98 - Valley Planet

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
#011509020409
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Jan.15 - Feb.
4, 2009
Feb.4,
IN THIS ISSUE:
Appalachian Witches
Healthy Habits
The Way I See It
The Jazz Lounge
Mental Health, Tolerance and
Addiction
Get Lost
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!!!!
Grupo Fantastico!
Grammy nomination caps awesome year for
Austin band
Grupo Fantasma has had quite a year. They
played the New Orleans Jazz Fest. They
played Bonnaroo. They backed Prince at
Coachella and performed on The Tonight
Show with Jay Leno. And they did a 10-day
tour for the troops in Iraq and Kuwait. Now
they return to Huntsville to promote their
latest album, “Sonidos Gold,” which is up
for Best Latin Rock or Alternative album at
this year’s Grammy Awards.
These favorite sons of Austin, Texas, have
rocked the Rocket City twice before. They
played to a packed house at Humphrey’s in
2003, and then again in 2007 as part of the
City Lights and Stars series at Burritt. Cited
regularly in the Austin Chronicle as a top
pick in a town famous for great music, Grupo
Fantasma also covers the miles between
Massachusetts and California as an old-
On the Cover: Mark Blevins
I
have found, more often than not, that an artist’s relative worth is inversely proportional to
the amount of bullshit in their artist statement. That said, this will be kept short and sweet.
Anyone that knows me knows that I am not a religious man (quite far from it), although I
understand its influence- both good and bad. No one can truly say how much more women
would have contributed to society without religion, but in the western world them damn apples
really made it a lot harder….
January Lunch and Learn
“78 Ways for Your Small Business to Save
Money in this Economy”
Is This a Good Time to Consider Direct
Selling?
Wednesday, January 21, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
When is Bankruptcy or Reorganization the
Right Answer?
January’s Lunch & Learn will be on
the topic of “78 Ways for Your Small
Business to Save Money in this Economy.”
With the economy struggling, every business is
trying to cut costs to make ends meet. Small
businesses, which have fewer resources,
especially feel the burn. Not to fear. There are
numerous ways to trim the fat and save money.
Our 2009 Lunch & Learn series will address a
number of strategies that can be employed by a
small business in a slow economy, not only to
survive, but to thrive. We’ll cover things like:
78 Ways for Your Small Business to Save
Money in this Economy
Whatever You Do, DON’T Stop Marketing and
Advertising!
You Can’t Have Just Good Customer Service--It’s Got to Be Outstanding Customer Service!
2
Hints for Boosting Sales in a Slow Economy
Obey the Golden Rule of Small Business Protect Your Credit!
Buy Local and Incorporate Bartering
How to Get Tough with Accounts Receivable
And
much
calendars now
this
valuable
more.
Mark
your
and plan on attending
series
of
workshops.
The cost of the Lunch & Learn is $15.
Reservations are required online at
www.wbcna.org or by calling WBCNA at 256535-2038. The Lunch & Learn will be held at
the Chamber of Commerce at 225 Church Street
in downtown Huntsville. A map with directions
can be found on the website www.wbcna.org or
by calling WBCNA at 256-535-2038.
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
#011509020409
school road band. This month’s Huntsville
gig is part of a three-month sweep from
Boston to Colorado supporting “Sonidos
Gold.”
“It’s the definitive Grupo Fantasma album,
the one we’ve wanted to make since the
beginning,” says Adrian Quesada, guitarist,
co-founder and lead producer. The sound
is organic, live, while sonically it’s big
and roomy with psychedelic and cinematic
undertones. It pays homage to the forefathers
of this music yet is forward thinking at the
same time.” And like all Grupo music, it will
make you dance.
The Fret Shop presents Grupo Fantasma at
The Flying Monkey Arts Center on Jan. 31 at
8 p.m. Cover is $10. The Flying Monkey is
located on the second floor of Lowe Mill at
the corner of Seminole and 8th Avenue. The
Flying Monkey is a smoke-free facility.
My Friend, Jenny A New Year’s Resolution
M
y friend Jenny’s photograph was in the
Valley Planet, (Volume 5, Issue 16,
November 22 – December 12, 2007). I
had encouraged Jenny to come out and meet new
people at the “2nd Annual Flying Monktobersfest”.
She is there in the photo with me looking happy
and relaxed, one of the few times I had managed
to get her out and explore the possibilities.
Jenny had come to a transition in her life and was
starting on a road of exploration and discovery.
We had been developing our friendship over
several years and I felt compelled to encourage
Jenny to try new things. She had devoted herself
for 18 years to her son, lovingly raising him to
become a striking, intelligent, thoughtful young
adult and had done all the mom things preparing
him for college. He and Jenny were very close
so it was an adjustment for him to be away at
college, where mom was separated by distance,
but always close by with an email or phone call.
For her part, Jenny was just beginning to consider
the options she now had - free time to experiment
and a few more dollars in her pocket to do so.
We talked of clothes and jewelry, great finds in
stores, working out and our figures, men and
dating, possible trips to take. These things had
been put aside for the years of her most important
priority, raising a son.
On May 19th, 2008, opportunity was lost. On that
pleasant day, while taking a lunch time walk, my
friend, Jenny collapsed and died. Perhaps you
read the newspaper obituary, wondering why
someone was gone too soon. I know when I read
these bits of people’s lives I am curious about their
history and what brought them to that moment in
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
by Jo Weddendorf
time. But the reason this time was obvious, Jenny
smoked cigarettes, with enthusiasm. Every work
day Jenny greeted people coming in and out of
the building while she took a smoke break. This
is how Jenny is remembered at work, the friendly,
helpful lady who did not stop smoking when the
cessation classes were offered. We all miss her so
much this holiday. How would we have known
the impact, such an essential member of our
group, the organizer, the nexus, would leave on
our spirits?
I am not a smoker, having made that decision at
the mere age of 4. My father’s burning cigarette
accidentally searing my skin made quite an
impression. This image followed me throughout
the years which made it easier for me to resist
smoking. However, I never pestered Jenny about
smoking as it is a choice we have the right to
make and I don’t harass my friends about it. But
I would like to make you think about resolving
not to spend your life enthusiastically smoking.
If you continue to smoke will you be the one
everyone is missing some holiday in the future?
Do you really believe that you will be finished
living life when you are 50? Believe it or not,
that time will come, barring some other tragedy.
Will you have satisfied all your wanderlust and
had your fill of adventures? Discovered every
relationship you might explore? Will you have
reached your limit of pleasure from making love?
Will you then desire to never see another sun rise
and set? Thinking of all the bountiful, joyous
opportunities that life offers, I firmly believe that
Jenny would say “No way, I want more!” Jenny,
my friend, I will always miss you. Love, Jo
THE VALLEY PLANET
InThePlanet
THE VALLEY PLANET
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
#011509020409
Jan.16 - Feb.4, 2009
203 Grove Ave., Huntsville Al, 35801, phone 256.533-4613
Publisher
Jill Wood
Sales
Elaine Nelson
Cookie Stoner
Shawn Bailey
Michelle Hilbert
Calendar
Sara Jo Taylor
Distribution
Charlotte Griffin
Graphics & Layout
Ari
Contributors
Jim Zielinski
Brad Posey
Sarah Gorman
Marilyn Loeser
Billy Joe Cooley
Allison Gregg
D.S. Price
Auntie Jen
Jackie Anderson
Maximo Cantu
Bonnie Roberts
Diana LaChance
Ricky Thomason
Karin Wells
David Daniels
Ed Killingsworth
Jo Weddendorf
Mike Rosenberg
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring
what you have not; but remember that
what you now have was once among
the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus
Thank you for reading the fine print of
the Valley Planet. The Valley Planet and
valleyplanet.com are published every three
weeks by J W Publications in Huntsville,
AL. You can pick up the paper free all
over the place or get it free on the web.
Copyright 2003 by the Valley Planet, Inc.
All rights reserved. You can contact me at
jill@valleyplanet.com
Reproduction or use without our permission
is strictly prohibited. The views and opinions
expressed within these pages and on the web
site are not necessarily those of the Valley
Planet or its staff. The Valley Planet is not
responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or
art. Back issues are available for viewing
on our web site www.valleyplanet.com in the
archives section. You may reach the Valley
Planet office @ 256.533.4613 or by mail at
Valley Planet 203 Grove Ave. Huntsville, AL
35801.
Subscriptions to the Valley Planet are now
available for $50 a year in the USA.
256-533-4613
THE VALLEY PLANET
NEXT ISSUE February 5, 2009
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Yes, it is now the New Year! Cheers!
On the Cover: Mark Blevins
January Lunch and Learn
Grupo Fantastico!
My Friend Jenny A New Year’s Resolution, Jo Weddendorf
Something About Crawling Before Walking,
Sarah Gorman
Unchained Maladies, Ricky Thomason
Party of One, Allison Gregg
News of the Weird, Chuck Shepherd
The Jazz Lounge, Jackie Anderson
T Broussard and the Zydeco Steppers
Seven Pounds, Sarah Gorman
Appalachian Witches
Get Lost: 3 Mountains to Conquer on a Gallon of Gas,
D.S. Price
Healthy Habits, Maximo Cantu
Divine Performing Arts Bringing Timeless Culture to Life, Karin Wells
Northern Exposure & Tommy’s Pizza, Diana LaChance
Invisible City, Brad Posey
“The Way I See It”, David Daniels
Dr. Anarcho’s Rx for Old Stuff That Don’t Suck
MUSIC CALENDAR BEGINS
Listings: Pubs, Taverns, & Clubs
REGIONAL CONCERTS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS BEGINS
Film Edification, Ed Killingsworth
Stretching the Creative Envelope, Bonnie Roberts
Theatre Huntsville Presents Fences by August Wilson
Free Will Astrology, Rob Brezsny
The Grand Ladies of Fort Worth, Marilyn Loeser
Auntie Jen’s Animal Crazy, Auntie Jen
Swimming with the “Fishes”, Diana LaChance
What Then Must We Do?, Bonnie Roberts
Mental Health, Tolerance and Addiction, Sarah Gorman
Scouring the Valley with Runcible Spoon:
Taziki’s Greek Fair, Jim Zielinski
The Naked Vine, Mike Rosenberg
Listings: Restaurants
Gossip, Billy Joe Cooley
Listings: Galleries, Attractions
Music Exchange, Real Estate & All That Jazz
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Letter From
the
Publisher
So much is going on, from “in the news” to
cool happenings, to the Best of the Valley
Reader’s Poll results and to the roll out of the
Valley Planet Stimulus Package!
Where to begin…How about with our new
Huntsville/Madison County Jail? In a press
release from our new Mayor Battle’s office,
it says “This is the most expensive and
challenging project in Huntsville history.”
Don’t we know it! I hope with all of the
DUI’s and DWI’s handed out in HuntsVegas
none of us have to spend time up there,
though you have to wonder if they’ve got
Jacuzzis, plasma TVs, laptops with wireless
and a butler to boot being as the spending
has already topped 72.24 MILLION
DOLLARS!
The Valley Planet announces our very own
“Stimulus Package” to assist all of you
savvy businesses out there who know how
important it is to keep advertising despite the
economy. Just call our office and we can fill
you in on the details (256 533-4613.)
Ahhhh, the results you have all been waiting
on will be posted in the next issue, February
5th. We have had thousands of votes again
this year in the Valley Planet’s Best of the
Valley Reader’s Poll and are busily counting
them as you read! Thank you dear Readers
for making this poll the biggest, best survey
of what is Best in the Valley!
You have got to check the events and music
in our calendars. Don’t you hate it when
someone tells you all about what you missed
out on? No reason to miss out – check the
calendars here or online and join in on some
of the hundreds of activities going on in our
community! Theatre Huntsville’s “Fences”
begins on January 16, The Zydeco Steppers
and “T” Broussard are at the Knights of
Columbus on the 17th, WBCNA is putting on
a program entitled “78 Ways for Your Small
Business to Save Money in this Economy”
on January the 21st, the play Appalachian
Witches will be presented at the Burritt on
the Mountain beginning January 23rd, the
Posey Peep Show is at the Flying Monkey
January 24 and 25, Grupo Fantasma will be
at the Flying Monkey on the 31st, Bistro La
Ville is hosting a Beer Pairing Dinner with
Olde Towne Brewing Company on February
5th, the Chinese Spectacular is on February
6th at the VBC and that is only a taste of the
diversity that we have in our pages and in our
community!
Well let’s get out there and get busy enjoying
2009!
WIN A FAMILY 4 PACK
TO CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
BY BEING THE 5th PERSON TO
CALL IN AND SAY
“VALLEY PLANET ROCKS!”
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VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
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3
Unchained
Maladies
I
Ricky Thomason Writes
’ll apologize in advance. Sorry for the
tangents. The deal is, my wife gave me
the collected works of the late David
Foster Wallace for Christmas. She said he
might have been crazier than I am. Some
consider DFW the best writer of this century,
but that’s something only time will judge.
DFW has shown me that thoughts are not
linear things, they are pinballs that bounce
around in the voids of our skulls and leave
little vapor trails of footnotes and asides
everywhere.
artwork by Debbie West
You just have to write them down as they
come.
What would a telemarketer say to God?
About the time rural electrification came
to the Tennessee Valley, I was told that my
great-aunt Ader (they called her that, but I
think her name was really “Ada.”) once said,
“I do believe a body could set a ‘lectric bull
right there in the floor, plug his tail into the
wall socket and tell you Thomason boys,
‘Ya’ll tetch one hair, and it’ll kill you,’ and
one of you would look at the other’n and
say, ‘I don’t believe tetching just one will kill
you, do you? Let’s tetch one and see.’”
Let’s tetch one. The ‘lectric bull today is “the
weather.”
If I didn’t waste so much time in the
observation of human behavior, I’d say
it’s unbelievable that after several years of
drought, and the accompanying weeping,
wailing, praying, and gnashing of teeth,
people are carping about the rain.
Something About Crawling
Before Walking
I
t’s the week of the beginning of the New
Year and I’ve noticed an awful lot more
people walking around the block. That’s
the way to keep your resolutions: by starting
small. Resolutions like diets, exercise plans
and swearing against unhealthy vices are made
with much hope and then dejectedly aborted
this week. If you start small, you’re less likely
to abandon all hope and jump the resolution
ship of 2009 into the sea of defeat (there are
sharks).
As far as weight loss and nutrition go, many
buy gym memberships and then regret it weeks
later because they just can’t find the time (or
gumption) to go. They try to eat only lettuce
and celery and give up coffee, smoking and
alcohol all at the same time. Alcohol may be
easy to give up if you spent all of New Year’s
Day recovering from the night before but cold
turkey isn’t for everyone and some can bear the
pain of a hangover without getting a bad taste in
their mouth for the spirit. Going straight from
a diet of cheeseburgers, potatoes and soda to
all raw food and homemade juice is a prayer
for defeat (and unhappiness). I have a problem
with resolutions for this reason and if I make
any they are usually small or very general:
“drink more water” or “spend more time with
self”.
Let’s start out with some suggestions to start
small. Want to lose weight? Go for walks in the
evening. It’s fun if you have a pal to walk with
and if not you get to talk to yourself (which I
am a big fan of). It’s a nice way to unwind. Try
walking in the morning to get yourself going.
Eventually you may feel comfortable getting
that gym membership and you’ll be less likely
to give up. They say it takes 28 days to get into
the habit of doing things, right? Note: consider
going to the gym in the morning eventually.
4
by Sarah Gorman
It‘s wonderful. The benefits: you don’t have
to get cold and shower in the morning—you
just brush the teeth wash the face and go. When
it’s finally time for a shower you’re so sweaty
and hot you’re eager for it. You are awake and
your heart is beating (not that she wouldn’t be
beating if you didn’t go but when you do, she
beats excitedly). It is really very pleasant.
In need of some dietary changes (resolving
to diet or lower your cholesterol)? Start
small there too. You want something that is
sustainable. Throwing away all of the food you
love and shopping at Garden Cove for spelt,
kale and buckwheat pasta is not going to do
it right away for anyone who likes red meat
or butter. Also, you probably don’t know how
to cook it which adds to the level of difficulty.
Once the kitchen is a mess and you spent an
hour preparing something your palate’s not
down with you’ll start to resent the healthy stuff
and head on down to Hardee’s for something
disgusting. First on the list should be to learn to
like vegetables. Chances are you at least know
how to prepare a salad. Steaming and roasting
involves little effort and time. Start regularly
eating veg and you’ll be on the right track.
Now for abandoning those vices. To run with
the theme, start small. Listen to Aristotle and
take things in moderation (though he wasn’t
talking about the drink, it’s still good advice
given that way… unless the person you happen
to be talking to is an alcoholic). Remember that
resolutions are made because you’re making an
attempt to improve your life. When you work
towards these improvements slowly it causes
less suffering and in turn reduces the likelihood
of failure. You know, something about crawling
before walking… Happy New Year and good
luck everyone.
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These are the same people who, just a few
months ago, would have licked a toad’s butt
for the moisture - not to mention the buzz.
Now, they think the weather’s too wet.
Kids, assuming any of you can read, don’t
try the toad-hiney-lick maneuver at home. It
won’t hurt you; it’s simply a colossal waste
of time. Worse, it leaves a taste in your mouth
like you licked the bottom of Noah’s sandals.
Alabama toads won’t work, I promise.
Nor will kissing frogs anywhere in any
manner produce a handsome prince. Okay,
before you get all excited and spout your
one bit of biological knowledge, yes I know
toads and frogs aren’t the same. You never
see toad legs on a menu nor do you find
frog stools in your yard, at least not the kind
you’d want to eat.
The voices in my head told me long ago
to tell you to be careful what you pray for
- you might get it. You just never know when
God might actually answer the phone, and I
have this feeling we’re nothing more to Him
than a few billion telemarketers constantly
interrupting His evening manna or ambrosia
or whatever an Omnipotent Being eats.
Hello? God? I’m calling to tell You that
we’ve invented Viagra and You no longer
have to suffer the shame and embarrassment
of omnipotence.
I’m not sure if or how the prayer thing works,
but the unrelenting voices call it “God’s
voice mail.”
What happened was, all you Sunday Morning
Christians put in your calls for rain, way too
many of them. Remember I tried to tell you,
but would you listen to me? Nooo.
God screens His calls. He’d have to. If he
damned everyone that He’s beseeched to,
it’d be a full time job. Apparently, God is The
One busy dude. You’d think that if anyone
had time enough to do everything, it would
be Him. Then again, too much time on His
hands may be the problem.
Anyway, when God got around to collecting
His messages, there was this huge queue
of prayers. “You have 98,765,431 new
messages. First message: ‘God, send rain.”
Second message, ‘God, send rain.’ Third
message, ‘God send rain.’”
Good God, He did. He told Gabriel, “Knock
it off with that damned horn already. If I want
to hear horns I have W.C. Handy and Louis
Armstrong up here somewhere. Go empty
the pot on the talking monkeys. Maybe,
just maybe they’ll stop the clambering and
yammering for a little while. Those selfish
suckers are gonna keep worrying my eyes
out about rain until I have them collecting
animals on a boat again.”
You asked for it. You got it. Enjoy it.
I have a feeling there’s a sign above the
Pearly Gates that reads, “Poor planeting on
your part doesn’t necessarily constitute an
emergency on Mine.”
Who usually answers the phone in heaven?
My money goes on St. Peter; he keeps the
gate and there damned sure can’t be all that
many people qualifying to get in these days.
It just makes sound economic sense that St.
Pete would have time for a few extra duties
while he putters around the guard house
waiting for Billy Graham to get there.
Which reminds me of a football joke I
overheard a few weeks ago:
What do Billy Graham and the Auburn
Football team have in common?
A. Both have the ability to make a stadium
full of people jump to their feet and
simultaneously scream, “Jesus Christ!”
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
THE VALLEY PLANET
When Wishes Come True
I
’d like to start where we last left off:
yours truly wished away Christmas. The
universe responded by bitch-slapping me
something fierce. December 17-25 was filled
with travel nightmares and snow storms, all
endured in a fog of Theraflu and tissues. The
following is a timeline that relays how my
wish (unfortunately) came true.
December 14:
A quick check of the weather in Portland,
Ore. shows the possibility of snow and colderthan-usual temperatures. Since I am headed
there and own no sweaters, I rush to the store
to buy four and one incredibly obnoxious
orange coat.
December 17:
A morning flight to Denver is followed by
a mid-day connection to Portland. This is
where it all starts to go wrong. Belted into
seat 14A, my seat companion is a chatty
fellow; I smile politely until he asks, “So, are
you done with school yet?” I put down my
book, “Just barely. Tell me about yourself.”
The pilot ushers us off the plane – all of us.
Mechanical problems. “But please stay in the
area in case we need to change gates.” Two
hours, another plane, and some McDonald’s
burgers later and we are on our way. As we
coast over Portland, white covers the city’s
greenways. The streets clear.
Standing in front of the pick up area, waiting
for my brother, I change into my orange coat,
and wonder if it’s more of a burnt umber. I
climb into his truck and ask, “So, where’s all
this snow?”
December 18-19:
We occupy our time with usual vacation
activities while the white continues to fall.
The accumulation is minimal at this point.
December 20
The snow gets worse. The local NBC station
pre-empts programming to cover Arctic Blast
08. Rumblings of delayed flights creep into
the conversation, I set-up a pager system to
notify me if my flight, scheduled for the next
morning, should get delayed. The white is
beautiful, pure. It envelopes everything:
noise, chaos, the neighborhood. It’d been
years since I had seen snow like this. It’s
the most peaceful sight. We take the dog on
a walk to snap photos since I’ll be leaving the
following day.
December 21, 7:15 a.m.
All flights out of Portland: canceled. My cell
phone reveals the news that I will be here a
bit longer. I reschedule my flight. The first
availability: December 24 at 11:30 p.m.
arriving in Huntsville at 12:20 on December
25. My heart sinks. I’m truly going to
skip Christmas. I plead with the agent. He
responds, “You’re just not a priority …” My
heart sinks even deeper.
A flurry of emails and texts assures the dogs
would be fed and loved. I had no concerns
that my needs would be met. The snow
continues to fall and temperatures barely
reach above 25 degrees during the next few
days. We are homebound until Mother Nature
said otherwise.
looks like there is a layer of ice out there, too.
Can you make more coffee? It’s still snowing.
It’s STILL SNOWING!? What’s the report on
the airport? Look at the flakes now. Do you
have anything with more alcohol in it?
December 24:
Temperatures creep up to 34, allowing me to
get to the airport.
I land in Chicago shortly before dawn
and following the “plane off the runway”
incident. The next leg should take me to
Charlotte, where I’ll connect to Huntsville
and be home by 1 p.m. After sitting on the
Chicago plane for two hours, I am again, with
the rest of the passengers, shuffled off the
plane due to mechanical problems. It was a
bit before 8 a.m. Back on another plane, flight
attendants inform us the first round of drinks
is on them!
We arrive in Charlotte just as my connection
was set to leave. I fumble around the airport,
exhausted and stinky as I await the next flight
home. I hit my breaking point at 2:24 p.m.
eastern time on December 25. I was buckled
into seat 9A, bound for Huntsville. Down the
isle walked the gate agent. “Don’t come to
me...”
She leans in, “Ms. Gregg, I need your original
boarding pass.” I fumble through my purse,
which is crowded with airport-purchased
gifts, used tissues, and loose cash. I look
at her, “I’m not getting off this plane,” tears
start. I’d been upright for 13 hours, awake for
28. “I’m not.” I hand over everything I could.
“Please just let me get home,” I continued to
cry. “Just let me go home, it’s Christmas.”
As the gate attendant examines the boarding
passes, she said, “We’ll be fine. If the door
closes, you’re good to go.” Minutes later, it
closed. I shut my eyes and slept.
I made it to Christmas dinner, but couldn’t
stay awake long. I’ve learned to be careful
about what I wish away. That list will now
consist of the following: body fat, creepy
stalkers with toupees, and bills.
Happy New Year!
The snowed-in days consist of coffee,
telecommuting, walks, Wii, and movies.
Conversation is a broken record: It’s snowing.
Anyone wanna play wii? Look at the snow,
THE VALLEY PLANET
#011509020409
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
5
Chuck Shepherd’s
LEAD STORY
Freud de Melo, 73, operates a quirky tourist
park in central Brazil that features stone models
of Noah’s Ark and other sculptures, but he also
notoriously suffers from taphephobia, the fear
of being buried alive, and one of his sculptures
is his own elaborate, fear-assuaging crypt. His
vault houses a TV and fruit pantry, has access
to fresh air, and features two built-in plastic
cones that act as megaphones to the outside,
reassuring de Melo that if he is buried too soon,
he will be able to protest (as he demonstrated
for a Wall Street Journal reporter, for an October
dispatch, screaming into the countryside,
“Help me! Come quick! I’ve been buried alive!”).
(Taphephobia was more common in centuries
past, afflicting George Washington among others,
because doctors often missed lingering signs of
life in sick patients.)
Government in Action!
Recently, the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources has been seeking 75 volunteers to
be trained in listening to frogs so that the state
can complete its annual frog survey. Georgia
has 31 frog species, each with distinctive ribbits
and croaks, and surveyors, after practicing
detection, will monitor frog habitats to help
officials measure population trends. Tracking
season begins this week.
A Houston Chronicle investigation revealed
in November that Immigration and Customs
Enforcement failed to act against 75 percent of
all self-identified illegal aliens convicted of local
crimes in the Houston area recently, including
immigrants who had committed felonies ranging
up to sexual assault of a child and even capital
murder. After ICE declined to hold them, that
75 percent were simply released back into
the community. Nationally, during that same
approximate time period, ICE was deporting
twice as many illegal aliens with clean records
(clean, except for being undocumented) as those
with criminal rap sheets.
