At the Lexington High Security Unit Radical Daughters, This Could Be You by Beth Connors-Manke Self-Determination

North of Center Wednesday, May 25, 2011 Free TAKE HOME AND READ NOCLEXINGTON.COM Volume III, Issue 10 At the Lexington High Security Unit Radical daughters, this could be you By Beth Connors-Manke self-determination. Paradoxically, this is true even when we sanction the strip- This is part two of Beth’s “Rebelly Bitch” ping of others’ freedom through bad series on incarceration. In March, she education, racism, enforced poverty, or reported on the imprisonment of nineteenth- incarceration. century political prisoner Anne Devlin in Ireland’s Kilmainham Gaol. Devlin’s cap- Magdalene Sisters tor-torturer, the prison official “Dr.” Trevor, Around the same time, I had seen is reputed to have said: “Bad luck to you The Magdalene Sisters (2002), written Anne Devlin, bad luck to you, you rebelly and directed by Peter Mullan. The bitch; I hope you may be hanged.” Beth’s movie takes place in a convent also tour of the gaol reminded her of Lexington’s functioning as an asylum for “loose” own history of political imprisonment at women. ‘Asylum’ turns out to be a the Lexington High Security Unit. euphemism for a prison run by nuns; each woman there had been locked up When I first started researching against her will. and writing on imprisonment, I was Beautifully shot, remarkably quiet, asked: “Why write on prison?” This and composed primarily of medium query came at a public forum—I was shots and close-ups, The Magdalene being measured up—so I had to give Sisters is a difficult movie to watch. intellectual, rather than personal, rea- Difficult because it tells the story of sons. Now, I don’t remember exactly three young Irish women—one raped, what I said; it was probably something one beautiful, and one who gives birth The Federal Medical Center (formerly the Federal Correctional Institution) on Leestown Road. about theories of surveillance and the out of wedlock—who are stripped of ontological experience of confinement. their freedom because they are young But this confinement wasn’t sim- I wasn’t tempted to distance However, I do remember what I women and because men around them ply about zealous morality taken out myself, though. Having grown up in wanted to say: I write about imprison- have sinned sexually. Difficult because on the young; convents like the one an Irish-American Catholic family, the ment because it terrifies me. the claustrophobia and the frustration depicted in the film relied on the film hit close to home. These girls were Imprisonment terrifies me for the the young women feel is painfully women’s forced labor for financial via- like me in many ways. I could imagine most basic of reasons: how I under- present in every shot. Difficult because bility. In a time before the wonder of how, with a twist in circumstances, this stand myself and the world is premised women—the girls’ mothers, the nuns, personal washers and dryers, these asy- could have been my fate; I could have on freedom. This, of course, partially the women of the community—are lums also functioned as laundries. As been sent off, swallowed up by a sys- has to do with my personality (don’t complicit in the incarceration. the film suggests, the laundry/asylums tem larger than me, for reasons having tell me what to do, I won’t do it), but Difficult because it’s based on were driven by economics as much as, little to do with me. To put it another freedom is also the gold standard in true events that happened as recently if not more than, religious fervor for way: I imagined that if it happened to American culture. We’re bred on it. as the 1960s and 70s in Ireland. The the reformation of “wayward” girls. other women, it could happen to me. We may sometimes, stupidly, fool our- last laundry closed in 1996. While For some, it might be tempting to selves into thinking freedom is the the women’s movement was at a fever distance oneself from the violence and Fallen Women ability to choose between two types of pitch, especially in the United States, the horror of illegal confinement of While the U.S., like Ireland, has SUV or twelve styles of jeans; however, in the Magdalene asylums women were the Magdalene asylums by dismissing a history of incarcerating women for deep down, Americans’ psyches are being imprisoned for their sexuality by it as having happened in another coun- fundamentally grounded in the idea of the Church and their families. try, in another time. continued on page 3 Valley View: A ferry history By Danny Mayer river or the other. As Jefferson, Fayette John Filson's 1784 map of atop the fertile high grounds rising and Lincoln counties splintered into a “Kentucke,” published 8 years before above the Kentucky's southern banks, The Kentucky River's twisted number of smaller counties, nearly all the area achieved statehood, shows and on towards the Cumberland north-by-northwest course defined that abut the Kentucky use the river as four ferries in operation around River watershed and its growing pio- three of the original four counties that a boundary rather than allow its flow Lexington. To the city's east, the ferry neer river-town, Nashville. In 1784 comprised the commonwealth before inside its borders. at Fort Boonesborough (the area's Lexington's main street, if traveled it separated from Virginia: Jefferson first, chartered in 1779) secured pas- westward, literally dead-ended at the county rolled away from the river's 1785: Crossing the Commonwealth's sage over the Kentucky to/from the Kentucky River hamlet of Lee's Town, western banks, Lincoln from its south- Great Wall of Water terminus of Boone Trace, gateway now better known as Frankfort, at ern banks, while Fayette sat nestled, to the Cumberland Gap and the which point a ferry floated citizens, sling-like, in the fertile, east-facing By 1785 when former Revolutionary relatively settled nation east of the their products and animals across to scrotum-shaped terrain squeezed War veteran John Craig petitioned the Appalachian mountains. To the city's the river's western banks, the roads on between it and the Ohio Rivers. state of Virginia to operate a ferry at south, Hogan's Ferry at Hickman this other side of Lees Town trend- At first glance, the river's early Valley View nearby the mouth of Tates Creek (now state Highway 27) and ing north to Port Royal or west to cartographic importance to the state is Creek, a handful were already in oper- Curd's Ferry at Dick's River (near Clarkville, both pulling, as if by rheo- easily explainable. Surveyors love riv- ation along the Kentucky, shuttling High Bridge) allowed passage to/from taxis, toward the early republic's great ers, their beds making great, mostly people, livestock and goods from one the vibrant frontier settlements of definite boundaries to which all par- side of the river to the other. Danville and Harrodsburg, which sat continued on page 3 ties can abide. With early surveyors like Daniel Boone using creeks and rivers to deed up property borders, deter- mining the common boundary line for three counties must have seemed like a no-brainer. Choose the big body of water and its hundred million year old river bed that slice through the state's interior; head to nearest tavern to work off last night's bottle fever. But using the Kentucky as a common boundary also held a political logic. The river's steep banks, tower- ing palisades and deep pools were difficult to traverse. Early Kentuckians could not expect easy passage across the Kentucky at the locations and times of their choosing. Cross-river traffic was spotty at best, and required much effort. The river could add miles and days of travel to distances that, as the crow flies, were minuscule. Ensuring political representation in early republic Kentucky, then, meant confining counties to one side of the Ferries used to ring Lexington’s southern border.

