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The latest edition of my Courier & Press technology column is both in the print and online editions of today’s paper. Each Friday I write about what I’ve encountered in the past week technology wise. It’s really a giant scam to justify the amount of time I spend on the Internet.

This week I follow up on what I was thinking about earlier in the week with Twitter and highlight some of the neat uses of the service. It’s amazing that it took me almost a year to write about my favorite service. You can read it by clicking here, or go pick up a copy of the paper so you can see my mug shot up close and personal.

If you want to read my past columns, check out the dotColumn archive.

Looks like we had a minor scandal at a polling location with a poll worker being a bit too opinionated about her political beliefs.

The candidates have been hanging out in Evansville for the past few weeks and now it is go time. For the first time in a long time, the Indiana presidential primary is actually relevant, so make sure you get out there and vote. The presidential primary is not the only thing we’re voting on today, however. The Democrats are also going to decide between Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schellinger as My Man Mitch’s opponent in the governors race this fall. You can get a full candidate list here.

I’ll be voting at the nursing home across the street from me. Hopefully there will be an influx of youth in that place as I’ve grown tired of being the only person without grey hair in the voting line. If you spot anything interesting, fun or annoying at your polling location, share it in the comments.

• Look up your voter registration
• Find your polling location
• Secretary of State - Election Division

photo courtesy of mystereys

For almost two years I have had this endless addiction to a Web service called Twitter. Twitter is a micro-blogging application that essentially wants you to answer the question What are you doing? It usually expands beyond that question however into becoming a soapbox and backchannel discussion forum. You can use Twitter either via your mobile phone, their Web site or desktop applications like Twitterrific and Thwirl

I received a press release yesterday that Holiday World is now on Twitter (http://twitter.com/HolidayWorld) and they have been doing live updates of the happenings leading up to today’s park opening.

It got me thinking about who else in town is using Twitter. Consider this the Evansville Twitter census. If you’re tweeting around town, share your username in the comments.

I’m http://twitter.com/justin if you’re interested in following my day-to-day activities.

Like birds? Not doing anything over the next four days? I found an activity for you! Our friends at the Wesselman Nature Society’s are putting on their new event, the Ohio Valley Birding Festival.

The Ohio Valley Birding Festival includes four days of over 20 guided hikes, workshops, lectures, and classes, most of which are free. Activities are designed for birders and potential birders of all ages and skill levels. Guided hikes to Tri-State area birding hotspots—such as Howell Wetlands, Hovey Lake, Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area, and the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge—will showcase a variety of native and migratory bird species. Various lectures and workshops include topics such as photographing birds, making gourd birdhouses, and providing backyard habitat for birds.

Saturday, May 3rd will include a special Family Day at Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve. This FREE full-day event is held from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is comprised of a live raptor show, a bird banding demonstration, several family hikes, and hands-on learning activities, crafts, and games for children related to birds and their environment.

The Wesselman Nature Society has partnered with the Evansville Audubon Society, Evansville’s Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Store, and John James Audubon State Park to host this event. A complete, detailed schedule of Ohio Valley Birding Festival activities is available on the Wesselman Nature Society’s website.

What’s the name of your band and what’s the origin of it?

Rebel Fuel Tank - Dustin was on a trip to Nashville and he found a shot glass that said Rebel Fuel Tank on it. It seemed to fit and if I don’t say so myself I love our band name and think it fits well.

How long have you been together?
The current line up has been playing for about 8 months, but we have all played in different bands with each other in various forms for about 6 years.

Who is in the band and what instruments do they play?

• Dustin White - vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
• Nathan Vaughn - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Scott McClure - lead guitar, backing vocals
• Matt Lynn “Moose” - drums, percussion
• Larry Morris - bass, backing vocals

How did you get together?

Dustin and I started a band called Union Shovel in 2002. It was really the catalyst for what we do now. We took a break from that around 2004 and I started a band with Moose called Bumpin’ Uglies. We soon got Dustin as our singer and we played out for a short time. After that Dustin and Vaughn got together and started Rebel Fuel Tank. Shortly after that I rejoined and then Moose and we rounded out the lineup with Larry who had actually jammed with the earliest version of Rebel Fuel Tank. Crazy - you might need a graph to help you follow that one.

What type of music do you prefer playing?

I’m sure everyone in the band has a different answer to that but I think we all agree that we have the most fun playing our originals. We really believe strongly in our music and our creative process. When we’re playing our originals live and it connects with the band and the crowd there is no better feeling

Who do you most sound like?

Rebel Fuel Tank. It doesn’t matter if we are playing an original or a cover, we have a distinctive sound and we always sound like Rebel Fuel Tank. We blend elements of so many different styles (outlaw country, southern rock, classic rock, metal) and make it our own. But in the end we are a down and dirty rock and roll band through and through (as it should be).

Where is the best place to play in town?
We are thankful for every place we get to play and throw a party at. Much respect to everyone who has given RFT a chance. But if I had to pick one, for me personally it’s Lanhucks. They’ve always treated us well, Pam and Jim are great and it’s always a party.

What is your favorite song to play live?

Every single one of them. As soon as the first note of a song hits we just let loose and enjoy the ride. There’s nothing better than playing live music.

Whose your favorite local band (besides your own)?

