If you see a little ant about the size of a baby's freckle crawling around your kitchen, kill it (sorry, Buddhists).

MANCHESTER, Tenn. — Like a lot of people, Ashley Capps has those panic-attack moments of doubt and fear when planning a big event. But not everybody gets to invite 80,000 people to a party that will include Paul McCartney on the guest list.

LISA DENTON: Barry, I figure that, as long as we're in the habit of getting off the couch every night of the week thanks to Riverbend, we should keep that trend going.

MANCHESTER, Tenn. — Chattanooga City Judge Russell Bean, 72, drove up Friday just to see Paul McCartney at the Bonnaroo Music Festival.

MANCHESTER, Tenn. — Like most of the 80,000 or so fans at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Jack Johnson was here to see Paul McCartney, hang out with a few fellow musicians and maybe even sit in with one or two.

The word out of Gulf Shores, Ala., is that Moon Taxi did everything they could to steal the show at last month's Hangout Festival.

MANCHESTER, Tenn. — Bonnaroo on Thursday is a different place than it will be tonight when Paul McCartney headlines, and it's certainly a lot calmer than it will be by Saturday when all of the expected 80,000 fans have arrived and had time to trample the grounds.

Lead singer Johnny Van Zant has now fronted the band his late brother Ronnie co-founded for twice as long as big brother did.

If you could simply hop in a van and be driven each day to and from the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival that begins today in Manchester, Tenn., would you go?

I want every restaurant that opens to stay in business forever, but I really want Steelpan to do well.

The Ginger Chicken at Rain Bistro goes uneaten for quite awhile because Romeo Johnson has too much to talk about.

Dierks Bentley is no stranger to Chattanooga. Not only has he played here several times, he spent a long, cold February day in 2008 shooting a video for his song "Trying to Stop Your Leaving" in the area.

Family & Faith Night — or as I like to call it, Sweet Tea Night — at Riverbend has become a big hit.

BARRY COURTER: Lisa, Riverbend leaves the 21st Century Waterfront tonight and heads over to M.L. King Boulevard for the Bessie Smith Strut. Like last year, the Strut will be a gated event, which is a sad testimonial to the world today, but what are you going to do?

You might have seen him at The Comedy Catch in Brainerd over the years, or maybe you caught his 2007 Riverbend show, but comedian Tim Wilson will offer another chance to laugh at this year's festival.

Shanequa Gay was working with at-risk youth in an Atlanta-area high school three years ago when she conceived the idea for her current art exhibit.

Q: Dad, Riverbend starts today. What should I see?

Opening night at Riverbend brings its own level of excitement and it’s a good lineup across the board, but the don’t-miss band is Florida Georgia Line.

When film director John Hughes heard The Psychedelic Furs' "Pretty in Pink," he envisioned Molly Ringwald in pink T-shirts and frilly sweaters.

Apparently the city of Chattanooga is looking at what to do with the Tivoli Theatre and Memorial Auditorium.

LISA DENTON: Barry, with Riverbend bearing down on us, it would make sense to rest up before Friday, but there's too much going on.

Visitors to this year's Riverbend Festival, which cranks up Friday, may notice a few changes to the way security is handled.

Last year's Southern Brewer's Festival netted more than $173,000 for Kids on the Block, and given the quality of this year's lineup, promoter George Parker hopes to hand over an even bigger check. Also benefiting this year will the Chattanooga Community Kitchen.

Billy Idol, he of the spiked, bleach blonde hair, snarled-up lip and punk-rock attitude, gets a big kick when people play his song "White Wedding" at their weddings.

Q: Dad, do you think people are different in the South?

Sitting in a row of folding chairs inside the rehearsal room, seven young performers anxiously await their turn.

It seems like we have a different festival every weekend around here, and that's a good thing, but the June calendar is especially busy, with three of the biggest festivals in our area taking place within a 10-day time frame.

Big Boi has postponed his Friday “Shoes for Running” concert at Track 29, according to the venue’s website.

LISA DENTON: Barry, I am looking ahead to Friday night, and I am seeing a quandary.

Nolan Tankersley, 18, hopes one day to ride in an event like the Volkswagen USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships in Chattanooga.

DALTON, Ga. — Forgive Lilian Sanchez for not knowing your name.

Riders as young as 3 will be able to race like the pros during the Volkswagen USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships.

Q: Dad, how do you tell someone you just aren't interested?

From a rock band that is big out West to a singer who's a star in her native Serbia, the Riverfront Nights lineup is rife with quality acts that might not yet be on your playlist.

Comedians often draw on their upbringing or family life for their material. Being born in Brooklyn as the son of Jewish parents provided Jason Stuart with plenty of material.

We will have a fairly rare opportunity this weekend to watch professionals on two-wheeled cycling machines do things that very few of us can or will ever do. At least at the level they will be doing it.

Folks who want to light up a smoke will have to work a little harder this year at Riverbend.

LISA DENTON: OK, Barry, we're coming up on Memorial Day weekend, which means an extra day to get off the couch.

Organizers of Libertyfest II hope it will be a hot time, but nothing like last year, when the inaugural outdoor community celebration saw temperatures reach 107 degrees.

Q: Dad, I didn’t get a job I really wanted. What do I do?

Andrew Zaleski figures his engineering background might come in handy when it comes to building a boat for the Floatila community float down the Tennessee River on Saturday, May 18.

"Lookout Mountain controls everything."

For local artist Miki Boni, retirement was never really in the plans — and not just because she can't afford it.

BARRY COURTER: Lisa, I'm glad and sad to see that The Comedy Catch is hosting a fundraiser for Wally Witkowski's family to help pay some of the bills following his long illness and subsequent death.

You don't have to look far or hard to find graffiti in Chattanooga. You do have to dig a little to find Graffiti, a Hill City Joint, however.

Q: Dad, what is the biggest mistake in life?

For almost 30 years, gauging the changes, trends, fads and pulse of the city has been a constant source of interest for me.

Damon Johnson is pretty sure he is the most famous guitarist to come out of Geraldine, Ala.