Spinnaker [Distributed: Wednesday, October 4, 2006]

When many people hear reggae music they automatically think of Bob Marley and associate it with his legacy, but Marley was just a piece of the puzzle. Without a doubt, Marley made reggae a genre known the world over, but before Marley's popularity, there was reggae music. Shirts and stickers with his name or picture can be found in most music stores along with his work. However, there is much more to reggae and its history outside of Marley.

Reggae's roots truly lie in Africa, and that influence can be heard in various reggae songs that speak of the motherland. Reggae is ultimately a spiritual music form that is often political. Roots reggae, the genre which contained Marley, has much of its underpinnings in the religion and philosophy of Rastafarianism or the worship of King Haile Selassie I, aka Ras Tafari, an Ethiopian king and the God of Rastas.

The teachings of Rastafarianism are fairly new in the world of religion and did not begin until the 1920s and 1930s. They were spurred by Marcus Garvey, the father of the Back to Africa movement that called for all people of African descent to return to Africa. Rastafarians and their religion are mainly associated with Jamaica, the home of reggae music and the place from which some of the best reggae in the world has come, although Rastafarians can be found all over the world. Of course, most people relate Rastafarianism with dreadlocks and the use of marijuana, but there are other aspects in the religion including specific eating habits, disdain for Babylon and certain symbols which concrete this system of beliefs as a bonafide religion.

The use of marijuana is part of the religion and is used to become closer to Jah, their name for God, who is Haile Selassie. It aids in meditation and relaxation and is also used medicinally.

Dreadlocks are another important symbol in Rastafarianism and signify the roots of the Rasta man and the connection to Jah and the separation from the white man. The dreadlock can be seen upon another important symbol, the Lion of Judah, linked to Haile Selassie and used to show his strength. The Lion of Judah is a common symbol within reggae music, and many references are made within the music about the lion. Some devout Rastafarians eat only I-tal, a completely natural and chemical free way of eating that also makes them vegetarians. Babylon is the hated system of the white man that has been used to enslave and bring down the descendants of Africa and to ensure that they do not rise to any type of power. Other symbols in Rastafarianism, aside from those mentioned above, can also be traced back to Africa. The colors of red, gold, black and green each have a meaning with red being the blood of Africans that has been shed, gold the wealth that is the motherland, black for the people and green the lush vegetation of Ethiopia. These colors can be seen on the flag of Ethiopia and the flag with the Lion of Judah in the middle, and once again are common motifs throughout the music. These are the roots from which reggae music came, and the origins of this music form hail from the Caribbean islands where many African descendants reside.

Not all reggae music is intertwined with Rastafarianism. Much reggae, particularly that of modern times, is about spreading a positive message of equality and happiness in life. This message can be found in the many different forms of reggae music including dancehall, roots, dub and ska. These forms are all different, yet similarities can be found throughout the genre. It is roots that was popularized by Bob Marley, and the Rastafarian motif is more prominent throughout this type of reggae. Of course, reggae's style of quick upstrokes on guitar coupled with keyboards played in between the drum beats, deep bass along with percussion instruments of all types, horns and female backup singers didn't just spring from the ground. Like all musical forms before it, it had roots in the American music that the Jamaicans listened to in the discos that popped up around Kingston including jazz, rock and roll and R&B.

An early form of Jamaican music, ska, would lead to what would become formally known as reggae. According to one web site on Jamaican history, the term reggae was first recognized in 1968 when used by Toots and the Maytals on their album for the hit single "Do the Reggae." From here, the stage was set for the movement of reggae music from the small Caribbean island of Jamaica to the rest of the world.

Reggae music was prepared for takeoff and two men who helped pilot the maiden voyage were Lee "Scratch" Perry and King Tubby, both of whom have numerous albums that can be found in any online music store. Perry was the first to work with the Wailers, at that time made up of Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, and Bob Marley. With Perry, the band met Ashton Barrett who would later become another member of the group. Another man who was gaining fame at the same time was Jimmy Cliff. Cliff was becoming a well known artist during the late 1960s and would later star in a movie called "The Harder They Come," a stirring look at life in the ghettos of Kingston during the time period and the struggle of many Jamaicans caught in this lifestyle . The movie had much success and introduced the world to the plight of Jamaicans within their ghettoes. The movie also showcased the music that was blooming in Jamaica at the time and the hard life of the music industry within the country. Once the world had been introduced to reggae music, the importance of Bob Marley and his band the Wailers to the internationalization of reggae music can be understood.

With their first album, Catch a Fire, the Wailers propelled reggae music into the national spotlight, a place where more artists followed without looking back. The success of the Wailers was a turning point for the island of Jamaica and the man who would later become an icon, the reggae ambassador to the world, Robert Nesta Marley.

Reggae acts sprang from countries around the world. Early on, a majority hailed from Jamaica and various other Caribbean islands and some from the UK, most notably Steel Pulse and much later UB40 and Gentlemen. Acts from the US, Australia and New Zealand also joined the movement of reggae music around the globe. A multitude of bands and singers exist and cover every offshoot of reggae from roots to dancehall. The dancehall type of reggae music has become quite popular in the United States with artists like Beanie Man, Sean Paul, Lady Saw, Sizzla and Elephant Man heading the pack.

Dub music is another offshoot of reggae that has been in existence since the earliest time of reggae with artists such as Augustus Pablo, King Tubby, Mad Scientist and Lee 'Scratch' Perry to name a few.

California has certainly caught reggae fever with a huge following of fans based on the west coast where festivals such as Reggae on the River take place each year. Notable California bands such as Groundation have grasped the true themes of roots reggae and taken them to the next level. Also, the Long Beach style of reggae evolved in California with Sublime leading the way and bands such as Slightly Stoopid, Long Beach Dub Allstars and Long Beach Shortbus attempting to fill the void over the years that was left by Sublime.

Hopefully, this brief history of the beginnings and evolution of reggae music filled in some gaps in your understanding of the genre. If not, a large amount of further information exists for your reading pleasure. The influence of reggae music continues today and its influence can be found in some of the forms from which it came. Reggae music has an interesting history, a history that began in Jamaica in the mid to late 1950s out of the oppression of a people who wanted a way out. Reggae music continues to gain popularity in the world today, and it seems most recently has been adopted by surfers and coastal people. The genre is vast and the forms many, but one thing is certain, if you are just beginning to appreciate reggae the amount of quality music that exists is almost infinite, simply do some research and find out which style suits you. If you already have an appreciation for reggae there is always another group out there that you haven't yet heard.

Etiquette 101: Church

As etiquette goes, we all, as civilized human beings, have a list of rules by which we must live if we expect to function on a normal level. Church is no different in that respect.

At the risk of sounding like the Church Lady from "Saturday Night Live," church's abound with people who just seem to not care in the least. Could it be Satan?

While this may fall on deaf ears to the few readers who have never stepped foot into a church and plan to never do so, most of us are either regular attendees, sporadic visitors or plan on starting some time in the future and can benefit from a list of church etiquette.

1. Topping the list: Don't talk. While this may seem obvious to most, it surprises me how many people actually break this rule. It does seem, however, to be either the very young or the very old. We'll discuss the very young later. Apparently, one common problem that might cause a person to talk loud is hearing loss. If you know or suspect you might have hearing loss, don't try to whisper to the woman next to you in church. You will only embarrass yourself, as well as her.

2. Don't wear big hats. It may seem that I'm missing my mark here, as hats are not exactly in any more. Generally, it is the older ladies who wear them, trying perhaps to capture their girlhood from eras past. You never know, though. If you find yourself eyeing a groovy hat in a department store some day and thinking to yourself, "That's a really groovy hat, I think I'll wear it to church this week," remember this rule and stop yourself while you still have your dignity.

3. Don't unwrap candy in church. This is one I personally hate. The sound of a crunching, crackling candy wrapper can sound like thunder in a silent moment of worship, and can be distracting to all those within about a 500-foot radius. If you must satisfy your sweet tooth during the service, unwrap your candy either during a song or before the service starts. Then sit it on top of its wrapper and have it ready for use later during the service.

4. Along the same lines as candy wrappers falls pen clickers. With a world full of Attention Deficit Disorder patients running around on the loose, it's no surprise that there's almost always a person sitting behind me clicking his pen. What is wrong with these people? Are they so devoid of focus factor that they can't sit still for an hour of worship? Even if the pastor or minister is desperately boring, which sadly is the case in some churches, get control of yourself, man, and bite your fingernails instead. It looks disgusting, but it's not nearly as distracting to others.

5. Don't let your children get up to go to the bathroom. Every week it seems the same people let their kids get up and go to the bathroom at some point in the service, and all the parents do is smile and let them go. I wonder what those kids really do in the bathroom. I think they're probably meeting their buddies back there. C'mon, unless your child is very young or has a going problem, she can wait until the end of the service to go.

6. Along those same lines, don't bring a child to the sanctuary if he is unruly and disruptive. You parents generally know what kind of temperament your kid has and whether or not they can sit quietly through the service. The person in front of you who is searching for God is not going to get to heaven by having your spoiled kid bug the hell out of them! Find out if your church offers a program for kids in your child's age range, such as nursery or children's church. If no such program exists and you must keep them in the sanctuary, teach them the rules ahead of time, and be prepared to pinch. It's an effective weapon of choice, and you'll see them pull a Pavlov and quickly learn some new behavior.

7. Don't break in line. This might not seem like it would be a problem, but it happens, generally at the end of the service when a line forms at the front or back of the church to greet the pastor or new members or whomever. There's always someone who asks his church friends if he can scoot in front of them in line, and who's going to say no? Everyone will think you're mean, and who wants that? We all work so hard at putting on our smily, church faces on Sunday, don't we?

8. Dress modestly. I'm not saying that we must dress expensively or like we're at a red carpet event. Wear what you can afford, and dress with respect. Don't show your mid section or any other skin that might cause others to be distracted. We go to church usually to worship, and if we're popping out of our top, we become the problem.

9. Treat church property with respect, just as you would any other property. Don't write in or let your kids write in the hymnals or Bibles. On the same note, don't use the offering envelopes to pass notes to your friend. The church has to pay for these items.

10. Don't interrupt. So you see the preacher's wife and want to say hi, but she is chatting with someone else. Don't interrupt their conversation just to say hi. It's rude. You have no idea what that other person might be saying or needing to share with her at that moment. Wait your turn. Stand about three feet away and don't stare, but look in that direction every so often to let her know you are waiting to speak with her.

11. Don't fall asleep. This should be a no-brainer, but it happens. And it's especially noticable if you're sitting in the choir loft and you fall asleep. Breaking this rule might be the least offensive to folks around you, but it could be painfully embarrassing to the sleeper. You might be a snorer, whether you know it or not, or your mouth might fall wide open with saliva running down your chin.

12. Don't blow your nose. Sure, there comes a time when you get a little booger that just totally blocks your passages, so get up and go to the restroom. Your honking might send particles flying or might unnerve the person next to you or even the preacher, which is never a good thing, because he might redirect his sermon to you.

After all is said and done, the reason we go to church is to worship. Etiquette is but a thing, and the Lord would rather have you there worshipping Him than at home gossiping about all the folks who break the rules! Be blessed.

The truth about trans-fat and its origins

Once upon a time, in the land of lard and butter, food producers looked for ways to use vegetable oils in food products. Alas, a few problems arose. Liquid oils, they found, were not as stable as solid fats such as butter. They burned more quickly at high temperatures and easily became rancid.

Time passed and in 1903 a German chemist developed a process using hydrogen that made some of the double bonds in liquid "unsaturated" oils become single "saturated" chemical bonds. This process was affectionately called "partial hydrogenation."

Scientists of the land soon noticed that some of the fatty acids (building blocks of fats) in "partially hydrogenated" vegetable oils changed into different-shaped "trans" fatty acids. It was this unusual chemical structure that gave form and stability to the liquid vegetable oils.

All seemed well in the land of partially hydrogenated oils until studies on humans found not-so-good results. Compared to saturated fats in butter and lard (that raise good and bad blood cholesterol levels), trans fats delivered their own bad news. Too much trans made bad (LDL) cholesterol in blood go up and good (HDL) cholesterol go down. Further studies associated trans fats with other risk factors for heart disease and stroke and even linked a high intake of trans fats to insulin resistance - a condition that can lead to type 2 diabetes.

By this time, partially hydrogenated oils had spread to many, many food products in the land ... most notably cakes, donuts, cookies, crackers, margarines, fried potatoes, chips and snack foods. And the people were very, very sad.

In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration issued an edict that food products must list trans fat content on their labels. And all the king's men scrambled to remove the dreaded trans fats from processed food. Labels on many, many products soon read, "Trans Fat Free!" or "0 Trans Fat!"

And the people rejoiced. But wait, shouted a lone sentry. By law, a product that contains less than 1 gram of trans fat per serving can officially be deemed "trans fat free." Beware if you eat numerous "servings" of high fat processed foods each day, he cautioned.

Meanwhile, some of the townspeople began to chant, "Give us our butter and lard!" To which the minister of health wisely replied, "Do not forget that the saturated fat in these foods is also a heartbreaker. Let us resolve to choose fewer foods that contain both saturated as well as trans fats."

To which the people responded, "Hail to the oils and nuts and seeds and avocados of the land!"

And all was well with the world.

Back on the bench

Luis Palacios is a freshman Music Education and Jazz Performance major.

The Spinnaker encountered him sitting on a bench by the Green and had a chance to ask him a few questions

So, what brings you to the bench this afternoon?
I just got out of one of my classes, a jazz band class, and I am just relaxing until my next one.

What's your major?
Music Education and Jazz Performance; it's a duel major.

Quick! Name the capital of Canada.
Ottawa.

Do you know what E=MC^2 stands for?
I am guessing the theory of relativity maybe.

If you could be a character on Family Guy, which one would you be?
Stewie.

Why?
Because I think I would be a good emperor. I have everyone equally under me.

What about on "Saved by the Bell"?
Zack, cause I can be a smartass about things.

And if you were a pizza topping?
Anchovies, so I could give people bad digestion. If they are going to eat me, I might as well give them bad digestion.

Do you believe in ghosts?
No, but if I heard some place was haunted, I wouldn't go there. Just in case.

What about aliens?
Possibly, I mean there has got to be more than just us here.

What are the three things you would take with you to a desert island?
My saxophone, my Xbox and some CDs

Better yet, who would you take with you?
My best friend Tiffany.

OK, and you can have one CD, too. Which one would you bring?
The best of Phil Woods.

Have you seen the softer side of Sears?
No, it's all hard.

Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts?
Dunkin' doughnuts, the jelly donuts because they are good. I like donuts

Boxers or Briefs?
Boxers. I like the space.

Where's Waldo?
I don't know; I can never find him.

Where are you from?
I just moved from Miami a couple months ago in July to come here.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I play saxophone.

Do you have a favorite professor?
Yeah, I do. A guy named Bunky Green. He is really funny.

What is your favorite kind of jazz?
I don't know, like regular jazz. Not the smooth jazz that you hear on the radio. I don't like that kind of jazz. Unfortunately, sometimes I have to play it when they call me to play for someone.

What is your favorite section of the Spinnaker?
The front page, it has nice pictures.

Do you live on campus?
No, off campus.

Do you have any advice for off-campus students at UNF?
Come really early to get a parking spot.

Study tips to keep sane

Work during the day, go to classes at night and vice versa. Many college students balance their days like this. A student just wants to sleep at the end of the day so finding enough time to study properly can be an issue. Many rely on the classic cram-at-the-last-minute theory, flipping through notes and skimming over pages of a textbook. Here are some simple and helpful tips to keep up with classes.

First and foremost, flash cards are helpful for many reasons. The simple act of writing out the cards is a way of studying in itself. It reinforces what is learned in class and helps even if the information is being read for the first time.

Flash cards are most helpful when the information to be learned is heavy on dates, names, laws or acts. Rather than just scanning through notes or a book, the cards isolate each piece of information to help retain it easier. After reviewing them a few times, the cards can even help tie key concepts together. Perhaps the best part of flash cards is that they can be carried around easily, so that when there is a free moment, students may pull them out and look over them.

Study groups are another very beneficial method of preparing for a test, and there are a few ways to approach them. Quiz each other out loud, with one person asking questions and everyone else taking turns to respond. Think of it as a game show. Then rotate who is asking the questions.

Another approach would be to make up quizzes on paper to give to each other. Again, this may seem childish, but it is helpful. Everyone can create a test with however many questions they decide on, and then trade with someone else. The stipulation is that everyone needs to know the answers to the quiz they made up, which also benefits everyone in learning the material.

Every teacher says to read the chapters before coming to class. Believe it or not, this actually helps. Not that reading the entire chapter is necessary, because textbooks are just so entertaining, but at least skim over it. Take notes on any bolded words or phrases. This way, when a topic is discussed in class, the class discussion will reinforce what was read before class. Then always review any notes taken in class later that day, even if it is just a glance.

Math, accounting and similar classes always have practice problems in the textbooks. Even if a teacher has not assigned them, it never hurts to do a few practice problems in the chapter that is currently being discussed. That way, if something is not understood, there is time to ask and get clarification before exam time.

Speaking of asking for help, just do it. Suck it up, let go of foolish pride and ask for help, whether it be from a fellow student or the teacher. A student's grades should not suffer simply because pride got in the way. Professors will not mind assisting students, and most want to help you as much as possible, because that is their job.

Studying is certainly an integral part of being successful in college. Finding time to study is crucial. Equally important is finding a way of studying that works. Every student is different, and everyone uses different techniques. Try a few of the suggestions above and figure out which one works best for you.

Mastadon keeps evolving with newest CD

Atlanta based rockers return with third album.

It is truly inspiring when a band signed to a major label uses their newfound resources not to make a mainstream-friendly pop hit but to craft a genre-defining album without playing to the whims of the fickle music industry. Atlanta metal quartet Mastodon does just this and more with their third full-length release, Blood Mountain.

While Mastodon retained the producer of their last release, former Minus the Bear member, Matt Bayles, it is obvious that the major-label treatment allowed them far more time in the recording booth. The record has a more textured feel than any previous release, allowing the band to effectively challenge listeners with the sheer complexity of the album.

Time changes and tempo shifts are used frequently, leading many songs into unexpected territory. It's not rare for a single song from Blood Mountain to have no less than five different movements underlying the main song progression.

The only real complaint is that oftentimes the sheer technicality of the album is so absurd, one may become removed from a song's progression. The instrumental segue in "Capillarian Crest," which features blisteringly-fast dual guitars over a spastic-Jazz tinged drum beat takes repeated listening just to fully absorb the sheer instrumental virtuosity.

The vocals on Blood Mountain show a level of maturity that has been building since Mastodon's debut EP, Lifesblood. The interplay between the clean singing of guitarist Brent Hinds and the brutal delivery of bassist Troy Sanders is beautifully balanced. Not content to simply scream for the duration of the record, Sanders occasionally tries for a more melodic approach, most notably on the opening track "The Wolf is Loose." Filling out the vocal lineup for the album are Josh Homme from stoner-rock outfit Queens of the Stone Age, Scott Kelly of Neurosis fame and Cedric Bixler-Zavala of the painfully progressive Mars Volta.

Brann Dailor makes an incredibly compelling case for best drum performance of 2006 in any genre with this ridiculous performance. From the opening of "Crystal Skull" to the punishing fills of "Hand of Stone," he creates a multi-faceted tapestry of rhythm that mimics the primal nature of the ocean. At one moment, the drums ebb and flow like a gentle current, only to shift seconds later to aurally demolish the listener with a veritable tsunami of percussion. Lyrically, Blood Mountain delves into concept album territory, much like their water-centric 2004 release, Leviathan. Instead of tackling the open seas in pursuit of Captain Ahab's obsession, as did the Moby Dick-based Leviathan, Mastodon's latest release takes a decidedly more earthy approach (to complete the trifecta, Mastodon's 2002 release, Remission, embodied fire).

The album chronicles the ascent up the treacherous peaks of Blood Mountain, complete with Tolkien-esque obstacles like ogres and dwarves. However, one doesn't need to don their +5 cape of power to understand that the mountain imagery is not a thinly-veiled ode to Dungeons and Dragons, but a metaphor for the band's journey to the summit of major label stardom and all the trials and tribulations in between.

The most important aspect of taking the drastic step up to the big leagues is to produce an album that is palatable to a mainstream audience, yet still true to the core fan-base that has been around since a band's inception. Mastodon does this in spades, providing a polished record that will entice new fans, while still creating a work that is equally complex and innovative, leaving little room for hardcore devotees to cry sell-out. With Blood Mountain, Mastodon assures that they will be considered in the pantheon of the metal hierarchy for years to come.

Things keep getting scarier at Universal's Horror Nights

It's already October again, which means every big kid's favorite fun holiday is right around the corner. Some people will go trick-or-treating and others may not even remember what they do.

Another fun option that has been increasingly popular over the past several years is Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights. This event, which runs on select nights from September 29 to October 31, might be a good change from normal "college kid" Halloween events.

This year's event will bring a mixture of old favorites and new attractions to Universal Studios. Some of the popular characters from the past include Jack the psycho clown, the Caretaker, the Director and the Storyteller. Each year since its start in 1991, the number of visitors to the haunted theme park has increased. They have also increased the number of nights from three in 1991 to 19 this year. According to one of the creators, the themes are changed annually to account for changes in the tourists' interests and the happenings in pop culture. Different television shows, movies, music and events have an impact on what themes will emerge each year.

This year the park has increased its number of haunted houses to seven to cut down on the long lines and wait times experienced in the past. Two styles can be found with the new house: either open spaced houses or houses with visual and physical barriers. In the open houses, there is more space to walk about freely, which is intended to create more suspense for the person walking through, not knowing what to expect. Houses with barriers are intended for people to walk through and get a quick scare from people jumping out from behind various props.

Behind the scenes is a surprising amount of work that goes into the preparation for this event every year. At any one time, there are 30-35 make-up artists available to help bring the scary characters to life, which can take up to two hours, depending on the detail of the monster. The masks, which are the most important part of the costume, are sometimes created 15-25 different times before they are perfected. The materials used vary, from different kinds of latex to silicone to fake hair. The design teams and actors come from various areas of the state, and a select few from around the country, to face tryouts against the hundreds who want the job. Once on the team however, the park tries to use the same personalities every year.

For those looking for a good scare and an occasional jump, this might be the place to go with dead people roaming the streets of the park and scare zones full of monsters running up to you. For the scaredy-cats, don't worry. If you want to get away from the "scharacters," just drink as many of the nine-dollar beers and margaritas as you can afford so you can use the restroom as an escape. For your convenience, generous discounts to six dollars are given on refills.

If you're looking for a cheap way to have fun and enjoy yourself this Halloween season then look everywhere but here. Cheeseburgers, hotdogs, and every other kind of fast food you can imagine can add up to cost more than a nice dinner at Outback Steakhouse or one of dining establishments on campus. The ticket to get in the door is $60 and only includes the park at night. For an extra $30-$50 you can upgrade to the express pass which can be a real luxury, cutting down wait times in half, from about 90 minutes to 45. If you're looking to ride the roller coasters this isn't the place, because the park boasts one coaster open at night that lasts for about one minute.

Overall though, Halloween Horror Nights can be a great time and a lot of fun. You're going to pay more than you would if you sat around at home or on campus but then again, you won't be sitting around at home or on campus. And, although you won't be the one scaring other little kids around your neighborhood, there are still plenty of good opportunities to get in trouble and be a college kid. Just be sure not to hit the "scharacters" or you will be happily escorted to the exit and on your way back home early.

Throught the Looking Glass

DID I SAY BOB? I MEANT JOHN, HONEST
Police in Boulder, Colo., questioned a man in a bar about the theft of a purse, but, because he was a wanted man, he gave the cops a phony name. Unfortunately for him, the rightful owner of the alias he used was also wanted by the police.

DON'T WORRY, BUDDY, I'M HERE ... WHAT THE!
A man drove to the police station in Selden, N.Y., to pick up his friend, who had been arrested for drunken driving. When he arrived, police noticed "visible signs that he was drunk," and arrested him.

OOOH, ME LOVE MOMMY, SHE FEEL NICE
A Charleston, W.Va., man pretended to be mentally retarded so that home health care workers would come to his apartment to care for him. While the ladies changed his diapers, he would fondle their breasts. He was sentenced to a year of home confinement.

MOOOOO! DUDE, I AM SO WASTED
Five farmers in Romanesti, Romania, were arrested for feeding their cows marijuana. They said it made the cows produce more milk because they were "happy."

WAIT OFFICER, I'M JUST GETTING TO THE GOOD PART
Police pulled over a man in Aiken, S.C., and arrested him because he was watching pornography on his car's DVD system as he drove along the highway.

THIS MAY SOUND LIKE A STUPID QUESTION
Operators at the New York City new municipal services line, 311, have received some very unusual calls that have nothing to do with municipal services. One caller asked for Oprah Winfrey's phone number, and another asked if Ray Charles was Stevie Wonder's uncle.

IF THERE'S A FIRE, I'M THERE, NO MATTER WHERE
An off-duty New York City firefighter, who had been drinking during a visit to New Jersey, was passing a fire station in Rockleigh, when he heard a call on the emergency radio that there was a fire in Cloisters. So he walked into the station, stole a fire truck, and drove to the blaze. He was arrested.

THEY'RE FILMS TO WATCH ON RAINY DAYS, YOUR HONOR
Because of the long lines at the portable toilets, women preparing for a road race in Newcastle, England, were forced to go into the nearby woods to urinate. A voyeuristic fellow took advantage of the situation, setting up a camcorder in the bushes where he caught 30 women on film. After he was caught, he explained to police that he did it because "it's not something you see every day." But police searched his home where they found more footage of women relieving themselves at outdoor events.

DON'T SHOOT, OH GOD, PLEASE DON'T SHOOT!
Two teenagers stole a car in Florida and, in order to elude police who were chasing them, drove right into the headquarters of the United States Central Command. A large number of armed military personnel immediately swarmed them.

Zan on the Street

Yo, right back at you again for this week's happenings around town. We had a nice little spike in activity last week, sort of like the stock market, but this week things have slowed back down to normal.

I checked out P-funk circus last week at Freebird. Not a bad show, George Clinton is definitely showing some wear, but he still knows how to captivate the crowd and suck them into his funky world of lyrical bedlam and jazz-esque music while surrounded by all sorts of characters on stage.

This week at Freebird, there is live music from a host of bands both Friday and Saturday night. The shows range from $5-$7, and doors open at 8 p.m.

Now, when I say doors open at 8 p.m., it means just that, not that the band is going to start playing at that time. Usually, most shows at Freebird have an opening act somewhere around 9 p.m.-10 p.m. with headliners taking the stage later around 11 p.m. There seemed to be a bit of confusion at the P-funk show about this. Anyway, enough preaching, so let me head back to the street.

It's a big week in Jacksonville for country music fans. Trace Adkins, Billy Currington and Jason Aldean play Veterans Memorial Arena. Tickets for the event are $37.50, and show time is 7:30 p.m.

Also, Bush-bashing bad girls the Dixie Chicks were scheduled to play Veterans Memorial Arena Friday, but the show iscanceled.

Sunday, downtown, it's an East Coast battle of the J's when the Jaguars take on the Jets at Alltel Stadium. Kickoff is at 4:05 p.m. Check www.jaguars.com for ticket information.

Cheetah Girls perform Monday at Veterans Memorial Arena. Ticket prices range from $27.50-$37.50, and the show begins at 7 p.m.

The following night at the arena, sweaty bodies will be flying all over as WWE Smackdown comes to town. This montage of personalities from professional wrestling will be testing their skills beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event range from $20-$60.

Have a good first week of October and get out to sample a bit of the Jacksonville scene. Also, plenty of good stuff is coming up this month in the way of music, comedy and sports, so get ready.

Meanwhile, in another part of town...

Craving seafood? Joe's is the place to go. Located on the beach, Joe's Crab Shack offers tasty seafood with a fun and lively atmosphere.

To start off, Joe's offers several appetizers to satisfy your hunger. They include the New England clam chowder for $4.99, fried cheese with marinara at $6.49 and the crispy calamari for $6.49. If you're with a big group, a great appetizer is the awesome appetizer, which comes with boiled shrimp, crab dip, fried cheese and chicken fingers. Priced at $13.49, the awesome appetizer offers great choices to share. For a party of two, you may also order the appetizer as a meal and add a side salad or soup. This keeps the costs low and gives variety to the meal.

What would Joe's Crab Shack be without crab? This restaurant offers several crab and shrimp combos along with whole crab orders. For the combos, you have a choice in the style of the crab from barbecue, garlic or steamed. The type of crab that comes in the combo varies from snow or Dungeness. You may also mix and match between the fried shrimp, coconut shrimp or the grilled shrimp to go with the crab combo. Choices for whole crab orders include king crab, snow crab and Dungeness crab and vary in price. For you crab lovers, Joe's offers the crab daddy feast which includes king, snow and Dungeness crab and is priced depending on the market.

If fish is what you're craving, Joe's offers the mahi Mediterranean. The mahi is grilled and topped with artichokes, capers, tomatoes and lemon butter and comes with Joe's rice and veggies. It's priced at $15.49 and you can add coconut shrimp for $3.50.

Getting hungry? More of Joe's delicious meals include the fried fish fillets, popcorn shrimp or fried shrimp, Joe's fried scallops, Joe's fried shrimp and the fish and shrimp. All of these meals are served with fries and are reasonably priced between $10 and $16.

Don't forget to check out the platters Joe's has to offer! If you came for shrimp, the fried shrimp platter is for you. Along with the fried shrimp, the platter includes coconut shrimp and popcorn shrimp. It is served with fries and priced at $15.99. Another is the fisherman's platter including fried popcorn shrimp, a fish fillet, clam strips scallops and fries. Here there is plenty of good food at great prices.

Not in the mood for seafood, Joe's Crab Shack has burgers, sandwiches and steaks too. The twin flat iron steaks meal includes two, 6-ounce flat iron steaks with a twice-baked potato and veggies for $18.99. The bacon cheeseburger is served with fries and coleslaw at $7.99. Joe's also makes a chicken club sandwich. It's your choice to have it grilled or fried. It's priced at $9.49 and is served with fries and coleslaw.

Because this restaurant is located on the beach, dining is optional for inside or outside. With fall coming up, sitting outside may enhance the occasion. The atmosphere is lively with lots of color, plenty of seating and a fun staff. Fans of the restaurant show their support by wearing the various T-shirts Joe's sells.

To purchase a T-shirt, there's a shop inside close to the entrance. To eat at Joe's go to 6 Beach Blvd, Jax Beach or call 249-6160.

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