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Western Outlaw

August 25, 2011

Dynasty or redemption » The Dean’s Corner by Quinito Henson

Filed under: Julian Assange - Wikileaks — Tags: , , , , — Mal @ 5:00 am

MANILA, Philippines – Like  a typical Hollywood ending, the climax finds two opposing forces settling their issues in a showdown at sunset. That’s the way it is in the league too tough to die, borrowing from the immortal description of the Wild West town Tombstone Territory.

Tonight, Talk ‘N’ Text and Petron will slug it out one last time for all the marbles in the clinching Game 7 of the PBA Governors Cup finals. No more tomorrows. For both teams, it’s do or die with the winner taking it all and the loser biting the dust. Fans couldn’t ask anything more from a title series. The pendulum has swung both ways. five games were decided by twin-digit margins and only the opener was a close one but every single contest has been a nail-biter.

The drama that has unfolded is just like in the movies. There was speculation that Talk ‘N’ Text tanked its last game of the semifinals to choose which team to play in the finals. Texters coach Chot Reyes has vehemently denied the allegation. Petron ended the semifinals in a tie with Alaska and Barangay Ginebra but made it to the last Dance by virtue of a superior quotient. The odds were heavily stacked against the Blaze. Hardly anyone gave Petron a chance to capture the crown and winning just a game in the best-of-seven series was considered a minor miracle. but in Game 1, the Blaze shocked the pants out of the oddsmakers as veteran Danny Ildefonso hit a buzzer-beater to lift Petron to an 89-88 decision. Petron import Anthony Grundy issued the pass that led to the decisive basket and stamped his class with a sensational triple double showing – 17 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists.

But the Texters roared back to blast Petron, 103-85, in Game 2 as their awesome bench fired 52 points to the Blaze relievers’ 20. Talk ‘N’ Text’s volume offense made the difference as the Tropa hit 35-of-85 from the field compared to Petron’s 30-of-66. Compounding Petron’s woes was its atrocious performance from the line, hitting only 19-of-38. The final margin of difference was 18 and the Blaze missed 19 free throws.

Game 3 was another Talk ‘N’ Text blowout, 132-105. once again, the Tropa’s bench spewed venom, erupting for 69 points to Petron’s 31. The Texters were in their element, mowing down Petron with 25 fastbreak points and dominating the boards, 45-38. at the end of the rout, Petron coach Ato Agustin put his arm around counterpart Chot Reyes and challenged him to a fistfight. When Reyes said he wouldn’t waste his time dignifying Agustin’s dare, the Petron coach asked, “bakla ka ba?” The conversation was big news all over town and fired up the bitter war between the coaches.

Petron recoiled to stun Talk ‘N’ Text in Game 4, 105-83, as the Blaze bench uncharacteristically outscored the Texters’ storm troopers, 37-32. Agustin’s charges clamped down on defense and held Talk ‘N’ Text to only 83 points and .378 shooting from the field. only Castro and Reyes hit in twin digits among the Tropa’s locals.

When Castro went down with a right knee injury and sat out Game 5, Petron seized the golden opportunity to take the driver’s seat. The Blaze played unforgiving defense to hold Talk ‘N’ Text to only nine points in the first period and won, 93-80. The Texters shot a lowly .333 from the field and were so out of synch that Petron even had more fastbreak points, 23-11. Scottie Reynolds had a forgettable five points, five rebounds and five assists. Jimmy Alapag and Reynolds were a combined 0-of-12 from three-point range. Kelly Williams and Ranidel de Ocampo didn’t start for the first time in the finals and the Texters paid dearly for the tweak.

Reyes immediately gave Reynolds the pink slip. There was no choice. after five games, Grundy had outscored Reynolds, 108-56, and the discrepancy in the quality of their performance was glaring. an hour before Game 6 began last Friday, Reynolds was on a plane flying back to the US.  Reyes reactivated Maurice Baker who was the Texters’ original import. he stuck around after Reynolds took over his slot starting the semifinals and couldn’t wait to prove himself worthy of Reyes’ confidence.

In Game 6, the Reynolds syndrome hit Grundy like a knockout punch. Grundy was limited to only five points in his worst showing in a Petron uniform, maybe in any uniform. he went 0-of-6 from three-point distance, like Reynolds did in Game 5, and was 2-of-13 from the floor in 40 minutes. if Reynolds sucked in Game 5, Grundy stunk in Game 6. Castro was back in form and announced his reentry by scoring 13 of his 19 points in the first period to set the tone. in every quarter, Reyes unveiled a hero to take charge. De Ocampo exploded for 11 in the second. Baker went berserk with 14 in the third and Alapag delivered 11 in the fourth. Arwind Santos tallied 19 for Petron but only three in the second half. The Texters’ bench regained its bearings, scoring 39 points to the Blaze’s 24. what broke Petron’s resolve was the Tropa’s three-point shooting. The Texters knocked down 15 triples. And they punctuated the win by cleaning up the boards, 56-38.

There’s no question that for Petron to win Game 7, the Blaze must play stifling defense and for Talk ‘N’ Text to claim the coveted Grand Slam, the Texters must be unstoppable on offense. in Petron’s three wins, they’ve held the Tropa to an average of 83.7 points. in the Texters’ three wins, they’ve averaged 113 points. Controlling the tempo is the key. A defensive game will mean a drag-out, lock-down battle with Petron slowing the pace and keeping the scores low. an offensive game will favor Talk ‘N’ Text with a lot of open-court opportunities and three-point connections.

Rebounding will allow a team to dictate the flow of the game.  in every contest so far in the finals, the winning team had the edge in rebounds.

How Baker and Grundy match up will be decisive. Baker did a super job throwing off Grundy’s rhythm in Game 6. He’ll have to do it again to seal Petron’s fate. Grundy, however, isn’t likely to have two off-nights in a row.

