Top Tickets: Soul, R&B, country and funk - The Roanoke Times (Roanoke, VA)

TONIGHT

The Collective, feat. Monte Gill

Monte Gill, who has been touring internationally with pop/R&B goddess Alicia Keys, has a break from his backing vocalistduties, now that Keys is on maternity leave from her multi-platinum career. Here, Roanoke native Gill joins up with some ofthe Roanoke Valley's best players to do some of his own music andsome covers. Keith Thomas (keyboard) Cameron McLaughlin (bass) andCarlos Aranguren (drums) will back him up.

Details: 10 p.m. Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, Roanoke.Free. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com

FRIDAY

Stagg Bowl Tailgate Party

With Gloriana

This pop-country act has opened for the likes of Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean and the Zac Brown Band but is now a headliner. Gloriana's touring action brings it to Salem for the annual Stagg Bowl game at Salem Football Stadium, where tailgaters will surely hear the band's hit, 'Wild At Heart,' the best-selling country single of 2009.

Details: 5:30 p.m. Salem Football Stadium parking lot. Free. ncaa.com/championships/football/d3, gloriana.com

SATURDAY

DJ Williams Projekt

Williams has been a fixture in Virginia, and recently at Martin'sDowntown, for several years, based on the strength of this band. These days, though, he's gone nationwide as guitarist for Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. Fortunately, touring breaks leave time for Projekt gigs, and those are typically hot. If you haven't heard Williams and his very funky band yet, check them out. If you have, you probably want to go anyway.

Details: 10 p.m. Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, Roanoke. $10.985-6278, martinsdowntown.com, djwilliamsmusic.com

SATURDAY

Lady Antebellum

With Josh Kelley, Edens Edge

Lady A, which tends toward soft rock, is one of country music's hottest acts right now. Flip back to Tuesday's Extra section to read more. Go to blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch to hear a podcast with Josh Kelley. Hear a 2008 podcast with Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood at blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch/?p=724.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday. Roanoke Civic Center. $57.50, $37.50. Roanoke Civic Center box office, 877-482-8496, hometownbanktix.com, ladyantebellum.com, joshkelley.com

TONIGHT

NYC Live in Roanoke!

With Heevahava, Madrone, Matthew John Mortimer, SavannahShoulders and more

Local bands gather to play songs from such Big Apple acts as The Ramones, Talking Heads, Lou Reid and Television. There's art and an e-book presentation, too. Read more at Mike Allen's Arts &Extras blog - blogs.roanoke.com/arts/?p=6623.

Details: 6 p.m. Howery Mezzanine, Roanoke Main Library. Donate anunwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and a non-perishable food item for the Roanoke Rescue Mission. 853-1057, libraryevents@roanokeva.gov

Jerry Wimmer Trio

Wimmer, lead singer of The Worx, has a voice flexible enough fora variety of covers, but he has his own songs, too. Example: blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch/?p=9453.

Details: 8:30 p.m. Starters Sports Bar & Grill, Salem. 389-0683, getoffthebench.org

Anna Roberts-Gevalt and Elizabeth LaPrelle Concert and Shadow Puppet Show

The hosts of Floyd Country Store's monthly Floyd Radio Show take their act to Blacksburg.

Details: 8 p.m. The Swoop House Gallery, 512 Progress Street, Blacksburg.$5 suggested donation. youtube.com/watch?v=c3O56ZtdoVc

TONIGHT-FRIDAY

The Materia Project

Here are two chances to hear one of Roanoke's most talentedgroups. See video of the band at blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch/?p=9440.

Details: 8 p.m. Tonight. Bravos, Roanoke. $3; all ages. 982-3828. 10 p.m. Friday. The Village Grill, Roanoke. Free. 767-0057, reverbnation.com/themateriaproject

FRIDAY

Former Champions

With Brock Butler of Perpetual Groove, DJ Rahbee

Richmond-based electro-rockers Former Champions, which played FloydFest in July, and Perpetual Groove's Brock Butler will team up for some jams after Butler's solo opening set.

Details: 9 p.m. Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, Roanoke. $8. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com, formerchampions.net

The Black Lillies

Flip back to Wednesday's Extra section to read more about this band, and go to blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch for a podcast with The Black Lillies' Cruz Contreras.

Details: 8 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. $15; $8 to students, 21-younger. 589-0546, kirkavenuemusic.com, theblacklillies.com

Jim Brickman

With Anne Cochran, Benjamin Utecht and Tracy Silverman

Read more about Brickman in Monday's Extra section or hear a podcast at blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre, Roanoke.$77, $52, $42, $32. 877-482-8496, hometownbanktix.com, jimbrickman.com, annecochrancom, benutecht.com

The Dirt Road Travelers

With Grass Monkey, Watershed Conspiracy

The Dirt Road Travelers self-titled debut disc, releasedrecently, features some hard-hitting Americana rock numbers.