I support all of the local bands - there are so many that do a fantastic job. Shut Up and Drive, Akacia, Metal Masquerade Ball, Stompbox 40, Troy Miller and Nocturnal (get back together) just to name a few.

What are your musical aspirations?

To leave it all on stage each and every time we play. We want the crowd at every show to have as much fun as we do. There is nothing better for us than playing music and we want to translate that to everyone who comes to see us. Every show we play is a party. We just want to keep writing new and better material and keep exposing it to as many people as possible by taking it to the road.

Where can we see you play around town?

Lanhucks, Hob Knob Bar, Hobo Jungle, Duck Inn, Late Nites in Jasper and a lot of others that are currently in the works. Give us a chance to play and we’ll be there to blow the roof off. Check us out our My Space at MySpaceMusic - keyword Rebel Fuel Tank.

The Evansville Pagoda in the 70s by alandberning

Want a bit of Pagoda history? Check this out

In Focus spotlights a photograph taken by a reader of It’s Evansville. If you’d like a chance to have your photo featured, upload your photo to Flickr and tag it with “itsevansville”.

I’m patiently waiting for the UPS guy to deliver my copy of Grand Theft Auto 4. If you’ve got a PS3 and want to do some of that online play, add “carpeaqua” to your friends list.

I didn’t hear of any midnight launch events around town, but if you’ve already got your copy of the game, be sure to chime in with your thoughts in the comments.

photo courtesy of Gamespot

The summer movie season is upon us. I thought I would take a short break from my regular reviews to give you a look at what’s coming up within the next couple of months.

Iron Man
Iron Man is a film adaptation of a Marvel comic book hero. The man behind the mask, Tony Stark, is played by Robert Downey, Jr. This is your classic good against evil fight and in the tradition of other comic book heroes, I expect that there will also be internal struggle within the heart of the main character. Directed by veteran actor, Jon Favreau (director, Elf), the highly anticipated, Iron Man is scheduled to release May 2.

Speed Racer
GO SPEED RACER!! I think I am looking forward to this one due to the novelty of it, but it might surprise everyone and actually be a good movie. Speed Racer is an adaptation from a Japanese animated series. The film is written and directed by the Wachowski brothers (The Matrix Trilogy). I just hope they don’t try to make this one a trilogy. Speed Racer begins May 9.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Disney productions takes us into the next book of the The Chronicles of Narnia series. Prince Caspian takes the Pevensie siblings back to Narnia where hundreds of years have passed since their last visit. The cast from the first film returns with the addition of Ben Barnes (Stardust) in the role of Caspian. Prince Caspian is set to begin on May 16.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
This is a sequel 19 years in the making. The last Indiana Jones movie was released in 1989 when I was nine years old. I can’t remember a time when Indiana Jones wasn’t a household name. Even if this movie doesn’t meet my expectations, I will still enjoy the ride. Harrison Ford is in the title role with Steven Spielberg directing him. Shia LeBeouf (Transformers) joins the cast and Karen Allen returns as Marion Ravenwood when Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is released on May 23.

Sex and the City
They’re back! Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha are still taking New York by storm four years after HBO called it quits for the series. Not much is known about this plot, but with all the Sex and the City fans out there, I predict it will be big during the weekend of May 30th.

The Happening
We’ve Sensed It. We’ve Seen The Signs. Now… It’s Happening. That tagline was way too good not to include. The Happening is M. Night Shymalan’s newest creation. This time he’s dragged Mark Wahlberg into his world. It’s about a large-scale natural disaster that people have to run from. That’s all we know going into it. What will the ‘twist’ be this time? I suppose we’ll find out June 13th.

The Incredible Hulk
Oh, Bruce Banner. You’ve been gone from the silver screen for so long. Oh wait, it’s only been five years. Seriously, this has to be some kind of record. Hulk was released in 2003 by director Ang Lee starring Eric Bana. This time Edward Norton is taking on the Hulk and pulling double duty as a co-screenwriter with Zal Penn (X-Men) and Transporter director, Louis Leterrier at the helm. I like the Incredible Hulk. I like Ed Norton. I just hope that it does well enough that the movie studios don’t remake it in another five years. The Incredible Hulk is also set to release on June 13th.

Get Smart
I’m familiar with the television series Get Smart, but I’m by no means any kind of fan of the series. I do, however, love Steve Carell. He is reprising the role of Maxwell Smart in this film adaptation of the TV show. By Carell’s side is Anne Hathaway portraying Agent 99 and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as Agent 23. Not knowing much about the franchise, I’m compelled to see this film based on the talent of the cast alone. Get Smart is starting June 20th.

WALL-E
Disney/Pixar’s latest creation WALL-E is set to take center stage on June 27th. It’s about a cute robot in the year 2700. The trailer is beautiful and it’s a Pixar film. That’s enough for me. Some of the voices will be played by John Ratzenberger, Sigourney Weaver, Kathy Najimy, and Fred Willard.

The month of the July is the month of sequels. The biggest releases in July include, Hellboy II, X-files 2, and The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins. There will be more on those later along with a preview of the fall movie releases, which includes Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince.

In addition to the seasonal movie previews, I am also going to introduce a rating scale to my reviews. The scale is one through five (five being the highest) and is based off of whether or not it’s worth seeing in the the theater. Stay tuned…it’s going to be a big summer!