In the Philippine Cup finals, Talk ‘N’ Text beat Petron, then playing as San Miguel Beer, in six games. Petron wants redemption. The Texters, on the other hand, are a title away from bagging a Grand Slam. The Tropa claims it’s destiny calling. A Grand Slam will install Talk ‘N’ Text as only the fourth PBA franchise ever to achieve the feat while Petron is gunning for its 19th conference championship.  only one team will be left standing at the final buzzer tonight. whichever team that is will go down in PBA history as being destined or redeemed.

Dynasty or redemption » The Dean’s Corner by Quinito Henson

August 20, 2011

Eric Church's mom, dad celebrate their son's rise to stardom

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — Mal @ 11:31 pm

GRANITE FALLS —

Eric Church, born and raised in Granite Falls, is at the top of the country music charts.

On July 26, he released his third album, “Chief,” and it debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts. “Homeboy,” the album’s first single, was a hit and sold 500,000 digital downloads to become a certified gold record on July 25.

Rolling Stone Magazine says “Chief” is filled with “rock guitars, twangy blues” and “finely grained storytelling.” The reviewer calls Church, “one of Nashville’s sharpest young song writers.”

Ken and Rita Church just call him son.

They just got back from a trip to the west coast where they got to tag along with their son on his tour bus. they got an up-close look at their son becoming one of country music’s newest stars.

“it was fun to be able to go to work with our son,” Rita said. “It’s not as easy as it looks – he deserves every penny he makes.”

Church sings tunes about hard drinking, life on the road and the bar-room brawls that come along with the honky-tonk lifestyle.

His dad said it would be tough to keep up the kind of non-stop touring pace his son manages if he lived a life as hard as the one he sings about. He’s more disciplined and goal-oriented than the characters in his songs.

Ken said Eric’s days start early with a protein shake and a 3-or 4-mile run. after that, it’s time for some radio interviews to promote that night’s concert and the new album.

Meetings with his management team come next. Sound check comes in the early afternoon. Church will do a pair of meet-and-greets (one for the fans and one for the industry insiders) before the show.

When he took the stage, his parents got to enjoy a rare sight – a sea of faces screaming for their son and singing his songs.

“his fans knew every word of every song on the album that had just come out three days before,” Rita said. “it validates the hard work he’s put in to get where he is.”

Ken said his son has a special relationship with what’s become a huge pack of rabidly loyal fans known collectively as the Church Choir.

“they don’t go to a concert to be sung to,” he said. “they go to be entertained – they go for the party.”

After the show, there’s a third meet-and-greet for the VIPs who attended that night’s concert. Then there’s a late dinner, and it’s onto the bus for the next city and the next show.

“He’s an 18-hour-a-day guy at least,” Ken said. “He’s been selling all this time – it’s all about selling.”

Eric Church’s tour includes a team of about two dozen people on three tour buses along with a transfer truck and trailer.

He’s the heart of the operation, and he takes the responsibility seriously – so much so that he’s earned a nickname with his crew: Chief.

That’s what they call him when he puts on his sunglasses and pulls his baseball hat down low right before he steps out on stage to start his shows every night, Ken said.

It’s also a family name. Rita’s father, Ralph “Rusty” Barlow, served as the chief of police in Granite Falls for 27 years and everybody in town called him Chief.

Eric had a close relationship with his grandfather when he was growing up. when he acquired the same nickname, he embraced it. That’s how his newest album got its title.

“Chief” held the top spot on the Billboard 200 for a week. it was No. 1 on the country charts for two weeks. Now it’s No. 5.

With a gold album and two gold singles to his credit, “Chief” looks like a lock to be Church’s second album to pass the 500,000 sales mark.

“It’s definitely going to be a gold album, and Eric said it’d better go platinum,” Ken said. “The growth we’ve seen in his album sales is just phenomenal.”

That’s because Church is focused on crafting solid albums designed to be taken as a whole.

“most artists are looking for radio singles,” Ken said. “Eric’s doing it in a different way – he said, ‘Dad, I’m going to make some great albums.’”

“Chief” is packed with blues-heavy, guitar-driven tunes that never hold back. Church has stayed true to his honky-tonk roots while showing some love to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin.

Church’s love is in writing lyrics and that’s where he shines on “Chief.”

Ken and Rita say their son spent his teenage years learning to put his thoughts down on paper and setting them to music.

He got started when he was13, and his parents got him an acoustic guitar.

Church started learning how to play and write his own songs. within a year, he was entering and winning a few Nashville showcases. when he was 16 years old, he was offered a record deal, but he passed on it.

Ken had made his son a deal. He told him that if he got a college degree, he’d pay for his living expenses for a year in Nashville. Eric took his dad up on his offer. He graduated from Appalachian State in 2000 with a marketing degree then spent the next year in Nashville setting up meetings, playing, writing and getting his foot in the music industry’s door.

“He started doing some singer/songwriter sessions,” Rita said. “Eric’s first love is songwriting – that’s really the reason he went to Nashville.”

He joined the Songwriters Association and worked at making his dreams come true.

“it took about a year or two for him to get a writing gig,” Ken said. “it would have been easy for him to go to Nashville, get the door slammed in his face a few times and come home to Granite Falls and say, ‘I tried.’”

Church hung tough and in the meantime, he landed a job answering the phones for the Home Shopping Network.

“He had fun with it, but he enjoyed music a lot better,” Ken said.

Church wanted to make a name for himself by excelling at his own personal brand of country music.

He told his father, “‘I’m not going to be another George Strait or Brad Paisley.’ He loves those guys, but he doesn’t want to be just another imitator,” Ken said.

One thing that was tough for Church’s conservative parents to get used to was the rough and wild persona he developed.