Details: 9:30 p.m. The Coffee Pot, Roanoke. $5. 774-8256, reverbnation.com/thedirtroadtravelers, reverbnation.com/grassmonkeyband, reverbnation.com/watershedconspiracy

Dave Porter Trio

Porter, a bassist who has played with The Worx and BurningBridges, leads his own group for a Christmas show.

Details: 8 p.m. Annie Moore's Irish Pub, Roanoke. Free. 904-5466, facebook.com/anniemoorespub, facebook.com/daveporterband

Bebop Hoedown

It's percussionist Jeff Maiden's final show with the band.

Details: 10 p.m. Fork in the Alley, Roanoke. Free. 982-3675, forkinthealley.com, bebophoedown.com

Who Are the Southern Baptists?

With Alex Culbreth, John Barry Conception

Manassas act answers the question its band name poses in this musical way: Driving, punk-soaked acoustic pickers with sandpaper vocals.

Details: 9 p.m. The Bazaar, 675 Brandon Ave. S.W., Roanoke. $5;all ages. 309-0928, whoarethesouthernbaptists.bandcamp.com, myspace.com/alexculbreth, johnbarryconception.com

Comet 30 & The Rose

Jane 'The Rose' Gabriel and her band play rock and folk-rock.

Details: 9:30 p.m. Ippy's, Rocky Mount. $5. 489-5600, ippys.info

SATURDAY

John Cowan Trio

Read more about Cowan, the 'Lousville Songbird,' in Friday'sExtra section and hear a podcast at blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch.

Details: 9 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. $15; $8 to students, 21-younger. 589-0546, kirkavenuemusic.com, johncowan.com

Toys for Tots Benefit

With The Pullouts, Jackal Tickets, Affliction Kid

It's that time of year - give up something for kids who need it.In a bonus, you get a good, rowdy rock, punk and ska show.

Details: 8:30 p.m. The Coffee Pot, Roanoke. Bring an unwrappedtoy worth at least $5. 774-8256, myspace.com/coffeepotroadhouse

J.P. Harris and the Tough Choices

This is real, raw, roadhouse-style country music. It swings hard,and steel guitar is prominent. Check out a podcast from earlier this year at blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch/?p=8853.

Details: 8 p.m. Dogtown Roadhouse, Floyd. $7; all ages. 745-6836, sunmusichall.com, reverbnation.com/thetoughchoices

Ugly Sweater Party

With Riverbank Ramblers

Here's a Roanoke Valley Americana act that hasn't hit our radarin a minute. See video of this rough-but-right band with old-time, rockabilly and other rootsy influences via youtu.be/XexKEbNGxgs.

Details: 9 p.m. Allsports Cafe, Salem. Free. 389-464, allsportscafe.net, myspace.com/riverbankramblers, youtube.com/user/riverbankramblers

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

With Shorefire

Another ugly sweater party. Sport your stupid holiday attirewhile you groove to Shorefire's rocked-up surf/reggae mix.

Details: 9 p.m. Awful Arthur's, downtown Roanoke. $3. 344-2997, awfularthursseafood.com, reverbnation.com/shorefire

Lazy Man Dub Band

A deep rhythm section and shouting horns make this gig happen.

Details: 10 p.m. Fork in the Alley, Roanoke. 982-3675, forkinthealley.com, lazymandubband.com

Lloyd Dobbler Effect

A band often found at Corned Beef & Co. is doing its thing atthe Schoon.

Details: 9 p.m. Schooners, Roanoke. $5. 563-4956, lloyddoblereffect.com

The Dollar and Walker Christmas Show

Preview this coffeehouse constant's version of 'Coventry Carol'at youtu.be/aUmOZwFbwhI.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Third Street Coffeehouse, Roanoke. Free (venueencourages donations to performers). 309-4707, youtube.com/user/3rdStreetCoffeehouse, youtube.com/randolphwalker

SUNDAY

Alzheimer's Christmas Benefit Party

With The Rarely Available Band, Grass Monkey

This band often makes itself available for charities. This time out, The Rarely Available teams up with Parrotheads of the Blue Ridge. No smoking in Schooners for this one, and prizes are in the offing.

Details : 2 p.m. Schooners, Roanoke. Donate at the door. 563-4956, reverbnation.com/therarelyavailableband

TUESDAY

The Lenny Marcus Trio Christmas Concert

Pianist/flutist Lenny Marcus leads his group in some holidayjazz.

Here for the party ; Sex Slaves bring raucous hard rock to St. Joe - St. Joseph News-Press

If it wasn't for their buddy's alcohol problem, the NYC hardrockers Sex Slaves wouldn't have their most popular song.

When the band was on tour in New Orleans a few years back, thetrio were driving all over the city trying to find a liquor store sotheir friend could get his 'medicine.' After they found it, hehopped back on the bus with two bottles stating 'Thank God for JackDaniels.'

The Sex Slaves bassist/singer Del Cheetah and guitarist Eric13thought the expression had something to it.

'We both kind of looked at each other and the spark went off,'Cheetah recalls.

The group originally started out making a name for itself as a go-to hard rock party band in 2003 on New York City's Lower East Side.But it was the anthemic ode to rock 'n' roll's favorite spirit,'Thank God for Jack Daniels,' on their sophomore release 'Bite YourTongue' that led the band to bigger and better things.

It's a track that's found its way into jukeboxes and CD playersin bars all across the U.S. and overseas, and when they played thesong out on the road, Cheetah recalls the effect it had on thecrowd.

'No one thought it was a single or anything,' Cheetah says.'Looking back, it's so obvious. Every time we played that song ontour, it was the one that brought the house down every time.'

Now, Cheetah, Eric13 and drummer J/Bomb are using the momentum ofthat song to tour in support of their latest album 'Wasted Angel,'where the group tampers with a style that mixes Green Day and SexPistols-inspired punk riffs with Guns N' Roses attitude and energy.And thanks to the owners of Hammerjacks Rock-N-Roll Sports Bar, thegroup is coming to perform two sets at the bar starting at 9 p.m.July 14.

Getting the Sex Slaves to come to our area is somethingHammerjacks was working on for sometime. 'Thank God for JackDaniels' is basically the bar's theme song, and when the group hadan opening on its schedule traveling from Wichita, Kan., to Ottumwa,Iowa, the bar jumped at the chance to have the Sex Slaves in St.Joe.

Cheetah says the band is pumped to play here and finish out theSex Slaves U.S. dates before jetting overseas for its first Europeantour. He admits that 'Thank God for Jack Daniels' is largely whatgives the band opportunities like this, but it's the members' workethic and hitting the road hard and often that will make sure theylast beyond one catchy party song.

Below ground beauty Elegant Le Passage transforms empty cellar into Gold Coast gem.(Time Out!) - Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)

Byline: Barbara Vitello Daily Herald Staff Writer

For several years after Chicago's Le Colonial opened, the 10,000 square feet beneath it stood bare and unused.

That is until partners Rick Wahlstedt, Jean Goutal, Jonathan Segal and Joe King decided to transform the concrete cellar into a subterranean nightspot.

'There really wasn't anything like this on the Gold Coast when we opened in 2000,' King says.

Convinced they could supply what the neighborhood lacked, they spared no expense, hiring Paris designer Jacques Garcia. Drawing upon French Renaissance and Napoleon III style, Garcia created an interior that ranks among the best looking in the city.

King admits that opening the club was risky, especially when people had to walk down an alley (actually, a well-lit, brick-paved passageway) and descend into a basement to get there.

Le Passage's stylish interior, not to mention its first-rate sound system, makes up for its unfashionable entrance. Abstract murals by painter Gerard Coltat, done in gold and jewel tones and featuring ancient symbols, signs and Latin calligraphy, add a regal touch to the room.

Columns painted in gold leaf and low banquettes and chairs covered in crimson and royal blue velvet complete the stately decor.

Although mirrored walls and low seating reinforce Le Passage's 'see and be seen' philosophy, the velvet drapes suspended between the columns can be closed for a more private tete-a -tete.

'The atmosphere is really amazing,' says Elaine Gould, 33, 'it was worth every penny they spent.'

While Gold Coast veterans had reveled in the neighborhood's lively night life scene for years, the area held little appeal for younger clubgoers. But the partners were determined to tap into a youthful spirit as well, general manager Michael Di Palma says.

'Three years ago, it was martinis,' says Di Palma, describing that late '90s trend. 'We said, 'Let's dress it up. Let's do the classics and light them on fire.' '

People of all ages responded, and the Le Passage crowd ranges from hard-core clubgoers to newbies to tourists ranging from mid- 20s to 50 plus . The upscale club also attracts its share of celebrities, including George Clooney, Matt Damon, Destiny's Child and U2.

'They have a beautiful crowd,' says Lashaun Grefphenreed, a 25- year-old 'blue chip' (Le Passage's term for loyal, long-term patrons) from Chicago. 'I love it.'

But beautiful people alone won't keep a club afloat.

'The challenge is to keep things fresh and new,' Di Palma says. To that end, the folks at Le Passage initiated 'My Kind of Town' parties, hosted by New York City social maven Susanne Bartsch and scheduled for the first Friday of every month.

While Edmund Fernandez Jr. thinks Chicago may be too conservative for these NYC-style happenings, the 31-year-old Chicagoan likes the setting.

'It's definitely high class,' he says.

Twin gold-leaf bars, sleek-looking and minimal, with mirror backs and glass shelves, flank the exit.