Rats Oppressed, But Bats Live Large:
Environmental activists announced in November
the intention to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service for reducing by 80 percent the
California sanctuary area of the endangered
San Bernardino kangaroo rat (distinguishing
feature: only four toes on its hind feet). In
Britain, however, the Ministry of Defense has
shown great sensitivity to bats that were living
in antiquated military housing in two Hampshire
facilities. Remodeled buildings for 18,000
personnel will include special cavities built into
the structures so that the bats can resume
cohabiting with the military.
Robert Christianson, 64, was arrested in October
upon his arrival at Tampa International Airport,
based on a hold requested by Canadian customs
officials. Christianson was being sought only on
two warrants: allowing a dog to run at large and
having no license for his dog.
Police Report
Indicted for cocaine possession in Montgomery
County, Ohio, in November: Mr. Dalcapone
Alpaccino Morris, 20. Charged in Columbia, S.C.,
in November with running down her boyfriend
with her car and breaking his leg: Ms. Princess
Killingsworth. Charged with felonious battery
in Bloomington, Ind., in October: Ms. Fellony
Silas. Arrested in Carrollton, Ky., in December
for allegedly hitting a man in the face with a
hammer: Mr. Jamel Nails. Among those arrested
in a drug roundup in Greenwood, S.C., in
December were people with the street names
Black Pam, Lil Bit, Goat, Ewok and Truck Stop.
6
in Oshawa, Ontario, in December, but cats
suffered heavy casualties, with nearly 100
perishing. The Fire Marshal’s office said the
blaze was probably started by mice chewing
through electrical wires.
Britain’s association of police officers complained
to the Daily Telegraph in November that
bureaucratic requirements are “emasculating”
law enforcement, offering as one example
the Home Affairs Department’s insistence
that a seven-page form be submitted for any
surveillance work, even if the “work” is merely
observing via binoculars. And in December, the
Daily Telegraph reported that 45 officers from
the Lancashire county police were assigned to
help install speed indicator signs but only after
being sent to a two-hour class that included
safety instructions on climbing a 3-foot ladder.
Said a spokesman, “If we didn’t do it and people
were falling off ladders, we would be criticized.”
Drunk-Driving News:
Kathleen Cherry, 53, was arrested for DUI
in Carson City, Nev., in December. She is a
phlebotomist working on contract with the
sheriff’s office and was driving to the jailhouse
to administer a blood test to a DUI suspect.
Stephen Foster, 28, was jailed briefly in June in
Edmonton, Alberta, when he showed up in court
drunk for his DUI trial. The driving charge was
postponed until December, and at that time a
court found him not guilty.
Fine Points of the Law
By a 2-1 vote, a Florida appeals court ruled in
December that Andrew Craissati could stop
paying alimony to his ex-wife. The couple’s
agreement called for alimony only until she
remarried or was “cohabit(ing)” with another
person for at least three months, and Craissati
pointed out that his ex-wife, recently convicted
of a serious DUI offense, is now “cohabiting”
with a cellmate in prison.
In November, a judge at Killorglin District Court
in Kerry, Ireland, dismissed two DUI cases
because the blood-alcohol readings were not
administered properly. The suspects should have
been isolated for 20 minutes before the test
but had been permitted to use urinals, and the
judge accepted lawyers’ arguments that “steam”
from the urine might have wafted into the men’s
noses and raised their readings.
More Fine Points of European Law:
In November, Sweden’s Social Insurance Agency
stopped Jessica Andersson’s disability payments
despite her lingering back pain from a workrelated accident six years ago; a doctor found
that Andersson’s back pain would subside,
enabling her to return to work, if only she
underwent breast-reduction surgery.
Germany’s highest court ruled in December in
favor of a male inmate who had challenged a
prison rule barring men from purchasing skinconditioning products.
Least Competent Criminals
Joseph Goetz, 48, was charged with trying to
rob the Susquehanna Bank in Springettsbury
Township, Pa., in November, even though he had
to leave empty-handed. The bank had just opened
for the day, and cash had not yet been delivered
to tellers’ stations. Employees said that Goetz
was highly irritated at having wasted his time,
and that he threatened to file a “complaint”
about the bank’s operations.
Benedict Harkins, 46, was charged with
attempted petty larceny in Jamestown, N.Y.,
in December after he had filed an insurance
claim against the Farm Fresh Market for having
tripped over a rug at the front door. Shortly
after the filing, Harkins was informed that the
store’s front-door surveillance camera had
captured a sequence in which he had sat down
and adjusted the rug to make it look like he had
tripped. Harkins then immediately withdrew the
claim but was arrested anyway.
Update
H. Beatty Chadwick, 72, is approaching his
14th consecutive year behind bars, though he
has not been charged with a crime. In a 1995
divorce hearing, a judge thought Chadwick was
lying about $2.5 million in assets (his wife said
he was hiding them; he said he lost them in a
business deal) and locked him up for contempt
of court, and he has been there ever since.
News of the Weird first mentioned him in 2002,
when he was closing in on the American record
for contempt of court, which he now holds.
Chadwick has never wavered in his story, and
after an independent retired judge investigated
in 2004 and failed to find any money, Chadwick’s
lawyer compared the “missing” money to
Saddam Hussein’s “missing” weapons of
mass destruction (and also pointed to some
Pennsylvania murderers who do less time than
Chadwick has).
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A News of the Weird Classic (July 2001)
In February in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, Phillip
Buble’s father was convicted of attempting
to murder Phillip, 44, by smacking him in the
head with a crowbar because Phillip would not
cease public displays of affection with Lady,
a mixed-breed dog to whom Phillip considers
himself married “in the eyes of God.” The next
month, Phillip gave a 30-minute presentation to
a state legislative committee urging that it not
pass a pending anti-bestiality bill (though Phillip
describes himself personally as a “zoophile” and
not a bestialist). Lady had to wait for him in the
car because dogs are not allowed in the chamber.
In April, Phillip was fined $50 for having an
unlicensed dog (not Lady; it was apparently a
side dog).
LEAD STORY
“Genetic modification” sounds like frighteningly
complicated lab work, but amateurs are routinely
doing it in garages and dining rooms across the
country, according to a December Associated
Press report. Hobbyists (some terming
themselves “biohackers”) are busy creating
new life forms and someday, observers say,
may turn up a cure for cancer or an accidental
environmental catastrophe. The community lab
DIYbio in Cambridge, Mass., has patrons who
typically work on vaccines and biofuels, but
might also whimsically create tattoos that glow.
One amateur bought jellyfish DNA containing a
green fluorescent protein (for about $100), and
built a DNA analyzer (less than $25) so she
could alter yogurt bacteria to glow green when
it detects melamine (the substance recently
discovered in deadly Chinese baby formula and
pet food).
Compelling Explanations
As the British government was poised in
November to re-classify lap-dancing clubs
from “entertainment” to “sexual encounter
establishments” (thus imposing tougher licensing
standards), the industry’s trade association
insisted to a Parliamentary committee that the
clubs are not sexual. “(T)he entertainment may
be in the form of nude ... performers, but it’s
not sexually stimulating,” said the chairman
of the Lap Dancing Association. That would be
“contrary to our business plan.”
Not My Fault:
Bruce George, 20, admitted to police that he had
molested a 6-year-old girl in Anchorage, Alaska,
in October but said he needed to do it to acquire
the courage to kill himself. He said he needed
motivation for suicide by doing something that
totally disgusted him.
In October, a man unnamed in news reports
filed a lawsuit in Selkirk, Manitoba, against
the woman who supposedly caused him mental
distress by suing for child support. The man
said he had been sound asleep during that 2006
encounter, but awoke to discover the woman
having sex with him. He ordered her to “cease
and desist,” he said, and she complied (but
nonetheless, a pregnancy resulted).
Ironies
Karma: A few animals were rescued from an
early morning fire at a Humane Society shelter
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
In December, Lorraine Henderson, the port
director for the federal Customs and Border
Protection agency’s southern New England area,
was charged with hiring illegal immigrants to
clean her home and instructing them how to
avoid detection by her agency. According to
court documents, she told one worker, “You have
to be careful, ‘cause they (meaning, her agency)
will deport you.”
The Litigious Society
Elizabeth Shelton, 21, filed a lawsuit in Houston
in December against the truck driver that
she accidentally rear-ended in a 2007 crash,
while she was intoxicated, and in which her
boyfriend was killed. Though she was convicted
of manslaughter, she is now suing for $20,000
damage to her Lexus SUV and for “pain and
suffering,” basing her claim on the fact that
the blameless driver she hit was uninsured. In
all, her lawsuit names 16 defendants, including
insurance companies and banks. Shelton is the
daughter of a state court judge.
In November, Michigan state circuit court judge
Robert Colombo Jr. almost single-handedly
quashed thousands of apparently bogus lawsuits
for asbestos-related injuries by exposing the
principal examining doctor as unqualified. Dr.
Michael Kelly had diagnosed injuries on 7,323
patients’ x-rays over 15 years (earning $500 per
screening), which in one sampling was 58 times
the abnormality-detection rate of independent
radiologists. Judge Colombo found that Kelly is
neither a radiologist nor a pulmonologist, had
failed the certification test for reading x-rays,
and performed lung-function tests improperly 90
percent of the time. On the day Judge Colombo
commenced the investigation of Dr. Kelly,
plaintiffs’ attorneys, realizing they had been
busted, promptly withdrew all of their lawsuits
except one.
Poor Babies!
Two customers who lined up for the 5 a.m.
November “Black Friday” opening at the Long
Island, N.Y., Wal-Mart (in which a worker was
crushed to death) filed lawsuits against the
store because of the crowd’s unruliness. Fritz
Mesadieu, 51, and son Jonathan, 19, said
they got neck and back pain from the surge
of customers and that their medical and legal
expenses amounted to at least $2 million.
More than 130 lawsuits were filed in November
and December by inmates at a state prison
in Beaumont, Texas, who claimed to suffer
psychological trauma because prison officials
failed to prepare them well for Hurricane Ike,
which hit the city in September.
Send your Weird News to WeirdNewsTips@yahoo.com
or P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, FL 33679.
COPYRIGHT 2006 CHUCK SHEPHERD
DISTRIBUTED BY
UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111;
(816) 932-6600
Send your Local “Weird News” to
opinions@valleyplanet.com
THE VALLEY PLANET
H
appy New Year!
I’m Jackie
Anderson, welcoming you to our first
session of The Jazz Lounge for 2009!
If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution,
hopefully you’re sticking with it. I made a
couple. So far, so good! Looking forward to
keeping you in touch with what’s happening
in the world of jazz. Let’s get started.
My first guest for 2009 is truly a legend. I’m
honored to have as my guest in The Jazz
Lounge, Mr. Randy Brecker.
Jackie: Randy, it’s indeed a pleasure to have
you as my first guest for the New Year in The
Jazz Lounge.
Randy:
Jackie!
Well, it’s a pleasure to be here
Jackie: You are always on the go, but one
thing I must say is that you remain gracious
and accommodating. Thank you.
Randy: Always try to keep the fans first in
mind!
Jackie: I also want to thank you again,
for being a part of Vince’s “The Prince’s
Groove” CD. Great job! You know Vince
was thrilled!
Randy: Well, Vince is one of a kind, and he
sure knows how to squeeze some soul out of
that B3.
Jackie: Congratulations on the new CD
“Randy In Brasil”.
Randy: THANKS! It was really a labor of
love, and it just got nominated for a Grammy
as the Best Contemporary Jazz Record!
Jackie: Let’s go back a bit. I understand that
it was on your first trip to Brazil awhile ago
that you were completely taken by the music
of Brazil.
Randy: Well, I first went down there in ‘79
with the Mingus Dynasty to Sao Paulo and
met some great musicians who came from
Rio. They talked me into flying with them to
‘Carioca’ country, so I flew to Rio with them,
and stayed for around a month! Played a lot
of great music and made a lot of friends.
Jackie: Did this influence your sound and
style on “Into The Sun”, the CD for which
you won your first Grammy as a soloist for
“Best Contemporary Jazz Performance”?
Randy: Sure, that CD was my ‘impression’
of Brazilian music. That trip and subsequent
trips and forays into record stores, clubs and
concerts to hear great Brazilian artists all
influenced that CD.
Jackie: Was it your continued interest in
Brazilian music that eventually led you to do
the new CD “Randy In Brasil”?
Randy: Yes...I jumped at the chance to
actually go down there and record with
great musicians, one of whom Ricardo
Silviera I had befriended on that very trip!
He’s featured on “Randy In Brasil”, as is
the great saxophonist Teco Cardosa, along
with the others who are among the foremost
musicians still living in Brazil.
THE VALLEY PLANET
Jackie: I’m sure the fans are lovin’ it.
Randy: So far so good! It’s very gratifying.
It shot up to #5 on the JazzWeek World
Music Charts too.
Jackie: There are 12 tracks. Tell us about
the songs, and who worked with you on this
project?
Randy: Well, I helped choose the songs from
the files of Ivan Lins, Joao Bosco, Gilberto
Gil, and Djavan - some of my favorite
composers - plus I wrote two myself. The
producer and person who put this together
and invited me was Ruria Duprat, who is
a fixture on the Brasilian music scene as a
composer for films, TV, and production, plus
he’s a great pianist and conceptualist.
Jackie:
I really like the flavor here.
“Guaruja”, “Sambop”, and “Fazendo Hora”
are a few that I like. It certainly sounds like
you had a lot of fun doing this CD. Do you
have any favorites?
Randy: Well, you got three of them!
However, I also like the opener “Pedro
Brasil”. It just kind of draws you in. Also,
“Rebento” has a nice flugelhorn solo, and
is a really great tune. Yes! I had a ball
doing this CD - great music, friends, food,
scenery...what more could you ask?
Jackie:
Where is “Randy In Brasil”
available?
Randy: As far as I know at all the online
stores, and they’ve shipped them to actual
record stores - imagine that! MAMA/
Summit Records...just Google it!
Jackie: You’ve got best-selling records, tours
taking you around the globe, and you’re the
consummate professional everyone wants
to work with. What a career! What would
you say has been the highlight for you, thus
far? It seems like you’ve done it all. Is there
anything left that you would like to do, but
never had the chance to?
Randy: Well, I’d love to play a few nights
with Sonny Rollins, Keith Jarrett, and Herbie
Hancock!
Jackie: What does Randy Brecker do on his
down time, what little there is of it? :)
Randy: Well, these days he changes the
diapers of his newest creation, Stella, who
was born November 12th, 2008...and of
course my wonderful wife, saxophonist Ada
Rovatti, has to take most of the credit for that
one! But, you know we both try and sit down
at a keyboard and write music in our down
time moments...maybe watch an old movie
together on TV, and we both like to read.
Jackie: Quick question - What was your
association with the movies “Arthur”, “A
Chorus Line”, and “Pumping Iron”?
coming out that were done all over the
globe...A live concert with
the wonderful Japanese group called ‘Solid
Brass’, recorded live at the Hamamatsu
Jazz Festival last summer...kind of a tribute
to the Brecker Brothers. Also, a project
called ‘Tykocin’ which is the area in Poland
where my ancestors lived (mother’s maiden
name was Tecosky). This piece featuring
members of the Bialystock Philharmonic
was written by the amazing Polish composer
and pianist Wlodek Pavlik. It features me in
an orchestral setting, and is dedicated to our
family. Also, recorded two nights at a club in
Paris, the ‘Duc du Lombard’, featuring Niels
Lan Doky, Rick Margitza, Ada Rovatti, and
some great French musicians. We did an
acoustic night, then an electric night...so
there is a lot coming out. I’m always writing,
so we’ll see!
Jackie: Is there anything you’d like to add?
Randy..Just a big hello to my fans and a big
THANKS!
Jackie: Well, Randy, thanks for sharing your
time with me in The Jazz Lounge. It’s always
a pleasure speaking with you. Regards to
Ada, and congratulations to you both on your
new production!
Randy: O.K., and Stella thanks you too…she
just had a bath!
Jackie: Take care and stay cool.
Randy: We’re in Manhattan so we’re way
cool...it’s freezin’ out! ‘Bye, Jackie, and
thanks to you for this great show and your
commitment to jazz! See ya’ soon!
What a treat to have Randy as our first
guest in The Jazz Lounge for 2009. You
can look forward to lots more coming your
way from many others in the world of
jazz this year. Remember, you can reach
me with your thoughts and comments
at:
teekynyc@yahoo.com.
Check out
“Midday Jazz With Jackie Anderson”,
Monday through Friday, 11 AM - 12 Noon
(CST), at WJAB 90.9 FM. Listen online at:
www.aamu.edu/wjab.
Jazzy Tidbits:
- Congratulations to Hammond B3 jazz
organist Vince Seneri.
ASCAP (The
American Society Of Composers, Authors,
And Publishers) has honored Vince
with a writers’ achievement award. The
ASCAP Plus award was presented to him,
in recognition as a world-class musician,
composer, and producer, as well as his latest
release “The Prince’s Groove”. Vince, you
are AMAZING!
- Motema Music has released Jazz Therapy,
Volume 1: Smile, featuring master guitarists
Gene Bertoncini and Roni Ben-Hur. It’s
first in the new “Jazz Therapy” series of
charitable fund-raising CDs (produced in
association with the Jazz Foundation of
America). This benefits the Dizzy Gillespie
Memorial Fund, at Englewood Hospital and
Medical Center (in Englewood, NJ), which
has been responsible for providing millions
of dollars of free care to jazz musicians.
Let’s hope it’s a happy and prosperous New
Year for us. Until next time, stay cool, and
keep it jazzy!
Randy: I played on the soundtracks...That
was when the recording scene was alive and
well in New York City.
Jackie: Anything new in the works that you
can tell us about?
Randy: Well, I have some other releases
#011509020409
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
T Broussard
and the Zydeco
Steppers
‘T’ Broussard and the ZYDECO Steppers will
be playing their special brand of ZYDECO
on Saturday, January 17 from 8 until 11 at
the Knights of Columbus Hall, 3053 Leeman
Ferry. There will be a free beginner Zydeco
basics dance lesson at 7:15. Admission is $12
for members, $15 for non-members. For more
information, see http://czdance.com, or call
534-2840.
Bryant Keith ‘T’ Broussard’s fate as a Zydeco
musician was sealed long before he was born.
He is a descendent of Creole and Zydeco
music icons. His mother, Mary Jane Ardoin,
stands alone as a female who has mastered the
idiom of the traditional Creole accordion, a
talent that undoubtedly came from her uncle
Bois Sec Ardoin, Creole music pioneer, and
her uncle Carlton Frank, world-known Creole
violinist.
Bryant’s stage presence exudes a remarkable
energy. He has performed from coast to coast,
including the Memphis Beale Street Festival,
the Sparks, Nevada July 4th Festival, the
Alabama Blues Festival, and the Southwest
Louisiana Zydeco Festival. Other prominent
local Louisiana events include the Zydeco
Extravaganza in Opelousas, The Cajun Hot
Sauce Festival in New Iberia, The MudBug
Festival in Shreveport, and numerous casino
performances in Lake Charles, Kinder,
Vinton, Marksville, and New Orleans.
Accordionist, singer, and songwriter are
among several of Bryant’s musical talents. He
also plays drums, scrub board, and bass guitar.
Although Zydeco music is Bryant’s primary
performance style, he also plays traditional
Creole music.
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
7
Appalachian
Witches
Dates: Jan. 23, 24, 30 & 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Matinee: Jan. 25 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Burritt on the Mountain’s Old
Country Church
Cost: $15 (Group Discounts Available)
Burritt on the Mountain becomes Broadway
South as we premiere the newest play by
Christine Burke Ashwell. Appalachian
Witches is the story of three women bound
to the Appalachian Mountains and its
traditions and music, superstitions and
ghosts, history and faith. All of the women
have the gift of healing and have passed,
from generation to generation, their herbal
medicines and techniques for midwifery,
drawing fire and stopping blood. One
family’s bloodline speaks in the joyful
voices of the mountains with a cappella
songs, stories and legends presented in a
light-hearted, story-teller style.
Theatergoers to Burritt will remember Ms.
Ashwell from her sold-out performances
as Patsy Cline in Always …Patsy Cline.
Appalachian Witches was written by Criss
Ashwell, with Tanja Miller as Mary, Karen
Lynn as Kate and the playwright as Beulah.
The play is recommended for ages 12 and
older.
Tickets are $15, with group discounts
available. Tickets can be purchased at 5362882 or burrittonthemountain.com. Visit
burrittonthemountain
Seven Pounds
T
by Sarah Gorman
his review contains spoilers; read no
further if you care about the outcome
of Seven Pounds.
I went to see a late show at Monaco with my
boyfriend; we are Will Smith fans (you gotta
admit, the guy usually does a good job). The
disappointment I left with was not in regards
to his performance—he played a very
convincing tragic-and-tortured-to-the-pointof-gross-altruism man. Rosario Dawson was
beautiful as ever. Her performance wasn’t
the strongest but I wouldn’t be surprised
if Nicholas Sparks was whispering in the
writers’ ears during the writing process:
“yeah now have the woman who has his
heart seek out the man that has his eyes:
jackpot! Perfect tragic-romantic moment!”
It’s difficult to hold your own when you’re
8
drowning in cheap romantic goop. The
sentimentality was a far cry from subtle, it
was overkill. If you liked The Notebook, you
should absolutely see this movie. Now.
Have you ever seen 21 Grams? It came out
in 2003 and starred Sean Penn; it was a
great movie. Before anything else, let’s just
take a superficial look at the two titles. We
have a number followed by an increment
of measurement in each of them. The
significance of ‘21 grams’ is explained in a
voice over by Sean Penn. He says that when
we (humans) die, each one of us loses 21
grams of bodyweight. Now I don’t know
whether or not that’s scientifically proven
but it works nicely in the story because it is a
universal: all people. It shows a commonality
between us that complements the plot
nicely. ‘Seven pounds’ significance is never
explained though it seems Shakespearian…
pay your debts with a pound of your flesh.
The payoff in weight seems arbitrary, though.
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#011509020409
What I’m saying is seven pounds of flesh for
a Will Smith sized person is different than
seven pounds of flesh for a 14 year old girl.
If she were the lead role she may have had to
(in addition to Smith’s character’s donations)
sacrifice an arm, maybe all of her liver. Some
brain. Seven pounds of flesh to pay off a debt
for the Subway guy in his Burger King days
(before he started the Subway diet) may have
simply been a donation of a partial lung and a
spleen. Do they accept organ donations from
the obese? My argument is that though they
aimed for significance, the meaning of the
title was rendered arbitrary because seven
pounds can be a huge or an insignificant
payment of flesh depending on the body
type of the debtor. Maybe this is a stupid
criticism. I don’t care. It bothered me.
Another similarity between 21 Grams and
Seven Pounds: both plots were driven by
the possibility of a relationship between
an organ donor (or a family member of a
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
deceased organ donor) and the recipient. Very
uncomfortable stuff. Again, 21 Grams took
the better road and Seven Pounds got stuck
in some over-sentimental muck. Sean Penn’s
character did not tell Naomi Watt’s character
he had her husband’s heart in 21 Grams. On
the other hand, Will Smith’s character met
and fell in love with the recipient before she
became the recipient. There was one thing
that impressed me during Seven Pounds.
The scene where Smith and Dawson were
fornicatin’ (a little Palin tribute there for
ya) there was simple off-key piano music
playing. It subtly mirrored their relationship:
as the music was off-key, so were they.
Dawson thought she was in love—Smith
may have been too but ultimately, he was
going to kill himself so she could have a
heart. The idea is atrocious but the way the
music reflected it was the only true bit of
genius there was in the movie.
Maybe I am just a cold bah-humbugging
beast but the plot infuriated me. Mistakes
happen. The lesson Smith’s character should
have learned was stop texting while you
drive. His punishment did not fit the crime
and it was excruciating to watch. But like I
said, if you liked The Notebook, this is the
movie for you.
THE VALLEY PLANET
Get Lost: 3 Mountains to
Conquer on a Gallon of Gas
T
he journey of a thousand miles begins
with a single step. Begin your journey
into 2009 with a few thousand steps
atop three local mountains, all within 20
minutes of downtown Huntsville. These
easily accessible routes range in difficulty
from kid-friendly strolls to pack-a-lunch day
hikes, offering waterfalls, rock scrambles,
cactus flats, and 30-mile vistas. All three
provide the stress-relief and fresh air you
need to focus your mind and work off the
turkey dressing sitting in your left ventricle.
These hikes require no special equipment
and take less than a gallon of gas round trip.
Rainbow Mountain, Madison
(www.landtrust-hsv.org/properties/rainbowmountain)
Rainbow Mountain trails are not for strollers,
but kids who can run or climb over the
back of your sofa are ready to explore this
great mid-town preserve. Minutes from
downtown Madison and close to Research
Park, this getaway is ideal for post-work
or long-lunch workouts, or for a leisurely
Saturday exploration. Sip coffee (Starbucks
on the way) while the Cheerio-eaters burn
sugar on swings, slide forts, and boulders
just inside the park entrance. Trash cans
- yes, restrooms - no. The parking lot is
close to the playground for quick car access.
The trails themselves are fairly well-marked.
Use the loop design to plot a course suitable
to the endurance of your weakest links.
Hikes last 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending
on your route. Find waterfalls after a rain,
wildflowers in spring, cactus patches, and the
precarious Balance Rock that makes a great
postcard pic.
Food Tip: Bandito Burrito, 208 Main St,
Madison, AL 35758, (256) 461-8999
Dir: Downtown HSV, take Hwy 72 W 9 mi to
Madison. L on Hughes Rd (past Starbucks)
0.8 mi. L on Lynbrook Blvd, R on Concord,
L on Stoneway Tr (bearing right) - 0.7 mi to
parking area.
