Center
Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
LISA DENTON: Barry, if we can remember it, the next installment of Chatt About Science is coming up Thursday on "How To Use the Environment To Improve Your Memory." Chatt About Science, in case you've forgotten (haha), is a monthly series of informal community discussions with actual scientists.
It's good that they're informal discussions because all I know about using the environment to improve memory is what I learned from Hansel and Gretel - and their experience didn't work out so well.
BARRY COURTER: I do this all the time. When it's cold, I remember to wear a coat, and when it rains I remember that my umbrella is in the truck. This happens while I'm in the house or at work. I also know for a fact that there is something in my chair here at work that sucks the memory out of me because when I get up to do something, I immediately forget what that something is. It's especially aggravating when I forget that I was going to the bathroom.
LISA: This month's discussion will be led by Dr. Jill Shelton at Stone Cup Cafe on Frazier Avenue. She's an assistant professor in the psychology department and director of the Cognitive Aging, Learning and Memory Lab at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Who knew there was such a thing - well, maybe I did at one time, but it's news to me now.
BARRY: What are we talking about again? Ron White is in town on Friday at the Tivoli and I'm suddenly reminded of his line about being arrested for public intoxication outside of a bar: "I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability."
LISA: There are very few tickets left for White, but last time I checked, you could still pay the $274 premium price for the "200 Proof VIP Experience," which gets you a seat in the first five rows, a Q&A and photo session with White and other goodies. His wife, singer Margo Rey, will open the show.
BARRY: The next night, fellow comedian Katt Williams is at Memorial Auditorium.
LISA: Even folks who haven't seen Williams live have probably seen him on TV or in the movies. The weird thing is how varied his choices are - everything from "NYPD Blue" to "My Wife and Kids." Chattanooga is one of 18 cities added to his Conspiracy Theory tour after many of the shows in the first run sold out.
BARRY: Another good get for us to be added to the list.
LISA: One of the other big names in town this week is author Jacqueline Mitchard, whose novel "The Deep End of the Ocean" was the very first Oprah's Book Club selection back in 1996. It was also made into a 1999 film. She'll be signing copies of her new release Thursday at Star Line Books.
And don't forget the new exhibit opening at Creative Discovery Museum. "Kings, Queens & Castles" sounds like a fairy tale adventure and, while it does have a drawbridge and turrets and crowns and capes, it's actually a way to teach kids STEM concepts (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). And you can dress up as a favorite chess piece and play on a giant chess board.
BARRY: Ummm, what chess piece should I be?
LISA: Please. Pawn.
BARRY: And don't forget that the Steep Canyon Rangers are here on Saturday at Revelry Room. They're known in some circles as Steve Martin's backing band when he joins them, but they are known in other circles as a really good, Grammy-winning band. Their latest CD, "Radio," is great and was produced by none other than Jerry Douglas. He plays a little Dobro on it as well.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281. Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.