Dark, modern wainscoting with circle cut-outs, covers the lower half of the walls, as well as the two bars and the DJ booth.

Lighting is discrete. The flickering candles and strategically placed light boxes covered with tinted orange and blue plexiglass may not provide much illumination, but they do make for attractive accents.

A hallway leads to the Yow Bar, named for famous Trader Vic's bartender Yow Low. Low, whose photograph hangs in a place of honor behind the bar, was known for his potent Polynesian cocktails like the mai tai, the scorpion bowl and the pina colada.

Velvet curtains separate this more intimate lounge from the rest of the club. Cozier than the main room and reserved for 'blue chips' and people who take their spirits seriously, it features the same plush seating, elaborate murals and mirrored walls as the rest of the club. A round divan, covered in velvet and bathed in red and purple courtesy of the theatrical lights overhead, occupies the middle of the room.

'I love it,' says Susan Fokker, 37, a first-timer from Oak Brook. 'It's got more attitude than most places in Chicago.'

'Check that out,' she says nodding toward Iggy, one of the performers Bartsch imported to add color to the inaugural 'My Kind of Town' party last week.

'I'm a performance artist and my vice is drag,' explains Iggy, who sports a red swirl of a dress and a plumed hat inspired by Stravinsky's ballet 'The Firebird.'

Besides Iggy, Bartsch's cast includes divas ranging from glamorous to garish; a disco roller skater; a Terence Trent d'Arby look-alike and a drag queen dressed in balloons.

Producing a theme party like this means filling the stage with characters: the more theatrical, the better.

'Whatever she does it's special,' Iggy says of Bartsch, who works her magic at Le Passage on the first Friday of every month. 'It's never ordinary.'

Regulars would agree that even an ordinary night here adds up to something special.

'It's a non-cheesy dance bar,' says Donna Davis, 34, who ranks Le Passage among the city's top nightspots. 'It makes me think of New York night life.'

'It's New York night life,' Gould agrees, 'but it's too young.'

Fortunately, the ambience makes up for it.

'Look at the surroundings,' says Thom Class, 35. 'It's worth it.'

Some club owners charge a $15 or $20 cover for a dump, Class says, who works at Minx, a recent addition to Chicago's nightclub scene. That's not the case here, he says. Not only that, the club attracts a diverse clientele and has an open, gay-friendly atmosphere.

'They got it right,' he says approvingly.

But that doesn't mean the owners won't continue to fine-tune things. Like King says, 'staying ahead of the curve and being creative' makes for success in the nightclub business.

So, if people don't always know what to expect at Le Passage, they know that at the very least, they will be intrigued by what they find there.

GRAPHIC: What You Need to Know

Name: Le Passage

Location: One Oak Place, Chicago (look for the passageway between Oak and Walton streets), (312) 255-0022

Parking: $9 valet; paid lots

Directions: Division Street, east to State Street, south on State to Rush Street; veer left, continue south on Rush to Oak Street

Hours: Dining: 7 to 11 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday; casual dining: 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Wednesday to Friday; 7 a.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday. Nightclub: 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Wednesday to Friday; 10:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday

Cover: $10 after 10:30 p.m. and $15 after midnight on Thursday; $20 cover for men beginning at 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; $20 cover for women after midnight Friday and Saturday; no cover Wednesday

The crowd: Nightclub veterans, industry types, tourists, models

When to go: Never before midnight; after dinner or the theater

A DEGREE OF THRIFT.(Features) - Daily Mail (London)

Byline: by Jenna Alexander

Page THERE are three things every student just loves to do: laze about, party and travel. So what better way to celebrate graduation than by taking a holiday that encompasses all three? Ignoring the undergraduate hotspots of Magaluf and Ayia Napa, we opted instead to mark the end of student life with an action-packed road trip down the eastern seaboard of the United States.

But it was a road trip with a difference - we wouldn't be driving.

Sticking to student tradition, we travelled on the cheap and cheerful Megabus between five different states.

With tickets from as little as $1 (66p), it seemed a superb way to go. There would be plenty of time to laze about on the bus during the day and party at night. Like a cosmopolitan in NYC, it made for a perfect cocktail.

Our first port of call was historic Boston and a chance to see that most treasured American sport, baseball. Despite not knowing any of the rules - I reckoned it was just a glorified version of rounders - my friend Rhona and I found ourselves cheering, chanting and belting out Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline at the bottom of the eighth innings (I still have no idea what that means but it sounds impressive) among the home Red Sox fans.

When Kevin Youkilis stepped up to bat to a chorus of boos from his own fans, I joined in furiously - only to feel piercing eyes and seething resentment.

What to me sounded like 'boo, boo, boo' was in fact an affectionate chant of 'Youk, Youk, Youk' as Kevin went on to smash the ball towards Fenway Park's Green Monster - a 37-foot wall, built to stop balls flying out of the ground and damaging property outside.