Contents In forthcoming issues 2 — Neighborhood 4 — Music 7 — Sports 7 — Opinion 8 — Comics More rebelly bitch Farmer’s Daughter Music “calendar” ROCK and roll You say you want a... Fierce Company Whippoorwill I 5 — Film & Media xxxxxxxxxxxx Report from Louisville General Dallas Census analysis More Discarded Summer Classics! Letters Local happenings More musical mayhem 2 North of Center

MAY 25, 2011 The Neighborhood A farmer’s daughter By April York heritage, and not just because I knew country girl I am. Though I avoided it, humans can do if they try in coopera- where milk came from, and to realize I have stripped tobacco: Box #3, Red. tion with the world and each other. It’s I am a farmer’s daughter. how much I was missing, it felt too late. I’ve kicked corn, moved palettes, and knowing dedication, hard work, inge- When I was a little girl, Granny Mac I have a memory, I don’t know when climbed the rafters of a barn. nuity, and a bit of stubbornness will and I would play dress-up, watch soap it’s from, of walking down the lane and But being a farmer’s daughter is lead you far. It’s knowing that all you operas, write spelling sentences, and eat feeling like I wanted to belong there, to more than owning a pair of cowboy really need are the people you love. It’s hoecakes while everybody else stripped feel a connection to the land. But I had boots, getting your first driving les- cherishing a family dinner around the tobacco, or did the cattle round-up. already struck my stick in the ground, son in a pickup truck in the middle kitchen table. It’s simplicity and com- I read books when I could’ve been saying I was something else: a scholar, of a field, or thinking stringing green plexity all in one. Very intelligent men learning to rake hay. When I was at the an academic. I was wrong. beans is fun. taught me these lessons from the hon- tobacco barn, I did my best to sit in Though I think I’ve known it for Being a farmer’s daughter is know- orable work they did side-by-side every the black swirly chair reading the com- a long time, I realized I was a farming what willy is, and having some. day. ics or planning the seating arrange- er’s daughter sitting in an exquisite It’s understanding the sacred beauty I am a farmer’s daughter, and I ments for Thanksgiving family dinner. home on an expansive farm on the of land, being at peace when all you hope that one day, if I have a little girl, Once I was old enough to real- outskirts of Lexington. Coming to can see around you are trees, fences, she might not just be a farmer’s grand- ize how proud I was of my farming the city made me realize just what a and a few cows. It is appreciating what daughter, but a farmer’s daughter too. Skills for Earth-friendly living New festival comes to Berea in June

By Dave Cooper Sausage, Raising Backyard Chickens, from Kentucky, the 23 String Band keep admission costs very low ($15 per Alternative Transportation (Wooden on Friday night, which has played at person per day) and I’m very excited Summer is here, and it’s festi- Bicycles and Plywood Kayaks), Forest the highly-regarded Master Musicians about the whole thing. Volunteers val time! In addition to the annual Gardening, Fiber Arts: Hat Felting, Festival in Somerset. are needed, so if you are interested music and arts and crafts fairs across Fire Spinning/Poi, Composting Plus we will have old-time banjo in helping guide people to park their Kentucky, this year will be the first Toilets, Fermenting: Kim Che and player and story-teller Randy Wilson cars, cooking or taking ticket money year for the Whippoorwill Festival Sauerkraut, Making Mead, Forest from Leslie County, and the legend- at the front gate, please contact me at near Berea, June 16-19. Co-sponsored Foraging, Making Rocket Stoves and ary mountain banjo player Lee Sexton, [email protected]. I would by a number of community and envi- Hobo Stoves, Fire Building with an 85-year-old former coal miner from also welcome some help at the festival ronmental groups, the Whippoorwill Primitive Tools, Wildlife Observation Letcher County, who will play along with grounds setting up tarps and taking Festival will teach sustainable living and Nature Awareness, Long-Distance an amazing young musician Jack Adams. down the kitchen before and after the skills through a series of workshops Bicycle Touring, Gathering Roots Elizabeth Laprelle from festival. led by experienced and skilled train- in the Forest, Non-timber Forest Blacksburg, Virginia is a fast-rising The Whippoorwill Festival is Products, Shadow Theater, Leave No young singer with a golden voice, and co-sponsored by the Appalachian Trace Camping, Making Hot Sauces, Sara Lynch-Thomason from Asheville Community Fund, Sustainable Berea, Bagua and Chi Gong and Bicycle- NC will teach and lead old-time Kentucky Heartwood, Kentucky Powered Generators. Appalachian ballads. Association for Environmental We also hope to offer a workshop Also on the music bill is Sugar Education, Kentucky Mountain on Dutch Oven Cooking. Tree, three young ladies from Berea Justice, Appalachian Community Evening entertainment will who harmonize like the dickens, plus Economics, United Mountain include some well-known speak- Funny Bones from Lexington on Defense and the Bluegrass Group ers such as Pulitzer Prize-Winning Thursday night. Sierra Club. Editorial Cartoonist Joel Pett of the This festival should be a lot of fun. Lexington Herald-Leader, Kentucky It’s the first year, so we’ve decided to Register online at homegrownhideaways.org. Gubernatorial Candidate Gatewood Galbraith, Food Not Bombs Co-founder Keith McHenry, Sustainability expert Dr. Richard Olson of Berea College, ers, including some Berea College pro- and Appalachian simple living fessors and long-time environmental expert Carol Judy of the Clearfork $5 Yoga leaders. Community Institute in Tennessee. Most workshops will be 2 hours After the evening speakers, we long, although some off-site field trips will kick back and kick off our shoes Strong and Stable Backs may be longer. In order to encourage for some great music and dancing in leadership development, additional the main pavilion. The Hot Seats, Saturdays, 11:30 A.M. workshops will be led by younger folks from Charlottesville, Virginia, are the and college students. The festival will headliner band Saturday night, and Eagle Creek Wellness begin at noon on Thursday, June 16 I encourage you to check out their and run until 6:00 Sunday, June 19. website and watch their videos. These 859-264-0251 Participants can come for a day or for guys are excellent musicians. But there the entire festival, which will be held will be another terrific bluegrass band at HomeGrown HideAways, located in the beautiful Red Lick Valley just east of Berea. The Whippoorwill Festival is a 509 N. Limestone low-cost, family-friendly event, with Andrea tent camping and home-cooked meals. There will be many activities for children, inspired by the book “Last Child in the Woods,” by Richard Louv, such as looking for salamanders and other critters in the creek that runs through the festival grounds. There is no admission charge for children 12 and under, and quiet time in the camping area will begin after 11:00. Confirmed workshops for the festival include Non-Toxic Household Cleaning, Making Rain Barrels, Dendrology/Tree Identification, Forest Ecology, Playing Banjo, Fiddle and Mandolin, Old Time Ballad Singing, Earth Ovens, Food Security, Oyster Mushroom Inoculation, Mushroom Wild-crafting, Beekeeping, Growing Hot Weather Greens, Primitive Nutrition, Edible Wild Mushrooms, Mountain Justice Kid Collective, Basic Bicycle Maintenance, Making Kefir, Making Hula Hoops (for kids and adults), Making Salve from Plantain and Comfrey, Aromatherapy and Massage, Solar Field Trip to Bob Fairchild’s House, Dumpstering and Curb-Crawling, Deep Ecology, Home Schooling, Growing Fruit Trees, Home Weatherization, Worm Andrea was on her way to Al’s Bar for an origami-folding event when we asked her to sit on the old couch. Because she Composting, Flat-footing, “How To lives on N. Limestone, it wasn’t hard to persuade her to go home and get her own camera to take this photograph since Survive Without a Salary” Discussion we were not prepared with ours. Group, Stick Tag, Natural Building and Earth bag, Waste Veggie Oil Diesel Image and text by Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova, Discarded project. Auto Conversion, Knitting, Making North of Center 3