“I’ve been a Sunday school teacher for a lot of years, and I’ve cringed sometimes,” Ken said. “We’ve had to let that go. We knew he was going to be creative, and he was going to have to be to write the hundreds of songs he’s written.”

He added that his son is a committed Christian and a loving husband who’s expecting his first child in two months.

“when he goes out on stage, he becomes a performer and that’s what we’ve had to understand,” Rita said.

Church’s stage persona, his relationship with his fans and his polished lyrics are taking him where he always wanted to be.

Wrapping up a tour headlining for Toby Keith, Church is gearing up for a new challenge: the birth of his son. after spending some time as a new dad, he’ll kick off his first major tour as the headlining act of a new tour.

Eric Church's mom, dad celebrate their son's rise to stardom

August 16, 2011

Trending in Showbiz

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — Mal @ 8:01 pm

Olivia Wilde connected with her ancestry for the “first time” when making Cowboys & Aliens. Olivia Wilde

The 27-year-old Hollywood star was born in new York, and as well as having European roots boasts an interesting lineage from inhabitants of the Wild West.

The star was thrilled to portray Ella Swenson in Jon Favreau’s sci-fi thriller, set in Arizona, as it gave her the chance to explore her heritage.

“Everyone had to be tough to be pioneers and settle in these border towns. I don’t know how long I would have lasted.

“I had some ancestors who did just that so it was really interesting for me to do this,” she told Cover Media.

“[They were] on my mother’s side – the first to head West. They took some great photos of it, luckily, so I have that. this is the first time I really connected with that.”

Olivia found preparing for her role in Cowboys & Aliens fascinating. the movie tells the tale of aliens landing in the Wild West in 1873, and it was the Western element which particularly enthralled her.

“I loved doing research for this role. I got to learn about the women of the Old West. There was a great museum in Los Angeles where I spent a lot of time.

“They had a great exhibition at the time called Women of the Old West which was nice. I loved reading about how tough these women had to be,” she smiled.

Trending in Showbiz

Roundabout: What’s happening

Filed under: Julian Assange - Wikileaks — Tags: , , — Mal @ 2:30 pm

Thursday, July 21, 2011 12:00 AM | Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend | 4given Souls performs at a special Friday night opening at the Inn. Shield of Salvation plays at the Inn this Saturday night. the Bed and Bike Inn hosts singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist Marjorie Thompson on July 31. Friday at the Blue Vine: blues/pop/rock Lauren Light Band. Featured tonight at Union Street Live Ñ the Atlantic Groove Band, party band based out of Salisbury. BlazinÕ Blues Bob Paolino has the stage Saturday night at the Blue Vine.

Oakboro cruise-in’s eighth season — 5 p.m., fourth Friday, July 22. Burnout at 9:30 p.m. Food vendors, souvenir concessions will be set up. Downtown Oakboro, Hwy. 205 between Albemarle and Charlotte. Facebook, info@oakborocruisein.com, 704-467-4992. www.oakborocruisein. com.

Gold Hill Ghost Walk — 7:30 p.m., Saturday July 23: the Village of Gold Hill presents Ghost Walk through the village, docents dressed in period attire offer ghost stories at numerous shops and sites in the village on guided walks that begin at the Arbor behind the restaurant. $5, children under 6 free. 704-267-9439, www.HistoricGoldHill.com, Facebook at Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina.

“Lighting of the Fireflies” at Carolina Lily — 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, July 23: Learn firefly basics, decorate your own bug catching kit/nightlight and hat, facepainting, stories, singing, dancing, decorate your own cupcake cone. Ages 3 and up. one child and one adult $25, add’l adults $5. Reservation only: 704 639-0033. www.carolinalily.com carolinalily@att.net.

Uptown Lexington stroll and cruise — 6-8 p.m., Friday, July 22: Music by beach/blues quintet Greg and the BBQ Band, classic cars, children’s sidewalk chalk art, Uptown Lexington mascot Miss Charlotte, YMCA-sponsor activities. Uptown Lexington, Inc. 336-249-0383.

stories Under the Stars featuring Poetry Alive — 7 p.m., Saturday, July 23: Poetry Alive featured in the arts, music and story-telling series in partnership with Cabarrus County Library Kannapolis Branch, 850 Mountain St., Kannapolis, www.cityofkannapolis. com/summerevents.

Artist’s Night Out — 5:30-9 p.m., second and fourth Tuesdays. July 26: Free, drop in, join other artists in a night of creativity, bring your own art or craft, supplies, personal beverage and snack. before your first meeting, send your name, address, phone, email, and type of art or craft to salisburyartists@gmail.com. We will get back in touch with you to confirm your first meeting. Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St.704-633-ARTS, www.salisburyartists.com.

5K Tomato Trot — 6:15 p.m. registration, Friday, August 19: 5 K evening run begins at 7:30 p.m., kicking off the August 20 Woodleaf Tomato Festival. Register at Active.com or email tomatotrot@yahoo.com. Pre-registration $20, $25 day of race. Entertainment and awards from stage. 885 Woodleaf Barber Road, Woodleaf, 704-224 5134.

Spencer Circus Train — 7:30 p.m. every Saturday through July 30: Puppets, animals, songs, games, free snow cones at Library Park, 3rd Street in Spencer, sponsored by Spencer Central UMC for 13th year. Bring blanket or lawn chair, 704-636-4101.

Art gallery and paranormal tours — Highland Avenue Art Gallery and More. Art gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday, noon -6 p.m. Paranormal tours Monday-Saturday 8:30-10 p.m., reservations required. 1031 Highland Avenue, 704-636-8134 to schedule tour.

Summer reading program at Rowan Public Library — Weekly programs through July 28, themed “one World, Many stories.” Pre-registration at all library locations for children age 12 months to rising fifth-graders. www.rowanpubliclibrary.org, 704-216-8234.