The best way to see Boston is undoubtedly on the Trolley Tours, where you see the whole of the city and are kept entertained by the wacky drivers, with invitations to participate in some singing along the way.

There are also plenty of swanky outdoor bars in the Faneuil Hall area if you fancy some good cocktails and a little dancing in the evening. We opted for Mija, a Mexican-inspired restaurant and tequila bar.

Tequila back home tends to be akin to paint stripper. Beware anything that comes out of a bottle with a fake Mexican sombrero on top. But in America it's a class act and with more than 150 varieties, it would have been rude not to try at least one.

Before we knew it, we were dancing in the street - and even got the bouncer to join in.

It's a novelty for us, where ordering at the bar is the norm, but most American bars feature waitress service. It's a good system in theory but you do tend to overspend, as your tab racks up quickly and you must remember to tip the waitress. Just as well our travel costs were so low.

Connecticut was a relaxing drive away and unlike airports, where hours can be wasted in queues and security, you can turn up at the bus station 15 minutes before departure.

It might be cheap and cheerful, but Megabus was always on time. Equipped with those essentials for anyone under 25 - WiFi, a power plug and air conditioning - it was the perfect way to travel.

If you're planning on visiting a few states, the bus is definitely the cost-effective way for those on a budget. We paid between $2 and $10 apiece for each journey. The buses were clean and the atmosphere aboard felt safe and not at all intimidating.

AFTER a brief stopover at the Ivy League Yale University - nice for exstudents to see others with their noses to the academic grindstone - we were back on the coach to New York.

Standing in the middle of Times Square is like an out-of-body experience. With the buzz of tourists and the honking horns of yellow cabs, it's difficult to take in the amazing surroundings of the colourful billboards and swarm of people that fill the area.

That's when I heard a voice shout 'Jenna' and someone threw their arms around me. It was a girl I'd met on a cruise more than two years ago who just happened to be in New York at the same time as me and standing in the exact same spot.

The bright lights of Broadway are a big draw so if, like me, you're looking to save cash, the TKTS booth in Times Square sells cutprice tickets for most shows. On top of that, if you're in the big city for a few days and plan on seeing the usual sights, the New York Pass is a great money-saver. It gets you in to more than 70 attractions, with the option of a tour bus ticket for a little extra.

The pass got me in to Radio City Music Hall. This gem is a must for both music and art lovers and you even get to meet a Rockette, one of the leggy troupe of precision dancers there.

SHOW seen, money saved, we headed to a rooftop bar called the Hudson Terrace. It was all you'd expect - great music, great atmosphere - but a bonus was a stunning view of the Hudson River with the stars overhead.

Like most bar/clubs in America, you can expect to pay a door charge of around $10 per person and drinks at the Hudson Terrace started at around $13. It was a little bit pricey by Scottish student standards but, having cut financial corners elsewhere, it was worth it.

It was the morning after the night before and I was in desperate need of sleep. The Megabus pulled out on time and I caught 40 winks before starting over in Philadelphia.

The City of Brotherly Love had an oddly familiar feel. Last year, while Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt was filming his sci-fi thriller World War Z in Glasgow, I'd wandered over to the set to see what all the fuss was about.

George Square had been turned into Philadelphia, with American street signs erected everywhere. Now I could see the true version.

We knew that we had to try the famous Philly Cheesesteak, aka the Philly Melt - a baguette filled with steak cut so thin that it mingles with the cheese, My verdict? I'd rather have that student favourite the Greggs steak bake.

Thankfully, my faith in American food was restored when I arrived in Washington DC that night. Founding Farmers restaurant, just a short walk from the White House, was a culinary delight. All food was locally sourced and the vegetables were so fresh you'd swear they'd been uprooted that day.

We returned the next day to sample their breakfast and it did not disappoint. Three layers of pancakes, topped with whipped cream and fresh-cut strawberries proved just the pick-me-up we needed to continue our adventure.

Although Washington is known for its Smithsonian museums that stretch all down the National Mall, which also features Congress and the Lincoln Memorial, I enjoyed the Newseum best.

It takes you through the biggest stories that have gripped the world, from presidential election campaigns to the horror of the 9/11 atrocity. You can even try your hand at being a Fox News or CNN anchor with your own broadcast.

All in all, it was quite a way to mark the transition from student life to the real world and, with a bit of canny planning, a very affordable one too.

TRAVEL FACTS BOOK Megabus tickets via us.megabus.com. A Boston to New York trip will cost around $13 single and $20 return. Save on 70 attractions with www.newyorkpass.com. For information on TKTS booth locations in New York, visit www.tdf.org. You can also download the free app that gives the listings for that day.

CAPTION(S):

Canny travel: Jenna and Rhona

Salinger's cranky youth still speaks to many - The Irish Times

SIDELINE CUT : The lionisation of the school sports stars - thejocks - is a particularly American conceit and it has become jadedby now. But it remains true and universal too.

