Coffee, which has been called “the best lecture series in town,” is a series of literary reviews and discussions presented by the Alabama A&M Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Telecommunications each
spring semester. Both events are free! For more information about Books and Coffee, contact Edward Journey at
256.372.4086 or [email protected].
1:30 - 4 pm, inside the MUMC Christian Life
Center Aerodrome. Free for all ages. Bring your
small electric R/C planes and helicopters and fly, or
learn to fly on the FSOne flight simulator. For more
information call Jim Marconnet at (256) 772-3946 or
visit http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.
php?t=898132.
Monday, February 22
The North Alabama Songwriters workshop
is an official Nashville Songwriters Association
International (NSAI) regional workshop. The
workshops are designed to further the knowledge
and craft of songwriting; to provide songwriters
who live outside Nashville with a network of other
songwriters, lyricists and composers; to keep
songwriters informed about issues and changes in
The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra presents, Romeo
and Juliet with Carlos Miguel Prieto as conductor. It
will begin at 7:30pm at the VBCC Concert Hall. Ticket
prices start at $28. For more information call 256-5394818 or go to www.hso.org.
The Great Book Bash will be at the Huntsville Public
Library from 10am until 2pm. There is an admission
charge for this event. For more information call 256532-5940 or go to www. hpl.lib.al.us.
The 3rd Annual Marriage Festival will be at Faith
Presbyterian Church from 8am until noon. The
presenter is Renee’ Mobley PHD. There is a $10
registration fee. For more information go to www.
mcchm.or or call 256-489-3926.
There will be a Green Means Go Hike at 10am at
Blevins Gap Nature Preserve. For those hikers
who are already in good physical shape and want to
hike with others on Land Trust trails for exercise. If it
rains the day before, participants are asked to meet
at Weatherly Elementary School for a five mile street
hike. Kim Arnold (with her famous dog Sparky) will
take the lead on the hike and it will be true aerobic
exercise. Please call The Land Trust office at 256-5345263 or see our website at www.landtrust.com
February 20- March 12
Dora and the V-2: Slave Labor in the Space Age
Exhibition will be at the University of Alabama in
Huntsville. For more information call 256-824-2565 or
email dora.uah.edu.
Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives will
perform at Decatur’s Princess Theatre at 7:30 p.m. It’s an evening with singer-songwriter, Grand Ole
Opry star and four-time Grammy Award winner
Marty Stuart. Tickets and information are available at
340.1778 and princesstheatre.org.
Sunday, February 21
The Flying Monkey Arts will have an Adult Puppetry
Workshop hosted by Squeaking Tribe Studios,
from 1pm - 3pm. Create a short performance work.
Construction and movement techniques developed.
For more information or registration call Anna Sue
Courtney at 256-479-7863 Squeaking Tribe Studios,
or go to www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
The Renaissance Theatre presents Always, Patsy
Cline. It will be at the Main Stage at the Renaissance
Theatre, 1214 Meridian Street. It will be Friday and
Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. The story of
the legendary country singer is told through letters
she sent to her best friend, in a stage show featuring
a live band. For more information go to www.
HAL will have a Collector`s Draw; this is where art
lovers can find great work done by local Artists for a
fraction of their cost. The event will begin at 4pm. The
Draw will take place at the Von Braun Center. Ticket
holders can enter the hall as soon as they wantpreferably after 2pm. A limited number of tickets are
still available for $125 each. Call or come by HAL at
3005 L&N Dr. Suite.2, Huntsville, and (256) 534-3860.
The Sci-Quest, Hands-on Science Center will have,
Rocket Day, from 10 am until 2pm. Join us as we
Come fly with Madison United Methodist
Church, 127 Church Street, Madison. (the
third Sunday of each month in 2010) from
16
Books and Coffee Series Discusses W.C. Handy and “The Right to Write”
#021810031010
the music industry; and to establish unity among
songwriters everywhere. It will be at the Malibu
Apartments Clubhouse from 6:30pm until 9:00. For
more info, go to www.northalabamasongwriters.
com, email [email protected], or
call 256-682-2564
Tuesday, February 23
Alabama A&M University presents Books and Coffee
with presenter Douglas Turner. The book will be W.C.
Handy: The Life and Times of the Man Who Made
the Blues by David Robertson. It will start at 1pm in
J.F. Drake Memorial Library in the Multi-Purpose
Room. For more information contact Edward Journey
at 256-372.4086 or [email protected].
events cont. on pg.17
REGIONAL CONCERTS
ATLANTA
February 23, Tegan and Sara, Variety Playhouse
February 25, George Straight Country Music Festival, Phillips Arena
February 25-26, Alice in Chains, The Tabernacle
February 27, Muse, The Arena at Gwinnett Center
February 27, Jay Z: The BP3 Tour, Philips Arena
March 5, Fresh Fest, Salt N’ Pepa, Biz Markie, Whodini, Doug E. Fresh, Atlanta Civic Center
March 9, Eric Clapton, Gwinnett Center
March 14, Michael Buble’, Gwinnett Center
March 17, John Mayer with Special Guest Michael Franti & Spearhead, Phillips Arena
March 19, Moody Blues, Fox Theatre
March 20, Rodney Carrington, Fox Theatre
March 27, Needtobreathe, Center Stage Theatre
March 30, Alicia Keys, Phillips Arena
April 15, Bon Jovi, Phillips Arena
BIRMINGHAM
February 26, Harry Connick Jr., Alabama Theatre
February 28, Eric Clapton, BJCC Arena
March 6-7, Freestyle Motorcross, Nuclear Comboyz, BJCC Arena
April 20, My Morning Jacket, Alabama Theatre
HUNTSVILLE
February 18, Jason Aldean, VBCC Arena
February 25, Harry Connick Jr., VBCC Concert Hall
March 5, Songwriters Showcase, VBCC Playhouse
March 10, Harlem Globetrotters, VBCC Arena
March 14, Moody Blues, VBCC Concert Hall
March 20, Huntsville Blues Festival, VBCC Arena
March 25, Casting Crowns, VBCC Arena
MEMPHIS
February 27, Harry Connick Jr., Cannon Center for Performing Arts
March 4, George Strait and Reba, FedEx Forum
March 5, Eric Clapton, FedEx Forum
March 7, Gordon Lightfoot, Orpheum Theatre Memphis
March 19, John Mayer with special Guest Michael Franti & Spearhead, FedEx Forum
NASHVILLE
February 19, Keb’ Mo’, Ryman Auditorium
February 23, Harry Connick Jr., Ryman Auditorium
February 25, Trey Anastasio, Ryman Auditorium
February 27, Eric Clapton, Sommet Center
March 1, Buzzfest Fan Appreciation Show with Alice in Chains, Nashville Municipal Auditorium
March 6, Gordon Lightfoot, Ryman Auditorium
March 10, Lady Antebellum, Ryman Auditorium
March 11, Lady Antebellum, Ryman Auditorium
March 15, Muse, Sommet Center
March 16, Foreigner, Ryman Auditorium
March 19, Nashville Blue Festival, Nashville Municipal Auditorium
March 26, John Prine, Ryman Auditorium
March 31, Tegan and Sara, Ryman Auditorium
April 2, Brett Michaels, Wildhorse Saloon
April 2, Train, Ryman Auditorium
April 5, Vampire Weekend Contra Tour, Ryman Auditorium
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
THE VALLEY PLANET
events cont. from pg.16
The Dance Club presents the best in ballroom
dancing every Tuesday night at Roller Time skating
rink, 707 Arcadia Circle with free lessons (East and
West Coast Swing) beginning at 7:30pm and dancing
continuing until 10:15pm. The cost is $5 for regular
and $3 for students. For more information email to
Muriel email to [email protected].
The Sci-Quest, Hands-on Science Center’s
Sprouting Scientists program is specifically
designed for toddlers ages 2-3, and preschoolers
ages 4-5. This weekly program will feature an
experienced preschool educator who will present
an exciting hands-on activity, story and music that
is focused around a selected scientific theme. For
more information call 256-837-0606 or go to www.
sci-quest.org.
Wednesday, February 24
Burritt on the Mountain will have Why “Paint
the Town” when you can “Paint the City?” Come
relax and enjoy an evening of fun, conversation
and painting as you create your own work of art
with good friends and a wonderful view. Classes are
taught by artists Mary Gover and Tammy Cooney in
the Trillium Room from 6:30 until 9pm. The $35 class
fee includes all painting supplies and smocks. Visit
paintthecityhsv.com to view upcoming classes or go
to www.burrittonthemountain.com
Little Fish Inc., presents, Sunshine in February with
the band Sol Driven Train from Charleston, SC. It will be
at the Elk’s Lodge in Decatur, Alabama from 7:30pm
until 11pm. Tickets are $15. For more information go
to souldriventrain.com or email Megan at
[email protected].
Club Rush will have Salsa Night with Salseroblanko
on the first and third Wednesday’s of each month.
Club Rush is located at 109 North Side Square.
For more information email to salseroblanko@
salseroblanko.ccsend.com
Merrimack Hall presents Leon Redbone in concert.
It will be at 7:30pm Friday and Saturday. Tickets are
$30. For more information go to www.merrimackhall.
com.
HTMA’s February coffeehouse will be held at the
Burritt Museum’s Trillium Room at 7pm.
The featured act will be the group Iron Horse, a 4-man
band which was founded in Muscle Shoals in 2000.
For more information go to www.huntsvillefolk.org.
There will be free West Coast Swing Lessons
at Hog Wild II every Thursday night at 6:30pm.
There will be open dancing from 7:30pm to 9:30 pm.
For more information go to www.hogwildcountry.com.
The Fiction Writer’s Group will meet at Coffee Tree
Books & Brew at 7:00pm. (See ad pg 5)
February 25-27
The Renaissance Theatre presents Always, Patsy
Cline. It will be at the Main Stage at the Renaissance
Theatre, 1214 Meridian Street. It will be Friday and
Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. The story of
the legendary country singer is told through letters
she sent to her best friend, in a stage show featuring
a live band. For more information go to www.
Friday, February 26
An Evening at the Cove benefiting CASA of Madison
County will be held from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. The
benefit will be located at Interior Marketplace, 5732
Highway 431 South, Brownsboro. Tickets are $30 and
can be purchased online or at Interior Marketplace.
Tickets can also be purchased at the CASA office
or by mailing a check to the CASA office. For more
information and to RSVP, please contact Larkin at 5337775x17 or email Larkin at Larkin@casamadisoncty.
org.
This year’s “Project Ruffway”or the Dog Ball will be at
6pm at the Von Braun Center East Hall. Visit www.
thedogball.org for more information and how you
can be a part of this year’s DOG BALL! To receive an
invitation to the event please call Loretta Satterfield
with the Greater Huntsville Humane Society at
256.881.8081.
The Huntsville Parapsychology Study Group will
present The Native American Medicine Wheel by
Dori Leigh at 7 pm at Unity Church, 1328 Governors
Drive. Admission is $5.00. For further information,
please contact Joyce Sons @ 256.852.8994.
THE VALLEY PLANET
Gritzfest II will be at Crossroads Music Hall at
7:30pm. It will benefit GRITZ Charities, with portions
of proceeds going to Haiti Relief. Scheduled to appear
are Bonnie Bramlett, Tommy Talton, co-founder of
the 70’s band Cowboy and the “house band” will
be Tommy Crain & The Crosstown Allstars along
with many others. Admission is by a $15 minimum
donation.
The event is being sponsored by GRITZ, Crossroads
Music Hall, The Huntsville Marriott, The Southern Rock
Society, Rocket 95.1, Music Matters Entertainment,
Datatek, Bandito Burrito, and The Valley Planet. For
more information go to www.GRITZ.NET. (See ad pg. 7)
February 26-27
Asbury United Methodist Church will have a two day
Holy Spirit anointed, prayer and missions conference
focused on “Becoming 360° Disciples of Jesus”. The
two keynote speakers are Marilee Pierce Dunker
and Leonard Sweet. Register at www.asburygic.com.
February 26-28
Fantasy Playhouse presents The Magic of Beauty
and the Beast. It will be in the VBC Playhouse, Friday
at 7pm, Saturday and Sunday at 1:30pm and 5pm. For
tickets or more information call 256-539-6829 or go
to www.letthemagicbegin.org.