Monte Sano State Park, Huntsville
(www.alapark.com/MonteSano)
At 1,600 feet elevation, Monte Sano is chilly
in winter, but that makes for stellar icicle
hunting (we found 12-foot ice stalactites)
around frozen falls. The 14 miles of trails
in this extensive park draw mountain bikers,
trail runners, and hikers from around the
area. Serious hikers should explore McKay
Hollow and Mountain Mist trails which,
together, make for a 4.8 mile looping day
by D.S. Price
hike over significant terrain with rewarding
views of Huntsville and the Tennessee
Valley. Not a snake fan? Go now to avoid
the Well-of-the-Souls confrontation more
likely in warmer weather on these remote
trails. For an easy hike that active kids will
enjoy, walk out and back along the west side
of the South Plateau Loop as far as you are
comfortable (the loop totals 3.5 easy miles).
Listen carefully to find several falls nearby
the trail after a rain. For mobile families,
hike to Panther’s Knob or Stone Cuts on
the Northeast edge of the mountain for good
views and photo-worthy rock formations.
Notes: 1) most trails are dual-use for hikers
and bikes – please share the trail; 2) trails are
well-marked, but a $2 map from the park’s
Camp Store enables route planning and
finding your car again. Park admission ($2$3) supports good facilities lacking at other
trailheads.
Food Tip: Krispy Kreme (when hot!)
– 1218 Memorial Pkwy NW, Huntsville.
Mullins, 607 Andrew Jackson, Huntsville
256-539-2826
Dir: From 565 E, exit 19C - bear left. L
on Washington, immediate R on Pratt 1.4mi.
Pratt becomes Bankhead Pkwy – continue
3.4 mi. L on Nolen, 0.6 mi to Park entrance.
Continue 0.4 mi to Hiker’s Parking Lot on
R.
Wade Mountain Preserve, Huntsville
(www.landtrust-hsv.org/properties/wademtn-preserve)
The Land Trust’s Wade Mountain Preserve
is just north of Alabama A&M off Hwy 431
N. I recommend the wooded Devil’s Race
Track Trail (instead of the paved Wade Mtn
greenway to the west) as the more engaging
trek on this mountain. Ascend from the
trailhead parking lot, and climb 300 feet
over 1.2 miles to the arid race track loop.
Conquer the summit by following Wade
Mountain Trail west and up to the top, and
you will have gained 740 feet, logging 5.8
miles round trip. Kid-friendly to Devil’s
Race Track, then moderate difficulty to the
top. No restrooms.
Food Tip: Meridianville Pit BBQ for Ribs
and Chicken to go. Small purple building 2.9
mi north from Hollow Rd on Hwy 431 N.
Dir: Downtown HSV, take Hwy 431 N 4.6
mi, past Alabama A&M. Cross Winchester
Rd, next L on Hollow Rd, R on Spaggins
Hollow Rd - parking area 0.75 miles on R
after 3rd 90 degree curve.
Healthy Habits
I
by Maximo Cantu
n a latest poll the number one selling books in
the United States are Cook Books. The number
two selling books are Diet Books. One tells you
how to cook it the other says not to eat it.
The New Year is upon us and with it comes the
annual attempt at a healthier lifestyle through
resolutions like losing, weight, stop smoking and
being good to your fellow man etc.
After 29 years in the Health Club Industry I have
been a witness to many people succeeding in
keeping their resolutions, but I also have witnessed
many more fail. Why is that? Is it that we want
everything fast and now? In a recent poll Mississippi
ranked number 1 in obesity, and Alabama was not
far behind… I believe we came in 3rd. Hey at least
we put out some serious football linemen. But we’re
not all made for football, or sumo wrestling. For
that matter, most of us are just average Americans
needing to drop a few pounds.
There are two kinds of healthy: Physical health
where you have a healthy heart, lungs, blood
pressure, etc. and Aesthetic health where you
may have hypertension, may be over weight, but
your tan, your $75.00 hair style, your $100.00
make-up, designer clothing, and $5000.00 breast
augmentation, or hair transplant sure make you
look good.
A lot of my friends know I work at a health club
and tell me they would join if they could afford it.
My question to them is, “If it was free would you
workout?”
I do know about working out. First off, stop
being so impatient. In this day and age there are a
variety of diets that promise results with minimal
effort. There are also pills you can take for instant
miracle results. “Burn fat while you sleep!” Don’t
you get more satisfaction out of something when
you spend some real effort into it? Like building
a tree house for your child, or restoring an older
car? Your health, like these projects take patience,
learning what to do, having the right tools (like
a health club), and a little elbow grease. And
once you rebuild your car doesn’t it need regular
maintenance? Well, so do you.
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VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
Experts say to make, or break a habit takes 13 weeks
and adding 1 week every year that you are over 30.
That’s 28 weeks for someone who is forty-five. I
got so many bad habits it seems every decade I
added a new addiction. If you look at addiction, the
first thing we become addicted to is sugar. Watch
children’s’ television: it is loaded with commercials
pushing a variety of sugar products from candy
to cereals. Then we get addicted to fat, followed
by caffeine, then maybe alcohol, cigarettes, and
or worse drugs. How about caffeine with sugar...
remember your first soda?
As a trainer I have to tell you another surprising
fact that many people are unaware about, and that
is that the School Lunch program was started by the
Department of Defense not the Board of Education.
After World War II the average American soldier
was 5’5” tall and weighed 145lbs. The Defense
Dept. figured it needed bigger and stronger soldiers.
So began the practice of putting Hormones and
Steroids in our food. Take the word Banana it means
finger in Arabic, because of their natural size, today
Bananas are a foot long. Part hormone part genetic
engineering. We are no different.
Why workout, if for no other reason but to keep
from needing medical help, after all health care cost
is going through the roof, and expect higher rates in
2009. It’s amazing to me how many people I’ve met
who never worked out or ever saw value in a Health
Club or any kind of physical activity, yet when a
person becomes terminally ill they are prepared to
give everything they own to be healthy again.
In the workplace it has been proven that there is
a correlation between work productivity, and the
higher number of employees that lead a healthy
lifestyle such as working out.
Employees that workout have less sick days, and
tend to be more alert on the job as well as having
less injury occurrence as compared to those who do
not workout regularly.
If you have resolutions (I call them goals) for 2009
get out and find others who have your goals. The
internet says it helps you connect with others, I
think it has done quite the opposite. Plus you just
sit there. The real reason I workout, play tennis, or
ride a bike is because it’s fun, and having fun is
occupation of the mind. It’s something you do, and
you really connect with people.
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
9
Northern Exposure &
Tommy’s Pizza
by Diana LaChance
A
s a Yankee by birth, I can be pretty
particular about such Northern
staples as bagels, cheesesteaks, and
pizza. So I was a little cynical when my
husband suggested we try Tommy’s Pizza
at the Bridge Street Town Centre. Billed
as a purveyor of New York style pizza,
Tommy’s opened this past summer near the
Centre’s carousel. The restaurant’s owners
are transplants from Los Angeles, but don’t
be fooled – Tommy’s a New York native who
grew up with the best of the best in pizza
pies.
Given its location near one of the Centre’s
biggest attractions for kids, the restaurant is
as family-friendly as they come. Wire mesh
chairs are crumb-resistant and tables can
easily be combined for larger parties. But
the real lure is the pizza. It comes in one size
only – 21 inches. And while the pies look
huge, their thin New York style crust makes
them light and easy to pack in.
I decided to go with my favorite – pepperoni,
a classic that would be easy to compare given
the extremely long baseline I’d amassed over
the years. My husband chose a custom
creation with artichokes, pepperoni, and
spinach. When they arrived, steaming hot,
we both took a bite of our respective pizzas,
looked at each other, and agreed: it was the
best in town. The thin crust is neither dry nor
gooey, but soft and warm, like good crust
should be. And with just the right amount of
sauce and cheese and a generous helping of
toppings, this pizza more than lives up to its
claims of New York authenticity. The only
thing left to do was fold each slice in half,
New York style, and gnosh.
Tommy’s also serves pizza by the slice,
and a selection of the restaurant’s specialty
pizzas are usually on hand. And while soda
is the beverage of choice for the majority of
Tommy’s clientele, adults can enjoy either
bottled beer or an impressive assortment
of wines. There are even a few non-pizza
dishes, though it would be hard to defend a
decision not to have the house specialty.
After more than two years in Huntsville, my
husband and I could finally check “pizza” off
our list. We could live with Brueggers bagels,
given the lack of competition. We were still
searching for a great cheesesteak (though
Mason’s French dip would do in a pinch).
But we’d definitely be taking our Yankee
friends and family to Tommy’s Pizza. Now
that’s amore!
practitioners in China today. Such dances
give every DPA show a dramatic intensity.
Divine Performing Arts Bringing Timeless Culture
to Life
Brilliant. Inspiring. Glorious. That’s been the
overwhelming response to Divine Performing
Arts’ shows, traditional Chinese culture as it
was meant to be.
Divine Performing Arts (DPA) is the world’s
premier Chinese dance and music company,
made of a collaboration of leading Chinese
artists from around the world. DPA presents
classical Chinese dance and music in a
gloriously colorful and exhilarating show.
An art form some three millennia old,
Chinese dance is refreshingly dynamic and
expressive. Ancient legends and heroic
figures come to life through its leaps, spins,
10
Spectacular visuals take you to another
world, with blossoming landscapes and
celestial palaces appearing on state-of-the-art
animated backdrops. Groundbreaking music
seamlessly combines the best of the East and
West, giving each dance an unmistakable
exuberance.
by Karin Wells
and delicate gestures.
With a program of nearly twenty excitingly
beautiful dances and songs the masterful
choreography ranges from grand imperial
processions to legions of thunderous drums,
with gorgeously costumed dancers moving in
stunning synchronized patterns.
Divine Performing Arts story based dances
explore a range of themes from both the
ancient and modern world. Audience may see
the heroism of China’s greatest general, Yue
Fei; join the legendary heroine Mulan, on her
quest; or glimpse the courage of Falun Gong
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Each performance is as much a delight to
the ear as to the eye. The Divine Performing
Arts Orchestra brings together two of the
world’s greatest classical music traditions
in a masterful fusion, a harmonic balance
of Western classical composition, and the
melody-driven music of Chinese culture.
The 40-member orchestra that exclusively
accompanies DPA (at most shows) is
altogether unique for its embrace of both
Chinese and Western instruments.
From the opening gong that heralds the start
of each show to the riveting drum sequences,
soulful erhu solos, and hypnotic bamboo
flutes throughout, audiences are in for a
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
melodious treat.
In 2006 Divine Performing Arts ranked #
7 on Billboard Magazine’s top 10 shows
internationally based on ticket sales at the
famous Radio City Music Hall in New York
City. Divine Performing Arts has graced
many of the world’s greatest stages to sellout
audiences and rave reviews. In 2008/2009
Divine Performing Arts will perform to
approximately one million people at theatres
across the United States and around the
world.
Don’t miss the most colorful, dynamic, and
uplifting show of the year! Discover for
yourself the unforgettable beauty of Divine
Performing Arts.
DIVINE PERFORMING ARTS CHINESE
SPECTACULAR: $25-$99, 7:00 p.m. Friday,
Feb. 6, 2009, Von Braun Center Concert Hall,
700 Monroe St., Huntsville. 1-800-403-7081,
www.divineshows.com/huntsville.
(Additional reporting by Wade Yang)
THE VALLEY PLANET
I
love it when you can’t predict what a
band is going to do. Now, I’m talking out
of both sides of my mouth because I also
love bands that always deliver. Motorhead.
AC/DC. Slayer. Loving music is like being
married, you like the stability but sometimes
it’s nice when Sweet-thing throws you a
curve ball. LIARS only know how to throw
curve balls.
Formed in New York City in 2001, LIARS
were lumped in with all the post-punk bands
coming out of NYC at the time, bands like
The Strokes, Interpol, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
and The Walkmen. LIARS were notorious
for their chaotic live shows. They played
frantic punk-funk, heavy on the drums, light
on guitar and splattered with barked/yelped
vocals. You couldn’t really dance to it but
you couldn’t really ignore it either. LIARS
released their debut CD on Mute Records in
2002, “They Threw Us All In A Trench And
Stuck A Monument On Top” only hinted
at the experimentalism to come on future
releases. I read the reviews, bought into the
hype and purchased the CD. I didn’t hate
it but I didn’t love it either. I was fond of
a few songs, especially the 30 minute loop
that closed the album. It somehow through
mind-numbing repetition seemed to grow
and change shape the longer I listened to it.
However, I eventually filed the CD away and
forgot about it.
songs… it was great. I picked up the CD
a few days ago. I cannot stop listening to
it. I come not to bury LIARS but to praise
them. “Drum’s Not Dead” is just about
the best album I’ve heard in the past few
years. I am possessed by it. It has control
of me. The songs are slower, more tribal.
The guitar is minimal, relying mostly on
atmosphere and droning notes instead of
traditional chords or scales. The vocals,
sung in falsetto for over half of the album are
ethereal and melodic. There wasn’t a lot of
melody on early LIARS releases. This music
reminds of an old horror movie where some
creepy carnival rolls into this small town at
midnight. Listen to “Drum’s Not Dead” the
next time you read Stephen King or Cormac
Mcarthy. This is some beautiful noise. Gone
is the hyperkinetic Gang Of Four worship.
This is not the cocaine blues. “Drum’s Not
Dead” is all pot. All the songs are simple
but rhythmic. Brian Eno’s ambient work is a
touchstone, as well as kraut-rock bands like
Gong, Faust and Neu.
LIARS most recent release is 2007’s “Liars”,
a combination of their more aggressive
Recently, I listened to an interview with
Thom Yorke of Radiohead on National
Public Radio and he was talking about how
much he loved LIARS 2006 CD “Drum’s
Not Dead”. Thom Yorke played one of the
THE INVISIBLE CITY with Brad Posey airs
every Friday night on 89.3 FM WLRH at
7pm. bradposeyradio@yahoo.com
“The Way I See It”
by David Daniels
Album: 808’s & Heartbreak
Artist: Kanye West
Possibly one of the most disputed albums
of 2008, Kanye West re-emerges shortly
after the tragic loss of his mother, to release
“808’s & Heartbreak” a roller-coaster ride
of emotions combined with enough choir
sounds, strings, and tribal drums to force
you to take a second (or third) listen. There’s
no way you could possibly get the message
in all of his tracks in just one sitting, even
with the lyrics printed in the jacket booklet
(and who does that anymore?) From the
beginning track “Say You Will” Kanye gears
you up to take a melodic trip through his
heart & soul, which is an interesting ride,
considering the fact that he does no rapping
on the album. Only singing. But he manages
to pull it off decently thanks to Auto-tune-
ing himself on many tracks. The smash
“Heartless” reminds us of past loves, while
“See You In My Nightmares” featuring Lil
Wayne charges those feelings up in order to
get past them. The way I see it, this album
will be one played for years to come. 808’s &
Heartbreak is a thumbs-up from me!
Album: iSouljaBoyTellem
Artist: Soulja Boy Tellem
Get ready to get fired up for the sophomore
album from overnight success Soulja
Boy with “iSouljaboytellem”. This album
is sophomoric in every sense of the
word, considering that the lyrics remain
incredibly juvenile, yet seem to have a
bit more substance than his debut album.
Soulja seems to continue to find his niche
and strengths between producing music
and actually performing lyrics. Luckily
for him, the production on his album has
THE VALLEY PLANET
and softer sides. “Liars” finds the band
openly embracing Radiohead, the fuzzedout bliss of classic Jesus and Mary Chain
and maybe even a little White Stripes. If
you’re into Nickleback or Dave Matthews
Band, just keep walking, but if you’re up for
a challenge I think this band deserves your
attention. The great thing about LIARS is
we don’t know what the hell they’ll do next.
They might make a banjo meets techno CD
or combine death metal with ataxic doo-wop
vocals. Maybe they’ll just release a box-set
of band members throwing beer bottles off of
a bridge. What ever they do, I bet it will be
more interesting than who you’re listening
to now. There’s a fine line between total
garbage and the avant-garde. I’m not smart
or cool enough to know the difference but I
do know one thing. Drum’s not dead, long
live Drum. Long live LIARS!!
#011509020409
been spread to more people than just him
allowing him to focus more on his writing.
In addition to this, his album seems to have
much more depth than his first. He caters
to his female audience with songs such
as the very successful “Kiss Me thru The
Phone” featuring teeny bopper Sammie,
and “Yamaha Mama” featuring production
from Polow Da Don and featuring Sean
Kingston. It’s refreshing to see him not veer
too much from his crunk & snap formula that
established his success in the first place and
apparently he can make fun of himself and
still get away with it as he does in “Soulja
Boy Tell Em” where he states “My lyrics get
recycled but your lyrics just garbage” where
he admits to using the same lyrics in more
than one of his songs. He seems to have a
firm grasp on his audience and yet is young
enough to have time to mature and develop
his music as he gets older. Hopefully we
will continue to see these bass-in-your-trunk
heavy beats laced with lyrics popcorn enough
to not require much thought to keep our clubs
packed and radio waves buzzing. The way I
see it, if you’re looking for an enriching and
fulfilling musical experience, pass this one
up. If you’re looking for a good time and a
quick CD to pop in your car on your way to
your favorite club or party, then add this one
to your collection as soon as possible.
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
11
’s
O
H
C
R
A
N
A
DR
Rx for Old Stuff That Don’t Suck
T
his issue’s Dr. Anarcho’s Old Stuff That Don’t Suck is: All the music in the world by all the
musicians in the world.
Tall order, I know - but here’s the deal.
What if you had radio stations that knew more about what music you like - and what
music you’re likely to like -- than you do or ever could? And it will even tell you why you
like the music you do and precisely what you like about it.
While we’re wishing, let’s make these “smart stations” also capable of learning from your
feedback, and use that knowledge to fine tune selections even further. Based on what
it learns, it will tell you what you like, and why and feed you more songs / groups with
similar attributes as it zeroes in on your taste and musical personality.
Sounds like the future, doesn’t it?
The future is here. It’s called “Pandora - The Music Genome Project.”
Say what’s that? I’ll let Pandora explain it to you. Believe me, she’s not just another pretty
box.
“Pandora - The Music Genome Project. It’s the most comprehensive analysis of music ever
undertaken. Together our team of fifty musician-analysts has been listening to music, one
song at a time, studying and collecting literally hundreds of musical details on every song.
It takes 20-30 minutes per song to capture all of the little details that give each recording
its magical sound - melody, harmony, instrumentation, rhythm, vocals, lyrics ... and more
- close to 400 attributes! We continue this work every day to keep up with the incredible
flow of great new music coming from studios, stadiums and garages around the country.
With Pandora you can explore this vast trove of music to your heart’s content. Just drop
the name of one of your favorite songs or artists into Pandora and let the Genome
Project go. It will quickly scan its entire world of analyzed music, almost a century of
popular recordings - new and old, well known and completely obscure - to find songs
with interesting musical similarities to your choice. Then sit back and enjoy as it creates a
listening experience full of current and soon-to-be favorite songs for you.
You can create as many “stations” as you want. And you can even refine them. If it’s not
quite right you can tell it so and it will get better for you.
The Music Genome Project was founded by musicians and music-lovers. We believe in the
value of music and have a profound respect for those who create it. We like all kinds of
music, from the most obtuse bebop, to the most tripped-out drum n bass, to the simplest
catchy pop tune. Our mission is to help you connect with the music YOU like.
Better, the basic version of Pandora is free, and the advanced one is only thirty-six bucks
per year. The artists get their cut out of that as well.
If you are a music lover – if you KNOW a music lover – who is interested in expanding their
musical horizons as opposed to listening to the past, the who past, and a very small slice
of the past, do yourself or them a BIG favor and check out Pandora - The Music Genome
Project (www.pandora.com).
Yes, it’s as magical as it sounds. Your music life will never be the same.