TOWARDS THE end of The Catcher in the Rye, Mr Antolini frets thatHolden Caulfield, his former pupil, is in for a 'terrible, terriblefall'.

'It may be the kind where, at the age of 30 you sit in some barhating everybody who comes in looking as if they might have playedfootball in college.'

That hardly qualifies as the worst fall one could have in life.Nonetheless, was there ever a character or a book that repudiatedthe mythology and appeal of sports culture - and in particularschool sports culture - as effectively as old Holden did in JDSalinger's perpetual classic?

It is hardly a coincidence that in the opening chapter Holden isalone on a hill watching a football game starring the team from theschool from which he is about to be expelled, Pencey Prep. For themillions of people/Holden devotees who passed through school and didnot play sport, here was someone in a place they recognised.

The lionisation of the school sports stars - the jocks - is aparticularly American conceit and it has become jaded by now. But itremains true and universal too.

You can see it in this country. Go to the Hogan Cup and watch thebest young GAA teams. Go to the Leinster Schools Cup and watch thegilded sons of those establishments. Go to the basketball arena inTallaght when the cup finals are on in March. These are all fine andwonderful traditions - sporting institutions themselves - and theyundoubtedly help to promote and instil the values and ethics theincreasingly beleaguered teaching profession is trying to pass on:team-work, pride in the school, the upholding of a legacy, winning,success, fraternity.

But do not pretend for a moment that these competitions do notrevolve around an element of hero-worship, where the boys who staron their respective sports teams stride the corridors and, rightlyor wrongly, are made to feel as though they have the world at theirfeet. And for the outsider looking in, for the kid with no interestor little natural ability when it comes to sport, that concentrationof time and energy on the glorification of this one team, thisentity, these few individuals, can be tremendously crushing.

Ask Janis Ian.

Of course, adolescence is not always a black-and-white divisionbetween the jocks and sensitive souls. For all the out-and-out jocksout there, there are countless other youngsters torn between thethrill and competitive zeal of playing sports and the constant kindof questioning and doubting that accompanies Holden Caulfield'simmortal lost weekend in 1950s NYC.

In fact, there must be many people out there who either receivedor were handed a copy of The Catcher in the Ryewho, after fallingunder the spell of its voice, decided the sporting life, with allits regulations and disciplines, its comical machismo and'inspiring' speeches, was not for them.

There must have been thousands of gifted footballers or swimmersor whatever who were prompted by Holden's contrary take on life todisappear into music and literature and the rest of it.

On Thursday evening, I was flicking between the RTE news and acollege basketball game between Duke and Florida State on ESPN whenthe standard, black-and-white photograph of JD Salinger appearedbehind Eileen Dunne. Even before she began the announcement, it wasobvious the great recluse had bowed out. Salinger's disappearancefrom public life and his steadfast silence that has governed his artis without precedent - although in my opinion, Ciaran McDonald, thegreat stylist on Mayo football teams from '96 to '07 and a man whoseems to share Holden Caulfield's suspicion of phonies, is givinghim a damn good run for his money - and has become almost as famousa story as his most famous creation.

But as I switched back to the basketball, it occurred to me thatDuke, one of the most prestigious and expensive of the Americancolleges, is precisely the kind of institution that Holden railsagainst.

The basketball team has become symbolic of everything the collegeis supposed to represent: clean-cut, selfless, brilliant, sporting,relentlessly successful, immaculately presented and polite, itspeople on the fast track to the brighter life. And because of thosevirtues, it can come across as preppy, self-regarding, smug,superior and acne-free.

Hating Duke and all it represents has become an alternativeAmerican pastime and would have made ideal fodder for Holden'sunforgettable brand of caustic disillusionment.

Now that JD Salinger has gone, it seems inevitable that hispassing will mean that generations across the world for whom TheCatcher in the Ryemeant everything will be prompted to present theirunsuspecting offspring with a copy of the book.

Watch the sales surge in coming weeks. It ought to lead tocomical reactions. Sometimes, the passing of cultural touchstonesjust does not work.

Recently, I had occasion to put a TV show on for a bunch of six-year-old lads. Flicking through the endless and oftenunpronounceable range of cartoon shows available now, I wasastounded and overjoyed to come across one that was old even when Iwas young: Top Cat.

Remember him? Lived in a tin can engaging in an eternal battle ofwits with Officer Dibble, he was a cat, as the theme tune advised,'whose intellectual close friends got to call him TC'. We turned iton.

Within seconds, it was clear a grave mistake had been made. Theseboys eyed me with a look that fell between pity and contempt. Andthey were right. The graphics were minimalist to the point of beingdesolate. Top Cat himself had an annoying kind of voice. Benny, hissidekick, was up to nothing. The children indulged the show for thebones of a minute before one said, as injudiciously as possible:'This doesn't seem to be very good.'