The Longhorn Rodeo will be at the Von Braun
Center Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at
2pm. For more information call 256-533-1953.
The Junior Critics Film Club will meet at the UAHShelby Center in Room from 10:30am until 12:20 pm.
Learn to create your own films. This is for ages 7-14
years. For more information or to become a Junior
Film Critic, please contact us shang@reeleconnection.
com or call 256-933-0068, or at www.reeleconnection.
com. The Greater Huntsville Chapter of the American
Guild of Organists (AGO) will host its annual “Pipes,
Pedals and Pizza” event on Saturday, from 9:30 am
until 12:30 pm at Church of the Nativity, 207 Eustis
Avenue in Huntsville. It is free for students of all ages,
the workshop introduces the pipe organ --hailed by
Mozart to be “The King of Instruments” and provides
its attendees with the opportunity to learn how
a pipe organ works, to hear music written for the
organ, and the chance play a real pipe organ. The
event will end with lunch, provided by the AGO,
where everyone can enjoy a meal of pizza and salad
with members and students of the American Guild
of Organists. Registration is required. To register,
email [email protected] or call 256 489 7437.
An informational flyer is available at markmoorehead.
net/media/PPP.pdf.
The Flying Monkey Arts will have a Swap-o-RamaRama from 12pm - 4pm. Swap-O-Rama-Rama is a
clothing swap with workshops to help communities
learn to recycle used clothes in a creative and
collaborative environment. Attendees will have the
opportunity to hand sew, machine sew, silk screen,
and embellish clothing in many different ways.
Admission is $5 and a bag of clothes. It will be at
the Flying Monkey Theatre, 2nd Floor, Lowe Mill, 2211
Seminole Drive, Huntsville. For more information go
to www.flyingmonkeyarts.org. (See ad pg 13).
Monday, March 1
Dorothy Montgomery is exhibiting oil paintings and
framed prints of her oil paintings at the Huntsville
Times Gallery during the month of March. The
Huntsville Times is located at 2317 South Memorial
Parkway, and is open Monday through Friday
from 8 am to 5 pm. It is free admission. For further
information please call the Times at: 532- 4494 or HAL
at 534-3860.
Tuesday, March 2
Alabama A&M University presents Books and
Coffee with presenter. Dr. Kathrynn Seidler Engberg.
The book will be The Right to Write: The Literary
Politics of Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley by
Kathrynn Seidler Engberg. It will start at 1pm in J.F.
Drake Memorial Library in the Multi-Purpose Room.
For more information contact Edward Journey at 256372.4086 or [email protected].
Kalou’s Corner Market at 445 Providence Main Street
at Suite 102, will be holding a wine tasting event from
5-7pm. It will be $10 per person with food available
for purchase. Chamber music will be provided by local
musicians. For more information call 256-270-9977.
Career Quest will be at Sci-Quest, Hands-on Science
Center. It is an ongoing event focusing on science,
#021810031010
I
visited my cousin this past Christmas. He and
his wife live in a gated community in Huntington
Beach, California. Their beige condominium sits
directly across a busy highway from the wide-openness
beauty of the Pacific Ocean. My cousin, at 60, still
bears prejudice against blacks, his wife told me; but
my cousin retorted that his wife is just as prejudiced
against Mexicans. She sadly admitted her prejudice
and said she was sorry, but living in California, she is
fearful of Mexicans, “the way they have had of taking
over everything.” It seems my cousin and his wife both
miss the huge irony that the person who keeps the gate
of their community, the one who keeps them locked in
and safe from the outside world, is, in fact, Mexican.
Almost all of us living here are “aliens.”
Some of my father’s people, the Cherokee, and all the
original inhabitants of this land--the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Apache, Iroquois, Algonquian, Blackfoot, Mohegan, Navajo, Pawnee, Hopi, Chinook, Comanche,
Seminole, Sioux, Modor, Chippewa, Arapaho, Crow,
Creek, Dakota, Cheyenne, Huron, among others tribes-were here first. Everyone who came after was an immigrant, or an alien, and they (including my mother’s
people and certain “sides” of my father’s people) “took
over everything.” My father’s Cherokee people, and,
therefore, to some extent, my people, never thought of
the idea of “gated communities.” Too bad. Or is it?
My cousin and his wife live imprisoned by a gate they
pay their presumed “enemy” to guard-- and imprisoned
by their own prejudices, fears, and paranoia. One hell
of a way to live. In fact, I don’t call it “living.”
The human community is so fractured today. I imagine
a crushed and splintered femur.
In a news item from Des Moines, Iowa, a young man
left his home in the middle of the night to retrieve cigarettes from his car. Temperature: six below zero. When
he returned to the door, he found himself locked out.
There were neighbors on both sides of his house, and
across the street. Instead of knocking on one of those
doors for help, he sat down on his porch until--hours
later--someone found him, both legs almost frozen to
the knee, both feet frozen. Doctors who tended him in
the hospital first thought he would lose both feet, but he
was fortunate to lose only a little toe. If he had not been
found when he was, doctors speculated that he would
have died in a very short time.
Someone might question the lack of thinking skills
of this young man, such as asking the obvious, “Why
didn’t he break a window?” My greater concern is
why he chose freezing to approaching his neighbors
for help.
Once, author Truman Capote (In Cold Blood, Breakfast at Tiffany’s) was locked out of his New York apartment, and he was wearing a pink negligee. Now, that
posed quite a few problems that emotionally scarred
Tru for life. This young man, however, was dressed,
except he wore no shoes and a lightweight jacket, instead of a heavy one.
gates. People who are afraid of other people live in
these communities, but can’t afford things, like, say,
paying the person of whom they are most afraid to keep
the gate. There’s perhaps just a sign saying, “Gated
Community.”
Personally, I don’t think I would sleep any easier-”gated,” “ungated,” or “faux gated”-- while living in a
whole country that is insane. Where can one hide when
the culture has lost its moral identity and its direction
in the world?
How delusional is this? Most Americans actually believe we are a peaceful nation, when, in fact, we are the
most aggressive nation, by far, on the planet. We spend
more than double on defense (attack) than all other
countries in the world--combined. Can we peep from
behind our gates and say, “Paranoid”?
Now, Yemen, that’s a country that needs to fear. One
terrorist comes from somewhere, and--wham--America
is there to strafe EVERYONE.
Fear and paranoia do breed aggression.
Why not just build a great big gate around America?
One so tall it would put the Great Wall of China to antsize shame. America, “a gated country,” along with a
great big steel net across the sky. Let’s live in a cage
like nervous little budgies, always looking up, waiting
for some furry, feral cat to pounce on our cage.
We live where and what we feel. My cousins live like
budgies, waiting for the cat.
The human spirit cannot thrive in alienation and fear.
Americans live in a relatively safe part of the world.
(Nowhere is life guaranteed to be completely “safe.”)
Children and adults in the Sudan have real reasons to
fear, every day and every night. What Americans have
had (and have) to fear is the “propaganda of fear” that
has made terrorism in the world at-large a thousandfold what it was before the Iraq invasion, in which
America destroyed an ancient civilization and an uncounted number of innocent people, four thousand of
whom were its own.
Recently, Evan Billiter and Pam Watters, of Huntsville,
in just five days, organized an unprecedented fund-raising event at the Flying Monkey that featured fearless
musicians Ken Watters and Microwave Dave. Dozens
of Huntsville artists, business people, and families contributed hundreds of items for a silent auction. People,
of diverse cultures, races, and ideas, danced, smiled,
laughed, interacted, felt good about each other, themselves, and about their ability to change the world in
a positive way. This creative “little event” raised over
eleven thousand dollars to send to Haiti.
Hyperbolic understatement: So much in the world is
far beyond our control.
However, I know this much: Fear eats the human soul,
while peace nourishes it, and creates more peace. Can
we take small leaps of faith over our own inner gates
and make peace with “the other” who stands outside?
A friend of mine told me recently about what are referred to as “faux” gated communities. Gated communities that aren’t “for real.” In some cases, the gates
don’t even lock. Or, in extreme cases, there aren’t even
The alternative may be much more unbearable than
freezing to death, just outside one’s own locked door.
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
careers identified as “high-growth” in the Tennessee
Valley. This program is for middle school to college
students who have not yet made a career decision.
Hear and meet career professionals and local 2 & 4
year college representatives who will tell students
about local educational opportunities that will
help them reach their career goals. March’s topic is
information technology. Admission is free, but seating
is limited. For more information call 256-837-0606 or
go to www.sci-quest.org.
rink, 707 Arcadia Circle with free lessons (East and
West Coast Swing) beginning at 7:30pm and dancing
continuing until 10:15pm. The cost is $5 for regular
and $3 for students. For more information email to
Muriel email to [email protected].
Wednesday, March 3
Club Rush will have Salsa Night with Salseroblanko
on the first and third Wednesday’s of each month.
Club Rush is located at 109 North Side Square.
For more information email to salseroblanko@
salseroblanko.ccsend.com
dancing every Tuesday night at Roller Time skating
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
events cont. on pg.18
17
events cont. from pg.17
There will be Shag Dance Lessons held at Hog
Wild every Wednesday night from 6:30pm to
7:30pm with dancing continuing until 8:30pm. Lessons are free and partners are not required. For further information contact 256-533-7446
or www.hogwildcountry.com.
Thursday, March 4
HAL5 (local chapter of the National Space Society)
presents Les Johnson, co-author of Paradise
Regained, The Re Greening of the Earth, , project
scientist for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory
and Chief Scientist for X-ray Astronomy in the
Space Sciences Department at NASA’s Marshall
Space Flight Center,” Great Science With A Great
Observatory: The Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Celebrates 10 Years of Successful Operation”, a
free public lecture on Thursday, March 4, 2010
at 7 PM at the Huntsville - Madison County Main
Public library. All are invited. A social will follow
the meeting. For more info go to HAL5.org or
[email protected].
There will be open dancing from 7:30pm to
9:30 pm. For more information go to www.
hogwildcountry.com.
March 4-7
The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival will be
at University of North Alabama in Florence.
It was nominated by Southeast Tourism
Society as one of the Top 20 Events in the
Southeast for the month of March. The George
Lindsey UNA Film Festival is an exciting
event consisting of film screenings, panels,
discussions and celebrations throughout the
Shoals area. For more information go to www.
lindseyfilmfest.com or call 256-765-4592.
March 4-8
The Bridge Crossing Jubilee will be in Selma,
Alabama. Commemoration of the Selma to
Montgomery Voting Rights March. There will be
a parade, pageant, symposiums, music, Voting
Rights Hall of Fame induction and much more.
For more information go to www.selmajubilee.
com.
Friday, March 5
Friends of Music at Nativity will present a
Trumpet and Organ Recital, featuring Dr.
Carolyn Sanders,trumpet and Ms.Ann Knipschild,
organ. It will begin at 7:30pm. The recital is free
and open to the public. It will be at the Church
of the Nativity at 208 Eustis Avenue in Huntsville.
For more information call 256-533-2455.
Jim Parker’s Songwriter’s Showcase presents
Bill Whyte, Linda Davis, Long Scott and host Jim
Parker. It will be at the VBC Playhouse. For
more information go to www.JimParkerMusic.
com
The Huntsville Branch of the American
Association of University Women (AAUW) will
hold our annual Educational Foundation
fundraiser luncheon on from 11:30am
until
1:00 pm at Carrabba’s Italian Grill,
with featured speaker Dorothy Davidson of
Davidson Technologies. Tickets are $25 and
may be obtained by calling 883-2373 or at The
Arts Council. Reservations must be made by
February 26.
The Flying Monkey First Friday Open House
will be from 5pm until 8pm. Admission is free.
Local artists and others are invited to set up a
booth at the Flying Monkey Arts Center and
sell their wares to the public. There will be art,
jewelry, vintage clothing, records, and more
interesting things for sale inside our facility
- safe from rain. It will be at the Flying Monkey
Arts, 2nd Floor, Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive,
Huntsville. For more information go to www.
flyingmonkeyarts.org
18
The Flying Monkey Arts will have, Monkey
Speak, at 8:30pm. Admission is $5. Monkeyspeak
is Huntsville’s most exciting spoken word openmic night, held the first Friday of every month.
Readers of poetry, short stories and more are
invited to participate. Mature audiences only. For
more information go to www.flyingmonkeyarts.
org.
