August is upon us

Wednesday, Aug. 1, is a big day. First of the month? Dog days of summer? We’re not sure why, we just know there a bunch of events scheduled that shouldn’t be missed: A YA author event, a new wave show and Jerry Garcia’s birthday are among the options. (There’s a ticket giveaway, too!)

Local rockers Total War take center stage


SMALL TOWN: It’s 1 p.m. The lead singer is standing on his porch smoking a cigarette. Practice was supposed to start an hour ago and his bandmates aren’t answering their phones. Then the drummer calls from Taco Bell. Blood sugar issue. Then the bass player shows up, his eyes still partly closed in the early afternoon sunlight.

It could be Austin or Asheville, but …