MAY 25, 2011

Lex HSU (cont.) Valley View (cont.)

continued from page 1 man had ordered us placed in restraints continued from page 1 faster, deeper and thereby more effi- while walking from one end of the base- cient waters of the Ohio, in the pro- sexual license, by the 1960s and 70s, ment to the other. The lights were neon inland highway system, the Ohio cess transporting all kinds of people the “fallen” women considered most fluorescent burning and bright, and River. and goods into and out of the region. dangerous to the American status quo everything snow white – walls, floors, In the absence of a developed system were those involved in radical political ceilings. There was no sound except the Fifteen years later at the close of of roads and the fossil fuel energy action. humming of the lights, and nothing the eighteenth century, as the region required to traverse such roads, the Lexington made history for pun- stirred in the air. Being there at the gate prospered a number of new ferries Kentucky became the state's first great ishing women when the Lexington looking down the cell block made my had begun or would soon begin opera- highway, the commonwealth's most High Security Unit (HSU) broke new ears ring, and breath quicken.” tion along the palisade-lined inner- important economic asset. ground in political imprisonment Imagine being told—as Rosenberg bluegrass stretch of the Kentucky Constructed by placing sidewalls and psychological torture. Opened in was—that you would spend the next River. Upstream from Valley View and a roof atop a ferryflat chassis, 1986, the notorious HSU had a short fifty years in a place like this, a place before Boonesborough, Cleveand's Kentucky flatboats could carry agri- life, closing in 1988 after inmates and white, antiseptic, with no natural light, Ferry (later re-named Clay's Ferry) cultural cargo like bourbon and cured human rights organizations took the with the incessant humming of fluo- transported travelers and their wares pork bound for New Orleans ports, institution to court for prison condi- rescent lights. Consider how you would across the river nearby Boone Creek, or they could carry the familial pio- tions and treatment of inmates. respond. What would go through your establishing a transportation path best neer cargo of homesteaders bound for Designed to hold 16 women, the mind? represented today by the 6-lane I-75 westward ports along the Ohio and Lexington HSU was a renovated base- I want you to take this imagina- bridge that spans the Kentucky nearly Mississippi Rivers. One observer, writ- ment of what was then called the tive exercise seriously. Look around 300 feet directly above it. Downstream ing in 1801, noted that the flatboats Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) you now. What does the space around from Valley View, ferry operators transporting goods and people on the on Leestown Road. The expensive proj- you look, smell, feel like? How easily vying for the plentiful inter-city com- Kentucky and the Ohio appeared as ect was a prison within a prison geared could you get up and walk outside? I’m merce and travel that was develop- “floating houses,” a description echoed toward complete surveillance and psy- in my office, which has red walls and ing between Lexington on the river's by more modern observations that the chological control of prisoners who brightly colored art. Plants, all sitting north side and Danville/Harrodsburg flatboats must have “resembled the had been placed there because of their atop bookshelves, soak up the natural on its south, opened a number of single-wide house trailers of twentieth- political activity. light from three windows. Down the operations between Hickman Creek century Kentucky.” (Even at its most Clinical psychologist Dr. Richard stairs, out the front door, and I’m in (Nicholasville Road) and the commu- early republic, it seems, Kentucky was Korn reported to the American Civil sunshine. If I were consigned to the nity of Brooklyn (Harrodsburg Road). still creatively white trash at heart.) Liberties Union (ACLU) that the pur- HSU, I would quickly go crazy. Where the Danville-Nicholasville No wonder that ferry crossings pose of the prison was “to reduce pris- In “Reflections,” Rosenberg relays Turnpike crossed the Kentucky like the one chartered at Valley View oners to a state of submission essential Torres’s first comment about the HSU: (Nicholasville Road), Johnson's Ferry were vibrant sites of human energy, for their ideological conversion. That “It’s a white tomb, a white sepulcher.” opened on the downstream side of acting as funnels and concentrating failing, the next objective is to reduce It was whitewashed death. Hickman Creek to compete for traffic communities along particular spots them to a state of psychological incom- Silvia Baraldini, the third political with Hogan's Ferry. Seven miles down- on the river. Writing in The Five Lives petence sufficient to neutralize them as prisoner to join the HSU, echoed the current, two ferries serviced travelers of the Kentucky River, the author efficient, self-directing antagonists. That thought in a later interview: “The essen- of Shun Road, originally an unof- William Grier has described such ferry failing, the only alternative is to destroy tial part of this unit is that we’re totally ficial thoroughfare cut to shun use crossings as “the center of activity” for them, preferably by making them des- isolated, and so amongst us we have of the then river-bound toll roads of the areas they served. With people and perate enough to destroy themselves.” taken to calling this place a living tomb.” Nicholasville and High Bridge roads. economic activity continually crossing Korn, a specialist in the effects of Convicted of conspiracy and Martin's Boatyard shuttled goods and and passing the river at these points, coercion and isolation, interpreted the racketeering, Baraldini was a mem- people crossing at Jessamine Creek into entire communities began to prosper. message of the HSU in this way: ber of the May 19th Communist Polly's Bend. A short stretch beyond County-ordered warehouses stored “The most miserable and danger- Organization and supported the anti- Martin's, McQuai's Landing would tobacco, hemp, flour and other prod- ous of violent criminals get a better racist work of the Black Panther Party. began operations in the 1820s and ucts bound for markets downriver. shake than these women. These are the Like Rosenberg, Baraldini had fought cross at Handy's Bend into Bowman's Taverns provided gathering places for fallen women. These are the daughters the FBI’s COINTELPRO, an illegal Bend. At the Dix, no fewer than three the bottle fever, sites for socialization who went astray, and we [the state] program which targeted American ferries, Curd's (1786), Lewis's (1826), and libations for those travelers ferry- must make an example to the daugh- political dissidents, spying on and and Shaker ferries, transported goods ing over or passing through the area. ters we have in our homes: You must harassing them. back and forth along the Pleasant Hill General stores arose to service the needs never be like this; if you are, we will and Kentucky River Turnpike (High of both the agricultural-based commu- put you in a place like this, and then Punished for Politics Bridge Road). A couple miles further nities growing along both river banks you will look like these women, you It is important to note that these