entertaining u newspaper

JACKSONVILLE

watersports, boating and batboy free weekly guide to entertainment and more | july 19-25, 2007 | www.eujacksonville.com 2 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper table of contents feature Boating & Watersports...... PAGE 19 Kingfish Tournament...... PAGE 19 Huckins Yachts (interview)...... PAGE 20 Huckins Yachts (profile)...... PAGE 20 Environmental Boating...... PAGE 21 Getting Down With Diving...... PAGE 21 Riverkeeper Kids...... PAGE 22 movies (movie review)...... PAGE 6 Seen, Heard, Noted & Quoted...... PAGE 7 Movies in Theaters this Week...... PAGES 6-10 I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (movie review)...... PAGE 8 When Fried Eggs Fly (movie review)...... PAGE 9 Hawk Yougkins (Filmmaker Spotlight)...... PAGE 10 at home The Last Mimsy (dvd review)...... PAGE 12 New on DVD...... PAGE 12 Meadowland (tv review)...... PAGE 13 Video Games...... PAGE 14 Deadliest Catch (tv review)...... PAGE 15 food J.L. Trents (restaurant review)...... PAGE 16 Fish Fries & Fishmarkets...... PAGE 18 Seafood Dining Guide...... PAGES 16-18 music Music Calendar...... PAGES 22-26 BayStreet (Ragtime Tavern)...... PAGE 23 Galaxy at Bourbon Bayou (interview)...... PAGE 24 Candlebox (interview)...... PAGE 25 Mickey Avalon (interview)...... PAGES 26 Silverchair ( review)...... PAGES 27 (album review)...... PAGES 27 arts / theatre / on stage Arts Calendar...... PAGES 28-29 Munny Monster Art Shows...... PAGE 28 Batboy The Musical (Players by the Sea)...... PAGE 29 columns and stuff BeachWise...... PAGE 30 The Jock...... PAGE 30 NASCAR News & Notes...... PAGE 31

eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 3 thisweek Tim McGraw and Faith Hill thursday july 19 friday july 20 Lee Roy Parnell The 13th Annual Vans Warped Tour Lee Roy Parnell, the Texas-born It’s the summer tour we’ve all been waiting for. The 13th Annual and bred country hit maker with Vans Warped Tour has been moved over to Greencove Springs, an ornery streak of southern rock but that won’t keep Jacksonville fans of Bad Religion, Coheed and ‘n’ soul ‘n’ blues in his system, is Cambria, Killswitch Engage, New Found Glory, Pennywise, Red set to bring his unique sound to Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Yellowcard away. Look out Green Cove the Freebird with his band “The Springs, here we come! Tickets: $27.75 in advance/ $30.25 day of Band.” Hey, when you’re as good show plus $2.00 facility fee as this guy is you don’t need to Reynold’s Park Yacht Center; Green Cove Springs, FL come up with a creative name for Info: (904) 353-3309 or warpedtour.com those other guys! Tickets: $20 Dustin Diamond Dustin Diamond Freebird Live- 8 pm Dustin Diamond, best known Info: (904) 246-BIRD or as the sweet geek Screech freebirdlive.com on Saved by the Bell, has been striving to stay in the Boys Night Out public eye, resorting to With a foot planted firmly in everything from selling t- the rule-breaking bile of punk shirts on Howard Stern to rock and another foot standing save his house (an apparent on the melodic sensibility of publicity stunt) to leaking a Knapsack, Foo Fighters or even sex tape to playing the heel on Third Eye Blind, Boys Night Celebrity Fit Club. We know Out’s music sounds so honest he’s a publicity whore, but is because they always set out he funny? Find out when he to please themselves first and foremost. See if you have brings his stand-up show to anything in common with this Canadian five-piece when they th july 21 Jax on the 19 through the come to Jax with Emanuel, June and Olympia. saturday 21st. Tickets: $10-$18 Tickets: $12 Jack Rabbits- 8 pm Info: (904) 353-3309 Comedy Zone Books Alive!: The Witches Info: (904) 292-4242 OUTSIDE IN: Meditations On A Search For Roald Dahl’s children’s book The Witches comes to life for Books Meaning Alive! attendees as they view the 1990 film based on the book Reverend Billy C. starring Anjelica Huston and Rowan Atkinson. In it a young boy Artist Brian Edmond presents a collection of original oil and his grandmother end up staying at hotel that’s hosting a witch Wirtz paintings that represent his life in this world, his Opus Mundus. convention and plot to put an end to their wickedness. This monthly Reverend Billy C. Wirtz is a comic genius, gifted pianist and This exciting exhibition was generously sponsored by Regions event is free to the public. American musicologist who defies easy classification. Rocking a Bank and this special opening is free to the public. The evening Jacksonville Public Library- Main Branch- 2:30 pm massive pompadour and a few more tattoos than your average man will also include an artist Gallery Tour at 7 pm. The collection Info: (904) 630-2665 or jacksonvillefilmevents.com of God, Reverend Billy adds spice to old-time gospel and blues with will be on display until September 1st. his tongue-in-cheek humor about everything from relationships to The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach: 50 Executive Way the age old question: What Would Elvis Do? Tickets: $10 PVB, FL- 6:30 pm Info: (904) 280-0614 or ccpvb.org The Rocket Summer European Street Café, 1704 San Marco Blvd The Rocket Summer is JUly 20 - July 21 a power pop band from JUly 19 - July 22 Colleyville, Texas, comprised Oklahoma! solely of Bryce Avary who My Little Pony Live “The World’s Biggest Tea The Youth of the Beaches Arts Guild (also known by the plays all instruments and unfortunate acronym Y-BAG) will be presenting their 27th Party” sings. The freakishly talented musical, Oklahoma, starring area youths for two nights only. musician’s musician has This brand new musical will bring your child’s favorite My Little If you’ve never seen this show about farm hands and the girls produced three full-length Ponies to life (and maybe yours too, Mom). In this creative and who love them, be sure to come to the show and supporti this records since 2003, when he highly interactive show, eight beautiful ponies will present a story great program sponsored by the Jacksonville Beach Recreation was only 16, and is steadily about friendship, celebrating differences and enjoying being a kid. the rocket summer Department. building a massive fan base. This is the ultimate end-of-summer mother-daughter event. Catch it Tickets: $10 Fletcher High School Auditorium: 700 Seagate The Rocket Summer will while it’s still in town! Tickets: $14-$27 Ave., Neptune Beach- 8 pm perform with the equally genius Daphne Loves Derby. Times Union Center Moran Theater Info: Marina Alley- (904) 608-4196 or Laura Gore- (904) 349- Tickets: $12 Jack Rabbits- 8 pm Info: (904) 630-3900 or mylittleponylive.net 2441 Info: (904) 353-3309

4 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper The Format Self-described as a “desert pop” band, Peoria, AZ-based The Format mixes indie pop melodies with the sounds of the 60s to create infectiously catchy tunes that will stick with you for days. After opening for bands like Yellowcard, Something Corporate, Taking Back Sunday and Jimmy Eat World, The Format embarks on their second headlining tour. Steel Trail, Limbeck, and The Honorary Title will also perform. Tickets: $14 advance/$16 day of show. Fuel Coffeehouse- 8 pm Info: (904) 425-FUEL or fuelin5pts.com/

Canvas of Sound III The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville is bringing back their “Metro” Series. A raw space transformed into a venue of urban appeal. Featuring a bit glam, a bit chic, yet still underground, vibrant, and driven by the music. MOCA’s high-energy dance party with Jacksonville’s hottest DJs — Catharsis, Odyssey, Phil Green and visuals by VJ Electrolush. MOCA Jacksonville, 333 North Laura Street, 9pm - 1am Info: (904) 366-6911 or mocajacksonville.org

sunday july 22

Soul2Soul 2007 with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Country’s super star golden-couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill will make beautiful music together live on stage. We do mean that literally. Last year’s Soul2Soul concert earned over $88 million, not bad for less than five month’s work! Lori McKenna and Taylor Swift will open. Tickets: $30-$89.75 Veterans Memorial Arena- 7:30 pm Info: (904) 630-3900

tuesday july 24 Candlebox While ‘You’ may have left the grunge ear ‘Far Behind,’ Seattle rockers Candlebox simply aren’t ready for ‘Change.’ Learn their ‘Simple Lessons’ for a successful reunion tour when they come to the Freebird with Cinder Road and Syntenic. See our interview with them on page 25. Tickets: $20-$25 Freebird Live- 8 pm Info: (904) 246-BIRD or freebirdlive.com july 25 wednesday Smokey Joe’s Café Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Broadway’s longest-running musical revue, highlights the best songs by the the rocket summer legendary song-writing duo, Leiber and Stoller. Included numbers are ‘Neighborhood,’ ‘Fools Fall in Love,’ ‘Yakety Yak,’ ‘Charlie Brown,’ ‘Jailhouse Rock,’ ‘Hound Dog,’ ‘Love Potion #9,’ and ‘Stand By Me.’ This unforgettable show runs from July 25th to September 2nd. Tickets: $39-$46 Alhambra Dinner Theatre Info: (904) 641-1212 or alhambradinnertheatre.com

eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 5 Movement so every day can be “Negro Day” at the movies opening studio. Interestingly, Waters set his original story in the HAIRSPRAY A plump but vivacious teenager early 60s just as the Civil Rights movement was bur- joins a popular teen-scene TV show in the early geoning. Indeed, Waters’ screenplay was making a 60s and teaches the show about integration strong statement that music and dance are a natural by bringing back “negro day.” He-Mom, Edna way of bringing races together and offering people (John Travolta), who takes in laundry to supple- who look different, like Tracy, a chance to shine. ment her husband’s meager income from a joke In a sensitive and adorable characterization, John Travolta portrays Tracy’s mother Edna Turn- store, joins her daughter in the movement to blad. At first, Travolta looks funny in a fat suit playing restore “negro day.” Rated PG a matronly mom. But his sincere portrayal is nu- anced and free of cross-dressing clichés. After a few minutes, Travolta melds into Edna with sweetness and convincing realism. Travolta is a gas as Edna does her big dance number. Shake it baby, shake it! Without complaining, Edna takes in laundry to supplement her husband’s Wilbur’s (Christopher Walken) gag store business next door. She rarely leaves the house and is self-conscious about her obesity. However, she is always positive about her daughter’s chances of success as a singer and dancer. Tracy is the poster child for the power of positive thinking and acting. She has a strong sense of “right is might.” Michelle Pfeiffer portrays the scenario’s wicked I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY witch/program producer, Velma Von Tussle with Two single Brooklyn firefighters, Chuck (Adam proper meanness and outrage. When Tracy suggests Sandler) and Larry (Kevin James) are best dude looks like a lady that every day should be Negro Day, Velma has a friends. Larry saves Chuck’s life and he is will- cow. She is trying to push her own daughter into show business by having her on the show and fixing ing to do anything to even the score. When the results of the “Miss Corny Collins Contest.” Of Larry needs Chuck to sign a Civil Union form Hairspray movie review so he can get benefits for his kids, the scheme seems easy. But an investigator thinks there is by Rick grant [email protected] something fishy about the pair. So they have to masquerade as a gay couple to satisfy the A Rated PG 117 min her body type to get a position on the local Baltimore investigator, which means they have to go teen-scene TV program, The Corny Collins show. Of through a ceremony, have a honeymoon, and John Waters’ 1988 film about tolerance and course, Tracy’s coup parallels Nikki’s real life suc- live together. Rated PG-13 racial acceptance still ranks as his most accessible cess story. mainstream movie to date. After being adapted into The joyous way in which Waters delivered his TALK TO ME This is a docudrama of Washing- a Broadway musical, Adam Shankman has returned message about social tolerance offsets any criticism ton D.C. radio personality Ralph “Petey” Green Waters’ uplifting story to the screen as a musical. of the film being preachy. Adding the musical ele- (Don Cheadle), an ex-con who became a popu- An unknown actress/singer, Nikki Blonsky, beat out ments of the stage show only enhanced the story’s lar talk show host and community activist in the the competition for the lead role as Tracy Turnblad–a power to uplift its audience with clever songs and course, this backfires on her. Pfeiffer skillfully plays 60s. Rated R pretty but plump girl who overcomes the prejudice of lively dancing. Tracy bravely joins the Civil Rights Velma without going overboard and making her a caricature. THE LIVES OF OTHERS This drama traces the Stealing her scenes, Allison Janey plays Pen- gradual disillusionment of Captain Gerd Wiesler, ney Singleton’s Bible reading mom, who finds her a highly skilled officer who works for the Stasi, daughter in a black club dancing with a “colored East Germany’s all-powerful secret police. His boy.” She ties-up her daughter with rope and makes her listen to religious music. Her boyfriend saves mission is to spy on a celebrated writer and ac- her and she falls for him, which, at the time, was a tress couple, Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch) dangerous taboo that could have gotten them both and Christa-Maria Sieland (Martina Gedeck). killed. But in the context of the show, it became an This film took home the Oscar for Best Foreign acceptable reality. Outside, the streets were burning Film. Rated R with racial conflict. In contrast, in Waters‘ imaginary TV show, tolerance and acceptance was the norm. movies NOW SHOWING Yes, in Waters’ fantasy world, music and dance allow for complete integration long before it hap- 1408 Based on a Stephen King story, this sce- pened for real. It’s a mythical place where dancing nario involves a man who writes books about and singing solve all the world’s problems. Queen haunted inns and hotels by going there and Latifah plays Motormouth Maybelle, who dominates staying overnight. His overnight visits are un- the black group at the dance hall. Again in this pic- eventful until he insists on staying in a famous ture, Latifah displays her magnetic personality and haunted room in the Dolphin Hotel in NYC. His deep well of talent. experience is anything but uneventful. Rated The seamless way the music is mixed into the PG-13 script allows it to happen in logical way, rather than characters just bursting out singing in the middle of a monologue. The fact that much of the action takes 4 place at the Corny Collins Show set drives home Waters’ message with positive verve. Shankman’s savvy direction and quality scene- craft, along with Mark O’Donnell’s musical play, greatly upgraded this film-to-musical-back-to-film adaptation. Tracy’s ever-positive attitude allowed her to overcome society’s prejudices and be accepted as she really was. It’s an inspiring story with great music and dance.

6 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper seen. heard. noted. and quoted.

Crossing Jerry and Rebecca Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell got hitched Saturday in what her publicist calls an “intimate ceremony” at her Southern ranch. Guests brave 100-degree heat to celebrate the matrimony, which is the second for ’s resident transgender schemer and the first for the Crossing Jor- dan detective.

Planet Green Nabs DiCaprio Leonardo DiCaprio and his company Appian Way will executive-produce a 13-part series chronicling the environmentally-friendly rebuilding of Greensburg, Kansas, in the aftermath of the devastating tornado that lev- eled most of the town in May. The show will help launch Discovery Communication’s new 24/7 eco-conscious network, Planet Green, as well as further secure Leo’s rep as not just another pretty face.

Dogg Gone Real Snoop Dogg has signed up for a new E! reality series, to debut in late 2007, that will follow the multiplatinum rapper, entrepreneur, and married father of three at home and at work. And to court, if need be. See the Dogg’s endless bong and hear his frizzle babble.

According to Jim’ s Thorne-Smith in The Family Way Still-employed According to Jim star Courtney Thorne- Smith is expecting her first child with hubby Roger Fishman, People reports. The baby is due this winter, while the couple will celebrate their first wedding anniversary on New Year’s Day.

Kung Suit Steven Seagal sued a law firm, claiming he was “substantially overcharged” for its services. The ac- tor hired Loeb & Loeb in 2002 to represent him after he was called to appear as a grand jury witness in the federal extortion case against his former production partner Julius Nasso, whom he accused of trying to bilk him after dis- solving their partnership. Seagal’s complaint states that he got suspicious when Loeb & Loeb’s bill ended up totaling $1.1 million.

Say What? “I do respect him, but I don’t want to barbecue with him. We don’t braid each other’s hair. And, despite the rumors, he is nowhere near a father figure,” Kelly Clarkson said to USA Weekend magazine on her contentious relationship with RCA record chief Clive Davis, of whom she admits she is “not a fan.”

Dead Deal Unlikely The two Deadwood films, meant to tie up the canceled show’s storylines for viewers, have a 50/50 chance of getting made, announced HBO executives. After the cable network declined to pick up the Old West series for a fourth season last year, show creator David Milch and HBO said they would make the telepics to provide closure for disappointed fans. How- ever, it looks ever less likely that the movies will ever materialize, due in part to scheduling issues.