Saturday, March 6
There will be a Green Means Go Hike at 10am at
Rainbow Mountain in Madison.
For those hikers who are already in good
physical shape and want to hike with others
on Land Trust trails for exercise. If it rains the
day before, participants are asked to meet at
Weatherly Elementary School for a five mile
street hike. Kim Arnold (with her famous dog
Sparky) will take the lead on the hike and it will
be true aerobic exercise. Please call The Land
Trust office at 256-534-5263 or see our website
at www.landtrust.com.
Holy Family School’s 2010 Dinner Dance
and Grande Raffle “Masquerade Ball” will be
at the Von Braun Center their annual from 611pm. Tickets are $50, which includes dinner,
entertainment and beverages.
For more
information call 256- 539-5221 or Cathy at 256858-0622.
The Focusing on Restorative and Preventive
Health Care, Asbury sponsors RESTORE, A
Wellbeing Fair will be at Asbury Church in
Madison. It will be from 9am until 1pm. For
more information go to www.asburyumc.ws or
call 256-837-0365. A Razzy Bailey Barn Dance and Variety Show
with Bobby G Rice and Nash Street will be at the
Alabama Opry, located at 24861 Airport Road
in Athens, tonight at 7pm. Tickets for reserved
seating are$15 or $10 at the door. For more
information call George Hill at 256-216-1151 or
email to [email protected].
There will be a Contra Dance with live
music by Wolves A Howlin’ with calling by
by Chrissy Davis-Camp. It will be in the gym
of Faith Presbyterian Church at the corner
of Airport and Whitesburg Drive. All ages are
welcome: singles, couples and families. There
will be a workshop at 7pm and the dance from
7:30pm until 10:30pm. Admission is $10/$5
students and free for ages 12 and under. Go to
http://secontra.com/NACDS.html or call (256)
837-0656
The House of Fedoras, Fedora Boys and Girls
Org and Good Day present “Artistry of Fusion”
Fashion Show at 6:30pm. It will be downstairs
1st Floor connector Lowe Mill. It is $20 general
admission, $30 VIP admission. Tickets may be
purchased through [email protected]
or ticketalternative.com or call 256-525-6067.
For more information go to www.lowemill.net.
(See ad pg.13)
The Mischief and Mayhem Tour will be a new
walking tour led by historians Rhonda Ford and
Jacque Reeves and explores the little known
events over Huntsville’s first 200 years that rarely
make the history books. Walking tours begin
at 10am in front of Alabama’s Constitution
Village at 109 Gates Avenue. The cost is $8.00
per person for adults, $6.00 for children 12 and
under. See MischiefandMayhem.biz for more
information, or call (256) 509-3940.
Sunday, March 7
The Film Co-op monthly workshop will meet
in Don’s Studio, at the Lowe Mill. It will be
from2pm - 4pm with free admission. Open to all,
public is invited. For more information call Don
at 457-5371 or go to www.flyingmonkeyarts.
org.
Tuesday, March 9
The Tin Pan South Press Preview Party is set
for March 9, 2010 from 3:30 – 5:30 pm at The
#021810031010
Dear Blue Love Diaries
Send your questions in to [email protected]!
months now and it’s getting serious (I’m talking
Dear Blue Love Diaries,
I consider myself a Godly woman yet I have a dif- Marriage) but I’m afraid to have surgery what
ficult time letting go of some things. I forgive and should I do?
leave it alone and a few days, weeks, or months Signed: Lose or Lose
will go by and I find myself thinking about it…
Dear Lose or Lose,
why is that?
Now to my understanding you have already been
Signed: Concerned Christian
dating this man for some time now, so you’re not
losing this weight for him, He seems to love you
Dear Concerned Christian,
I would say start by reviewing your thoughts and for you and not what you look like, but if you are
evaluate their impact. If the impact causes you not happy then make some changes, just don’t try
to react, respond, or reply to something involv- to mold yourself into a design that isn’t you. Stop
ing what you thought you had let go of, then you engaging in self-depreciation and just Love the
really haven’t let it go. Ask God for strength in person you call ME!!
the matter, forgive yourself, admit your role in
the situation and claim responsibility for your ac- Disclaimer: The article above, Blue Love Diations. Then you will be able to carry through with ries, is NOT meant to replace seeking professional therapeutic assistance. It is hoped that the
an open mind and hopeful Heart.
responses given will be helpful, but this article
exists to entertain our readers and is NOT proDear Blue Love Diaries,
I have been trying to lose weight for a long time fessional counseling. In all instances, seek the
and it is been like a rollercoaster ride. I really advice of a professional in your life decisionwould like to try the bypass surgery as my next making.
option, see I’ve been dating this gentlemen for 8
Rutledge (410 4th Avenue South) in Nashville.
There, several featured writers will perform
and announcements will be made regarding
schedules, venues, participating writers and
more. For more information go to www.
nashvillesongwriters.com or tinpansouth.com
to purchase Fast Access passes and check out
Festival updates. Fast Access passes will go on
sale March 10, 2010.
The Flying Monkey Arts, Artist Critique will
be at 7pm. It is open to all visual artists. For
questions, contact Mark Blevins at 256-509-6545
or go to www.flyingmonkeyarts.org
dancing every Tuesday night at Roller Time
skating rink, 707 Arcadia Circle with free lessons
(East and West Coast Swing) beginning at
7:30pm and dancing continuing until 10:15pm.
The cost is $5 for regular and $3 for students.
For more information email to Muriel email to
[email protected].
Wednesday, March 10
Club Rush will have Salsa Night with
Salseroblanko on the first and third Wednesday’s
of each month. Club Rush is located at 109
North Side Square. For more information email
to [email protected]
Thursday, March 11
There will be open dancing from 7:30pm to
9:30 pm. For more information go to www.
hogwildcountry.com.
The American Guild of Organists 25th
Annual Noontime Recital Series will be from
12:10-12:50 pm at St. Mary of the Visitation,
222 Jefferson Street, Huntsville. For more
information: www.huntsvilleago.org.
March 11-13
HAL will be sponsoring a 3-day watercolor
workshop at Valley United Methodist Church.
9:00am to 4:00pm each day. The workshop will
be conducted by Mr. Troy Crisswell, he works in
both oil and watercolor. His work is a unique
combination of classical, graphic and surreal
techniques. Further examples of Mr. Crisswell’s
work can be seen on his website at www.
troycrisswell.com. Price of the 3 day workshop
is $350. Enrollment is limited to 15 students. To
sign-up, contact the Huntsville Art League at
534-3860.
at 7:30pm. For more information call 256-5332455, ext. 203.
Redstone Federal Credit Union proudly presents
the 12th annual “An Irish Evening” event to
benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville
and the Tennessee Valley, Inc. (UCP) at the Von
Braun Center North Hall. Social hour begins
at 6 p.m. and a fabulous buffet of Celtic cuisine
will be served at 7 pm. Dinner entertainment
will also include a performance by The Fitness
Arts Center’s Irish Step Dancers. After the show,
dance the night away with America’s Party Pros.
Reserved seating is $75 per person or $600 per
table of eight. For reservations or additional
information, contact Tracy Cieniewicz at 8594900, [email protected] or visit www.
ucphuntsville.org. March 12-14
Auditions for IMP’s Big River (Musical
adaptation of Huckleberry Finn) will be Friday at
6:30pm, Saturday 1:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. It
will be held at the Fantasy Building located at
3312 Long Avenue in Huntsville. Be prepared
to sing at least 32 bars of music. Bring your
sheet music, accompanist will be provided. Be
sure to wear comfortable clothing for dancing/
movement purposes. There are parts available
for multiple ages. For more information go to
www.imphuntsville.org or call 256-337-9071.
Saturday, March 13
The National Student (Collegiate) Organ
Competition finals will be noon at First Baptist
Church at 600 Governors Drive. For more
information go to www.huntsvilleago.org.
Sunday, March 14
The Nativity Choir will sing Evensong at 5pm at
the Church of the Nativity at 208 Eustis Avenue
in Huntsville. Evensong is free of charge and
open to the public with handicap accessibility
available. For more information call the church
office at 256-533-2455.
Tuesday, March 15
dancing every Tuesday night at Roller Time
skating rink, 707 Arcadia Circle with free lessons
(East and West Coast Swing) beginning at
7:30pm and dancing continuing until 10:15pm.
The cost is $5 for regular and $3 for students.
For more information email to Muriel email to
[email protected].
THE END!
Friday, March 12
The Huntsville Organ Festival will be at Trinity
United Methodist Church at 607 Airport Road
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
THE VALLEY PLANET
FREE WILL
ASTROLOGY
February 18 - March 10
© Copyright 2010 Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): I personally don’t believe
we’re living in the worst of times, although I know
many people who do. While there are indeed reasons
to despair, our current state of affairs is actually in
many ways quite glorious. And our struggles are puny
compared to those of the generation that lived through
the two World Wars and the Great Depression. Having
said that, I think it’s fine to believe that civilization is in
a terrible mess if it motivates you to shed all your trivial
distractions and inessential wishes so as to dedicate
yourself to living an exciting, generous life that’s rich
with love and meaning. Now is a prime time for you,
Aries, to dedicate yourself to such a path.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Throughout 2010, you’re
most likely to be consistently in the right place at the
right time if you cultivate an amused skepticism toward
what’s in vogue. In fact, I suspect that only one trend
will be of any use to you at all. You heard me correctly,
Taurus: Of all the fashionable obsessions that may
tempt you, just one will be in sweet alignment with your
authentic needs. And guess what? Right now happens to
be the perfect moment to get hooked up with it.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When I was lead vocalist
in the band Tao Chemical, I sang a tune whose chorus
went as follows: “I want the truth / the whole truth /
nothing but the truth / I want the truth / Don’t beat around
the bush.” Shortly after we started performing the song,
my girlfriend broke up with me. And she felt free -given what I proclaimed in those lyrics -- to share with
me every excruciating detail about her new relationship.
It was painful, and I felt tempted to forswear the song
and never utter those brave words again. But I was
ultimately glad I didn’t weaken. To this day, I prefer
knowing the full facts. Now I’m recommending to you,
Gemini, that you pledge yourself to the same intention
in the coming weeks. It should be much easier for you
than it initially was for me. Most of the truths rushing
in will be interesting and enlivening, with just a little
angst mixed in.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Jane Austen was
the spinster daughter of a clergyman who led an
uneventful life,” wrote Geoffrey Wheatcroft in The
Guardian. “She just happened to write half a dozen
flawless masterpieces, which came perfectly formed,
not from experience but from imagination.” Most of us
don’t have anything close to the inconceivably potent
imagination that Austen possessed. But I believe 2010
will be a year when you can access at least a portion of
that wondrous capacity. You’ll be able to fantasize about
vast possibilities in exquisite detail. You will have great
skill at smashing your way free of limiting expectations
through the power of your expansive vision. And the
coming weeks will be a time when it should all kick
into high gear.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Of all the symbols in the
world, the swastika is the most horrendous. As the logo
for Hitler’s Nazi movement, it will forever smack of
evil. But it didn’t used to be that way. In many cultures
throughout history, from the Greeks to the Hindus to the
Native Americans, the swastika was a representation of
the sun’s path across the sky, and was regarded as highly
auspicious, even a good luck charm. Can you think of
a more modest equivalent of this phenomenon in your
own life, Leo? A formerly wonderful thing that got
spoiled somewhere along the way? The coming weeks
will be a good time to determine whether you could
redeem and rehabilitate it.
making such good progress if it weren’t for these
inconvenient complications,” consider the possibility
that the inconvenient complications aren’t distractions,
but rather crucial clues; they’re not pains in the assets,
but medicinal prods that point the way to the real
opportunities.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Have you ever watched
the TV show “The Office”? If so, you may remember
when Darryl from the warehouse was going out with
customer service rep Kelly. “You need to access your
uncrazy side,” he told her at a turning point in their
relationship. “Otherwise, maybe this thing has run its
course.” I’d like to invite you to do the same, Scorpio:
Tap into, draw up to the surface, and abundantly express
your uncrazy side. I predict that you will have a whole
lot of fun if you do, thereby proving that you don’t
need to be marinating in chaos and torment in order to
experience high adventure.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The game you’ve
been enmeshed in has reached a sticking point, or soon
will. I recommend that you call for a suspension of
action. If that’s not possible, hide from the other players
for a while, or jokingly tell them you have to excuse
yourself because it’s time for your regular bout of
cleansing escapism. Then, during the break, scour your
brain free of clutter so you can gain a more dispassionate
view of your own strategy. I also suggest that you seek
the advice of a smart and impartial observer. If all goes
well, you’ll be able to return to the fray refreshed within
10 to 15 days.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Being scrupulously
ethical can be taxing and time-consuming. It involves
high levels of ongoing self-examination, which many
people are too selfish and lazy to bother with. On the
upside, pursuing a path with integrity ultimately reduces
one’s suffering. It also attracts the kind of assistance that
is most likely to aid and abet one’s quest for liberation.