along at the Lexington-Harrodsburg- and the many riverine and pike-bound will be faceless.” three women were not convicted of Perryville Turnpike (Highway 68, travelers funneling through on their “The state has an endless amount violent crimes. Nor were they known Harrodsburg Road, Broadway), a sec- way to other places. Housing provided of time [to punish the women]. So, to be violent prisoners. Yet, they were ond Shaker ferry, along with little-used homes for the different workers needed ultimately it will kill them, and the caged in one of the most restricted Todd's Ferry, was well-positioned to to operate the ferry communities. state will be relieved of the guilt.” prison units in the country. At the float area products downriver, to the At Clay's Ferry, Eastern Kentucky In other words: beware young HSU, Torres, Rosenberg, and Baraldini comparatively deeper and more reli- coal floated down the Kentucky was women, the state will do this to you if were not being punished for the crimes able waters of Frankfort, Louisville transferred from flat boats onto horse you dare try to upend the political order. for which they were convicted, but for and ports west and south. drawn wagons and hauled 15 miles the political reasons motivating their inland to supply the growing fossil Radical Daughters actions. The irony here is that the U.S. 1800-1930: flatboats, ferry com- energy needs of Lexingtonians, who Three of the women held at claims to have no domestic political munities and working landscapes could purchase bushels for twenty- the HSU had tried to effect politi- prisoners. It claims that we do not jail The flatboats used in the emerging two cents (a full eight cents more than cal change. Alejandrina Torres and people for their political beliefs. ferry trade across the Kentucky helped Frankfort citizens, whose costs did Susan Rosenberg were the first two While these radical daughters were solve two river problems. The most not include overland horse transport). political prisoners to be entombed in jailed for criminal violations, their immediate, of course, was ontological: Iron and salt mined and floated from the HSU. A supporter of the Puerto punishment was for politics. the river's fluid ability to act as a major Kentucky tributaries the Red River and Rican independence movement, Torres Since these three women were not obstacle blocking free passage across the South Fork also made their way was convicted of seditious conspiracy assigned to the HSU for disciplinary to any thing subject to the downward down the Kentucky to nearby ferry for alleged membership in Fuerzas reasons (such as violent behavior in trending laws of gravity. crossings for inland shipping to the Armadas de Liberación Nacional the prison general population), they Ferryflats, wooden boxes on water inner-bluegrass's growing frontier city. (FALN). Although the FBI considers weren’t sure how they could “work designed to carry loaded wagons, pas- At High Bridge as at other ferry stops the FALN a terrorist organization, their way out” of the tomb. “When we sengers and teams of horses across on the Kentucky, lumber mills trans- Torres was not convicted of participat- asked if there was any way for us to deep and at times forcefully flowing formed old-growth Eastern Kentucky ing in FALN bombings or in a crime get out of the HSU,” Rosenberg writes, water, allowed central Kentucky to timber into construction material, that injured another person. While “we were informed that if we changed cohere and intermingle. At an impor- much of it no doubt heading, like the imprisoned, Torres considered herself our associations and affiliations a tant yet mundane level, ferries granted iron and salt and coal (not to mention a prisoner of war. change would be considered. The staff settlers a wonderful thing: access to good chunks of the profit), directly Rosenberg was also devoted to joke was you got a ‘one-way ticket’ to each other. At ferry crossings, the river toward the region's big resource guz- political liberation. Active as a femi- the Lexington HSU.” ceased acting as a blockade to the free- zler on the banks of Town Branch. nist who supported Black political pris- When Korn reported on the effects dom of travel and become instead a Stories abound echoing the oners and national liberation move- of confinement at the HSU, he noted portal to it—politically, socially and experiences of one ferry-goer at ments in Africa and Latin America, the bind in which renouncing their economically. Doylesville, a community upstream Rosenberg was charged with weapons “associations and affiliations” would Flatboats also solved the state's from Boonesborough not far from the possession in 1984. She was sentenced put on the women: “[Their] ideology is great commercial question: how to mouth of the Red River where Jackson to fifty-eight years in federal prison, an intrinsic part of their identity…. It is capitalize on the area's great inland Ferry once shuttled Madison County which was, at the time, the longest sen- an attack which is in itself ideological waterway. The riffle-pool makeup of residents across the river for shopping tence in U.S. history for the charge. and violative of their rights as intellec- the Kentucky River as it existed in its in Lexington. The patron used the According to scholar Dan Berger, “the tually free and mature beings.” unaltered eighteenth century state ren- ferry into the 1920s to take chicken, judge cited her political ideology as the Imagine that situation for your- dered difficult regular navigation for eggs and other local produce from his reason for the lengthy prison term.” self. You have been stripped of every- any vessel bigger than a canoe. As the Doylesville home in Madison County In other words, it was Rosenberg’s thing considered necessary and normal region became more settled, central across the river to his father's store in politics, not the charge itself, that won in American culture: family, friends, and eastern Kentucky's immense agri- Winchester. her a sentence of almost six decades of privacy, freedom of moment, control cultural and mineral resources lacked confinement. of the small activities of daily life. the markets to make such resources 2011: rebuilding the Great In “Reflections on Being Buried And then you’re told that you have to economically valuable. With no effi- Wall at Valley View Alive,” Rosenberg describes her first give up more: parts of your personal- cient system of transport, Kentucky By the beginning of the twenti- experience in the HSU: ity, beliefs, and causes which you hold products could not get to the non- eth century, railroad developments “We [Rosenberg and Torres] stood dear and structure your life. In other Kentucky places they were needed or like the RNI&B (Riney B) line that at the electronically controlled metal words, dismantle yourself in front of wanted. crossed at Valley View on its way gate under the eye of one of eleven cold and powerful guards, prison offi- Taking advantage of high tides in from Nicholasville to Richmond, surveillance cameras, surrounded by cials, and myriad surveillance cameras. the winter and spring, by the 1780s Irvine and Beattyville, spelled doom unidentified men in business suits…. What do you do as an American Kentucky flatboats began to ride the We were in handcuffs. An unidentified bred on freedom? Are you terrified? seasonal current and deep water to the continued on page 7 4 North of Center