12
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VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
THE VALLEY PLANET
The Valley’s Most Complete
MUSICCALENDAR
Thursday
January15
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Dave Anderson
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Cafe 113 (Decatur), Tim Tucker
Club Ozz, Karaoke w/ DJ Sweet T
Coppertop (See ad pg. 14), Southern Blood
El Dorado Mex Grill, Raul Mejia
Finnegan’s Pub, Slip Jig
Flying Monkey Arts Center,
Christabel and the Jons (8pm, $8)
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Chad Reeves
Halftime Bar and Grill,
Tune Doctors Karaoke w/Brian Holder
Hopper’s, DJ Justin (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Scott Morgan
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Dave Anderson
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina (Decatur),
Karaoke with JD Pollard
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Philby’s Pourhouse, Rob Aldridge
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage, 5ive O’Clock Charlie
The Brick (Decatur), Green Room
The Docks (Scottsboro), Kenny and Trey
The Nook, Larry Woellhart (6-9)
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill,
Open Mic Night w/Ben Trussell
Friday
January16
11th Frame Bar, Karaoke
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 25), Rick Nona
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Live Music
Benchwarmer Too, DJ
Black Water Hattie’s, Relayer
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Flat Busted
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Cattle (Unplugged)
Carson’s Grill, Marge Loveday
Casa Montego, Reggae & More with DJ Roger
Club Ozz, R&B Dance Beats w/DJ Sweet T
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See ad pg. 19),
Live Music (7pm)
Crossroads (See ad pg. 13), Old School 90’s Party
El Herradura, Edgar
Finnegan’s Pub, Sing Along with Nancy
Furniture Factory, Rob Aldridge and Ben Trussell
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Black Randal
Hard Dock Café (Decatur), StraightForward
Hog Wild, Southern Express
Hopper’s, Peter and the Wolf (8:30)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Five O’Clock Charlie
Indigo Joe’s, Karaoke
Jazz Factory, Trio El Camino
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Lance Almon Smith
Lee Ann’s, Full Circle
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, Live Music
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina (Decatur), DJ J Dawg
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Halycon
Philby’s Pourhouse, Live Music
Port of Madison (Holiday Inn),
Roberta and Hot Mixx 7-11
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage, StillLife and Bridges Burn
The Brick (Decatur), Tuco’s Pistol
The Docks (Scottsboro), Kenny and Trey
The Nook, Gentle Ben and his Trained Guitar 6-10
The Station, Live Music
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Thomas Function
Saturday
January17
11th Frame Bar, Karaoke
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 25), Kim and Don
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy),
Ladies Night with Dave Anderson
Benchwarmer Too, DJ
Black Water Hattie’s, Jonathan Carter
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Alleyway
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), John Stone
Carson’s Grill, Ben Trussell
Cazadeores, Live Music
Club Ozz, House Dance Beats w/DJ Khaki Phat
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See ad pg. 19),
Open Mic Night (7pm)
Crossroads (See ad pg. 13),
Battery (Metallica Tribute Band)
Finnegan’s Pub, Dave Merriman
Flying Monkey Arts Center, Mohr 4 (7:30pm, $7)
Furniture Factory, Christy and Alley
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), The Puppy Hunters
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Live Music
Hard Dock Café (Decatur), BootyShakers
Hog Wild, Southern Express
Hopper’s, Peter and the Wolf (8:30)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Hot Soup
Jazz Factory, Open Delta
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Ricky Ray and Billy Earl McClelland
Lee Ann’s, Pla’ Station
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, DJ Chris Slaton
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15),
Partner’s Playmates and Dancing
Philby’s Pourhouse, Live Music
Sammy T’s Music Hall, Evick
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage, Black Label and Angry Native
The Brick (Decatur), Jada
The Docks (Scottsboro), Kenny and Trey
The Station, Live Music
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Kill the City
Sunday
January18
Black Water Hattie’s, Steve Foster (live recording session)
Boomers, Karaoke
Casa Montego,
Live Jazz featuring Devere Pride Trio and Friends (7-10:30)
Club Ozz, Karaoke w/ Miss Sweet T
Crossroads (See ad pg. 13), Kid Capri
Hopper’s,
Edgar (Brunch, 11-2)/Karaoke with Lee Kearns (8-12)
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Sunday Blues Jam hosted by
Freddy Earl and the Blues Mercenaries
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Sportspage Live Music
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill,
Karaoke w/DJ Brandon Mac
Monday
January19
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Ben Trussell
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Karaoke
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill,
Blues Open Mic with Microwave Dave
Kaffeeklatsch @Night,
Acoustic Open Mic hosted by Greg Rowell
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage, David Anderson
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Jim Cavender
Tuesday
January20
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Marge
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Coppertop (See ad pg. 14), HDK Karaoke with Howie
Finnegan’s Pub, Dave Merriman
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), MayDay
Hopper’s, Karaoke with Lee Kearns (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill,
Cristina Lynn and Chuck Rutenberg
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Marge Loveday
Lee Ann’s, Rudy Mockabee
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Philby’s Pourhouse, Chad Reeves
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke Contest
Sportspage, Jonathan Carter
The Nook, Maple Hill Band (6-9)
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Dave Anderson
Wednesday
January21
3rd Base Grill, David Anderson 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Karaoke
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Mike and Catherine
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Cazadeores, Open Mic Hosted by Scott Morgan
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See ad pg. 19),
Songwriter’s Jam (7pm)
Crossroads (See ad pg. 13),
Dance Night with Bobby Valentino
El Dorado Mex Grill, Raul Mejia
Furniture Factory, Rockin’ Acoustic Duo
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Karaoke
Hopper’s, Dave Anderson (5-8)/Lil’ Ed (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Dynamic Duo
Jazz Factory, Microwave Dave
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, The Robertsons
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina (Decatur),
Karaoke with JD Pollard
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Karaoke Contest
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke Contest
Sportspage, Pla’ Station
The Brick (Decatur), Shawna P featuring Gary Nichols
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, James Irvin
Thursday
January22
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Dave Anderson
Benchwarmer, Karaoke
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Cafe 113 (Decatur), Tim Tucker
Club Ozz, Karaoke w/ DJ Sweet T
El Dorado Mex Grill, Raul Mejia
Finnegan’s Pub, Slip Jig
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Chad Reeves
Halftime Bar and Grill,
Tune Doctors Karaoke w/Brian Holder
Hopper’s, DJ Justin (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Lacey Atchison
Lee Ann’s, Jason Albert Band
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina (Decatur),
Karaoke with JD Pollard
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Karaoke Contest
Philby’s Pourhouse, Ant and Andrew
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke Contest
Sportspage, 5 O’Clock Charlie
The Brick (Decatur), Blagburn
The Docks (Scottsboro), Trey
The Nook, Microwave Dave (6-9)
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill,
Open Mic Night w/Ben Trussell
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MUSIC
ContinuedfromPage13
Friday
January23
11th Frame Bar, Karaoke
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 25), Juice
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Microwave Dave
Benchwarmer Too, DJ
Black Water Hattie’s, Bob Walters Banned
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Saw Mill Road
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Iron Horse
Carson’s Grill, Scott Morgan
Casa Montego, Reggae & More with DJ Roger
Club Ozz, R&B Dance Beats w/DJ Sweet T
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See ad pg. 19),
Live Music (7pm)
Coppertop (See ad pg. 14), Live Music
Crossroads (See ad pg. 13),
Daikaiju, Pine Hill Haints, and Counter Clockwise
El Herradura, Edgar
Finnegan’s Pub, Sing Along with Nancy
Furniture Factory, The Scratch Band
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Black Randal
Hard Dock Café (Decatur), Hot Rod Otis
Hog Wild, Flat Busted
Hopper’s, Peter and the Wolf (8:30)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Gary Pfaff and the Heartwells
Indigo Joe’s, Karaoke
Jazz Factory, Pete & Lisa
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Toy Shop
Lee Ann’s, Full Circle
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, Live Music
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina (Decatur), DJ J Dawg
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Live Music
Philby’s Pourhouse, Live Music
Port of Madison (Holiday Inn),
Roberta and Hot Mixx 7-11
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage, Kozmic Mama
The Brick (Decatur), Natchez Trace
The Docks (Scottsboro), Ben Trussell
The Nook, Gentle Ben and his Trained Guitar 6-12
The Station, Crush
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Sandia
Saturday
January24
11th Frame Bar, Karaoke
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 25), Kim and Donnie
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy),
Ladies Night with Dave Anderson
Benchwarmer Too, DJ
Black Water Hattie’s, Toy Shop
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Travis Posey Band
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Spare Change
Carson’s Grill, Live Music
Cazadeores, Live Music
Club Ozz, House Dance Beats w/DJ Khaki Phat
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See ad pg. 19),
Open Mic Night (7pm)
Crossroads (See ad pg. 13), Dubconscious and Entropy
Finnegan’s Pub, Dave Merriman
Furniture Factory, Jerry Fordham
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), The Puppy Hunters
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Live Music
Hard Dock Café (Decatur), Big Daddy Kingfish
Hog Wild, Flat Busted
Hopper’s, Peter and the Wolf (8:30)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, No Man’s Band
Jazz Factory, Devere Pride Trio
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Live Music
Lee Ann’s, Christian Bradley and The Devils Cash Band
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, DJ Chris Slaton
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Variety Show and Dancing
Philby’s Pourhouse, Live Music
Sammy T’s Music Hall, Strutter
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage, Gryphon
The Brick (Decatur), Plato Jones
The Docks (Scottsboro), Ben Trussell
The Station, Outshined
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Howler
Sunday
January25
Boomers, Karaoke
Casa Montego,
Live Jazz featuring Devere Pride Trio and Friends (7-10:30)
Club Ozz, Karaoke w/ Miss Sweet T
Hopper’s,
Edgar (Brunch, 11-2)/Karaoke with Lee Kearns (8-12)
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Sunday Blues Jam hosted by
Freddy Earl and the Blues Mercenaries
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Sportspage, Live Music
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill,
Karaoke w/DJ Brandon Mac
Monday
January26
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Ben Trussell
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Karaoke
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill,
Blues Open Mic with Ant and Andrew
Kaffeeklatsch @Night,
Acoustic Open Mic hosted by Greg Rowell
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage, David Anderson
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Live Music
Tuesday
January27
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Marge
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Coppertop (See ad pg. 14), HDK Karaoke with Howie
Finnegan’s Pub, Dave Merriman
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), MayDay
Hopper’s, Karaoke with Lee Kearns (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Backwater
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Rob Aldridge
Lee Ann’s, Rudy Mockabee
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Philby’s Pourhouse, Chad Reeves
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke Contest
Sportspage, 4 Guys on a Couch
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Dave Anderson
Wednesday
January28
3rd Base Grill, David Anderson 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Microwave Dave
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Robert Keele Band
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Cazadeores, Open Mic Hosted by Scott Morgan
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See ad pg. 19),
Songwriter’s Jam (7pm)
El Dorado Mex Grill, Raul Mejia
Furniture Factory, Jerry Fordham
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Karaoke
Hopper’s, Dave Anderson (5-8)/Lil’ Ed (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Pla’ Station
Jazz Factory, “Frank Sinatra”
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Johnathan Giles
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina (Decatur),
Karaoke with JD Pollard
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Karaoke Contest
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke Contest
Sportspage, Pla’ Station
The Brick (Decatur), Tim Tucker
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, James Irvin
Thursday
January29
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Dave Anderson
Benchwarmer, Karaoke
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Cafe 113 (Decatur), Tim Tucker
Club Ozz, Karaoke w/ DJ Sweet T
Crossroads (See ad pg. 13), Ben Deignan
El Dorado Mex Grill, Raul Mejia
Finnegan’s Pub, Slip Jig
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Chad Reeves
Halftime Bar and Grill,
Tune Doctors Karaoke w/Brian Holder
Hopper’s, DJ Justin (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Garrett Tucker
Jazz Factory, Christian
Lee Ann’s, Crush
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina (Decatur),
Karaoke with JD Pollard
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Karaoke Contest
Philby’s Pourhouse, Rob Aldridge
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke Contest
Sportspage, 5 O’Clock Charlie
The Brick (Decatur), Frank & Gary
The Docks (Scottsboro), Trey
The Nook, Microwave Dave (6-9)
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill,
Open Mic Night w/Ben Trussell
Friday
January30
11th Frame Bar, Karaoke
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 25), Devere Pride
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Jim Cavender
Benchwarmer Too, DJ
Black Water Hattie’s, C.O. Jones
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Hot Rod Otis
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Live Music
Carson’s Grill, Marge Loveday
Casa Montego, Reggae & More with DJ Roger
Club Ozz, R&B Dance Beats w/DJ Sweet T
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See ad pg. 19), James Smith
and Members of the Traditional Music Associations (7pm)
Crossroads (See ad pg. 13),
Eclipse (Pink Floyd Tribute Band)
El Herradura, Edgar
Finnegan’s Pub, Sing Along with Nancy
Furniture Factory, Rob Aldridge and Ben Trussell
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Black Randal
Hard Dock Café (Decatur), Crush
Hog Wild, Bonafied
Hopper’s, Peter and the Wolf (8:30)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Black-Eyed Susan
Indigo Joe’s, Karaoke
Jazz Factory, Don & Kim
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Live Music
Lee Ann’s, Ben Trussell
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, Live Music
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina (Decatur), DJ J Dawg
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Betty Roulette Burlesque
Philby’s Pourhouse, Ben Walker Duo
Port of Madison (Holiday Inn),
Roberta and Hot Mixx 7-11
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage, Proton Joe
The Brick (Decatur), Group 6
The Docks (Scottsboro), James Grant
The Nook, Gentle Ben and his Trained Guitar 6-13
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THE VALLEY PLANET
MUSIC
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The Station, Naked Eskimos
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Toy Shop
Saturday
January31
11th Frame Bar, Karaoke
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 25), Chuck and Christina
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy),
Ladies Night with Dave Anderson
Benchwarmer Too, DJ
Blue Parrot (Guntersville), Alleyway
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Link Betton
Carson’s Grill, Tim Tucker
Cazadeores, Live Music
Club Ozz, House Dance Beats w/DJ Khaki Phat
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See ad pg. 19),
Open Mic Night (7pm)
Coppertop (See ad pg. 14), Live Music
Crossroads (See ad pg. 13), TEN (Pearl Jam Cover Band)
Finnegan’s Pub, Dave Merriman
Flying Monkey (See Ad pg.12), Grupo Fantastico
Furniture Factory, Jerry McAllister
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), The Puppy Hunters
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Live Music
Hard Dock Café (Decatur), Room 240
Hog Wild, Bonafied
Hopper’s, Peter and the Wolf (8:30)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Toy Shop
Jazz Factory, The Crackerjacks
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Live Music
Lee Ann’s, Hot Mixx
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, DJ Chris Slaton
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Variety Show and Dancing
Philby’s Pourhouse, Ben Trussell Trio
Sammy T’s Music Hall, Downstroke
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage , Outshined
The Brick (Decatur), Black Label
The Docks (Scottsboro), Live Music
The Station, Handshake Promise
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Lacey Atchinson
Sunday
February1
Boomers, Karaoke
Casa Montego,
Live Jazz featuring Devere Pride Trio and Friends (7-10:30)
Club Ozz, Karaoke w/ Miss Sweet T
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Karaoke
Hopper’s,
Edgar (Brunch, 11-2)/Karaoke with Lee Kearns (8-12)
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Sunday Blues Jam hosted by
Freddy Earl and the Blues Mercenaries
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Sportspage, Live Music
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill,
Karaoke w/DJ Brandon Mac
Monday
February2
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Ben Trussell
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), MayDay
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill,
Blues Open Mic with Microwave Dave
Kaffeeklatsch @Night,
Acoustic Open Mic hosted by Greg Rowell
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage, David Anderson
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Jail
Tuesday
February3
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Marge
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Coppertop (See ad pg. 14), HDK Karaoke with Howie
Finnegan’s Pub, Dave Merriman
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Karaoke
Hopper’s, Karaoke with Lee Kearns (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, The Shoals
Lee Ann’s, Rudy Mockabee
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Philby’s Pourhouse, Chad Reeves
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke Contest
Sportspage, Jonathan Carter
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, Dave Anderson
Wednesday
February4
3rd Base Grill, David Anderson 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Karaoke
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Cazadeores, Open Mic Hosted by Scott Morgan
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See ad pg. 19),
Songwriter’s Jam (7pm)
Crossroads (See ad pg. 13),
Dance Night with Krystal Serious
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Chad Reeves
Hopper’s, Dave Anderson (5-8)/Lil’ Ed (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Trial By Jury
Jazz Factory, Microwave Dave
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina (Decatur),
Karaoke with JD Pollard
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Karaoke Contest
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke Contest
Sportspage, Pla’ Station
The Brick (Decatur), Tim Tucker
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill, James Irvin
THE VALLEY PLANET
Thursday
February5
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Dave Anderson
Benchwarmer, Karaoke
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Karaoke
Cafe 113 (Decatur), Tim Tucker
Club Ozz, Karaoke w/ DJ Sweet T
Finnegan’s Pub, Slip Jig
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Black Randal
Halftime Bar and Grill,
Tune Doctors Karaoke w/Brian Holder
Hopper’s, DJ Justin (8-12)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Marge Loveday
Jazz Factory, Jim Cavender
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Dave Anderson
Lee Ann’s, Gabe Larose & Newt Johnson
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina (Decatur),
Karaoke with JD Pollard
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Karaoke Contest
Philby’s Pourhouse, Ant and Andrew
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke Contest
Sportspage 5 O’Clock Charlie
The Brick (Decatur), Live Music
The Docks (Scottsboro), Trey
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill,
Open Mic Night w/Ben Trussell
Friday
February6
11th Frame Bar, Karaoke
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 25), Live Music
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy), Live Music
Benchwarmer Too, DJ
Black Water Hattie’s, South Street
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Live Music
Casa Montego, Reggae & More with DJ Roger
Club Ozz, R&B Dance Beats w/DJ Sweet T
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See ad pg. 19),
Larry Woellhart (7 pm)
Coppertop (See ad pg. 14), Live Music
Crossroads (See ad pg. 13), Nappy Roots
El Herradura, Edgar
Finnegan’s Pub, Sing Along with Nancy
Furniture Factory, Live Music
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), Karaoke
Glass’s Cocktails and Grill (Decatur), Live Music
Hard Dock Café (Decatur), Live Music
Hog Wild, Backwater
Hopper’s, Peter and the Wolf (8:30)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Juice
Indigo Joe’s, Karaoke
Jazz Factory, Ganz & the Geezers
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Live Music
Lee Ann’s, Full Circle
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, Live Music
Maria Bonita Grill and Cantina (Decatur), DJ J Dawg
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Partner’s (See Ad pg.15), Live Music
Philby’s Pourhouse, Seducing Alice
Port of Madison (Holiday Inn),
Roberta and Hot Mixx 7-11
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage, The Judas Goat
The Brick (Decatur), Cheesebrokers
The Docks (Scottsboro), Live Music
The Nook, Gentle Ben and his Trained Guitar 6-14
The Station, Blackeyed Susan
Saturday
February7
11th Frame Bar, Karaoke
801 Franklin (See ad pg. 25), Live Music
Bandito Burrito (South Pkwy),
Ladies Night with Dave Anderson
Benchwarmer Too, DJ
Black Water Hattie’s, Ricky Fargo
Boomers, Karaoke
Boondock’s (Guntersville), Live Music
Cazadeores, Live Music
Club Ozz, House Dance Beats w/DJ Khaki Phat
Coffeetree Books & Brew (See ad pg. 19),
Open Mic Night (7pm)
Crossroads (See ad pg. 14), Zac Brown Band
Finnegan’s Pub, Dave Merriman
Furniture Factory, Live Music
Geno’s Pub (Decatur), The Puppy Hunters
Hard Dock Café (Decatur), Chad Bradford
Hog Wild, Backwater
Hopper’s, Peter and the Wolf (8:30)
Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, Microwave Dave and the Nukes
Jazz Factory, Jerry McAllister
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Live Music
Lee Ann’s, Hot Mixx
Mac’s Sportsbar and Steakhouse, DJ Chris Slaton
Moody Monday’s, Karaoke
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill, Karaoke (8pm)
Partner’s (See Ad pg. 15), Variety Show and Dancing
Philby’s Pourhouse, Live Music
Sammy T’s Music Hall, Live Music
Sandy’s Roadhouse (Guntersville), Karaoke
Sportspage, The Acoustic International Act
The Brick (Decatur), Highly Kind
The Docks (Scottsboro), Live Music
The Station, Black Label
Sunday
February8
Boomers, Karaoke
Casa Montego,
Live Jazz featuring Devere Pride Trio and Friends (7-10:30)
Club Ozz, Karaoke w/ Miss Sweet T
Kaffeeklatsch @Night, Sunday Blues Jam hosted by
Freddy Earl and the Blues Mercenaries
Olivia’s Sports Bar and Grill , Karaoke (8pm)
Sportspage, Don Cox
Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill,
Karaoke w/DJ Brandon Mac
TheEnd
Nashville band Kill the City is playing at the Voodoo Lounge on Jan 17 with locals Xpia
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RegionalConcerts
ATLANTA
January 15 – February 17, Cirque Du Soleil
– Kooza, Grand Chapteau at Atlantic Station
January 30, The Killers, Atlanta Civic Center
February 3, John Legend, Fabulous Fox Theatre
February 4, Andrew Bird, Variety Playhouse
February 17, Slipknot with Coheed and Cambria
and Trivium, Arena at Gwinnett Center
March 5, Britney Spears with The Pussycat Dolls,
Phillips Arena
March 11, Less Then Jake, Masquerade Atlanta
March 17, Adele, Variety Playhouse
March 20, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals,
Fabulous Fox Theatre
March 21, Ani DiFranco, Variety Playhouse
BIRMINGHAM
January 15, Celine Dion, BJCC Arena
January 24, Eagles-Long Road of Eden Tour, BJCC
Concert Hall
January 26, Brett Dennen, Workplay
February 22, Motley Crue with Hinder and
Theory of a Dead Man, BJCC Arena
March 6, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Alabama
Theatre
April 2, Yo-Yo Ma, Alys Stephens Performing Arts
Center
MEMPHIS
January 30, AC/DC, FedExForum
March 31. Chris Tomlin, FedExForum
Calendar of
EVENTS
Thursday, January 15
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering a course
demonstrating how to maneuver through several key government
procurement websites that include CCR, FedBizOpps, FPDS, and
others. The Class will be held from 1 – 4p.m. at the Huntsville/
Madison County Chamber, 225 Church Street for a fee of $49.99.
Make a reservation online at www.aamu.edu/sbdc or by calling
(256)372-8018.
Crystal Methamphetamine Anonymous and Recovery meeting
from 6pm to 8pm at Trinity Methodist Church on Airport Drive,
Huntsville. For more information, call 650-8284.
January 15-17
“The Book of Liz” will be performed on the MainStage at
Renaissance Theatre at Lincoln Center at 8p.m. For more
information, visit www.renaissancethreatre.net.
January 15 – January 20
Gershwin to Gillespie: Portraits in American Music will be on
display at the Huntsville Museum of Art. This exhibit is a salute to
20th century American music comes to life through 50 portraits of
some of America’s greatest artists and composers in music, including
George Gershwin, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin and more. For more
information, visit www.hsvmuseum.org or call (256)535-4350.
January 15-29
An Intermediate Salsa Class will be offered at the Madison
Ballroom from 7-8p.m. every Thursday for the month of January.
Cost is $40 per person, or $60 per couple (Cost for repeat students is
only $20). The Madison Ballroom is located at 9076 Madison Blvd. For
more information visit salseroblanko.net or call (256)464-8477.
The W.C. Handy Home, Museum and Library in Florence will
host the exhibit, Ruby Pickens Tartt: A Alabama Original. The
exhibit includes photos and text about Miss Tartt and the singers
whose music she recorded. Admission to the exhibit is free. Regular
admission will be charged to tour the rest of the museum. The
W. C. Handy Home, Museum and Library is located at 620 West
College Street and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday
through Saturday. Sponsored by the Florence Department of Arts
and Museums. Call (256) 760-6434 or (256) 760-6379 for more
information.
HUNTSVILLE
January 24-25, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra,
Von Braun Concert Hall
January 29, Bill Gaither and Friends, Von Braun
Center Arena
February 2, Brian Regan, Von Braun Center
February 6, Chinese Spectacular 2009, Von Braun
Concert Hall
April 15 – 19, Cirque Du Soliel, Von Braun Arena
April 23, Larry the Cable Guy, Von Braun Center
Arena
NASHVILLE
January 26, John Legend, Ryman Auditorium
January 31, The Killers, Grand Ole Opry
January 31, AC/DC, Sommet Center
February 14, Dr. Dog, Mercy Lounge
February 15, Slipknot with Coheed and Cambria
and Trivium, Sommet Center
February 21, Motley Crue with Hinder, Theory of
a Dead Man, and The Last Vegas, Sommet Center
February 25, Nickelback with Seether and Saving
Abel, Sommet Center
March 14, Ryan Adams and The Cardinals,
Nashville War Memorial
March 14, Brad Paisley, Sommet Center
March 18, Adele, The Cannery
March 25, Dave Matthews Band, Vanderbilt
Stadium
Times Gallery, 2317 South Memorial Parkway, during the month of
January. For more information, call HAL at 534-3860.
Kathryn Vaughn and Vicky Garner, continue displaying their
artwork at the Heritage Club through the month of January. For
more information, call HAL at 534-3860.
Ann Hanlin is the featured artist for January at Angel’s Island
Coffee. Her artwork will be on display and for sale thru the end
of January. Angel’s Island Coffee is located at 7538 S. Memorial
Parkway SW.
January 15 – February 1
Nashville Portraits: Photographs by Jim McGuire will be on display
at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Photographed over a 30-year
period by one of the genre’s most celebrated photographers, this
exhibition appeals to admirers of country music while also offering a
candid glimpse into the lives of some of the greatest icons in country
music, including Johnny Cash, Lester Flatt, Waylon Jennings and
Minnie Pearl, as well as contemporary stars like Emmylou Harris, Dolly
Parton, Vince Gill and Marty Stuart.
January 15 – February 6
Athens State University will host “Full Chroma” an exhibit of
alumni art at the Sandridge Center Art Gallery. A wide variety of
different artwork styles will be on display. Athens State University
has had an art program for many years and this exhibit is a chance
to see how former students have continued to develop their artistic
talents throughout their lives. For more information, visit http:
//www.athens.edu/information/news.php.
Encounters by Conor O’Brien will be on display at the Huntsville
Museum of Art. The Museum’s award-winning Encounters series
of regional contemporary art continues with a selection of recent
landscape paintings by Huntsville artist Conor O’Brien. For more
information, visit www.hsvmuseum.org or call (256)535-4350.
January 15 – February 20
Alabama’s largest art competition, the Annual Energen Art
Competition is accepting 20D art entries for a $35 fee. Proceeds go
to The Foundry. There is over $19,000 of prizes including a $7,500
grand prize. All inquiries for the competition (prospectuses) can call
or email Sandra Behel at Energen (205)326-1800 or art.committee@
energen.com
ADRIAN’S
1405 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, 256-582-3106
ALLEN’S GRILLE & GROG
9076 Madison Blvd, Madison, 256-772-8514.
THE BARN
2510 Ready Section Road, Toney
The artwork of Tracey Greene will be featured at the Huntsville
ContinuedonPage19
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
#011509020409
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL
109 Washington Square, Huntsville, 256-704-5555.
INDIGO JOE’S
7407 Hwy 72 W, Madison, AL 256-489-9393
KICKERS
8716 Madison Blvd, Madison, 256-772-0701
LEEANN’S
415 Church St, Huntsville, 256-489-9300
LISA’S LOUNGE
2313 N. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-534-9520
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE
1733 S. Jefferson Street, Athens. 256-232-6161
MASON’S PUB
115 Clinton Ave., Huntsville 256-704-5575
B.B. PERRINS SPORTS GRILLE
608 Holly St. NE, Decatur, 256-355-1045
BENCHWARMER FOOD & SPIRITS
2998 University Drive, Huntsville 256-539-6268.
BENCHWARMER, TOO!
3000 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-489-9600.
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S
10000 S. Memorial Pkwy. 256-489-3333.
BLUE PARROT MARTINI & CIGAR LOUNGE
7001 Val-Monte Drive, Guntersville, 256-582-0930.
BOGEY’S
412 Main St. Guntersville, 256-582-2860
BOONDOCKS
Hwy 69, Guntersville, 256-582-3935
BUFFALOS CAFE
8020 Madison Blvd., Huntsville, 256-772-4477
MOODY MONDAYS
718 Church St, Huntsville, 256-533-4005
MOONDOGS
2002 13th St. SW, Huntsville, 256-534-8844
NETWORKS LOUNGE
2140 Gunter Ave., Guntersville
THE NOOK
3305 Bob Wallace Ave. 256-489-0911
OLIVIA’S
1009 Henderson Rd, Huntsville, 256-837-4728
OTTER’S
5 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, 256-830-2222.
PARTNERS
627 Meridian St. , Huntsville, 256-539-0975
PHILBY’S POURHOUSE
111 Jefferson Street, Huntsville, 256-512-5858.
CACTUS JACKS
1117 Jordan Ln, Huntsville, 256-721-6384
PORT OF MADISON
9035 Hwy 20 W, Madison, 256-772-7170
CAHOOTS
114 WestMarket Street, Fayetteville, 931 433-1173
ROSEBERRY PUB & GRILL
Hwy 67 Scottsboro, 256-574-4231
CASA MONTEGO
Jonathan Dr, Huntsville, 256-858-9187 or 714-0155
RUGGBY’S
4820 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-895-0795.
CD’S PUB AND GRILL
107 Arlington Dr, Madison, 256-773-4477
RUSS T’S
Hwy 79, Scottsboro, 256-259-0641
CHARLOTTE’S PLACE
1117 Jordan Ln. wHuntsville, AL 35816
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL
116 Washington Street, 256-539-9974.
CHIPS & SALSA CANTINA
10300 Bailey Cove Rd SE Huntsville, 256-880-1202.
SANDY’S ROADHOUSE
12740 Hwy. 431 S, Guntersville, 256-571-0450.
CLUB MIRAGE
4701 Meridian Street, Huntsville, 256-851-2920.
SCOOTER’S
Willow St, Scottsboro, 256-575-0800
COPPER TOP BAR & GRILL
200 Q Oakwood Ave., Huntsville, 256-536-1150
THE SHACK
105 Swancott Road, Triana 256-461-0227.
CRICKETS
3810 Sullivan St., Madison, 256-464-3777
SPORTS PAGE LOUNGE & DELI
9009 Memorial Pkwy S, Huntsville, 256-880-9471.
CROSSROADS, THE
115 Clinton Ave, Huntsville, 256-533-3393.
SPORTS ZONE
3429 Hwy 31, Decatur, 256-350-9702
EMBER CLUB
10131 Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, 256-881-0057
STEM AND STEIN WINE CELLAR AND BAR
1087 County Line Rd. STE. B, Madison, 256-325-3779
END ZONE, THE
1909 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-536-2234.
FINNEGAN’S PUB
3310 Memorial Pkwy S, Huntsville, 256-881-9732
THE CREEK
2704 Johnson Rd SW, Huntsville, 256-489-4379
THE STATION
8694 Madison Blvd., Madison, 256-325-1333.
STEVE’S BILLIARDS & LOUNGE
2322 Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-539-8919.