Richards in Cambodia Finding Redemption Where in the world is the erstwhile Cosmo Kramer? Cambodia. Eight months after his racist rant at L.A.’s Laugh Factory, Michael Richards has given up comedy and decamped for the Asian nation with his fiancée in tow. “I’m taking time off to…get to know myself and appreciate other people,” the dis- graced Seinfeld star told the Los Angeles Times.

eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 7 pretending to be gay. Dugan cleverly expands on CAPTIVITY A fashion model and a chauffeur are the narrow perimeters of the premise with skillful kidnapped and held hostage in a small room by a direction and by allowing his cast to improvise. serial killer. While the madman methodically ter- The humor is hightened throughout because rorizes them, the victims draw strength from each the script doesn’t make a mockery of homosexual other and fall in love. Starring: Elisha Cuthbert, lifestyles. In fact, the story, while delivering its Pruitt Taylor-Vince, Daniel Gillies, Laz Alonso, and laughs, has a respectful message about tolerance Michael Harney. Rated R and the benefits of an open mind. Adam Sandler portrays Chuck Levine and EVAN ALMIGHTY This sequel to Bruce Al- Kevin James plays Larry Valentine. They are typi- mighty stars Steve Carell who plays Evan Baxter, cally homophobic firemen buddies, but they would a congressman that is visited by God (Morgan do anything for each other. When the widower, Freeman) and told to build an ark in preparation Larry, wants to make his kids the beneficiary of for a great flood. Comedic situations ensue when his life insurance, he concocts the idea of the gay Baxter ignores God’s wishes and he finds out God union to qualify him for the benefit. Chuck owes means business. Rated PG Larry his life, so when Larry proposes the scam, he reluctantly agrees. At first, it just involves signing a piece of FANTASATIC 4: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER paper and the favor will be done. However, the faux The four superheroes find out there’s a new sher- union escalates into a big news story, and the two iff in the universe–the powerful Silver Surfer with are ”outed” to their fellow firemen. He’s trapped his planet-destroying Galactus. Yes, Jessica Alba in a gay marriage and now all his friends and col- plays Sue Storm–enough said. Rated PG leagues treat him like he has the plague. But Chuck flaming firemen has to go along with the masquerade to help his pal Larry. What’s worse, a potential girlfriend and hottie, Alex (Jessica Biel), now treats Chuck like a I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry movie review gay gal pal. Chuck and Larry’s dilemma generates awk- by Rick grant [email protected] ward moments that glean guffaws without bash- ing homosexuals. While pretending to be living in B+ Rated PG-13 140 min agree on paper to masquerade as a gay couple for wedded bliss, they discover some truths about the benefit of one of the guys. But a pesky bureau- each other as friends. How Chuck and Larry get Filmmaker Dennis Dugan’s comedy is based crat investigates their “union,” so then they have out of their big lie and save face is the premise of on a grand deception–that is, two macho firemen to follow through and actually move in together, this film. How can they convince their colleagues that they are not really gay after they put on such a convincing show? Thus the comedy is built on damage control. However, once they have cast their lot as a gay couple, it’s not easy to convince people that it was just a con to help Larry’s family. HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOE- Interestingly, Kevin James upstages Adam Rumors of Lord Voldmort’s return have been NIX Sandler by portraying Larry with more subtleties dismissed. Harry and Dumbledore are targeted and finesse. Sandler, however, gets his fair share by the Wizard Authorities, and an authoritarian of laughs in his brash droll style. What may have bureaucrat gradually seizes power at Hogwarts. been offensive actually comes off as hilarious It’s jungle of wizards out there with special effects comedy. galore. Rated PG-13 Including homosexuals in the party scene helped to play down Chuck and Larry’s gay jokes. KNOCKED UP The consequences of having un- When Chuck defends homosexuals after the party, protected sex is explored in this comedy. Slacker he makes big news and is outed to everyone. But Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) meets a vivacious he had walked a mile in their shoes and under- woman, Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl), in a bar. stood the pains of prejudice and ignorance. They get drunk and go back to his place to have The lineup of strategically placed guest stars sex. Oops, she gets pregnant. Ben has to grow up adds greatly to the fun. Ving Rhames portrays a rapidly to deal with this life-altering event. For the closeted gay fireman, who is inspired by Chuck first time in his life, Ben has to accept responsibil- and Larry to come out of the closet. In a classic ity. He’s not ready. Rated R shower scene, Rhames intimidates the other guys with his physique and dance moves. Dan Aykroyd steals his scenes with his funny LICENSE TO WED Robin Williams plays a mar- analogies as a fast-talking Fireman Captain who is riage counselor and reverend who puts Sadie wise to Chuck and Larry’s scam. Nicholas Turturro (Mandy Moore) and Ben (John Krasinski) through is also a standout as Renaldo Pinera–another clos- a series of relationship challenges. Reverend eted homosexual in the firehouse. But the crowning Frank’s boot camp includes twin baby robots that glory of this comedy is Richard Chamberlain as test the couple’s resolve to stay married. Rated Councilman Banks. PG-13 Chuck’s dilemma involves his love for Alex, who also happens to be their attorney. The fact LIVE FREE, DIE HARD Yes, Bruce Willis is back that she has accepted his homosexuality enables as John McClane, who stumbles onto a plot by In- him to get close to her in ways that any heterosex- ternet-based terrorists to cause havoc in America ual man would die for. So if he confides in her that he is not gay, she would take that as a betrayal. Yes, Chuck is sorry he got into this ridiculous cha- rade. How Chuck and Larry work out this impasse creates some funny and endearing moments. It turns out that two guys can love each other and be close without having sex. The story explores many taboos and uses Chuck and Larry’s situation with sensitivity while simultaneously delivering great comedy.

8 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper by crippling the government’s computer systems. students on marimbas, congas, and drums. The McClane, an old-school kind of guy, works with kids came up with the music and rhythm while the parents were responsible for writing the lyrics. a top hacker to foil the terrorists plan, but gets th Under Bruce’s masterful tutelage, the kids himself in big trouble again in this 4 episode of learned quickly, requiring them to play the rhythm Die Hard. Rated PG-13 many times to get it right. Of course, he had to contend with kids that can’t stand still, let alone concentrate for more than two minutes. His main OCEANS 13 George Clooney and his partner goal was to make the project fun and gradually instill Steven Soderbergh in Section 8 Productions pro- the discipline needed to accomplish his goal. duce another Ocean film. For the third episode, Indeed, Bruce has a real gift for teaching and Danny Ocean (Clooney) assembles his hench- motivating kids and adults. After the film, Bruce men for another heist. Casino owner, Willy Bank, came out on stage. In a short time he had the double-crosses one of the original eleven, Reuben audience singing an original song in three parts, Tishoff (Elliott Gould). The sting is on. Rated PG- with a third of the audience singing the rhythm. 13 His positive vibes and magnetic personality had complete strangers doing his bidding. It was PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE AT WORLD’S remarkable. Even I participated, hypnotized by END Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Bruce’s charismatic presentation. Swann (Keira Knightley) are allied with Captain In the film, funded by private grants, Bruce is Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) in a desperate quest to seen dealing with 162 8-year olds who were peaking free Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from on their Coco Puffs sugar high. Just watching his mind-bending trap in Davy Jones’ locker. The these kids was driving me batty. His five-minute university method of teaching dispenses with theory terrifying ghost ship, The Flying Dutchman, with and concentrates on getting the kids to count the Davy Jones at the helm, are under the control measures while holding the meter. One kid, who of the East India Trading Company. They wreak is obviously a gifted drummer, was playing traps havoc across the Seven Seas. Rated PG-13 with perfect meter. His dad was a Russian-born drummer, but he’s the kind of natural talent who just RATATOUILLE A cheeky rat living within the started playing the drums one day and never needed walls of a famous Paris bistro longs to become any instruction. He just wants to play in real world a chef but is hindered by his family’s skepticism, situations and not mess around. the rodent-hating staff, and patrons of the restau- During Bruce’s crash course on music, he rant. Rated G fights the same battle every day that teachers fight everywhere in the classroom. He tirelessly teaches SICKO In his typical attack-dog journalistic style, the most elusive of skills, self-discipline and self- documentary filmmaker Michael Moore took on esteem, while avoiding apathy, boredom and lack the broken healthcare system in America, featur- of confidence. The viewer is drawn into the process ing HMO horror stories and an in-depth look at and rewarded with seeing the composition come foreign healthcare systems, specifically in Cuba together. Many of these West Village parents are and France. Rated PG-13 artists and musicians themselves, which made it easy on them, but others had never done anything SURF’S UP Emperor penguins are the hottest like this before. It was interesting to watch them get animation subject ever since the success of The into the process with Bruce’s encouragement. Clearly, Bruce is a talented and inspirational March of the Penguins So, in this animated pen- teacher who works well with both kids and adults. guin movie, penguins somehow invented surfing The film will serve as a model for other school and this is a behind-the-scenes look at the Annual districts that want to incorporate a similar program. Penguin World Surfing Championship. Up-and- The real goal of the program is to inspire kids to coming surfer dude, Cody Maverick, thinks he’s learn more about music. By giving them early goals hot stuff. Featuring the voice of Shia LaBeouf . of writing songs and learning music theory, they are Rated PG fully engaged and motivated students. education through music Bruce Mack’s motivational prowess is the key to making this program work. His steely patience with these rowdy but street-savvy kids was fascinating to watch. He never lost his cool, and When Fried Eggs Fly documentary in one case, a girl with above-average intelligence suggested a change in the song that had not by Rick grant [email protected] occurred to Bruce. He told the girl she had more talent at composing than he did. When Fried Eggs Fly is available on DVD B+ NR 65 min film, all the while keeping their teachers and parents through its website whenfriedeggsfly.com and other involved. The project involved Bruce’s percussion outlets. Bruce Mack is a composer, bandleader, and keyboardist who discovered he could motivate school children to write and perform music with very little musical knowledge. I met Bruce and viewed his TRANSFORMERS The earth is caught in the movie When Fried Eggs Fly at MOCA last Wednesday middle of an intergalactic war between two races evening. Bruce stars as a charming motivator of of robots– the heroic Autobots and the evil De- children in a special project at PS3 (Public School cepticons. Both are able to change into a variety #3) in the West Village of New York City. of objects, including cars, trucks, planes, and The documentary was shot in 2006 by other horrifying killing machines. Rated PG-13 Constantine Limperis, whose dogma-style, handheld camera work is not recommended for people with YOU KILL ME An alcoholic hitman is drying out eye problems like me. Nonetheless, the film focuses on the west coast when he befriends a tough on Bruce’s laid-back method of dealing with hyper talking gal who just might come in handy when 8-year old city kids. Bruce’s concept was to have it’s time for him to return to Buffalo and settle his students compose a song and perform it for the

eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 9 some scores. Starring Ben Kingsley, Téa Leoni, Luke Wilson, Dennis Farina and Philip Baker Hall. Rated R

Special Showings

Summer Movie Classics 2007 The Florida Theatre will be showing Summer Mov- ie Classics on Sundays throughout the Summer. Enjoy great selections from cinematic history in the beautiful setting of one of Jacksonville’s own classics. HUSH…HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE, the 1964 classic, will be shown Sunday, July 22. All showings start at 2 pm. Call 355-ARTS or go to floridatheatre.com for details.

MOCA in the Middle and Summer Cinema Wednesday’s come alive at the Museum of Con- temporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville from 5 to 9 pm. Bring your family and friends to enjoy live music in the atrium during the 5 to 7 pm happy hour with a full liquor bar. Pamper yourself with free makeovers in the lobby — courtesy of Daniel James Salon. Then treat yourself to dinner in the critically-acclaimed Café Nola. Catch the Summer this hawk’s flying high Cinema and stay after the film for dessert. This Wednesday, July 25, MOCA Jacksonville presents CINEMA PARADISO. This Italian film with English filmmaker spotlight: Hawk Youngkins subtitles, directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, is rated R. A man receives news from his aging mother living in a little town that someone he once knew by kelliE abraHamSoN [email protected] has passed away. A beautiful story unfolds about This is a big year for Hawk Youngkins. After With a budget of roughly $60 million, much the man’s childhood friendship with an old man paying his dues on the reality show circuit and com- of Top Fuel will most likely be filmed in Jacksonville who was the projectionist at the local theater. Their peting in the pro-wrestling ring, the First Coast native and Gainesville, great news for area businesses and bond was one that contained many highlights has his sights set on and hopes his latest lookie-loos. Local aspiring actors should be on the and tragedies, and shaped the way for the young film, Thunder over Reno, will make him a household lookout for a casting call sometime before the film’s boy to grow and move out of his rundown village name. EU caught up with Hawk earlier this month to October start date. to pursue a dream. Tickets are $6 for members chat about the film, his upcoming projects and his “We’re definitely going to cast a lot of the small and $8 for non-members. If you are not already a hopes for the future. roles, featured extras and regular extras, all locally. MOCA member, take advantage of the Film Series I met Hawk at the St. Johns Town Center for a Maybe even a medium role or two,” Hawk said. membership special – join the Museum the night casual interview over lunch. When you meet him, it’s “There’s plenty of good talent here in Jacksonville… of the movie and then watch the show for free! easy to see why the 24-year old has been playing I could go to Alhambra Dinner Theatre and find a Navy SEALS, football players and firefighters for the fantastic actor [whose] probably overqualified for Info: 366-6911. past four years. At 6 foot 4, Hawk’s a big guy, not such a small role.” normally what you picture when you think “leading Hawk and his partners have yet to officially Not Just for Baby Boomers Film Series man.” With Thunder over Reno, which is scheduled cast all the leads, but are in talks with some big See great movies that boomers grew up with that to release nationwide on September 29th, Youngkins names according to partners Fylmar Productions. still intrigue and enthrall all generations. Relax at a is hoping to change that perception and put himself Their website lists Bruce Willis, John Travolta, Billy FREE 5:45 showing every 2nd and 4th Thursday on the map. Bob Thorton, Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff as of a classic film in the Jacksonville Public Library “If I was a baseball player, I would be in AAA some of the actors on the “short list” to star in Top Main Branch Auditorium with complimantary getting ready to get called up to the Majors,” he Fuel. Unfortunately, Hawk couldn’t name any names popcorn and soda and then enjoy an evening said. “Everyone in Hollywood looks back at that one for legal reasons. downtown. HIGH NOON will be screened on July movie or that one TV show that established them “I want to so badly, but it would be my ass if I 26. Info: 630-2665 or www.jaxpubliclibrary.org/li- and I’m hoping this will be mine.” did,” he explained. brarynews/main_boomers_2007.html Thunder over Reno is an action film about the Hawk’s got even more projects lined up after International Championship Air Races in Reno, NV Top Fuel. Rouge is a science-fiction film that’s “kind IMAX Theater (“Reno is the of airplane racing,” Hawk of like Stargate” and will possibly be filmed in Dubai. HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOE- explained). Youngkins plays Butch Bandi, a young He’s also co-writing a script about Ultimate Fighting, NIX will be shown on the 80-foot-wide by six-sto- crop duster who unexpectedly gets tapped to be a one of Hawk’s many passions. It’s clear, though, that ry-high screen at the IMAX Theatre beginning July pilot in the big race. With love interests played by his pet project is The Squared Circle, a film Young- 13. The IMAX Theatre is located in the Word Golf Natasha Yi and Izabella St. James of Playboy fame, kins wrote based on his experiences in Professional Hall of Fame, One World Golf Place, St. Augustine. the film promises to be “the world’s fastest love Wrestling. Info and tickets: 904-940-4022 or wgv.com. story.” “It’s like Rocky meets Any Given Sunday, mi- Once Thunder over Reno is released, Youngkins nus the boxing and the football. But [those] themes, will waste no time getting into his next project, this meet pro-wrestling,” he said, then added later, “It’s time playing the roles of actor and producer. Top Fuel also going to be kind of like Othello. There’s a love is a Cinderella story about a young woman’s triumph triangle.” in the world of drag racing. Hawk will play Brad, a Hawk Youngkins’ enthusiasm about this and all member of the pit crew and the leading lady’s love of his projects is absolutely infectious. Our chat over interest. If you think the premise sounds familiar, lunch turned into an in-depth four hour conversation you’re not alone. about everything from movies to politics to faith to “The nature of both Top Fuel and Thunder over porn and I barely noticed the time passing. We cov- Reno are very similar and we didn’t plan it that way,” ered so much ground that this article is just the tip of Youngkins admits. “The plot’s are different but… I’d the iceberg. Be sure to check out eujacksonville.com say in the movie world they’re cousins. If you like for more on Hawk and keep an eye out for this ambi- one, you’re definitely going to love the other.” tious actor in a theater near you.