MAY 25, 2011 Music Live music to collectivize to: 5/14-23 Sunday, May 29 Palisades play there Sunday night, the 29th, the speed with which your bar These United States with Onward drink will be delivered to you depends Pilgrim and Palisades a lot on the name of the drink you’ve Cosmic Charlie’s; 388 Woodland. 9 P.M. ordered: names consisting of hard, cut- These are three of the best local- ting, and/or shrill sounds connect with ish pop/rock bands with dual special- the bartender’s ears much more readily ties in melodic invention and dirty, than soft, vowelly, low sounds. This is atmospheric guitar work you’ll find why I always order “Jack, rocks” when here or anywhere, or at least in cit- in a noisy venue; the consonance gets ies of comparable size and culture. me what I want with a minimum of Obviously if you went to some huge fuss. And while shouting “B-uh-omm- city, Calcutta maybe, with its tens of b-uh-aaayyy mart-ih-eeeeeeeniiiii” at millions of people, you might find the bartender isn’t ideal, it’s better than some number of melodic, atmospheric “Mumbai”—the word is two letters away pop/rock bands greater than just the from “mumble,” after all. three playing this upcoming gig here In fact pop/rock bands from

in Lexington, but I’ve never been to Calcutta...er...Kolkata probably do sing SARAH LAW Calcutta; it’s possible they only have in English. Across the world, English one or two, or maybe none at all. lyrics are the ticket to the big time, They might have 100! Even so, they or so the world seems to believe. The These United States. might not be as melodically inven- notable exceptions are Rammstein and tive as These United States, Onward French rappers: the former employs Mmm bop, ba Duba DOP non-violent conflict resolution strate- Pilgrim, or Palisades, nor as dirty. German as an assertion of agency, Ba du bop, ba Duba DOP gies with bullies on the playground. And it’s a moot point anyway, because and as an embrace of social and politi- Ba du bop, ba Duba DOP And yet some still wonder why I the Calcutta-based bands probably cal otherness in pop music’s English- hate white people. Not all of them, obvi- sing in Bengali and let’s face it: we’re speaking hegemony, while the latter The Swedes all sing in English, so ously. The members of These United American, and we’re not gonna vol- are just, well, French. why not return the favor? One more; States, Onward Pilgrim, and Palisades untarily listen to somebody sing in American and British acts do see if you can guess. are all white, and they’re good people. Bengali, heaven knows. occasionally sing in other languages And it’s not really individual white I’ve read now on Wikipedia that besides English, usually to enhance Aš del šloves kraštas people, or even white people considered the name is officially “Kolkata,” no romantic effect, as with The Beatles’ Ir aš kabinti ant tiesos momentas individually—it’s just whiteness generally, Ant šloves kraštas and the toll it takes on all of us. Ir aš kabinti ant metu su Jumis What’s especially galling is when I’m on kraštas the powers that be try to disguise their kraštas narrative of whiteness behind a non- kraštas white face or two: a smiling young kraštas Hispanic couple shown shopping for a kraštas hybrid, for example, or the gratuitous kraštas insertion of a black rapper into an oth- kraštas Aš del šloves kraštas Ir aš kabinti ant metu su Jumis I’m on su jumis kraštas COURTESY PALISADES The original is noxious, but the Palisades. Lithuanian less so, though it’s probably not a very accurate translation. longer Calcutta, much as at some “Michelle” and Stevie Wonder’s “Ma And no, I don’t know why Google point Bombay became “Mumbai.” Cherie Amour,” or to identify with can’t find the words for “I’m on,” The name of the Kenneth Tynan an oppressed people, as with The unless decades of Soviet occupation musical, however, is unchanged. As Band’s “Acadian Driftwood” or por- succeeded in erasing first-person pro- is the name of Bacardi’s distilled gin, tions of Zack de la Rocha’s solo work. nouns from the language in the name and that’s important, because in a Then there are those songs you wish of utopian collectivism. loud, crowded venue such as Cosmic were sung in other languages, if only Of course, oftentimes the prob- Horrifyingly white. Charlie’s is likely to be when These because your enjoyment of them lem with Anglo-American pop music United States, Onward Pilgrim, and would immeasurably increase if you isn’t so much the language in which erwise horrifyingly white music video didn’t understand the words. it’s sung, but the perspective it tries (see “Venerdi,” above). That’s not to say Here are a few examples, cour- to foist upon us. Here I’m obvi- non-whites can’t or don’t drive hybrids, tesy of Google Translate: ously referring to the folksy, quirky, but they don’t do so in order to adver- light-hearted-but-environmentally- tise their light-hearted quirkiness. Or 07:00, svegliarsi la mattina conscious-and-socially-progressive at least they shouldn’t. Gotta essere freschi, devo andare crap that advertising agencies think But I digress. The point is, These al piano di sotto will make us buy their folksy, quirky, United States, Onward Pilgrim, and Devo avere la mia ciotola, devo light-hearted-but-blah-blah-blah prod- Palisades are all from the area, they’re avere dei cereali ucts, such as Volkswagen cars and all darn good, and they’re all at Cosmic Seein ‘tutto, il tempo è goin’ Apple devices. Usually there’s a finger- Charlie’s on May 29. In closing, then: Tickin ‘ancora e ancora, scor- plucked acoustic guitar, maybe some rendo tutti’ hand percussion, and a metrosexual Nini Gon ‘kufanya na kwamba Junk Gotta scendere alla fermata del male in a sing-song tenor half-whisper- wote? bus ing some environmentally conscious Junk kwamba wote ndani ya shina wako? Devo prendere il mio autobus, and socially progressive bullshit. Drive I’ma kupata, kupata, kupata, kupata, vedo i miei amici (miei amici) the new Touareg, the ads tell us, with wewe mlevi, its built-in iPhone dock and soy-latte- Kupata upendo kunywa mbali hump Ah, Italian, the most sized cup holder, and your children will yangu. beautiful of all tongues. Here’s do well in math and science and seek —Buck Edwards another:

Så håll i de som verkligen bryr sig I slutändan kommer de att vara de enda som finns När du blir gammal och börjar tappa håret Kan du berätta som fortfarande kommer att bry sig Kan du berätta som fortfarande kommer att bry sig COURTESY ONWARD PILGRIM