FOCUS BAR & GRILL
2020 Country Club Ave., Huntsville, 256-534-4441
THE HORSE
2021 Golf Rd, Huntsville, 256-881-8820
FURNITURE FACTORY BAR & GRILL
619 Meridian Street N, Huntsville, 256-539-8001.
THIRSTY TURTLE
4800 Whitesburg Dr, Huntsville, 256-881-5079
VINOTINI’S
7143 University Dr., Huntsvile, 256-722-2080
GENO’S PUB
1015 6th Ave. SE, Decatur, 256-355-9998
VISIONS
6404 University Dr. NW, Huntsville, 256-722-8247
THE GREEN ROOM
Jordan Lane, Huntsville,256-837-2232
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR AND GRILL
110 Southside Square, Huntsville 256-534-6116
HARD DOCK CAFE
3755 U.S. Hwy. 31, Decatur, 256-340-9234
HALF TIME BAR AND GRILL
8873 Highway 72 W, Madison, 256-430-0266
January 15 – April 1
HOPPER’S
5903 University Drive, 256-830-0600
KAFFEEKLATSCH @NIGHT
103 Jefferson Street, Huntsville, 256-536-7993.
3rd BASE GRILL (2 locations)
1792 Hyw 72 E, Huntsville, 256-852-9191
7904 S. Memorial Parkway 256-882-9500
ESQUIRE CLUB
3701 Governors Dr., Huntsville, 256-534-7303
January 15 – February 17
HOMEPORT
20076 N. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-852-8800
JESTERS
373 Gunter Ave., Guntersville, 256-293-4307
2nd STREET MUSIC HALL
208 2nd Street, Gadsden 256-547-0010
BOOMERS
125 Albert Mann Rd., New Hope, 256-723-3029
January 15 – 31
16
&Clubs&Bars
11th FRAME BAR
8661 Hwy 27, Madison, 256-722-0015
801 FRANKLIN
801 Franklin Street, Huntsville, 256-519-8019.
The Panoply Arts Festival will host the Official Alabama State
Fiddling Competition again this year. The competition comprises
five total categories: four amateur levels – Junior-Junior (ages 12
and under); Junior (13-16); Adult (17-59); and Senior (60 and over)
– and one Master Fiddler level (open to all ages). Over $5,000 in prize
money and trophies will be awarded! Pre-Register for The Official
Alabama State Fiddling Championship by visiting www.panoply.org
or calling The Arts Council at (256)519-2787, ext. 205.
Songsalive! CD Sampler 10 wants your hottest hit song and
is now taking song submissions for our successful promotional
compilation CD. Apply now at www.songsalive.org; go Programs
then CD Samplers.
Listings
Pubs&Taverns
HOG WILD SALOON
2407 Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-533-7446
WINGS SPORTS GRILLE
4250 Balmoral Dr. SW, Huntsville, 256-881-8878.
ContinuedonPage25
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
THE VALLEY PLANET
The Visitor is a great depiction of modern
immigration laws.
5) The Savages – Coming from a
dysfunctional family myself, I enjoyed
Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman
portraying two estranged siblings taking care
of their elderly father.
Ten Best Movies of 2008
Despite the current financial crisis, ticket
sales at the movie box office have remained
strong throughout 2008. The final tally for the
year is estimated at $9.5 billion in domestic
sales, making it the second highest grossing
year of all-time. In addition to making many
critical top ten lists of the year. Dark Knight
was biggest moneymaker, raking in over
$530 million.
7) Man on Wire – Very intriguing
documentary about Philippe Petit, who
in 1974 walked between the World Trade
Centers on a high wire.
6) The Visitor – I was lucky enough to catch
a special screening of this independent film
in Huntsville. A lonely college professor
befriends the squatters in his New York City
apartment. Without being too in your face,
4) Milk – A weekend road trip to Atlanta was
used as an excuse for me to see an old college
buddy, but the real reason was to see Gus Van
Sant’s independent film Milk. Sean Penn
gives a powerful performance as Harvey
Milk, the first openly gay politician.
3) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button –
Based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald,
and directed by David Fincher, a man ages
backwards. Brad Pitt starts the film as an
eighty year old infant, so he is only goodlooking in the last half of the movie.
2) The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
– A difficult movie to watch. This Oscarnominated French film tells the real life
story of a disabled man and his attempt to
communicate with the outside world using
only his left eye.
In composing my Top Ten Movie list of
2008, I adhered to a self-imposed rule by
listing only movies I had actually watched;
either in the theater or on DVD.
10) Tropic Thunder – Directed by Ben Stiller,
this film takes a satirical look at Hollywood
war movies, powerful agents, and method
actors. Starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey
Jr., and Jack Black.
1) Wall E – This little guy stole my heart
this summer, and remains my favorite movie
of the year. At Christmas I purchased two
copies of this on DVD, one copy for my six
year old nephew, and the other for myself.
9) Son of Rambow – Set in Great Britain, a
boy is restricted from watching television
in his fundamentalist household. Inspired
by Sylvester Stallone’s First Blood, he
sets out to make his own movie using the
neighborhood children.
8) Zack and Miri Make a Porno – Written
and directed by Kevin Smith, the movie stars
Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks. When I
saw this movie in Birmingham, the theater
marquee listed the film simply as Zack and
Miri (Oh how I love Alabama sometimes!)
Honorable Mentions:
Iron Man – Not normally being a fan of
comic book adaptations, I enjoyed this
popcorn movie, which was entertaining and
well acted.
We’ll see you in 2009 where we can look
forward to classics such as: Bridal Wars,
Pink Panther 2, and the much anticipated
return of Steven Seagal.
Funny Games – Naomi Watts and Tim Roth
are pursued by sadistic preppies. Not for the
squeamish.
Thank God for NetFlix!
Her poetry has most recently been accepted
for publication on-line in Amaze: A Cinquain
Journal, Pemmican Press, and The Rose
& Thorn. Her work is included in an
international women’s anthology, Letters
to the World (Red Hen Press, 2008) and
Whatever Remembers Us: An Anthology
of Alabama Poetry (Negative Capability
Press, 2007). For the past 11 years, Shayla
has moderated Poetry-W for the IWW
(Internet Writing Workshop) and, along
with Moira Richards and Louisa Howerow,
has co-managed the first Annual Festival of
Women’s Poetry on-line (http://wompherenc
e.proboards82.com/).
What follows is a stunning sample of
Shayla’s work. She would be the first to tell
THE VALLEY PLANET
Ed Killingsworth, film nerd, is not afraid to
admit he cried during Marley & Me.
In Bruges – Colin Farell and Brendan
2.
T
Dark Knight – Even my mother enjoyed this
one.
Ghost Town - Ricky Gervais as the lead is
a romantic comedy? Check this one out on
DVD.
shroud,
and wrap carefully the shame of hound dogs
and humans.
his week’s Creative Envelope offers
a surprising poem that contains the
theme of compassion and many more
subtle, indefinable ideas, as well. Subtlety
is a quality of this poet’s work. Shayla
Mollohan is a local poet, who has lived
mostly in seclusion, but who has graciously
served as editor for the works of other poets,
as a judge for the Limestone Dust Poetry
Festival for two years, and, most fortunately
for me, one of my best sister-friends and
confidantes for the last thirty-two years.
Gleeson star as two con men hiding out in
Bruges, Belgium. Sleeper hit of 2008.
you that her craft has developed over many
years of allowing her work to be critiqued
by others in her on-line groups. She would
also say, however, that one’s own voice can,
ultimately, come only from an introspective
look at oneself, that sometimes requires a life
of intense search and struggle.
Killers
1.
Today we executed a sparrow,
a twitching, scant tea cup of creation
undone by the hounds. Took your gun
and made a perfect hole in its perfect head
and it stopped there on
the other edge of birth,
completed.
I laugh when we get inside,
the blast a Gestalt, entrance to the tomb
inside
where I have placated the dying and
clutching
things in me until they stopped sounding -that which has lost everything
except recollection. Yet. . .
(c) Shayla Mollohan
First appeared in The Rose & Thorn, Autumn
2007 Nominated for 2008 Best of the Net
(http://tinyurl.com/4z5lcd)
If you have a poem dealing with compassion,
please send it to me at writers@valleyplane
t.com.
Meanwhile, I hope you will find ways to
express compassion, which does not always
have to be a feeling, but an act of the will.
before I leave
I ask what it’s like to pull
a trigger,
to allow something to go,
unburdened.
It feels right, clean -almost holy,
you say -- an opening of
hands.
And sad, as are these
necessary killings.
3.
I was spectator, not trigger-puller.
For fifteen minutes I’d watched it slowbleeding
before you came out
and just did it.
The difference between
us, not so different
tonight. Even love seems
to breed
the murderer, leaves their
victims
convulsing and waving
from driveways
You are compassionate,
man who respects what he kills
angel to these husks of misery.
It’s quick. You lay him out on a newspaper
promises beaten
into smaller
and smaller
feathers
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for the air.
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
17
Free Will
Astrology
by Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): According to
some historians, Barack Obama won’t be the
first American president with African ancestry.
As many as six previous presidents may have
had black ancestors, with Warren Harding and
Dwight Eisenhower being the most likely. None
of the others claimed their heritage, however,
choosing instead to pass as pure white. Obama
is the first to acknowledge his bloodline. In the
coming weeks, I see you as being in a position
with certain metaphorical resemblances to
Obama. You’ll have the opportunity, though
it may be a bit nerve-wracking, to thrive by
celebrating a truth that no one before you has
been brave enough to take advantage of.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Your advice this
time comes to you entirely from the great jazz
pianist and composer, Thelonious Monk. It all
happens to be in perfect alignment with your
astrological omens. 1. “Don’t play everything
or every time. Let some things go by. What you
don’t play can be more important than what
you do play.” 2. “A note can be as small as a
pin or as big as the world; it depends on your
imagination.” 3. “Whatever you think can’t be
done, somebody will come along and do it.” 4.
“A genius is the one most like himself.”
Theatre Huntsville Presents
Fences by August Wilson
January 16-17 & 22-24, 7:30pm 2009
January 18 & 24, 2:00pm 2009
VBC Playhouse
$15 adults, $13 seniors, students and active
military
For tickets: 256-536-0807 or visit
www.theatrehuntsville.org
W
hen playwright August Wilson died
in 2005, he left behind a ten-play
cycle that dealt with the 1900s
decade by decade. Beginning with Gem
of the Ocean and ending with Radio Days,
each chapter of the cycle dealt with the
black experience in America in the twentieth
century. His plays were often small in scope
– small casts, small slices of American life
– but their themes were huge.
Fences - which opened on Broadway in
1985 and won every major theatre award
that year including the Tony for Best Drama
as well as a Pulitzer Prize - tells the story of
the Maxson family, living in Chicago in the
late 1950s. Troy, the family patriarch, works
for the city as a garbage collector along with
his best friend Bono. In his younger years,
Troy was a promising baseball player but
never got the chance to play professionally
due to the color of his skin. His young son
Cory is showing the same athletic promise
but a bitter Troy insists on steering him away
from sports and into a more realistic future.
“The white man ain’t never gonna let you
touch that ball” Troy tells Cory. Troy’s wife
Rose, meanwhile, does her best to keep the
peace between the two men in her life while
18
keeping the home fires burning for a husband
who’s perfectly content to sit around
drinking with his best friend and sneaking
off for rendezvous with other women.
The other characters we meet are Gabriel,
Troy’s younger brother who was injured in
the war and now wanders the neighborhood
in a mental fog with an old trumpet tied to
his waist, waiting for St. Peter to tell him
to announce the Judgment Day and Lyons,
Troy’s jazz musician son from a previous
marriage who seems to be more interested in
the jazz lifestyle than actually playing jazz.
This Theatre Huntsville production, directed
by Sam Marsh and assisted by Breanne Wise,
includes a cast of mostly relative newcomers
to the Huntsville stage. Troy Maxson
is portrayed by Percy Littleton, who’s
performed the part before and has worked
as an actor professionally in cities such as
Chicago and Atlanta. The cast also includes
Kimberly Daniels, Mo Hayden, Robert
Lewis, Horace Wilson, Byron Houston and
Meranda Tierney.
This play includes language that some may
find offensive.
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): It’s a favorable
time for you to phase out at least 60 percent of
your stale old fears. The cosmos is poised to
assist you in this noble cause if you’ll exert even
a modicum of effort. What’s that you say? You’re
afraid you can’t live authentically without a hefty
amount of anxieties? You secretly believe that
you’d be bored if you didn’t have your worries
to entertain you? Well, here’s an idea that might
work: Simply replace your hackneyed, kneejerk fears with a slew of silly and outlandish
ones. They’ll allow you to feel the friction you
rely on to feel alive, but they won’t bog you
down with heavy stagnancy. For example, you
could contract automatonophobia, the fear of
ventriloquist’s dummies, and apeirophobia,
the fear of infinity. Other good choices might
be kyphophobia, the fear of stooping, and
tutraphobia, the fear of otters.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Maurice Krafft
has made a career of filming places where hot
lava is flowing. National Geographic describes
him hiking across the crater floor of Ol Doinyo
Lengai, an active volcano that’s sacred to the
Maasai people in Tanzania. The ground is not
erupting in torrents of fire and burning liquid
rock, but is constantly bubbling and exuding.
Through long years of experience, Krafft knows
exactly where to walk so that his shoes don’t
catch on fire. If you are going to attempt a
metaphorically similar adventure in the coming
weeks, Cancerian, make sure you’ve studied up
on the ins and outs of the terrain. This is no time
for guesswork or naive faith.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The world’s record for
most people running in a “Stiletto Sprint” is 265.
That’s how many put on three-inch high heels and
competed in an 80-meter race in Australia last
September. It’s quite possible that your imminent
future will have metaphorical resemblances to
that event, Leo. If you want to strive for a certain
goal, you may have to take on some limitation
or handicap. My advice? Don’t spend a minute
resenting the imposed impediment. Just push
ahead with cheerful equanimity and liberated
pluck. You can win your equivalent of the Stiletto
Sprint.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Dear Rob: I
have the golden eggs. They’re shiny and big
and beautiful. That’s the good news. The bad
news is that they’re taking waaayyyyy too long
to hatch. I’ve been giving them all the love and
care I can possibly spare -- keeping them warm,
playing them Mozart symphonies, thinking good
thoughts toward them -- but they’re still just
sitting there inert. Any suggestions to speed up
the process? -Impatient Virgo.” Dear Impatient:
From my understanding, the golden eggs are
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VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
valuable exactly as they are now. You really don’t
need them to hatch yet.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Mexican scientists
have discovered a way to transform tequila into
diamonds. Even the brands that sell for three
dollars a bottle work fine as raw material. The
catch is that the diamonds produced are too
small to be used for jewelry. But they do have
numerous practical uses: in surgical instruments,
for example. You now have it in your power to
preside over a comparable alchemical change,
Libra. What could you do that would be like
turning lead into gold or tequila into diamonds?
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Beginning with
Plato, a number of philosophers have proposed
that humans suffer from a collective amnesia
about where we come from and what we’re doing
here on planet Earth. Other thinkers of a more
esoteric nature have suggested that our amnesia
goes even further and is more personal, blocking
us from remembering our previous incarnations.
Then there are the modern psychologists who
note that for most of us, the experiences we
have before we learn to speak are virtually
inaccessible to our memories. That’s the bad
news, Scorpio. The good news is that at least
some of your amnesia will fade in the coming
year, allowing you to glimpse and maybe even
gaze steadily upon previously hidden panoramas.
And it all starts soon.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): According
to expert gerontologists, Rolling Stones’ guitarist
Keith Richards (a Sagittarius) should have passed
on to the next world a decade ago. The man has
abused his body so thoroughly, his continued
survival is a mystery. You’re currently in an
excellent position to achieve equally stupendous
feats of persistence yourself, Sagittarius. More
than ever before, you have a dogged capacity
to keep pushing -- even in areas where you’ve
been flighty or sketchy in the past. I’d say this is
an excellent time to deepen your commitment to
your dreams in very practical ways.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In one of
his journal entries, Henry David Thoreau wrote
about stumbling upon a single stalk of corn deep
in the woods. It looked out of place there, so far
from any cornfield, growing next to a pine tree.
And yet it was doing just fine. How did its seed
get there? By wind or animal? I suspect you will
soon make a comparable discovery, Capricorn:
a blaze of vitality that seems out of its element
but is perfectly beautiful. Should you pluck it or
engage with it or simply admire it? The freshest
part of you knows the answer.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): This could
be an epic year to be an Aquarius. I’m hoping
you won’t be satisfied with merely coasting
along on the positive vibes that will be flowing
in abundance. Rather than just enjoying your
rising popularity, for instance, why not use your
popularity to double your clout? And instead of
simply increasing your productivity, why not
supercharge your creativity at the same time?
Finally, how about using your high levels of
mental acuity to figure out ways to enhance
your emotional intelligence? While this year
will probably be pretty good no matter what,
with some regular tweaks of your willpower you
could make it amazingly great.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): If you’re reading
this horoscope, you’re not a Cambodian orphan
who grew up as a slave in a brothel or a Sudanese
man kidnapped by a militia and forced to do
heavy labor 18 hours a day or one of the 27
million other victims of human trafficking
around the world. But you may be yoked and
subjugated in a less literal way, perhaps to an
addictive drug or an abusive relationship or a job
that brings out the worst in you. The good news is
that the coming months will be a favorable time
for you to escape your bondage. Maybe it’ll help
you muster the strength you need, Pisces, if I
inform you that your freedom won’t be anywhere
near as hard to achieve as that of the Pakistani
boy tied to a carpet loom in a dark room or the
Nigerian woman who’s beaten daily as she toils
in the sugar cane fields for no pay.
Homework: What’s the best question you
could ask life right now? Tell me by going to
FreeWillAstrology.com and clicking on “Email
Rob.”
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Calendar of
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January 15 – April 3
Tickets for Menopause the Musical at Merrimack Hall are
now on sale. Tickets are $42 for adults and $39 for seniors (60
and up). Group rates are available. For more information, visit
www.merrimackhall.com or call (256)534-6455.
January 15 – April 19
Tickets for Cirque Du Soleil - Saltimbanco are now on sale. The
show will take place in the VBC Arena April 15th-19th. All seats
are reserved for $83.50, $58.50 & $33.50. Tickets for children
2-12 are $67.50, $47.50 & $27.50. Tickets may be purchased at
the VBC Box Office, www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800277-1700 and all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information, visit
www.vonbrauncenter.com. (See ad on back cover )
January 15– July 13
Looking at the Collection: Art in 3-D is a family-friendly exhibition
on display at the Huntsville Museum of Art. For more information,
visit www.hsvmuseum.org or call (256)535-4350.
Friday, January 16
IMP and the Heritage Club of Huntsville will again offer
Music, Martinis, and More. For more information, visit
www.imphuntsville.org or email info@imphuntsville.org.
January 16 – 17
The Huntsville Havoc will take on Columbus at 7:30 p.m. both
Friday and Saturday night at the Von Braun Center Arena, 700
Monroe St. For more information, visit www.vonbrauncenter.com or
call (256) 518-6160.
January 16 – 18
Theatre Huntsville presents Fences by August Wilson at
the VBC Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2
p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for seniors,
students, and active military. For tickets or more information, visit
www.theatrehuntsvile.org or call (256)563-0807. (See ad pg. 18)
Saturday, January 17
For one night only, The Whole Backstage Theatre will present
Three on a String featuring Jerry Ryan, Bobby Horton, and Brad
Ryan. The show starts at 7p.m. at the WBS Dot Moore Auditorium.
Tickets are $20. For more information, call (256)582-7469.
Local artists and others are invited to set up a booth for Artist
Market at the Flying Monkey Arts Center and sell their wares
to the public from noon-4p.m. There will be art, jewelry, vintage
clothing, records, and more interesting things for sale inside our
facility, safe from rain. Admission is free. For more information, visit
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
The Strength of the Hammer music fest, featuring hard rock,
metal, and punk groups from all over., will be held at Friendship
Church, 16479 Lucas Ferry Rd. This is an event that benefits Habitat
for Humanity. This year Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, A Plea
for Purging, In Irons, Misery Chastain, All In, Brent and Greyson,
and young locals This Beaten Path. Doors open at 4p.m. and the
show starts at 5p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit
myspace.com/strengthofthehammer.
The Huntsville alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta will sponsor
the annual Ebony Fashion Fair’s visit to Huntsville as it makes its
way to 200 cities & Canada. The fair starts at 7p.m. at the Von Braun
Center Concert Hall. Proceeds will support scholarship funds &
other community projects. For more information, call (256)337-5898.
A Contra Dance with live music by Kaleidoscope and with calling
by Vicki Herndon will be held in the gym of Faith Presbyterian on
corner of Airport Rd. & Whitesburg Dr. All ages are welcome: singles,
couples & families. A workshop will start at 7 p.m. followed by dance
from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $7.00/$4.00 students/Free for
ages 12 & under. See http://secontra.com/NACDS.html for more info
or call 837-0656.
A Zydeco Dance, sponsored by Cajun Zydeco Connection (CZC) of
Huntsville, with ‘T’ Broussard and the Zydeco Steppers will be held
from 8 to 11 p.m. at Knight of Columbus Hall, 3053 Leeman Ferry.
Admission is $12 for members, $15 for non-members. A free Zydeco
basics dance lesson will be given at 7:15. See http://czdance.com or
call (256)534-2840 for more information. (See ad pg. 7)
Ski in Mentone with other Huntsville Young Professionals to
start off the ski season. They have two one thousand foot, beginnerintermediate slopes. Cost is $50 for equipment, skiing from 9a-4p,
and a lesson. The snowboarding package also an option. We’ll leave
from the Books A Million parking lot at University/Parkway at 7am to
drive to Mentone. For more information, visit www.gethyp.net and
www.cloudmont.com.
January 17 – 31
Attention all Pooch Parents, most of the Botanical Garden will be
a “Leash Zone,” but for those bouncy bounders there will be a
leash-free zone at the back of the Garden by the columns. Of course,
owners are asked to bring bags to clean up after their pets. For more
information, visit www.hsvbg.org.
January 17 – 18
www.merrimackhall.com/tickets.html or call (256)534-6455. Tickets
are $47.50 for adults, $40 for students, seniors and military (with ID).
Group discounts are available.
The International Film Series presents “Golden Door” Italian with
English subtitles at 6p.m. at the Madison Public Library, 130 Plaza
Blvd. Admission is free. For more information, call (256)461-0046.
Come out to Mason’s, 115 Clinton Ave, to hang out with other
Huntsville Young Professionals. Go old school with board games
or check out the latest video game on the TVs in the back. Come relax
for a while; forget the books or that real job and act like a kid again.
Please RSVP to specialinterest@gethyp.net. For more information,
visit www.gethyp.net.
January 9 – February 6
Tickets for Lying in State will be on sale at the Whole Backstage for
$15. The show will be performed during the week of February 6 – 15.
For reservations call (256)582-SHOW.
Tuesday, January 20
The North Alabama Inaugural Ball Committee is holding an
Inaugural Gala at the Davidson Center (under the Saturn V) in
the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, 1 Tranquility Place in honor
of President Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington, D.C. that
same day. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. with a no-host bar; the sitdown dinner begins at 8:00 p.m. Steak and shrimp will be served,
with a vegetarian meal available. Black tie attire is optional. The Rick
Jobe & Tuxedo Junction band will play jazz and classic rock during
the evening. A big screen television will show inauguration festivities
as they happen in Washington D.C. Tickets are silver level seating $50,
gold level $100, and platinum level table for eight $1,000. Payment
may be made online at www.actblue.com/page/inauguration. The
reservation deadline is January 7, 2009. For further information, email alabamainauguralball@gmail.com or call (256) 534-1776.
Rhyme Spot Poetry Showcase and Open Mic featuring Seth
Walker will be held at Sam and Greg’s, 119 Northside Square,
downtown Huntsville. Doors open at 7:30p.m. and the show starts at
8:15p.m. Admission is $7 before 8:30 p.m. and $10 after that. For more
information, visit www.myspace.com/rhymespot.
Crystal Methamphetamine Anonymous and Recovery meeting
from 6pm to 8pm at Trinity Methodist Church on Airport Drive,
Huntsville. For more information, call 650-8284.
January 20 – 27
A four-week progressive Beginner I Salsa Class will be offered at
the Kinesthetic Cue Dance Club from 7-8p.m. every Tuesday from
the month of January. Cost is $40 per person, or $60 per couple
(Cost for repeat students is only $20). The KCDC is located at 8006
Old Madison Pike. For more information visit salseroblanko.net or
call (256)464-8477.
A Beginner II Salsa Class will be offered at the Kinesthetic Cue
Dance Club from 8:15-9:15p.m. every Tuesday from the month of
January. Cost is $40 per person, or $60 per couple (Cost for repeat
students is only $20). The KCDC is located at 8006 Old Madison Pike.
For more information visit salseroblanko.net or call (256)464-8477.
Wednesday, January 21
Jamie Jones Consulting is offering a Core Training Series: Conflict
Resolution-Problem Solving Tools for People Problems &
Success Steps for New Supervisors at First Commercial Bank on
Research Park. This class is ideal for teams or team members
that have experienced dysfunction or new teams or team leaders
charged with operating a successful team. Get more information
and register online at www.jamiejonesconsulting.com.
Tai Chi Beginner Basics for Toning, Balance, Relaxation (5:30pm
to 6:30pm) and Tai Chi Ongoing Practice Yang Style Short Form
(6:30pm to 7:30pm) will be hosted by Squeaking Tribe Puppets
at the Flying Monkey Arts Center. For more information, visit
www.flyingmonkey.org or call Anna Sue (256)479-7863.
Yoga Classes (8:00pm to 8:45pm) with Casey Bakula and
RYT hosted by Squeaking Tribe Puppets will be going on at
the Flying Monkey Arts Center. For more information, visit
www.flyingmonkey.org, call (256) 679-7143 or visit Your Yoga, 1405-E
Weatherly Plaza Dr. in Huntsville.