And that was that.

Chances are there is a whole wave of teenagers out there who areabout to become acquainted with Holden Caulfield and who will findthat the voice of this 17-year-old from 59 years ago simply meansnothing to them. But there will be many others who will fall underthe elusive magic of the book and feel, as tens of thousands haveattested, that this cranky youngster is speaking exclusively tothem.

And you can bet money that many of these new fans will belong toschools where sport - the team, the game, The Cup(!), the records,the school anthems, the famous outhalf, the former All-Irelandwinners, the chosen ones - are held up as the ideal of what it is tobe young and alive and searching for something.

And for many, of course, those games and races do nothing butreinforce that sense of not being included, of being outside therealm of conventional popularity and success. For many kids in thedays and years ahead, the news that Holden Caulfield, moody andgrieving, is up there on that hill watching some football game thatmeans nothing to him will be good news indeed.

And many, of course, will become curious about the man whocreated him.

As the famous line goes, 'What really knocks me out is a book,when you're all done reading it, you wished the author that wrote itwas a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on thephone whenever you felt like it'.

Fat chance of that now.

Get A Load of This. - American Fitness

The latest research findings on carbo-loading, hydration and exercise.

Each year at the American College of Sports Medicine's convention, exercise scientists meet to present their latest research findings. The following information from the June, 1998 meeting in Orlando, Florida, also published in the May, 1998 issue of Supplement to Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, offers a taste of what's happening in the area of sports nutrition.

Carbohydrates

Studies suggest pre-exercise consumption of low glycemic foods like oatmeal and pasta provide a sustained release of energy into the bloodstream. This enhances endurance performance. However, the consumption of additional carbs during exercise diminishes these benefits. Don't make a special effort to choose low glycemic foods before you exercise if you plan to consume carbs during exercise.

Carbohydrates should be the foundation of an optimal sports diet. But many athletes choose to consume too much protein, fat and alcohol at the expense of properly fueled muscles. A study of rugby players who consumed a high carbohydrate diet (more than 4 grams carb/lb., as compared to the common 2 grams carb/lb, or less) had almost double the muscle glycogen stores. This could contribute to higher intensity performance.

Carbo-loading can boost muscle glycogen by 1.6 times over baseline. But how long do muscles stay loaded? A study from Northern Arizona University suggests for three to five days post-loading, when the subject does no hard exercise and eats a 60% carbohydrate diet.

For optimal glycogen loading, can athletes just 'load' on carbs or should they first exercise at a high level prior to carbo-loading to deplete muscle glycogen? According to Navy research, depleting exercise followed by six days of a high carbohydrate diet provided a greater stimulus to super-compensate glycogen stores than occurred with no depleting exercises before carbo-loading.

Fluids

What's a good way to optimize fluid intake? Provide a tasty beverage. Studies have shown young boys given a choice of fluid replacers will drink more of a palatable sports drink than of plain water. New research suggests the same holds true for college students--they drank 24% more sports drinks than plain water. This can effectively reduce the risk of dehydration.

Carrying water with you during activity also reduces your risk of dehydration. Skiers, for example, are notorious for dehydration. Water is unavailable on the slopes and 'tanking up' on fluids at lunch fails to do the job. In a study with skiers who used a back mounted fluid carrier, the skiers drank three times more fluid, maintained hydration and reported they felt better.

Water is important during endurance exercises, but so are carbohydrates. Cyclists who consumed a combination of water and carbohydrate (e.g., a sports drink) during two hours of moderate cycling experienced only a 7% drop in cycling power as compared to a 10% drop when they drank the same volume of plain water. Inadequate water--even with carbs (such as energy bars taken with inadequate fluid)--contributed to a 14% drop in power.

Weight Gain Management

Commercial exercise videos claim to 'burn' and 'blast' fat. Subjects who completed 20- to 24-minute workouts burned about seven to eight calories per minute, or about 145 to 170 total calories--not exactly 'fat blasting,' given a pound of fat has 3,500 calories.

Baby boomers who fight middle age spread often ask how much they need to exercise to prevent weight gain. According to NASA researchers, one must exercise the equivalent of running six miles a week or more.

A study from Oregon State University shows post-menopausal women who do more 'hard' and 'very hard' exercise are likely to have less abdominal body fat than women who do moderately intense exercise.

Meal timing may affect body fat. A Georgia State University study involving gymnasts and runners demonstrated those who ate adequately during the day had less body fat than those who under-consumed. Therefore, yes, eat breakfast!

NEW YORK CITY CORPORATION COUNSEL CARDOZO, PHILADELPHIA CITY SOLICITOR SMITH MAKE FRIENDLY WAGER ON ANNUAL YANKEES-PHILLIES WORLD SERIES - US Fed News Service, Including US State News

NEW YORK, Oct. 28 -- The New York City Law Department issued the following press release:

Continuing the innovative service theme weaved into the World Series bets of Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Philly City Solicitor Shelley R. Smith and NYC Corporation Counsel Michael A. Cardozo today announced their own bet designed to inspire volunteerism and pro bono service.

The friendly wager, hinged on which team wins the Phillies/Yankees 2009 World Series match-up, will revolve around expanding a theme 'near and dear' to both the Mayors and their chief legal officials - promoting volunteerism generally, and educational and career opportunities for children in particular.

Specifically, the legal officials have agreed to the following:

* Whichever team loses, the chief legal official from the losing city will travel to the other city, along with a team of leading attorneys and staff.

* The friendly exchange will take place before June 2010.

* Members of the visiting legal team will volunteer in every borough (in New York City) or county (in Philadelphia) to ensure that their presence is appreciated by the entire city - and their inspiration is widespread.

* The volunteer efforts will include moot court/mock trial events, as well as career chats with school children by the losing city's legal team, including the losing city's chief legal officer.

* The visiting team will don the winning city's sports jerseys during the visit.

* The officials from both cities are using it as an opportunity to promote pro bono work among their respective city and state bar associations - especially with this being 'National Pro Bono Week.' (According to this week's New York Law Journal, Michael Getnick, the President of the New York State Bar Association, announced that his group was 'joining the American Bar Association and local bar associations...in celebrating the first-ever National Pro Bono Week [through] Oct. 31st.')

This afternoon's bet was inspired by an agreement announced yesterday between Mayor Nutter and Mayor Bloomberg. The joint Philadelphia-New York City press release issued from City Hall in New York yesterday afternoon noted that this was 'the first-of-its kind wager on the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.' It continued, 'The losing mayor will travel to the winning city to join the winning mayor in a volunteer service project, while wearing a jersey from the winning team.'

The joint press release also mentioned, 'In addition, the losing Mayor will cater lunch from a local establishment for the volunteers working with the winning Mayor. Win or lose, Mayor Bloomberg will be joining Publicolor to work with students painting open spaces at I.S. 131, the Albert Einstein School in the Bronx, and Mayor Nutter will be joining the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program to paint a mural on the side of a Philadelphia recreation center.'

* To view the full release, go to nyc.gov and click on 'Press Releases' or click here.

Cardozo and Smith announced their respective bets with a mix of excitement and fanfare.

'The real winner of this bet is the community who will benefit from the spirit of pro bono service embodied in this water,' noted Smith. 'After the Phillies win, perhaps Counselor Cardozo can take the train down with Mayor Bloomberg to make good on their bets together.'

'Them's fighting words!' joked Cardozo. 'Seriously, though, this is a wonderful opportunity to expand the spirit of volunteerism espoused by both of our fine mayors,' he added. 'Moreover, it allows each of our offices to give inspiration to many schoolchildren and provide them with a window to careers in the legal community, be it as lawyers, paralegals, court officers, judges or other legal officials - even city solicitors and corporation counsels! Finally, it gives us an important opportunity to support efforts by our local, state and nationwide bar associations to encourage pro bono work and volunteerism among legal professionals across the country.'

Today's bet echoes a tradition of public service embraced by both city's legal departments and chief legal officers.

Pro Bono Work of the Philadelphia Law Department

The Philadelphia Law Department strongly encourages its attorneys to supplement the valuable public service they provide in their positions with the Law Department by also offering service to the broader community through pro bono activities. Law Department attorneys have participated in programs such as the Homeless Advocacy Project, which provides assistance to homeless individuals with such tasks as securing social security cards and driver's licenses to assist in finding jobs and housing, Philadelphia's Volunteers for the Indigent Project (VIP), which provides low-cost or free legal services to Philadelphia citizens in need of legal representation but without means to secure such representation, and various programs offered through the Philadelphia Bar Association, including the Advancing Civics Education (ACE). In fact, just last week, the Mayor of Philadelphia honored the extensive pro bono work of a senior attorney with the Philadelphia Law Department by conferring a Mayoral Citation upon that attorney.

Law Department attorneys and staff also provide service to their community through various food drives, book drives and other fundraising activities.

Pro Bono Work of the New York City Law Department

In New York City, the Law Department has partnered in the last year with the New York Court of Appeals Chief Judge, Jonathan Lippman, and created 'NYC Legal Outreach,' one of the several initiatives involving the encouragement of volunteerism, to encourage more attorneys to provide pro bono service in the areas of mortgage foreclosures, evictions, immigration, and consumer credit/debt.

Law Department attorneys and staff also provide volunteer support for public schools in a variety of ways: raising funds for supplies, speaking at Career Days, coaching and judging moot court and moot trial competitions; and mentoring individual students.

Rest of the document can be viewed at (http://www.nyc.gov/html/law/downloads/pdf/2470889_1.pdf)For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.