Onward Pilgrim. North of Center 5

Film & Media MAY 25, 2011 Kentucky Theatre presents its Local film happenings Summer Classics Series KET Seeking Short Films Reel Visions, KET’s excellent tele- By Barbara Goldman adventure. In addition to the tradi- see the audience recognize this and vision series spotlighting Kentucky tional 1:30 matinee and 7:15 evening react to it with that applause.” filmmakers, is seeking submissions for Classic movie magic will be taking slot, there will be 11:00 am, 4:00 pm, Mills says he believes that if some its Fall season. The half-hour program Lexington on a journey through time and 9:45 pm shows offered. of the stars were alive to see how the features experimental, documentary, and cinematic exploration beginning “This will give folks a chance to audience responded, they would be and narrative films that are between Wednesday, May 25 at the Kentucky enjoy the show during the day or late pleased with the films’ reception 40-60 one and twenty-five minutes in Theatre. in the evening,” says Mills. years later. length. The deadline for this submis- The summer series returns to sion period is August 1, 2011. If you downtown with its 9th season. Patrons are interested in showing your work, should mark their calendars now. This please send a preview DVD to: season is packed full of movie memo- Sara O’Keefe ries like never before. KET/Reel Visions “It’s always good, but for some rea- 600 Cooper Drive son I feel it’s a notch above the other Lexington, KY 40502 years,” says Kentucky Theatre General Manager Fred Mills, who has been For more information on the with the theater since 1963. “It’s going show, see the ReelVisions’ website. to be great. I think everyone is antici- pating this.” Film Classes at The Carnegie Center “The film series’ booker has a The Carnegie Center, in partnership tough job,” says Mills, referring to with the Lexington Film League, offers Larry Thomas of Cincinnati, Ohio. a series of film classes each season. The “We receive hundreds of suggestions. Summer schedule has been announced People verbally tell me at the theater. and includes courses in screenwriting, They write their requests on nap- video trailer creation, and Film 101. kins, and even hand me hand writ- For a complete list of classes, times, and ten notes at the concession stand. The instructors, please visit carnegieliteracy. response from the public has been just org and click on the “Film” link. phenomenal.” Mills assures patrons that all The price will continue to be the “I don’t know if people will Carbon Nation Screening requests are given to Thomas who then standard $4 per seat for all shows. applaud to today’s films in 40-60 with Director Peter Byck speaks to various film companies to “The price is always the same no years,” says Mills. The Kentucky Theatre will host a determine the rights, contracts, release matter what. And it’s certainly fun One staple of the series that will special screening of the documentary costs, and print condition. entertainment. Some people haven’t return again this summer is the man in film Carbon Nation on Tuesday, June 7 at “We do this because we like to missed a Wednesday night since we the know before the show, “Uncle” Bill 7 P.M. The 2010 film addresses climate show the best films we can,” says Mills. started,” says Mills. “The community Widener. Widener has been a member of change and what can be done, on both “We really made an effort this year to really comes together.” Radio Free Lexington since the day 88.1 an individual and national level, to help ask people for their suggestions.” The theater manager says he also is FM went on the air in 1988 and inspires avert a crisis. Filmmaker and KY native Classic film fans that don’t see elated to see the return of a Kentucky the airways every Friday from 8-10 pm. Peter Byck will be on hand to conduct a their favorite flick listed still have a Theatre favorite, The Princess Bride. This will be his fourth summer introduc- Q&A following the screening. unique opportunity. The series won’t ing films with the Classic Movie Series. be ending on the scheduled September Widener, a self proclaimed ham- 7 date. A new date has been added on bone, says he enjoys using anything and the following Wednesday, September everything to talk to an audience about 2011 Summer 14. what the films meant “then and today.” Mills explains that the theater will “A huge variety of people come to Classic Series pick the top three films suggested by these movies. It’s interesting to see what 5/25: The Grapes of Wrath (1940) the community and offer the public these movies bring out in the audience. Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, the opportunity to vote and select They were made much differently back New digitally restored print. what film will be shown. then,” says Widener. “It was a different “This is the first time we’ve offered world back then.” 6/1: The African Queen (1951) Bogie and Hepburn! New something like this,” says Mills with a Widener says he looks forward to digitally restored print. smile. addressing a variety of topics before All movies are presented in 35 mm each film this summer ranging from 6/8: Sullivan’s Travels (1941) and run on 20-minute reels. minority casting to stereotypes. Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake. “Some of the movies we show “Casting is everything, it can make actually premiered in this theater,” or break a film,” says Widener, refer- 6/15: Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) Audrey Hepburn, says Mills about the 89-year-old movie ring to Breakfast at Tiffany’s, in which George Peppard, New print, palace. the leading role originally had been This summer’s films range in pre- intended for Marilyn Monroe when 6/22: M*A*S*H (1970) miere date from 1938-1987. Eight of written by Truman Capote. Donald Sutherland, Elliot the series’ 17 scheduled films are new “This is one movie that was always Widener’s 10-minute talks with the Gould, New print. prints. The condition of prints, accord- popular. We used to play midnight audience always continue to surprise him. 6/29: Double Feature: Abbott & ing to Mills, is a huge factor in decid- showings until the prints ran out,” says “All kinds of demographics, that Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) ing what films to show. Mills. “We’re excited for our people to I can’t imagine giving me the time of & House of Frankenstein (1944). “In the years past we have not see this film in new print.” day, come up to me and say ‘we loved always had such old movies. But this “The people that come to see our your introduction’ and ask more ques- 7/6: To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) year there were so many films in new theater have a great love of movies. tions,” said Widener. “I can’t assume Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, print,” says Mills, who added that the They take their movies seriously and people have or have not seen a film. Brock Peters, Robert Duvall. series’ booker, Larry Thomas, has indi- all have their favorites,” says Mills. Widener says he especially is look- 7/13: Fantasia (1940) cated this is his favorite booking of all Mills says he is especially pleased ing forward to seeing a childhood Walt Disney. the theaters that he plans. that the calendar includes a tribute to favorite, Fantasia, as well as Sullivan’s “It’s quite amazing that we will the late Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Travels, a film loaded with information 7/20: Shadow of a Doubt offer Disney’s Fantasia this summer,” Hot Tin Roof. that inspired the Cohen Brothers’ later (1943) Teresa Wright, Joseph says Mills. “Disney keeps a vault on “These films have withstood the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? He is Cotton, Macdonald Carey. classic films. They are usually unavail- test of time. The enthusiasm they seem also extremely excited about the new 7/27: The Princess Bride (1987) able and unreleased, but somehow to bring out in people is amazing,” print of Rosemary’s Baby. Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, we’ve got it. Maybe Larry used his says Mills. “At the end of each movie “It’s a nice combination of films,” Mandy Patinkin, New print. charm.” there is always a spontaneous applause. says Widener. “Remember that, even if The theater has added several These actors really knew how to per- you’ve seen these films on DVD, it’s not 8/3: Mildred Pierce (1945) extra shows for the July 13th Disney form and put on a movie. It’s nice to the same as experiencing it in the theater.” Joan Crawford, Jack Check the sidebar to the right for Carson, Zachary Scott. 2011 season schedule. All films show at 8/10: The Sound of Music (1965) 1:30 and 7:15 and are only $4. New print, Julie Andrews, Driving downtown? Free parking Christopher Plummer. can be found in the City Hall Annex in the evening as well as the top level 8/17: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof of the Lexington Transit Center. Give (1958) Elizabeth Taylor, yourself enough time to get to the Paul Newman, Burl Ives. movie. The final block of city sidewalk 8/24: The Wild Bunch construction will be continuing on the (1969) William Holden, Theatre’s Main Street block. Ernest Borgnine. Advance tickets go on sale each Sunday for Wednesday’s show. Go to 8/31: Rosemary’s Baby (1968) www.kentuckytheatre.com for informa- Mia Farrow, Ruth Gordon, tion about the theater, series, weekly John Cassavetes, New print. emails, Facebook, as well as to cast your 9/7: Bringing up Baby (1938) vote for the last show of the season. The Katharine Hepburn, Cary historic theater is located at 214 East Grant, Charles Ruggles, Main Street in downtown Lexington Newly restored print. and can be reached at (859) 231-6997. 6 North of Center