Thursday, January 22
Huntsville Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Meeting
will be held from 11:30a.m.-1p.m. at the Von Braun Center North
Hall. Steve Forbes, President & Editor-in-Chief Forbes magazine, will
be the keynote speaker. Reserve an individual seat for $90 or a table
for $825. For more information, contact Brittany Taylor at (256)5352051 or btaylor@hsvchamber.org.
The Huntsville Traditional Music Association will perform at the
Old Country Church at Burritt on the Mountain. Admission will
be charged. For more information, visit www.burrittonthemounta
in.com.
The American Advertising Federation - North Alabama (AAF-NA)
is providing an opportunity to learn branding tactics and strategies
from an industry expert. John Moore will be the speaker at The Man
Behind the Brand Luncheon to be held from 11:30a.m. – 1p.m. at
the Redstone Federal Credit Union’s Educational Center, 200
Wynn Drive. Member cost for the luncheon is $15. AAF-NA extends
a warm welcome to non-members, whose cost for the event is
$20. Students with a valid identification card may attend for $5. If
planning to attend, please email rsvpme@tvaf.org. The luncheon fee
can be paid upon arrival. For more information about our January
speaker John Moore, visit brandautopsy.com.
Crystal Methamphetamine Anonymous and Recovery meeting
from 6pm to 8pm at Trinity Methodist Church on Airport Drive,
Huntsville. For more information, call 650-8284.
The Alabama Military Collectors Show will be held from 9a.m.5p.m. on Saturday, and from 9a.m.-4p.m. on Sunday in Jaycee’s
Community Building, 2180 Airport Rd. Collectibles include guns,
edged weapons, uniforms, medals, helmets, flags, badges, field
equipment, photographs, books & more. For more information, visit
www.almilitarycollectors.org.
January 22 – 24
January 18 – February 15
The Whole Backstage announces Auditions for The Skin of Our
Teeth, directed by Dot Moore. Roles are available for about 25 adults
and teenagers, with 6 of them being major speaking roles. Audition
material can be found at your local library or the Whole Backstage
Theatre. Audition dates at 6:30 pm Thursday and Friday and at 2:00
pm. on Saturday. Production dates are May 1-9. For more information
go to www.wholebackstage.com or call 582-SHOW.
The Permanent Collection Highlights exhibition will be on
display at the Huntsville Museum of Art. The curators will select
remarkable works of art from HMA’s treasure trove of nearly 3,000
permanent collection pieces, for showing in this exhibition. For more
information, visit www.hsvmuseum.org.
Theatre Huntsville presents Fences by August Wilson at the VBC
Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a matinee
at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for seniors,
students, and active military. For tickets or more information, visit
www.theatrehuntsvile.org or call (256)563-0807. (See ad pg. 18)
Sunday, January 18
Warren Trest, author of Nobody But the People: The Life and
Times of Alabama’s Youngest Governor, and former governor
John Patterson will appear at the Huntsville-Madison County
Public Library from 2 – 4p.m. for a program, book sale and signing.
Admission is free. For more information, call (256)532-5993.
January 18 – 19
Theatre Huntsville announces Auditions for “Enchanted April” at
6p.m. Sunday and at 7p.m. Monday at the VBC Playhouse. Parts are
available for five females and three males, ages ranging from 20s to
60s. For more information, visit www.theatrehsv.org or contact Jake
Barrow at jbarrow1112@gmail.com.
Friday, January 23
Tennessee Valley Jazz Society-Huntsville and WJAB 90.9 FM
Public Radio present New Urban Jazz Artist Bob Baldwin at 8:
00 p.m. at the Early-Works Museum Down Town Huntsville, 404
Madison Street. Admission is $25, or $35 to reserve seats. Proceeds
benefit youth development and jazz education. For tickets and more
information, visit www.tvjs.org, BobBaldwin.com, or call (256)8517402.
Monday, January 19
“Complexions Contemporary Dance Company,” directed by
Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden, will be performed
at 7:30 p.m. at Merrimack Hall. Purchase tickets online at
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January 23 – 25
Burritt on the Mountain becomes Broadway South as we premier
the newest play by Christine Burke Ashwell. Appalachian Witches
will be presented at Burritt on the Mountain’s Old Country Church
at 7:30p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2:30p.m. on Sunday. For
more information, visit www.burrittonthemountain.com. (See ad
pg. 18)
Saturday, January 24
Local artists and others are invited to set up a booth for Artist
Market at the Flying Monkey Arts Center and sell their wares
to the public from noon-4p.m. There will be art, jewelry, vintage
clothing, records, and more interesting things for sale inside our
facility, safe from rain. Admission is free. For more information, visit
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
The Friends of the Bailey Cove Library are sponsoring a weaving
workshop at Bailey Cove Branch Library. “Triangle Loom Weaving:
Beginner and Beyond” will be held from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Participants
will learn to weave on a triangle frame loom with continuous thread,
and how to finish and join the triangles. No weaving experience is
required, but experienced weavers will be offered more complex
projects. The supply fee is $5. The class will be taught by Crystal
Kitchens and Caroline Lampert. This workshop is open to adults and
youth ages 14 and older. Please register at the Bailey Cove Library.
Call 881-0257 for more information. The Bailey Cove Branch Library is
located at 1409 Weatherly Plaza, Huntsville AL 35803.
January 24 – 25
The Posey Peep Show “Wanted” will begin at 9p.m. on Saturday
night and at 8p.m. on Sunday at the Flying Monkey Arts Center.
The Posey Peep Show is an absurdist burlesque filled with original
live music, puppetry, dancing, acting, mime, craftsmanship, and
of course, strip tease. Among the featured performers are ol’ time
Squeezy McTeasy, Squeaking Tribe Puppets, and Clementine…
Anytime, classical guitarist Will Fever, Anita Petting, and Dixie
Normus. Admission is $7. For more information, visit www.flyinfm
onkeyarts.org.
The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra will be performing the
Seventh Symphony, a work of optimistic joy and rhythmic vitality,
and the Sixth Symphony, Beethoven’s “Pastorale” and reflection on
the natural world at 7:30p.m. on Saturday and at 3:30p.m. on Sunday
at the Von Braun Center. For more information, visit www.hsp.org.
Monday, January 26
Spelling Bee will be showing at 6:30 at the Main Library
Auditorium, 915 Monroe St. Admission is free. For more information,
call (256)532-5975.
January 26 – 28
The Alabama A&M University Research Institute (AAMURI) will
host the 9th Annual Small Business Technology Transfer/Small
Business Innovative Research (STTR/SBIR) and HBCU/MI Small
Business Conference at the Knight Center on the campus of
Alabama A&M University. Conference sponsors include: SAIC, Boeing,
US Army & AAMURI. This forum is for small businesses and scientists
seeking funding for exploratory projects, who want to learn how
to initiate such projects and build partnerships. For registration
information, please visit: http://aamuri.aamu.edu/Conference/
2009/conference2009_index.htm. You may also contact Dr. Daryush
ILA, Executive Director at ila@aamuri.aamu.edu, (256) 372-8703 or
Tamara Times, Conference Coordinator at tamara@aamuri.aamu.edu,
(256) 372-8711.
Tuesday, January 27
The Huntsville Christian Women’s Connection Monthly Luncheon
will be held from 11:30am to 1:00pm at the Huntsville Country
Club, 2601 Oakwood Avenue, NW Admission is $15.00 (inclusive)
Free childcare for ages 6 and under is available off site. Reservations,
essential for the luncheon and for childcare, are due by Thursday,
January 22. Call Betty at (256)837-8286 or Nancy at (256)883-1339.
Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One
School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin,
will be reviewed by Judith Hayes as part of the 2009 Books
and Coffee, Reviews and Discussion. The program starts at
1p.m. in J.F. Drake Memorial Library (LRC) – Multi-Purpose
Room at Alabama A& M University. For more information, call
Edward Journey at 256.372.4086 or e-mail: likatrip@yahoo.com or
grover.journey@aamu.edu
Crystal Methamphetamine Anonymous and Recovery meeting
from 6pm to 8pm at Trinity Methodist Church on Airport Drive,
Huntsville. For more information, call 650-8284.
January 27-April 30
The award-winning Alabama Blues Project After-School Blues
Spring Camp will have sessions every Thursday from 4-6:30 pm
at First United Methodist Church and are open to children ages
8-17. Students receive blues music instruction by some of the
greatest musicians in our state on their choice of guitar, harmonica,
percussion and vocals with a May 1st Open House Blues Extravaganza
performance at the Bama Theatre. For more information and/or
to register, please contact Cara Lynn Smith at (205) 752-6263 or
cara@alabamablues.org.
Tai Chi Beginner Basics for Toning, Balance, Relaxation (5:30pm
to 6:30pm) and Tai Chi Ongoing Practice Yang Style Short Form
(6:30pm to 7:30pm) will be hosted by Squeaking Tribe Puppets
at the Flying Monkey Arts Center. For more information, visit
www.flyingmonkey.org or call Anna Sue (256)479-7863.
Yoga Classes (8:00pm to 8:45pm) with Casey Bakula and
RYT hosted by Squeaking Tribe Puppets will be going on at
the Flying Monkey Arts Center. For more information, visit
www.flyingmonkey.org, call (256) 679-7143 or visit Your Yoga, 1405-E
Weatherly Plaza Dr. in Huntsville.
A free Intermediate Zydeco Dance class sponsored by the
Cajun Zydeco Connection (CZC) of Huntsville will be held at the
Eagles on 10th Street off Bob Wallace. The class will be given at
7p.m. followed by a dance practice session until 8:30 PM. For more
information, see http://czdance.com or call 534-2840.
Thursday, January 29
The Women’s Guild of the Huntsville Museum of Art is pleased to
present its annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction at the Museum
from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Wine tasting will feature high quality wines
served by local wine distributors. Wines tasted during the evening
will be available for purchase at special prices. Culinary delights to
complement the wines will be provided by Bonefish Grill and Cyn
Shea’s Complete Catering. There will be a silent auction featuring
many exciting items. For more information, call (256)535-4350
ext217.
Bill Gaither and his Homecoming Friends will be performing at
the Von Braun Civic Center as part of the Lovin’ Life Tour. For more
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
#011509020409
A Wine tasting, featuring high quality wines served by local
distributors and culinary delights to complement the wines provided
by local caterers will be held at the Huntsville Museum of Art from
6:30 – 9p.m. There will also be a silent auction featuring an array of
exciting items not all of which are wine related. For more information,
visit www.hsvmuseum.org.
David Hitt, a NASA educator and writer, explores past and future
challenges of keeping humans alive and healthy in Space with his
lecture Living in Space Healthily – Long Duration Spaceflight on
Skylab and Beyond at the Main Public Library Auditorium at 7p.m.
Admission is free. For more information, call (256)532-5975.
Crystal Methamphetamine Anonymous and Recovery meeting
from 6pm to 8pm at Trinity Methodist Church on Airport Drive,
Huntsville. For more information, call 650-8284.
January 29 – 31
For the opportunity to have an expert appraiser examine your items
and determine their approximate worth, age and function, don’t miss
the 2009 Antique Extravaganza in Dothan, Alabama. A VIP Gala
Preview Party will be held Thursday evening; Friday form 10a.m.
– 7p.m. and Saturday from 9a.m. – 5 p.m. shoppers, browsers, and
those with items they wish to have appraised are welcome. General
admission (those not bringing items to be appraised) is only $5 per
person, and appraisals are $10 for each item. There will also be a VIP
preview party on Thursday night, and tickets are available for $25. For
more ticket purchases and information visit the Wiregrass Chapter
of the American Red Cross’ website at www.wiregrassarc.org or call
The Main Event at (334) 699-1475. All proceeds from the Antique
Extravaganza will benefit the Wiregrass Chapter of the American
Red Cross.
Friday, January 30
The Backers of Bacchus Dinner and live auction will be held at
the Huntsville Museum of Art beginning with cocktails at 6:30
PM and dinner at 7:30 PM. The Master of Ceremonies will be Phillip
Otto, Artistic Director of the Huntsville Ballet Company and School.
Fine wines from the featured vintner, Banfi Vintners of New York and
the Brunello region Of Tuscany, will be the perfect complement to a
gourmet meal prepared by 801 Franklin. Dr. Mark Pullen and Dr. Gary
Huckaby, Jr., will conduct the live auction beginning at 8:30 p.m. and
featuring original art, themed dinners, trips, fine jewelry and wine
lots. Wine Tasting cost is $50. Wine Dinner cost is $150. For more
information, call (256)535-4350 ext217.
January 30 – 31
Burritt on the Mountain becomes Broadway South as we premier
the newest play by Christine Burke Ashwell. Appalachian Witches
will be presented at Burritt on the Mountain’s Old Country Church
at 7:30p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit
www.burrittonthemountain.com. (See ad pg. 18)
Saturday, January 31
Huntsville Chapter of AIIP is offering a Certification Review
Course from 9a.m.-3p.m. at 1002 Explorer Blvd in Huntsville. This is
the first of four sessions. The cost is $120 for all 4 sessions or $35 per
individual session. The exam dates are May 1-2 and November 6-7.
For more information and to register, email Angie Krueger CPS/CAP
at andlelee.g.krueger@siac.com.
A Reception for the “Full Chroma” exhibit will be held on from 1
to 5 pm at the Sandridge Center Art Gallery on the Athens State
University campus offering the public an opportunity to meet the
exhibiting artists.
Artist’s reception honoring Caroline Wang and her watercolor
exhibit “Tour around the World” will be held from 1 – 3p.m. at the
Main Library Atrium, 915 Monroe St. There will be refreshments and
door prizes. Admission is free. For more information, call (256)5325940.
The 8th annual English Author Tea features UAB professor Lee
Shackleford’s presentation of beloved English author J.R.R. Tolkien.
The tea will be held from 2 – 4p.m. at the Main Library Auditorium,
915 Monroe St. Tickets are $15; reservations and payments must be
made in advance. Call (256)532-5950 to reserve your place.
Local artists and others are invited to set up a booth for Artist
Market at the Flying Monkey Arts Center and sell their wares
to the public from noon-4p.m. There will be art, jewelry, vintage
clothing, records, and more interesting things for sale inside our
facility, safe from rain. Admission is free. For more information, visit
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
A Salsa Workshop for advance beginners and up will be given
from 12 noon – 1 p.m. at the Kinesthetic Cue Dance Club,
8006 Old Madison Pike. Cost is $10 per person. To sign up, email
salseroblanko@yahoo.com.
Learn to dance Salsa in one day from a Salsa specialist with Beginner
Salsa Bootcamp (for the absolute beginner). This class will be given
from 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Kinesthetic Cue Dance Club,
8003 Old Madison Pike. Bring slick bottom shoes or dance shoes
and wear comfortable clothing. Cost is $35 per person, $55 per
couple in advance, and $40 per person, $60 per couple at the door.
For more information, visit www.salseroblanko.net or contact John
“salseroblanko” at salseroblanko@yahoo.com or
(901)605-8246.
Discover your inner dancer at the Salsa and Latin Dance Party at
Kinesthetic Cue Dance Club. The party will be held from 8 – 11p.m.
Admission is $5 per person or per couple. For more information, visit
www.salsahuntsville.com.
January 31 – February 1
Wednesday, January 28
20
information, visit www.gaither.com.
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
The Friends of the Bailey Cove Library will hold their annual winter
Used Book Sale on, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most items are just 25
cents, and bestsellers are $1. The selection includes paperback and
hardback fiction and non-fiction, children’s books, videos, CDs, LPs,
cassettes, and audiobooks. Proceeds benefit the Bailey Cove Branch
Library. The Bailey Cove Branch Library is located at 1409 Weatherly
Plaza in southeast Huntsville. For more information, call 881-0257, or
e-mail the library at bcove@hpl.lib.al.us.
Sunday, February 1
The Huntsville Chamber Music Guild presents the St. Olaf Choir at
Trinity Methodist Church at 3p.m. For tickets and more information,
visit www.hcmg.uah.edu or call (256)824-6540.
Tuesday, February 3
Dr. Mattie Thomas will review a Mercy, by Toni Morrison, as part of
the 2009 Books and Coffee, Reviews and Discussion. The program
starts at 1p.m. in J.F. Drake Memorial Library (LRC) – MultiPurpose Room at Alabama A& M University. For more information,
call Edward Journey at 256.372.4086 or e-mail: likatrip@yahoo.com
or grover.journey@aamu.edu.
Crystal Methamphetamine Anonymous and Recovery meeting
from 6pm to 8pm at Trinity Methodist Church on Airport Drive,
Huntsville. For more information, call 650-8284.
ContinuedonPage21
THE VALLEY PLANET
The Grand Ladies of Fort Worth
by Marilyn Loeser
I
t may surprise you, but the first place I wanted
to visit in Fort Worth wasn’t the National
Historic Stockyard District, but rather two
cattle baron-era mansions — Ball-EddlemanMcFarland House and Thistle Hill.
I’m always fascinated by elaborate historic
homes; to see how ‘the other half’ lived during a
city’s storied past and I was thrilled with the two
beauties open for tour under the watchful care of
Historic Fort Worth, Inc.
You’ll know you’re in for a treat as you approach
the Ball-Eddleman-McFarland House. Ornate
columns support a slate roof over the wrap-around
porch. Elaborate turrets, gables and copper finials
all work together to make this a beautiful example
of Queen Anne-style Victorian architecture. The
combination and color of the marble, sandstone,
brick and copper create a feast for the historylover’s eyes.
Through the ornamental front door, my husband
Mark, our friend Leigh and I were greeted by a
young tour guide. I immediately had the feeling
of family, warmth and friendship. This home isn’t
overwhelmingly large and I could imagine living
in this gracious home.
Our guide told us the home was designed by
English architect Howard Messer and built in
1899 for Sarah C. Ball, widow of Galveston
Calendar of
EVENTS
ContinuedfromPage20
Wednesday, February 4
Tai Chi Beginner Basics for Toning, Balance, Relaxation (5:30pm
to 6:30pm) and Tai Chi Ongoing Practice Yang Style Short Form
(6:30pm to 7:30pm) will be hosted by Squeaking Tribe Puppets
at the Flying Monkey Arts Center. For more information, visit
www.flyingmonkey.org or call Anna Sue (256)479-7863.
Yoga Classes (8:00pm to 8:45pm) with Casey Bakula and
RYT hosted by Squeaking Tribe Puppets will be going on at
the Flying Monkey Arts Center. For more information, visit
www.flyingmonkey.org, call (256) 679-7143 or visit Your Yoga, 1405-E
Weatherly Plaza Dr. in Huntsville.
Thursday, February 5
Crystal Methamphetamine Anonymous and Recovery meeting
from 6pm to 8pm at Trinity Methodist Church on Airport Drive,
Huntsville. For more information, call 650-8284.
Friday, February 6
Flying Monkey First Friday Open House will start at 7 p.m. 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. Admission is free. For more
information, visit www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
NTCEC & Falun Dafa Association and the Divine Performing Arts
present Chinese Spectacular 2009 with Live Orchestra at the Von
Braun Civic Center Concert Hall. Tickets are on sale now. All seats
are reserved for $99, $89, $79, $69, $69, $59, $39, & $25. Purchase
tickets before January 7th and receive 15% off each ticket. Tickets
are available at the VBC Box Office, www.ticketmaster.com, by phone
at 800-277-1700 and all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information,
visit www.vonbrauncenter.com. (See ad pg. )
Enjoy the beautiful music of Scared Harp in Burritt’s Old Country
Church. For more information, visit www.burrittonthemountain.com
or call (256)536-2882.
February 6 – April 12
Enjoy beautiful dolls and tea sets from another era in the Burritt
Mansion at Burritt on the Mountain. For more information, visit
www.burrittonthemountain.com or call (256)536-2882.
Saturday, February 7
banker George Ball. William H. Eddelman, a local
banker, bought the home in 1904 and in 1921 gave
it to his daughter Carrie, the wife of cattleman
Frank H. McFarland. She lived here for 75 years.
Because only three families lived in the home,
it remains largely unaltered from its original
construction.
Our guide showed us through the foyer into two
entertainment rooms, complete with a huge pocket
door still in its original condition. Other original
features include oak mantles, cornices, coffered
ceilings, paneling and parquet floors.
This home is located in an area once known
as Quality Hill and was one of the last of Fort
Worth’s elegant Victorian homes built.
The house sits on a bluff overlooking the Trinity
River and because the last occupant was married
to a cattle baron, it is often referred to as a cattle
baron home.
The tour is only of the first floor, but guests are
invited to take their time looking through the
rooms to admire the decorative elements. Because
the tour is short and there are no furnishings, this
is a perfect house for young historians in your
company.
Thistle Hill
Next we headed for nearby Thistle Hill, the most
impressive surviving mansion of the cattle baron
era. Like Ball-Eddleman-McFarland House, it is
located in the once-fashinable district known as
Quality Hill.
Inside the front door, we were greeted by our
tour guide who welcomed us to ‘his’ home. The
mansion is furnished with period pieces and I
immediately felt I had been invited into a time of
lavish parties attended by the who’s who of Fort
Worth.
The foyer area is massive and our guide explained
to us it was used as a ball room. At one end of the
room is a wide staircase. Half way up it separates
into two separate staircases on either side. The
staircase landing features two beautiful stained
glass windows. One opens to let in cool evening
breezes and osculates inside a ‘birdcage’ that can
be seen from the outside of the house.
Thistle Hill, we learn, was built in 1903 offering
a glimpse into the great era of the cattle barons.
It is one of the finest remaining examples of
the Georgian Revival architectural style in the
Southwest and is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places.
The house was built for Electra Waggoner
— the daughter of one of Fort Worth’s wealthiest
cattleman William T. Waggoner — and her
husband Albert Buckman Wharton. Construction
of the 11,000 square foot home was $46,000.
Electra met Wharton, a prominent Philadelphian,
while touring the Himalayas. They were married
in 1902 at her family home in Decatur, Texas.
Unlike the Ball-Eddleman-McFarland House, this
tour includes the first and second floors. The house
contains 18 rooms, each filled with turn-of-thelast-century furnishings and decorative accents.
We were invited into the dining room, kitchen,
up the grand staircase and into the bedrooms and,
as we descended the stairs, our guide asked us to
imagine what it would have been like for Electra
to make her grand entrance into a room filled with
guests.
Thistle Hill was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Winfield
Scott in 1911, longtime acquaintances of Electra’s
parents. Winfield, a successful cattleman and
prominent Fort Worth businessman, started an
extensive remodeling of the mansion, converting
it from Colonial to Georgian Revival. Later the
same year, Winfield passed away.
His wife Elizabeth and their son Winfield, Jr.
moved into the mansion in 1912. During her 26
year residency, Elizabeth expanded the gardens,
and added a tea house and pergola to the grounds.
She too was known as an elegant hostess and her
dinner parties were very formal affairs.
After his mother’s death in 1938, Winfield, Jr.
sold the mansion to the Girls Service League. The
new tenants took excellent care of the mansion.
Founded in 1917, the league is still in operation
and is dedicated to the assistance of young
women. In 1968, the League put the mansion up
for sale.
In 1974, after watching many of the mansions on
Quality Hill razed to make room for ‘progress,’ a
group of concerned citizens formed a committee
called “Save the Scott Home.” After years of
fund raising, the committee was able to purchase
Thistle Hill in 1976 for $240,000.
Historic Fort Worth was gifted the property
in January of 2005, and continues to oversee
its restoration while at the same time, sharing
its original beauty and grandeur with the
community.
Both homes — the Victorian and her neighbor
the Georgian Revival — are well worth a visit for
a little background flavor of Fort Worth’s cattle
baron past.
For more information:
Ball-Eddleman-McFarland House: Call 817-3325875 or check the website at www.fortworth.com/
01visitors/0106museums/balleddleman.shtml.
Thistle Hill: Call 817-336-1212 or check the
website at www.historicfortworth.org.
Fort Worth: www.fortworth.com.
Dining out:
Joe T. Garcia’s for traditional Tex-Mex; a Fort
Worth institution since 1935: Call 817-626-4356
or check the website at www.joets.com.
Located in downtown Sundance Square, Reata
offers excellent service, western motif, and a
wonderful and varied menu. Try the Jalapeño
Cheddar Grits: Call (817) 336-1009 or check the
website at www.reata.net.
Accommodations:
The Worthington, A Renaissance Hotel is located
in the heart of Sundance Square and offers nice
rooms, friendly staff and a wonderful history:
Call 1-817-870-1000 or check the website at
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dfwdt-theworthington-a-renaissance-hotel.
Local artists and others are invited to set up a booth for Artist
Market at the Flying Monkey Arts Center and sell their wares
to the public from noon-4p.m. There will be art, jewelry, vintage
clothing, records, and more interesting things for sale inside our
facility, safe from rain. Admission is free. For more information, visit
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
A Contra Dance with live music by Steve Nix and Friends and with
calling by Jane Ewig will be held in the gym of Faith Presbyterian on
corner of Airport Rd. & Whitesburg Dr. All ages are welcome: singles,
couples & families. A workshop will start at 7 p.m. followed by dance
from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $7.00/$4.00 students/Free for
ages 12 & under. See http://secontra.com/NACDS.html for more info
or call 837-0656.
Salsa Inferno’s first Saturday Salsa Party, “It’s All About Salsa,”
will be held from 10p.m. – 1a.m. with a free beginner lesson given
from 9p.m. – 10 p.m. at Salsa Inferno Dance Studio, 2419-C Oakwood
Ave, Huntsville. Admission is $5 per person.
The “Year of Apollo” 40th Anniversary Kick-Off Gala will be
held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. CNN’s longtime space
correspondent Miles O’Brien will be part of the black-tie gala
celebration to mark the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon
landing. Proceeds from the event, which coincides with Alabama
Tourism’s “Year of Alabama History” celebration, will go toward
museum exhibits, including displays in the Davidson Center,
home to the restored Saturn V rocket. For more information, visit
www.spacecamp.com or call 800-63-SPACE.