Catawba’s Community Music program summer camps — Four-day camps and private lessons available, contact Erin Harper emharper@catawba.edu or 704-881-1565 for details, register at catawba.edu/communitymusic.

Concord Library teen summer reading program — • 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 26: Teen movie, rated PG, free admission, popcorn provided. •2 p.m., Thursday, July 28: Make-&-Take stained glass craft event, participants color their own mandala or Japanese tattoo art “stained glass” picture.Information/registration, call the Concord Library 704-920-2054.

“This is Wrestling” at Cabarrus Arena — 7 p.m., July 23, adults $12, children under 10 $6, available at www.prowrestlingevo.com or box office. Cabarrus Arena Gold Hall 2, 4751 NC Hwy 49,Concord, www.cabarrusarena.com, 704-920-3976.

East Square ghost walk and investigation — 7 p.m., Friday, July 29, $15 per person •Original ghost walk: 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., adults $10, students $5. 130 W. Innes St., reservations/information 704-642-1734 boo@salisburyghostwalk.com.

Woodleaf Tomato Festival and Tomato Trot — 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20: Tomato Festival features silent auction, tomato recipe cook-off, bake sale, live music and entertainment, Ms. Tomato Queen contest, L’il Tommy Toe and L’il Miss Mater and Litte Mater Sprout contests, parade at 10 a.m. Tomato Trot 5K Friday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. Details Facebook or woodleaftomatofestivbal@yahoo.com. 885 Woodleaf Barber Road, Woodleaf, 704-224 5134.

Winston-Salem hosts National Black Theatre Festival — Aug. 1-6: Choose from more than 120 performances of works performed by professional Black theater companies presented at venues throughout the city. Tickets $7-$44. 336-723-7907, NBTF@ bellsouth.net, www.NBTF.org.

Sipe’s Orchard Home second annual Bloomin’ Orchard Festival, Hickory — 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, August 27, 4431 County Home Road, Conover: Live entertainment, midway, ferris wheel, Irish step dancers, bi-plane kiddy ride, pony rides, striker bell, arts and crafts, children’s section; ends with 5:30 p.m. concert by Half Dozen Brass Band, grand finale 7:30 p.m. performance by Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours. Entry to the festival, charge for evening concert. 828-256-5056 ext. 304, www.sipesorchardhome.org

Union Street Live tonight — 6-9 p.m., Third Thursday, July 21: live music with Atlantic Groove Band on the Historic Courthouse lawn. Free, www.concorddowntown. com, 704-784-4208.

Dylan Gilbert & the Over Easy Breakfast Machine local tour appearnces —Friday, July 22: Krankie’s Coffee, the Wherehouse, 211 E. Third St., Winston Salem, with Jews & Catholics and Free Electric State•Saturday, July 23: the Cave, 452-1/2 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, with Bibis Ellison and Crystal Bright.

Amy Lavere at Stage Door Theater — 8 p.m., Saturday July 23, $12 in advance; $15 DOS, www.CarolinaTix.org, 704-372-1000. Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, corner of 5th and College Streets, Charlotte.

Mixed Emotions at Junker’s Outdoor Theater — 7-10 p.m., Saturday, July 23, food and drink available, bring your own chair, $10 adults, $8 seniors, children 12 and under with parent free, bring five can goods and ticket price is $5. 105 S. Salisbury St., Mocksville. 671-0553

“Weekly Wine Down” at Old Stone Winery — 5-9 p.m., coming Friday, July 29: Jerry Chapman, no cover charge. 6245 US Hwy. 52, 1 mile south of Granite Quarry. 704-279-0930, www.oldstonewines.com.

Marjorie Thompson at Sacred Grove Retreat/Bed and Bike Inn — 4 p.m., Sunday July 31: Singer-songwriter-fingerstyle guitarist Marjorie Thompson with bass accompanist Greg Franklin. Sacred Grove Retreat/ Bed and Bike Inn, 15750 Mattons Grove Church Road, Gold Hill. 704-463-0768, info@bedandbikeinn.com.

Mary Chapin Carpenter at Knight Theater —Aug. 12: Five-time Grammy Award winner celebrates her latest album, the Age of Miracles. BlumenthalArts.org/ NTNTalk. Levine Center for the Arts, 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, 704-379-1257, www.blumenthalarts.org.

Burning Coal Theatre’s MusiCoal Series — 7 p.m., July 31: Modern flamenco group Ed Stephenson and the Paco Band; ticket prices vary depending on show, call 919-834-4001.Murphey School, 224 Polk St., Raleigh, 919-834-4001, www.burningcoal.org .

Rascal Flatts at Verizon Amphitheatre — Friday, July 29, with Sara Evans, Easton Corbin, Justin Moore. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte. Tickets at LiveNation.com, box offices at the venue, Ticketmaster or charge by phone 800-745-3000.

Die Roten Punkte in Charlotte — Another change of dates: September 21-23 at Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St., Charlotte. all tickets $34.50, BlumenthalArts.org, 704-372-1000.

Piedmont Players Youth Theatre presents “Grease!” — 7:30 p.m., July 21-23 and 2:30 p.m., July 23; adults $12, students/seniors $10. Norvell Theater: 135 E. Fisher St., www.piedmontplayers.com, 704-633-5471.

Davidson Community Players present ‘Moon Over Buffalo’ — July 21-31, in the hilarious tradition of Lend me a Tenor, $22,Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. 704 892-7953, www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org.

“the Rocky Horror Show” at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte — 7:30 p.m., through Aug. 13: “This ain’t your daddy’s Frank!” Tickets begin at $24. Recommended for ages 16 and older. 650 E. Stonewall St., Charlotte. www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org or 704-342-2251, ext. 21.