MAY 25, 2011 Sports ROCK sharpens skates for Soggy Bottoms on the Riney B three-game home stand A Jessamine pastoral First victim: Vette City Vixens on June 4 By Northrupp Center Also making things difficult have been the appearance of some Jessamine NoC Sports finished in second place at the mini- In April while dining on my hill- County beavers, who have engineered tournament, in front of Sandusky and side apartment balcony over-looking themselves a right fine wetland that ROCK will begin a three-game Glass City but behind the Ohio Roller the Duque de Caxias and, below floods the heart of the course after home stand with a bout this Saturday, Girls. that shimmering in the sun, the even minimal rains. June 4, against the Vette City Vixens After this Saturday’s bout against Baja de Guanabara, I read about the “Hasn’t it rained shit-tons here the of Bowling Green. Last year, ROCK the Vixens from Vette City, the team new group Creatives for Common past two weeks,” I asked. brought the smackdown on the inex- will complete their home stand with Sense Solutions, formed by NoC edi- “We’re in luck,” Frugal ignored perienced Vixens, a pair of July bouts tor Danny Mayer after a visit to me, “Hole 7 is back to being playable. as Ellie Slay led against Asheville’s Nicholasville’s 24-hole Riney B disc Baskets 5 and 24 have been replaced, the way with two Blue Ridge Roller golf course. Intrigued by the story, I and holes 14 and 16 are back as well. early jams in lead- Girls on July 2 immediately handed grading duties These last two,” he confided with an ing ROCK to a and the Chemical for a graduate-level journalism ethics assuring wink, “had been pulled out of 14-0 early lead, on Valley Roller Girls class over to my graduate assistants the ground, concrete and all.” its way to a 158-89 of Charleston (WV) and made immediate plans to catch Hole 1 runs parallel to one of victory. on July 30. Mayor the first direct flight to Lexington, the two Riney B parking lots, except This year, Jim Gray was sup- Kentucky, destined for a round of disc the basket for hole 1 sits some 50 ROCK finds itself posed to make it to golf. Was the course all Mayer made it feet below them. After scrambling to returning from a the home opener in out to be? Was Lexington losing out to make 4’s, my Frugal companion and 1-bout midwestern April, but he had its ugly cousin to the south? This had I headed to hole two. From here, the road trip on some- to cancel at the last the makings of a story. Riney really begins to open itself up. what of a roll. The second. Keep an eye I was greeted at the airport by the With the water-park at your back, the girls kicked off the out for him to drop Frugal Fisherman in his 1954 BMW course moves into a generally pleasant season April 23 in front of a record by to at least one bout on the team’s R68 motorcycle with attached Steib setting of open fields edged by dense crowd of 714 fans at the Lexington upcoming 3-game home stand. sidecar. As we headed out of Keene on stands of trees and honeysuckle. The Convention Center with a 130-92 vic- Come join him. 169 toward the Riney B, Frugal tossed feeling is seclusion, Jessamine style, a tory over the Little City Roller Girls of a stack of scorecards into my lap. The most enjoyable experience. Johnson City. ROCK home bouts played at Lexington day was mildly warm but the week had Frugal and I walked ourselves Last week, they traveled to Ohio Convention Center, 430 West Vine, down- been cool and wet. The ride in the contentedly through the next several to face off against the Glass City town Lexington. Next match is June 4 cab was brisk, made tolerable only by holes, tallying up high scores but oth- Rollers (Toledo), the Ohio Roller Girls, against Vette City. Doors open at 6:00; the dram of Laphroig my thrifty host erwise feeling pretty good. I scored my and the Sandusky Roller Girls in the action starts at 7:00. Admission is $10. allowed me to imbibe. first par at #4, a tight-wooded corridor Midwest Derby Girl Summit. ROCK Children under 12 are free. Located on Nicholasville Road not opening 185 feet out to a strip of grass far from its intersection with 169, the that requires a 90 degree right pivot for Riney B park puts a Jessamine County the 100 foot second shot at a basket spin on multi-use. Named after the surrounded by trees on all sides for now defunct Richmond-Nicholasville- the final 50 feet. By hole 5, our tardy Irvine-Beattyville railroad that was friend Porter House, fresh in from his discontinued in the 1930s and torn place in Keene, arrived to give us a up for scrap in the 1940s, the Riney threesome. B park serves exactly two purposes: (1) We were in good spirits for our it is home to a mini-water park run arrival to hole 7, “the Bridge,” a by the YMCA, complete with two 3-4 straight 170 foot shot over a small story high water-slides; (2) surrounding drainage creek that, on the day we were the water park on three sides is a fairly there, played deep enough to form demanding 24 hole disc gold course. an uncomfortable hazard. Disc-wise, Frugal and I dismounted, waited crossing the water required a straight vainly for a friend to show, and threw mid-range shot that would also need suitably chaotic first discs off the tee. to elude the seven or so trees that sur- My friend informed me that the course rounded the basket. For we humans, here was formed over 4 years ago, in crossing involved a walk over a small 2007. It is known to play tough in the wooden foot bridge. spring and summer, he said, owing to After throwing our tee-shots, we JACK KING the sprawling nature of the course and three began to cross the bridge when Rainbow Smite reaches out to Sidebar Girl to set up a whip in match last year versus the the difficulty with which the county Porter stopped us, pointing at some- Vette City Vixens.. has been able to keep it maintained. thing on the wood railing. Musclepointe CAPTAIN COMMONOKERS North of Center 7

Opinion MAY 25, 2011 Thoughts on a revolution By Emily Woods cause of revolution? I had no bold- on from the topic. My friends never At that point, I began to under- ness, no voice, and,as an American, no took no for an answer. stand my friend. I saw the passion in As revolutions and protests have understanding of what had stirred such “Come on, Emily. You weren’t his eyes, like I had seen in my other unfolded across the Middle East, I passion in my friends. They gathered even there for an hour. You just got up friends’. It was a passion never seen in can only imagine that there is among in crowds, their faces plastered with and left.” America or Europe, but I wanted it so many a mix of excitement and skepti- orange paint, their arms decorated “I just…I don’t know,” I stam- badly. They seemed alive. cism. Watching the crowds of shouting with orange bands. Frightened and mered, trying to come up with a good That day I learned that revolutions people, I am thrown back to the time confused, I waited in the back, my eyes excuse. “I was just so scared. This are for the life of the people rather of the Orange Revolution in Ukraine. glued to the concrete sidewalk to avoid whole town has turned upside down in than a dramatic change in govern- I was only 14 at the time, but I still the attention of the police standing that last week. Maybe it’s just me, but ment. Few people truly want anarchy, remember the excitement, the tension, beside me. After half an hour, I walked people seem so hateful and angry.” but in the core of their being is a desire and the fear of the people around me. over to a pile of concrete blocks and sat “Well they deserve to be angry. for voice. Dictatorship is not a crime Plastered in orange, people gathered down. The crowd was growing in mass Our leaders messed up and we’re ask- in itself. Certainly there have been in the city square, some drawn to the and volume, the roar of it vibrating ing them to make it right.” good and caring rulers praised in the cause, some fearfully following the the small concrete pebbles around me. “But why the rallies?” at this point I chronicles of our human history. But crowd. Young and old, they shouted Suddenly my surroundings seemed to was grabbing for anything, “How can we it is when the people are silenced that together. Police poured into the streets. close in. I was terrified of this crowd, call ourselves peace seeking Christians they begin to grasp for the hands of ATM machines closed across the city. of the police, of what could happen. and still protest against the government?” their government and scream for air Cash was short and so was patience. Snatching up my bags, I ran for the My friend was silent for a while. as the filthy water of oppression rises. No one knew what was going on, but nearest bus. Awkwardness was uncomfortable, espe- And it is when this silence is broken everyone had their opinion and openly Later that night at my apartment, cially when it involved cultural differ- that the people are saved from that shared it. The city, which only a few my friends were passionately discuss- ences, so I moved toward the pantry swelling sea. months earlier had lived in silence and ing the events earlier that afternoon. for the box of tea and some sugar. The government of Ukraine suspicion, was now alive with voice Not wanting to appear the coward, I “Emily, when you’ve lived in a remained corrupt even after the pop- and freedom. The people had risen. walked into the kitchen to boil water country where everyone has been silent ular leader rose to power. The police I wondered where my place was in for tea. My friend followed me, ask- for decades, you are like the steam in went back into hiding and the stores this rising. What did a middle school ing about my opinions of the rally. I a tea pot. You’ve been shut up for so and ATMs reopened. Life went on as girl really have to contribute to the shrugged, really wanting to just move long, afraid that if you speak out, you’ll usual. But something had changed. lose your money, your friends, or your The people had found their voice. freedom. The elections were like a gas They had been saved their bondage of Valley View (cont.) stove, just letting that steam build up silence. And as I watch these protests and up. And these rallies—well, they spark across the Middle East, I think continued from page 3 tumble smooth, one flood at a time. were the whistle letting you know it’s back to the rally and the conversation In our modern era, places like High time for change. We want peace. We in the kitchen. I see that same passion for commercial river traffic plying Bridge, Camp Nelson, Clay's Ferry and want what is right. But peace without a lighting up their eyes. It is my hope the Kentucky's waters. Thirty years Doylseville, all once-industrious work- voice is not really peace at all.” that they too may find their voice. later as the state entered the Great ing landscapes, have found themselves Depression, automobiles increasingly re-isolated, the river turned once again ferried intra-county commuter traffic into a stone barrier. across the Kentucky by way of steel The recent decision by Lexington May Day in Louisville and concrete bridges. Curd's Ferry Mayer Jim Gray to de-fund the city's turned into Norfolk Southern's High contribution to the operation of Valley Bridge; Clay's Ferry into I-75. Traffic View Ferry, the last of the inner-blue- didn't so much leave the Kentucky as it grass ferries, should cement the river's was lifted, magic like, several hundred return, at the level of the river banks, feet above it. Descending to the level at least, as an isolating ribbon bisect- of the river, it turns out, encounter- ing this part of the state. ing the Kentucky from its banks, has And for we merry tourists travel- become an act rendered inefficient by ing from the Fayette highlands? Well, the speed and volume of our modern with Valley View in funding limbo, (carbon-fueled) world. we're left to continue experiencing the As any river historian will tell you, river from above, perceiving it as one the more gravity-bound river towns would a sunken water spigot, as we have mostly been left behind in this speed by overhead, in high times and herculean lift, creek cobble and rip- low, in flood and in drought, on our rap for the river to scour black and way to other places. Riney B (cont.) EMILY TROWBRIDGE continued from page 6 She sucking Matt’s dick Ate the corn out of his hole BCTC students march with DREAM coalition in Louisville, May Day. “Look. Is that Kentucky JENNY’S BEEN BUSY! heiroglyphs.” Frugal leaned in. “They’re from I surprised with a birdie on Seven, the modern era, to be sure.” and Frugal pulled out par, but Porter Letters to North of Center is a periodical, a I took my own turn and did a drifted left on his first shot and never place, and a perspective. Read on to double take. “It appears to be a haiku recovered. He scored a five. find out what that means. expressed poly-vocally,” I said lean- the editor ing in and voicing my best professo- To be continued...maybe. Britt needs NoC subscription Editor & Publisher rial tone. “An honest to god poly-ku. I finally got around to reading this Danny Mayer That’s amazing.” I continued on, read- Northrupp Center, the author, holds the last issue. Danny’s “Between God and ing aloud the words etched into the Hunter S. Thompson/Charles Kuralt Superman” piece is the best coverage of Features treated wood. endowed chair of journalism at the Open the Eli Capilouto hire to be found any- Beth Connors-Manke “This is apparently titled, ‘Jenny University of Rio de Janeiro (OURdJ). where. The other so-called newspapers was here bitch,’ and is composed in He splits his time between there and in Lexington should take note of how Film & Media Lucy Jones three distinct voices: Lexington, KY. this piece is done. Apparently Britt Brockman forgot NoC in his effort to Sports get to every paper. Troy Lyle Jeff, Lexington Music Bluegrass Film Society Buck Edwards summer films? Will there be any [Bluegrass Film Design Society] films scheduled during the Keith Halladay summer? Do you know of other groups active in the Bluegrass? Illustrations Emily Noah Adler Michael Benton responds: Bluegrass Film Society will con- Contributors tinue in the summer. Here are the Michael Benton dates. All viewings are 5:00 P.M. in the Andrew Battista Oswald Auditorium at BCTC’s Cooper Dylan Blount campus: Wes Houp • June 1: Alamar (Mexico: Pedro Kenn Minter González-Rubio, 2009: 73 mins) Captain Commanokers • June 8: Election (Hong Kong: Tim Staley Johnnie To, 2005: 101 mins) • June 15: Heartbeat Detector (France: Please address correspondence, including advertising inquiries and Nicolas Klotz, 2007: 143 mins) letters to the editor, to: • June 22: Persepolis (France/USA: [email protected]. Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane

NORTHRUPP CENTER Satrapi, 2007: 96 mins) Unless otherwise noted, all material http://dialogic.blogspot.com/2011/05/ copyright © 2011 North of Center, LLC. The Riney B water park awaits weary, sun-struck disc golf throwers. bluegrass-film-society-summer-2011.html. 8 North of Center

MAY 25, 2011 Comics EMILY TROWBRIDGE

Anarchist clown in costume gets arrested for riding his bike on the wrong side of the road. Many others, particularly those dressed as clowns, were detained by the police during this May Day march in Louisville. The majority of those detained were accused of writing on public and private properties--with sidewalk chalk. Those arrested were released and never actually taken to jail. (Those detained, that is, were not actually arrested.) Numerous detentions helped police keep as many people as possible from continuing to participate in the May Day march.