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Money Matters Class frictions heat up as economic issues arise at the State Capitol.

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CONTENTS

SHARA CLARK Editor-in-Chief SAMUEL X. CICCI Managing Editor JACKSON BAKER, BRUCE VANWYNGARDEN Senior Editors TOBY SELLS Associate Editor KAILYNN JOHNSON News Reporter CHRIS MCCOY Film and TV Editor ALEX GREENE Music Editor MICHAEL DONAHUE, JON W. SPARKS Staff Writers ABIGAIL MORICI Arts and Culture Editor GENE GARD, EMILY GUENTHER, COCO JUNE, PATRICIA LOCKHART, FRANK MURTAUGH Contributing Columnists SHARON BROWN, AIMEE STIEGEMEYER Grizzlies Reporters SYMONE MAXWELL Editorial Intern KENNETH NEILL Founding Publisher

Some news stories don’t finish where they started. This week’s “Money Matters” cover story is one of those. Back in October, the national Economic Policy Institute (EPI) published a report critical of the South’s “business-friendly” economic policies. They favor the wealthy, are “rooted in racism,” and their promised prosperity doesn’t really trickle down the way we’ve always been told, the study says. EPI is a nonprofit think tank “that researches the impact of economic trends and policies on working people.” The Flyer is a paper for people. Tennessee data in the report were interesting. So, I wrote a post back then outlining some of the findings. At Large columnist Bruce VanWyngarden suggested at the time that the story could make a good cover story with some local quotes and context. Does this model work for working-class Tennesseans and, especially, Memphians? That’s where this week’s cover story started. Just as I began to report on the story, the Tennessee General Assembly began to crank up. Most of the folks who head to Nashville to make our laws every year are evangelists of the “business-friendly” economic theory. They love it, promote it, and (usually without any kind of evidence) believe that it really does work for all of their constituents, whether they own the car dealership or just work there. So, a story based on data that showed the Southern economic model didn’t work seemed well-timed. But as I began to dig, I found new money issues in Tennessee were pressing old class frictions to the top of discussions at the beginning of the session. GOP tax cuts for the business class were flattening state revenues, making the budget even more dependent on the state’s regressive tax structure. Some argued Gov. Bill Lee’s controversial school voucher plan would take money from lower- and middle-class taxpayers and give it to the wealthy so they could pay for private schools they can probably already afford. This all comes as Lee’s administration has fumbled two federal programs to help the state’s working poor, a sign to most that those folks were not a priority for Lee. With all this, I diverged from the main idea of the story and these class issues became the primary focus of the main “Money Matters” piece. And I feel like I flubbed the very good original idea. Information on the new story angle edged out some enlightening commentary from two Memphis thought leaders. Elena Delavega is a professor at the University of Memphis, a Memphis poverty expert, and co-author of the annual Memphis Poverty Fact Sheet. State Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) is a constant voice for poor and working-class people in the legislature. Look for full interviews with both of those this week on The News Blog at memphisflyer.com under a “Money Matters” headline. For a sample, here’s what Delavega said when I asked if pro-business policy models work for everyone: “It may help two or three people at the very top, but it ends up hurting everybody else by denying the investment in the community that would make it a livable community, that would attract people who can have a choice [of a place to live]. “So, it’s sort of like this downward spiral,” Delavega said. “We don’t invest and then become even less attractive. Then, we cut taxes. Then, there is less money for investment. We cut more taxes and so on.” Lamar said Tennessee policies have favored the wealthy since Republicans took power in 2011. She rattled off a list of cuts including the millionaire estate tax, the luxury gift tax, the reduction in the jet fuel tax, and more. But she said there have not been big moves to aid “those citizens who are working the hardest to contribute to our economy,” especially Black and brown people. This is on purpose and permeates the system, she said. “You can look at that in the campaign funding of Black candidates in Tennessee,” Lamar said. “We’re funded far less than Republican white folks, even white NEWS & OPINION Democrats. As long as our commuTHE FLY-BY - 4 nity stays poor, then we can’t compete POLITICS - 8 against rich people who have the ability, AT LARGE - 10 access, and resources to play in a politiFINANCE - 11 cal game in a real way. COVER STORY “I think this system of racism is rein“MONEY MATTERS” BY TOBY SELLS - 12 forced through classism. As long as you WE RECOMMEND - 16 keep people of color poor, other white MUSIC - 17 folks get to stay on top,” Lamar continued. AFTER DARK - 18 “This, more than likely, correlates to who CALENDAR - 19 owns the most businesses that are doing NY TIMES CROSSWORD - 20 well. Who owns the corporations. What’s ARTS - 23 FOOD - 24 the income makeup of policymakers and METAPHYSICAL CONNECTION - 25 people that they’re voting to benefit? So, NEWS OF THE WEIRD - 26 you can look at all those things, not just ASTROLOGY - 27 the economics side. Racism is rooted in FILM - 28 the whole system.” CLASSIFIEDS - 30 Toby Sells LAST WORD - 31 toby@memphisflyer.com

THE

fly-by

MEMernet Memphis on the internet. THE THAW! The Damn Weather of Memphis (DWM) kept Facebook folks entertained and, maybe, informed POSTED TO FACEBOOK BY THE during the Big DAMN WEATHER OF MEMPHIS Winter Storm we’ve all probably forgotten about already. Wrapping up its coverage, DWM gave it a “1.74 on The Holy Shitdamn Scale, a 0-5 scale that ranks the intensity, impact, and horrific-ness of Memphis based weather related events.” MAZDA FLIGHT

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Questions, Answers + Attitude Edited by Toby Sells

W E E K T H AT WA S By Flyer staff

Water, Abortion, & Slate of Hate Memphis finally drank freely, limits for minor “trafficking,” and more anti-LGBTQ bills. BOIL NO MORE Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) began to ease water restrictions across its services area last week, battling the remnants of a winter storm that bought sustained freezing temperatures and wreaked havoc on the water system. Last Monday, the utility lifted a water conservation order as water service and water pressures returned to normal. However, customers still needed to boil tap water for consumption. The boil water advisory was lifted the next day. PHOTO (TOP LEFT): MLGW; (ABOVE): GAYATRI MALHOTRA | UNSPLASH

POSTED TO NEXTDOOR BY CHEYENNE CARTWRIGHT

Cheyenne Cartwright’s security camera caught amazing footage last week of a Mazda 2 jumping the train tracks near Southern and Greer and crashing. Yes, the driver was fine. No, the screenshot above does not do it justice. Go find the video.

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WHO TO FOLLOW

POSTED TO TIKTOK BY TEZZYJAYY

TezzyJayy is an “openly gay male rapper from Memphis.” His TikTok is Memphis AF and has more than 36,200 followers. Tezzy tells us he’s from Memphis without telling us he’s from Memphis, sporting at least three different colors of the iconic Bass Pro logo hat.

“ABORTION MLGW lifted the boil water advisory last week; taking a minor out of the state of TRAFFICKING” Tennessee for abortion care could soon be classified as a Class C felony. Last week, state Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) introduced a bill that would the LGBTQ community. prohibit taking minors to another state for a medical aborOne bill would ban Pride flags. Another would prohibit tion, calling it “abortion trafficking.” The legislation also gender-affirming resources in local education agencies allows for another person to sue the person found guilty of (LEAs) or public charter schools. “abortion trafficking” for the death of the unborn child. If A bill from state Sen. Paul Rose, who represents part passed, those found guilty could face three to 15 years in of Shelby County, would require school agencies to report prison and up to $10,000 in fines. any request for “an accommodation to affirm the student’s Ashley Coffield, CEO of Planned Parenthood of gender identity to be reported to a school administrator and Tennessee and North Mississippi, said the legislation is to the student’s parent” or face civil action. “especially dangerous for vulnerable minors living in A bill by state Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) “removes abusive situations.” specific sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination “Most minors involve a parent in their decision to get an protections at school in favor of more general language.” abortion,” Coffield said. “But for young people living in abu“This bill authorizes the residents of a district to circulate sive households, disclosing sexual activity or pregnancy can a petition for signatures for the purposes of prohibiting each trigger physical or emotional abuse, including direct physilibrary within a district from displaying, distributing, or cal or sexual violence, or being thrown out of the home. making readily accessible to minors any content or material “This bill makes criminals out of trusted adults, in possession of a library that is specified in the petition as including other family members, who can help in these not meeting contemporary community standards,” reads the circumstances.” bill’s summary. X user @lgbtwerewolves called the bill “unthinkably evil.” The bill would also require libraries to immediately “I am imagining the trauma and physical pain a kid has remove the material petitioned from “places and locations to go through to get to a point of needing abortion care accessible to minors.” TEP said the legislation could have a and threatening family members helping them seek care “chilling effect.” with Class C felonies is just adding emotional torture,” the Social media users have criticized this bill, arguing that user wrote. this would not stop minors from accessing certain materials. “Have these legislators ever heard of the internet?” said SLATE OF HATE 2024 an X user named Stevesmotherman. “Kids do and search it As more bills were introduced in the Tennessee General As- very efficiently. They are exposed to waaaayyy worse.” sembly, the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) continued to Visit the News Blog at memphisflyer.com for fuller versions of update its “Slate of Hate” for a bill deemed discriminatory to these stories and more local news.

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S TAT E WAT C H By Kailynn Johnson

Memphis to Nashville

Locals join innovative platform to keep gun safety issues in the conversation at the Tennessee General Assembly.

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wo Memphians made it their duty to make sure their city was represented in talking with state legislators about solutions regarding gun rights and safety. Arriell Gipson Martin and Jaila Hampton are members of what has become known as the “Tennessee 11” or “TN11”: Eleven Tennesseans from across the state who created five gun-rights and safety proposals and presented them to state legislators. Proposals include developing “gun-issue literacy” for schools as well as tools for “responsible gun ownership.” According to the nonprofit organization, Starts With Us, the proposals were shared online for public feedback, and 2,500 Shelby County residents weighed in. Tori Larned, communications manager of Starts With Us, said this was a part of a civic experiment called Citizen Solutions. “Tennessee is the first state in the nation to participate in this innovative problemsolving process,” said Larned in a statement. “These two women ensured Memphis had a voice in the solutions.” Gipson Martin and Hampton are both Memphis natives who have historically played an active role in changing their communities for the better.

“These two women ensured Memphis had a voice in the solutions.”

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Gipson Martin has worked for the Shelby County government for six years in different capacities, such as in public health and victim services. “I’ve been able to look at community from a different aspect,” said Gipson Martin. “More importantly the ACEs [adverse childhood experiences] and the trauma that are within a lot of communities. I think that perspective is what I took with me when I was able to connect with the Tennessee 11.” She says sitting down with people with different perspectives and value sets proved to be an “incredible experience.” Hampton is currently a college student at Texas Southern University and

pinpoints 2021 as the beginning of her advocacy work, after losing her best friend to gun violence. She said she experienced a range of emotions and felt the best way to grapple with them was by staying busy. “After his funeral arrangements, and everything calmed down, I needed somewhere to put all that energy,” said Hampton. “I put it towards a nonprofit called Operation R.A.E. [Resources, Access, and Education].” According to Hampton, she jumped into a “very busy world” at a young age, but through her work with Operation R.A.E., she was able to do more research about gun violence. It also opened her eyes as to how her city was “plagued by the epidemic.”

PHOTO: STARTS WITH US

Arriell Gipson Martin and Jaila Hampton Both women wanted to make sure their city was well represented during their brainstorming sessions with the other TN11 members. For Hampton, this meant making sure she used her voice at the table. “We were given a seat at the table, so it was about what we did with our seat at the table,” said Hampton. “That was making sure that I showed up and I was able to capture everyone’s story — making sure that when decisions had to be made that I gave my input.” Gipson Martin said she wanted to make sure she showed up as her authentic self, while also being a voice for other marginalized and underrepresented groups. “As a Black woman, it’s really important when I walk into spaces that I show up as my full self,” said Gipson Martin. “There’s so much diversity in being a Black woman, and I wanted to echo that as much as possible. But also listening in and realizing what wasn’t being said, like any elephants that weren’t being addressed or undertones we weren’t speaking life to.”

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POLITICS By Jackson Baker

Purgatory

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Kumbaya, at the moment, is a far-fetched hope for city government.

The forced reaction of Mayor Paul Young in his interim appointment of Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis, coupled with the city council’s action this past Tuesday to defer action on reappointing Public Works Director Robert Knecht, suggests an emergent balkanization of power in the affairs of the newly installed city government. Council chair JB Smiley has made it clear that he intends to position the council — and himself — as a counterbalance to mayoral authority. Smiley, who had taken the lead in the first deferral of action on Davis three weeks ago, reinforced his assertiveness last Tuesday in dressing down Knecht for “attitude” and alleged insularity and leading the council to postpone a vote on Knecht’s reappointment for two more weeks. “Make sure you respond when we come calling on you,” was the thrust of Smiley’s message to Knecht. The contrast between Smiley’s firmness and Knecht’s docility was instructive. And individual council members have their own axes to grind. Councilman Jeff Warren, sponsor of the imminent council resolution that Young had to preempt and emulate in his interim appointment of Davis, has affirmed his position at the nexus of authority. Newcomer Jerri Green’s strong questioning of Davis underscored her determination to be a voice to reckon with. Another new council member, previously seen as an unknown quantity, is Yolanda Cooper-Sutton, who has made a point of her intention to base her votes on her own independent researches. Yet another first-termed, Pearl Eva Walker, has to be regarded as a potential exponent of an abundant number of activist causes, including a reexamination of Memphis’ issues with TVA. And so forth and so on. As the old saw goes: All have won, and all must have prizes. Young, who has yet to get his legs fully down, will be hard put to maintain the strong-mayor authority the city charter entitles him to — especially

given a belated air of pushback against the relatively free hand enjoyed by former mayor Jim Strickland. Not to be ignored, either, is the likely enhancement of self-interested power groups in the community. A key moment in the (temporary) resolution of the Davis matter was a come-to-Jesus meeting between Mayor Young and members of the Memphis Police Association on the Monday before the last council session. The gathered police folk made it clear that they wanted more attention to their concerns that they had been used to in law-enforcement matters.

PHOTO: COURTESY JEFF WARREN

When Judge Jayne Chandler (r) swore in Councilman Jeff Warren in early January, host and witness for the special ceremony was the iconic late former school board member Sara Lewis. It was her final official act. The bottom line is that rosy rhetoric does not apply to Davis’ case. Nor to her boss’. One noted pundit has hailed the interim appointment as a salvific opportunity for all the sides to get together in constructive kumbaya. The fact is, to employ the right existential terminology, Davis is in a form of purgatory and has, at best, an opportunity to expurgate herself. Meanwhile, she has to bear the illdefined stigmata of public doubt. And so, sadly, must the mayor, as he still struggles to launch his mayoralty. Some are already suggesting that Chief Davis might make her best contribution to the city’s welfare — and to her boss’ and to her own — by arranging for a graceful, voluntary withdrawal.

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A T L A R G E B y B r u c e Va n W y n g a r d e n

Fear of Same Old Tune speaking keeps many people from being heard. Drugs, Fox, and immigration.

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“Okay, so tell me, who makes laws in the United States? … That’s right, Congress. … Who was Thomas Jefferson? … The third president, and he wrote the Declaration of Independence, correct. … Who is one of your U.S. senators? … Marsha Blackburn, yes, that’s right. … I can tell you’re ready. You’re not going to have any problems with this test.” I was listening to my wife in the other room. She’s an immigration attorney and was talking on the phone to a client who was going to take his citizenship test the following Monday. He’d jumped through lots of bureaucratic hoops, filled out lots of forms, and waited several years for his chance to become an American and he wasn’t going to blow it. It was inspiring, especially given the level of disinformation about immigration being spread by members of the Republican Party. Here’s some legitimate information: In 1850, immigrants made up 11 percent of the U.S. population. In 2021, they made up 13 percent of the population. Ooh, facts! Scary! Here are some more scary facts from a March 2023 report by the Migration Policy Institute: The population of Tennessee is roughly 6.6 million people, of which 370,000 are foreignborn, or 5.3 percent. Of that number, 175,000 were born in Latin America, meaning the “threat from the Southern border” currently comprises 2.5 percent of Tennessee’s population. I don’t know about you, but I’m terrified. Those 175,000 people are a threat to open restaurants, do construction work, start lawn care companies and auto repair shops, work in our offices, and send their children to our schools — where they may even become lawyers! They are a threat to contribute to our economy! They must be stopped! When Donald Trump began his campaign for the presidency in 2015 at Trump Tower, the first comments out of his mouth were racist: “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” Trump said. “They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us [sic]. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists.” Now it’s almost nine years later, and he hasn’t changed his tune, and most Republicans are still singing along. Blackburn and Eighth District Congressman David Kustoff constantly use their bully pulpits (and X accounts) to spread fear and misinformation about the “threat at the southern border” — a threat that has not adversely impacted their constituents’ lives to any noticeable

degree. It’s not surprising to anyone who’s followed the political careers of these two clowns. Like most Republicans, they live to get airtime with Laura Ingraham or the other Fox bozos. It’s all they’ve got. They lack the courage of Mitt Romney and other Republicans who understand that Trump and his dying MAGA herd are dragging the party into irrelevance. The people trying to enter this country at our southern border are fleeing poor economic and/or socioeconomic conditions in their homeland. They are mostly impoverished and desperate. They are here hoping to make a life for themselves and their families. They aren’t taking over. They aren’t “poisoning the blood of our country.” They are human beings who don’t deserve to be shoved back into a river to die in order to get some asshole an appearance on Fox News.

The people trying to enter this country … are hoping to make a life for themselves. There was an astonishing report that came out last week from the Inspector General of the Department of Defense. I urge you to read it. It will blow your mind. The report’s purpose was “to determine the extent to which the DoD implemented appropriate controls for executive medicine services in the DoD’s National Capital Region related to identifying eligible patients and accounting for pharmaceuticals.” In English, that means they were looking at pharmacy policies at the White House under Trump, and the report showed that drugs were being issued like candy to White House staff — fentanyl, ketamine, amphetamines, Ambien, morphine. Quote: “We found that the White House Medical Unit provided a wide range of healthcare and pharmaceutical services to ineligible White House staff in violation of Federal law and DoD policy. Additionally, the White House Medical Unit dispensed prescription medications, including controlled substances, to ineligible White House staff.” It’s ironic that, in the same week, Trump was found guilty of defaming the woman he’d previously been found guilty of raping. Weird. Looks like at the White House “they were bringing drugs, they were bringing crime, they’re rapists.”

FINANCE By Gene Gard

A 401(k) Loan? Is it right for you?

2. Opportunity cost One of the most significant advantages of contributing to a retirement account is the opportunity for tax-deferred growth and compounding interest. You miss out on this growth opportunity when you remove assets from the account. Even a small loan can significantly impact your long-term savings when accounting for this missed growth opportunity. 3. Double taxation Contributions to employer-sponsored

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4. Missed contributions Some retirement plans prohibit participants from making regular deferrals while they have an outstanding loan balance. Not only does this restrict the amount you can set aside in retirement savings, but it may also make you ineligible for employer matching contributions. That’s a double hit to your long-term savings. 5. Repayment requirements If you leave your job for any reason, you’ll have 60 days or until the date you file your next tax return to pay off your outstanding loan balance. If you fail to do so, your outstanding loan balance becomes a taxable distribution subject to ordinary income taxes as well as a potential 10 percent early withdrawal penalty if you haven’t yet reached age 59½. This is another reason to avoid 401(k) loans because if something unexpected occurs you could face these significant taxes and penalties. Gene Gard, CFA, CFP, CFT-I, is a Partner and Private Wealth Manager with Creative Planning. Creative Planning is one of the nation’s largest Registered Investment Advisory firms providing comprehensive wealth management services to ensure all elements of a client’s financial life are working together. For more information or to request a free, no-obligation consultation, visit CreativePlanning.com.

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1. Long-term savings impact Perhaps the biggest downside to taking a loan from your 401(k) is that you’ll have less saved for retirement. Taking money from your retirement savings can significantly impact your savings potential over time.

retirement plans are typically made with pre-tax dollars. You’re then taxed on your assets when you withdraw them in retirement. However, 401(k) loan repayments are made with after-tax money, meaning you need to earn more than you borrowed to repay your loan. In addition, your repayment amount will still be treated as a pre-tax source of income when you withdraw funds in retirement. That means you are paying taxes twice on any loan amount you repay to the plan. For example, suppose you fall into the 24 percent tax bracket and take a loan from your pre-tax retirement plan. Every dollar you earn to repay your loan is taxed at 24 percent, meaning each dollar is worth only $0.76 after taxes. In order to make your retirement account whole again, you’ll end up paying 24 percent more than what you borrowed (not including interest). In addition, you don’t get credit for having paid taxes on the loan repayment amount. When you withdraw the funds in retirement, they’re taxed again as ordinary income. If you remain in the 24 percent tax bracket, each dollar you withdraw from the loan repayment is again worth only $0.76. That’s a hefty tax consequence!

NEWS & OPINION

ore retirement plan participants are taking loans from their retirement accounts, and they’re borrowing larger sums of money than in the past. According to data provided by Empower, a retirement plan administrator to 5.3 million accounts, 2.6 percent of participants (approximately 138,000 people) took a loan from their employer-sponsored plan during the third quarter of 2023. This is up from 2.3 percent in the third quarter of 2022 and 1.7 percent in 2020. Fidelity, the nation’s largest retirement plan administrator, saw a similar increase, with 2.8 percent (641,000 people) requesting loans in the third quarter of 2023, up from 2.4 percent in that quarter of 2022. The average loan has also increased in recent years. In a survey conducted by Plan Sponsor Council of America, the average 401(k) loan in 2022 was $15,000, up from $10,000 to $11,000 between 2018 and 2021. As of June 2023, the average outstanding loan balance is $8,550. The popularity of 401(k) loans may be partly due to the fact that 70 percent of retirement plan participants report they don’t have enough in emergency savings to cover six months of expenses. So, it may be that participants are using these loans to pay for unexpected costs. In the event of a financial crunch, many consider borrowing from their 401(k) because it could be faster and cheaper than other types of credit. However, despite their popularity, 401(k) loans can be highly detrimental to your long-term financial security. Following are five reasons to avoid borrowing from your employer-sponsored retirement account if possible.

C O V E R S T O R Y B y To b y S e l l s

Money Matters Class frictions heat up as economic issues arise at the State Capitol.

purse-string-holders will make them (especially since they made the cuts necessary). This could also likely flatten the state’s ability to fund any new initiatives. (Think of it like this, if you quit a job, you might not have the

vacation now. For local governments, that could mean the difference in more police or better parks. With its tax cuts last year, the Tennessee GOP prioritized at least one thing: more long-term money in the bank for the state’s businesses.

Now, as money matters begin to creep into the state spotlight once again, some old, tense questions are rising. Who pays for the government? Who does the government work for? Who wins? Who struggles? So many of these questions have root in Tennessee’s overarching economic development model. That is, basically, how do we organize our economy? How do we build it? Republicans here love to tout Tennessee as one of the most “business-friendly” states in the union. But don’t just take their word for it. Yahoo! Finance put the state in its top 10 for business friendliness last year and MSNBC ranked it in the top 3, both using different methodologies.

The high tide promised by the “trickle-down” theory does not lift all boats … Tennessee’s economy, like many other Southern states, works on the basic trickle-down theory that lower business taxes will attract more businesses, which will hire more people and create more wealth that will “trickle down” to the lower classes. Except it doesn’t, according to a new report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). The high tide promised by this economic theory does not lift all boats, it said. For a more in-depth look at how this plays out in Tennessee and across the South, have a look at our sidebar story on the following page. Here, we’ll look at some issues and opinions on money and class that might shape debates as the legislature heads back to Nashville.

Fe b r u a r y 1 - 7 , 2 0 2 4

ennessee lawmakers are making things harder on the poor and easier on the rich, and those old-timey class frictions are heating up in the rifts. Republicans blame technical glitches and piles of red tape they created as obstacles to get millions of dollars to help low-income families here. Meanwhile, they cut taxes for the business class last year, plan to cut even more this year, and hope to free up more of everyone’s tax dollars to help everyone — no matter how much money they have — pay for private schools. Gun violence dominated debate and headlines around the Tennessee General Assembly in 2023. Many vow to keep the issue in front of lawmakers in 2024. But if a school shooting in Nashville during last year’s regular session and an entire special session on gun violence last summer won’t move GOP lawmakers to act, rays of hope on the issue seem faint. It’s way too early to predict what issue(s) may dominate discussions at the State Capitol in the coming weeks. But money seems an early leader, especially as news came late last year that once-hot state revenues are cooling thanks in large part to those 2023 GOP tax cuts. Money matters have not seen center stage in Tennessee for awhile. The state’s budget has been pushed up and up in recent years with nary a cut in sight. That’s partly due to the new-ish ability to collect online sales taxes and a major surge in revenues from those business taxes in the past. But that won’t likely be the case this year. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is expected to unveil his new budget for Tennessee on Monday, during the annual State of the State address. Projected revenues — how much money officials think we’ll have to spend in the next year — will likely flatten. This could present some difficult decisions for lawmakers, especially some on the House side, who may have not yet dealt budget cuts. If cuts 12 come, it will be especially interesting to see where the state’s GOP-dominated

money to pay for your existing car and you damn sure can’t buy a new one.) Budgets are more than numbers. Budgets are priorities. For a household, that could mean the difference in saving for college later or going on

CHART: INSTITUTE ON TAXATION AND ECONOMIC POLICY

The lowest 20 percent of earners in Tennessee spend 12.8 percent of their total annual household income on taxes.

THE POOR AND HUNGRY Back in 2019, The Beacon Center, a free market think tank in Nashville, discovered the Lee administration quietly sat on a stockpile of $730

continued on page 14

Economic Policy Institute Report

outhern politicians tout the region’s “business-friendly” economic development policies, but a new study finds those policies are rooted in racism and have failed most people who live here. The October study is from Washington, D.C.-based Economic Policy Institute (EPI), a nonpartisan think tank focused on “the needs of low-and-middle-income workers in economic policy discussions.” The study looks at job growth, wages, poverty, and state GDP. The data, EPI said, “show a grim reality.” The group characterized the Southern economic development model as

one with “low wages, low taxes, few regulations on businesses, few labor protections, a weak safety net, and vicious opposition to unions.” The state of Tennessee basically agrees with this and shouts it in all caps (literally) on its website under the “business climate” section. “We believe in high expectations, low debt, and a pro-business regulatory environment,” reads the page from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “Tennessee is proud to be a right-to-work state [also noting Tennessee’s low union participation] with no personal income tax. Our state and local tax burdens are among the lowest in the country, and our state budget operates with a healthy surplus, rather than a deficit.” The EPI study said this does not work for everyone. “While this economic model has garnered vast amounts of riches for the wealthiest people across the region, it is leaving most Southerners with low wages, underfunded public services, a weak safety net in times of economic downturns, deep racial divisions, and high rates of poverty,” said report author Chandra Childers, a senior policy and economic analyst for EPI’s Economic Analysis and Research Network. Here are a few key takeaways from the report: • Job growth across the South has failed to keep up with population growth. The share of prime-age workers (ages 25–54) who have a job is lower than the national average in most Southern states. • Workers in Southern states tend to have lower earnings. Median earnings in nine Southern states are among the lowest in the nation, even after adjusting for lower cost of living in the South. • Poverty rates are above the national average in most Southern states. Louisiana and Mississippi have the highest poverty rates in the nation, with nearly one in five residents living in poverty. • Child poverty is highest in the South compared to any other region. At 20.9 percent, child poverty rates in the South are 3.7 percentage points higher than the region with the next-highest child poverty rate — the Midwest (17.2 percent). • Southern states are among the lowest-GDP states. Nine of the 15 states with the lowest per-worker GDP are in the South. The racist remnant of the Southern economic development model, according to EPI, is that business owners in the South continue to rely on “large pools of cheap labor,” particularly Black and brown people. The study points back to slavery in the South when Black people were not paid at all and then to Pullman porters who were “forced to rely on tips”

after slavery ended. Now, incarcerated individuals can be required to work with no pay at all, the study said. “The racist roots of this model have been obscured and have been replaced by a more acceptable ‘pro-business’ narrative,” reads the study. “The probusiness narrative suggests that low wages, low taxes, anti-union policies, a weak safety net, and limited regulation on businesses creates a rising tide that ‘lifts all boats.’” Tennessee policies fit into this model, the study said, as the state has no minimum wage, no income tax, a high sales-tax burden for all residents, no expanded Medicaid program, a low per-worker GDP, and more. Poverty is higher in Tennessee than in other parts of the country. This is especially true for people of color and particularly women of color, according to the data. The highest rates of poverty across the South are experienced by Black women. One in five lives in poverty, but it’s not due to an unwillingness to work, the study says. Black women have a higher employment-to-population (EPOP) ratio than women from any other racial or ethnic group in the South. “One reason Black women’s poverty rates remain high in the South — despite a relatively high EPOP — is that they are disproportionately employed in jobs consistent with the occupations they were largely limited to during and after the end of slavery: care work, cleaning, and food production, including agricultural and animal slaughter work,” reads the study. “Because this work is largely done by Black, brown, and immigrant workers, consistent with the Southern economic development model, these jobs pay very low wages.” Wages are lower in Tennessee than in other parts of the country, and again it’s especially true for people of color and particularly women of color, according to the report. “On average, Black women in the South are paid $35,884 at the median and Hispanic women just $30,984, compared with $58,008 for white men,” reads the report. If the Tennessee economic model is working like politicians claim, where does the money go? The study says it goes to the wealthiest Tennesseans. The top 20 percent richest Tennesseans share more than half (51 percent) of the state’s total income. The top 5 percent share 23 percent of the state’s aggregate income. The bottom 20 percent share just 3.4 percent. “Many Southerners may believe their politician’s arguments that the Southern economic development model will deliver good, well-paying jobs,” reads the report. “However, the data presented here show clearly and emphatically that this model has failed those living in Southern states.”

COVER STORY m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

million meant to help working poor families in Tennessee. For years, Tennessee got $190 million from the federal government to help these families get on their feet with monthly checks for childcare, transportation, and more. Instead of finding ways to getting all of the money to needy families, Lee just did not. The initial discovery of the funds in 2019 led some on social media to decry Lee’s money management. Others saw GOP disdain for the poor. “This is why [I march for universal basic income] today, because of villainous shit-holes like the governor of Tennessee who is hoarding $732 M

continued from page 13 in TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] money instead of spending it on reducing poverty,” reads a tweet from the time from Scott Santens, founder of the Income to Support All Foundation. By 2021, the fund ballooned to nearly $800 million. Thanks to Beacon, a plan is now in place to spend that money down.

The poorest here pay more than three times as much as the wealthy. However, Lee’s plan puts a hurdle between those needy families and the money. Rather than go directly to families in need, the funds will in large part go to organizations or health departments that will give them temporary aid. Lee administration officials said it has found a home for $717 million of the TANF reserve. But state Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) wants more in the hands of actual needy families. Introduced last week, her bill would increase TANF payments to cover rising inflation costs each year.

Meanwhile, thousands of families in Tennessee have less literal food on the table thanks to Lee administration computer problems. Last summer the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) updated some computer software. A glitch in the system resulted in a backlog of benefits for 35,000 recipients of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), sometimes called food stamps. TDHS Commissioner Clarence Carter said his team hopes to have the backlog cleared by March. He also said he’s not dragging his feet, telling state lawmakers last week that his team has “an almost desperate sense of urgency to get this right.” Tennessee Lookout editor Holly McCall pointed out this “kicker” from their story on the matter: “DHS officials noted that the staff brought in to help are keenly aware of the importance of the work: some department staff rely on food stamps themselves.” WHO PAYS? Tennessee has the third-most regressive tax system in the country, according to the seventh annual “Who

PHOTO: DAWN MAJORS | US CAPITOL

State Senator London Lamar

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LEGAL NOTICES PERSONAL PROPERTY PUBLIC NOTICE

As required by Tennessee Code Annotated Section 67-5-903, the Shelby County Assessor will be mailing Tangible Personal Property Schedules to all active businesses within Shelby County by Friday, January 12, 2024. The filing deadline is March 1, 2024. Please call the Shelby County Assessor’s office at 901-222-7002, if you need assistance.

Pays?” report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). Regressive taxes are those paid equally by all, no matter how much money they make. These, of course, hit lowerincome taxpayers the hardest. In Tennessee, this means the lowest 20 percent of earners (those making less than $21,000 each year) spend 12.8 percent of their total annual household income on taxes. The top 1 percent (those making over $661,600 each year) spend just 3.8 percent of their total income on taxes here. The poorest pay more than three times as much as the wealthy. “States such as Florida, Tennessee, and Texas are often described as ‘low tax’ due to their lack of personal income taxes,” reads the report. “While this characterization holds true for high-income families, these states levy some of the nation’s highest tax rates on the poor.” A TALE OF TWO TAX CUTS State Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) can go back to 2011 and rattle off a list of GOP-sponsored policies “that have truly benefited the wealthy and big corporations.” The repeal of the millionaire estate tax. The repeal of the luxury gift tax. A repeal of income tax on stocks and bonds. A reduction of the jet fuel tax. Corporate exemptions to

the sales tax. Exemptions for corporate income taxes. “Our tax policy is incentivizing businesses for keeping people poor,” Lamar said. “I say that because since 2011 and when the Republicans got in office, the main tax reform and benefits have truly benefited the wealthy and big corporations. “So, the question is, where are the priorities for those citizens who are working the hardest to contribute to our economy?” Well, the GOP cut taxes for workingclass families just last year. Well, kinda sorta. And it wasn’t much. And it wasn’t forever. But … Remember that odd, three-month cut on the state’s grocery tax last year? It was a $273 million part of the $400 million Tennessee Works Tax Act, “the largest single tax cut in Tennessee history.” It cut the 4 percent tax for everyone from August to October. Then, the tax went straight back onto receipts. It was a head-scratcher to many and seemed a solution to a problem that didn’t exist (except, y’know, that Tennessee is one of only 13 states that still tax groceries). Why? Where did this cut come from? Even folks on Reddit couldn’t pin the motivation on some coarse design to win votes because there was no

upcoming election. But it was the remaining cuts in the Tax Act that smarted some workingclass taxpayers. While they got a onetime deal that put about $100 in their pockets, the state’s business class got a permanent tax cut worth about $127 million that would put thousands of dollars in their bank accounts each and every year.

“Where are the priorities for those citizens who are working the hardest?” The Tax Act seemed to prove Lamar’s notion. Meaningful, permanent cuts for those with means; shallow, temporary cuts for everyone else. (Though, legislation has been filed for this year’s session to permanently cut Tennessee’s grocery tax.) This might all come into sharper focus later, especially if revenues continue to fall. Because it’s lost revenues from those business tax cuts knocking multi-million-dollar holes in the state budget. So, should lawmakers indeed need to make cuts to programs it offers Tennessee’s taxpayers, it won’t be

because the majority of them got a brief respite from grocery taxes. #VOUCHERSCAM Capitol-watchers have said Lee’s controversial plan to expand his school voucher program could be the biggest fight in Nashville this year. Lee eventually wants to expand the program to every student for any kind of school — public, private, charter, or home. But the program would allow the vouchers, worth about $7,075 per student each year, for all students, with no income requirements. This means wealthy parents — who now pay taxes for public schools and tuition at private schools — could divert funds from the public school system. The fight over the legislation may prove to be another class battle that could heat up in Nashville this year. For proof, dig around X for #LeesVoucherScam. “The voucher scam takes tax dollars from our neighborhood public schools to pay for the private school education of the wealthy,” tweeted Teri Mai, a Democratic candidate running for a House seat in Middle Tennessee. “Simply put, the school voucher scam defunds public schools by funneling your tax dollars to private and religious schools.”

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steppin’ out

We Recommend: Culture, News + Reviews

So Fly

By Abigail Morici

PHOTO: COURTESY MID-SOUTH FLY FISHERS

MacKenna Stang and Melissa Ceren Fly-fishing has been around for centuries, with evidence of its existence going back to antiquity. By the time the 18th and 19th centuries rolled around, it became a pastime for wealthy white men in England and the U.S. Today, in the 21st century, the sport is still dominated by white men, but avid fly-fishers are looking to change that. The Mid-South Fly Fishers, for their part, are taking active steps to becoming more inclusive, like with their FlyFishing for Wellness event this Sunday. For the event, the club will be joined by Colorado-based Melissa Ceren, “The Fly Fishing Therapist,” and MacKenna Stang, a fly-fishing influencer and women’s advocate, who will speak on the benefits of fly-fishing for better mental health and using fly-fishing to build community and well-being among women, respectively. Ceren will also lead a therapeutic exercise. “My piece in it is that I’m a mental health therapist and fly-fishing guide,” says Ceren. “So I combined the two a lot because obviously it feels good to be in the outdoors. It’s nice, and I actually was having a conversation the other day that although fly-fishing can be relaxing, it’s not always just relaxing, like you get a knot and you lose fish and it can be really frustrating and sometimes you want to snap your rod. But all that to say is that it builds confidence in skills and resilience, which is transferable obviously outside of fishing, too.” “There’s just so many different tactics you can use in fly-fishing,” adds Stang. “You just have to be skillful with it and it makes it more rewarding. … So, I wanted to connect with people who had the same passion for fly-fishing and learn from them and inspire other women to join the sport, and social media just kind of took off and I’m very grateful for it.” For both women, they hope to engage fly-fishers — men and women — and those who just might be curious about fly-fishing. “This is all about inclusivity,” Stang says. As for the Mid-South Fly Fishers, Drew Harris, the club’s vice president, says, “we really have three kind of core areas that we exist to support and it’s fellowship, education, and conservation around fly-fishing.” And with that, Harris says, comes a great sense of community. “We’ve formed these kind of relationships, friendships, and bonds around fly-fishing that have been really great and nurturing in all aspects of my life.” He has even had his two young daughters join him in fly-fishing. “I wanted to develop a community and kind of have them tag along with me so that they can grow up around it.” And the Mid-South Fly Fishers give back to the community, too, through conservation efforts and by supporting the Veterans Affairs hospital in Memphis by teaching veterans how to fly-fish as a way to manage trauma and promote well-being. In fact, several items such as a Wrangler and Crosswater will be up for auction this Sunday, with all funds going to support the program. Tickets for Sunday’s event can be purchased at msff.org and include a complimentary beer.

FLY-FISHING FOR WELLNESS, HIGH COTTON BREWING COMPANY, 598 MONROE, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2-6 P.M., $20.

Fe b r u a r y 1 - 7 , 2 0 2 4

VARIOUS DAYS & TIMES February 1st - 7th

Memphis Restaurant Association Food Festival The Kent, 61 Keel Avenue, Sunday, February 4, 5-9 p.m., $75 Enjoy an evening of unlimited tasting and samples and support the Memphis Restaurant Association. You will leave full after heavy appetizers representing the makeup of the Memphis restaurant community. The event will have over 15 food stations and 10 drink stations for you to sample all night long. Purchase tickets from memphisrestaurants.com/events. Black History Month Speaker Series: Week One Interpretation Center, T.O. Fuller State Park, 1442 Pavilion, Saturday, February 3, 2-3 p.m., $10 The series will host a different speaker each week in February.

Week one of the speaker series will feature the owner of Memphis Conjure, Lisa Brown-Jones, who will speak about the history of Delta Hoodoo. Brown-Jones is a sixth-generation root worker and spiritualist in the African tradition. There will be a Q&A after the program. Snacks and refreshments will be served. Lunar New Year Al Chymia Shrine Center, 5770 Shelby Oaks, Sunday, February 4, 4-11 p.m., free Lunar New Year is the most significant cultural celebration of Asian Americans and will attract attendees from Memphis and surrounding areas. The event, presented by the Vietnamese American Community of West Tennessee, will be replete with celebratory performances, music, authentic food,

áo dài fashion show, and vendor booths showcasing the best of Vietnamese heritage. MicroCinema: 61st Ann Arbor Film Festival Shorts Tour Crosstown Theater, 1350 Concourse, Wednesday, February 7, 7 p.m., PayWhat-You-Can Indie Memphis and Crosstown Arts are honored to continue to showcase films from the most recent edition of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, the oldest experimental and avant-garde film festival in North America. Using various techniques, from puppetry to mixing digital and analog film approaches, these films explore shades of the relationships between humanity and the natural world, between humans and each other, and speculate on their meaning and changing possibilities. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

MUSIC By Alex Greene

Stax Meets Motown

Indeed, the film and companion study guides delve into the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the Detroit Riots of 1967, the history of Black radio, the recording industry, and fashion. At the same time, the topic is also perfectly suited to a musical. “Think High School Musical and Grease,” Murray says of the film, which she masterminded with fellow highschoolers Andrew Green and Rickey Fondren III. Green and Fondren attend SMA, as does most of the cast. “There are moments where they’ll break out into song, where there’s dancing, and it’s all Stax and Motown music. And then, I’m one of the songwriting students at the Academy

PHOTO (ABOVE): CLAIRE JAMES

Rickey Fondren III center with microphone PHOTO (LEFT): ANAYA MURRAY

Anaya Murray and we wrote an original song for the end credits. So we pay homage to Stax and Motown and then add something new. And all the sounds that you hear are Stax students singing and playing.” That includes Murray herself, who also studies voice at SMA, and the story, set entirely in Booker T. Washington High School (which many Stax artists attended), is designed to both teach and give performance, recording, and songwriting students a chance to shine. As Murray explains the plot, “Lisa, the lead, moves from Detroit to Memphis, and it’s the simple story of her learning about Stax and the culture, but also of the Memphis kids learning from her

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FEBRUARY 10

about Detroit and Motown.” Yet ultimately the film reveals the SMA’s support for more than music. As Murray says, “I’ve been a student at Stax Music Academy since my first year of high school, and once I started to show an interest in filmmaking over the past two years, Stax noticed that and gave me an opportunity to assist on the script for last year’s [Black History Month] film.” She also developed her own material, winning the 2023 Indie Memphis Youth Film Fest Jury Award for her film, Father’s Day. Eventually she was tapped to write this year’s screenplay. “I’m really excited about the opportunity because screenwriting is something I love to do,” she says. “Then I was able to get Andrew Green, one of my film friends, on board. He’s also planning to go to college for screenwriting and directing. And Rickey is a singer at SMA, but acting is really where his passion lies. He’s actually co-starring in the film as the love interest, but he was really excited to go into screenwriting as well, so he helped a lot with doing research to make sure that we were really providing accurate information.” Thus did the writers learn as they progressed, and gaining the Soulsville Foundation’s stamp of approval was proof positive that they got the facts right. Now the film and instructional materials are being readied for their premiere. As Murray explains, all involved are aware of how important this educational mission is: “When it goes live, they send that link out to students not only in the United States, but worldwide as well. It is a global event.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“If you want to master something, teach it,” the great physicist Richard P. Feynman is said to have remarked. “The more you teach, the better you learn.” That’s certainly borne out by the recent experiences of students who teamed up to create a new musical film and instructional package on African-American history for the Soulsville Foundation. Once it premieres online this Friday, February 2nd, it will be available as a free download for educators and students throughout Black History Month and into September. Producing such a film for the national event is a tradition the foundation began after Covid made live performances risky, and it’s continued ever since. And taking the project’s mission to heart caused this year’s studentproducers to learn much along the way. “What Stax wants to do is keep the history and message of soul music alive, but especially that of Stax Records, and the impact that the label had not only on the Memphis community, but the world at large,” says Anaya Murray, a high school senior and Stax Music Academy (SMA) student who served as the film’s co-writer and co-producer. “Black History Month is an opportunity to remind people of this important part of Black culture and American culture. In our film, Stax Meets Motown, we focus on two record labels who were rivals and competitors, and what they both contributed to music, but it’s about more than that.”

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

Stax Music Academy students produce and star in educational film.

AFTER DARK: Live Music Schedule February 1 - 7 Sarah Spain

The Lost 45s

CENTRAL BBQ

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Soul St. Mojo

The Memphis Association of Dance Presents: Heavy Hitters

Saturday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.

Blind Mississippi Morris Thursday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 3, 8 p.m. BLUES CITY CAFE

Tennessee Songwriters Week Qualifying Round

With Apex, Dale, Hazrd, Zoob. 21+. Friday, Feb. 2, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

SOUTH MAIN SOUNDS

Twin Soul

TIN ROOF

The Initiation Battle Rap

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. BLUES CITY CAFE

Buddy Albert Nemenz

Friday, Feb. 2, 1-5 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 3, 1-5 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 4, 1-5 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 5, 7-11 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1-5 p.m. SILKY O’SULLIVAN’S

Caleb Orr

Friday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. TIN ROOF

Cody Clark

Thursday, Feb. 1, 10 p.m. TIN ROOF

Computermane

Friday, Feb. 2, 10 p.m. TIN ROOF

David Ingle One Man Piano Show Sunday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m. SILKY O’SULLIVAN’S

DJ Marcjayy

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 10 p.m. TIN ROOF

DJ Ooouuuweeee

Saturday, Feb. 3, 10 p.m.

Ro Baby vs. Poppy G, Illa vs. T.E.D., Young Herb vs. Zeus Gawwd, Playa Blaze vs. G Sharp, Jumpman Bo vs. Uncoded, Vdot Cool Breeze vs. J Levi, AGame365 vs. Tee ThaKidd. $20. Saturday, Feb. 3, 4-9 p.m.

CANVAS

Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Vinyl Happy Hour

With special guest DJs. Friday, Feb. 2, 3-5 p.m. MEMPHIS LISTENING LAB

City of Tomorrow

ONE SOUND STUDIO

With Larry Dale Ree, Marcotic, and Rich Regal. Saturday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.

The Rockin 88’s

Monday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m. BLUES CITY CAFE

The Shed

“The Shed” is not just a jam session; it’s a community where local instrumentalists, singers, poets, and rappers unite to weave a tapestry of creativity. Friday, Feb. 2, 7-9 p.m. STAX MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SOUL MUSIC

Vince Johnson

The Velvet Dogs

Saturday, Feb. 3, 7-10 p.m.

$10. Thursday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m.

TiLt

HI TONE

HADLEY’S PUB

Native Memphian and singersongwriter Cyrena Wages invites you to an early listen of her debut album Vanity Project. Free. Thursday, Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 2, 9 p.m.

Tony Holiday Band Sunday, Feb. 4, 3-6 p.m. HUEY’S POPLAR

Monday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.

Devil Train

Thursday, Feb. 1, 9:30 p.m.

Willie Traywick TIN ROOF

Wyly & The Coyotes Friday, Feb. 2, 9:30 p.m. EARNESTINE & HAZEL’S

Alicja & Friends, Thing!, special guest Saturday, Feb. 3, 8:30 p.m. BAR DKDC

Autolith, Nights Like These, Chora

DJ Stringbean

BSIDE

TIN ROOF

Amber McCain Duo

Dueling Pianos

SIDECAR CAFE MEMPHIS

SILKY O’SULLIVAN’S

Earl “The Pearl” Banks Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m. BLUES CITY CAFE

Eric Hughes

Thursday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m. RUM BOOGIE CAFE

FreeWorld

Sunday, Feb. 4, 8 p.m. BLUES CITY CAFE

Live at the Lorraine featuring J. Buck

Live at the Lorraine is a new music series that pays homage to the enduring legacy of the American Civil Rights Movement. $100. Saturday, Feb. 3, 7-9 p.m. NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM

Live & Local Music

Live and local music, every Wednesday night on the all-weather patio. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7-10 p.m. MOMMA’S

Rodell McCord

Sunday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m. TIN ROOF

Sarah & Grant

Sunday, Feb. 4, 3-6 p.m. HUEY’S DOWNTOWN

Sunday, Feb. 4, 7-11 p.m.

Elmo & the Shades, Eddie Harrison Friday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM

Germantown Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert featuring Michelle Pellay Walker

This concert will feature Franz Anton Hoffmeister’s Concerto for Viola and Orchestra. $30/ adults, $20/seniors. Saturday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. BUCKMAN ARTS CENTER AT ST. MARY’S SCHOOL

John Williams & the A440 Band

$10. Thursday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM

Laser Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon & The Wall

The mother of all laser-light shows. $18. Friday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY

Rhapsody in Blue 100th Anniversary The Memphis Symphony Orchestra presents Rhapsody in Blue 100th Anniversary. $35. Sunday, Feb. 4, 2:30-4:45 p.m.

RUDI E. SCHEIDT SCHOOL OF MUSIC

The Deb Jam Band Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m. NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM

Cyrena Wages

MEMPHIS LISTENING LAB

RUM BOOGIE CAFE

Friday, Feb. 2, 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 3, 10:30 p.m.

Crowe Boys, Alexis Jade and the Gemstones

THE READY ROOM

Saturday, Feb. 3, 8 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m.

Who TF Is Justin Time vs. Lil Wyte Album Release Party

PHOTO: TARINA WESTLUND

TIN ROOF

Thursday, Feb. 1, 10 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 3, 8 p.m.

Fe b r u a r y 1 - 7 , 2 0 2 4

RUM BOOGIE CAFE

Friday, Feb. 2, 7-9 p.m.

Brad Birkedahl Band

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m.

Bluff City Born

Hear new music by Memphis artists. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.

BSIDE

Disco Night with DJ Dudecalledrob Friday, Feb. 2, 10 p.m.

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

East Coast vs. West Coast Hip-Hop Party

Memphis Mojo

Friday, Feb. 2, 6 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Old Soul Flo

Play Some Skynyrd

A Memphis tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd. Saturday, Feb. 3, 5 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Rhapsody in Blue 100th Anniversary The Memphis Symphony Orchestra presents Rhapsody in Blue 100th Anniversary. $35. Friday, Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m. CROSSTOWN THEATER

Rock n Lasers

With Anaphylactic Shock, Feral God, and Spite House. 21+. $10. Sunday, Feb. 4, 8 p.m. HI TONE

GROWLERS

Babies on a Halfpipe, Basics, El Chavos, Don Quixote’s Horse

First Wednesdays Happy Hour & Live Jazz with Stephen Lee and friends

School of Rock Germantown: Pop Legends

LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE

Banales, Burning Brigids, Gunpowder Plot Friday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m. BAR DKDC

Beethoven Club presents Perry Mears and Craig Hultgren Cellist Craig Hultgren and pianist Perry Mears II will present a program of 20th and 21st-century composers in celebration of Black History Month. Free. Saturday, Feb. 3, 3 p.m. BEETHOVEN CLUB

Bob and Angela

Sunday, Feb. 4, 3 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Bruce and Lindsey Kee Saturday, Feb. 3, 1 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Cancerslug, To Serve Man

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART

Hail Maria, Dream Journal, DJs Natalie & JBH $7. Friday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE

Hex Cassette, W1ndow, Suroor 21+. $10. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m. HI TONE

JD Westmorland Band Monday, Feb. 5, 10 p.m. BSIDE

Joe Restivo 4

Sunday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Late Night Cardigan, Sara Bug, Forrest Philpot Sunday, Feb. 4, 8 p.m.

21+. $12, $15. Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 p.m.

BAR DKDC

HI TONE

Sunday, Feb. 4, 3-6 p.m.

Medium Walter HUEY’S MIDTOWN

Saturday, Feb. 3, 8-10 p.m. RAILGARTEN

HI TONE

Rock n Lasers is hitting the stage with nonstop rock hits, accompanied by a mind-blowing national touring laser light show. 18+. $10/ADV, $15/DOS. Saturday, Feb. 3, 10:30 p.m.

$10. Sunday, Feb. 4, 8 p.m.

Wyly & The Coyotes

Live performances by Ash Leon, Jhane, Sumo Tre, and ChelsTheMac. $10. Friday, Feb. 2, 9 p.m.

Hosted by Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery. Music by DJ Superman. Proceeds go to benefit Lemoyne Owen College Fund and Shay Jones. 21+. $15. Friday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m.

Aversive Control Album Release

MINGLEWOOD HALL

GROWLERS

Duane Cleveland Band Sunday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m. HUEY’S SOUTHWIND

Ken Houston Duo

Sunday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m. HUEY’S OLIVE BRANCH

Short in the Sleeve

Jeff Hulett with Josh Cosby. $10. Saturday, Feb. 3, 8 p.m. HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY

Stars & Strains

Stars and Strains is not just a concert; it’s a cultural journey that brings together a tapestry of musical genres and comedic styles. $15. Saturday, Feb. 3, 8 p.m. HOUSE OF SAMURAI

The Pretty Boys

Sunday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m. HUEY’S SOUTHAVEN

Students perform the most iconic hits from pop legends. Sunday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m. 1884 LOUNGE AT MINGLEWOOD HALL

Slippery People: A Tribute to the Music of Talking Heads

18+. $10. Friday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m. BLACK LODGE

Soni Album Listening Event

Listen to Sorry for Enjoying The Moment, the new album release by Soni. Free. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m.

Eye to Eye Band Friday, Feb. 2, 9 p.m.

T.J. MULLIGAN’S CORDOVA

Hairspray Nation

Saturday, Feb. 3, 8 p.m. THE HAYSTACK CAFE

Java

Sunday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m. HUEY’S MILLINGTON

Jazz in the Box: Tatum Greenblatt

MEMPHIS LISTENING LAB

$35. Friday, Feb. 2, 7-8:30 p.m.

Southern Grind Sessions

GERMANTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Richard Wilson

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m.

Spacer, Wee-Beasties Friday, Feb. 2, 9 p.m. BSIDE

The City of Tomorrow $15, $5/students. Saturday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 2, 12:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 4, 12:30 p.m. JACKIE MAE’S PLACE

Steve & Shannon

Sunday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m. HUEY’S COLLIERVILLE

THE GREEN ROOM AT CROSSTOWN ARTS

The Chaulkies

The Jam Pack

HUEY’S CORDOVA

With Alpha Whiskey and Bizzle Bluebland. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m. HI TONE

Sunday, Feb. 4, 8-10:30 p.m.

The Double D’s

Sunday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m. HUEY’S GERMANTOWN

CALENDAR of EVENTS:

February 1 - 7

Send the date, time, place, cost, info, phone number, a brief description, and photos — two weeks in advance — to calendar@memphisﬂyer.com. DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, ONGOING WEEKLY EVENTS WILL APPEAR IN THE FLYER’S ONLINE CALENDAR ONLY. FOR COMPREHENSIVE EVENT LISTINGS, SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT EVENTS.MEMPHISFLYER.COM/CAL.

trans-historical exploration of how gender, religion, and race have shaped food, food culture, and the labor surrounding food production. $35/ Food, Sex, and Temptation (Feb. 7, single session), $35/ Gender, Food, and Fasting (Feb. 21, single session), $35/ Food, Colonization, and Slavery (Feb. 28, single session). Wednesday, Feb. 7, 5:30-7 p.m.

ART AN D S P EC IA L E X H I B ITS

“A Passionate Vision”

Enjoy colorful photographs of Collierville captured by local artist Adarryll Jackson Sr. Through March 2. MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY

“Breaking the Rules: Paul Wonner and Theophilus Brown”

DOROTHY C. KING HALL AT RHODES COLLEGE

“Breaking the Rules” includes 75 paintings, watercolors and drawings spanning the entirety of the artists’ careers. Through March 31.

Learn How to Raise Honeybees: Beekeeping Class

Various aspects of beginning beekeeping will be taught, including bee-hive equipment, hive management, bee-disease control, sources of nectar and pollen, how to install packaged bees, and more. Saturday, Feb. 3, 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

“China Blues: The World of Blue and White Ceramics” The collection includes a range of objects from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Through May 31.

AGRICENTER INTERNATIONAL

MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART

“NEW” Lightroom Master Class

“Come Cruise Alaska”

Transform your images today in this “New Lightroom Master Class.” Free. Saturday, Feb. 3, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Exhibition of art by Ann Brown Thomason. Friday, Feb. 2-March 30. MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY

“Ghetto Girls Deserve Good Things”

Zaire Love’s ode to the originators of carefree expressive style and culture that influences contemporary culture. Through March 1. BEVERLY + SAM ROSS GALLERY

“It’s a Memphis Thang”

Featuring new works by Anna Kelly and Calvin Farrar. Through March 7. BUCKMAN ARTS CENTER AT ST. MARY’S SCHOOL

“Learning Through the Language of Art”

Exhibition presented by Literacy Mid-South and Arkwings, featuring work by Mattie Ward, Ashely Davis, and April Foxx. Through March 27. PLAYHOUSE ON THE SQUARE

“Mirrors”

Dylan Spaysky’s simple holographic manipulations of reflection, transparency, and light turn into a public introspectacle. Through March 9. TOPS GALLERY: MADISON AVENUE PARK

“New Paintings”

Presenting new paintings by Veda Reed to celebrate the artist’s 90th birthday. Through Feb. 3. DAVID LUSK GALLERY

“New Works by Jose Valverde”

Exhibition of Jose Valverde’s vibrant and bold paintings. Through Feb. 28. CHURCH HEALTH

The Metal Museum’s new exhibition showcases jewelry made from recycled and reused materials. “Radical Jewelry Makeover: The Artist Project”

“Radical Jewelry Makeover: The Artist Project” brings together jewelers working together to examine mining issues while making innovative jewelry from recycled sources. Sunday, Feb. 4-April 14. METAL MUSEUM

“Remy Miller and Joe Morzuch: Marking Time”

The joint exhibition places two distinct bodies of work into counterpoint. Through April 14. THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

“School of Ool: Whose Views Ooze Muse”

An exhibition of new work by multimedia artist Coe Lapossy, who revisits artifacts of queerness wedged within a seemingly straight world. Through March 22. CLOUGH-HANSON GALLERY

“Shelby Canopy: Our Shared Connection”

Discover Shelby County’s green spaces and importance of trees through an immersive public art experience featuring two temporary artworks. Through April 19. 8040 WOLF RIVER BLVD.

“Southern Railway”

Discover the national history behind the Southern Railway Company. Through April 20. MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY

“three left, one right”

Exhibition of work by James Inscho. Through March 9. TOPS GALLERY

“To Have and To Hold: Valentines from the Victorian Era”

“To Have and To Hold” showcases and celebrates the artistry of Victorian paper love tokens. Through March 31. THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

“New Paintings” Artist Discussion with Marina Pacini

This captivating exploration of the Veda Reed’s career is a combination of studies and large-scale paintings. Saturday, Feb. 3, 3 p.m.

The Book Mixer

Discover new authors, meet fellow bookworms, and engage in lively discussions about your favorite books. $10. Sunday, Feb. 4, 4:30-7:30 p.m. THE COVE

DAVID LUSK GALLERY

C LAS S / WO R KS H O P

A new presentation of work from Joel Parsons and Clare Torina will feature drawings, enamels, paintings, and installation. Through March 2.

Super Saturday - Black History Month

Bountiful Containers: The Art of Small Space Foodscaping

SHEET CAKE

MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART

“Velvet Sternum”

ART HAPPE N I NGS

Be Mine Boutique

A pop-up Valentine’s market full of sweet surprises by local artists and makers. Thursday, Feb. 1-Feb. 3; Tuesday, Feb. 6-Feb. 7. THE GINGER’S BREAD & CO.

Jin & John Powell Artists Reception

The reception is free and all are welcome. Friday, Feb. 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m. GERMANTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

MSCA Monthly Dinner Meet-Up

Bring art to share, anything promotional that you’d like to add to the freebies table, and money for the delicious food Garibaldi’s has to offer. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m. GARIBALDI’S PIZZA

Munch and Learn

Presentations by local artists, scholars, and Dixon staff sharing their knowledge on a variety of topics. Wednesday, Feb. 7, noon-1 p.m. THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

Enjoy free admission, artmaking, and amazing art. Saturday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m.-noon.

Sweet Street- First Friday

Bundle up and head to the Broad Avenue Arts District for a sweet party. Friday, Feb. 2, 5-8 p.m.

Memphis Horticultural Society is hosting celebrated edible landscaping expert Brie Arthur for an enlightening journey into the world of foodscaping in containers. $5/nonmembers. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6-8 p.m.

BROAD AVENUE ARTS DISTRICT

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

Valentine’s Pop-Up

Creating Images in Color - Photography 101: Mastering the Basics of Taking Great Photos

Valentine’s pop-up for the lovers and the broken hearts. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2-7 p.m. GHOST RIVER BREWING

B O O K E V E N TS

All About Aubri Book Signing Event

Eleven-year-old author, illustrator, and South Memphis native Aubrielle Nixon is having her first book signing. Saturday, Feb. 3, 1:30 p.m. MEMPHIS BLACK ARTS ALLIANCE

Club de lectura: Corrido de Amor por Reyna Grande Este nuevo club de lectura del Dixon les invita a compartir sus experiencias de lectura en español a traves del titulo seleccionado del mes. Free. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6 a.m. THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

Join this four part workshop series exploring Black history through photography on every Thursday (except the 15th) during Black History Month. Thursday, Feb. 1, 6-8 p.m. COSSITT LIBRARY

Crochet Creation by You If you’ve ever wanted to learn to crochet, but don’t know where to start, then you’ve come to the right place. Join Trudy Francis and Darlene Bishop and learn to crochet a bowl cozy. Saturday, Feb. 3 RALEIGH LIBRARY

Food, Gender, and Culture (Professor Sarah Ifft Decker)

This course answers this question through a global and

Self-Awareness and Self Protection Workshop Self-defense class for women of all ages. $35/advance, $45/ at the door. Sunday, Feb. 4, 1-2:30 p.m. CHURCH HEALTH

Tales from Around the World (Professor Nina Morais, Rhodes College Meeman Center)

Examine various stories, but also explore some interpretations and adaptations to different contexts and media. $35/European Fairy Tales (Feb. 1, single session), $35/ African Folktales (Feb. 8, single session), $35/ South American Folklore (Feb. 15, single session). $105/full series. Thursday, Feb. 1, 5:30-7 p.m. DOROTHY C. KING HALL AT RHODES COLLEGE

Teen Fashion Design with Kelsey Hankins

Discover the world of fashion in a teen design class. $40. Saturday, Feb. 3, 1-3 p.m. ARROW CREATIVE

Winter Watercolor Workshop

Learn the fundamentals of watercolor painting under the guidance of artist Drew Blake. $45. Saturday, Feb. 3, 1-4 p.m. ARROW CREATIVE

C O M E DY

Chad Prather - “Am I Crazy? An Unapologetic Patriot Takes on the Insanity of Today’s Woke World” Comedy Tour The comedian, musician, and armchair philosopher is an unapologetic champion for anyone looking for a reason to

continued on page 20

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

A photography exhibition showcasing Memphis artist Eric Echols’ photo collection of 20th-century African Americans. Through July 14.

COLLIERVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PHOTO: RJM PRESS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“Everyday People: Snapshots of The Black Experience”

C A L E N DA R: F E B R UA RY 1 - 7 continued from page 19 smile. $30.25/general admission, $45.70/VIP. Thursday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee, has been making people laugh his whole life. $65$100. Saturday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m.

community meeting. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m.

shop (4 p.m.-6 p.m.). Saturday, Feb. 3, 3-7 p.m.

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

WHISKEY JILL’S

THE HALLORAN CENTRE

The Mystic Live at the Green Room

The Mystic is hosted by a rotating panel including Rabbi Micah Greenstein, Dr. Scott Morris, Rev. Joshua Narcisse, Dr. Rev. Lillian Lammers, and Kirk Whalum. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6-7 p.m.

RISE

COM M U N ITY

Comedy Open Mic

All in for Animals Charity Poker Tournament

Hosted by John Miller. $10. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m.

THE GREEN ROOM AT CROSSTOWN ARTS

The River Rat Rounders have teamed up with the Humane Society to host the “All in for Animals” Charity Poker Tournament! There will be plenty of food, drinks, and fun for everyone who participates. $60/advance, $70/ at the door. Saturday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.

HI TONE

Funny Marco

With a massive audience of over 10 million fans across all social media platforms, Funny Marco is redefining the entertainment industry. $25-$50. Friday, Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m., 10 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m., 10 p.m.

Volunteer Day at Lichterman Nature Center Volunteer at the nature center working on a variety of projects to help conserve and maintain this unique property. Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m.-noon.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY

LICHTERMAN NATURE CENTER

LGBTQ Vibe Night

CHUCKLES COMEDY HOUSE

Memphis, it’s officially time for the 30+ LGBTQ crowd to vibe. Link up for a night of good music and entertainment, great food and drinks, and some fun surprises. $15/advance, $20/at the door. Sunday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.

Open Mic Night Hosted by Tiffany Harmon

Wind down your weekend with music, laughter, drinks, and friends. Sunday, Feb. 4, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. BLACK LODGE

DA N C E Learn some new moves and get a great work out in while doing it. $15. Sunday, Feb. 4, 4 p.m. BLACK LODGE

Podbox with Ena Esco: Quarterly Meet and Greet

This underground comedy show, hosted by Tylon Monger, boasts a diverse and interesting lineup each week. $15. Saturday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. MEMPHIS CLOVER CLUB

Line dancing lessons, Tuesdays with Q. 21+. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6-9 p.m. DRU’S PLACE

COSSITT LIBRARY Mark Paulino and Dylan DeClue The Renaissance Comedy Show Workshop starring Comedian Poundcake: Pride Open Community Meeting The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation Learn some dances from the best. $40/four-hour Prophet of Comedy Join Mid-South Pride for their monthly open

Poundcake, who grew up in the Raleigh

FAM I LY

Chinese New Year Celebration

Celebrate Chinese New Year! Share stories and music, decorate a Chinese fan, taste yummy Chinese food. For all ages and no registration is needed. Saturday, Feb. 3, 11 a.m.-noon

Story Time

Enjoy stories, songs, art activities, and creative play that connect with Collierville history. Friday, Feb. 2, 10:30 a.m. MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY

Line Dancing with Q

This is an event where local Mid-South podcasters come together to network and share best practices. Saturday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.

CANNON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

CORDOVA BRANCH LIBRARY

Belly Dance Class with Neko Mew

RUMBA ROOM

Saturday Night Showcase

Revered for its hallmark ballet, Kevin Thomas’ RISE, set to Dr. King’s final public speech, this program ascends even higher with the addition of revered choreographic voices. $20-$64. Saturday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 4, 2:30 p.m.

620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 workshop (3 p.m.-7 p.m.), $25/two-hour workFor Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Saturday, March 9, 2019

Story Time at Novel

Recommended for children up to 5 years, Story Time at Novel includes songs and stories, featuring brand-new books in addition to well-loved favorites. Saturday, Feb. 3, 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 7, 10:30 a.m. NOVEL

Storytime at Overton Park

Join Ranger Heather in an Overton Park story time and activity. Recommended for 3- to 5-year-olds. Sunday, Feb. 4, 1:30-2:30 p.m. OVERTON PARK

Crossword ACROSS

Fe b r u a r y 1 - 7 , 2 0 2 4

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history and not the other way franchise since around”: Harry 1899 Truman 8 Dummy 30 Lifted 15 Where the 31 Anise-flavored term “jazz” liqueur as applied to jazz music 33 Magnetic originated intensity unit named after 16 Them’s fightin’ a Danish words physicist 17 Part of 35 Shot of minors? WarnerMedia 36 Informal slip-on 18 “The Good Samaritan,” e.g. 37 Requirement for some 19 Company that downloads once owned Capitol and 41 In the direction Virgin Records of 20 Outré 45 Digs too deep 22 Evoker of dirty 46 Natural blanket looks, maybe, 48 Outing spoiler in brief 49 Some hotel 23 Spoon freebies 25 Not versed in 50 ___ Larsson, 26 Kind of music author of the “Millennium” 27 Place for novels markers 1 Football

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Where’s the Groundhog?

Dr. T-Rex creates a funny and informative experience full of surprises and prehistoric mischief with help from the audience and his dinosaur friends, including the eight-foot tall Rexie the T-Rex. $20/adult, $15/youth. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2 p.m. BARTLETT PERFORMING ARTS AND CONFERENCE CENTER

MBG’s playful groundhogs, Grit and Grind, are playing hide-and-seek in the garden. They will be hidden somewhere in the garden for you to find. If you spot them, you could win a gift certificate. Friday, Feb. 2-Feb. 4.

26 29

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN 31

35 37

40 46

48 51

54 58

F I LM

34 36

DOWN

The Dinosaur Quest of Dr. T-Rex

52 55

56 60

hair salons 63 64 2 Mythical hybrid 3 Spy’s shooter, PUZZLE BY DAVID STEINBERG say 14 Like tired 43 Longtime TV 32 Most-watched 4 Raiding grp. muscles at a curmudgeon TV drama in massage parlor the world for a 44 Dirty, in a way 5 Main ingredient record six years in the dish ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 47 Auntie, to one’s lechazo 21 Transfix 34 Music genre parent B I T E S H O R T S T R A W 6 “Not ___!” 37 Word after gay 24 Dog and cat 50 Deal with A D O S L I V E R E M O T E 7 Classic product or American food T E M P I C E B O X C A K E 51 Gather in a cobalt blue 38 Ready jar H A T R E D R A P T D I P 54 One guarded in 26 Italian white 39 Flavorful seed H E Y D A T E B I N S football wine 8 One never ends H O U S E R U L E A L E S on a low note 40 Group of values 55 “Ciao” 28 Garage A R M S D E A L I R A 9 Hit list? 41 Things to learn 58 Tower stack requests L A B O R E D C A T C H O W in kindergarten 10 Find a position 60 Final Fantasy or B O D K A M I K A Z E for Dark Souls, for 30 They may be 42 Passing H E A P S W I S S M I S S short raised (hmm …) concern? 11 Overseer of S O A R L O A N T I L trains, for short O T S C O R N P E R M I T Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past 12 Place to get U P T H E W A Z O O R A C E puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). wired P O L I C E R A I D O R E S Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay. 13 Bud to chill S T A T E S E A L S R Y E S with?

Anime Night: Howl’s Moving Castle 20th Anniversary Screening

The Lodge celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the legendary, critically acclaimed Studio Ghibli classic Howl’s Moving Castle. Stick around after the movie for a screening of Porco Rosso from 1992. Free. Thursday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m. BLACK LODGE

Futurama Brunch!

Join the Lodge for a Futurama brunch marathon — legendary episodes back to back while you enjoy a full breakfast menu, plus specialty dishes and custom drinks. Sunday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. BLACK LODGE

March ’68: Morris and Mollye Fogelman International Jewish Film Festival

Based on the seldom told story of Poland’s exodus of nearly 15,000 Jews due to a hostile anti-Semitic campaign. $7/community, $5/ member. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m. MEMPHIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

MicroCinema: 61st Ann Arbor Film Festival Shorts Tour

Indie Memphis and Crosstown Arts showcase films from the most recent edition of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, the oldest experimental and avant-garde film festival in North America. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. CROSSTOWN THEATRE

My Fair Lady 60th Anniversary

In 1910s London, snobbish phonetics professor Henry Higgins agrees to a wager that he can make crude flower girl Eliza Doolittle presentable in high society. Sunday, Feb. 4, 1 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m.

C A L E N DA R: F E B R UA RY 1 - 7

Against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in the country, a local community that has faced violence and trauma works to heal and grapple with what it means to be stronger than hate. $7/community, $5/ member. Sunday, Feb. 4, 4 p.m. MEMPHIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

The ’Vous

The ’Vous reveals why the renowned, family-owned barbecue restaurant has been so successful for 75 years — and counting. Thursday, Feb. 1, 1:20 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 7:25 p.m. MALCO PARADISO CINEMA GRILL & IMAX

True Stories

A free screening of the beloved oddball musical cult comedy from 1986, directed by and starring David Byrne, legendary frontman and creator of acclaimed 1980s band Talking Heads. Friday, Feb. 2, 6 p.m. BLACK LODGE

FO O D AN D D R I N K

Coffee Tasting and Brewing Workshop with Sustain Coffee The Bartlett Public Library is excited to partner with Sustain Coffee to bring this workshop to the library. The topic for this class is Handson Brewing Techniques and Extraction Basics. Saturday, Feb. 3, 10:30 a.m.-noon. BARTLETT LIBRARY

Grind City FROST’D Limited-Release Party (Free to Attend)

Tasty limited edition beers, raffles, food trucks, and live music. Saturday, Feb. 3, noon.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

Broadway’s Les Miserables comes to the Orpheum.

L E CT U R E

ing and samples supporting the Memphis Restaurant Association. $75. Sunday, Feb. 4, 5-9 p.m. THE KENT

Mimosa Fest

Enjoy a live DJ, brunch food menu, themed mimosa flavors, and more. Sunday, Feb. 4, noon-3 p.m. GROWLERS

H EA LTH A N D F I TN ES S

First Saturday Paddle

Join the River Guides as we paddle one of the most inspirational sections of the Wolf River, “The Lost Swamp.” $25/nonmembers. Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. WOLF RIVER CONSERVANCY

Let’s Get Moving featuring Yoga

Participate in a yoga experience to stretch the body and soothe the mind. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 5:30 p.m.

Black History Month Speaker Series: Week One

Week one of the speaker series will feature the owner of Memphis Conjure, Lisa Brown-Jones, who will speak about the history of Delta Hoodoo. $10. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2-3 p.m. T.O. FULLER STATE PARK

Science Cafe

Wind down from the workday by learning something new over drinks. Stephen Brewer explores the effects of fire and competition on plant biodiversity and restoration. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 5:30 p.m. ABE GOODMAN GOLF CLUBHOUSE

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

MCNEILL CONCERT HALL AT RHODES COLLEGE

Looking for something relaxing to do to clear your mind and improve your overall health? Join the Dixon for free meditation sessions every Friday. Friday, Feb. 2, noon-12:45 p.m.

Taijiquan with Milan Vigil

Led by Milan Vigil, this Chinese martial art promotes relaxation, improves balance, and provides no-impact aerobic benefits. Ages 16 and older. Free. Saturday, Feb. 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Italian Winterfest

Wednesday Winter Walks Join OPC for a casual stroll around the Old Forest. No agenda, just a chance to meet new people and get a walk in. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 4 p.m.

ST. BENEDICT AT AUBURNDALE HIGH SCHOOL

OVERTON PARK

Memphis Restaurant Association Food Festival

Strengthen your yoga practice and enjoy the health benefits of light exercise with yoga instructors Laura Gray McCann. Free. Thursday, Feb. 1, 6-6:45 p.m.

Yoga

April 12 - 14

COSSITT LIBRARY

Lunchtime Meditations

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

An evening of unlimited tast-

Dine and learn about the origins of Black History Month. The highlight of the program will be discussing Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of what would become Black History Month. Monday, Feb. 5, noon-1:30 p.m.

Springfield Music Lecture Series: Jason Isbell

CORDOVA BRANCH LIBRARY

GRIND CITY BREWERY

Do you love Italian food and wine? If so, don’t miss Tony Barrasso’s 12th Annual Italian Winterfest. Sunday, Feb. 4, 5-8 p.m.

African American History Luncheon

Jason Isbell, four-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist, will discuss his music and career. Free. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m.

P E R F O R M I N G A R TS

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Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life: Morris and Mollye Fogelman International Jewish Film Festival

PHOTO: MATTHEW MURPHY & EVAN ZIMMERMAN FOR MURPHYMADE

Assassins: Wildfire

New season of Assassins. Drag performances by Sairen Strange, Rusted Electra, Vivica Vanity, Fairy Spit, Blanca, and Hunny Blunt. Monday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m. LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE

Love Dies: An Improv Show for Hopeless Romantics

The Bluff City Liars return for another weekend of improv romantics. $12/advance, $15/ at the door. Friday, Feb. 2, 8-10 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 3, 8 p.m.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MALCO PARADISO CINEMA GRILL & IMAX

THEATREWORKS

continued on page 22

C A L E N DA R: F E B R UA RY 1 - 7 continued from page 21 Strange Love Redoux

A drag showcase of all the strange and unique ways we love. Hosted by Polly Popjoy and Fairyspit. $10. Sunday, Feb. 4, 8 p.m.

S P EC IAL EVE N TS

Monster Truck Wars

A drag tribute to the “mean girls” of music and movies. Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 p.m.

Blue Lotus Tea & Sound Bath Ceremony

Join The Memphis Sound Healer, The Sunset Witchery, DJ Tryptamine, and Michael Graber for a unique sound healing experience. $30. Saturday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. ARROW CREATIVE

Celestial Sound Bath

Matt Petty will lead a meditative sound experience using crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and multiple instruments. $20. Monday, Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m. THE BROOM CLOSET

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is the most significant cultural celebration of Asian Americans. The event will be replete with celebratory performances, music, authentic food, ao dai fashion show,

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Masquerade Murder Dinner Party

DRU’S PLACE

The Queendom Presents Mean Girls in the Starlight Cabaret

PHOTO: TREB’BOR JONES

Collage Dance returns to the stage for its annual performance of RISE, set to Dr. King’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop Speech.”

AL CHYMIA SHRINE CENTER

This year is 1755 and it’s Carnival Season in Venice, time for the Masquerade Ball. The question on everyone’s lips is who is the figure in red? Gratuity automatically added to packages. $75/dinner package, $100/dinner + drink package (includes three New Orleans-themed drincks). Saturday, Feb. 3, 7-9 p.m.

HI TONE

and vendor booths. Sunday, Feb. 4, 4-11 p.m.

Charlie’s journey through Willy Wonka’s factory in this fantastical musical. Through Feb. 18. PLAYHOUSE ON THE SQUARE

Confederates

BEN YAY’S

America’s wildest monster truck show, featuring GIANT National TV Monster Trucks including world-famous Outlaw, Bustin Loose, the ferocious debut of T-Rex, the brand-new Shark Attack, and Black Widow. Saturday, Feb. 3, 1-3 p.m. AGRICENTER INTERNATIONAL

League Affiliate of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, call the Landers Center home. See the next generation of NBA stars. $15. Saturday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 4, 3 p.m. LANDERS CENTER

Memphis Hustle vs. Stockton Kings $15. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 10:30 a.m.

S P O R TS

LANDERS CENTER

901 Wrestling

Memphis vs. Wichita State

Main Event: 901 Wrestling 1819 Title Match: M.J. Davis vs. “The True One of One” Kevin Bless. Plus see New 901 Wrestling Champion “Live Wire” Bobby Ford Live in person. Saturday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. BLACK LODGE

Memphis Hustle vs. NBA G League Ignite The Memphis Hustle, the G-

Saturday, Feb. 3, noon FEDEXFORUM

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday, Feb. 1, 9 p.m. FEDEXFORUM

Superb Owl Field Day at Overton Park Compete in classic field-day games on the Overton Park

Greensward. $25/individual, $150/team of six. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2-5 p.m. OVERTON PARK

Two Black American women — an enslaved rebel and a professor at a contemporary university — are having parallel experiences of institutional racism, though they live over a century apart. Friday, Feb. 2-Feb. 25. HATTILOO THEATRE

T H E AT E R

A Raisin in the Sun

A Chicago South Side Black family struggles with decisions that are meant to improve their station. Through Feb. 4. THEATRE MEMPHIS

A Streetcar Named Desire

Tennessee Williams’ poetic and savage drama would change the course of playwriting forever with this personal story that remains achingly modern. Thursday, Feb. 1-Feb. 18. TENNESSEE SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Witness the wonder of

Her Needs, His Needs

Her Needs, His Needs ushers you along a journey of relational discovery. $45-$100. Friday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. THE ORPHEUM

Je’Caryous Presents: New Jack City Live!

New Jack City Live On Stage fuses the captivating thrill-a-minute story, the memorable lines everyone knows and loves, and the iconic musical soundtrack of the original cult classic hit movie. $79.75. Saturday, Feb. 3, 3 p.m., 8 p.m. THE ORPHEUM

Les Miserables

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Miserables is a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Tuesday, Feb. 6-Feb. 11. ORPHEUM THEATRE

The Children

Two nuclear scientists in their 60s living in uncertain times are visited by an old friend who shakes up their sense of normalcy. Through Feb. 4. GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATRE

The Lehman Trilogy

Experience the rise and fall of one of the most influential families in modern finance with The Lehman Trilogy. Paywhat-you-can performance on Feb. 1. Through Feb. 11. CIRCUIT PLAYHOUSE

TO U R S

Haunted Pub Crawl

Visit three local bars for ghost stories. Friday, Feb. 2, 7:30-10 p.m. THE BROOM CLOSET

The Original Memphis Brew Bus

The Memphis Brew Bus is a Saturday afternoon trip into the amazing Memphis craft brewing scene. $59. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2-5:30 p.m. THE BROOM CLOSET

ARTS By Abigail Morici

A Memphis Legend Popular window muralist Calvin Farrar shows off his oil paintings in Buckman gallery show.

Today, as he works, he paints with ease, his strokes confident and smooth. He mastered his signature style a long time ago. When I ask him if he’s proud of his window art — that he can go just about anywhere from Brookhaven Pub & Grill in East Memphis to Superlo in Orange Mound and catch a glimpse of his work — he simply nods, beaming. Yet window murals — no matter how much of a Memphis staple they’ve become — are temporary, meant to last only a season at a time. “A lot of people don’t want to take it down,” Farrar says. But, alas, they must.

(RIGHT) ABIGAIL MORICI

Calvin Farrar (right) at work For an artist, like Farrar, these window paintings are only a taste of a legacy that art can offer, so in his free time, he paints in oils, a medium much more permanent. Entrenched in nostalgia for the Delta and the blues, these folk-inspired paintings are rich in color and smooth strokes that suggest the artist’s assured process. When he paints, he says, “I just paint. If it’s a good subject matter, I work on it. … I just get a feel for it.” “A lot of people didn’t know I painted oil paintings,” Farrar adds. In fact, it wasn’t until this past October that he had one of his first gallery shows “since a long time ago.” The First Presbyterian Church on Poplar hosted the duo exhibition, titled “When the Spirit Moves,” with Rosa Jordan. “I thought it was pretty cool,” Farrar says. Already, his next show is on display at Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s Episcopal School. This exhibit, titled “It’s a Memphis Thang” and done in conjunction with Anna Kelly, features works

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

“That’s the only thing I know how to do, is paint.”

PHOTO: (ABOVE) COURTESY CALVIN FARRAR;

from across his years as an artist, as well as Kelly’s mixed media works of MidSouth icons. “Calvin has spent so many years charming Memphians with his art,” says Cindi Younker, director of Buckman Arts Center. “Buckman is delighted to offer him a proper show to celebrate this

living legend and his work.” “It’s a Memphis Thang” will be on display through March 7th. The opening reception will take place on Friday, February 9th, 5 to 6 p.m. at Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s, 60 Perkins Extended.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

hether you realize it or not, you’ve seen Calvin Farrar’s artwork. It’s practically everywhere, his window paintings a part of the city’s landscape as they fill up the fronts of businesses from Midtown to Orange Mound to Downtown. The cartoon illustrations he paints create delightful scenes for passersby and patrons to enjoy; smiling snowmen, waving scarecrows, and dunking Grizzlies offer a moment of whimsy in a city of grit and grind. Today, as I speak with him, he paints the windows of Babalu in Overton Square, outlining cheery elves and Santa first in white paint and pencil, before intuitively adding in colors for the Christmas scene he’s created. His own smiles spread across his face as he steps back to look at his painting, his love of the work obvious. For the past 25 years or so, Farrar has steadily grown his window painting business, from his first solo job at the old Ed’s Camera Store, then to The Bar-B-Q Shop and a Huey’s location, then to all Huey’s locations, and from there it blossomed to a year-round job all around town that allows him to pursue what he’s always wanted to: art. “That’s the only thing I know how to do, is paint,” Farrar says. He took to it naturally as a child, his high school teacher, especially, encouraging his talents. Later, when he was an adult, his neighbor, Artiek Smith, also an artist, introduced Farrar to window painting, inviting him along to job sites before Farrar embarked on his own.

FOOD By Michael Donahue

Southern Comfort David Todd will soon open his “neighborhood” restaurant Evergreen Grill.

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vergreen Grill will open in spring or earlier at 212 North Evergreen Street, the site of the old Cafe Society. Chef/owner David Todd describes Evergreen Grill as “a neighborhood bar and grill.” The fare will be “Southern cuisine comfort food.” And, he says, “It’s what I always wanted to do.” Todd, 45, who was executive chef at Longshot restaurant at Arrive Memphis hotel, as well as owner of Grub Life, a pre-ordered fully-prepared meal service, says, “I worked for a bunch of great chefs and I learned so many things from so many people.” But, he adds, “Everybody hits that point at some point in their life, where they’re doing what they’re doing and they want to continue doing it. “I figured out over the years, my strongest creative process and the place where I’m just the best at and happiest at as a chef, is understanding food; it’s about people, and food is about memories.” And one of those memories involves his mother. “My mom taught me how to cook. “I can remember being a younger cook and working with people and they’re explaining things to me or showing me this technique.” He remembers a chef showing him how to cut oranges and grapefruits into segments. But Todd’s mother made fruit segments for him and his sister when they were growing up. “The bedrock of my palate and the way I like to cook things is influenced by my mother’s cooking.” Food “belongs to everybody. It’s like this universal language.” But he says, people “filter a lot of pretense into it.” Describing Evergreen Grill’s fare, Todd says, “We really care about what we’re doing and we do it the right way, but we’re coming from that place of love, not that place of pretense. And I’m not trying to be grandiose.” There are “unlimited images” out there of what chefs are creating. “I’m not knocking that. But also, in a weird way, it can interrupt the creative process. “Sometimes I create the clearest 24 when I don’t have an image I’m trying to work towards.”

Many chefs aspire to make it big in New York and California. “So many cool things exist in all those places,” Todd says, “but as chefs we get lost in this comparative culture.” His goal? “All I’ve ever wanted to be is a Memphis chef.” And he wants the food at Evergreen Grill to reflect that. “One of the best cooks I ever met is my mother. And there’s so much technique there. So much talent there. There’s so much love in the things that she did and a lot of their mothers did. So, why don’t we highlight that?” Instead of “lofty fine dining food with foams and that kind of stuff,”

PHOTOS: (TOP) MICHAEL DONAHUE; (ABOVE) COURTESY DAVID TODD

Chef David Todd; Moroccan sticky short ribs Todd will serve “approachable food” at Evergreen Grill. He’s not using his mother’s recipes. “It’s not my mom’s cooking, but it’s leaning into that.” Todd plans to include items people might get at other places, but not the way he’s going to prepare them. Like country fried steak. “To me, there’s nothing wrong with putting love in country fried steak. But let’s get

a good cut of meat and good breading.” And, he adds, “I have no problem making one of the best cheeseburgers in town.” As well as a “killer meatloaf.” “If you want to get certain stuff now in this day and age it’s going to be premade frozen stuff,” Todd says, adding, “If it’s not of a certain tier, it’s not right to do it right and make it cool. “We separate food into all these different classes and I just think a lot of it is kind of nonsense. It’s all applicable and it all has its space.” Chefs can “put love into anything.” People will know right away his sandwiches are different. “They can tell a few bites in, ‘Oh, hold on.’ Tell them we made the jalapeño jam for that patty melt here. The pastrami I smoked here. The pickled cabbage I made here. “You can put just as much intent in a sandwich as somebody down the street would in a steak entree. And, to me, that’s a pretty cool moment.” The Evergreen Grill will include “chicken wings. Nachos. Really good sandwiches. A few salads.” There also will be “dinner plates,” including short rib plates and salmon plates. But Todd won’t be serving any of the fare associated with the old Cafe Society. “This is going to be a complete departure from Cafe Society.” As for the look of Evergreen Grill, Todd’s changes include knocking out a wall “so there would be a flow between the bar and the rest of the place.” Todd, whose partners in the restaurant are Josh Huckaby and Meredith Brocato, didn’t want a fancy name. And he didn’t want “Grille” with an “e” in the title. Restaurants come up with super kitschy and super cool names nowadays, according to Todd. His thought was, “Let’s just open a restaurant like they did back in the day. And that’s kind of what we’re doing.” Evergreen Grill will eventually be open for lunch and dinner. “We’ll open for dinner first, get our feet under us, and get the rhythm of it. And a few weeks later we’ll open for lunch.” And when Todd says it’s going to be a “neighborhood” grill, he’s being literal. “This is my neighborhood. I live three-quarters of a mile away from Evergreen Grill.”

M E TA P H Y S I C A L C O N N E C T I O N B y E m i l y G u e n t h e r

Attraction Magic

Having more self-love and self-conﬁdence can make any manifestation work you do easier … Often when we hear the word “attraction,” we think of romance. But when it comes to spell work, attraction magic can be about much more than love. Attraction magic is any work that you do to manifest something in your life, be it love, money, an opportunity, or a specific item. Attraction magic can be one of the easiest and one of the most difficult types of magic to do. To oversimplify, you can work attraction magic by simply wanting something really, really hard and focusing on having it. However, attrac-

tion magic is also easy to undo without meaning to. Many of us are good at self-sabotaging, even if we don’t mean to be. When we are working on manifesting something it can be easy for us to negate the work we have been doing with our thoughts, comments, and actions. That does not mean that we do not want what we are trying to attract. But it can mean that we feel like we are unworthy of what we are trying to manifest. If we feel like we don’t deserve something or that something is impossible for us, those insidious feelings and thoughts can subconsciously undo your attraction work. No matter how many times you burn a candle or write a petition, if you don’t believe in what you’re asking for all the way to your core, you might not get it. If you are trying to manifest a new job with spell work but then tell your friends that you probably won’t get the job, you just undid all your hard work. We all have insecurities. And most of us will likely have moments of doubt when we are trying to attract something into our lives. I don’t believe that a single occurrence will completely erase your attraction work. But if you don’t catch yourself in those moments of doubt and correct your thinking, eventually it could overwhelm your magic. Self-love work is an ongoing work that we must do in our lives. Having more self-love and self-confidence can make any manifestation work you do easier and more potent. When you genuinely love yourself and are confident in your abilities, this will be reflected in your energy and your magic. Regardless, don’t be afraid to attract and manifest the things that you want and need. Even if your self-love or confidence isn’t at an all-time high, that does not mean you do not deserve love or that

PHOTO: ELIAS MAURER | UNSPLASH

Don’t be afraid to attract and manifest the things that you want and need. you are not capable of loving someone. Just be sure to manifest someone who will help bolster those feelings in yourself. One of my favorite, tried-and-true spells for attraction is to make a list. First, decide what you need or want to attract. Then write a list of all the qualities or attributes you want or need from that thing. Be realistic about it though, and

understand that the list is a compromise. There’s not one person or job or thing that is going to be absolutely perfect, so you will not get everything on your list. As we grind our way toward Valentine’s Day, don’t get caught up in the hype of the commercial holiday. Focus on your needs and desires, and manifest it with attraction magic. Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ebruary is the month we associate the most with love and romance thanks to Valentine’s Day. Regardless of the history of Valentine’s Day — or how you feel about the holiday — it is not a bad thing to be reminded of love this time of year. We have finally settled back into our normal routines after the holidays, which could be a bit of a letdown. Taking a bit of an emotional break in mid-February to celebrate love in any of its forms can help break up the monotony. There is nothing wrong with wanting to attract love and manifest it in your life. Everyone deserves to find a loving partner if that’s what they want. Maybe this Valentine’s Day you’re not looking for romance, but instead a little more selflove. This can be a good time energetically to work on self-love as much as it is an opportune time to work on romance.

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The practice is good for more than just love.

HELP Empower Deaf Children to HELP Listen,Deaf Learn, and Talk. HELP Empower Children to Listen, Learn, and Deaf Talk. Children to Empower Listen, Learn, and Talk. HELP er Deaf Children to

NEWS OF THE WEIRD By the editors at Andrews McMeel Syndication

Learn, and Talk.

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VE A CHILD THE GIFT OF SOUND A CHILD THE GIFT OF SOUND GIVE A CHILD THE GIFT OF SOUND www.mosdkids.org

www.mosdkids.org www.mosdkids.org

GIFT OF SOUND

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Creme de la Weird The Kyiv Post reported on Dec. 13 that Russia’s security service, the FSB, has released its 2024 propaganda fundraising calendar, and it’s a doozy! The front cover features “art” of an improbably ripped Vladimir Putin giving his best sultry stare while leaning on a big, black compensator vehicle. Meanwhile, the apocalyptic November image depicts an FSB special forces soldier standing before the U.S. Capitol while drones and helicopters attack it. Is this a popular holiday gift in Russia? Who knows. The bigger question: Why does the FSB need to fundraise? [Kyiv Post, 12/13/2023] Weird Science • Gatorland in Orlando, Florida, can boast a fascinating new resident: a leucistic white alligator, born on Dec. 7, CNN reported. The female gator is believed to be one of only eight in the world and the only one born in human care. She was hatched along with a normal-colored brother of the same size (about 19 inches long). “Leucistic alligators are the rarest genetic variation in the American alligator,” the park said. They have bright blue eyes, as opposed to albino gators, which have pink eyes. The public is invited to vote on a name on the park’s social media sites. [CNN, 12/7/2023] • Scientists at Northwestern University in Chicago have created teeny-tiny VR headsets for laboratory mice, Sky News reported on Dec. 8, so that they can experience the freedom they will never have. The Miniature Rodent Stereo Illumination VR has two lenses and two screens to give the little dudes a realistic 3D picture of … aerial threats, like an owl coming in for a meal. The goggles help the mice “engage with the environment in a more natural way,” said lead scientist Daniel Dombeck. [Sky News, 12/8/2023] Crime Report In Louisville, Kentucky, a bronze statue of President Abraham Lincoln has been seated on a rock, overlooking the Ohio River, since 2009, the Louisville Courier Journal reported. But Lincoln’s top hat, which rested at his side on the rock, disappeared sometime at the beginning of December. The sculptor, Ed Hamilton, suspects the hat was stolen: “It was anchored down into that monolith rock,” he said. “I don’t know what they could have used, maybe some more manpower or some crowbars. Bring the hat back because you can’t wear

it,” he warned potential thieves. Police and park officials are investigating. [Louisville Courier Journal, 12/10/2023] Bright Idea An unnamed 22-year-old man from Taiwan was detained on Dec. 5 at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok after he was found to be transporting two Asian small-clawed otters and a prairie dog, Metro News reported. The man had the animals stuffed into three separate socks and taped into his boxer shorts; security officers became suspicious about the large bulge below the man’s waistband. They believe he purchased them at a market in the city. The animals were taken to the Wildlife Conservation Office; the smuggler was arrested. “We will catch anyone who tries to take animals on planes,” a Thai customs department spokesperson said. [Metro News, 12/8/2023] