Blog

Ever wish you could turn back time?

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:15:00 -0400

Ever wish that you could? I have many times wished for such. Opportunity to alter or change the path of what was to be today. It all its a good thing we can't do so or we most like would "spoil" ourselves in "vain ways" ! Not learning lessons from our mistakes or see things as we see them today.

Years back I came into to contact and made a friend, George (fat chance) Couts. I spent the most part of the day with this friend in his home and studio. We roamed thru music,art and just good ole "horse sense" conversation. If I felt a need to turn back the times and change something it would be the day I spent with this man, I would have made a second day and many more days just like it in his presence sharing time and space. Learning all and more of his wisdom and just plain being.

June, 2010 word came to me that George passed on to be eternal in life with our lord...may he always sit aside our maker and make music and love of life for the many he left behind here. May he find the peace always he sought and share with all those who had the fortune to know and share some life with this man.

George (FatChance) Couts

Zack Prather

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:56:00 -0400

~ When Sound Meets Heart ~

Born in Chicago in 1952, Zach Prather grew up listening to many of the great Blues players.

He began playing at the age of 13 and by the time He was 15 He had made His first record with Curtis Mayfields lable Cutom Records.during this time He had commence playing at many of the well known clubs and venues in the Chicago area.

At 17 Prather completed two years military service,after which He formed another band and returned to the club scene.

However, it was not the local Blues players that influenced Prather then,rather the British Invasion groups such as the Rolling Stones,the Kinks,small faces and the Who.

In 1974, Prather moved to Los Angles and began playing with another Chicago guitar player,Cash McCall. Together they performed with some of the biggest names in the Blues, including Screamin J Hawkins,Etta James and of course Willy Dixon.

Cash and I had allready become very good friends when He introduced Me to Willy and in a short time we also where very close,so He,Willy, decided we should record together.Willy really liked the things I was doing,He knew people where calling it rock and roll but no one knew better then Him where rock and roll came from.

During this recording project Willy became ill. I was with Him the day before He died,I will allways be gratefull fore being able to meet this man and fore all He taught me about life which is the blues.

Latter while touring Europe with Screamin J Zach meet Luther Allison,after one jam session and some quick arrangements Zach moved to Paris where He performed with Luther fore 3 and a half years.while living in Paris Zach made His first cd called Never My Love,with Melodie/Encore records.

He has not stoped since.

Zachs contact information,

www.zach-prather.com

Info@zach-prather.com

Sideroadusa/Catcastradio re-printed 2010 with express permission of Zach Prather and assoicates. Release form on file

July 17th,2010 comes the Southside "Throwdown BBQ contest"

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:46:00 -0400

Yum ! is a key word in describing this event of character and honors when thinking of "Master Chefs of flames and coals" when the "best of the best" will be known by the judges at the end of competing for the top spots. Savory smells will linger long into the day as the pits and grills of these uncanny chefs armed with there "secret" recipes,sauces and closely guarded secrets of the art tantalize you with there given talent.

Ok now that your taste buds and imagination have came into union with the association of above words the question becomes when and where?

The morning of July 17, 2010 at 8a.m. the compitition will "fire up" and the air around the neighborhood of the southside will take notice.. The THROWDOWN is on !

Sponsors KQTV2 / Kovacs/Pepsi Cola/Acme Music and Vending/St. Joseph Beverage and of Course Richard Shuster & associates of Southside Family fun center and Cooters Lounge brings the general public of St. Joseph and surrounding areas this shall we say "Hot event of family fun day". good food, music and just plain ole fun!

Those who will line make up the "Line up" can set to work setting up friday evening the 16th, 8p.m. up to saturday morning 8 a.m. pre-registration entry fee is $50.00 for early entry, those who register the day of will need to pay $75.00 so get your entry form below and in to the bucket early !

Entry form for "budding masters"

At 12 noon the gate opens to the General public with admissions set at $4.00 and kids under 10 free..

1 p.m. comes live music with :

Scott Perry
Hot dam
Rev'd up
Switch

Judging will begin at 4 p.m. and the grand prize is $500. 2nd prize $300. and 3rd place winner $200.

And of course with something returned to a worthy cause the proceeds of Kids meals will be donated to Camp Quality USA !!

Remember the Gates are opened at 12 noon and the fun begins ! where or what are you doing this July 17th? I and kids are going to be where the fun is here in St. Joseph along with the dinner wagon !! Come on down and enjoy and share good clean family fun and see for yourself who the "best of the Best' in the

"Southside Thrown down contest" is going to be !

Hope to see ya there !

da caT

DIRECTIONS & EVENTS POSTING

Boom Boom, Bang bang !!

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 10:27:00 -0400

8)Fourth of July 2010 is here ! least the rains have subsided for the time being. temps here in Missouri has been soaring upwards 90's, yet the humidity has been somewhat very much "bearable". Off work till tuesday, kids and dogs fill the house as our holiday weekend has begun. Soon to be heading off to the fishin hole before the day is thru. Starting the morning work in the "mator patch" pruning and mulching. ( hard to believe after all the rains I may have to water them!)

Plans for Sunday the Fourth is family fun time. agenda of ours is "Club Mudd" ! yeah ! BBQ,tons of food and fun with music an friends! and of course sunday dark comes the big " BOOM BOOM< BANG BANG ! ( actually a song title by Lo Cash Cowboys)

this is an annual event hosted by Barry and gang down at Ben Magoons a local blues and genere talented hot spot here in St. Joseph. stop by there page and say a big ole "howdy" ! tell them "Da CaT" sent ya by.. and of course they would love for you to stop by and say so in person while enjoying there hospitailty and company!!

Da cAt

He dubbed him "Godzilla"

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:17:00 -0400

Armed to the teeth with poles and bait ( his own home made recipe(s) ) my son marched to the waters of Corby Pond here in St. Joseph Mo. Jess baited up and sat down to wait. (actual he is good at it! think its the "half Piaute" side that blesses him,) soon the bobber bobbed and bait was gone. Baiting up again with another of his concoctions, out went the cast a good twenty feet or so from the bank. Soon the bobber bounced a time or two and soon stood still.. again it bobbed and down it went! manning his new pole Jesse soon had a "lunker" swimming the bank. His sister manning the net snagged ahold of this prize just as the 8 lb test line snapped. Sis bounced back away in startled amaze the size of this fish screeching " Don't let it eat me" !! All excited Jesse Blurbed out " Go ahead and let it ! It will weigh more!! ( brother concern and love of course at work here.)

Stats for this catch

Common Carp

13 pounds 8 ounces / 28 inches

caught at Corby St. Joseph Mo. 06/20/2010

How to Make Chicken with Cubanelle Peppers and Tomatoes Recipe

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:57:00 -0400

This is more of a stew to enjoy.. very tasty dish.... great with crusty bread dipped in olive oil..

Coat a large lidded pot or skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken pieces. Season them with salt, pepper and thyme. Brown on each side. (If desired, season with chicken seasoning, too).

Step 2 Add the cubanelle pepper slices first and then add the tomatoes. Cover the pan. Bring chicken, cubanelle peppers and tomatoes to a simmer and lower heat to keep at a simmer. Cook for an hour.

Step 3 Make your favorite rice during the last half of the cooking time.

Step 4 Serve chicken, peppers, tomatoes and sauce over the rice.

This chicken with cubanelle peppers and tomatoes recipe, serves 4-6.

Things You'll Need: 1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil 1 whole chicken, cut up Salt Pepper 1 tsp Thyme or some fresh Thyme sprigs 4 Cubanelle Peppers, cut into strips 4-6 Roma Tomatoes, quartered or 1 14.5 oz can of Stewed Tomatoes Chicken Seasoning (optional) Rice

cubanelle peppers .. so enjoyable

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:42:00 -0400

Cubanelle peppers are similar to Anaheim peppers but slightly less flavorful. They are considered a sweet pepper. Cubanelles can be stuffed or used in salads and casseroles. Also good on pizzas or subs.

Cubanelle peppers are long and tapered, and either red or pale green or yellow. They can be substituted in recipes calling for Anaheim peppers. The cubanelle should be firm, smooth and glossy.

check video /gardening section of site for additional videos concerning these tasty delites!

~~Article on how to grow~~

Trails West 2010

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:36:00 -0400

2010 Main Stage Artists

Friday, August 20, 8:00 p.m.

Matt Schofield

Saturday, August 21, 8:00 p.m.

Jake Owen

Sunday, August 22, 6:00 p.m.

Dennis DeYoung, The music of STYX

Johnny Neel

with special guest

Love and Theft

Trails West!® 2010 Headliners

British blues-rock star Matt Schofield, country stars Jake Owen and Love and Theft, and legendary 70s/80s star Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx will be the main stage headline acts for the Trails West! ® arts festival, Aug. 20-22, 2010, at Civic Center Park in St. Joseph.

Friday night blues fans are in for a treat with Matt Schofield, a British guitarist playing rhythm and blues with “New Orleans funk”-- and doing it so well that commentators on both sides of the Atlantic are ranking him among the best in the world. Vintage Guitar, USA calls Schofield "The best of his generation's European players. His feel for the music is incredible." Guitar and Bass magazine says he is one of the "Top ten British Blues guitarists of all time."

Opening Friday night, Aug. 20th, for Matt Schofield is Johnny Neel - a Grammy award nominee recognized in the music world for his work with the Allman Brothers, Lonnie Mack and Gov't Mule, among others. In addition to his soulful vocals, harp, piano and B-3 proficiency, Johnny is an accomplished songwriter whose tunes have been recorded by artists including Marie Osmond, the Oak Ridge Boys and Travis Tritt. In 1990, Neel joined the Allman Brothers for the chart-topping hit "Good Clean Fun", from the Seven Turns Album, co-written by Neel with Allman and Betts. Music reviews say “He joins the ranks of multi-talented blind pianists/composers such as Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder - and he's every bit as creative and soulful” and “At times he'll remind you of Springsteen, Bob Seger and Stevie Ray Vaughan.”

Jake Owen, named one of People magazine’s “Sexiest Men in Country Music,” has recently landed coveted spots on shows with country's kings of the road, including Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson. The journey began in 2006 with the release of his debut album, Startin' With Me. The title cut from that project hit the country top ten, leading to Jake's first ACM nomination for Top New Male Vocalist. A hit with Sugarland and Little Big Town on the tune "Life in a Northern Town" garnered the Florida native his first CMA and Grammy nominations in 2008. The first two songs off his sophomore album, Easy Does It, have peaked at No. 2 and No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart: “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” and “Eight Second Ride.” The first single from Easy Does It, "Don't Think I Can’t Love You," is inspired by his father's devotion to his mother over the years. “It's all about truth. In order for people to gravitate towards your music and buy into what you're saying, they have to know it's true,” says Owen of his high-energy connection to his audiences. Jake Owen takes the stage at Trails West!® on Saturday night, Aug. 21st.

Opening Aug. 21st for Jake Owen is Love and Theft, the trio who toured with Taylor Swift in 2008 and is currently on tour with Tim McGraw and his "Southern Voice" North American tour, along with Lady Antebellum (stopping in Kansas City, June 27). Their debut album, World Wide Open, recently opened inside the Top 10 on the country albums chart. The band's Top 10 and climbing hit single "Runaway" claims the biggest first week digital single sales for any debut country act this year; music fans will also know “Dancing in Circles.” Audiences have been swept away at first listen by the trio's soaring harmonies and on-stage charisma. “Lyrically," says trio member Eric Gunderson, "we feel like rawness and authenticity is a real driving force behind this band."

It’s throwback time for festival guests on Sunday night, with the legendary Dennis DeYoung performing 30 years of musical history with “The Music of Styx.” As founder, former singer and songwriter for 1970s-80s champion rockers Styx, DeYoung’s show offers a unique rock experience bringing new power and feeling to such classics as “Lady,” “Babe,” “Come Sail Away,” “Mr. Roboto,” “Grand Illusion,” “Lorelei,” “Don’t Let It End,” and “Show Me the Way,” plus many more, including solo works and new music from his new rock CD, 100 Years From Now. DeYoung’s voice is called one of the most recognizable in the world, and continues to inspire new generations of fans with his 7-piece rock band. Styx was the only band to ever record four consecutive triple platinum albums. With recent stints on Broadway, music for 15 major motion pictures and numerous sitcoms, DeYoung and his band bring a star-studded show. Lead guitarist August Zadra has performed with Boston, the Gin Blossoms and Poison – and is now also touring with his own Journey cover band, Lights. Drummer Tom Sharpe is also the drummer for the Grammy-Award winning Mannheim Steamroller. DeYoung’s keyboardist, John Blasucci, has worked as a composer/producer/pianist for Josh Groban, Celine Dion and N’Sync.

Admission to the festival will be by souvenir button or 2010 Trails West! ® t-shirt. The buttons, good for admission to all three days of the festival, will be $6 in advance and $8 at the festival gates. All festival guests over the age of 12 will need a button or t-shirt for admission. Trails West! ® 2010 t-shirts must be purchased in advance and can be worn to the festival as an alternative option to purchasing an admission button.

Trails West!® is an arts festival, celebrating the unique cultural heritage of St. Joseph. A program of the Allied Arts Council, the festival is coordinated by a volunteer steering committee, and receives financial assistance from the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of St. Joseph, and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

est!®

A Celebration of the Arts

August 20-22, 2010

Northwest Missouri's Largest Arts Festival

2010 main stage

Trails west official website link

Directions, Parking and Festival Shuttle

Accommodations

Good Neighbor Park Policy

Guest Services & Disabled Access

Park Rules

Souvenirs & Buttons

Festival Shuttle, Directions, & Parking

Shuttle: To help with traffic flow Trails West!® will offer shuttle service to and from the City parking garages and lots during peak times on Saturday. The service is free for everyone with a Trails West!® admission button. Buttons may be purchased on the shuttle. Downtown St. Joseph parking map. The shuttle runs every half hour. The shuttle drop off point at the festival is Frederick and 10th street.

Shuttle Service Hours:

Saturday 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Directions: The festival located at Civic Center Park, is adjacent to City Hall, 1100 Frederick Ave. If you’re coming from out of town, take Interstate 29 or US 36 to Interstate 229 to downtown St. Joseph. If you are on I-229 South, exit at Felix Street, follow Felix to 10th street, turn 3 blocks north and you’re there. If you are on I-229 North, exit at Edmond Street, follow Edmond to 10th street, turn 3 blocks north and you’re there! If you should happen to miss the I-229 exits off Interstate 29, you can also exit Interstate 29 at Frederick Boulevard and go west on Frederick to 11th Street to the festival.

Parking: Downtown St. Joseph has several free parking garages and parking lots. The garage closest to the festival is at 9th and Felix.

Accommodations

A wide variety of accommodations are available in St. Joseph. A list of motel and hotel accommodations are available on the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau website

Good Neighbor Park Policy

Trails West!® takes place in scenic Civic Center Park, immediately adjacent to City Hall at 1100 Frederick in downtown St. Joseph.. To lessen the impact of over 45,000 festival goers, and to provide a comfortable experience for everyone, the Festival is asking for cooperation with the following:(

Blankets and chairs must be removed each evening of the Festival.

Pets or animals are not allowed on Festival grounds

Due to obvious hazards, glass, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, bicycles are prohibited

Please do not bring food or drink on to the grounds - food vendors are on grounds offer a wide variety of tasty options. If you wish to bring your own food, a picnic area is available for your use on the grounds of Pony Express Monument between Frederick and Francis

Note - Following each night’s closing act, Festival staff removes all blankets, chairs, etc., from the park. These items are turned in to the Lost & Found station and can be retrieved there.

The area in front of the Main Stage will be provided for Wheelchair Access, and on Saturday night an American Sign Language interpreter will be provided.

Just a tip for our Festival goers from near and far—BRING YOUR BAG CHAIRS! Seating is limited, and there are so many different venues to see, you’ll want the mobility that having your own chair will bring.

One last request - when packing for the Festival, drop in your own trash bag, and help us to leave the festival grounds in great shape! Please don't drop trash on the ground or worse in our neighbors' streets!

Guest Services & Handicap Access

Our goal is to provide access to all our guests for all of Trails West!® Here are some of the ways we are trying to make your visit enjoyable. A Wheel Chair accessibility map of the grounds is available here

Large-print and Braille festival schedules are available at the Merchandise Tent. American Sign Language interpreters will be available for virtually all performances on Saturday.

First Aid is located on the south west portion of the grounds.

Respite accommodations are available. For more information, contact the Merchandise Tent to the right of the Main Stage.

ADA accessible portable rest rooms are located in each of the two “porta-potty” locations.

Baby Changing Station The Grace Evangelical Church will provide a baby changing and nursing tent in the middle of the grounds - near the the umbrella tables.

Handicapped parking is located on Francis Street at 10th and in the City Hall lot at Walter Welch Blvd and 12th.

A special picnic area has been established for guest wishing to bring a picnic lunch. The green space at the Pony Express statue at 10th and Frederick will have picnic tables set up for your use. Food baskets and coolers are not permitted on the grounds of Civic Center Park.

Park Rules Trails West!® policies require that all guests who purchase alcohol receive a festival-supplied wrist band. The policies also prohibit bringing cans or bottles into the park. City ordinances prohibit guests from leaving the park (or any liquor-by-the-drink establishment) with an open container of alcohol. Also, no coolers, animals, bikes, skateboards, roller blades or scooters are allowed on the grounds. Your attention to these rules will help keep Trails West!® safe.

Souvenirs Souvenir sales help pay for the Performance Artists Trails West!® brings to St. Joseph every year. Trails West® has provided a quality arts experience for the St. Joseph area since 1993. You can show your support for Trails West® by purchasing souvenir tee-shirt. Tee-shirts are available for sale at the Allied Arts Council office, 118 S. 8th Street, Clara's Fashions in the 3849 Frederick, and Hy-Vee 201 N Belt.

For more information, call the Allied Arts Council

(816) 233-0231 or 800-216-7080

( Reprint from original source )

Is your Friday nIte Boring ??

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:57:00 -0400

Ever sit at home and play "spin the romote", a real blast isn't it? hmmm what else is there to do in St. Joseph on a Friday nite? Movie or what? Blah thats about as boring as playing "spin the remote" !

Psst here is a suttle hint of something more fun to do !

ROCK N BOWL

What ?? just what is 'Rock n Bowl' ?

probabably in my notion one of the hottest crazes to hit the Joetown in ages !

Smack in the center of the lanes while you bowl you will rock the nite away bowling and jamming to some of the hottest local, and not so local bands from around the area.. Down goes the lights and up goes the action as you bowl,dance or just sit and listen to the band crankin out the hits and oldies..

hmmmm different huh? Yeah they are "mobile Dj" events around for sure. Ever heard of "LIVE MUSIC" center of the action?

I recent attended my first Rock N Bowl and have a wonderful time !

There is a modest Cover charge to take in the evening of festivities, but It is a "Budget nite out " as far as I am concerned compared to the movies or other events!

I mean what is a toss up here? Do I go bowling or do I go to the local pub? Well in my notion its a winner as you have the best of all in one spot.

I mentioned a cover charge. $5.00 plus $5.00 to bowl and your set.. No there isn't much of anything cheap or free these days! however I believe this is a well "within range" budget concept for a night out instead of the boring tube or a movie! Shoot take your" Mary Lou" out for a unique date! she will appreciate you. (such a genius you are!)

The fun Center host a fine concession to please as well as Cooters Lounge to take care of those refreshment needs for the evening.. Hey there is an ATM on premises to so you don't have to cut your evening short !!

Rock N Bowl starts at 9:30 and goes until 12:30 A.M.

watch the events calendar here onsite or go check out the home page for Southside Family fun center !! I believe you will find this a unique change to the" same ole same ole" for a change!

I recomend you call ahead and reserve your lanes early for the evening as they do go fast ! plus keep checking back to the center and calendar for many other fun events planned by this establishment thru time! They are not just about a game or two of just bowling !! yeah that's right ! its a fun center !

6838 Kinghill Ave.

St. Joseph Missouri, 64504

(816) 238-2300

Killer tomato patch...

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:15:00 -0500

The trick to tomatoesCasual gardeners can enjoy the sweet success of homegrown tomatoes with a little soil preparation and the right plants.By JOHN A. STARNES JR.

Published July 10, 2004

[Photo by John A. Starnes Jr.] Before you can feast on vine-ripe tomatoes you’ll need to give your plants something to feast on, too.

How many of you garden in pursuit of the perfect pleasure offresh vine-ripe tomatoes? To have your teeth pop through that cool tautskin, then sink into the juicy decadence - it's an affirmation oflife's simple pleasures.

But it's a pleasure that eludes many of us. Instead, what we getfrom our humble gardens are sickly vines and malformed fruit.

Don't despair, you can grow tomatoes successfully if you follow afew simple rules: create healthy, fertile soil; choose the varietiesbest suited for the season; and take advantage of our climate.

Tomato vines are hungry plants, yet we plant them in miserablesandy soil fed with chemical fertilizers. Try this method to revitalizea garden patch:

Choose an area 6 feet by 6 feet in full sun; spread a 25 pound bagof cheap dry dog food nuggets, a 20 pound bag of cheap clay cat litterand half of a 50 pound bag of alfalfa pellets. As the dog food decays,it releases plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,calcium (which prevents black "blossom end rot" in ripening fruits) andminerals. The proteins and carbohydrates feed the earthworms,beneficial fungi and bacteria that create soil fertility by decomposingorganic matter.

The cat litter releases potassium-rich clay that helps sandy soilretain moisture. The alfalfa pellets supply beneficial bacteria, traceminerals, nitrogen and organic matter. Once everything has beenapplied, use a shovel to turn the soil. Water deeply, then cover thesite with overlapping layers of cardboard boxes. Water the cardboarduntil it sags and softens.

For mulch use 6 inches of pine needles, or 4 inches of coastal hay(check feed stores), or oak leaves or chipped mulch from a treetrimming service. Let it ripen for two to four weeks, watering deeplyeach week.

To get a more vibrant root systems, plant your seedlings a few inches deeper than they grew in their starter pots.

Use our climate to your advantage by planting heat-sensitive largerfruiting types in fall and early spring and the heat-tolerant smallerfruiting types in spring, early summer and again in early fall. Cherry,grape and most Roma types tolerate our muggy summers best; good onesinclude Sweet 1000 and Sweet Million. Folks with limited space or whouse containers often get the best results with patio tomatoes. Look forthe word "determinate" on seed packets or plant tags. This means seedswill grow into a fairly small plant, produce one crop of tomatoes, thendie.

"Indeterminate" types can produce both large and small fruit, makebig vining plants and keep blooming until they succumb to a hard freezeor are removed by hand. The cherry types for summer are indeterminateand therefore crank out tangy-sweet "maters" for a year or more.

There are as many secrets to "raising" tomatoes as there are toraising children, but try this trio of ingredients for healthy vinesthat are free from bugs and disease. It might also help heal yourgardening ego.

- John A. Starnes Jr., born in Key West, is an avid organicgardener and rosarian who studies, collects, cultivates and hybridizesroses for the diverse regions of Florida. He can be reached at johnastarnes@msn.com

[Last modified July 9, 2004, 10:44:02]

(this is a reprint of original publication)