10 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 11 the 12 years it took to develop the story and film. New on DVD This section also has deleted scenes with optional Premonition (96 min.) director commentary and the feature commentary I Linda Hanson (Sandra Bullock) has a beautiful mentioned above. Rounding out the disc is a music house, a loving husband and two adorable daugh- video for former Pink Floyd guitarist Roger Waters’ ters. Her life is perfect, until the day she gets the song “Hello (I Love You)” and some DVD-ROM ex- devastating news that her husband Jim (Julian tras such as the Interactive Viewing Experience and a McMahon) has died in a car accident. When she slew of web links to official Mimzy sites. wakes up the next morning to find him alive and The Last Mimzy is a strange little sci-fi film that well, she assumes it as all a dream. Or was it? will appeal to older kids and adults alike. Kids young- Suddenly, her perfect life is turned upside down as er than ten probably won’t understand much of any- she begins a desperate scramble to save her fam- thing that goes on in this picture beyond the little girl ily and uncover the truth. Racing against time and finding and loving a stuffed rabbit. The characters, fate, Linda will stop at nothing to discover the true particularly inquisitive Emma, have conversations meanings of reality and destiny. Rated PG-13 for about death and dying that may make some parents some violent content, disturbing images, thematic of small children uncomfortable. If you’re not ready material and brief language. to have that conversation with your little one, this is not the movie to see at this time. Still, middle-school- The Hills Have Eyes 2 (90 min.) ers and above will find this film fascinating. The sto- A team of National Guard trainees bringing supply ryline is complex without being too complicated for to the New Mexico Desert receives a blurred dis- kids, showing that you can have a children’s movie tress signal from the hills. While planning a rescue, that doesn’t talk down to the intended audience. the team is attacked and trapped by deformed the last mimsy The performances were, for the most part, great. cannibals, having to fight to survive. Rated R for The two leads are particularly surprising, consider- prolonged sequences of strong violence and gore, a ing this is the first role for O’Neil and the third for rape scene and language. dvd review Wryn. These kids could easily be the next and in a couple of years. Factory Girl (90 min.) The other standout performance comes from TV’s A beautiful, wealthy young party girl (Sienna Miller) by kelliE abraHamSoN [email protected] Rainn Wilson, better known as Dwight K. Schrute on drops out of Radcliffe in 1965 and heads to New When one thinks of science fiction, it’s rare ment can also be viewed individually and can be The Office, who brings just enough comedy without York to become Holly Golightly. When she meets that a family film immediately comes to mind. With found in one of two sections: “Beyond the Movie becoming too goofy. The weakest link in the cast is a hungry young artist named Andy Warhol (Guy the exception of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, kids’ films Features” and “All Access Pass Features.” In the Michael Clark Duncan, who can’t seem to form any Pearce), he promises to make her the star she al- mainly stick to talking woodland creatures and the former, psychologists, professors, lamas, and other type of expression other than irritation and confusion, ways wanted to be. Like a supernova, she explodes search for a princess’ true love. Now available on knowledgeable folks talk about the film’s symbolism, as though someone stole his Twinkies from the Craft on the New York scene only to find herself slowly DVD, The Last Mimzy brings sci-fi to the schoolyard, science and theories in six shorts totaling nearly a services table while his back was turned. His lacklus- losing her grip on reality. Rated R for pervasive drug giving many kids their first taste of time travel, teleki- half hour of fascinating conjecture and insight. Much ter performance aside, The Last Mimzy is a charming use, strong sexual content, nudity and language. nesis and artificial intelligence. more my speed is the second section, which has family film that will hold the interest of just about any Noah Wilder (Chris O’Neil) is your average about an hour of information covering everything filmgoer with its fast-paced story and talented (for Masters of Horror- The Black Cat (60 min.) 10-year old boy. He likes video games and gadgets from a director’s profile to the production design to the most part) cast. In this fictional account of Edgar Allen Poe’s life, and is constantly annoyed by his younger sister we find the poet (Jeffrey Combs) struggling and Emma (Rhiannon Leigh Wryn). Struggling in school, impoverished, living in a dark and unpleasant dwell- Noah is glad to be on Easter break. Spending a week ing with his ill wife. Attempting to sell his poetry to on Whidbey Island in the family’s beach house and survive, he is also sinking into desperation, alcohol- away from tests and books and teachers, especially ism and insanity, tormented by a black cat that will his science teacher Mr. White (Rainn Wilson). either destroy his life or inspire him to write one of While playing by the seashore, Noah and his most famous stories. This film is not rated. Emma find a mysterious box that has washed up onto the beach. Inside it they find strange, oth- Yo-Yo Girl Cop (99 min.) erworldly objects that give them the ability to do Recruited by a clandestine police organization, “K” amazing things. Noah takes a seashell that gives () must stop a plot by student radicals him super-hearing, allowing him to communicate to create anarchy in Japan. Armed with a hi-tech with spiders. Emma adopts a stuffed bunny named steel yo-yo and a new name, she must infiltrate an Mimzy, who speaks in a voice only Emma can un- elite high school to find the terrorists. But she finds derstand. The kids also discover rocks that float and an even more sinister plan that is about to unfold. a crystal slate that lets them move objects with their This film is not rated. minds. Like any great toy, the kids decide to keep these strange items to themselves, secretly hiding Perfect Creature (88 min.) them in their rooms and playing with them when Set during the 1960s in an alternate version of their parents (Joely Richardson and Timothy Hut- New Zealand known as Nuovo Zelandia, vampires ton) are asleep. One night, Noah’s experimentation and humans peacefully co-exist, although the causes a massive blackout, drawing the FBI (headed bloodsuckers are the next step in human evolution. by Michael Clark Duncan) to their front door to in- This delicate balance looks to be destroyed when vestigate what they think is a terrorist attack. With an influenza epidemic begins to sweep the human the help of Mimzy, the kids must find a way to get population and one vampire turns to preying on out of the trouble they are in and possibly save the humans. The church sends out Silus (Dougray human race from total extinction. Scott) to catch the renegade vampire, Edgar (Leo Through The Last Mimzy DVD’s main menu Gregory). Silus joins forces with a human police you can access many bonus features. First are three captain (Saffron Burrows) and discovers that Edgar set-top games lumped under the heading “Interac- harbors dark secrets. Rated R for violence, gore tive Challenge,” with Spider Bridge, Memory Match, and language. and Mandala Mix-Up. Each game has three levels, with each becoming more difficult as you advance. Surf School (87 min.) Next is the “Infinifilm Fact Track,” a supplement This sexy teen comedy set in Costa Rica finds a that allows you to watch the entire film with deleted group of high school outsiders determined to crash scenes, expert analysis of the film’s themes, and a surf contest and pull off the ultimate underdog behind-the-scenes featurettes as it progresses. This victory.. Starring Harland Williams. This film is can also be combined with the audio commentary unrated. track featuring director Bob Shaye. Each supple-

12 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper you can check out but you can’t leave Showtime’s Meadowlands tv review by Rick grant [email protected] If you remember Patrick McGoohan’s 60s clas- sic, The Prisoner, then you will draw a parallel to this paranoid drama on Showtime. Like “Hotel California” people are trapped in this suburban enclave, held incommunicado in the British version of the Witness Protection Program. All the people are being moni- tored by control agents and a sadistic ex-detective. Every nook and cranny is seen by a controller moni- toring numerous video cameras. All their needs are met inside the compound and presumably they are financially supported by the government. It’s in the residents’ keepers best interest to keep them happy and pacified. As the series evolves, viewers learn that herself having an affair with the doctor. Yes, despite there are other mysterious agendas being played being dysfunctional, the Brogans are the most nor- out in this closed community, besides protecting mal people in Meadowlands. government witnesses. Strange and creepy things The characters in this series are developed happen in Meadowlands that make it a scary place, gradually, as we find out their quirks and homicidal especially at night. The series focuses on a couple, tendencies. The men play midnight soccer, which is Danny and Evelyn Brogan (David Morrissey and designed to let them workout their frustrations on the Lucy Cohu), who have two teenagers, Zoe and Mark soccer pitch, rather than engage in violence within (Felicity Jones and Harry Treadaway). Zoe is a tease the community. Viewers wonder what the bigger and flirts with the dangerous handyman, Jack Don- purpose of this quasi-prison is? Could it be a socio- nelly (Tom Hardy). Mark has a number of disabilities. logical experiment or a way of studying odd person- He’s autistic and, in the first episode, mute. He en- alities? The uncertainty adds suspense and mystery joys cross-dressing, and while adorned in drag, he is to the goings-on inside the ticky-tacky jungle. accosted by Jack Donnelly, a homicidal rapist. When Danny finds Jack Donnelly sexually at- In the pilot episode, it wasn’t clear exactly what tacking Mark, he kills him. Then he makes Mark, Danny did to be secreted away in Meadowlands, now completely freaked out, help him bury the but he’s having problems adjusting to its limitations. body in the yard. Now, the family has blood on their Zoe is determined to be the community slut, and has hands, which is bound to come out. The resident been egging-on Jack Donnelly to ravage her. When detective is suspicious that Danny has done some- Evelyn gets stir crazy and wants to go outside the thing to Jack. Thus begins a subplot to the story arc, borders of Meadowlands, Danny tells her “Out there, as things go from bad to homicide in Meadowlands. nothing good happens.” So she is forbidden from Filmed in Maidstone, England by Ecosse Films, leaving the enclave. They all are suburban prisoners. directed by Duane Clark, and written by Robert One can smell the irony in the air. Murphy, This series is dark and foreboding. The The Brogan’s next door neighbor (Melanie Hill) Meadowland residents seem more like the Sopranos sees Mark Brogan staring at her. So she starts strip- than protected witnesses. As one learns about the ping and gets off on his voyeurism. Mark always Brogans’ dysfunctions and the other characters odd wears woman’s gloves, and is very creepy. Evelyn, behavior, one can not predict where this series is who is thinking about having another baby, sees the going, which makes it well worth viewing. Meadow- compound’s resident weirdo gynecologist (Tristan lands plays on Sunday nights at 10 pm on Show- Gemmill) who confesses his love for her. She is time. taken aback but secretly intrigued. She could see

eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 13 Little Big Planet (Playstation 3) video games E3 2007: Gaming News Extravaganza! by Norm stovall [email protected] If you are familiar with video games and the video game industry, you probably know about the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3 for short. With this year’s E3 event, they did away with all the show-like aspects, including cosplaying booth babes, game related swag, and the like, to focus more on the press release side of things. While it sounds like a real drag that they toned things down so much, in the long run it really does help get information out in a much quicker way, with better results. I was able to find my way through many of the major events that happened over E3 week by going to popular sites such as joystiq.com, 1up.com and the like, and I was even able to get some nice info from Xbox live and the Playstation network. While there were tons of new things for show, I couldn’t possibly find room to mention them all here. I will, however, run through my list of favorites and some upcoming game news that I think is definitely noteworthy. I encourage you to do some looking for yourself! First up is Nintendo. Nintendo’s PR dude and number-one tubby guy, Reggie Fils-Aime (pronounced FEES-ahMEE, for all you non-Canadians), took the stage to introduce his company’s goods. For those of you craving a more realistic shooting experience, Nintendo showed off their new two-handed gun peripheral, and allowed attendees to play a demo of Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles with it. The impressions I read gave mixed reviews, but the game is in beta stages right now, and the controller add- on has not yet been released, so I’m sure there will be revisions. Another big deal from Nintendo is the announcement and demonstration of Nintendo’s Wii Fit, which is a fitness game controlled by a peripheral in the shape of an excercise stepstool. This little device can detect subtle changes in weight shifting, and has a left and right scale along with an awesomely smart game included. In Wii Fit, you can excercise away, playing various step-related games, and you can also use it to do push ups, yoga, and various balance related games that you control by simply shifting your weight, such as hula hooping. Very cool- and definitely worth some mom-points. In a live demonstration, Fils-Aime showed off the game and it’s fitness measuring techniques, and in the process clued the audience in to the fact that he WiiFit Stepper controller (Nintendo Wii) was indeed overweight with a body-mass index of 27.51. Everyone had a hearty chuckle, to which he replied: “muscle weighs more than fat.” Hee hee. In regards to Sony’s gaming news, there were a few noteworthy things to talk about. Sony’s PSP is getting a makeover, and the much anticipated Killzone 2 had a big showing. What really impressed me, however, is Little Big Planet, a Sony game based on small toy-like creatures that move along amazingly detailed levels, interacting with nearly everything. The level of customization shown in the demo was really amazing-Little Big Planet really seems like something to watch for. On the Xbox 360 there were some cool things for show as well. Microsoft’s Halo 3 had a big showing, and the upcoming role-playing game Fable 2 was impressive as well. Some of the main draws for Microsoft, in my opinion, however, were titles that aren’t exclusive to Microsoft’s console, including the two music titles, Guitar Hero III and Rock Band. Overall, there were some good titles on show for the 360, including classic games-turned Xbox live games. E3 this year has been a great success, and if you are a fan of great games, you owe it to yourself to check out these titles for yourself on the net, because there are way too many worthwhile titles to mention here.

14 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper reality check The Deadliest Catch by cassie larue The Deadliest Catch aired its first season on go at a much slower, safer pace. This has changed the Discovery Channel back in April of 2005. Due to the fishery and the docks in Alaska drastically. Hun- its success, it recently completed its third season. dreds of dock and deckhand jobs have been lost. The show is a documentary-style fishing journey that The Deadliest Catch has documented the loss follows fishing boats into the Bering Sea to fish for of one of the boats in the first season with 5 out Alaskan king crabs and Opilio crab (sold as snow of the 6 crew members perishing as the Big Valley crabs) to document the events aboard these boats. fishing boat sank on January 15, 2005. The Alaskan The show started after a special on Discovery called Monarch and the Ocean Challenger sank in season the The Worlds Deadliest Jobs and a three-part spe- three with one survivor from the Ocean Challenger cial series called America’s Deadliest Season. The and the whole crew rescued from the Alaskan Mon- series was well received. arch. The show follows 10 boats each season and According to the Division of Employment every episode is about one of the fishing boats. Security, commercial fishing is one of the most dan- The action of the show depicts the events that gerous occupations in the United States. Some may occur while working, occasional interactions with think you can go out for a few weeks and make mad other boats, and the human drama that unfolds be- money, but that is not always the case because of tween Captain and crew. Medical emergencies can recent market conditions. A person will get paid with be devastating, because getting to medical attention a cut of the profits made during that season or trip can take days, if weather and transportation become according to their work experience and other exper- issues, and it can mean a complete loss of profits tise, such as engineering or medicine. A greenhorn for the entire crew. This show captures the serious is someone that is inexperienced and will make less dangers for these brave crewmembers and gives the money than the more experienced deckhand, who viewer backgrounds on some of the crew, especially can work faster and safer. The Captain owns the the greenhorns and the long-timer Captains. boat and will go where he decides that pots need to The recent season had two film crews who be dropped. live on the boats and film with handheld cameras in The pots are large metal cages weighing addition to the five mounted cameras on each boat. around 800 pounds that are baited and dropped into They added an underwater camera to capture the king the deep sea tied to a long rope which is attached to crab entering into the pots and a helicopter to film a buoy. The boat will return to pick it back up, hope- from above. Using a chase boat and a submersible fully filled with king crab. One of the crew, usually watercraft to all of these other camera positions, The the most experienced, will reach way out of the boat Deadliest Catch enjoyed its most visual season yet. with a hook as the boat quickly passes by, to hook Each $20,000 camera needs to be replaced after each the the buoy and connect it to a chain to be reeled season, due to the saltwater corrosion and weathering. in. The gigantic waves easily knock people over or This is an exciting insight to the dangers and swish them right overboard. You cannot miss any of the drive of the hardcore committed Alaskan fisher- the buoys because then the boat must turn around, man who do this for the money and excitement of using up precious time. the catch, plus, I’d like to think, to bring delicious In the first season, the fishing was done under crab to the rest of us. Phil of the Cornelia Marie said, the old derby style, wherein the boats compete with “You go through a couple marriages, smoke ciga- each other under a restricted time limit. This seemed rettes like it’s going out of style, your body aches fair and logical, but it was not safe. Boats would of- from the time you get up to the time you go to bed, ten do daring things such as venture into dangerous and you wake up in the middle of the night thinking waters and storms to get to the king crab first. This about where you’re going to put the next pot. Yeah, type of fishing is fast, furious, competitive and cut- it’s a great lifestyle.” throat. Due to recent changes in Alaskan legislature, The Deadliest Catch airs on July 19th at 10 the fishing is now on an Individual Fishing Quota am and 9 pm, on July 20th at 1 am and 10 am, and (IFQ) system. The well-established fishing crews are on July 23rd and 24th at 10 am on The Discovery given a quota that they can easily fill, therefore they Channel. For more information visit discovery.com.

eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 15 Seafood Dining Guide

Aqua Grill (950 Sawgrass Village Dr. Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-285-3017) Seafood is their specialty, but they also serve steaks and “eclectic American cuisine.” Although they have a rotating menu that changes nightly, they always fea- ture American dishes with an Asian twist.

Barnacle Bill’s Seafood House (14 Castillo Dr. St. Augustine. 904-824-3663) This St. Augustine institution is famous for their sea- food chowders and wide array of shrimp. Treat some out-of-town friends to some gator tail with Datl Do-It Hot Sauce made from real St. Augustine datil peppers.