“wonder of the World” at Burning Coal Theatre, Raleigh — 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4-14 (no performance on Aug. 6). Wild and wacky play about a woman who discovers something disturbing in her husband’s sock drawer, and sets out on a journey of self-discovery to reclaim faith in herself. $10. Burning Coal Theatre Company, Murphey School, 224 Polk St., Raleigh, 919-834-4001, www.burningcoal.org .

Benchwarmers. 113 E. Fisher St. — 7-10 p.m. every Friday: Handful of Dave. 704-639-0604.

Brick Street Tavern, 122 E. Fisher St. — 10 p.m., Saturday July 23: the Enam Blume Trio (EB3), $3 cover. Tuesdays: open mic, performers of all types welcome, sign up as you arrive; 9:30 p.m. Thursdays: plugged open mic night. www.thebrickstreettavern. com, 704-637-6047.

DJ’s, 1502 W. Innes St., — Live music Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays starting at 8:30 p.m. 704-638-9647.

Fat Jack’s, 120 Military Ave., — 8 p.m. until, every Friday and Saturday night: karaoke with mark Tomei. 704-638-8996.

High Rock Boat & Ski Club, 257 Boat Club Lane — Friday, July 22: Deejay Fast Eddie. Saturday, July 23: Curt’s birthday party with Rockin Horse. Wednesday, July 27: Wednesday Beach Night series with the Carolina Breakers. Open Wednesday-Saturday, now open for lunch Saturday-Sunday. 704-633-0251, ww.theboatandskiclub.com.

Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — 7-9 p.m. tonight, July 21: Romey Carlton. Bike Night 6-9 p.m. every Monday; Cruise-in 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday; karaoke 7-close every Friday-Saturday. 704-642-0050.

the Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 9 p.m.-midnight, Friday, July 22: blues/pop/rock Lauren Light Band, $5 cover (two-for-one deal Friday only: pay one full cover charge and a second person gets in free). 9 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Saturday, July 23: Blazin’ Blues Bob Paolino, no cover. www.thebluevine. com. 704-797-0093.

the Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150: Friday: 4Given Souls and Doulos. Saturday: Shield of Salvation, Amanda Shandra and comedian Scott Meade. Open 7 p.m.-midnight Saturdays, free refreshments, air hockey, foosball, pool. Free wi-fi. Public invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1467. www.inntheloop.

E.H. Montgomery General Store — 7-9 p.m. Fridays: bluegrass jams. Historic Village of Gold Hill. www.HistoricGoldHill.com. 704-267-9439, 704-279-5674.

Old Stone Vino, 515 S. Main St., Kannapolis — 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays: guitarist, singer, songwriter Marty DeJarnette. Fridays, Saturdays: various artists. 704-938-2337.

Kevin Gordon with Leadville Social Club at the Double Door Inn, 1218 Charlottetown Ave. — Friday, July 22, doors 9 p.m./music 10 p.m., $8 advance, $10 DOS. www.doubledoorinn.com. Advance tickets at CarolinaTix, PayPal, Music Today, 1-800-594-TIXX or 704.372.1000.

Art Classes — Instruction in oil, drawing and repousse’, beginner and intermediate, includes framing and marketing tips, small classes, lots of extras. Tuesday or Wednesday 10 a.m.-noon or 1–3 p.m. $30 per session at Rail Walk.Weekly figure drawing or painting sessions with live model $5 per hour, no instruction. for info, material list, registration or to model contact Rachel Lee 704-202-4467 or hare369@live.com.

Line dance classes — Absolute Beginner: 3:30 p.m., beginning Aug. 9 • Easy Beginner: 4:30 p.m., Aug. 4 • Intermediate: 5:30 p.m., Aug. 4 • 4 lessons per mo.,$12/month or $5/lesson. Call 704-633-7862 Rufty-Holmes Sr. Center or teacher Cheryl Kluttz, 704-633-3484.

Oil classes the Old Master way — 1-3 p.m., Tuesdays: adult classes in oils, beginner or intermediate, learning the technique of the Masters of the 16th/17th centuries. $45 per session, 704-232-6000 for materials list, info, registration. Limited number of students. Patt’s studio, 409 N. Lee St., Rail Walk Arts District.

Creative painting workshops — 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Ongoing series, beginning to intermediate, traditional oil painting. $200 includes eight sessions; ask about scholarships and sliding scales. Registration/materials list: 704-245-6456. Instructor James E. Taylor, Contemporary Realism Studio, 211 S. Main St.

Card making Class at the Y — J.F. Hurley Family YMCA holds the Card-Making classes every other Thursday evening starting July 28, 6-8 p.m. Cost $10, all supplies included. Call Terri Dockins 704-636-0111. 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd.

Watercolor classes at LGAC — Mondays 1-3 p.m. or 5:30-7:30 p.m., or Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon, instructor Cathy Benfield Matthews, no experience needed; $35 each 2 hour session or $180 for 6, materials provided except brushes; email salisburyartists @gmail.com to reserve space, www.catsfreestyleart.com. Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St., 704-633-ARTS, www.salisburyartists.com.

Bring-your-own-vase floral design — 2-3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: Designing fresh cut flowers, $15 per class plus cost of flowers, call for reservations; instructor David Harrison, Harrison’s Florist, 1012 Holmes Ave., off Grove St. near RRMC, 704-636-4251.

Adult Fiction-Writing Class — 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays, Aug. 6 and 12: $35, taught by Jenny Hubbard, writer-in-residence at Center for Faith, first session is on tools of the trade, second session a workshop of the fiction produced by students in the class. must attend both sessions, limit 10 participants, reserve a spot by sending check made payable to Jenny Hubbard to Center for Faith & the Arts, PO Box 4098, Salisbury, NC 28144. Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St.

Piedmont Singles — 7:15 p.m., Fridays. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church behind CVS, Statesville Blvd. Covered dish, no joining fee, donations appreciated. Contact Frances Ward 704-637-3241.

Zodiac Club — July 22: Music by Crimson Rose. second and fourth Fridays, alternate fifth Fridays. Doors 7 p.m., band 8 p.m. Free soft drinks, water; snacks welcome. Covered dish dinner on fifth Friday dance night. $12 guests, $10 members, join for $20 with free admission on the night you join. American Legion Post 380, 4235 W. Tyvola Road, Charlotte, 704-752-8824, taylorbt@msn.com, www.charlottezodiacdanceclub.com.

Old Courthouse Theatre “the Women” auditions — 7-9 p.m., August 15-16. By Clare Booth Luce. Acidic comedic commentary on the pampered lives and power struggles of wealthy Manhattan socialites. Performance dates Sept. 29-Oct. 16. Spring St. SW, Concord. www.oldcourthousetheatre. org.

Zumba Glow Fundraiser for Vanessa Duke Allred — 7-10 p.m., Friday July 22: $10 admission, Zumba skirts available for $10, wear white or neon shirts or glow sticks, bring your own towels and water. Instructors Carolyn stout, Jordyn Leahey, Sandy Howell, Carrie Ann Moseley, Katie Rogers, Corrin Thomas. Music by K &M Sounds. all proceeds go to help Vanessa, battling osteosarcoma, wife of Shane Allred, mother of 2 children. Event held at First Ministry Center, the old YMCA, 220 N. Fulton St.

Call for vendors

Biker Blue & BBQ Rally — Sept. 22-24: with a KCBS barbecue cook-off; vendor applications at www.bikerbluesbbqrally.com or Tilley’s Harley-Davidson, Salisbury. Add’l info 704-638-6044.

Asheboro 39th Fall Festival — Submit completed registration forms and fees to the Randolph Arts Guild, P.O. Box 1033, Asheboro, NC 27204-1033. Download forms at www.AsheboroFallFestival.com. Booth fee $50 until August 31; until day of festival registration booth fee is $100 as space allows. Event dates Oct. 1-2, downtown Asheboro.

Call for musicians

Bluegrass musicians — Bluegrass jam open to all, Saturdays at Dixie’s Roasting co., 102 S. Main St., China Grove. 704-857-9169.

Call for artists

Carolina Artist’s “the Real Carolina Artist’s 2011 Expo” —August 24-26, Salisbury Civic Center, 315 S. Martin Luther King Ave. Entry forms/information available there or by contacting carolinaartists@gmail.com. Deadline: mailed by Aug. 10. Big prizes, $100 first prizes and peoples choice.

Sipe’s Orchard Home Annual Bloomin’ Orchard Festival, Conover — Seeking artists and craftpersons for festival Saturday, August 27, Sipe’s Orchard Home, 4431 County Home Road, Conover. Early bird rate by July 30, regular registration rate by Aug. 15, late registration rate by Aug. 20. Information/applications at www.sipesorchardhome.org/BloominVendor.html or 828-256-5056.

Artists sought for Art in the Shop — Art in the Shop is seeking artists interested in showing at the 13th Annual Art in the Shop in Bethlehem, NC, Oct. 1, encompassing bonsai, sculpture, paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, garden art. Quality original artwork and fine crafts only, no kits accepted. Cost$40 by July 31, $50 Aug. 1-Sept. 15. 828-632-0106, www.artintheshop.net, blsinclair1@bellsouth.net.

Ahlara Art Fair — second annual Mooresville Ahlara Art Fair, Saturday, October 8: seeking all kinds of artists, painters, potters, jewelers, photographers, woodworkers, etc. Application is at www.ahlaraartfair.webs.com, click on applications button. Myrna Reiss, 704-663-6343.

Speakers and forums

UNC Charlotte to host National Association of Teachers of Singing Conference — July 28-30: “Guys and Gals of Broadway,” a summer workshop in musical theatre, presented by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS); features sessions on song interpretation and the audition process; includes master classes and performances. Information/registration www.nats. org.

the Carolina Arist’s “the Real Carolina Artist’s 2011 Expo” — August 24-26, Salisbury Civic Center, 315 S. Martin Luther King Ave. Artists reception 6 p.m., Thursday, August 25 •Paint with the Carolina Artists as teachers on Wednesday, August 24, 10 a.m-noon; Thursday, August 25, 2-4 p.m.; Friday, August 26, 6-8 p.m. Bring your own art supplies, any medium. Register one week before class, 704-638-5275. Salisbury Civic Center, 315 S. Martin Luther King Ave.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St.— Summer Exhibition “in the Details” features a variety of artist’s meticulous approaches, creating worlds in their artwork where every inch matters. Featured artists: woodcarver Dan Abernathy, fiber artist Nancy G. Cook, artist Michelle Heinz, clay artist Holden McCurry, artist Trena McNabb. R. Dean Crouch, our Dare to Imagine Award winner is also featured. Exhibition runs through Aug. 13. Free admission, donations appreciated. Gallery hours Monday, Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m-7 p.m, Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 123 E. Liberty St., 704-636-1882, www.waterworks.org.

Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. — “Glimpses of Carolina” by Plein Air Carolina, a group of professional and amateur artists who meet each week to paint on location. Free admission, runs through Saturday, July 30. the exhibit may be viewed each Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 409-413 N. Lee St., sforthofer@windstream.net, 704-657-8321.

Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St. — Member art show “Out of the Box” at the Black Box Theater runs through mid-August. Participating artists: Ann Cooper, Pamela Deal, Robin Harviel, Cathy Matthews, Norma Owen. Gallery hours: noon-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and during special events. salisburyartists@ gmail.com.

Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte — “North Carolina Pottery: Diversity and Traditions;” “Chanel: Designs for the Modern Woman.” Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Admission $10 adults, , free for members and children 5 and younger. Free on Tuesdays 5-9 p.m. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.

Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts, 500 South Tryon St., Charlotte — “Attitude and Alchemy: the Metalwork of Gary Noffke;” “from New York to Corrymore: Robert Henri and Ireland.” Same hours, admission as above. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.

Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — last week for “Thomas Hart Benton, America’s Master Storyteller,” features large-scale oil, “Bootleggers,” alongside three lithographs based on scenes the artist created for the mural program of the Missouri State Capitol Building. through July 31. House, gardens and village feature public garden, dining, shopping,walking trails. 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse. org.

Shops and attractions of Cherokee — Tuesday, Aug. 9, sponsored by Kannapolis Parks & Recreation. $20 per person, 18 years and older, lunch/dinner not included. Registration deadline: Monday, July 25. Bus departs from Village Park, 700 West C St., Kannapolis; for timetable call 704-920-4343 or see www.cityofkannapolis.com/FS/CO/2222/2011%20Fall%20Trips%20Brochure.pdf.

“West side Story” — $85 includes orchestra center seating for performance Tuesday, Nov. 1, and transportation from YMCA. First deposit $40 due now, final deposit due Sept. 29. Contact Barbara Franklin, J.F. Hurley YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.

Morgan Ridge Winery and McLaughlin’s Farmhouse — Depart 9:30 a.m., August 5 from J.F. Hurley YMCA, $20 transportation only, open to all. Contact Barbara Franklin for details, 704-636-0111.

Bus Trip to Bedford, Va. — 8 a.m., Wednesday, August 17: Bus leaves Rufty-Holmes Senior Center to see D-Day Memorial, monuments, gardens, dutch-treat lunch at Ruby Tuesdays, then Poplar Forest, the summer retreat of Thomas Jefferson. $65 per person includes transportation, admission to the sites, tips. Pre-pay at the center. must be a member to purchase a ticket. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 3 at 2 p.m. 1120 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., 704-216-7714, www.ruftyholmes.org.

Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Rd. — Paddle boats, miniature golf, miniature trains, carousel, gem mine, playgrounds, family camping, picnic shelters, splash pad, petting zoo. 704-216-7800. www.dannicholas.net.

Ellis Park, 3541 Old Mocksville Road — 26 acres of ball fields, tennis courts, volleyball court, shelters, playground, event center, walking trail. 704-216-7783.

Sloan Park, 550 Sloan Road, Mt. Ulla — Off NC Hwy 150 approximately 10 miles west of Salisbury. Features Kerr mill, an 1823 grist mill.

Gold Hill Mines Historic Park 735 St. Stephens Church Road, Gold Hill — Historic tours available by appointment. Rail Trail. Information about tours: 704-267-9439; rentals: 704-279-5777. www.HistoricGoldHill.com.

Dunn’s Mountain Nature and History Preserve, 1640 Dunn’s Mtn. Road — Trail walks, overlooks, see 120 miles in most directions, blacksmith shop display, Saturday-Sunday shuttle service, 704-216-7803.

Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock — •July 23-31: K-9s in Flight Frisbee[0xae] Dogs: John Misita’s talented, athletic dogs at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.daily; included in regular admission prices. Open seven days a week. Tweetsie.com, call 877-TWEETSIE (877-893-3874), Facebook, Twitter @TweetsieRR.

N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — Museum open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday, 1–5 p.m., Sunday. Train ride schedule: Monday -Saturday 11 a.m. 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Sunday: 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Admission fee includes train ride: adults $10, seniors (60+)/Military $8, children ages 3-12 $6, children 2 and under free. Admission only rates available too. Museum hours and train ride schedules are seasonal. for details, 704-636-2889 or 877-NCTMFUN. www.nctrans.org.

Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St. — Exhibit updated: New view of Stoneman’s Raid on Salisbury added to “when We Fought Ourselves-1861-1865,”with local emphasis. Museum hours Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Contributions accepted. 704-633-5946. www.rowanmuseum.org.

Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. — New exhibit features artifacts (including photos and books) of the late Honorable Spruce Macay (1755–1808), lawyer and Superior Court judge. Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday. $3 adults, $1.50 students, museum members free. 704-633-5946.

Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St. — 1820 house museum features furniture and decoratives from Hall family and others. Costumed docents provide tours. $3 adults, $1.50 students, free to members of Historic Salisbury Foundation. for group tours, call HSF office, 704-636-0103.

Old Stone House, Granite Quarry —Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $3 adults, $1.50 students, museum members free. 704-633-5946.

Historic Rockwell Museum, 102 E. Main St. — for special tours call 704-279-4979. Museum open Sundays 2-4 p.m. and by appointment. for information call Ann Teague: 704-279-5783.

Price of Freedom Museum, Old Patterson School building, China Grove — Sundays 3-5 and by appointment. American war memorial dedicated to men and women of the armed services. Intersection of Weaver, Patterson Roads. www.priceoffreedom.us, 704-857-7474.

NC Music Hall of Fame Museum, 109 West a Street, Kannapolis — Honors musicians, singers, songwriters and producers from North Carolina, more than 50 major inductee exhibits. Located in the renovated old Kannapolis Jailhouse Building. 10 a.m.-noon, 2-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Admission free. 704-934-2320, www.NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org.

Reed Gold mine historic site, 12 miles southeast of Concord — Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sunday, Monday and major holidays, admission free. part of Division of State Historic Sites, Office of Archives and History,704-721-4653, reed@ncdcr. gov.

Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, 438 Fort Dobbs Road, Statesville — the only North Carolina Historic Site associated with the French and Indian War (1754-1763) or Seven Years War. Free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 704-873-5882, www.fortdobbs. org.