As a bonus, it makes it unlikely that one will be a
cockroach in one’s next incarnation. I’m bringing this
up, Capricorn, because I’m sensing that you’re about to
be tempted to be less than your best self. Please don’t
succumb.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “The only function
of economic forecasting is to make astrology look
respectable,” said renowned economist John Kenneth
Galbraith. If that’s true, I’m doubling the damage to
my dignity by using astrological analysis to make an
economic forecast in this horoscope. But that’s OK. My
job is to report the raw truth as I see it, not worry about
my reputation or social status. And the raw truth as I see
it is that you are more likely than all the other signs of
the zodiac to prosper in 2010, even if the economy as
a whole continues to limp along. The next four weeks
will be an ideal time to launch a master plan to take
advantage of this potential.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Historians trace the
origin of Poland as a nation to the year 966. It mostly
thrived for hundreds of years, but was extinguished
in 1795, when three imperialistic invaders -- Russia,
Prussia, and Austria -- claimed different parts of it as
their own. Throughout the 19th century, when there was
no Poland, the Poles fought to restore self-rule. Their
dream came true on November 11, 1918, when Poland
once again became an independent nation. I regard
the phase you’re now in, Pisces, as having certain
similarities to the state of the Polish people in October
1918. Congratulations in advance for the imminent
return of your sovereignty.
Homework: Are you a candidate for pronoia, the idea
that the universe is fundamentally friendly? Check here:
http://bit.ly/WhatisPronoia
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I need a break from
watching you work your psyche to the bone. At least for
now, I’m not willing to indulge you in your inclination
to do your duty so exhaustively that you suffer. And as
much as I admire your drive to get things perfect, I cannot
in good conscience encourage you to do that, either. It
is therefore with a sense of relief that I counsel you to
take at least a week off from the behavior I described.
(Longer would be better.) Instead, try playful, messy
experiments that are in service to your own needs. Be a
freewheeling explorer, a wandering improviser.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Whatever gets in the
way of the work,” wrote poet Jason Shinder, “is the
work.” His counsel will serve as a good reminder for
you if you meet with obstacles in the coming days.
If you ever catch yourself thinking, “Damn! I’d be
THE VALLEY PLANET
#021810031010
A Tribute to Ben Trussell
By Michelle Hilbert
I
n a community full of amazing
musicians and music venues, the
scene has recently been left with
an inconceivable void. To know Ben
was to love him. We all knew him
as a wonderful musician, but he was
much more than that. He was a son,
a brother, an uncle and the best friend
you could ask for.” For the Valley
Planet, Ben was always excited when
he was included, from the interviews
to kick off Huntsville’s Homebrew
to the numerous patio parties he
played at with us, to helping at the
“Best of the Valley” party last year,
he always brought the enthusiasm
needed to make events a success. On
a personal note, Ben was my touchstone, my go to guy. No matter what was going on, or how daily life weighed in,
Ben could laugh and I could not help but join in. His way of making people feel loved and special is unmatched. His giving spirit was apparent to all who were lucky enough to call him friend. He was always there with a “Hey,
Buddy” or a “Hey, Girl” and that big bear hug. There will always be a Ben Trussell sized hole in my heart, and I
know I am not alone in that. In memory of Ben’s giving spirit, The Ben Trussell Memorial Fund has been set up at The Dwelling Place. The
Fund is designed to be an emergency fund for local musicians. The Family of Ben Trussell will evaluate needs on a
case by case basis. Checks can be mailed or taken to The Dwelling Place, 2550 Redstone Rd, Huntsville, AL 35803. Ben will live forever in the stories, memories and pictures his friends have. And those who did not get to know him
will still meet him in his songs. Miss you, Buddy.... See you later.
T
his is Trip Stephens, a young pup who’s having a go as a book critic.
Once I saw what an interest he’d taken in Lost in Translation, or at least the DVD cover, I realized he’s a
deep dog.
For his first book review, Trip has chosen Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.
“Trip is so excited to be contributing to a book review,” his mom said. “He never expected to be able to have a paw
in the literary world given his humble beginnings.”
Warning: This column contains spoilers about Twilight the book and the movie.
AJ: “Why did you choose Twilight for your first review?”
TS: “You read it to me while we were snugglin’, and I liked it a lot. It’s a good story. Stimulating imagery and welldeveloped characters. Except I don’t like that Jacob character. What a nosy, demanding, irritating little boy—even
if he and I are both descended from wolves.”
AJ: “So you’re on ‘Team Edward,’ I take it?”
TS: “Of course. Edward is very strong, and not just physically. Edward makes conscious choices to control
himself, and he takes personal responsibility for his actions. And he loves Bella very selflessly. He’s a very loyal
person. And he has a good sense of humor. What’s not to like? If I weren’t into girl dogs, I’d want to play tug-ofwar with him.”
AJ: “So what is Twilight to you?”
TS: “Other than a chance to curl up with my Aunt Jen? The conflicts Edward faces as a vampire who’s in love with
a mortal is a perfect metaphor for surrendering to love while retaining a healthy sense of self-control. Like Shrek
would say, this book has layers. And that’s one of them.”
AJ: “How would you compare the book to the movie?”
TS: “Well, reading the book after seeing the movie will definitely give the movie a greater meaning in retrospect.
The book’s 500 mouth-watering pages. But the dialogue of my favourite scene in the movie is quite different, and
in my opinion better, than the book—the part where Edward and Carlisle are trying to save Bella after James has
bitten her. While Edward’s sucking the venom from Bella’s bite to the point of almost draining her blood—and
Carlisle’s telling him he’s killing her and to find the will to stop—that fabulous song by Rob Pattinson is playing.
And then that super romantic flashback to the forest and the meadow...It makes my companion Lucy weak in her
four knees every time.”
AJ: “Trip, you’re very insightful. Thanks so much for your thoughts. Perhaps we can read New Moon together
sometime.”
Author Bio: Trip Stephens is a year and a half. His mom adopted him from a Scottsboro-based group called Safe
Haven. Happily, his sister Lola was also adopted the same day, after the two had spent most of their lives in foster
care. Trip and his companion, Lucy Stephens, do lots of backyard running and tug-of-war—sometimes with Mom’s
socks and slippers. Trip has a taste for classical CDs, sweet potato treats, plastic coat hangers, peanut butter, and
wood. Yoga music is his secret to relaxation. Trip’s a big snuggler and is “always squirming around trying to get
a better position on your lap,” Mom says. Trip’s a genius, able to communicate volumes with those “bat ears” of
his. But he also has an overwhelmingly sweet and fun-loving nature, kind eyes and a gentle manner. Trip’s life is
an inspiration and has certainly inspired his Auntie Jen.
Thanks to all of you who write in with your comments and ideas. [email protected], or Auntie Jen, PO
Box 144, Huntsville, AL 35804.
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
19
Most Romantic?
1st Pauli’s Bar & Grill 7.5%
2nd 801 Franklin 3rd Dales Steakhouse
7%
5%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Angel’s Island Coffee, Bandito Burrito/Governor’s, Bandito Southside, Big Ed’s, Bistro
La Luna, Bonefish, Café 113, Cafe Berlin, Cajun Café, Carrabba’s, Chophouse, Connors Steak & Seafood, Cotton
Row, D&L Bistro, Dolce, Grille 29, Happy Tummy, Heritage Club, Home with my wife!, I Love Sushi, KaffeeKlatsch, Landry’s, LeeAnn’s, Luciano’s, Macaroni Grill, Melting Pot, Mezza Luna, Mikato, Ol’ Heidelberg, Olive
Garden, Pane e Vino, Papou’s, Phuket, Port of Madison, Rosie’s Cantina, Ruth’s Chris, Stem & Stein, Surin of
Thailand/Huntsville, Thai Garden, The Dailey Brew, The Ledges, The Melting Pot, The Scene, Tommy’s Pizza,
Tonys Little Italy, Vinotini’s, Voodoo Lounge, Wild Flour Bistro
Best Chef In the Valley?
1st Matt Martin/
Pauli’s Bar & Grill 2nd Tie: Bill Harden/ 801 Franklin and Andy Howery/
Chop House/Pauli’s
3rd Roger Cuadra, Jr/Pane e Vino 11%
8%
6%
Other’s Receiving Votes: Adam Coppens/Chophouse, Anthony Gutierrez/Scene Lounge, Billy/Pauli’s Bar &
Grill, Bubba Jack/O’Charleys, Catherine Shearer/Happy Tummy, Chef Boyce/Cotton Row, Chef Chris McDonald/
Grille29, Chef Cliff Holt, Chef Herman, Chef Parrish/PF Changs, Chris Layton/Cafe 113, Chris McDonald/Grille
29, Cliff Holt/Little Savannah, Darrell Rolen/Baumhower’s, David Gabino/801, David Helba/Ruby Tuesday,
Derek DeWitt/The Scene at Monoco, George Goff/Chophouse, Gina Morgan/801 Franklin, Hall/Luciano’s, Ira
Undland/Chophouse,Jake Reed/Albany Bistro,James Boyce/Cotton Row,James Huckabee/The Ledges,Jason
Corbin/Decatur Country Club, Jason Schauer/Mezza Luna, Jennifer Smith/Crestwood Hospital, Karla/Rusty
Torpedo, Kelvin Wang/Thai Garden, Matthew Pepper, Mike Horgan, Oscar Gutierrez/Bandito-Governors, Paul
Thornton/Pauli’s, Phil sandoval/Phil Sandoval, Scott Curry/Curry’s, Shane Holcomb/Bandito Southside, Sous
Chef George Goff/Chophouse, Stephen Stockton/Redstone Village, Teen de Roode/Clementine’s, Terry/Holiday
Inn Downtown, Thad Gerrell/Redstone Arsenal, Tukky Phorn/Phuket
Best Place to Hear Live Music?
1st Crossroads 17%
2nd LeeAnn’s
3rd Flying Monkey
15%
10%
Others receiving votes: Best 801 Franklin, Angel’s Island, Bandito Southside, Beauregards, Benchwarmer,
Big Spring Jam, Bishops, Blackwater Hattie’s, Bob Baumhower’s, Burritt on the Mountain, Cazadores, Club
Ozz, Coppertop, Finnegan’s, Furniture Factory, Halftime Bar and Grille, Hard Dock Cafe, Hog Wild, Hopper’s,
Humphrey’s, KaffeeKlatsch, Lisa’s Lounge, Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment, Mellow Mushroom, Olivia’s,
Partner’s, Sammy T’s, Songwriter’s Showcase, Sports Page, Sports Vision, The Brick, The Nook, The Station, Tip
Top, VBC Concert Hall, Vertical House Records, Voodoo Lounge, Whiskey’s
Best Place for Karaoke?
1st The Station
20%
2nd Voodoo Lounge
11%
3rd Tie: Moody Mondays and Partners 7%
Others receiving votes: American Legion #237, Bandito Burrito/Southside,”Benchwarmer,Too”, Bishop’s, Blackwater Hattie’s, Boondocks, Casa Mexicana, Charlottes, Club Ozz, Coppertop, El Omeca, Elk’s Lodge, Finnegan’s,
Flying Monkey, Halftime Bar and Grill, Hog Wild, Hoppers, Ken’s, Lisa’s Lounge, Madison Bowling Alley,
Maria Bonita’s, Olivia’s, Sandy’s, The Eagles, The Horse, Tip Top, TK’s, West End Grille
Best Karaoke DJ?