Billy’s Boathouse (2321 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville Beach, 904-241-9771) From clams and oysters to fish entrees with an Asian twist, including Cashew Crumb Swai (a snapper dish) with a bit of bacon for flavor. Collard greens and and Salmon Hiro, Billy’s Boat House is perched right black-eyed peas are the favored sides. Their fresh homegrown kitsch, coleslaw is also a fast favorite with the locals. on the water and often features live music on their patio while you dig into some fresh caught fish and a Nearly everything comes with one of Trent’s sweet cold beverage. hush puppies, which are surprisingly light. The only side that didn’t really strike my fancy was the corn. Bonefish Grill (2400 South 3rd Street. Jacksonville well-priced seafood Obviously, seafood graces most of the plates Beach, 904-247-4234) at J.L. Trent’s. The catfish is served whole (head- This Florida seafood restaurant started in St. Pete and less) or in fillet form. Their light cornmeal batter they are now littered throughout the country. Their J.L. Trent’s underscores the freshness of the fish and doesn’t specialty is grilling fresh fish on their wood-burning weigh it down. Because they strive to buy local sea- grill then topping it with one of their famous sauces. food, shrimp is one of the dishes for which they’re Salmon, grouper, swordfish or sea bass, Bonefish has by Erin thursby [email protected] most known, whether fried or boiled. More often it all. They also have a mandarin location. than not, it comes straight off the shrimp trawlers in Unlike the somewhat homogenized kitsch of shrimp and various top-secret ingredients make up Mayport. Cap’s on the Water (4325 Myrtle Street, St. Augus- Joe’s Crab Shack, J.L. Trent’s is homegrown kitsch. this delicious signature starter. The dinner portion for their grill-flavored tine. 904-824-8794) A glance around any of their restaurants reveals their For an appetizer, J.L. Trent’s is best known for salmon is a huge 12 ounces. At only $14, this dish Located on the Intracoastal Waterway in St. Augus- tacky-but-cool sense of fun. Each location is a little their fried pickle chips. Fried pickles have become is a steal. The same is true of their New York Strip tine, Cap’s has terrific outdoor dining, the fattest different, but you can expect the same sense of nau- popular in the last few years and have started show- steak, which weighs in at a hefty 12 ounces and oysters in town, and a great Sunset Oyster Bar where tical nostalgia. At one of their locations, you’ll find ing up on various menus, but not all fried pickles are only costs $15. (You can add shrimp to the steak they will shuck them for you. a dolphin statue sitting next to a figurine of an old created equal. J.L. Trent’s definitely uses the right meal for just $3 more). mariner, while specialized lights hang from the oars. kind of pickle- wavy cut so the breading adheres and Salads are also quite substantial for their Chart House (1501 Riverplace Blvd. Jacksonville. It’s been ten years since the first J.L. Trent’s thick enough to stand up to the fryer. They make the price, and come with a variety of different toppings 904-398-3353) opened up here in Jacksonville, offering locals bat- dipping sauce right on the premises, so it’s always such as blackened chicken, jumbo shrimp, Buffalo Not a Jacksonville-based chain, Chart House is tered and fried seafood at a reasonable price. Now fresh. chicken, Mahi, tuna steak or grouper. known for fine dining on the richest seafood. From the there are three locales here in Jacksonville: one on If you’re game, try the gator tail. They marinate The most expensive stuff on the menu is under Crab Avocado Mango Stack from their raw bar menu the Westside, one in Yukon (across from NAS Jax), it before deep-frying it, so it’s very tender. You can “Clawed Critters,” where you’ll find lobster and crab to the Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi, and their newest locale in Marietta/Whitehouse. order a smaller portion from the appetizers menu legs. Their crab legs are served with a bit of Old Bay they are a top-shelf contender for scoring date points. Before the meal begins, you’ll be served Trent’s (called “Tummy Temptations”) or you can get a seasoning sprinkled on the legs, and the flavor is gratis starter, their cream cheese based shrimp dip Florida Gator Tail Dinner. good enough that you don’t even need butter. Clark’s Fish Camp (12903 Hood Landing Rd, 904- with crackers. A touch of liquid smoke, scallions, J.L. Trent’s is a family-owned operation, with During crawfish season they sometimes get 268-3474) the Trent brothers (James and Raymond) running shipments straight from Louisiana. Crawfish aren’t Clark’s has everything from escargot to rattlesnake on the show. “I grew up in the seafood business,” says on the menu, but many people watch their special their menu. Whether you want down-home classics James when asked why he chose to open restaurants boards eagerly. such as fried catfish with a dessert of key lime pie or in his native Jacksonville. James is at one of the lo- Trent’s also offers desserts including deep- something truly wild, such as kangaroo, Clark’s has it. cations nearly every day, making sure things are just fried cheesecake, brownie bites and Key Lime pie. right. The Key Lime pie comes from a local provider and Conch House (57 Comares Ave, St Augustine, 904- Their family atmosphere extends to their regular it’s a classic recipe. Do try it, if you have room! 824-2046) customers, who are all known by name by the wait All kinds of folks here in Jacksonville make Get irie on their infamous reggae night or just make staff. James himself has been known to sit down to it out to Trent’s. It’s a family-oriented place where the drive to St. Augustine when you want cuisine and eat with regulars he’s friendly with. The staff goes out you can get reasonably priced seafood in a homey atmosphere that is one-of-a-kind. They have Minorcan of their way to make you feel welcome and at home, atmosphere. There’s even a senior menu for the Crab Cakes, Butter Rhum Scallops, and fried oysters. in a real country-style seafood setting. grandparents (55 and over) and a “Little Critters” Best of all, it is served to you on a private cabana The sides here are served up Southern-style, menu for the kids. along their winding dock, so you are literally on the water.

Dolphin Depot (704 1ST St N, Jacksonville Beach, 904-270-1424) Dig into some low-country cuisine such as shrimp and grits and enjoy a southern ambience. Low coun- try food is indigenous to coastal South Carolina, so you get the delicious down-home flavors of fried fish alongside the buttery charm of shrimp and grits or low country boil.

16 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 17 Homestead (1712 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach. stomach cavity if it isn’t already. 904-249-5240) If you’re grilling your fish whole, you’ll still have Once a Jacksonville institution, Homestead has vastly to scale the fish and remove the gills. Leaving the improved since being purchased by the people that head on is a matter of preference. Grouper and cat- owned First Street Grille. Get the sea bass or try their fish do well in this skin-on style of cooking, but not Sunday brunch buffet. all fish do, so ask an expert. Skin-on cooking has the advantage of keeping your fish nice and moist during Kingfish Grille (252 Yacht Club Drive, St. Augustine, the cooking process, particularly when you’re using a 904-824-2111) high heat method. From their horseradish crusted grouper to their Filleting a fish means that your aim will be to fisherman’s stew, this place is authentically a seafood separate the meat from the bone. This takes practice. restaurant. You’ll find oysters, shrimp, calamari and Nobody gets it right the first few times. There are two crab cakes on their menu too. ways to filet a fish: by starting at the head or starting at the tail. A good, sharp, thin and flexible filleting Outback Crab Shack (8155 County Road 13 N, St knife is essential. The big game fish, with their tough Augustine, 904-522-0500) hides, often need a serrated knife to break into the Although it has been there since 1975, people in Jack- skin and separate the hide from the meat. Because sonville seem to have discovered it only in the last year fish vary, the best thing to do is to ask for advice. If or two, but it has quickly been a place known for being you’re at a good market, they’ll point you in the right worth the drive. They call the restaurant a cypress direction. shack, they have music, and they are laid back (no For step-by-step pictorial instructions on clean- shoes no shirt, no problem). Obviously their specialty ing and filleting there are various resources on the is soft shell crab, but they also have everything from web, such as takemefishing.org/cleaningfish and oysters to alligator. capmel.com/how_to-fillet_fish.htm, which include fish fry handy illustrations. Plantains (Sea Turtle Inn, 1 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach, 888-782-9722) This is Florida living. In addition to one of the best from fish market to frying pan cooking brunches in town, they serve some of the finest cuisine There are almost as many ways to cook fish as at the beach with a spectacular view of the ocean, there are types of fish in the sea, but this week we’re which is oddly rare at the Beaches. From their Lobster by Erin thursby [email protected] going to concentrate on the art of the fish fry, oft Ravioli to their more Caribbean dishes, there is plenty Cooking and preparing fish can be a tricky busi- buy it whole. Clear eyes are a telltale indicator that used by Southern politicians to celebrate a victory or on this menu to keep you coming back. The service, pump up their supporters. however, often leaves something to be desired. ness, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. you’re buying fresh. If the eyes are cloudy or sunken, don’t buy. Also, gills should still be a nice rosy red A roomy deep fryer is recommended, as is a color. well ventilated place to hold your fry. Outside is best, Ragtime Tavern & Seafood Grille (207 Atlantic Boule- at the market but a roomy hall or a kitchen with a ventilation hood vard, Atlantic Beach, 904-241-7877) In selecting fillets, you should look for even When you’re looking to buy fish, it’s best to will do just fine. Keep in mind that things can get Ragtime plays up a New Orleans theme with their coloring and clarity. A heavy film indicates that the choose a market with a high turnover. The more messy and it’s hard to get the fish smell out of things. Blackened Flounder, Barbecue Oysters and Louisiana fillet might not be as fresh as you would like. Firm fish that are sold out of your market, the more likely A fish fry is most often prepared with fresh- Crawfish. flesh and a moist rather than dry appearance will also the fish you buy will be fresh because they must tell you that the fish is indeed fresh. water fish, but any saltwater fish with a light, white, constantly re-stock. Even if the market you go to is non-steak-like texture is good for deep-frying. Grou- The Reef (4100 Coastal Highway, Vilano Beach, 904- always busy, look specifically at the seafood depart- per, catfish and perch are popular for fish frys. 824-8008) storage ment. Besides fresh fish, a good batter is important Their prime rib is reportedly the best in the St. Augus- Your nose will tell you a great deal. If there’s If you’re buying fresh fish, not frozen, then it’s to the process. A cornmeal and buttermilk batter is tine area and their seafood (like the Thai Chili Snapper) any kind of unpleasant smell, you might want to try best that your fish stay refrigerated. Don’t stick them popular here in the South. This batter, unlike a thick is known to be delicious, fresh and innovative. a different market. That’s not to say that there won’t in the freezer if you want a really fresh taste. Fresh beer batter, isn’t so heavy. You can add dry spices be any smell at all; you should smell salt and fish, fish will keep for three days in the fridge at most; so to any batter you make, but as a rule you’ll want to Safe Harbor (4378 Ocean Street, Mayport, 904-246- but it should in no way be rank if they’re doing things buy it as close to the cook date as possible. Place the avoid fresh herbs for any large scale frying, because 4911) properly. fish in a covered dish or store it wrapped in wax pa- they tend to be messy, don’t always hold up to frying This shop is first and foremost one of the best fresh It’s easier to tell if your fish is fresh when you per. Most markets package fish in wax paper. It’s safe and they take more time to prepare. Some popular fish markets in Jacksonville. Featuring a constantly to store them that way, as long as there’s no leakage. flavorings added to the batter include Cajun season- changing array of the freshest fish to come off of the ing, Old Bay, paprika, dried Parmesan cheese and boats that dock right next to it, Safe Harbor can give cleaning your fish steak seasoning. you the raw materials for a fantastic dish, or their If you’re holding a traditional fish fry, it’s often experts can prepare the fish you pick out right in their The method you or your local fishmonger will the custom to let your guests bring the sides (like kitchen. use for cleaning your fish will depend on what type of slaw, beans and hushpuppies) while you take care fish it is and how you’ll be preparing it. Most markets of the fish. It’s best to make sure that guests know Saltwater Cowboys (299 Dondanville Rd. St. Augus- will clean your fish for you to a certain extent, upon they’re bringing something rather than assuming that tine Beach, 904-471-2332) your request. If you ask, they’ll often clean out the they will. Good luck at your next fry! Saltwater Cowboys is a part of that old Florida. Their “Florida Cracker” combo comes with gator, frog legs, and “cooter.” I’m not sure what cooter is, but the Oys- ters Dondanville sound scrumptious.

Sliders (218 1st Street, Neptune Beach, 904-246-088) This Neptune Beach favorite is the perfect place to slip away from the beach for a cold beer and some deli- cious oysters. Their raw oysters are known for being the best, but even if you like them cooked, they have plenty of styles to tickle your fancy.

Whitey’s Fish Camp (2032 County Road 220, Orange Park, 904-269-4198) This may just be the best thing about Orange Park. From their sweet potato fries to their Snow Crab din- ners, Whitey’s is an institution. The view of Black Creek ain’t bad either, and there’s plenty of great live enter- tainment every weekend.

18 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper zation Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc. This organization created the tournament to provide a regional fishing tournament as the organizers had seen in other large cities and to raise money and awareness for marine sci- ence research, preservation and education. According to their press kit, Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc. has donated more than $600,000 to various marine-oriented non-profit organizations in the Fisrst Coast over the getting wet in last 17 years. Jacksonville Marine Charities promotes marine conservation, the preservation of fishing habitats, de- velopment of the Sister’s Creek Park, scholarships for students pursuing an education in marine science or northeast florida oceanography, and many other boater education programs and conservation projects. our aquatic culture

Schedule Monday, July 16th, kicked off with the YCOA VIP Tournament at 6 am and all of the tents, food and exhibitors got setup for the week. On Tuesday, July 17th , at 7:30 am the Junior Angler Tournament hit the water. On Wednesday, July 18th, general tournament registration began and the boaters got a chance to enjoy the Liars tent or the array of foods. On Thursday, July 19th, the fishing begins. On Friday, July 20th, after the weigh-in for day two is over, fishermen can enjoy live entertainment from the George Aspinall Band. There is entertain- ment all day on Saturday, July 21st, including live music from The Swingin’ Medallions and fireworks provided by the City of Jacksonville at 10 pm. Prizes Prizes will be awarded in several categories. They will award a first through third place prize for largest King- fish, first through twentieth place for Ultra Class Aggregate, first through twentieth for 23 Class Aggregate, a “Tagged Kingfish Bonus” for catching any of the five tagged Kingfish, as well as record-breaking bonuses. Every part of the world has that portion of its culture that is determined by its own specific geography. They are expecting to give out more than $500,000 in prize money, but nothing compares to winning in the In Virginia and Tennessee they have mountain cultures, in New York and Chicago they have city cultures, In country’s largest Kingfish Tournament. That just might make you a world champion. California they have ocean culture, in Hawaii I imagine they have volcanoe culture; in Jacksonville, we have our aquatic culture. We love to swim in the ocean, boat in the river, fish off our bridges, and canoe down our For additional details visit the Kingfish Tournaments website at kingfishtournament.com. creeks. From the Atlantic Ocean to the St. Johns River, we cannot help but be defined by our affinity for water. Head out to the St. Johns on any weekend during the summer as all the sailboats slice through the water like streamlined insects. Watch as the boaters in the lakes waterski and shoot wide swaths of wake and foam from the cut of their jet ski. Jacksonville loves its watersports. gone fishin’ As the summer heated up, EU decided to go get wet. We sent writers out to find out about some of this town’s favorite aquatic activities. From SCUBA diving to fishing to boating, we looked into the ways our town gets into water and came back more educated, a little sunburnt, and all wet. by jon bosworth [email protected]