Historic Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., July 23: Learn about Charlotte’s gold mining history and pan for gold; tour the circa 1800 plantation house and grounds, see rare and endangered breeds of historic livestock. Free with regular admission. www.lattaplantation.org, click on summer camps. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $7 per person, ages 5 and under free. www.lattaplantation. org. 704-875-2312.

Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte — Civil War National Register Federal house circa 1815, excellent example backcountry NC federal period architecture. Originally part of 911-acre plantation. www.historicrose dale.

Discovery Place, Charlotte, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, — Discovery Place, Charlotte, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, — Extended summer hours: Monday–Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;Sunday: noon–5 p.m. 704-372-6261 or www.discoveryplace.org.

Discovery Place KIDS Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road — Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m., Sunday, closed Monday. Admission $8 for adults and children age one and older, children younger than age one and Members are free. Discounts available for groups of 15 or more. discoveryplaceKIDS. org, 704-372-6261.Charlotte Nature Museum, 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte — $6 ages 2 and older; younger than 2 and members are free. Parking is free. Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. -5 p.m.; Sunday noon–5 p.m.; closed Monday. www.charlottenaturemuseum.org.

Town Creek Indian Mound, southern Montgomery County — a national historic landmark and NC’s only state historic site dedicated to American Indian heritage. Tour groups welcome. Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Located on Town Creek Mound Road approx. five miles east of Mt. Gilead, between NC 73 and NC 731. www.towncreek. nchistoricsites.org.

Old Salem, Winston-Salem — 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday. $21 adults, $10 children. 336-721-7300 or www.oldsalem.org.

NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh — “Mirror Image” explores what it means to be a woman as seen through the perspectives of 13 North Carolina female artists. North Carolina Gallery, East Building. General admission $15, students, seniors, military, groups of 10 or more $12. Children 7-12 $7.50, children 6 and under free. www.ncartmuseum.org/rockwell.

Contemporary Art Museum, 409 W. Martin St., Raleigh — 11 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, closed Tuesday. Noon–5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday. First and third Friday of the month open until 9 p.m. $5 general admission, wheelchair accessible. 919-513-0946, camraleigh.org.

Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 S. Liberty St. — Museum hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. $6 adults and children. 336-723-9111 or childrensmuseumofws.org.

Natural Science Center of Greensboro, 4301 Lawndale Drive — Home of the Animal Discovery Zoological Park featuring tigers, gibbons, wallabies, meerkats, lemurs as well as the new OmniSphere Dome Theater, NC’s only 40 foot digital dome experience. 336-288-3769, www.natsci.org.

Greensboro Children’s Museum, 220 N. Church St. — Hands-on, interactive museum for children (infancy to 10 years of age) and families designed to inspire learning through play in a fun, energetic and safe environment. 336-574-2898, www.gcmuseum.com.

Roundabout: What’s happening

May 9, 2011

Celebs go all a-Twitter over bin Laden

Filed under: Julian Assange - Wikileaks — Tags: , , , , , — Mal @ 12:00 pm

America took to Twitter yesterday to celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden, and so did the celebrities, with everyone from Denis Leary to Charlie Sheen ringing in on the demise of Public Enemy no. 1.

“Osama bin Laden dead. as is the Red Sox [team stats] bullpen,” tweeted Leary, who plays a New York City firefighter in “Rescue Me,” his long-running FX drama about the fallout from 9/11, but whose heart, apparently, is still in Fenway.

“Dead or Alive. WE PREFER DEAD! Well done SEAL team!” said Sheen, who took a break from his post-“two and a half Men” meltdown to actually make some Twitter sense. “AMERICA: #WINNING that’s how we roll….”

More than a few celebs took the opportunity to give a shout-out to President Obama for commandeering the dramatic raid that led to bin Laden’s death.

“Somali pirates, Gaddafi’s son, now bin Laden — do NOT (bleep) with Obama, he’s Gangsta!” tweeted HBO pundit Bill Maher.

And it did not go unnoticed that the president’s stunning announcement pre-empted the second half of Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” soundly trumping Trump’s birth certificate coup.

“Got bin laden AND interrupted Celebrity Apprentice? Win for Obama all around,” declared late-night yakker Jimmy Fallon.

But Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, who had supported John McCain for prez, wondered why it took so long to find bin Laden, who seemingly was hiding in plain sight in Pakistan.

“I mean this place was like the size of that prison up on Route 128 in a big field with the razor wire and armed guards,” said the rocker, who has been monitoring CNN and international news outlets on the Internet since the news broke. “But I get that the (special forces) weren’t going to take any chances.”

Then there’s Rhode Island homey Seth MacFarlane, who is in town making “Ted” with Mark Wahlberg. the “Family Guy” guy had a typically wise(youknowwhat) take on the matter.

“I predict that Osama’s picture will get little more than a smattering of tepid applause on the next Emmy ‘in Memoriam’ reel,” he tweeted.

While MacFarlane, Leary and Fallon went full-on snark, most of the boldfacers were more solemn in their comments, with most praising the American troops who have been battling al-Qaeda since the terrible 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon.

“Endless thanks and continued prayer for our military men and women,” tweeted “the View” resident right-winger Elisabeth Hasselbeck, a BC grad. “Protection over them as they protect us.”

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger seconded that emotion: “I’m proud of our men and women in uniform,” the Terminator blogged. “wherever you are, take a minute to say thank you to one of the brave heroes who serve our country.”

Henry Winkler, who was in Everett yesterday filming “Here Comes the Boom” with Kevin James, also rang in.

“the C.I.a. THE MILITARY is this a great country or WHAT!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!” he tweeted.

<a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1335090&srvc=home&position=emailedtag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1335090″>Celebs go all a-Twitter over bin Laden

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