1st Sweet T/Partner’s Bar & Grill
11%
2nd Tie: DJ Brandon Mac/Vieux Carre &
Voodoo Lounge and Doc/The Horse and Mickey’s 7.1%
3rd Jeff Anderson/The Station
5.9%
Others receiving votes: “Carol /Benchwarmer, Too”, DJ Jammin Jeff Kirby, Fred and Cheryl, Howie ,James
Wright, Jimbo/Hog Wild, Peter & The Wolf/Hoppers, Shayne Lenaes, Super Dave/The Horse
20
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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
THE VALLEY PLANET
Best Band Overall:
1st Full Circle
2nd Tie: Second Hand Lincoln and The Decoys
3rd Toy Shop
7%
4%
3.5%
Others Receiving Votes: 40 oz Midget, 5 O’Clock Charlie, Angry Native, Anne McCue, Asher, Backwater, Barnstormers, Ben Trussell Band, Bishop Black, Black Cat
Moan, Black Eyed Susan, Black Label, Bob Walters Banned, Brandi Carlile, Chronic Fury, “Chuck, Russ & Cristina”, Counter Clockwise, Crush, Daikaiju, Dawn Osbourne
Trio, Deer Hunter, Discoasis, Drive By Truckers, Earl & the Blue Mercerinaries, Eyes Around, Grand Prize Game, Group 6,Gryphon,Hank 3,Hash Browns, Haze, Huntsville
Symphony Orchestra, Johnny Black and the J Birds, Juice, Kohlwater, Kosmic Mama, Kush, LaRose, Lesser S, Liberty In Embers, Local Orbit, Michele Malone, Microwave
Dave & The Nukes, Mistaken Identity, Neeve and Friends, Orbit, Pine Hill Haints, Purgatory Lounge, Rage, Rearview Ghost, Redd Letters, Rocket City Jazz Orchstra, Rudy
Mockabee Band, Sandia, Scripted Failures, Section 8,Seducing Alice, Shametown, Silver Streak, Sister Luck, Snake Doctors, Stars Below, The Brakers, The Counterclockwise, The Crackerjacks, The Dawn Osborne Trio, The Flying Dutchmen,The girls with the accordian and snare drum at panoply, The Jason Albert Band, The Robertsons, The
Snake Doctors, The Snake The Cross The Crown, Thomas Function, Thumbless Hitchhikers, Tim Tucker & the hu huhs, TripKase, Turner Family Band, VanDammit, Within
Reason
Best Wine Shop?
1st 5 Points BP 14%
2nd Wine Cellar
3rd Great Spirits
13.5%
13%
Others Receiving Votes: 801 Franklin, ABC, Cafe 113, Chocolate Crocodile, Costco, Fresh Market,”Fuel City, Mad Dog $3.98”, Hi and Buy/5 pts, Kalou’s, Kroger, Lee
Ann’s, Liquor Express, Market Place, Mary’s Grocery, Papa Jacks 5 Points, Pauli’s Gourmet Foods and Wine, Publix, Sams, Spirits, Star Market, Stem and Stein, Texaco/5
points, The Grapevine, Vintage Wine & Cigars, Windmill Beverages, Wine Market
Best Place to Buy Musical Instruments?
1st Fret Shop 19%
2nd AB Stephens
3rd T Shepards
16%
11%
Others Receiving Votes: Band Wagon, Boaz Music and Sound, Counts Brothers Music, Emiron Music, Forks drum Closet Nashville TN, Guita Bob’s,guitar center,
Hallman’s, Hargett Music Center, Harmony Sound, Musicians Friend, Pro Music, Robbins Music
Best Place to Buy CD’s and Music for Listening?
1st Vertical House Records 28%
2nd Best Buy
3rd FYE
24%
10%
Others Receiving Votes: Barnes & Noble, CD Exchange, CD Shop, CD Warehouse, Hot Topic, iTunes, James’ Record and Tapes, Target, Trish Land, Walmart.
Best Tattoo Shop?
1st The Pulse Body Art
2nd Hot Rod Tattoos
3rd Blue Rose
22%
18%
15%
Others Receiving Votes: 5 Diamonds Custom Tattoos, Addition/ Fayetteville, CMB Tattoos, Corrupt Heart Studios, Devotion Tattoo, Ink City, Kreations!, Magic Needle,
Mastermind Tatoos, No Regrets Tatoo studio, No Way, Project Mayhem Tatoos, Pulse Tatttoo, Rocket City Tattoo, The Blue Rose, The Ink Spot, Thicker Than Water, Twisted
Needle, West Coast Tattoo
Best Adult Store?
1st Pleasures 28%
2nd Naughty and Spice
3rd Adult Emporium
15%
12%
Others Receiving votes: 5 Points Beverages, ABC, Adult Emporium, Adult Video, bp, Envy, Hit Video, Lakeside Beverage, Peace Pipe, Red Light Video, Response, Still
Smokin’, Vertical House Records, WalMart
THE VALLEY PLANET
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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
21
Best Blues Artist or Band?
1st Microwave Dave & the Nukes 22%
2nd Bob Walters Banned 3rd Lance Almon Smith Others Receiving Votes: Brenna Read, Christian James Guarin, Counter Clockwise, dave anderson, Dave Gallaher, Dave Holland, EDGAR, Eric Essex, Four Door Ramblers, Full Circle, GoodFella’s, Jim cavader, John J.
Hooker, John Lee Hooker, Josh Clutts, Larry Woellhart, Lee Rittenour, Michelle Malone, Pine Hill Haints, Rob
Alderige, Scott Morgan, Second Hand Lincoln, Stacey Michart, Stacy Michart,”Teja “”Mac”” McKiernan”, The
Bluesman, The Brakers, The Crawlers, The Jason Albert Band, Tim Risbon, Toy Shop, Turner Family Band
Best Musician Overall?
1st Dave Anderson 16%
2nd Scott Morgan
3rd Michael Lesnick
8%
6%
Best Jazz Artist or Band?
1st John Laird 8%
Others Receiving Votes: Alex Dieterich, Amy Ray, Andrew Sharpe, Andy Dale Petty, Anne McCue, Ben Trussell,
Bob Felder, Bob Walters, Bobby Taylor, Carl Cramblit, Chad Brown, Chad Reeves, Chris Kemp, Chris Wilson, Christian James Guarin, Christy Beard, Daniel Lewis, Danny Wilder, David Hood, Davis Anderson, Dawn
Osborne Trio, Dee, Ed Ingram, Gabe Larose, Gary Gilbertson, Glenn Geis, Hunter Copeland, James Irvin, Jason
Humphress, Jay Balcerek, Jeff Goegel, Jen Foster, Jim Cavender, Jimmy Johnson, John Laird, Jonathan Giles,
Josh Cato, Josh Clutts, Josh Macero, Juice, Keith Ramsey, Lanny Williams, Leonard Adams, MacMcAnally, Matt
Bakula, Micheal Donahue, Michele Malone, Microwave Dave, Mike Johnson, Mike Myerson, Mike Roberts,
Mychael John Thomas, Nigel Reilly, Patterson Hood, Philip Mcpeters (Flip), Preston Black, Robbie Robertson,
Robert Lasalle, Ronnie Moore, Russ Holder, Scott Boyer, Scuzzy Johnson, Sean Runnels, Spooner Oldham,
Stephanie Booker, Terry McNeil, The girl with the snare drum at panoply, Tom Cremeens, Travis Thompson,
Wayne Thompson
2nd Jim Cavender
3rd Newt Johnson
Best Female Singer?
1st Marge Loveday
Best Place for Trivia?
1st 3rd Base Grill 14%
2nd Dawn Osborne 3rd Tie: Roberta Silva and Stephanie Booker
10%
8%
6%
Others Receiving Votes: Alli Cat, Amy Ray, Andrea Boggs-Carden, Angela Hacker, Anna Wood, Anne McCue,
Aretha, Ashley Brody Vaughn, Bianca Sandifer, Brenna Read, Carla Russell, Casey Bakula, Christina Lynn, Claire
Lynch, Cris Ashwell, Cristina Lynn, Diane Morgan, Jaeme Case, Jay Robertson, Jen Foster, Josia Fiori, Karen
Lanier, Kim Coffee, Lacey Atchison, Lance Almon Smith, Linda Wood Turner, Marce Davis, Martina McBride,
Michele Malone, Neeve Weinburger, Nichelle Johnson, Sandi, Shawna P, Summer Johnson, Tania White, Tasha
Jones, The girl with the accordian at panoply, Tracy Collins, Victoria
Best Male Singer?
1st Dave Anderson
2nd Scott Morgan
3rd Mike Johnson
Best Rock Artist or Band?
1st Full Circle 7%
12%
11%
Others Receiving Votes: Allen’s Grill and Grog, Bandito Burrito/Governors, Bandito Burrito/Southside, Benchwarmer, Blackwater Hattie’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chips and Salsa, Diamonds, Hooter’s, LeeAnn’s, Logan’s,
Mason’s Pub, Mellow mushroom, Olde Towne, Olivia’s, Partner’s, Pizza Hut/Ardmore, Ruggbys, Sports Page, the
kitchen bandito burrito govenors, The Station, Vertical House, Visions, Voodoo Lounge
17%
15%
Others Receiving Votes: Alabama Crimson Tide, Athens Golden Eagles, Auburn, Austin High Basketball, Decatur High School Football, Decatur Red Raiders, Grissom High School, Huntsville Rugby Club/Wild Turkeys, Ohio
State Buckeyes...that’s local right, Rocket City United, Tennessee Valley Tigers, Titans, TN vols, UAH Charger
Hockey, University of North Alabama, Vipers, West Limestone Mini-Midget football
Best Bowling Alley?
1st PlamorLanes
22%
18%
17%
Others Receiving Votes: Harvest Bowling Lanes, Madison Bowling, Monarch, Pin Palace, Rivercity, The Station 2
Others Receiving Votes: 40 oz Midget, 5 O’Clock Charlie, Angry Native, Anna Wood, Anne McCue, Barnstormers, Ben Trussell, Black Eyed Susan, Black Label, Bob Walters, Brandon Holder, Bridges Burn, Cancerslug, Charlie Howell, Chronic Fury, Counter Clockwise, Crush, Daikaiju, David Anderson, Drive By Truckers, Grand Prize
Game, Hash Brown, J.J. Cale, James Irvin, Jen Foster, Johnny Black and the J Birds, Josh Clutts, Juice, Kings of
Leon, Kohlwater, Kush, LaRose, Lesser S, Liberty in Embers, Local Orbit, Lynam, Marge Loveday, Mike Roberts, Nick Lasalee, Rob Aldrige, Sandia, Scripted Failures, Second Hand Lincoln, Seducing Alice, Snake Doctors,
Sons of Roswell, Swamp Brothers, The Brakers, The Flying Dutchmen, The Jason Albert Band, The Robertsons,
Thumbless Hitchhikers, Tim Tucker, Tool, Toy Shop, TripKase, Turner Family Band, Within Reason
Best Country Artist or Band?
1st Jonathan Carter 7%
Best Place for Darts?
1st Ruggby’s 12%
2nd Finnegan’s
3rd Voodoo Lounge
11%
9%
Others Receiving Votes: 3rd Base Grill, Allen’s Grille and Grog, Bandito Southside, Benchwarmer, Bishop’s,
Cafe 113, Club Ozz, Coppertop, Diamonds, Eagle’s, End Zone, Half time Bar & Grill, Lee Ann’s, Lena’s Place,
Lisa’s Lounge, Mickeys, Moody Mondays, Partners, Roseberry Pub & Grill, Sports Page, The Brick, The End
Zone, The Nook, The Station, Thirsty Turtle, Vertical House
Best Place for Pool?