“I said don’t ask no stupid questions and I won’t send you away; If you want to talk fishin, well I guess kingfishery that’ll be ok,” Jacksonville’s own Ronnie VanZandt said those words in the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd song ‘Don’t Ask Me No Questions,’ and the sentiment is an authentically Jacksonville one. Florida is said to be the fishing Some people mark the TPC as Jacksonville’s top-notch annual event, for others it’s the Jazz Festival or capital of the world, which isn’t that much of a surprise when you think about the quantity of water in and sur- Springing the Blues, but for a solid 30,000 people each summer, the Kingfish Tournament is king, making the rounding our state, and North Florida has a special affinity for the life aquatic. AT&T Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, presented by Marine Charities, the largest Kingfish tournament Fishing is one of the few activities that attracts every income bracket. From the recreational deep-sea in the country. fisherman that takes out his luxury boat and fishes for Marlin, to the guy you see with a bamboo pole fishing In this 27th year of the annual festival, they are awarding $500,000 in prizes and participation is free for off of your local bridge, everyone seems to love fishing. This activity also lends itself to a number of neces- most. From July 16-21 more than 30,000 spectators and fishermen and one thousand boats will converge on sities. There is the obvious benefit of catching a meal, and then the more elusive benefits that include quality Sisters Creek Park off of Hecksher Drive. Favorite attractions include the Food Festival; the KidZone, a free play time with loved ones, a quiet minute away from the hustle and bustle of our busy world, and the Hemingway- area for kids ages 3-14; the Liars’ Tent, featuring live entertainment; exhibits, tents and the Boatique, offering like Zen of a man and the sea hunting and honing his craft. a variety of boat products. As in the past, the weeklong festivities will be capped off with a fabulous fireworks If you are already an avid sportsman, skip this paragraph because you probably already have everything display sponsored by the City of Jacksonville. you need to get started. If you are new to Florida, or just new to fishing, getting started is very easy. Unless The event is free to the public, but boaters have to pay to get a shot at all of that prize money. Registration you are using a bamboo fishing pole with no reel, are younger than 16, or older than 65, you are going to need is $425 and only the first thousand boats get to participate, so register early. Other events include the Junior a fishing license. A fishing license is both easy to acquire and inexpensive and once you get one, it’s good for Angler Tournament, which is only a $10 entry fee, for fisherboys and girls under the age of sixteen. There is an entire year. Go to myfwc.com for more details. also the Yacht Clubs of the Americas VIP Tournament on July 16. This tournament has a steeper $1,800 entry There are many great shops in Jacksonville to get your fishing supplies. From superstores such as Strike- fee but awards $20,000 as its first prize. Zone near Beach Blvd and St. Johns Bluff, to smaller neighborhood shops such as Arlington Bait & Tackle, Proceeds from The 27th Annual AT&T Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament go to the 501c(3) organi- 4 eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 19 4 there are all sorts of reputable local stores that carry gear and bait for every kind of fishing. If you have a boat, you can fish almost anywhere your boat will take you. If it’s a canoe, you can sneak up on some of the best fishing corners that larger boats can’t reach and you can really enjoy the quiet, but you will be pretty much restricted to freshwater spots. If you have a hankering for the more turbulent waters and bigger fish, you can cast from the beach with your saltwater fishing rod and reel, but for the real experience, you may want to look into chartering a boat. Chartering a boat can be expensive, so rally a group of your friends. Even if they don’t like fish- ing, tell them they can spend all day drinking out on a boat – who doesn’t want to do that? (Make sure the charters you call allow drinking, some do not.) Chartering a boat usually runs between $300 and $400 for a half-day trip, four to five hours. Most of them leave from Mayport or St Augustine, although there are some that dock in Amelia Island and St. Simons Island. When you are deep sea fishing on a charter boat, you get the chance to fight with tuna, kingfish, and maybe even a marlin. Some charters don’t charge if you don’t catch any fish, so you can usually count on hooking something while you’re out. If you do charter a boat, bring a cooler full of the food and drinks your party will enjoy, some cash for expenses and tipping your captain (a 15-20% tip is customary) and the First Mate ($10-$20), and a duffel bag (preferably waterproof) with sunglasses, a hat, sunblock, a raincoat or a poncho, and some Dramamine in case you get seasick. For a complete listing of local charters, go to fintalk.com. 3rd generation owner of huckins yacht corporation huckins yacht corporation local boat building icon since 1928 Cindy Purcell interview by Rick grant [email protected] The Greater Jacksonville region is a Mecca for boaters with our many lakes, rivers, in-land waterways and access to the ocean. Almost anyone can afford some size of boat, from a small fishing boat to a luxurious yacht. by Rick grant [email protected] For boating enthusiasts, the area is home to many boat dealers with all varieties of watercraft for sale. More significantly, we have one of the most famous marine manufacturing companies in the country- the Huckins In 1970, Cindy (Frank Huckins’ Cindy: Yes, we are everything. We do it all. We Yacht Corporation, which, during World War II, was one of three companies contracted to build the famous PT granddaughter) and Buddy Purcell went to work are one of the few custom builders that will build Boats. for the Huckin’s Yacht Corp. Cindy started in the to order from the hull up from 40 to 90 feet. So a Huckins is one of the oldest continuously family-owned boat builders in America, operating since 1928. stock room and Buddy started as a painter. With customer comes in and wants to design a boat. We The company is located on Lakeshore Boulevard at the base of the Ortega River Bridge, near Roosevelt the guidance of Kenneth Archibald and George work with them on every aspect of the design. It’s Boulevard. Third generation Huckins family member Cindy Purcell now owns the company. Pillsbury, they have successfully brought Huckins up to them what type of materials they want inside Because he liked boats better than lumber, Frank “Huck” Huckins started his yacht company in 1928 after into modern day boating without sacrificing the yacht. We start with the empty hull and the sky selling the family lumber business. Huckins’ partner was Henry Skinner Baldwin, who took care of the business Huckins’ reputation for building quality custom is the limit. while Huckins designed and supervised the manufacturing of yachts, which were considered the Duesenbergs yachts. of the small-motor yacht class. In the 1930s, Huckins was called the EU: From what I hear you are a hands-on owner In 1941, when the U.S. Navy needed a fast torpedo boat, Frank “Huck” Huckins went to work. He locked Duesenberg of Yachts. Updating that analogy, with your husband. Am I right? himself into his design lab, neglecting his family and his health to come up with a design. In July of 1941, he today Huckins boats are the Rolls Royce of yachts. Cindy: Absolutely, my husband and I are involved came up with a brilliant design he called PT-69, a sleek and fast torpedo boat that met and exceeded the U.S. Huckins has kept pace with the latest technology. in every aspect of the manufacturing process. We Navy’s requirements. Huckins’ boat was 72 feet long and smaller than the designs submitted by the other two In 1975, the company made the transition from work directly with the customer to make sure the bidding companies, ELCO and Higgins. ELCO designed a 77-foot boat while Higgins designed a 76-foot model. wood to fiberglass composite construction. To find quality control is maintained from the ground up. As it turned out, the Navy awarded all three companies contracts to build the PT Boat. out more about Huckins Yachts, EU called Cindy At the time, Huckins’ PT-69 specifications were technologically advanced. It carried two torpedo tubes and Purcell for a chat. EU: We at EU are an extended family from the had a stern gangway for depth charges. The three engines were impressive power plants that could power the early years. I guess your business is the same boat on the open sea at 45 knots. The boats were designed to operate along the coast and in harbors, patrolling EU: Huckins is world famous for its quality way? for enemy ships and submarines. construction. In 1975 you made the transition Cindy: Yes, we are indeed an extended family, who The Navy liked Huckins’ smaller model for certain applications. At the time, this class of Navy vessel was to fiberglass composite construction. Was are proud of the company traditions and work hard revolutionary in that it was lightweight and constructed of plywood, which made it the fastest ship on the sea. It that a difficult retooling of your manufacturing to maintain high quality control and keep up with could race into torpedo range while presenting a low radar profile, firing its torpedoes at the enemy vessel and process? the latest technology. get away before the ship could respond. It could operate on rivers and in shallow water as well as the open sea. Cindy: No, it offered so many advantages it was John F. Kennedy’s famous PT-109 was rammed and cut in half by a Japanese destroyer, stranding Kennedy and an easy decision to make. Primarily, using this That concluded our chat. In the 80s, the his fellow survivors on a small island. The incident became a famous book and movie, PT-109. lightweight construction, the boats have a high recession hit pretty hard all over the country. The scuttlebutt surrounding Frank Huckins fascinated the press at the time. Time Magazine (July 1941) horsepower to weight ratio, which means you get However, Huckins prevailed coming into the 90s reported that Huck liked to show up at work at noon and work until late at night. He had a reputation for being an more power out of the engines making the boats as a leader in quality yacht building. Huckins has individualist and eccentric. Huck would insult hostesses by showing up at cocktail parties with his own brand faster, yet maintaining the boats’ strength and saved its old drawings, which enables them to of Scotch and he refused to attend dinners unless the menu suited him. In his dealings with the Navy, Frank was seaworthiness. recreate the famous yachts of its own past, while brash. When a Navy officer suggested he change the location of the PT-69’s toilet, he replied that he would then simultaneously staying on the cutting-edge of yacht have to run its drainpipe into either the exhaust or the officers’ filing cabinet. EU: You manufacture to order and you are a building. The last 25 years have tested Huckins, but Today, the company is still known for high-quality yachts, and a Huckins-built yacht still fetches big bucks. broker of your pre-owned Huckins inventory? Is the company has come through the ups and downs A 1964 Huckins Out Island sells for $345,000, an unusually high resale value for a yacht of that vintage. The that a fair assessment? of the economy to emerge stronger than ever. company both builds and sells new and used yachts, maintaining the high quality standards that established Huckins as the premier yacht builder.

20 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper environmental boating what you can do to be a cleaner boater by kelliE abraHamSoN [email protected]

If you’re a Floridian, chances are you love the water and you fall into one of two categories, either you own a boat or you want a boat. Either way, I’m talking to you. There are plenty of things boat owners can do to make our waters a better place to play. Here are just a few:

Clean up your cleaning No one likes a nasty boat, but the chemicals you use to make your baby all shiny and new could make the water smelly and gross. Avoid cleaning your boat’s deck and hull with toxic degreasers like chlorine, phosphates and ammonia. Instead, use old-school cleaning agents like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice or borax and be sure to rinse your boat with fresh water after each use. This way, you’ll need to clean a whole lot less.

Take your “dumps” to the dump Everybody poops, but no one wants to see it floating downstream during a leisurely ride on the St. Johns. Human waste can do serious damage to plant and animal life and can spread nasty diseases like hepa- titis, typhoid, cholera, and gastroenteritis to name a getting down with diving few. If you’ve been boating for a while you should already know this, but if not, discharging raw sewage within a three nautical mile limit of US territorial waters is illegal. Be sure to lock or secure the toilet closed so by donald dusinberre [email protected] it cannot empty overboard or just follow dad’s advice and “go” before you leave the house (or dock). In our focus on water sports this week, EU decided to explore some of the many facets of mari- Don’t trash the water time recreation, so we visited our friends Philip “Tiger” May and Joe Schmitt at Scuba Tiger to learn It’s simple: bring back what you take out. If you take a six pack of Coke on the boat for the trip, make sure more about scuba diving in the Jacksonville area. six cans come back to shore with you (and go ahead and recycle them while you’re at it). Despite what Uncle Scuba diving is segmented into many specialties, some of which require advanced training to at- Jed may have said, cigarette butts do not make good bait, so if you smoke, use an ash tray and empty it in tempt. Basic open-water certification, however, can get you under the water fairly quickly, allowing you a trash can when you dock. If you see trash floating in the water or accidentally dropped something yourself, to experience the rush without lengthy training. You can even go spearfishing, which will take you 15 take the time to go back and get it. Your fellow boaters and swimmers will definitely appreciate it. – 60 miles offshore to battle whatever prey you choose to take on. Getting started is probably easier than you think. In the past, scuba diving certification had a Keep the sand(ing) on shore reputation for being lengthy and rigorous, but these days, basic open-water scuba certification is re- Sanding and scraping can well mean all the difference when restoring a boat. It can also mean a lot of prob- markably concise and convenient. Most of the work is home-based, with books and discs to guide you. lems if that debris ends up in the water. All hull scraping, sanding and chemical stripping should be done When you’re finished with the bookwork, you are required to spend two weekends with an instructor. ashore over a drop cloth to catch the particles. Better yet, use a vacuum sander, which will collect the dust The first weekend will be spent primarily in a pool where you’ll get realistic, practical training. To suc- before it goes flying. cessfully earn your certification, you must pass a final exam and a medical questionnaire. Don’t worry, even children and seniors are among the countless certified and active scuba divers. Paint it green Once you’ve gotten the diving bug and logged a few dives, you may discover an interest in more Once again, knowing the rules can save everyone and everything a whole lot of trouble. If you’re painting your advanced experiences. Advanced specialties include drift diving, wreck diving, cavern diving, night sea-bound vessel only use legal bottom paint, that is, nothing with toxic metals such as copper, mercury, diving, search & rescue, nitrox and photography, among others. Once you’ve trained in five or more of arsenic or tributyltin. These toxins can have a sever impact on people and sea critters alike, so just avoid these specialties, you can be certified as an advanced open-water diver. them altogether. Scuba diving requires a substantial amount of equipment, and therefore, a solid financial com- mitment. To gain your open-water certification, you’ll need to purchase your own mask, fins, snorkel, Save some gas boots, weight belt and weights. Fortunately, the trainers at Scuba Tiger will provide your tank, wetsuit, Try not to fill ‘er up completely. Overfilling your fuel tank can cause a mini spill that can cause major prob- and buoyancy compensator and regulator for the duration of your training. You’ll have time to learn how lems. If you do go overboard while fueling, wipe up your deck with a rag instead of rinsing it off with a hose. seriously you want to pursue scuba diving before you have to buy the really expensive stuff. Since you’re essentially putting yourself on life-support when you dive, it is important to have Beware: Sea Cow Crossing quality equipment that is in perfect working order, so certified scuba divers are required to have their Those signs that say “Manatee Zone 25 mph” aren’t there for decoration. Those funny-looking creatures are equipment tested and inspected regularly. known to hang out in these areas and your propeller could slice ‘em up if you’re motoring too fast. Even boats Surprisingly, we learned that North Florida is one of the world’s finest scuba diving destinations. with propeller guards can kill a manatee through blunt trauma if struck. It’s far safer to simply slow down Our Atlantic Coast is one of the best places on earth for spearfishing, and we’re only 90 minutes from when traveling through these gentle giants’ turf. You may also consider getting a free banner from savethema- a number of amazing and exciting cave diving locations. In fact, Ginnie Springs, Peacock Springs, and natee.org to flash at fellow boaters who may have missed the posted signs. Little River are second only to the Yucatan Peninsula for cave diving. In addition, Pompano Beach and Boynton Beach feature conditions that are excellent for drift diving. Become a stool pigeon If you don’t have a sea-faring vessel or partner in adventure, then use your personal computer to Witness any bad boaters lately? If so, do the right thing and report them. Polluters do nothing but make the find one. There are dozens of charter boats out there like those found at offshoredivecharters.com that waters unbearable for everyone, including marine life. If you’re using the water, you have a responsibility to specifically cater to divers. You can even Google dive clubs or visit singlediver.com to find other lonely keep it clean so that everyone can enjoy it. If you witness someone polluting, call the Riverkeeper at (904) divers. 256-7591. They can point you in the right direction. If you’ve ever wanted to go scuba diving, then you have virtually no reason not to try. To do ex- actly what we did, contact the experts at Scuba Tiger to learn more. They are located at 112 DeBarry These simple tips can do wonders for the environment and ensure that our bodies of water will be safe Avenue in Orange Park, on the corner of DeBarry and Wells. You can also check out scubatiger.com or for future generations. If you don’t own a boat yet, hang on to this list and put these rules into effect once you call (904) 264-4744. get your hands on your vessel.

eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 21 love our river getting kids interested in the St. Johns

by kelliE abraHamSoN [email protected] If you happen to love being out on the water, there’s nothing like living in Jacksonville. Besides having the Atlantic Ocean to our east, we also have the mighty St. Johns River and its tributaries flowing through the city. That means we have plenty of bridges, beautiful views and every reason in the world to protect it. As citizens of this great city, it’s our job to work toward a cleaner river and to teach our children, the future men and women of Jacksonville, to do the same. Thanks to the St. Johns Riverkeepers, EU got the opportunity to explore the river with a group of kids from The Sanctuary on 8th Street last month. The 2-hour boat ride was a first for some of these kids and the lessons that they learned that morning will hopefully stay with them for a long time. I met the group of about 20 kids, chaperones and Riverkeepers at Friendship Park where everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of our vessel, one of the water taxis that shuttle people from bank to bank each day. One little girl, Timuquana Williams, stood out from the rest. When the boat arrived, Timuquana could no longer hide her fear of the water. She pulled away, standing firmly on dry ground, proclaiming she’ll see everyone when they come back. After some major coaxing from one of the chaperones, Timuquana eventually got on board. Neil Armingeon, our Riverkeeper, quizzed the kids on sites along the banks, the names of the bridges we passed under, and the types of wildlife found in and around the river. He spoke at length about what pollution does to the St. Johns River and proved his point by allowing kids to test the water. The tests and results fasci- nated the kids, who asked Neil questions about what pollutants do to fish and how they can help. I sat down for a few moments with Jimmy Orth, the executive director of St. Johns Riverkeeper, who said he wishes they could afford to do more trips like these. “This is the only one that I guess you could say is a regular trip we do on an annual basis because CSX provides the funding for us,” he said. “We do some others occasionally… [but] we don’t have the resources to do regular, scheduled events except for this one every year. So, if someone approached us and said ‘hey, we’d really like to take some kids out’ and they have some funding too… then we can do it because we have to rent the boats and that sort of thing…What I’m hoping is eventually one day we maybe have either a part-time outreach coordinator/education coordinator or full-time so we can do this kind of thing on a regular basis.” Beyond giving these kids an increased interest in science and environmental stewardship, the trip also did wonders for Timuquana Williams. As the boat pulled away from the dock, the little girl was near tears. By the end of the trip, she was completely comfortable on the water, walking around on the boat, smiling brightly and saying she would like to go for another ride one day. “I’m not scared no more,” she said. Dispelling fears and teaching kids how they can do their part, the Riverkeeper is doing their part to en- sure a better future for our river and our city. teaching your kids to love the river

How can you get your kids interested in helping keep the river clean? “The real way to get people, kids, connected to the river and to become concerned stewards of the river is to get them out to experience it,” Jimmy Orth explained during our trip. “It’s hard to do it from a class- room.” Here are a few activities you can do with your family to enjoy the St. Johns River: party hardy The Annabelle Lee and the Lady St. Johns are terrific party boats that will provide entertainment, meals, a full bar and dancing all while giving you and your guests a tour of the River City. For more information visit jaxrivercruises.com. hail a (water) taxi Instead of searching for a parking spot Downtown, park on the South Bank and ride the water taxi over. At just $5 for adults and $4 for children and seniors for a roundtrip fare, this is one of the cheapest, easiest ways to experience our river. Head to jaxwatertaxi.com for more information. go up the creek with a paddle Rent a kayak or a canoe from Outdoor Adventures and get up close and personal with our river. Paddling is a great way to explore at your own pace and its something active and exciting that your family can do together. For more information contact Outdoor Adventures at (904) 393-9030

