Pensacola News Journal from Pensacola, Florida • 41

1 1 i 4 Pnvate ti Rooms SEC T.I ON PAGE 1 Everything that counts Pensacola News Journal Sunday, October 18, 2009 0 If i Pure 30 SOMETHING World Wide Web of hate Got something to say? Say it to my face. Or, you know, don't. No one really wants to hear the An in-depth chat with music legend Bonnie Raitt Julio Diaz jdiazpnj.com F2J uncensored opinions of strangers. Or do they? Anyone with Internet access knows that online, anytning goes. Sure, there's plenty of questionable content, but it's the comments that get me clutching my virtual pearls.

'( 1 I -'r 1 I i- x. i "ess, I. Rebecca Ross rross pnj.com 435-8608 Bonnie Raitt didn't intend to go into the music business. But 40 years later, it's hard to imagine the music business without her. The music legend, who plays the Saenger Theatre on Tuesday, said music was a hobby until she needed to make a little extra money in college.

"I got the idea that maybe I could open for some of my heroes at a local folk club," Raitt, 59, said during a tele- phone interview with the News Journal. "I audi- tioned, and through some con-, hections of people that I knew, I got the gig. I wasn't expecting to do music as a career, I kind of fell into it" It's hard to argue with the results: Multiple Grammy Awards, a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a string of hits such as "Something to Talk About," "Love Sneakin' Up on You" and "I Can't Make You Love Me." In an extensive interview, she talks about her long and storied career, her faith and her passion for politics. Strap in, log on and prepare to be abused. Anonymous and usually consequence-free, speaking your mind on the ol' inter-tubes is like spray-painting graffiti You were one of the first female guitarists widely recognized as an amazing gui- who tarist, was and it still seems to be rare that women on the 17th Avenue trestle: Messy, misspelled and meaningful only to you.

Tell us how you really feel In theory, internet forums and anonymous commenting promote thoughtful dialogue and open discussion. Hang on, let me wipe the tears from my eyes. I got the are recognized as great guitarists. Why do you think it can be hard for women guitarists to be recognized? I don't know, it's probably just because there's so many men that play guitar, and it was kind of a man's music back in the days of plantations and playing at juke joints. It was just a little too rough for women to be able to be in the bars and not expect men to hit on them, I guess.

Memphis Minnie was one of the first women, and she had to disguise herself as a man a lot of times to sit on street comers and play for money. But she was a big star back in the '30s and '40s. See RAITT, 3E rit giggles, there. The reality, however, involves LOLcats and shouty abuse of the CAPS LOCK key. Here's a fun game to try at home: Go to any Web site with news content, from celebrity gossip to storm statistics.

Take a gander at the reader comments. How many would you say are insightful? How many are hateful? Ridiculous? I'm a staunch defender of free speech and your right to be an utter piehole, but even I click away in disgust, at times. The internet has given a voice to the voiceless, and a platform to the profane and pointless. No topic is safe. I once watched an online discussion of cupcake recipes devolve a vicious, political brawl.

What started with, "This is delicious!" ended with "OUR COUNTRY IS BEING DESTROYED!" Destroyed by deliciousness? Yum. Wait, what were we talking about? Bully for bloggers For those who belly-flop into the internet blog pond, the hate-spam is inevitable. Megastar blogger Heather Armstrong, the unapologetically outspoken author ofDooce.com, receives so many nasty e-mails and comments that she has begun posting them on a separate Web -Vy, .1 i Want to go? i WHAT: Bonnie Raitt in concert. WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday.

WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 1 1 8 S. Palafox Place. TICKETS: $74.50, $62.50 and $49.50, available at the Saenger Theatre box office, Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000. Additional fees may apply. DETAILS: 595-3880, or visit www.pensacolasaenger.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets' for previously scheduled shows at any venue are NOT valid for this show. If you are holding a ticket for a different date or venue, please return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Pensacola Interstate Fair returns for its 75th run This year's performers include: Saliva, a rock band that performs on Oct. 23. Josh Gracin, a former Marine turned country site.

Peppered with product ads, "Monetizing the Hate" gives Armstrong the option of "making money from the crap people say. But it isn't just the internet big names who get a big, steamy dose of online hate. Recently, an acquaintance decided to join the mommy blogger movement. Heady with hormones, the new mom created a pastel-toned page on which she shared sweet parenting stories. Two weeks later, it happened: "UR BABBY IS UGLY." My friend didn't know whether to be offended by the comment's casual cruelty or the fact that it was misspelled.

"Why would someone say that?" she asked, affronted. "What's the point?" I patted her hand comfortingly. "It's just the Internet," I soothed. "Poor babby." Rebecca Ross is queen of the delete key. Frenkel Want to Go? What Pensacola Interstate Fair.

When: Oct. 22 to Nov. 1. Where: 6655 W. Mobile Highway.

Admission: $10, $5 for children ages 4 through 11. Children 3 years old and younger are admitted free. Various promotions offer discounts on admission and rides throughout the fair. Details: www.pensacolafair. com, or call 944-4500.

Cochran, Joe Nichols and cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants. Last year, about 369,000 people attended the fair, which was hampered by two days of heavy rain. The fair's attendance record was set in 1994, when more than 700,000 attended the 11-day fair. This year's fair will include 62 rides, Frenkel said, as well as a nod to the dismal economy. "We've tried to take into account the economy and all the hardships people are encountering," he said.

"We think we've got some pretty good deals." See FAIR, 6E Troy Moon tmoonpnj.com It's just about that time of year the candy apples are in bloom, the funnel cakes have just enough grease and the steers heading to auction are counting their last few days. (Don't pretend you don't know. For 75 years, October has been that time of year.) 1 Yes, the Pensacola Interstate Fair, celebrating its 75th anniversary, kicks off its 11-day run on Oct. 22 at the fairgrounds on Mobile Highway. "We're really looking forward to it," said fair general manager Don Frenkel.

"We've probably spent more on entertainment this year than ever before." vocalist, performs Oct. 24. Cowboy Troy, the rapping country star, performs Oct. 26. The Bar-Kays, a long-running soul and rhythm-and-blues outfit, perform Oct.

28. Lady Antebellum, the County Music Association's New Artist of the Year in 2008, performs on Oct. 30. Other performers include the LoCash Cowboys, Stephen Fair officials spent about $223,000 on entertainment this year, up from $214,000 in 2008. i li iu tJ) When it comes to breast cancer, early detection could save your life.

And the best way to catch cancer early is through monthly self-exams and yearly mammograms at a qualified mammography center. If you're over 40 or at high risk for breast cancer, schedule your yearly mammogram today at the Ann L. Baroco Center for Breast Health. nnnnns'7 i lJ Li lj 1 ffiiSL Ann L. Baroco Center for Breast Health Sacred Heart Women's Hospital For more information or an appointment, please call (850) 416-8078 or visit CM 8.