The End!
Outside at Thistle Hill
THE VALLEY PLANET
#011509020409
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
21
Swimming with the “Fishes”
by Diana LaChance
I
S
ix-month-old puppy Marigold was
taken in by A New Leash on Life, a
nonprofit group that helps homeless
pets. I received an email that Marigold
was about to undergo surgery and needed
financial assistance. Before I’d even seen
her beautiful face, I fell in love with her and
decided her story was one that needed to be
shared.
By the time I was ready to interview her,
she’d already had surgery and was resting
and recovering at her foster home. So
she couldn’t rendezvous with me for an
immediate interview. However, Marigold
turned out to be an Internet savvy pup with
whom I developed an email correspondence.
And from that came the following interview
about her and the people who saved her.
AJ: What’s the story of your early life?
Marigold: Jennifer, my memories of my
early years are fading. I’m only six months
old, but I’m happier than I’ve ever been! A
nice lady found me on Sand Mountain in
Jackson County and took me to the Jackson
County Animal Shelter. I was there with a
lot of other dogs until they said I couldn’t
stay any longer. I wasn’t sure what was
going to happen next, but I had a feeling
it wasn’t good. There’s a great lady in
Scottsboro named Haley who helps dogs
like me. She picked my friend Jack and I up
on our ‘last day’ and took us for a car ride!
We went to the vet for a nice nap [spay and
neuter], some shots, and some medicine.
And then a couple of ladies with A New
Leash on Life brought us to Huntsville. A
lady named Dana takes care of me now.
AJ: I’ve talked to your foster mom on the
phone. She’s a nice lady. Tell me about
her.
Marigold: Dana’s an approved foster home
with A New Leash on Life. She saw my
picture and told her other foster pets that I’d
be coming to stay with them, too! I have
a bunch of foster siblings and half foster
siblings—both dogs and cats. And Dana is
married to a man who helps her take care of
us—and he’s very careful not to step on one
of us when we’re running and playing all
over the place! Rescued pets like me from a
foster home are wonderful to adopt because
we learn a lot in our foster homes about
sharing and cooperating with others. And
we learn a lot about being nice to
others. Dana says she’s proud of
how friendly I am to everybody!
I’d just sit and watch. My human friends
at A New Leash on Life took me to see Dr.
Newman in Decatur, and he said he could
help me. He said my elbow was fractured
when I was a baby, and it healed improperly
because nobody helped me. Dr. Newman
said that my leg is going to get worse as I
grow and I won’t be able to use my leg at all
pretty soon. Well, that wasn’t good news!
Dr. Newman said he could fix the bone in my
leg so my joint will work better but that I’d
have to have a very expensive operation. To
my relief, my friends at A New Leash said
they’d get the operation for me. And people
all over Huntsville sent money to help pay
for it! And the best part is I now have SO
many new friends who send me cards,
emails, and wave at me when I’m outside. I
really like Huntsville!
AJ: Marigold, what did Santa bring you for
Christmas?
Marigold: Santa brought me a puppy for
Christmas! Emma is three months old, and
she likes to play with me even though I have
to be very careful while my leg heals. Emma
needed a place to live for a while, too, so
she’s my best friend now. This has been my
best Christmas ever! Well, actually, this was
my first Christmas!
AJ: I’ve made some New Year’s resolutions,
but since you’re perfect, I’ll ask this: What
are you looking forward to in the New Year?
Marigold: I’d like to have my very own
family in 2009. My foster mom says that
she’ll love me forever but that every dog
deserves their very own family. That sounds
like a good idea to me, too. So I’m letting
people come visit me, and I’m going to let
her know when I meet the right folks. I’d
like Emma to get her own family, too. We
foster pups look out for each other, you
know.
Thanks to donations from Huntsville animal
lovers, A New Leash on Life’s volunteers
are able to provide foster homes and vet
care for animals rescued from animal
shelters, the side of the road, abandoned
houses, or anywhere an animal is stranded
and in need. To learn more, please visit
www.anewleash.org.
have never been a fan of vast expanses
of open water, preferring a backyard
swimming pool to lakes or oceans filled
– at least in my imagination – with legions
of hungry man-eaters of all shapes and sizes.
Nevertheless, I promised myself that I would
make an exception if the opportunity ever
arose to swim with dolphins. I felt confident
that the excitement of such an adventure
would trump my feelings of fear and
paranoia about the terrors of the sea. This is
why I surprised even myself by signing up
to swim with the Georgia Aquarium’s whale
sharks as part of their Journey with Gentle
Giants program. That’s right: I was going
to swim with sharks…that are the size of
whales. So much for friendly dolphins!
Begun in the summer of this year, the program
allows small groups of visitors 12 years or
older to swim or dive in the Aquarium’s 6.3
million gallon Ocean Voyager exhibit, the
largest single installation exhibit in the world.
I’d be swimming with zebra sharks, sawfish,
humpback wrasses, tarpon, pompano, a giant
manta ray, and the only whale sharks housed
outside of Asia. The experience promised to
be nothing short of surreal.
My journey began with a safety briefing,
which included a short video about the
exhibit’s inhabitants. I was encouraged to
learn that, despite the whale shark’s fourfoot-wide mouths, their throats were only
the size of a quarter. At least I wouldn’t
be swallowed whole! Then I donned a wet
suit and regulator, taking a moment to tamp
down my rising panic. At the encouragement
of our group of highly trained dive masters, I
slipped into the water (making sure to check
for lurking sharks in the immediate area). I
briefly considered how much oxygen I’d be
left with after my inevitable hyperventilation.
But as I looked down into the water and began
to take in my surroundings, all thoughts of
being mauled and eaten disappeared. The
view was magical.
Thirty feet below me, schools of fish darted
to and fro, while bottom dwellers nestled
themselves in the sand covering the bottom
of the exhibit. Hammerhead sharks and
sawfish mingled with cownose rays, whose
velvety wings parted the waters leaving
bowmouth guitarfish and leopard whiprays
in their wake. Nandi, the manta ray who’d
journeyed 9,000 miles to join the exhibit
from her home in South Africa, cast a
forbidding shadow with her nine-foot wing
span. But most amazing of all were the whale
sharks.
As the world’s largest fish, these behemoths
can grow to more than 40 feet in length. And
yet, they are passive filter feeders, filling
up on tiny planktonic and nektonic prey,
like sardines, anchovies, small crustacean,
and squid. Over the years their number
has dwindled because of overfishing; the
demand for whale shark in Asian markets is
outpacing the supply. As a result, the species
is now listed as “vulnerable” by the World
Conservation Union Redlist. Programs like
Journey with Gentle Giants, however, are
increasing awareness of the importance of
the whale shark and providing funding for
vital conservations efforts. To date, more
than 550 whale sharks have been tagged in
the wild, helping researchers track and better
understand the behavior, feeding patterns,
and nutritional requirements of this unique
fish.
In our briefing, we had been told to expect
the whale sharks to appear out of nowhere,
gliding up beside us literally out of the
blue. It seemed highly unlikely, given their
impressive size. But sneak up they did.
Several times during the half-hour swim,
my view would suddenly be obscured by
the hulking, spotted flank of one of these
giants, whose bulk belied her elegance and
gracefulness. Seeing them up close, it was
impossible to equate them with their name
– “shark” – and all the cultural baggage that
the word implies. They were simply gentle,
sentient beings, whose glances seemed to
convey great wisdom and peace. It was
tempting to reach out and touch them, but I
was in their world. I wanted to show them the
respect and appreciation they deserved for
letting me come so close. And so I did what I
had come to do: watch and learn.
All too soon, it was time to kick off our
flippers and head for dry land. Far from
being relieved, I was crestfallen. My fear
of open water and its inhabitants was as
palpable as ever, but I had managed to
suspend it long enough to have one of the
greatest experiences of my life.
To swim or dive with the Journey with
Gentle Giants program, contact the
Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta by calling
404-581-4000 or register online at
www.georgiaaquarium.org/swimordive.
I want your ideas and comments. Please
write to me at writers@valleyplanet.com!
AJ:
I understand you just
underwent surgery.
What
happened?
Marigold: Well, I think this Doc
is trying to help my leg. I don’t
remember exactly what happened
when I was a baby because I try
to forget sad things, but I’m still a
little nervous around passing cars.
I was very afraid of them, but now
I’m learning that I’m safe if I’m
on a leash. Anyway, my left front
leg didn’t work well and on some
days, I couldn’t walk at all in the
morning. I’d see my dog friends
playing and would want to run
with them, but it hurt too much.
22
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
#011509020409
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
THE VALLEY PLANET
I would hold you, wash your laundry,
bandage your ear.
Instead, I write of beauty and impotence.
A
s I write this column at the beginning
of a new year, I am ever aware of
what I most want on the Earth.
Compassion. I‘m not sure it can be taught;
perhaps, it has to be learned through
suffering of one’s own. I have given up
trying to figure that out. At any rate, I hope
you will suffer the following poem to see the
way this poet sees the homeless, the crazy,
the thrown-away people of the world and
how we are they.
Human Beings Will Not Be Expendable
in My Art
You are expendable-lining up
on the sides of badly paved roads
to be shot into ditches of shit-yellow mud.
Your watery eyes,
the dust in the creases of your shoes,
your seedy jackets,
your shambling death gaits,
your buckling knees,
your spitless mouths.
You are likewise excavated,
buried beneath a foot of red earth
in Cox Creek in Alabama,
the polyester-skin fragments of a bludgeoned
girl,
giant safety pins in the hem of your polka
skirt.
In the world, a middle-aged man
in white loafers and black socks
crosses the hot city street in a dangerous part
of town.
No walkie-talkie,
no sunglasses,
no money,
no hat.
You have nothing you need.
You eat alone in fluorescent cafeterias,
an old woman, dropping green peas
from your metal fork that tastes like ozone.
Or, you sit on the grating before the public
library
holding a stick with a hole drilled into one
end.
Do you even know why the hole is there?
My Mozart, with the magic flute.
I hear the music, despite lime
of your pauper s grave.
Your music makes me see angels
on the fingers of thieves,
on the heads of pins,
on the needles
in my eye.
T
This also goes for people of all professions:
scientists, secretaries, writers (though they’re
all nuts), factory workers and professors.
No one has a higher capacity or a higher
demand for a healthy mind. We all need
peace up there equally. As long as you have
somewhere safe to reside in your head, you’ll
be okay. After all, you’re all you’ve got in the
grand scheme of things. We don’t die in pairs
or groups (even if we seem to, physically,
sometimes).
The mind is a wonderful thing. With it, we
gather our experiences and miraculously
concoct a cumulative (and ever-changing)
THE VALLEY PLANET
You think you might slash or rape,
become a murder victim,
because when you were five,
your head was held beneath scummy bathtub
water.
You hold your mouth open,
like a freak in the straw at the county fair,
like someone waiting to breathe
or speak what cannot be said.
My St. Augustine,
my Joan of Arc, my Mother Teresa, my
Christ.
You make me search
for serenity, vision, purpose, redemption.
You live in my mirror.
My face goes on forever
in bread lines and in all the forced marches
of daily life.
You men linger, too, by the hospital bin
for your amputated arms, legs, fingers.
You wonder where these pieces will go,
though you will never ask,
only remove asbestos,
clean toilets behind nightclubs;
in the garbage dump,
kill bubonic plague with handguns;
stare at windows that look warm,
streaming warm, almost delicious,
almost snow cream.
Do you harden yourself?
Mutilate yourself?
Hide your fish-white, rippling fat or your
angular pelvis
inside oversized clothing of medicinal pink
and ugly-house green?
My van Gogh, in your little room at Arles.
I see your real colors, your iris purples,
your sunflower yellows.
Mental Health, Tolerance and
Addiction
here’s something to be said about
having a healthy mind. I’m not
saying a mind that isn’t diagnosed
by whoever as unstable or jumpy, skittish
or just downright mad. I know plenty of
people who have been called those things
(of course in more scientific words than the
ones I used) and they can get along alright
just as well as you or I do. I am talking about
a healthy mind that is comfortable with
itself. No matter how crazy they call you
(and no matter what lexicon they call you it
in) if you’re comfortable in your head, then
you’re better off than most—even if you are
“schizophrenic,” “bipolar,” a “crazy bitch”
or “mad as a hatter.”
Along the highway, your importance
leaks from your open shopping carts.
Your sense of pointlessness
is spent at dishonest carnivals all day
or down by the riverbank
where you pick up minute pieces of paper
dissolved into the grass.
Unable to touch anything around you,
you lie in the phlegm and blue car oil of
gutters.
You cannot turn your head from side to side,
though your neck is sometimes thick and
strong.
by Sarah Gorman
idea of who we are. Everyone’s got one and
keeping it healthy should be primary on the
To-Do List of Life.
So mental health? I guess the standard
answer is to get sleep and eat your omega3’s. Don’t stress out too much and certainly
don’t do drugs. Try not to get addicted
to things be it porn, gambling or alcohol
because when addiction sets in development
slows. Standard answers. They’re all safe to
live by, that’s for sure, but I think some of
those things build character. Just don’t let
anything get the better of you and you’ll be
fine. Also, be aware enough to be able to
make sure nothing does in the long run. The
first time I tried a drug (and those times are
long-gone) a friend of mine said, “the future
leaders of America need to be experienced.”
Like I said, some of that stuff builds character.
And character is key. It also builds tolerance
With tolerance, you won’t be the girl at the
bar alone on New Year’s Eve drinking virgin
daiquiris and complaining about your poor
derelict neighbors that asked if they could
borrow your credit card or electricity and
then smashed your new car when you said no
(for the record I answered her, “maybe you
should’ve said no a little more nicely”).
You make me want to touch my own bruised
cheek
and wrest us from our graves-from houses of broken picture frames and
cups,
the thickening grit on the soles of our feet,
third-hand peau de soie dresses, the red
ones,
mills of winding and unwinding,
bending and flattening, opening and closing,
behind windows painted green.
I say your name, and mine,
all lessers and greats,
call us away
from the rotten porches of watching,
waiting;
as important to drive toward world peace as
it is to peace of mind. To keep a healthy mind
(as all recovering alcoholics know) we need
to accept the things we cannot change and
have the courage to change the things we
can. Funny that the recovering alcoholics
have hold of that wise bit of knowledge but
much of America (I’m thinking those who
maybe have held up a sign with the words,
“family values” on it in the past few months)
have failed to realize it. Who’s saner now?
Time and energy spent trying to change
others is time and energy wasted. We die
with ourselves alone. Life is short. Spend
it making yourself. Seek peace of mind and
beakless chickens hauled to slaughter;
asylums that smell of iodine
and the electrode burning of insanity;
nights without kisses or good dreams
or warm baths.
When our sense of loss and isolation
crawls on our necks,
sticks to us,
like infested, oily hair,
I must be clean and strong.
No holes from which life
may be leaked or squandered
or through which poison
or the dirt of lovelessness may enter.
But even if I am steel or flame or love,
the best I can do is offer
the shade of my hemlock trees
or, at least, the shadows of my clouds.
I can purify our fear with something bold-yellow monkey flowers to awaken
our primitive playfulness,
blackberry thorns
to vindicate the power of our blood.
Can we wet our dryness
in a stream where we have never dipped
our crooked hands and feet?
Feed each other with the wild love of poke
salad,
forgiveness, ripe tomatoes,
and my last nickel for decent bread?
Dig clay from beneath a waterfall
to create a little something to leave on
window sills
or, secretly, in the holes of trees?
And, with a small, hard soap, before we die,
clean the dirt from the other s shoes?
If these acts are not enough-and I know they may never be enough-we must grow a thin reed or a red petunia,
imagine a very large bed in winter,
roast potatoes in pits we dig
with essential raw hands
beside a railroad track,
and stroke my mean grandmother‘s white
hair and say,
truthfully,
You are more beautiful than anything.
--Bonnie Roberts, copyright, To Hide in the
Light, Elk River Review, 1998, Alabama
Book of the Year, nominated Pulitzer Prize
peace with others.
With all this talk of peace and death you’ve
probably got some funny ideas about me.
Well, to clear a few things up I haven’t
sang Kumbaya since my summer camp
days (which are also long-gone) and I don’t
dress in all black. I’m just being realistic. A
healthy mind comes from self awareness,
the capacity to know what’s worth trying to
change and what’s not and presence of mind
enough not to let anything take you over.
Make yourself someone you’re happy to
walk down that tunnel into the blinding light
with. Happy New Year.
Speaking of tolerance, I’d like to say that it’s
#011509020409
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
23
Scouring the Valley with
Runcible Spoon
The Hellenic, You Say!
Taziki’s Greek Fare
4855 Whitesburg Drive (Piedmont Point
Shopping Center)
Huntsville, AL 35802
(256) 881-9155
(256) 881-9102 – fax
www.tazikis.net
Sunday – Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Yet another franchise of a popular eatery
now dots our map – Taziki’s, which hails
from Birmingham, has taken up residence at
Piedmont Point on Whitesburg, right near its
Airport Road intersection. For those of you
who are picky, yes, the sauce is actually spelled
“tzatziki,” but I guess this just rolls better off
the non-Greco tongue.
One can never have too may Greek options.
For those who like Italian and Middle Eastern
dishes, Greece’s cuisine sometime seems almost
a bridge between the two, its geographical
location giving a bit of credence to the theory.
Taziki’s itself is a hybrid of sorts, falling
somewhere in between fast and slow food, a
sit-down restaurant with a no-frills sort of feel,
yet friendly enough for family gatherings and
a nice, convenient place at which to pull over
and escape from the madness of the nearby
shopping centers. It’s the brainchild of Keith
and Amy Richards. Keith’s background
includes working under Frank Stitt, responsible
for such heavy-hitters as Highlands Bar & Grill
and Bottega, so it’s great to see their collective
influence in our fair burg.
by Jim Zielinski
and made to order.” Sounds like the place to
be! It was to this oasis that Daniel Jada and
I betook ourselves amidst the maelstrom of
holiday shopping. The restaurant opened on 20
October—with more “satellites” in the offing—
joining four outposts in the Pittsburgh of the
South and another in Little Rock. Dani was on
a fast at the time and could not be persuaded to
chew so much as a wayward oregano leaf, so
expect nothing from him in this story. He had
hot tea, and about all one can say is it was hot
and tea-like.
For those on the go, conveniently quick
Mediterranean offerings bedeck the menu,
including a number of pita-based sandwiches
and a variety of salads, but the Greek Feast
section gives more of a “sit a spell” feeling…
and that’s what I needed and chose. My pick
was the sliced roasted leg of lamb, accompanied
by pita bread, a Greek salad (surprise!), and a
choice of basmati rice or roasted potatoes…I
had to have the rice. You can also add a side
of asparagus for $1.50 should you so deign. I
don’t recall why I declined to deign. Maybe
I was still swept up in the seasonal adrenalin
surge.
The restaurant states, “Our philosophy is
simple – we want to make people healthier
and happier” adding, “all our food is fresh
Of course, one must munch on something
whilst awaiting one’s entrée. Taziki sauce or
hummus ($3.50 or $5.50 for both) are available
as appetizers, but I opted to start off with a
bowl of Greek lemon chicken soup ($3.50), as
I love avgolemono and wanted to try this sort
of egg-free version. The tartness of the lemon
is always a welcome change, and the rosemary,
garlic, and other tastes that infuse the broth
made it very palatable, indeed. This would
undoubtedly be even more quaff-worthy were
you suffering physically due to the cold and
sore throat season that is upon us.
Soon, the main dish arrived. The lamb was
very tender and flavorful; J. Reid, the local
manager, added that the use of fresh domestic
lamb, prepared in house, as opposed to that
flavor: Mu-Ga -- Melon/Grapefruit. Once
the wine warms up a bit (you do not want
to drink this ice cold) -- the initial scent is
ripe melon. This stays with you through your
first sip, but the wine widens to a grapefruity
taste, and then stays just on the sweet side of
strong citrus through the taste. If you’ve got
any kind of pork or jerk chicken, go with this
one. $11-13.
Overcoming Pink Anxiety
and slightly sweet.
When the Sweet Partner in Crime read one of
my columns, she came across a throwaway
line where I disparaged white zinfandel.
“Afraid of the pink, are we?” she said.
Rosés are great summer wines. They’ve got
a little more “oomph” than many whites, so
you can use them with any number of foods,
but they’re still very refreshing when you’re
in the midst of a season when you feel a
twinge in your head and wallet any time you
hear your a/c compressor kick on.
I’m not afraid of the pink – pink wine, that is
– I’m just judgmental. I freely admit that I’d
see people around me in a restaurant ordering
pink wine and feel a little rush of pride that
I had better sense. I don’t like white zin for
the same reason that I don’t like fruit wines
– I look for a giant smiling pitcher to crash
through the wall hollering, “Oh yeahhhhhh!”
after the first sip. I had a real distaste for
anything resembling white zin until I heard a
single sentence that changed my attitude:
“Remember…Pink is not a flavor.”
My mind and palate were opened to the
world of rosé.
Rosé should never be confused with white
zin. Rosés are made using the same process
as red wines – except the grape skins are
removed from the fermentation container
after a couple of days. The skins of grapes
give wine its color, so the wine ends up
a light pink. The skins also give red wine
richness – so rosés tend to be lighter in body
24
Les Jamelles 2005 Cinsault -- Strawberry
fields forever! Cinsault is best known as a
French blending grape. France actually plants
more cinsault than cabernet sauvignon. As
for this wine, light and fruity to the nose, Les
Jamelles is much more on the “white” end
of the rosé spectrum. The taste is very much
like a sauvignon blanc -- a little citrusy and a
lot of strawberry. It finishes with a little crisp
bite on the back of your tongue -- like you’ve
finished a really good grapefruit. Perfect for
sitting by the Jacuzzi, or with a light fish or
chicken dish. $7-8.
Muga 2006 Rioja Rosé -- Riojas are
classic Spanish reds made from mostly the
tempranillo and garnacha grapes. Riojas tend
to be big, fruity wines, and a rosé made from
those grapes follows that lead. This winery’s
name splits neatly into two syllables that tell
you all you need to know about this wine’s
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
Folie a Deux 2006 Ménage a Trois Rosé -The sweetest of our selections. I’d tried some
of the other Folie a Deux blends (they’re from
Napa, not France) -- and I’d enjoyed their
red and white. This rosé had a marked berry
nose, but tastes like strawberries and peaches
(minus some sweetness) when quaffed. The
finish is much less sharp than the other two,
making this the quintessential pool wine. So,
if you’re laying out next summer, chill this
down and bring it out -- let the sun warm
both you and the wine a bit before you start
drinking. You could pair this with some
grilled shrimp if you wanted. $9-11.
Before we depart the pink -- I found a use for
white zinfandel. While I have no doubt that
it would work wonderfully in a hummingbird
feeder, an ambitious picnic-goer can make a
killer sangria with it. Mix a bottle of white
zin with 1⁄2 a cup of peach schnapps, a shot of
triple sec, a couple of tablespoons of sugar, a
couple of cinnamon sticks, and some sliced
fruit. Chill that well in the fridge, and just
before you serve it -- throw in a 10 oz. bottle
of club soda. Enjoy!
Until next time -- Santé.
(Got
a
comment?
Suggestion?
Question? Opinion? Send it to Mike at
thenakedvine@yahoo.com)
imported from New Zealand, also means any
gamey taste is nonexistent.
With the dish came a nice portion of skordalia,
a traditional dip/sauce/spread consisting of
bread, roast garlic, red wine vinegar, salt, and
pepper. Conventionally made with potatoes,
the sauce is nevertheless unique and toothsome
in both versions. I employed it as a condiment,
swaddling the hapless sheeplet in the pita and
slathering the pseudo-sandwich with a dollop
or two.
As a treat, I asked for and received a sampling
of that day’s special, a Greek chili. It of course
had lamb instead of beef (that’s ovine in lieu
of bovine) and was very good – be sure to
watch for it. Daily specials, Monday through
Friday, are listed on the menu (Wednesday’s
spanakopita roll-up sounds just right) and, in
addition, weekend and other treats show up on
a board near the register area. One of the faves
is the penne pasta with grilled chicken, an easy
starter for people unfamiliar with Greek fare.
And since I brought up Spanakopita, trust
Taziki’s to provide other Grecian mainstays,
as well: Dolmades ($7.25) appear under the
salad heading, and come with a Greek salad,
taziki sauce, and pita. One can down those
little stuffed grape leaves like popcorn shrimp.
Grilled chicken ($7.25) and lamb ($7.95) gyros
are also on hand, with chips and a choice of
sides including tomato-cucumber salad, roasted
potatoes, pasta salad, or fresh fruit. And, of
course, you can nab a traditional Greek salad
swimming in kalamata olives, feta, Salonika
(you may know them better as pepperoncini)
peppers, and the like for a mere $6.75, unless
you decide to top it with chicken ($7.95) or
lamb ($8.50). You’ll also find a children’s
section on the menu, as well.
Desserts include a homemade dark chocolate
cake with rich Richmond icing and baklava
brought in from the award-winning Hellas
Bakery. Located in the very Greek-oriented
community of Tarpon Springs, FL, Hellas
knows their baklava. Drinks offer typical fare
such as basic soft drinks, as well as wine and
beer choices.
There’s a nice feel here, with plenty of room for
groups (just call ahead). You’ll undoubtedly
get a kick out of the décor leading to the
bathrooms: the men’s room has an appropriate
motif on the door, topped by the title “gods,”
while the women are referred to at their portal
as goddesses. For some, there’s no better place
for an ego boost.
They call Greece “The Cradle of Western
Civilization.” Well, let’s rock the cradle, ‘cause
baby wants a GYRO! Meet me at Taziki’s and
we’ll split one.
…You get the pita.
#011509020409
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
THE VALLEY PLANET
Listings
listings@valleyplanet.com
Cont.from16
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
SWAMP JOHN’S RESTAURANT
2850 N. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, Al 851-7760
LITTLE ROSIE’S TAQUERIA
4781 Whitesburg Dr S, Huntsville, 256-882-0014
McALLISTER’S DELI (2 Huntsville locations)
4800 Whitesburg Drive S, 256-880-1557
1480 Perimeter Pkwy, 256-425-0034.
TGI FRIDAY’S
4935 University Drive NW, Huntsville, 256-830-2793
TOP O’ THE RIVER
7004 Val-Monte, Guntersville, 256-582-4567
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS
2720 Carl T. Jones Dr., Huntsville, 256-650-1367
365 The Bridge St., Huntsville, 256-327-8530
WEST SIDE COFFEE PLACE & CAFE
2699B Sandlin Rd., SW, Decatur, 256-353-2025
SAM & GREG’S GELATO CAFE
119 North Side Sq. , Huntsville, 256-533-9030
WILD FLOUR BISTRO
501 Jordan Ln., Huntsville, 256-722-9401
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
WINGS SPORTS GRILLE
4250 Balmoral Dr. SW, Huntsville, 256-881-8878.
LOS MAYOS
322 Sutton Rd. Suite J, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763, 256-536-1041
MARIA BONITA GRILL & CANTINA
125 E. Moulton St., Decatur, 256-552-1903
PEPITO’S
3508 Mem. Pkwy. S, Huntsville, 256-858-0059
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
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.
BISTRO LA LUNA
7001 Val-Monte Drive, Guntersville, 256-582-0930.
STANLIEO’S SUB VILLA (2 Huntsville locations)
605 Jordan Lane, 256-837-7220
602 Governors Drive, 256-536-6585
ANGEL’S ISLAND COFFEE
7538 S.Memorial Pkwy., Huntsville, 256-319-3424
TOMMY’S PIZZA
325 The Bridge St. STE 101, Huntsville, 256-327-8600
BISTRO LA VILLE
7914 South Memorial Pkwy, STE E16, Huntsville 256 489-1515
AROMA’S
6275 University Dr. NW #24, Huntsville, 256-425-0495
B&J RESTAURANT
Hwy 231 S., Lacey Springs, 256-880-0521
BROKEN EGG CAFE
2750 Carl T. Jones Dr., Huntsville
TONY’S ITALIAN DELI (2 Locations)
119 James Madison Drive SW, Huntsville, 256-772-4448
Airport Rd., Huntsville
THE BLUE PARROT
7001 Val Monte Drive, Guntersville, 256 582-0930
COFFEE CREATIONS
616 HWY 31, S ATHENS, AL 35611
BB PERRINS
608 Holly St, NE, Decatur, 256-355-0980
RICATONI’S ITALIAN GRILL
107 N. Court St., Florence, 256-718-1002
COFFEE AND TEA COMPANY
Madison Square Mall, Huntsville 256-837-7085
BIG BOB GIBSON’S BBQ
2520 Danville Rd. SW, Decatur, 256-350-0404
ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL
5901 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-722-4770
COFFEE TREE BOOKS & BREW, THE
7900 Bailey Cove Rd., Huntsville, 256-880-6464
CLEM’S BBQ & FISHERY
3700 Blue Spring Rd., Huntsville, 256-852-6661
CAFÉ MICHAEL
5732 HWY 431 S, Huntsville, 256-539-9113.
CRACKER BARREL (2 Locations)
2001 Drake Ave, Huntsville256-881-4177
120 Cleghorn Blvd., Madison,256-461-7670
DREAMLAND
3855 University Dr., Huntsville 256-539-7427
TELLINI’S CAFE & GRILL (2 LOCATIONS)
4855 Whitesburg Dr. Huntsville, 256-881-9155
1515 Perimeter Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-726-9006
CAHOOTS
114 WestMarket Street, Fayetteville, 931 433-1173
DAILY BREW
2941 St. Mallard Pkwy, Decatur, 256-355-0330
CHILI’S (2 Huntsville locations)
4925 University Drive, 256-722-9620
2740 Carl T. Jones, 256-882-1230
ELK RIVER COFFEE COMPANY
117 Main Avenue North, Fayetteville, 931- 438-9888
BONEFISH GRILL
4800 Whitesburg Dr. , 256-883-0643
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
2750 Carl T. Jones Dr., Huntsville, 256-650-4115
CAFE 113
113 Grant St. SE, Decatur, 256-350-1400
SOUL BURGER
2900 Triana Blvd. SW, Huntsville, 256-534-8585
CLAYSVILLE SNACK BAR
21192 U.S. Hwy 431, Gunterville
JAVA JAAY CAFE (2 Decautr Locations)
1713 6th Ave. SE, Decatur, 256-351-8555
1801 Beltline Rd. (Colonial Mall), 256-350-6700.
OLE HICKORY PIT BBQ
5061 Maysville Road New Market, 256-859-2824
CRAWMAMMA’S
5000 Webb Villa, Guntersville, 256-582-0484
KAFFEEKLATSCH
103 Jefferson Street, Huntsville, 256-536-7993.
CUES STEAKHOUSE
12361 U.S. Hwy 431, Guntersville,
LAGNIAPPES COFFEE CAFE
119 East Moulton, Decatur
THE DOCKS
417 Ed Hembree, Scottsboro, 256-574-3071
DOLCE
365 The Bridge Street, Huntsville, 256-327-8385
EDEN’S EAST
2413-B Jordan Lane, Huntsville, 256-721-9491
MAMA ANNIE’S
4550 Meridian St. N, Huntsville, 256-489-3275
THOMAS PIT BBQ
Hwy 72 ,W, Madison, 256-837-4900
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
THE VALLEY PLANET
HomeCooking
I LOVE SUSHI
2000 Cecil Ashburn Dr. ATE 102, Huntsville, , 256-885-1818
MIKAWA RESTAURANT
1010 Heathland Dr, Huntsville, 256-837-7440.
MISO HOUSE
404 Jordan Lane, Huntsville. 256-489-7766
Cajun
PO BOY FACTORY
815 Andrew Jackson Way, Huntsville, 256-539-3616.
LOGAN’S ROADHOUSE (3 Huntsville locations)
4249 Balmoral Drive, Huntsville, 256-881-0584
University Drive NW, Huntsvile
2315 Beltline SW, Decatur, 256-432-2746
HYUN’S KOREAN GARDEN
Main Street South Shopping Village
7500 Memorial Pkwy South,Huntsville, 256 489-8888
BLUE PLATE CAFE
3210 Governors Drive, Huntsville, 256-533-8808
HOOTERS
4730 University Drive, Huntsville, 256-722-0166.
LE BISTRO DU SOLEIL
300 Franklin Street, Huntsville, 256-539-7777
EDO JAPANESE RESTAURANT
104 N. Intercom Drive, Madison, 256-772-0360
BISCUITS AND BLUES
325 The Bridge Street, Huntsville, 256-327-8490
CAJUN CAFE
704 Hwy 231 Lacey’s Spring 256-650-5586
KETCHUP
Bridge Street Town Center, Huntsville, 256-327-8390
DING HOW II
4800 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256-880-8883
MIKATO JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE & LOUNGE
4061 Independence Dr. NW, Huntsville, 256-830-1700.
HAZEL GREEN FAMILY RESTAURANT
13903 Hwy 231-431 N, Hazel Green 256 828-7959
K C’s COYOTE CAFE
410 Old Town St., Guntersville, 256-582-1676
CHINA MOON
11700 S Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, 256-880-2626
STEARNS COFFEE
2113 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256-534-0513
WILD ROSE CAFE
121 North Side Square, Huntsville, 256-539-3658
JAZZ FACTORY
109 North Side Square, Huntsville, 256-539-1919.
Asian
ASIAN CITY
10871 County Line Rd. STE C, Madison, 256-772-8282
BILL’S CAFE
111 East Market St., Fayetteville, 931 433-5332
GAME DAY GRILL
10871 County Line Rd. STE E, Madison, 256 461-8082
INDIGO JOE’S
7407 Hwy 72 W Madison, AL 256-489-9393
TONY’S LITTLE ITALY(2 LOCATIONS)
7 Town Center Drive, Huntsville 256-721-7629
4800 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256 881-2147
OLDE TOWNE COFFEE SHOPPE
511 Pratt Ave NE, Huntsville, 256-539-5399
SUBWAY
14450 hwy 231-431 STE A, Hazel Green
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL
109 Washington Street, Huntsville, 256-704-5555.
TERRANOVA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
1420 Paramount Dr., Huntsville, 256-489-8883
SMOKEY’S BARBEQUE
8073 Hwy 72, W, Madison, 256-721-0300
TAILGATER’S BBQ
5638 Hwy 53, Huntsville 256- 852-3388
FURNITURE FACTORY BAR & GRILL
619 Meridian Street N, Huntsville, 256-539-8001.
GRILLE 29
445 Providence Main, Huntsville, 256-489-9470.
LA STRADA
524 Gunter Ave., Guntersville. 256-582-2250.
SIMMON’S BBQ
10099 SOUTH MEMORIAL PARKWAY, 256-882-5030
LITTLE DINER (across form Chuckee Cheese)
1219 Jordan Lane Suite A, Huntsville, 256 837-6971
O’HOULIHAN’S
101 East Market Street, Fayetteville 931 433-0557
Italian
CARRABAS
Parkway Place Mall Huntsville, Al 35801
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
MERIDIANVILLE BBQ
11537 Hwy. 231N., Meridianville, 256-828-3725
D&L BISTRO
7500 SW Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville,
256-881-7244, located in Main St. South
TORTORA’S
182 Old Hwy 431 Suite B, Hampton Cove, AL 35763, 256-536-6100
BBQ
JAMO’S CAFÉ
413 Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville, 256-837-7880.
CHOPHOUSE, THE
109 Washington Street, Huntsville, 256-704-5555.
TERESA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
1906 Gunter Ave., Guntersville, 256-582-5673
TIM’S CAJUN KITCHEN
114 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, 256-533-7589.
Mediterranean
JAMO’S CAFE
413 Jordan Ln., Huntsville,
PAPA GYROS
4925 University Dr., Huntsville, 256-489-9050
PAPOU’S
110 South Side Square, Huntsville, 256-534-5553
Burgers,Deli,&Pizza
BELLACINO’S PIZZA & GRINDERS (2 locations)
4851 Whitesburg Dr, 256-880-8656
8572 Madison Blvd, Madison, 256-774-1918
BIG ED’S PIZZERIA
903 North Parkway Huntsville 256-489-3374
C.F. PENN HAMBURGERS
121 E. Moulton St., Decatur, 256-553-1903
CHEEBURGER, CHEEBURGER (3 locations)
5000 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256-885-3700
300 Hughes Rd, Madison, 256-464-9990
Providence Main, Huntsville, 256-830-4222
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
4275 University Dr., Huntsville, 256-971-8989
8572 Madison Blvd.,, Madion, 256-774-8028
2750 Carl T. Jones Dr., Huntsville, 256-880-8246
HOTDOGGIT
6610 Old Madison Pike, Huntsville
#011509020409
MIWON JAPANESE RESTAURANT
404 Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville, 256-533-7771
DUFFEY’S
5125 Moores Mill Rd., Huntsville, 256-859-6003
MIYAKO
10013 South Parkway, Huntsville, 256-880-9879
ERNEY’S
1605 Pulaski Pike NW, Huntsville, (256) 533-5734
NEW CHINA
8580 Madison Blvd, Madison, 256-772-0990
G’S COUNTRY KITCHEN
2501 Oakwood Dr., Huntsville, 256-533-3034
PANDA
5000 Whitesburg Dr., Suite 128, 256-880-3220/880-1395
MAMA ANNIE’S
4550 Meridian St. N, Huntsville, 256-489-3275
PHUKET
Providence Town, Huntsville, 256-489-1612
MULLIN’S
607 Andrew Jackson, Huntsville, 256-539-2826
ROLO’S CAFE
505 Airport Rd., Huntsville, 256-883-7656
ROYAL BUFFET
2003 Drake Ave. Huntsville, 256-883-8998
Mexican&Southwestern
BANDITO BURRITO (3 locations)
3017 Governors Dr SW, Huntsville, 256-534-0866
208 Main St., Madison, 256-461-8999
11220 S.Parkway, Huntsville, 256-489-3232
CANTINA LAREDO
300 The Bridge Street, STE 100, Huntsville, 256-327-8580
CASA OLE
13989 Hwy 231-431 Hazel Green,, 256 828-6000
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
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
HILDEGARD’S
2357 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256-512-9776
EL CAMINO REAL
41782 Hwy 231, Meridianville, 256 828-2942
OL HEIDELBERG CAFÉ
6125 University Drive NW E14, Huntsville, 256-922-0556.
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
SCHNITZEL RANCH
1851 University Dr., Huntsville, 256-535-0840
EL PALACIO
2008 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville 256-539-6075
GUADALAJARA MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
11208 S. Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville 256-882-7311
8572 Madison Blvd, Madison 256-774-1401
LA ALAMEDA
3807 University Drive NW, Huntsville, 256-539-6244
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
Caribbean
ISLAND JERK
2501 Jordan Ln, Huntsville,. 256-489-4774
CASA MONTEGO INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE
2117 Jonathan Drive, Huntsville, 256-858-9187.
ContinuedonPage26
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
25
Gossip
Christmas music show at the VBC.
This year’s varied guest artists included
Mark Lowery, the Ball Brothers and
lots of locals. Local piano maestro Frank
Contreras kept it all tied together,
by Billy Joe Cooley
What an exciting visit we had with Darius,
Debbie and Damon Keith the other day in
Nashville. They were there to visit still
another Keith, pretty Darilynn, who
works at the Lifeway Book Store.
David Copland, besides being our area’s
top Scrabble exponent, is also ballyhooing
the monthly Poet’s Competition at the
Monkey.
Christmas parties were everywhere during
the Yule season, but the Valley Planet
party was at the top of the list. We were
entertained by Nashville Songwriters
Donny Grace of Madison and Remax
agent Jim Parker at the home of Dr.
Bob Wood and his Lil. Their daughter
Jill is our bosslady. Jim Zielinski and the
arts council crew showed up. Brandon
Sprague of Monaco Pictures came with Coiner was there cheering it all on.
Sarah Gorman and Bistro LaVille owner
This is “Be Nice to Carol Reasons Day” at Barnhill’s.
Annette Mills.
And there was a whizbang gospel concert
at the new Whitesburg Chapel on Pulaski
Pike. The Ken Apple Family, headlined
the event, with the Alliance Quartet, which
features B.T. Thomas and Jeff Smith. A
lot of attention was given to Verlon Draine
and his grandsons Alex and Andrew from
Scottsboro, known collectively as Free
Spirit. The popular gospel trio Testament
was there from Mount Zion. And Nellie
Listings
MoreListingsCont.from25
Attractions
AMERICAN INDIAN MUSEUM
2003 Poole Drive NW, Huntsville, 256-852-4524.
BURRITT ON THE MOUNTAIN:
3101 Burritt Drive SE, Huntsville, 256-536-2882.
EARLYWORKS MUSEUM COMPLEX
404 Madison Street SE, Huntsville, 256-564-8100.
GORHAM’S BLUFF
Pisgah, 256-451-ARTS.
HARMONY PARK SAFARI
431 Clouds Cove Road, New Hope. 1-877-7ANIMAL.
HARRISON BROTHERS HARDWARE
124 Southside Square, Huntsville, 256-536-3631. Alabama’s oldest hardware store.
HUNTSVILLE BOTANICAL GARDEN
4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, 256-830-4447.
HUNTSVILLE STARS
Joe W. Davis Stadium, 3125 Leeman Ferry Rd, Huntsville, 256-882-2562.
HUNTSVILLE HAVOC
700 Monroe Street. Huntsville, AL (256) 518-6160.
INTERNATIONAL VOCAL STUDIOS
2358 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, 256-512-5571,
26
THE LAND TRUST TRAILS
Bankhead Pkwy., Huntsville, 256-534-LAND
RENAISSANCE THEATRE AT LINCOLN CENTER
1214 Meridian Street N, Huntsville, 256-536-3434.
MONTE SANO STATE PARK
5015 Nolen Ave., Huntsville, 256-534-3757
THEATRE HUNTSVILLE
1701 University Dr, Suite 1, Huntsville, 256-536-0807.
SCI-QUEST
102-D Wynn Drive, Huntsville, 256-837-0606.
THE WHOLE BACKSTAGE THEATRE
1120 Rayburn Avenue, Guntersville, 256-582-7469.
US SPACE & ROCKET CENTER
1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, 256-837-3400.
Galleries
801 FRANKLIN
801 Franklin Street, Huntsville, 256-519-8019.
THE WEEDEN HOUSE
300 Gates Avenue SE, Huntsville, 256-536-7718
ARS NOVA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
7908C Charlotte Drive, Huntsville, 256-883-1105.
ATHENS ST. STUDENT UNION ART GALLERY
300 N. Beaty St., Athens, Athens State University,
800-522-0272
ART@TAC GALLERY
Von Braun Center, 700 Monroe St., Huntsville, 256-519-ARTS (2787)
BROADWAY THEATRE LEAGUE
700 Monroe St. Suite 410, Huntsville, 256-518-6155.
ARTISTIC IMAGES
2115 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, 256-534-3968.
FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN’S THEATRE
3312 Long Avenue SW, Huntsville, 256-539-6829
CALVERT STUDIO
627 Gunter Ave., Guntersville,
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER
2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville, 256-489-7000
THE CARNEGIE
207 Church St., Decatur,
FOOTLIGHTS COMMUNITY THEATER
302 Hoffman St. Athens, 256-216-0903
CAROLE FORET FINE ART
206 West Market St., Athens, 256-232-2521.
HUNTSVILLE BALLET COMPANY
800 Regal Drive SW, Huntsville, 256-539-0961
CORRON STUDIOS
8006 Old Madison Pike #15, Madison, 256-325-7622
HUNTSVILLE COMMUNITY CHORUS
3312 Long Avenue, Fantasy Arts Center, Huntsville, 256-533-6606
FOOTLIGHTS COMMUNITY THEATER
302 Hoffman St., Athens, 256-777-0822.
HUNTSVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
North Side Von Braun Center, Huntsville 256-539-4818.
HUNTSVILLE ART LEAGUE GALLERY
3005 L&N Drive, Suite 2, Huntsville, 256-534-3860.
LOWE MILL
2211 Seminole Dr., Huntsville,
HUNTSVILLE MUSEUM OF ART
300 Church Street So., Huntsville. , 256-535-4350
MAYES BLACK DANCE THEATRE (M.B.D.T.)
2419 Oakwood Ave. NW Suite #F Huntsville, 256-489-5903
LIVING ART WATER GARDENS
220 Old Hwy 431, Hampton Cove, 256-288-0003
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
John H. Allen and teacher wife Joan
ventured off to visit kin in Mobile during
the holidays.
We again enjoyed Christmas dinner with Gene and Peggy That’s where actor Floyd Jordan is a
Mahoney, with their sons Rusty, Jim and Randy Michael, staffer. Our waiter was Neal Harris.
and various kin.
Floyd Hardin, Arnold Hornbuckle,
Brice Marsh has again staged the south’s finest Christian Ralph Langley and Ed Mann are among
the smartest guys I know.
ARTS COUNCIL, THE
700 Monroe street, Suite 2 Huntsville AL 35081, 256-519-2787
CATHEDRAL CAVERNS STATE PARK
637 Cave Road, Woodville. 256-728-8193.
Preston Adams plans to marry Vicki
Pinson on Valentines Day.
What a thrill to again see master violinist Frank Garcia,
who entertained us all for several years at El Palacio dinner I joined Helen Sockwell and Jim Robinson
parties. He was part of that impressive Handel’s Messiah at Crackerbarrel for black-eyed peas on
Jan.
concert at Faith Methodist a few nights ago.
VON BRAUN CENTER
700 Monroe St. Huntsville, 256-533-1953.
ALABAMA CONSTITUTION VILLAGE
109 Gates Ave., Huntsville, 256-564-8100.
Thanks to editor Richard Burns of the
Oxford, Miss., So & So publication for
including my latest batch of southern folk
stories. Locally my books are available at
the Senior Center on Drake Avenue.
#011509020409
MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND STUDIO
3614 Jackson Highway Sheffield Al.
MAYES BLACK DANCE THEATRE (M.B.D.T.)
2635 Bonita Cir.,Huntsville, 256-489-2635
MERIDIAN ARTS
370 Little Cove Road, Gurley, AL, 256-776-4300.
MONDO DE TATUAGE GALLERY
Corner of 6th Ave. and 7th St., Decatur, 256-306-9099.
MVAC FINE ARTS GALLERY
300 Gunter Ave.,Guntersville, 256-582-1454.
PARSONS ART GALLERY
3rd Floor Railroad Station Antiques
315 Jefferson St., Huntsville, 256-520-2360
SIGNATURE GALLERY
2364 Whitesburg Drive S, Huntsville, 256-536-1960.
THE STUDIO
1219 C Jordan Lane, Huntsville, 256 318-0169
UNIVERSITY CENTER ART GALLERY
University of Alabama in Huntsville, 256-824-1000
WILLIS GRAY GALLERY
211 2nd Ave. SE, Decatur, 256-355-7616
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
TheEnd!
THE VALLEY PLANET
The Valley Planet Music Exchange is FREE to any individual looking to buy, sell, trade or find bandmates. You get a headline and 3 lines of text for the low, low price of nothing. If you
wish to embellish your ad further, say, with a small photo (add $5) or more words (add $1 per line), it’s up to you. Now, if you are a business, you gotta pay a little something, $12 per
column inch. Please call Jill Wood at (256) 533-4613 if you would like to put your business in the Exchange. Email your ads to classifieds@valleyplanet.com or send them by snail mail to
Music Exchange,203 Grove Ave. Huntsville AL, 35801. NO AD WILL RUN UNTIL PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED!
Need a pet sitter? “If
you’re not home to play
Mommy or Daddy, Auntie
Jen will take care of your
furry family.”
Detailed info at
auntiejenpetsitter.com,
or call (256) 566-2020,
5am-9pm, 7 days/wk.
MUSIC EXCHANGE
Voice and Piano Lessons – By
note, number and ear. Adults and
children. 16 years experience.
Huntsville area. 318 491-1995
Looking for a drummer for a
band that has been established in
Huntsville for the past 8 years and
still plays regularly. Jazz/Rock/
Jam, open to much else. Aim
to write and record originals
soon. Contact Ben Davis 256-694-2363
Producer looking for rapper/
keyboard to partner up with Email
almurphyii@hotmail.com
Ordo, progressive rock band, is
looking for the best bass player in
Huntsville. Paid position! Call 256
479-8415 or 256 227-6490.
FOR SALE Tama 7pc Drum Set
Amber Gold w/all HDWE & cymbals $1300.00 256-430-0598
Local Artist seeking folk/indie
band or similar. Play intermediate guitar and keyboard; vocals
and songwriting. Email
theravenfliesnorth@gmail.com
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 @ pink_zepp@hotmail.com
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
DRUMMER NEEDED ASAP!!!
Working band looking for versatile
drummer. We play blues, rock,
and folk covers, and some originals. Currently writing material.
Gigs available, just need a
drummer to get it tight!! Call
(256)898-4075 April/Derix Email:
asparks@tvrllc.com
91 yr. old Co. needs salesperson to call on: commercial,
industrial, agricultural, municipal, construction, fleet and
distributor accounts. Excellent commissions. Then opportunity
for advancement to District Trainer w/ base salary +
commission, over-ride, bonus, car allowance, expenses, med.
ins. & more. Ph: 800-275-2772 9:00-3:00 CST.
Looking for an English
tutor or editor?
Reasonable Rates
Bonnie Roberts
Goth, Metal, Pop Band seeking
female singer
Contact;
Simoneisgone@yahoo.com
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 uncloudyd
ay@bellsouth.net. View band at
www.myspace.com/paulsayshello.
Band seeking guitarist. Must be
willing to do gigs . Stlyles Hard
rock, Metal. Contact mark @ (256)
616-4275
For sale: 15.5 inch Viola. Case, bow, & headrest. great condition. $700.00 or best offer. 701-6413
Guitarist forming instrumental Surf band. Need drummer, bassist, 2nd guitarist/keyboardist for show
on 4/19. Other gigs to follow. Mix of covers and original material. Vintage or reissue gear a plus. email:
Gretschman66@aol.com
Rhythm guartist seeking to join/
form alternative/rock band
ask for dave 256-682-7663
Multi-range metal vocalist who’s
creative and fun and open for suggestions needed for local thrash
metal band Konflyct.
Call: 256-694-1055
For Sale:
Refinished Wurlitzer Upright
Piano, Tropicalized-(256)7774072, $750
Gibraltar Road Series
Multiclamp(sc-grsmc) $12.00,
(256)777-4072
Gibraltar SC-GPRMC Power
Rack Multi-Clamp $10.00,
(256)777-4072
Carbonlite 33” bar $45.00,
(256)777-4072
DW 5000 HiHat Stand in Good
Condition $100.00 (256)777-4072
Singer seeking band: Female, wide range; into alternative or modern rock, open
to other genres. Contact at
runningtherisk@yahoo.com
Rock band needing bassist in
Decatur, 227-2562
Bass player needed for rock
- metal band contact doom_
popguitarist@yahoo.com or
227-2562
Paint and More!
Commercial and residential.
Free Estimates.
Call Steve Williams
539-9741.
bonnierpoet@yahoo.com
THE VALLEY PLANET
Wanted someone for banjo lessons 5 string. Call 652-3791.
#011509020409
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
27