22 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper mighty BayStreet has soldiered on for an incredible 20-year stretch. Back in 1987 four friends started live music jamming in a rehearsal hall and BayStreet played their first gig on Blue Monday at Pier 7 (now Ocean Club) with Mike Shackelford hosting. From there, shows calendar the band booked gigs at the old Applejacks, Biminis (now Marker 32) and the then-new Landing. THURSDAY, JULY 19 Of course, the personnel have changed from the early incarnation of Miller’s BayStreet Blues Club, Warped Tour Reynolds Yacht Center, Green Cove Springs but BayStreet’s confederacy of stalwart musicians Open Mic /Colleen Murphy Trade Winds Lounge, has been around the block and then some. Originally, St. Augustine (829-8646) John Miller put the group together as a jam band Undertones Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611) to play blues. In the 80s no one was playing blues. The Royal Treatment TSI, Jax (635-3024) After a year of playing to friends and a few parties, the group started booking paying gigs. Chuck Nash My Place, Jax (737-5299) In the early 90s, players such as Will Pearsall Big Engine Box Seats, Jax (908-7328) joined the band on lead guitar and John “Spike” Wil- Open Mic w/Krank Shaft Overtime Sports Bar, Jax liams on drums. Later, John Waters came in on key- (786-5466) boards. Over time, other musicians came and went. Mike Sweet & Friends Kingshead Pub, St. Augustine Mac joined Slipped Mickey and Don Miniard came in on keyboards with Eric Bedenbaugh on drums, David Blistur Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999) Dobson on guitar, and Brenda David and Nancy Hen- Sweet Little Ditty Spare Time, Jax Beach (246-8099) derson as backup vocalists. Ron Perry Jerry’s, Jax (220-6766) Around the mid-90s the band added its first saxophone when Bob Dallavia joined the group. At Mariachi Guadalajara Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) twenty years of that same time the group began to change its sound Ian Kelly Music Eddie Bahamas, Jax Beach (241-3138) from blues to soul and R&B with Calub Massee on Matt Still Buckets, Jax Beach (246-7701) lead guitar, Bob Moseley on keyboards, Steve Rob- Roger That Square One, Jax (306-9004) ertson on drums, and Phil Cusimano on guitar. In 92, Mike Hollingsworth left the Derek Trucks Band and Charlie Walker Caribbee Key, Neptune Beach (270-8940) baystreet blues joined BayStreet. Shortly afterward, Mark Majeski Boogie Freaks Square One, Jax (306-9004) joined the band on drums and Kevin McCabe joined Rev. Billy C. Wirtz European Street, Jax (399-1740) on Saxophone. This lineup was solid for a number of years Blue Sage Shoes Kingfish Grille, St. Augustine (824-2111) BayStreet plays Ragtime Today, BayStreet boasts a lineup of the area’s finest musicians, including John Miller, Mike Hol- David Milam Shannon’s Irish Pub, Green Cove Springs lingsworth, Cliff Huber, Bayrt Philips, Mark Gibson Jason Anderson The Brick, Jax (387-0606) by Rick grant [email protected] and Bert Mingea. The band is still a popular club The Driftwoods The Plaza, St. Augustine Ragtime was wall-to-wall with sweating bodies up and play. He even put the original jam band, Bay- band that enjoys the live scene. This is reciprocated when I arrived to cover BayStreet’s 20th anniversary Street Blues Club, back together for one night, with by the club audiences, such as the crowd at Ragtime Steve Plays Too Loud London Bridge, Jax (359-0001) bash. Most of the musicians who played with this David Trotti on drums, Mac Evens on rhythm guitar for BayStreet’s anniversary party. Man, the joint was Wes Cobb Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) group over those twenty years were spread out and vocals, John on bass and lead vocals, David jumping with a serious party crowd. Cornerstone The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) around the club, including Rick Doeschler, the gui- Bowen on guitar, and Rick Doeschler, now a banker, I can say, unequivocally, that every time I’ve tarist playing near me in the crowd. Yes, it was an also on guitar. Hell, the club was packed with Bay- covered BayStreet they performed to packed clubs Ron Rodriguez Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) up-close-and-personal night at ye old micro-brewery Street alumni. Everyone there knew me, even if I had with enthusiastic audiences who danced and re- Dana Salmela House of Jam, Mandarin (262-3377) and getting around was hell, but I squeezed through forgotten them. (So many years–so many people.) sponded joyously to the band’s tight, professional Little Green Men West Inn Cantina, Jax (389-1131) the throng to stake out a corner where I could take It’s unheard of for a band to be around for 20 presentation. This was a special party that celebrat- Freeze Frame Fionn Maccool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) photos. years. Most bands breakup after a couple of months ed the local club scene with one of the best damn BayStreet founder, John Miller, somehow talked together, in some cases after a couple of gigs–es- bands around. BayStreet’s anniversary party was a Cloud 9 Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach most of the long lineup of BayStreet alumni to show pecially the younger groups. However, John Miller’s hip happening of the highest order. (241-8221) Mr. Natural Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198) Target X Lynch’s, Jax Beach (249-5181) Von Barlow Springfield Station, Jax Those Guys The Oasis, St. Augustine (471-3424) Soulo Ragtime Tavern, Neptune Beach (241-7877) De Lions of Jah Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) Will Pearsall A1AAleworks, St. Augustine (829-2977)

FRIDAY, JULY 20 Rip Tide w/Brian Turner Cliff’s, Jax Beach (249-2777) Lone Wolf Running Overtime Sports Bar, Jax (786-5466) Dana Salmela Cross Creek Restaurant, Jax Nate Holley Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) Antartic, Mad Happy TSI, Jax (635-3024) Emanuel Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) Dave Massey Your Place, Jax Beach (221-9994) Battle Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) One Eighty Box Seats, Jax (908-7328) Ocean Wave’s Band Mongo’s, Jax Destany Orion’s Grill, Jax Wes Cobb Rivers Edge, Fernandina (491-3849)

eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 23 Ian Kelly Endo Exo, Jax (396-7733) Yankee Slickers Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198) The Swillers Spare Time, Jax Beach (246-8099) galaxy at Glass Camels Culhane’s Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (249-9595) Lee Roy Parnell Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) Little Green Men Brewsters Pub, Jax (223-9850) Chain of Fools Landing, Jax (353-1188) bourbon Mike Sweet & Friends Mi Casa Café, St. Augustine (824-9317) Winds of Plague Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) Johnny Flood Aromas, Jax (928-0515) bayou Dot Wilder Jazz Village Café, Jax (389-3995) Von Barlow Simons Wine Bar, Jax (396-8088) Jager Dave On the Rocks, Jax (685-5268) Kalus Club Fusion, St. Augustine (829-8333) performing jazz Decidedly Bourbon Street, Jax (641-8777) Irving Clements Quartet Starbuck’s/St. Johns Town Center, Jax David Milam Shannon’s Irish Pub, Green Cove Springs and motown Debra Rider Tom & Betty’s, Jax (387-3311) Tropic Of Cancer Starlite Café, Jax (356-4444) Flip Radio, Shawn Fisher Rebar, Jax by Rick grant Crystal Bessels Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) [email protected] Brendan O’Hara Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) The Experience Friday Musicale, Jax (894-6487) Boxrockers Scarlett’s, St. Augustine (824-6535) The brand new restaurant, Bourbon Bayou at the Landing, was the scene of some tight jazz fused with Drivin’ South Sandollar, Jax (251-3001) Motown performed live by a group called Galaxy. This Rabbit, Rabbit Yesterday’s, Jax (387-0502) band was performing its third weekend at the new Evans, Bruce & Monarch West Inn, Jax (389-1131) venue. The restaurant is located at the front entrance of the Landing and offers an outside deck and inside In Due Time Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) Matt Collins Pauly’s Pizza, Jax (727-9101) seating with a full bar. The menu is authentic New landing courtyard, which led to other gigs. The notion Larry Mangum Trio Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) Orleans Cajun specialties. On Friday and Saturday of these “day labor” bands that get gigs before they Debra Rider Tom & Betty’s, Jax (387-3311) nights the Bourbon Bayou features live jazz from 8:30 have really learned each other as musicians often Mike Gottuso Mandarin Cigar Company, Mandarin pm to midnight. present music that is sub-par. Leon argued that the Galaxy is a group of experienced musicians who players he gets are veterans and know the material, so Christina Wagner Fuel, Jax (425-3835) have a secret weapon–former Temptations’ member, they don’t even have to rehearse. Jw Gilmore Pizza Garden, St. Augustine (471-9455) Pretty Tony on lead vocals. At the gig, Tony told me Regardless of how or how well they came he was with the Temptations in the early 70s during together, it was a hit at Bourbon Bayou, which is a FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 20-21 the group’s Phoenix Rising period. The other Galaxy classy place that gets crowded with patrons on Friday members include Pierre Kendrick on saxophone, nights. Most people came in to eat and got an extra Spanky Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-9336) Steve (no last name given) on guitar, Robert Berry on treat with the band’s popular Motown repertoire and Kickin’ Lassie Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999) keys, and Leon White on drums. audience interaction. The band plays modern jazz for twenty minutes At Bourbon Bayou, Galaxy played improvisa- Gutterboy Cap’n Odie’s, Mayport (241-8848) then they bring up Tony for a paradigm shift in musi- tional music based on standards that anyone would The Joint Committee Ocean 60, Jax Beach (247-0060) cal genre to Motown. Yes, Tony is a real crowd pleas- know. Then, when they called up Pretty Tony on Beam Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611) er, recruiting audience members to be his impromptu vocals, the band shifted gears and became a Motown Shawn Lightfoot The Grape, Jax (642-7111) Temptations backup singers. soul band. Creating an interesting fusion between jazz Fortuitously, Leon White put together the band and Motown with the celebrity twist of Pretty Tony. Pili Pili Caribbee Key, Neptune Beach (270-8940) for a wedding reception. Then by word of mouth, the Bourbon Bayou is another great reason to rediscover Chuck Nash Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune group started to get gigs. The band then played the downtown, for food, atmosphere and music. Beach (241-8221) Rathkeltair Lynch’s, Jax Beach (249-5181) Chad Jasmine Ocean 60, Atlantic Beach (247-0060) McKenna Champs Lounge, Ponte Vedra (285-7777) Sugar Bear Square One, Jax (306-9004) Lyons Palace Saloon, Fernandina Normal Town A1AAleworks, St. Augustine (829-2977) Big Al & the Kaholics Cheers, Mandarin (262-4337) Something Distant Fionn MacCool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) Ron Perry 747 Lounge, Jax (741-4331) Steven Craig TNT Lounge, Jax Cloud 9 Ragtime Tavern, Neptune Beach (241-7877) Bush Doctors Kingfish Grille, St. Augustine (824-2111) Blistur Players Grill, Orange Park (264-4633)

24 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper sometime this year? KM: It’s coming out next year, early next year. SATURDAY, JULY 21 Jim Mack Gold Star Band Overtime Sports Bar, Jax EU: Well, tell us something about your new stuff. I (786-5466) heard one of your songs on your MySpace ‘Stand Robby Schenck Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) Full Length.’ Commonplace Murray Hill Theatre, Jax (388-7807) KM: The new stuff’s very reminiscent of the early Candelbox.. I think we’ve found ourselves going into Stu Weaver Scarlett’s, St. Augustine (824-6535) our songwriting…the energy/perspective that we Busted & Confused Judy’s Pub, Jax had when we first started as a band. Getting back The Rocket Summer Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) together has made it exciting for us because it’s new but we don’t have anything to prove to anyone. Hipp Street Landing, Jax (353-1188) Deaux Oh Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) EU: Who’s going to your concerts these days? Old Str8 Up Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198) fans, new fans? KM: It’s a pretty wide spectrum of fans. A lot of old Kaos Opera Hooters, St. Augustine Candlebox fans. There’s a lot of 18, 19, 20 year-olds Genghis Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) that I think still consider Candlebox to be a grunge Music For Hope Benefit Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) band. Our MySpace page is doing really well. I think Strings of Fire Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) that’s where that audience is coming from because, honestly, we don’t have anything new on the radio. Limbeck, The Format Fuel, Jax (425-3835) It’s not like they’re hearing our songs, so they’re just Stephen Pigman San Sebastian Winery, St. Augustine finding out about us that way. Or from their parents Skyliner Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) or an older sibling. Matt Still Sneakers, Jax EU: What caused the breakup in the first place? After Eleven Brewsters, Jax (223-9850) KM: Maverick was really kind of disheveled and fall- Mike Sweet & Friends Mi Casa Café, St. Augustine (824-9317) ing apart. We were exhausted as a band, you know, we’d been touring since ’92 and writing. The label Kristine Estrada Thrasher Horne Center, Orange Park was constantly changing the game plan for us…and Payton Page Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) we just got sick of it and said “let’s get out of this Debra Rider Island Girl Cigar Bar, Jax and be done with it.” We thought that that would Mike Shakelford The Homestead, Jax Beach (249-9660) work, um, but it didn’t, of course. Something always burn it up again Dead Men Dreaming Club Fusion, St. Augustine (829-8333) backfires in a situation like that and leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, from the perspective of an artist Esther House of Jam, Mandarin (262-3377) and a label. But it worked itself out…here we are on Death Face, Bound Spare Time, Jax Beach (246-8099) Candlebox interview our own now, which is great. Genghis Tron Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) by Erin thursby [email protected] EU: So you guys don’t really have a label right Fed Up Landshark Café, Atlantic Beach (246-6024) now. Are you looking to DIY it or are you looking Leland McWilliams Terra Nova Lounge, Jax WHAT: Candlebox with Cinder Road and The original line-up? for a label? Rip Tide w/Brian Turner Conch House, St. Augustine (829-8646) Lighter Exchange KM: We got a phone call from Rhino Records, said KM: I think it would depend on the type of label WHEN: July 24 @ 8 pm they were putting out a ‘best of’ record last year and relationship we could set up. A major would be our Mysterioso House of Jam, Mandarin (262-3377) WHERE: Freebird Live they asked us if we wanted to be part of picking the rules; the way we want to do it…We are a band Stu Weaver Harry’s, Jax Beach (247-8855) that’s always been about our live show. That’s all we songs…As we were going through the process we Open Mic w/Larry Broussard St. Johns Pizza Grill, When Candlebox started hitting the music started talking about putting the band back togeth- want to do: make records and tour. Jax (287-9900) charts in the 90s, they showed the world that grunge er…see how things go and go out on tour with the can be a cleaner, more radio-ready sound. Some band…It was great, we had a blast last year. Catch Candlebox live, here in Jacksonville, July might argue that they were musical pimps who took 24th at Freebird. SUNDAY, JULY 22 grunge and whored her out to commercialism, dilut- EU: What was different when you first started tour- Those Guys Sunset Grill, St. Augustine (471-5555) ing pure grunge for popularity. I’d say that they al- ing in ’06 than back in the 90s? Dan Shepherd Harpoon Louie’s, Jax (389-5631) ready had a classic rock sensibility that was inspired KM: The main difference is that we didn’t have a by the grunge movement. Their music was most label that we had to answer to; we didn’t have to 3 Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach (241-8221) definitely a turning point in the scene, ushering in a tour on a record that the label was trying to sell… It JW Gilmore Gypsy Cab Company, St. Augustine post-grunge era that absorbed grunge and moved was pretty much our game and our tour…That was Sugar Bear Landing, Jax (353-1188) on. EU spoke with Kevin Martin, the band’s lead something that we never really had the opportunity vocalist and guitarist. to do back then. Soulo Kingfish Grille, St. Augustine (824-2111) Bobby Flynn Culhane’s Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (249-9595) EU: First, the inevitable question: what spurred EU: You guys will be putting out new music soon, Tarik Hassan Sahara Café, Jax you guys to get back together and tour with your though. Isn’t something supposed to be coming out Isaac Byrd Jr. De Real Ting Café, Jax David Milam Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) Ron Perry Tailgaters, Green Cove Springs (529-1976) Pili Pili Ocean Club, Jax Beach (242-8884) Jason Anderson Stogies, St. Augustine Danka Reefers, Jax (737-6300) Boys of Summer Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) Billy & Vinnie Ragtime Tavern, Neptune Beach (241-7877) Jimmy Parrish Carib Key, Jax Beach (270-8940) The Royal Treatment Tastings, Jax Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) Mr. Natural Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198) Spade McQuade Fionn Maccool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) GunWitch Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) 3rd Bass The Casbah, Jax (981-9966)

eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 25 Chillakaya Papagallos, St. Augustine shoulders and winning praises from artists like Amy Winehouse, “ She’s been a fan of ours for a long Architect Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) time,” you would expect another pompous musician, El Toro Loco Square One, Jax (306-9004) if not for his stage presence alone. But Mickey is Gary Campbell Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) hell bent on leather surprisingly down-to-earth. He snuck an old friend and a homeless guy, Clive, onto his guest list for the Mickey Avalon at Jack Rabbits sold out event and even made sure security treated MONDAY, JULY 23 him like gold. Sol Island Music Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) by christina wagner When asked about Dirk Nasty Charlie Walker Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) I approach 1528 Hendricks Ave aka , he makes sure (Jack Rabbits) borderline buzzed. It’s to point out that Rex is more Sam Pacetti The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) been about two months since I’ve stepped than a crossover act and has Attrition Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) into the joint, so I was a bit nervous. I been making beats for quite a Lary Smith Harmonious Monks, Jax (886-3040) wasn’t sure if it was the two double tall while. “The acting thing just fell in his Billy Bowers Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Bombay and tonics I had consumed at Beach (241-8221) Monty’s or the always-refreshing comfort lap.” of familiar faces greeting me at the door The trio are also label buddy Band of Destiny Square One, Jax (306-9004) that made me feel somewhat at home, but buddies on Shoot to Kill. (You Matt Still Ginger’s, Jax Beach I was ready for the spectacular perfor- can look it up on myspace. Out of Hand My Place, Jax (737-5299) mance that You Tube had promised me. I com/beardo.) When asked about his past, Avalon admitted Bleeding Through Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) thought I was arriving tardy (as usual), but not nearly as tardy as the actual package to hustling to get drugs and that Nolan Neal Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) (Mickey Avalon), leaving the crowd some- music was his savior. Stu Weaver Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) what antsy. “Being able to joke about it, a I actually got into an argument with lot of the first recordings were a a group of teeny boppers over seating joke, we didn’t think it was go- TUESDAY, JULY 24 arrangements, but I came out okay in the ing to go anywhere. Simon was Billy & Vinnie Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune end, after taking sides with my friends, passing it around at clubs when Beach (241-8221) they ended up buying me a frosty Stella. I was living in a halfway house. Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) Andre Legacy and Dirk Nasty Simon Rex All the stuff is real serious and funny and sexy, but what I think Christina Wagner & Friends Mark’s Downtown, Jax came out strong with an almost Vanilla (355-5099) Ice appeal. People were into it, I had no is the problem with rap is how idea why. Maybe it’s because I’ve been it’s so male-oriented, so guy-to- Will Pearsall The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) turned on to some truly brilliant hip-hop guy, so it’s not really sexy.” Living in Polaroids Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) recently, or was it because I had a brain? Although his past is not exactly Dave Massey Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) They were spitting out hooks, like, “I’m an Just seeing them get down like that, I know I’m do- squeaky clean, he tells me that ing something right.” he wouldn’t change a thing, it got him to where he is Those Guys Hurricane Patty’s, St. Augustine (827-1822) animal lover.” Really? Singing songs like “I’ve got a gold chain, I’m on cocaine.” Hmm. More so than most performers, Mickey truly today. He raises the blinds to show everyone what’s Blues Night Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) With enough vibrations erupting on my seat feeds off the energy exuded from his audience. Ac- out there in an artistic way. I think I’ve found my new Ron Perry Fionn MacCool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) to make even Howard Stern’s speakers look like companied by the brunette bombshells in a kind of guilty pleasure. Matt Still Caribbee Key, Neptune Beach (270-8940) virgins, I was ready for a change of heart in tonight’s Robert Palmer sort of way, he climbs fences, lunges performance. Next up was Mickey Avalon. The into the crowd in a snake-like manor, and definitely Dim the Lights Auggie Dogs, St. Augustine performance started out with a remix of Toni Basil’s got his Jane Fonda on. Born and raised in LA, Avalon Debra Rider Latitudes Café, Jax Beach (247-6606) ‘Hey Mickey.’ Very clever. Avalon exploded on stage battled the first round of criticism harder than most. Candlebox Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) sporting a black zip up leather jacket and two sexy In a scene that gave birth to greats like The Red Hot cigarette smoking brunettes. The crowd was freak- Chili Peppers and Jane’s Addiction, proving yourself Out of Hand Palace Saloon, Fernandina Beach ing out. Girls were jumping up on shoulders to get as a local in such a competitive scene would likely Bill Rice Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) a peak, sneaking onstage only to quickly get thrown discourage even the hardest working musicians into Mystic Dino Lynch’s, Jax Beach (249-5181) off, flashing their goods, all while chanting along submission. After wrapping up a tour in Europe with The Chili Peppers, selling out the Barfly, and rubbing Mike Miller Band St. Nick’s Lounge, Jax to lyrics such as, “Mickey Avalon, dick thick as a baton, the illest motherf**ker from here to Vietnam, Jimmy Solari My Place, Jax (737-5299) I used to work nights on hot c*ck dot com, but then Seth Ramsdill Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) I got fired when my mom logged on. I’m on the run, El Toro Loco Square One, Jax (306-9004) my dad’s a bum, I asked my girl if she loved me and she just said —umm...” The strong undertones were comparable to TUESDAY-WED., JULY 24-25 dirty electropop accompanied by simplistic airy Gene Nordan Mackenzie’s, Ponte Vedra (543-9143) tones that complemented his matter-of-fact LA- esque vocals. This all highly contrasted his 80s hair metal against his nasty little Bad Boy Bill vibe. I don’t WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 think there was a song he performed without chant- Mr. Beam Casa Marina, Jax Beach (270-0025) ing his own name. Andre Legacy and Dirk Nasty Furious Styles Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) joined him on stage for a song or so. Sweat pouring off his face, gracefully smearing his guy liner, while Dave Massey My Place, Jax (737-5299) twenty-year old nothings pathetically reached to Rip Tide w/Brian Turner Eddie Bahamas, Jax Beach touch his one-hundred pound fragile body mashed (241-3138) between two hearty buns of man-meat. If Mick Inner Demons House of Jam, Mandarin (262-3377) Jagger and Peaches had a love child, he would be Mickey Avalon, I think to myself as I watch him wave Wes Cobb Band Square One, Jax (306-9004) his arms around like a hysterical army warplane. Elisabeth Williamson Creekside Dinery, St. I’m lead to the bus via his tour manager, Tone, Augustine (829-6113) where we find Mickey and his girlfriend lounging in Funk Shui-Music by the Sea The Pier, St. Augustine the back. He’s calm, collected and peaceful, very Ron Perry Cliff’s, Jax (645-5162) different from his stage persona. As I’m setting up the microphone, we briefly chat about tonight’s per- Stu Weaver The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) formance and his first impression of Jacksonville. He Dark Castle Yesterday’s, Jax (387-0502) was very impressed by the response and the enthu- Gutterboy Snookers, Jax (696-0714) siasm. “If the crowd is having fun, then I’m having fun.

26 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper young modern Eric Dawkins Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) Big Engine Buffalo’s, Orange Park (778-1101) album review Ocean Waves Trio The Oasis, St. Augustine (471-2451) FunKtion Brix, Jax Beach Artist: Silverchair The Mike Miller Band St. Nick’s Lounge, Jax (396-3396) Title: Young Modern El Toro Loco Aromas, Ponte Vedra (280-2525) Release Date: 03.31.07 Chuck Nash Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Label: Eleven (Virgin) Beach (241-8221) Pili Pili Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) Dave Massey My Place Bar & Grill, Jax (737-5299) The Australian trio have outdone themselves by continuing in their tradition of shape-shifting their musical presence with each release. Maybe it actually has something to do the lengthy 5-year gap upcoming shows since their last album, Diorama, an epically orchestrated masterpiece, which shocked listeners and critics alike. Somehow the Chair have managed to start looking at the bright side of life and are now Eddie Money July 27, Jacksonville Landing, FREE, 353-1188 having a little more fun with their craft. The Mooney Suzuki/Dark Romantics July 27, Jack Rabbits, In Young Modern, it is hard to tell what exactly they are trying to accomplish, but much like 398-7496 a confusing film, this is what makes each listen worthwhile. This long-awaited release is vibrant, The Fab Four July 31, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 intelligent, sexy, spastic, and it will leave your eyes wide and teary from the vivid mushroom-like trip Edison Glass Aug. 1, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 that you will think you just experienced. Bonerama August 3, Mojo’s Blues Bar, 247-6636 It is hard to believe that these are the same three young gents who put out the post-grunge Black Kids Aug. 3, TSI, 424-3531 Frogstomp as their debut release back in 1995. Being a fan and follower of the band, I have noticed Left Alone August 7, Thee Imperial475-0488 that upon mention of the band’s name, most of the music-loving population will first speak of this Ben Kweller Aug. 9, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 12-year old release and completely disregarded anything they’ve done since. This is very sad. Ladies Mae Aug. 9, Freebird Live, 246-2473 and gentlemen, they are not a teenage grunge band anymore. In fact, each and every record they Brad Paisley August 10, Jacksonville Arena, 630-3900 have placed on the shelves of our music stores has been a completely different animal than those that Pretty Ricky and Lil Boosie Aug. 10, Jacksonville Memorial precede it. Arena, 630-3900 Frontman and songwriter Daniel Johns has managed to create tracks that sound like old- Evergreen Terrace August 11, Fuel Coffeehouse. 425-3835 Silverchair-meets-Jellyfish. It is as though the two groups are joining in holy matrimony inside a Aly & AJ August 12, Times Union Center, 633-6110 traveling circus, complete with a ball-balancing seal doing the honors as the flower girl. The songwriting Lefty Williams Aug. 12, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 is immaculate, the choruses are breathtaking, and the sore-ass syndrome you’ll experience from each Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters August 14, Freebird listen comes from Daniel John’s vocal godliness. Live, 246-2473 To sum it up, if Young Modern was a tasty beverage at your local coffee shop, you would need Blues Traveler Aug. 17, Freebird, 246-2473 to order an experimental blend rock album brand brewed through an indie-dance-retro-funk filter, and Elekibass Aug. 17, TSI, 424-3531 topped with a colorful, simplistic artful layout to bring forward it’s truly aural bliss. Will Hoge Aug. 18, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 - by brandon highfill looking for an The Receiving End of Sirens Aug. 18, The Imperial, 475-0488 Little River Band August 25, Jacksonville Landing, FREE, easy tiger entertaining career? 353-1188 Static X August 29, Freebird Live, 246-2473 album review eu Stone Sour August 31, Plush, 743-1845 JACKSONVILLE call 904.730.3003 Poison w/Ratt and Vains of Jenna Sept 2, Jacksonville Arena, 630-3900 Artist: Ryan Adams The Rentals & Copeland Sept.2, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Title: Easy Tiger Dave Matthews Band Sep 11, O’Connell Center, Gainesville, Release Date: 06.26.07 FL, (352) 392-1653 Label: Lost Highway John Vanderslice Sept. 18, Café 11, 469-9311 Bruce Bruce Sept. 21, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Queens of the Stone Age Sept. 21, Plush, 743-1845 Nickel Creek Oct. 10, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 So here I am, enjoying a delightful day under the marshmallow clouds and periwinkle sky – think land of make believe. Most people take this for granted, but not the delusioned fans of Ryan Adams. Bonde Do Role Oct. 10, TSI, 424-3531 In March of 2006, I was indicted by a federal grand jury for sharing four jingles from Adams’ 2005 re- Sinbad October 12, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 lease, Jacksonville City Nights. I went on to plead guilty and receive 2 years of probation and 2 months Clint Black October 13, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 of house arrest. Acoustic Alchemy Oct. 23, Florida Theatre While I was incarcerated in my own home, stranded, counting the popcorn on the ceiling, Mr. Reverend Horton Heat/Hank Williams III Nov. 1, Freebird Adams was recording his 9th full-length album in a posh, uptown New York studio. Easy Tiger is easily Live, 246-2473 comparable to my house arrest – incredibly boring. What was hailed as Mr. Adams’ most consistent Jethro Tull Dec.11, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 record yet, is, at best, an unfocused, over-polished bargain-bin letdown. The talented Mr. Adams kicks Johnny Winter Dec. 14, Freebird Live, 246-2473 off his latest flop with, ‘Goodnight Rose,’ a Grateful Dead-esque jam that ultimately fails to break any new musical ground, and ultimately sets the tone for the rest of the album. JUST ANNOUNCED With the sterile, ‘Two’ and ‘Everybody Knows’ to the coma-inducing boredom that is ‘Off Broad- JJ Grey & MOFRO are pleased to announce the first annual way’ and ‘These Girls,’ it doesn’t even sound like Adams wants to be singing these songs. Shifting Blackwater Sol Revue in St. Augustine, FL on September 2. This one-day event, presented by JJ Grey & MOFRO, is the between alt-country, adult contemporary, bluegrass, drab-acoustic balladry and back again, the only grand opening of The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre. Joining standout jam is the spectacular ‘Halloweenhead.’ For an artist that is always progressing, the catchy the band will be Los Lobos, Tony Joe White, The Legendary JC’s and The Lee Boys with acoustic tweeners by Willie brilliance behind ‘Halloweenhead’ is a step in the right direction for Adams. However, as a whole, Easy Green and Will Connor. Tickets go on sale July 17 through Tiger is nothing to phone home about. www.mofro.net. All event information can be found at www. - by jared bowser blackwatersolrevue.com.

eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 27 culture & arts JULY 19 Especially For Seniors Talks & Tea Cummer Museum, Jax 19 Teen Program-Readers Theatre Main Library, Jax 19 “It’s Your River” Meet the Riverkeeper Laura Street Gallery, Jax 19 Ooze, Bubble & Fizz! Library, Neptune Beach 19-20 CSI Summer Camp FCCJ Advanced Technology Center, Jax 19-21 AT&T Greater Jax Kingfish Tournament Sisters Creek, Jax 19- 22 “The Wizard of Oz” Alhambra Dinner Theatre, Jax 19-22 “Nine” Seaside Music Theatre, Daytona Beach 19- 27 Summer Adventure Camps MOSH, Jax 19-28 “Bat Boy: The Musical” Players by the Sea, Jax Beach 19-29 Contract: Death Murder Mystery Players Dave & Busters, Jax 19-AUG. 10 Summer Teen Workshop Orange Park Community Theatre, Orange Park 19-AUG. 12 “Rather Strange Developments” Picasso, hot and cool shows Kandinsky & Mondrian Cummer Museum, Jax 19-AUG. 17 “Go, Dog, Go!” Seaside Music Theatre, Daytona Beach Monsters and the Color of Munny 19-AUG. 26 Impermanence: Recent Works By Andres Michelena MOCA, Jax 19-SEPT. 3 The Cabaret of St. Augustine-Spirits Community by donald dusinberre [email protected] School of Performing Arts, St. 19-SEPT.2 Tradition in Transition: Russian Icons in the Age of issued a Munny, a small plastic figure Romanovs Cummer Museum, Jax with no distinguishing marks. Submis- 19-SEPT. 4 Hurricanes III-Dora The Destroyer Exhibit Beaches sions ranged from clever to inventive to Museum, Jax Beach cute, and although the music was loud 19-OCT. 14 Dinosaurs & Ice Age Mammals MOSH, Jax and the temperature warm, it was a fes- 20-21 “Oklahoma!” YBAG Fletcher High School, Neptune Beach tive time. The second show was a celebration 20-22 My Little Pony Live Performing Arts Center, Jax of Friday the 13th, put on by Josh Jubin- 21 Day of Total Luna-See MOSH, Jax ski of Inertia Records. Monsters featured 21 Canvas of Sound III MOCA, Jax more than twenty artists’ paintings and drawings. Monsters of all types were 21 Southern Classic Gun & Knife Show The Fairgrounds, Jax represented, ranging from classic to 21 Books Alive Main Library, Jax grotesque to funny. By the time I reached 21-22 Little Love Bug Kids Sale & Expo Expo Center, Jax this show, it was well into the evening. 22 Music For A Sunday Morning-Shawn Hanlon Unitarian There were people from all walks of Universalist Church, Jax life hanging out among paintings of disfigured faces while the silhouette of a 22-23 Auditions: “They’re Playing Our Song” ABET, Atlantic Beach Chihuahua barked fiercely from a second let me know if you hear about one. I’ll do the same 23 Classic Movie Night Library, Neptune Beach story window. for you. Our city’s art community is really starting to 23-AUG. 3 Summer Music Camp First Coast Community It’s really fascinating to visit shows like Mon- gel, and there seems to be more and more of these Music School/FCCJ Jax If you’ve never been to an art show or opening, sters and the Color of Munny. Obviously, you can fresh ideas coming together. They’re a lighthearted 24 How To Get Your Book Published, Promoted & Sold! Author then you’re missing out on a unique brand of fun see how each artist can stand apart from the others, kind of event, and the best thing about these themat- Joanelle Mulrain Laura Street Gallery, Jax and intrigue. Going to the opening of an art exhibit but you can also see how the limitations of an as- ic shows is that you don’t have to be an art expert to signment highlight the commonalities of artists as 25 Summer Cinema “Cinema Paradiso” MOCA, Jax or one-day show can make you feel cultured and fit into the crowd. a whole. When you have access to a large sample 25 Tuller & Weinberg Summer Serenade Main Library, Jax privileged, while at the same time feeling hip and forward. group to crosscheck, this kind of show really allows Looking For An 25-SEPT. 2 Smokey Joe’s Café Alhambra Dinner Theatre, Jax the viewer to delve into the creation process. As an There are primarily two kinds of events that cel- Entertaining Career? 26 “Cooking Demo II: Fall Into Fall With A New Kitchen” Laura ebrate the occurrence of art on display. One is the added bonus, it is easy to imagine how you would Street Gallery, Jax approach the assignment. eu show, which offers an exclusive, one-day look at JACKSONVILLE call 904.730.3003 Keep an eye out for more shows like this, and 26-29 “Inherit The Wind” A Classic Theatre Limelight Theatre, the display while providing an opportunity to mingle St. Augustine and party. The other is an opening, which marks the 26-29 “Once Upon A Mattress” FCCJ South Campus, Jax first day of a given time period that the art will be on 26-AUG. 19 “Snapshots” Seaside Music Theatre, Daytona Beach display. Some art exhibitions feature a single artist, so 27-AUG. 11 “Closer” Orpheus Theater Group Body Gallery of the show or opening is sometimes “designed” by Jacksonville, Jax the artist, reflecting the mood of their personality or 28 Open House Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, Jax body of work. They are interesting events to visit, 28 Trey Mcintyre Project UNF Fine Arts Center, Jax especially if you enjoy the featured artist’s work. 28 Frog Frolic Adventure Landing, Jax Beach More often, however, art shows and openings feature a collection of works from a variety of artists. 28 Comedian Nick Costanzo Shantytown Pub, Jax They are usually coordinated by style and/or me- 28 All Age Variety Show Regency Library, Jax dium, but sometimes they are arranged by a com- 28 Art Adventures “Silver & Gold” Cummer Museum, Jax mon subject or theme. I recently visited two shows that required the participating artists to submit work 29 Music For A Sunday Morning-Terrance Peters Unitarian Universalist Church, Jax based on a predetermined idea. The first show was the Color of Munny, put on 29 Family Day Cummer Museum, Jax by Joey Marchy of Urban Jacksonville Blog fame. 30 “For the Love of Paiting” Laura Street Gallery, Jax Displayed in a downtown building that was decidedly urban, more than thirty artists displayed their rendi- tions of a cutesy, do-it-yourself toy. Each artist was