1st Bumpers 6%
5%
Others Receiving Votes: Absolom Rising, Andy Dale Petty, Anna Brooke, Barnstormers, Bonafide, Brenna Read,
Chris Curry, Chris Shepard Band, Christian James Guarin, Christina Lynn and Chuck Rutenburg, Counter Clockwise, Crackerjacks, Cristina Lynn, Duane Walker, Fistful of Beard, Full Circle, Iron Horse, Jamey Johnson, Jason
Albert Band, Jeff Whitlow, John H. Davis, Josh Clutts, Kohlwater, Lanny Williams, Michelle Malone Banned,
Mychael John Thomas, Phil Weaver, Pine Hill Haints, Scott Morgan, Second Hand Lincoln, The Mavericks,
Turner Family Band
2nd Bob Baumhowers Wings
3rd TGI Fridays 2nd AMF Parkway Lanes
3rd Redstone Arsenal Bowling Center
2nd Scott Morgan
5%
3rd Thomas Function 4%
22
Others Receiving Votes: Abstract, Black Root, Bob James, Bob Walters, Chip Gulbro, Christabel and the Jons,
Counter Clockwise, David Binney, Edgar Acosta, Eric Essex, Full Circle, Good Fella’s, Josh Clutts, Keith Karlson, Ken Watters, Kush, Michael Lesnick, Michelle Malone, Microwave Dave, Miss Tess, Moondust Big Band,
Phil Weaver, reginald Jackson, Sandia, Sarah Reeves, Scott Morgan, Sundays at the Klatch When they all get
together, Swing Shift,”Teja “”Mac”” McKiernan”, The Jason Albert Band, Turner Family Band
2nd Huntsville Stars
3rd The Havoc
Others Receiving Votes: Andrew Sharpe, Anthony Nicholson, Ben Trussel, Bert Corbin, Blake Nix, Bobby Milk,
Bobby Taylor, Carl Cramblit, Charlie Howell, Charlie Markham, Christian James Guarin, Chuck Rudenberg,
Colin Brooks, Daniel Lewis, Danny Wilder, Dave McConnell, Denny O’Dell, Donnie Cox, Duane Walker, Ed
Ingram,Edgar, Gabe Larose, Geoff Geis, Jamie Barrier, Jason Albert, Jason Isbell, Jay Richter, Jeff Anderson, Jeremy Barkley, Jeremy Woods, Jim Cavender, Joey Norwood, Jonathan Giles, Josh Macero, Kevin Bullard, Lance,
Lanny Williams, Matt Bakula, Michael Ball, Michael Buble, Michael Lesnick, Micheal Donahue, Microwave
Dave, Mike Roberts, Monkey Wommack, Nathan Porter, Patterson Hood, Philip (Flip) McPeters, Reese Rushton,
Rob Aldridge, Robbie Robertson, Robert Lasalle, Robert Norman, Ronnie Moore, Scott Haas, Tim Tucker, Travis
Thompson
2nd Jason Albert
3rd Backwater
7%
4%
Favorite Local Sports Team?
1st Dixie Derby Girls 27%
15%
8.5%
8%
7%
4%
#021810031010
2nd Tie: Mason’s and Chips and Salsa
3rd Shooters
14%
6.5%
6%
Others Receiving Votes: Allen’s Grill and Grog, American Legion #237, Bandito Southside, Benchwarmer,
Bishop’s, Blackwater Hattie’s, Cafe 113, Chasers, Classic Pizza, Coppertop, Dee’s, Diamonds, Finnegan’s, Halftime Bar and Grill, Hog Wild, Jazz Factory, Lee Ann’s, Lena’s Place, Lisa’s Lounge, Marriott, Mickeys Upstairs,
Moody Mondays, Moondog’s, Mooresville Bar & Grill, Olivia’s, Ozz, Partners, Ruggby’s, Sports Page, Steve’s
Lounge, The Brick, The End Zone, The Horse, The Nook, The Rack Café, The Station, The Station 2, Third Base
Grill, Thirsty Turtle, TK’s, Visions, Voodoo Lounge
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
THE VALLEY PLANET
Best Gallery?
1st Flying Monkey
2nd Huntsville Museum of Art
3rd Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment
28%
19%
9%
Others Receiving Votes: 801 Franklin, 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, Heritage Interiors, Huntsville Art League, Imhotep Gallery, Madison Square, Meridian Arts, Metro Art Museum in NY, Railroad Antiques, Signature Gallery, Spirited Art, Susan Knecht Studio, Thai Garden, The Chef’s
Table, The comic book store on SPkwy, The Little Green Store on Monte Sano, UAH Student Gallery, Uptown,
Vertical House, Willis Gray
Best Gift Shop?
1st Trish Land 10%
2nd Flying Monkey
9.5%
3rd Botanical Garden 6%
Others Receiving Votes: Indigo Boutique, Interior Marketplace, Jan’s Hallmark, Lawren’s, Lin Z Dru’s, Lowe
Mill Arts and Entertainment, Lynn’s Hallmark, Mole Hole, Mulberry Street, Naughty and Spice, Pauli’s Gourmet
Foods and Wine, Pleasures, Railroad Station Antiques, Red Door Interiors, Sam Frank and Moore, Savvy Gifts,
Signature Gallery, Space and Rocket Center, Spencer’s, Susan Knecht Studio, Tammy Eddy Antiques & Interiors,
Target, The comic book store on SPkwy, The Deep Comics & Games, The Little Green Store on Monte Sano,
The Mustard Seed, Topiary Tree, Tuesday Morning, Two Friends, Vertical House Records, Virago at the Flying
Monkey, Wal-Mart, Williams and Sonoma, Wine Cellar, Zazzy’s, Zero Gravity.
Best Park?
1st Monte Sano 20%
2nd Big Springs Park
3rd Botanical Gardens
19%
10%
Others Receiving Votes: Adventure Park, Bankhead Forest, Bicentennial Park, Braham Springs, Bridge Street,
Bud Cramer Park, Burritt on the Mountain, California St. Park, Cathedral Caverns, Creekwood Park, Delano Park,
Ditto Landing, Dublin Park, Fazier, Fern Bell, Green Mountain Nature Trail, Green Way, Guntersville State Park,
Hays Nature Preserve, H’ville Dog Park, Jack Lynch Park, Joe Wheeler, Lake Guntersville, Land Trust, Madison
Park, Maple Hill Park, Point Mallard, Rainbow Mtn.,”Rhodes Ferry Park, Decatur”, Rick Cooper Memorial Park,
Secret Place, Sharon Johnston Park, Smith Lake, Sparkman Park, Stoner Park, The Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment center, UAH Duck Pond, Village Green in Madison
Best Place to Hike?
1st Monte Sano 37%
2nd Land Trust Trails
3rd Walls of Jericho
12%
10%
Others Receiving Votes: 3 Caves, 4 mile Post, 5 pts, Aldridge Greenway, Bankhead Forest, Ditto Landing,
Gorham’s Bluff, Green Mountain, Hwy 71, Jackson County Park, Lake Guntersville, Noccalula Falls, Providence
Greenways, Rainbow Mountain, Seven Falls, Sipsey Wilderness, Smokies, Wade Mountain, Wheeler Wildlife
Best Neighborhood?
1st 5 Points 36%
2nd Olde Towne
3rd Twickenham
9%
4%
Others Receiving Votes: 72 East, Albany Historic District in Decatur, All of the Valley, Blossomwood, Bouggertown, Burningtree Meadows, Burningtree Valley Estates, Camelot-Autumn Chase, Canebrake Club, Cedarhurst,
Chapel Hill Road, Clear Springs, Collinwood Estates, Creekwood, Darylwood Estates, Downtown, Downtown
Madison, Dug Hill, Edgewater, English Village, Fleming Meadows, Fox Run, Hampton Cove, Harvest, Henson
Hills, Highland Lakes, Hillendale, Jones Valley, Lincoln Village, Lowe Mill District, Madison, Madison Heights,
mayfair, Medaris Road, Merrimack Village, Monrovia, Monte Sano, Mt.Carmel, North of Five Points, Old
Historic Decatur, Old Town Madison, Point Mallard, Providence,”Pt. Mallard, Decatur”, SE Huntsville, Shadow
Springs, South Huntsville, Spencer Estates, Steeplechase,”Stoneway Trail, Madison”, The Overloook, West Fork,
Winchester Estates
THE VALLEY PLANET
#021810031010
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
Dean from Theory of a Deadman
READS the VALLEY PLANET –
share it with someone you know!
Happy Birthday Rocket 95.1!!
Great Party!!
23
Côtes-du-Rhone
O
ne of the interesting bits about building up
an archive of columns is discovering my
own little quirks -- whether it’s reusing
vocabulary, falling back on certain varieties of
wine, or just the evolution in tone as I’ve written
more and more entries.
For instance, I’ve likened all sorts of wines to
Cotes-du-Rhone. It’s one of my favorite French
wines, so it’s only natural that I’d use it as a
baseline for any number of things, right? One
problem, though...I’d never actually written much
about what a Cotes-du-Rhone actually was, so I
can imagine you saying, “Well, that’s all fine and
dandy, Mike -- but what in tarnation do you mean
by that?” So, let’s take care of that, shall we?
The Cotes-du-Rhone appellation is the
viticultural area that surrounds the Rhone River
in Southeastern France. It stretches from Lyon in
the north to Avignon in the South and spreads east
and west through the valleys of the various Rhone
tributaries.
Cotes-du-Rhone, much like the Beaujolais region
in Burgundy, divides its nomenclature by quality.
Wines labeled “Cotes-du-Rhone” can be made
from grapes grown anywhere within the region.
About 95% of these wines will be reds. These
reds must contain at least 40% Grenache. The
remaining 60% will be largely a blend of Syrah,
Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Carignan.
The Cotes-du-Rhone produces an impressively
broad range of wines. The northern end of the
Rhone valley is known for big, Syrah-based reds
and delicate, impressive whites made largely from
Viognier. The south of the region produces 80%
of the wine -- most of the wines you see labeled
“Cotes-du-Rhone” are going to be from the south
and will be dominated by Grenache.
The next higher level of quality is “Cotes-duRhone Villages” -- these wines are made from
grapes in a limited number of communes in the
region. A few may even have the name of the town
as part of the name. Beyond that are the “Cru”
designations, wines from specific towns which
stand among the world’s best. You’ve likely heard
of many of them -- Cote Rotie, Croze-Hermitage,
Hermitage, and Condrieu in the northern part of
the region and Chateauneuf-de-Pape, Gigondas
and Vacqueryas in the south. There’s also Tavel,
the cru in the southern region just across the river
from Chateauneuf-de-Pape that produces some of
the best rosé in the world.
The wines we’re looking at here, however, are
the basic reds. Cotes-du-Rhone cranks out a lot
of very good, very approachable red wine. These
wines tend to be drunk young -- within five
years of bottling. These reds tend to be medium
bodied with lots of cherry and dark berry flavors.
The “old world funk”/earthiness classic to many
French reds is usually there to some extent -- but
not as powerfully as in many Bordeaux. Even so,
these are usually great wines to go with anything
earthy or sausagey -- or even just to uncork and
pass around.
So, if you’d like to see what I’ve been talking
about all this time, here are a few for you to try:
Domaine la Montagnette 2007 Cotes-du-Rhone
Villages: An excellent “gateway” Cotes-DuRhone if you’re looking for one to get yourself
started, since there’s not quite as powerful an
earthy characteristic. It’s there, sure -- but it’s an
undertone to the big black cherry flavors. There
are also some herbal notes on the nose, and the
finish is long and much fruitier than many Cotesdu-Rhone you’ll find. A solid all-around wine and
a good one for any kind of grilled food -- from
chicken to steak. $11-14.
Verget du Sud 2005 Cotes du Luberon -Cotes du Luberon is a region within Cotes-duRhone that nestles right up against the Provence
region. I’ve tried any number of Verget’s wines,
and I’ve never been disappointed. The nose is a
nice blend of cherries and earthy scents. This is
an exceptionally well-balanced, medium bodied
wine. There’s a lot of complexity for an $8-10
bottle here. You’ll get lots of dark fruit with a
little edge of coffee. Finish is dry and lasting. We
had this with some lamb sausages, grilled veggies,
and couscous, and it was absolutely scrumptious.
An absolute steal.
M.
Chapoutier
2006
Cotes-du-Rhone
Belleruche -- An interesting wine that also
appeals to environmentalist sensibilities. Michael
Chapoutier has long been a proponent of
biodynamic and organic winemaking. This wine
also has a lot going on. The nose is almost raisiny
unless you let it breathe for a bit (say 45 minutes
or so). At that point, you’ll get an interesting nose
of cherries, and cedar. There’s a nice amount of
fruit on the tongue coupled with some interesting
peppery flavors and a strong shot of that French
funkiness. The finish is long and somewhat
tannic, making it a great match for stew, meatloaf,
or something similarly hearty. $10-12.
ReLit: Smokin’ Hot Reads
Worth A ReKindle
by: Ricky Thomason
ot precisely literature, but one of the most salacious stories
I’ve ever read. In the heart of the post WW II South, the
town’s prettiest magnolia blossom and the soon to be filthy
rich grandson of the town’s most prominent citizen and judge are
engaged to be married. She’s so hot she gives off sparks, and he’s
too stupid to enjoy it. “I’ll save your honor for you. I will wait until
we are married.”
Enter Harry Diadem, a man with a dark past - imported as a hired
gun, and a big one at that. Oh, the best planned lays of mice and
men. As the doors sang, “What the men don’t know the little girls
understand...Seduced on a tombstone and laid on a cotton bail”
sounds too good to be true for Harry, and it may be, because there’s
an inhumanly powerful dwarf that watches over “His angel.” N
24
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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
THE VALLEY PLANET
by Chuck Shepherd
THE VALLEY PLANET
#021810031010
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
25
LISTINGS
[email protected]
Dining
801 FRANKLIN
801 Franklin Street, Huntsville, 256-519-8019.
APPLEBEE’S
3150 N. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256 859-4200
11331 Hwy 72 E., Athens
BEAUREGARD’S (3 Huntsville locations)
1009 N.Memorial Pkwy , 256-512-0074 511 Jordan Lane, 256-837-2433
975 Airport Rd. SW, 256-880-2131
1421 H.Paramount Dr., Huntsville, 256-489-5380
Breakfast, Coffee & Lunch
ALABAMA BREAD COMPANY
975 Airport Rd., Huntsville, 256-882-2010.
SCHLOTZSKY’S DELI (3 locations)
4319 University Drive NW, 256-830-6400
11120 Memorial Pkwy SW, 256-650-6300
8969 Hwy. 20, Madison, 256-464-5300
SOUL BURGER CAFE
3250 Leeman Ferry Rd SW | (Inside Huntsville Athletic Center) | 256 881-0931
ANGEL’S ISLAND COFFEE
7538 S.Memorial Pkwy., Huntsville, 256-319-3424
ANOTHER BROKEN EGG CAFE
2750 Carl T. Jones Dr., Huntsville
STANLIEO’S SUB VILLA (2 Huntsville locations)
605 Jordan Lane, 256-837-7220
602 Governors Drive, 256-536-6585
COFFEE CREATIONS
616 HWY 31, S ATHENS, AL 35611
TOMMY’S PIZZA
325 The Bridge St. STE 101, Huntsville, 256-327-8600
COFFEE TREE BOOKS & BREW
7900 Bailey Cove Rd., Huntsville, 256-880-6464
TONY’S ITALIAN DELI (2 Locations)
119 James Madison Drive SW, Huntsville, 256-772-4448
Airport Rd., Huntsville
CRACKER BARREL (2 Locations)
2001 Drake Ave, Huntsville256-881-4177
120 Cleghorn Blvd., Madison,256-461-7670
BBQ
PHIL SANDOVAL’S MEXICAN RESTAURANTE
6125 University Dr., Huntsville, 256-489-5711
ROSIE’S MEXICAN CANTINA (2 locations)
6125 University Drive, 256-922-1001
7540 S. Memorial Pkwy, 256-382-3232
TERESA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
1906 Gunter Ave., Guntersville, 256-582-5673
Italian
TORTORA’S
182 Old Hwy 431 Suite B, Hampton Cove, AL 35763, 256-536-6100
CARRABAS
Parkway Place Mall Huntsville, Al 35801
LA STRADA
524 Gunter Ave., Guntersville. 256-582-2250.
DAILY BREW
350 Market St. #A, Decatur, 256-355-0330
BB PERRINS
608 Holly St, NE, Decatur, 256-355-0980
RICATONI’S ITALIAN GRILL
107 N. Court St., Florence, 256-718-1002
ELK RIVER COFFEE COMPANY
117 Main Avenue North, Fayetteville, 931- 438-9888
BIG BOB GIBSON’S BBQ
2520 Danville Rd. SW, Decatur, 256-350-0404
ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL
5901 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-722-4770
JAMO’S CAFÉ
413 Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville, 256-837-7880.
CLEM’S BBQ & FISHERY
3700 Blue Spring Rd., Huntsville, 256-852-6661
TELLINI’S CAFE & GRILL (2 LOCATIONS)
1515 Perimeter Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-726-9006
CAFE 113
113 Grant St. SE, Decatur, 256-350-1400
JAVA JAAY CAFE (2 Decautr Locations)
1713 6th Ave. SE, Decatur, 256-351-8555
1801 Beltline Rd. (Colonial Mall), 256-350-6700.
DREAMLAND
3855 University Dr., Huntsville 256-539-7427
TERRANOVA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
1420 Paramount Dr., Huntsville, 256-489-8883
CAFÉ MICHAEL
5732 HWY 431 S, Huntsville, 256-539-9113.
KAFFEEKLATSCH
103 Jefferson Street, Huntsville, 256-536-7993.
Tony’s Little Italy(2 locations)
7 Town Center Drive, Huntsville 256-721-7629
4800 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256 881-2147
CAHOOTS
114 WestMarket Street, Fayetteville, 931 433-1173
LAGNIAPPES COFFEE CAFE
119 East Moulton, Decatur
GIBSON BBQ (4 locations)
3319 Memorial Pkwy., Huntsville, 256-881-4851
8412 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, 256-882-0841
735 Hwy 72 E, Huntsville, 256-852-9882
1715 6th Ave., SE, Decatur, 256-350-6969
CHILI’S (2 Huntsville locations)
4925 University Drive, 256-722-9620 2740 Carl T. Jones, 256-882-1230
LITTLE DINER (across form Chuckee Cheese)
1219 Jordan Lane Suite A, Huntsville, 256 837-6971
CHOPHOUSE, THE
109 Washington Street, Huntsville, 256-704-5555.
MAMA ANNIE’S
4550 Meridian St. N, Huntsville, 256-489-3275
CLAYSVILLE SNACK BAR
21192 U.S. Hwy 431, Gunterville
O’HOULIHAN’S
101 East Market Street, Fayetteville 931 433-0557
CRAWMAMMA’S
5000 Webb Villa, Guntersville, 256-582-0484
OLDE TOWNE COFFEE SHOPPE
511 Pratt Ave NE, Huntsville, 256-539-5399
CUES STEAKHOUSE
12361 U.S. Hwy 431, Guntersville,
SPARKY’S COFFEE HOUSE
14445 US Hwy 431 Guntersville, AL 256-486-3410
D&L BISTRO
7500 SW Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville,
256-881-7244, located in Main St. South
SUBWAY
14450 hwy 231-431 STE A, Hazel Green
B&J RESTAURANT
Hwy 231 S., Lacey Springs, 256-880-0521
BONEFISH GRILL
4800 Whitesburg Dr. , 256-883-0643
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
2750 Carl T. Jones Dr., Huntsville, 256-650-4115
THE DOCKS
417 Ed Hembree, Scottsboro, 256-574-3071
DOLCE
365 The Bridge Street, Huntsville, 256-327-8385
FURNITURE FACTORY BAR & GRILL
619 Meridian Street N, Huntsville, 256-539-8001.
GRILLE 29
445 Providence Main, Huntsville, 256-489-9470.
HAZEL GREEN FAMILY RESTAURANT
13903 Hwy 231-431 N, Hazel Green 256 828-7959
HOOTERS
4730 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-722-0166.
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL
109 Washington Street, Huntsville, 256-704-5555.
INSIDE OUT
10871 County Line Rd. STE E, Madison, 256 461-8082
K C’s COYOTE CAFE
410 Old Town St., Guntersville, 256-582-1676
LOGAN’S ROADHOUSE (3 Huntsville locations)
4249 Balmoral Drive, Huntsville, 256-881-0584
University Drive NW, Huntsvile
2315 Beltline SW, Decatur, 256-432-2746
MAIN STREET CAFE
101Main Street, Madison, 461-8096
MAMA ANNIE’S
4550 Meridian Street N, 489-3275
MARKET STREET CAFE
475 Providence Main Street, Huntsville, 256-489-6273
NEWK’S EXPRESS CAFE
4925 University Dr, Huntsville, 256-430-9662
PAULI’S BAR & GRILL
7143-C Hwy 72 W, Huntsville, 256-722-2080.
THE RESTAURANT
2167 Winchester Hwy, Kelso, TN, 931-433-9946
SCENE AT BRIDGE STREET
370 The Bridge Street, Huntsville,
SHEA’S EXPRESS
415 E Church St, Huntsville AL, 532-5277
TGI FRIDAY’S
4935 University Drive NW, Huntsville, 256-830-2793
TOP O’ THE RIVER
7004 Val-Monte, Guntersville, 256-582-4567
WEST SIDE COFFEE PLACE & CAFE
2699B Sandlin Rd., SW, Decatur, 256-353-2025
WILD FLOUR BISTRO
501 Jordan Ln., Huntsville, 256-722-9401
WINGS SPORTS GRILLE
4250 Balmoral Dr. SW, Huntsville, 256-881-8878.
WINTZELL’S OYSTER HOUSE (2 LOCATIONS)
5100 Sanderson St., Huntsville, AL 256-726-0511
14445 US Hwy 431 Guntersville, AL 256-582-5600
26
MERIDIANVILLE BBQ
11537 Hwy. 231N., Meridianville, 256-828-3725
OLE HICKORY PIT BBQ
5061 Maysville Road New Market, 256-859-2824
SIMMON’S BBQ
10099 South memorial parkway, 256-882-5030
Smokey’s Barbeque
8073 Hwy 72, W, Madison, 256-721-0300
THOMAS PIT BBQ
Hwy 72 ,W, Madison, 256-837-4900
Home Cooking
BILL’S CAFE
111 East Market St., Fayetteville, 931 433-5332
WILD ROSE CAFE
121 North Side Square, Huntsville, 256-539-3658
BLUE PLATE CAFE
3210 Governors Drive, Huntsville, 256-533-8808
Cajun
DUFFEY’S
5125 Moores Mill Rd., Huntsville, 256-859-6003
CAJUN CAFE
704 Hwy 231 Lacey’s Spring 256-650-5586
PO BOY FACTORY
815 Andrew Jackson Way, Huntsville, 256-539-3616.
G’S COUNTRY KITCHEN
2501 Oakwood Dr., Huntsville, 256-533-3034
MAMA ANNIE’S
4550 Meridian St. N, Huntsville, 256-489-3275
TIM’S CAJUN KITCHEN
114 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, 256-533-7589.
MULLIN’S
607 Andrew Jackson, Huntsville, 256-539-2826
Mediterranean
ROLO’S CAFE
505 Airport Rd., Huntsville, 256-883-7656
JAMO’S CAFE
413 Jordan Ln., Huntsville,
SKILLET
1605 Pulaski Pike NW, Huntsville, (256) 533-5734
PAPA GYROS
Mexican & Southwestern
PAPOU’S
110 South Side Square, Huntsville, 256-534-5553
Burgers, Deli, & Pizza
BANDITO BURRITO (2 locations)
3017 Governors Dr SW, Huntsville, 256-534-0866
208 Main St., Madison, 256-461-8999
BELLACINO’S PIZZA & GRINDERS
8572 Madison Blvd, Madison, 256-774-1918
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE
11220 S.Parkway, Huntsville, 256-489-3232
BIG ED’S PIZZERIA
903 North Parkway Huntsville 256-489-3374
CANTINA LAREDO
300 The Bridge Street, STE 100, Huntsville, 256-327-8580
Billy’s Sports Bar & Grill
14881 Highway 231 431 N, Hazel Green, 256-829-0555
C.F. PENN HAMBURGERS
121 E. Moulton St., Decatur, 256-553-1903
CASA BLANCA MEXICAN RESTAURANT (4 locations)
7830 Hwy 72 W, Ste 230, Madison 256-864-0360
140 Browns Ferry Rd, Madison 256-464-6044
7900 Bailey Cove Rd, Huntsville 256-883-4447
1802 Hwy 72 E, Ste D, Athens 256-771-0130
CHEEBURGER, CHEEBURGER (3 locations)
5000 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256-885-3700
300 Hughes Rd, Madison, 256-464-9990
Providence Main, Huntsville, 256-830-4222
EL CAMINO REAL
41782 Hwy 231, Meridianville, 256 828-2942
DALLAS MILL DELI
500 Pratt Ave. Huntsville, 256-489-4240
DUFFY’S DELI
2324 Whitesburg, Huntsville, 256-533-4179
FIREHOUSE SUBS
3022 S.Mem.Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-885-2257
8572 Madison Blvd.,, Madion, 256-774-8028
MELLOW MUSHROOM
470 Providence Main St Ste.102, Huntsville, 256-864-2727
McALLISTER’S DELI (2 Huntsville locations)
4800 Whitesburg Drive S, 256-880-1557
1480 Perimeter Pkwy, 256-425-0034.
PANE E VINO
300 Church St. S.W., Huntsville (256) 533-1180
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS
365 The Bridge St., Huntsville, 256-327-8530
SAM & GREG’S GELATO CAFE
119 North Side Sq. , Huntsville, 256-533-9030
CASA OLE
13989 Hwy 231-431 Hazel Green,, 256 828-6000
Asian
ASIAN CITY
10871 County Line Rd. STE C, Madison, 256-772-8282
CHINA MOON
11700 S Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-880-2626
DING HOW II
EDO JAPANESE RESTAURANT
104 N. Intercom Drive, Madison, 256-772-0360
HYUN’S KOREAN GARDEN
Main Street South Shopping Village
7500 Memorial Pkwy South,Huntsville, 256 489-8888
I LOVE SUSHI
2000 Cecil Ashburn Dr. ATE 102, Huntsville, , 256-885-1818
MIKATO JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE & LOUNGE
4061 Independence Dr. NW, Huntsville, 256-830-1700.
MIKAWA RESTAURANT
1010 Heathland Dr, Huntsville, 256-837-7440.
MISO HOUSE
404 Jordan Lane, Huntsville. 256-489-7766
MIWON JAPANESE RESTAURANT
404 Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville, 256-533-7771
MIYAKO
10013 South Parkway, Huntsville, 256-880-9879
NEW CHINA
8580 Madison Blvd, Madison, 256-772-0990
PANDA
5000 Whitesburg Dr., Suite 128, 256-880-3220/880-1395
PHUKET
Providence Town, Huntsville, 256-489-1612
ROYAL BUFFET
2003 Drake Ave. Huntsville, 256-883-8998
Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant
8760 Madison Blvd. Ste. # P and Q, Madison, AL 35758 ,256-772-0202
SHO GUN JAPANESE STEAK & SUSHI BAR
3991 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-534-3000.
SURIN OF THAILAND (2 locations)
975 Airport Rd SW, Huntsville, 256-213-9866
Hwy 72 ,Madison
TAI PAN PALACE
2012 Mem. Pkwy, S, Huntsville, 256-539-5797
THAI GARDEN RESTAURANT
800 Wellman Ave. NE, Huntsville, 256-534-0122
TOKYO JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE & SUSHI BAR
1105 Wayne Road, Huntsville, 256-217-1719
German
EL MARIACHI (3 locations)
14450 Hwy 231/431 N Hazel Green, 256-828-1466
1836 Winchester Road, Huntsville 256-851-7255
7193 Hwy 72 W, Madison, 256-890-0900
HILDEGARD’S
EL PALACIO
2008 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville 256-539-6075
OL HEIDELBERG CAFÉ
6125 University Drive NW E14, Huntsville, 256-922-0556.
GUADALAJARA MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
11208 S. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville 256-882-7311
8572 Madison Blvd, Madison 256-774-1401
SCHNITZEL RANCH
LA ALAMEDA
3807 University Drive NW, Huntsville, 256-539-6244
LITTLE ROSIE’S TAQUERIA
4781 Whitesburg Dr S, Huntsville, 256-882-0014
LOS MAYOS
322 Sutton Rd. Suite J, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763, 256-536-1041
Caribbean
ISLAND JERK
2501 Jordan Ln, Huntsville,. 256-489-4774
CASA MONTEGO INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE 2117 Jonathan Drive, Huntsville, 256858-9187.
MARIA BONITA GRILL & CANTINA
125 E. Moulton St., Decatur, 256-552-1903
PEPITO’S
3508 Mem. Pkwy. S, Huntsville, 256-858-0059
#021810031010
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
THE VALLEY PLANET
The Valley Planet Music Exchange is FREE to any individual looking to buy, sell, trade or find
bandmates. You get a headline and 3 lines of text for the low, low price of nothing. If you
wish to embellish your ad further, say, with a small photo (add $5) or more words (add $1
per line), it’s up to you. Now, if you are a business, you gotta pay a little something, $12 per
column inch. Please call Jill Wood at (256) 533-4613 if you would like to put your business in
the Exchange. Email your ads to [email protected] or send them by snail mail to
Music Exchange,203 Grove Ave. Huntsville AL, 35801. NO AD WILL RUN UNTIL PAYMENT
HAS BEEN RECEIVED!
MUSIC EXCHANGE
Starting a band. Auditions open until March
31st, so call me at 1-256-320-7100 or email me
at [email protected] asap, if you are
interested. Any musical talents welcome- no lead
female vocalists, though. that role taken
Additional lead guitarist needed to complete
southern rock band. 256-508-0245
Well seasoned keyboard, guitar, bass player
looking to join a church choir.Can add a lot of
flavor and have worked at many local churches
and have done some spirtual recordings. Give me
a call or send text;
256-361-6184
For Sale: Piano, originally a player piano but was
converted. Good condition. $200 or best offer.
651-7525.
15 inch Mackie Sub
1 year old in good condition….. Purchased at
$1,000.00
Will sell for $750.00 cash only
Phone 337-8105
Lewis & Son violin,full sz. Good student instrument. 256-335-4647
Drummer Forming Dance Combo: Blues, Swing,
Carolina Shag, Cajun and Zydeco. Need mature
musicians and vocalist - with intent to play local
private clubs / parties. [email protected]
Guitarist looking to start or join a band. I have
over 15 years of live performance experience
and my influences include bands such as 311,
Sublime, Ballyhoo, Incubus, Rage against the
Machine, and POD. Would prefer an all original
band or maybe even a 311 tribute band. For more
info, contact AJ at 256-520-8352 or email me at
[email protected].
Upright Bass Chinese/very fine
$1200, please call 337-0108
Alesis compressor
$160, please call 337-0108
Toneworks Pandora PX4B
$100, please call 337-0108
Producer looking for rapper/keyboard to partner up with Email [email protected]
Local Artist seeking folk/indie band or similar.
Play intermediate guitar and keyboard; vocals
and songwriting. Email
[email protected]
Send in your random encounters today. Its FREE!!
Choice 1. I Saw you, but you didn’t catch my name
Choice 2. You saw me or you think you were seen
Choice 3. Cheers: Pay your respect to those who deserve it
Choice 4. Jeers: Frustrated? Tell us all about it
To send in your FREE ad
1. Pick a category, word limit is 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
[email protected] or you can call 256 564-7017 and leave a message!
Aria Pro Bass for sale: Cherry Woodstain Red,
small gouge on back from belt buckle. Includes
Epiphone Hardshell case. $200 obo Sharon Grant
(256) 734-7129
TeacherX @ BJHS. A growing number knows why
your favorite author may be Nabako, and why “Don’t
Stand So Close To ME” is yur favorite song.
Ordo, progressive rock band, is looking for the
best bass player in Huntsville. Paid position! Call
256 479-8415 or 256 227-6490.
Do you have talents as a
musician?
Do you have a heart for worshiping God?
Then...you need to be playing in our Praise and
Worship band at First Baptist in Gurley, AL (www.
fbcgurley.org) Our worship team is looking for
gifted members with these talents:
-electric guitar
-bass
-percussion
-other (synth/wind instruments)
We practice once a week on Wed. nights (7-8PM).
Please email Norman @ [email protected]
Goth, Metal, Pop Band seeking female singer
Contact; [email protected]
Lead singer/rhythm guitar and keyboard
player needed for established Decatur Christian
rock band Paul Says Hello. Youth, talent and
experience a plus, but spiritual maturity a must. Will require reference from your church pastor. Call Cameron at 256-227-5377 or email [email protected]. View band at www.myspace.
com/paulsayshello. I Saw you or You Saw me
You should have seen me I was trying to get your
attention all night! Sammy T’s, Brantley Gilbert I
think, rum and coke, hot pink sweater…ring a bell??
MF: Life as you know it is about to screech to a halt: no
one can be that blind w/o a dog.
Yamaha PSR140 49 key electric
$40, please call, 337-0108
TY: Maybe if you see it in print you’ll understand how
truly sorry I am. Whatever it takes. Please.
BT48: You don’t have to be a weatherman to know
your coat sleeves are too long
Saw you at karaoke at hoppers again last tuesday, you
can rap your arms around me!!!
Keisa has crabs big enough to boil.
Band seeking guitarist. Must be willing to do
gigs . Stlyles Hard rock, Metal. Contact mark @
(256) 616-4275
Legal Eagle: Saw your message earlier issue. Agree. But no phone, no text. Not ever. Has to be old fashioned
way. You know that upcoming conf call. Leave early. That coffee place. Sorry, best I can do.
Rhythm guitartist seeking to join/form
alternative/rock band
ask for dave 256-682-7663
L: Remember that website we talked about? That user
name I joked about? It’s not a joke. That’s me. No
one has to know.
Bass player needed for rock - metal band contact [email protected] or 227-2562
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.
THE VALLEY PLANET
#021810031010
Wanted: Dog to be lost near Monroe St - Sooner better
than later: to stupid to know it’s named Rover.
To the grown man on Washington St. riding a kid’s bike
– Do you know how very very asinine you look??
S: You know that copier by your cubicle? I say I use
it so often because ours is broken. That’s an excuse. Understand now? Your move.
Rock band needing bassist in Decatur, 227-2562
Guitarist and Drummer looking for a bass player
and singer/guitar player for a rock/reggae/
funk type band. Must have own equipment. Style
closely related to 311 and Sublime. Contact AJ at
520-8352 or email at [email protected].
WTH, every other tv, radio and paper has to copy the
Valley Planet on their Best of the Valley Poll...I don’t
care what “their” poll says! VP Rocks!
To all you punks who blast your music in your car: it
doesn’t make you cool, it will ruin your hearing and
mine, your choice in music if you can call it that has
much to be desired and of course it is against the law.
So, take on some responsibility and follow the law,
maybe you won’t end up in jail or on a coroner’s slab
before your 25.
To that stranger in the night. Hermans In Vermont. I’m
positive.
Singer seeking band: Female, wide range; into
alternative or modern rock, open to other genres.
Contact at
[email protected]
Marshall Bi-chorus 200 Valve state
w/2x12, $425, please call 337-0108
sale?
PG: You’re still about one Sorry SOB.
I saw you at Hogwild last Friday night, you were
drinking Bud, had on boots, jeans and a long sleeve
t. Just wanted you to know you are the sexiest man
on earth!
Multi-range metal vocalist who’s creative and
fun and open for suggestions needed for local
thrash metal band Konflyct. Call: 256-694-1055
Yamaha GA10 Practice amp
$45, please call 337-0108
Jeers
RK: Why do you have a slightly used tombstone for
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
Jeers: To the six billion people of planet Earth: Shut
the hell up. I’m trying to take a nap
Cheers
.
Cheers to all you thoughtful guys who sent your
girlfriends and wives flowers on Valentines!
As it said on the church Marquee, “Happiness is
homegrown.”
PETS to ADOPT
We call this pretty blue eyed rescue Foster. He is about 14 to16
weeks old and is a very laid back boy. He loves sitting in your lap
to get rubbed on and he also loves to play. He’s been neutered, Vet
tested, he has no feline diseases, vaccinated and is litter box trained.
He is ready for his own family, needs lots of love, rubbing, and play
time. He too is still a bit skittish around more than one person, but
just needs to be socialized with people. $25.00 donation to a local
nonprofit animal and he is yours! Call 256 531-5846 after 5pm.
“Abbey” is a very sweet rescued
puppy who is in need of a forever
home. She was shot twice, once in
the back and once that shattered
her front right shoulder blade. She
has been under vet care for 5 weeks
and is healing nicely. She has been
spayed and will be ready to go home
any day now, except that she doesn’t
have a home. Her vet bills have been
paid. Call 256 531-5846 after 5pm if
you want this sweetheart.
27

117 - Valley Planet

Transcription

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