28 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Tony Steve who accompany with a guitar, percussion AUGUST and second keyboard. Their performance was, to my ear, flawless! 1 Summer Cinema “Y’Tu Mama Tambien” MOCA, Jax Director Shirley Sacks continues her amazing 1 First Wednesday Art Walk Various Venues Downtown, Jax record of perfect casting, because this cast couldn’t 1-FEB. 28 Oh Say Can You See: American Art Cummer be better. Ms. Sacks and David Paul designed the Museum, Jax set, a sheet-metal marvel that looks like the entrance 2-19 “Peter Pan” Seaside Music Theatre, Daytona Beach to a mine and cave. Mr. Paul, as technical director, combined his talents with Michael Lipp’s sound de- 3 First Friday Art Walk Various Venues, St. Augustine sign to make us truly feel we were in a cave during 3-25 Torch Song Trilogy First Coast Theatre Arts, Jax the opening scene. 4 First Coast Pride Festival Sea Walk Pavilion, Jax Beach You will hear some of best voices in this area 4 Tattoo Artists Art Show Bogda Art Gallery, Jax in Batboy. Ms. Cobb and Ms. Lawson are always at their best. Bill Ratliff surprised me but only because I 4 First Annual White Party-Guys With Ties The Carling, Jax never realized he could sing. 4-SEPT. 1 “Expected/Unexpected” Exhibit By Daryl Bunn Jane I can’t go into all of the wonderfully wild Gray Gallery, Jax scenes, but two stood out. Lee Hamby, who de- 5 Ken Hurley – Piano Unitarian Universalist Church, Jax signed the costumes, does a show-stopping number 8 Summer Cinema “An Inconvenient Truth” MOCA, Jax in Act II as Reverend Billy Hightower. Lee plays other parts as well. He is equally as hilarious as Mrs. Tay- 9 Café Night Cummer Museum, Jax lor, the woman who wants Batboy killed. 12 Library Night-Suns Baseball Baseball Grounds, Jax The ‘Children Children’ number is led by Julian 12 Anne Mckennon-flute, Paul Phillips, Henson Markham Goldhagen, as Pan the God in a parody of ‘Circle of Unitarian Universalist Church, Jax Life.’ The entire cast is on stage looking like stuffed 14 FCCJ Artist Series “Thomas & Friends Live Performing animals, and doing suggestive (albeit funny) things Arts Center, Jax as they whirl around the stage. I’d say the show is rated PG-l3, with no earthy language but some 15 Summer Cinema “The Notorious Bettie Page” MOCA, Jax implied sexuality. If your kids are under twelve, leave 17-SEPT. 15 Exhibit: Jim Draper – “Produce” Stellers Gallery, them home! Neptune Beach Josh Waller tops himself with each role he 18 Dog Days of Summer MOSH, Jax performs on local stages. I thought he was at his 19 Summer Jazz Concert Series Sea Walk Pavilion, Jax Beach best as Cole Porter in Red, Hot & Cole, but he is in- credibly good as Batboy. He even went the extra mile 19 Craig Hall – Purcell & Bach Church of the Good Shepherd, Jax by shaving his head and growing fanged teeth and 19 Mark Williams-vocals, guitar Unitarian Universalist pointed ears. Waller is phenomenon and captures the Church, Jax essence of this creature, which also happens to have 24 Toast to the Animals-Wine Tasting/Auction Florida Theatre, Jax a glorious singing voice. 25 ZOObilee Zoo, Jax Each performer was incredibly unique and good. This very batty cast includes Michael Lipp, 26 Andrew Bruck-violin Unitarian Universalist Church, Jax Russel Hainline, Maya Adkins, Tracy Olin, Tyler 29 Audtions: FCCJ Repertory Dance Company 6pm FCCJ Ross, Renee Freeman, John Cohen, Rachel Hineman South Campus, Jax and Samuel Willis. You will see a lot of them all since they act as a chorus for several numbers. Don’t SEPTEMBER miss this show! Where else are you going to hear such wonderful songs as ‘Another Dead Cow,’ ‘Hold 5 First Wednesday Art Walk Various Venues/Downtown, Jax batboy 5-OCT. 7 Steel Magnolia’s Alhambra Dinner Theatre, Jax Me Batboy,’ ‘Apology to a Cow,’ and fourteen other equally impressive musical treats. 6-23 “Criminal Hearts” Limelight Theatre, St. Augusitne This show is a funny dark comedy that is very 7 First Friday Art Walk Various Venues, St. Augustine the musical, a PBTS play review entertaining with an underlying message of accept- ing those who are different. Want more information? 8 Delicious Destinations Benefit Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Visit Playersbythesea.org. Ponte Vedra by dick kerekes [email protected] 13 Café Night Cummer Museum, Jax One of the hottest theatre tickets in town until show their intolerance for the new boy in town. 14 Opening Reception: Coherent Structures by Carol Prusa July 28, will be for Batboy; The Musical, which re- The show zips along at a hilariously fast pace MOCA, Jax cently opened at Players by the Sea in Jacksonville with songs that include rap, gospel, pop, tango, 14-16 Southern Monster Truck Showdown Clay County Beach. Six more performances remain on July 19, country and rock. It features snappy and colorful Fairgrounds, Green Cove Springs 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 pm at l06 N. 10th Street. dances from three choreographers, Sam Willis, Sara 14-JAN. 6 Sculptor: Minoru Ohira Exhibit MOCA, Jax Based on a series of stories from the tabloid John and Niki Stokes. The band is led by Musical Di- Weekly World News, Keythe Farley and Brian Flem- rector Ellen Milligan on keyboard, who is perched on 16 Craig Hall – Brahms Church of the Good Shepherd, Jax ming fashioned the book about a half-boy/half-bat top of the set with Jonah Pierre, Jarrett Carter and 22 Miracles in the Moonlight Gala Benefit Hyatt Regency, Jax creature into a musical horror spoof with Laurence JACKSONVILLE O’Keefe adding the music and lyrics. It debuted Off OCTOBER Broadway in 200l and won the Outer Critics Circle Award for best musical. It has become popular 3 First Wednesday Art Walk Various Venues/Downtown, Jax around the country and has reached cult status. 4-6 First Coast Classic Dancesport Championship World Golf It is definitely a big hit at Players, and not just help wanted. Village, St. Augustine with the younger set. Many of the audience on open- we are seeking a professional, enthusiastic person 4-7 Fall Home & Patio Show Prime Osborn Center, Jax ing night were over forty and they were almost roll- to represent the area’s leading weekly entertainment 4-7 Amelia Island Book Festival Various Venues, Amelia Island ing in the aisles with laughter. publication. this is an exciting oppurtunity to deal 5 First Friday Art Walk Various Venues, St. Augustine The plot is simple. Batboy is rescued from a directly with leading entertainment venues cave in Hope Falls, West Virginia, and taken in by and businesses and to promote exciting 6 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk Seawalk the sympathetic wife, Meredith (Staci Cobb), of the new movie premiers. Pavilion, Jax Beach veterinarian, Dr. Parker (Bill Ratliff). Named “Edgar” 12-14 Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival Various by his mentor Meredith, he soon learns to speak and sales experience is preferred, Venues, Amelia Island becomes mostly civilized. He just can’t seem to give 13 Buddy Walk Seawalk Pavilion, Jax Beach up his blood diet. He falls in love with Dr. Parker’s enthusiasm necessary. rebellious teenage daughter Shelley (Miranda Law- 18-21 Southern Woman’s Show Prime Osborn Center, Jax son) and she returns the sentiment. Dark secrets and (904) 730-3003 · 20-21 Beaches Fine Art Show Seawalk Pavilion, Jax Beach danger loom for the Parker family as the town folks a locally and family owned business for over 25 years.

eujacksonville.com | july 19-25, 2007 29

THE JOCK by tom weppel

GOLF Victoria Beckham, he certainly brings a huge spark This weekend the British Open is being played of interest into a sport that continues to strive for at Carnoustie in England. The third of four Major attention and acceptance in the United States. Championships in golf is always interesting and While soccer certainly has increased its fans unique in many ways, having been played longer base in the USA, it is not nearly appreciated and than any other tournament. I guess so far the story idolized like it is around the world, as it is the most this year has been that Eldrick has NOT won the first popular around the globe. It continues to feebly two Majors. It has gotten to where all golf fans be- compete with MLB, the NBA, and the NFL. But David lieve he will win a tournament, and are disappointed Beckham will certainly draw a spike of interest, beachwise by Shaun Robbins when he doesn’t. Meanwhile, the without question, in the next few months, even from guys who have won, Zach Johnson (Masters) and a curiosity standpoint. He will enhance the play of Angel Cabrera (U.S. Open) seem to be also-rans the Galaxy club in MLS, and bring more fans into Jacksonville and the surrounding areas might not get the best waves in the world, but we do get our fair who fade off with almost no popularity whatsoever. stadiums wherever they play. The fact he is in Los share. Depending on the spot you choose and the conditions at the time, you can come in contact with a For those who market and promote the sport, Angeles, a city with no NFL franchise and plenty variety of waves up and down our coast. During my 20 plus years surfing here, I have ridden everything namely the PGA Tour, this presents a huge dilemma of paparazzi, helps quite a bit. And so we shall see from big, fast waves to small, weak waves, including everything in-between. While I wouldn’t mind seeing in my opinion, even though Tiger himself is a great what happens in the coming weeks, as Beckham and a more consistent flow of the big, fast waves around, I must say it is nice to have the small, weak waves personality. Any tournament that Tiger does not play his mates showcase their talents. around as well to keep me pumped when we do get a nice swell. While welcoming small surf may sound in seems to be of minor significance. We all know weird to most, just think about it; when you have sub-par surf you’re left wanting any decent surf regard- that Tiger won the British Open last year, on the FINAL WORD less of what size it is, the form of the wave, or the power it is producing. But when you have been surfing heels of his father’s death, and it certainly was an Like most sports fans, I watch ESPN, which great surf for a while, you get tired of it, and you lose that desire to charge it all day long. emotional time for Mr. Woods. A lot has happened is a massive network operation I have tremendous in the last twelve months for the guy, including mar- respect for. But no one is perfect, and that includes I hear you now, “You’re riage and the birth of his daughter. In the first two the boys in Bristol, Connecticut. And so I will tell you CRAZY! I would never Majors, he was in contention, but wasn’t able to fin- that their awards show, known as the ESPY’s, are get tired of great surf.” ish things off. This shows that, while Tiger is indeed absolutely AWFUL! It is by far, and without question, Just think about the last a fantastic player, there are many, many others who the WORST awards program I have ever witnessed time we had good surf are good enough to beat him on any given day, yet on television. Now, mind you, there have been for an extended period of they are unappreciated by the golfing public. heartfelt moments every year, where they do a good time. Think about earlier And so we shall see what happens at Car- job in honoring someone who has overcome some this summer when we noustie this weekend, with a strong international field sort of adversity to persevere and succeed. They are had surf for almost a of competitors. The course will be in good condition tearing-jerking moments. But in the overall scheme month. Remember how from the rain that has soaked the area, and the rough of what awards programs are nowadays, the ESPY’s stoked you were to get will be high, as we have always seen on the British are a total joke. The presenters are horrible in read- into the water that first courses. ing the telestrators. The writers are hideous in giving day the swell came, and the athletes ridiculous lines to come out with. how you didn’t want to NASCAR It seems to be nothing more than an overblown get out of the water until The boys have a week off before they head chance for ESPN to bring together star athletes from the sun went down? You towards Indianapolis, after FINALLY all sports and give them a strange piece of cheap might have even called won a race this year, in Chicago. Meanwhile, the metal to tell them they did a good job, as if they in sick to work, come in HUGE story is what number will be on the car Dale cared. The whole thing is a complete mess, and the a little late with salt resi- Earnhardt, Jr. will drive in 2008, and what sponsor program needs to stop. due still stuck to you after a dawn patrol session, or left work a little early so you could get a few more will be seen on that vehicle. It was announced this waves before the crowd came. And this was for mediocre surf. Sound vaguely familiar to you? past week that has sponsors tied up for ’08, and that will prohibit Budweiser from Now fast forward to about a week into that wave period. That fire you had to get out there and catch every keeping their ties to Dale, Jr. wave you could get your board on had faded a little. It wasn’t gone by any means, but it just wasn’t drop- Meanwhile, it also seems that DEI will be keep- everything-and-get-out-there strong any more. Now think back to the tail end of that month of surf when ing the #8 for their own, unless a deal can be cut we had epic surf, the same surf that snapped my board in two. Can you picture it? Did you even surf it? between Hendrick, DEI, and NASCAR for that digit. Lots of people didn’t even make it out at the end of this period. “Why,” you might ask. Because they lost And so we might be seeing a totally different car for the fire that comes from experiencing a long wave drought. No worries if it happened to you, because it , Jr next season, and that will mean is common and happens to everyone, including the pros. Just remember; the shortage of waves we are a big, big change for his fans, which is something experiencing is just added fuel to get you fired up and surfing harder when we finally do get some decent NASCAR is NOT used to, at all. waves. SOCCER Forecasted Conditions This weekend we will witness the American de- There looks to be little waves coming in this weekend, but when I say little I mean little. You will need to but of David Beckham playing for his new club, the break out your longboard for these waves. Going into the week we see much of the same as the weekend L.A. Galaxy of Major League Soccer. Beckham has with little to no surf. Looking to the tropics, we see no sign of the high activity that was predicted to be been a huge star in Europe, playing for Manchester coming this year. But don’t take my weekly word for it, call or log onto your local report daily to find out United, Real Madrid, and of course his home country what the present conditions are for your favorite break. of England in the World Cup. With his strong soccer skills, good looks and his trophy wife, Spice Girl,

30 july 19-25, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper wins again real soon, like next week at the Brickyard. They need sponsors for this year and next or Stewart gets a win under his belt and he is even they might be a one-car show for 2008. Ginn said harder to beat on a race track than any other driver. that he would foot the bills for his cars, but just how news & notes Richard Childress has got all three of his cars in the long can he do that? Martin will be there next year top ten so far and I expect all of them to make the with Smith, but Sterling wants to do a Rudd or an Chase, I just can’t say which one of them will win it Elliott and step back with just a part-time season by RICHARD TEAGUE [email protected] all. I would love to see any of his guys do it, cause in 2008. Joe’s contract is up next year too, and just like Tony Stewart this week, RCR is overdue for sponsorship may be a problem. Ginn said that there Well They Heard Me! At least maybe they did. a championship. are teams that have big money sponsors and some Last week I commented about how the race broad- You know there is a three-car team out there of them can’t make a race, but all his guys seem to cast on TNT took up most of my TV screen with that doesn’t have a driver in the top twelve and by be in just about every race. How can the companies useless stuff, but this week I got to see the race. all rights they should have, but it ain’t because they that put up dollars not get anything for them? Hey I’ll tell you upfront that I don’t get to see every Cup aren’t trying. is that team, and with Budweiser, are you listening? Or how about the race ‘cause I got some weird work hours, but this the way they started this season, I thought things NAPA boys, are they happy with Mikey paying them week I made an extra effort to watch. I was so very would be different for them. Possibly the way Bobby when he don’t make a race? surprised and overjoyed that TNT dropped that wide Ginn went at NASCAR racing (at full speed), damn I hope that a sponsor or two steps up and position crawler along the bottom of the screen, the prices and let’s win races. He hired a bunch of signs on with Bobby and the guys, and I also hope moved it up top and narrowed it down. They made it people to start with then got that big dollar shaker that Bobby can get a couple of new drivers. Hey Kyle easier to read and perhaps a little slower for us old to keep up with the bigtime teams and then came are you listening? Well I’m done again for this week, folks to keep up with the track positions of the driv- within inches of winning the Daytona 500; but didn’t. and if you got something to tell, say or just want to ers, making me a happy race fan. The best part was He’s got three of my all time favorite drivers in his share with me, you can do it at tinynascars@yahoo. that there were no commercials on the split screen cars and a rookie that needs work, but there are big com. Did y’all know by chance that, If it ain’t NAS- while showing the race, so I really enjoyed the whole second half, like he has been having these past dark clouds on his horizon. CAR, It ain’t s**t!! deal. couple of years. Tony is still in the Chase, at sixth in Now for the overall broadcast, I will give them the standings, and he has seven more races before an ‘A’ in every aspect. I can only suggest one or the field is set. I really don’t think he’s going to miss two things to improve the next one, but that will be out this year. Well now, would y’all like for me to go for next year. First, they need to let Kyle Petty do out on a limb and say who the winner will be this more talking, only because I really like him and he’s year? All right, here is my prediction for the NASCAR fresh from a racecar and has not been out of one Nextel Cup Champion (small rum droll please)… for several years. He’s been on the tracks and in the Gosh, there are so many that could do it, but for my garages with all the guys and knows what’s going on FIRST prediction (now really did you think I would and I think that all the teams open up to him easier only make one?) The Champion is going to be Jeff than to other commentators. The other suggestion Gordon! that is perhaps not worth saying: ease up on them As for the rest of the field, driver five moved in-car cameras just a tad. I’d rather watch the race up a notch, three moved down with Jimmie Johnson, on the outside not the inside. taking not only a big hit into the wall, but losing three OK ESPN and ABC, let’s see what ya’ got next spots back to seventh. That shouldn’t affect his week, because I have been waiting for the return of shot at the Chase. Four other guys didn’t move at both networks and, dudes, I’ll have my eye on you. all, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. is sitting on that fence and That means your Mr. Rusty, so don’t mess up or I’ll could go either way. He was the lucky one from DEI write about ya’. I just know that y’all are quaking in that didn’t have real troubles and showed’em how your boots, aren’t ya? Hehe. ESPN has got a hard it works with powerful steering. didn’t one next week with the Brickyard. They will prob- even get started and Martin Truex Jr. ran a good ably have fifty cameras trying to give us a good race, but when he went into the pits near the end, race presentation and I think they can do it. Here I’m I just knew that Junior would be next. It looked like going to be honest with y’all again, but I’m not a big someone went and put the whammy on that team or fan of the race at Indy unless Danica Patrick is in it, something. Junior at 12th could be trouble if he lets along with another one of them Indy Car babes. Sure it, but he just needs to drive and not think about all would be nice if NASCAR would get out of the “Good the stuff that has happened so far this year. Ole Boy” syndrome and get some women in those For all of you that where saying, “sure wish Cup cars, Ray is sure trying ain’t he? those Hendrick’s guys wouldn’t win every week,” How About That Tony Stewart? You’d think he well, you’re getting your wish. The Roush teams are was way outta’ shape to climb that fence Sunday, finally starting to finish better than they had been. but he went up that thing like a staircase. He should Now we all knew that Jeff, Jimmie, Kyle and Casey have made that climb at least two and possibly four weren’t going to win them all, just like we knew that times already this season. Maybe this is the strong Tony was way overdue for a win, and I bet ya’ he

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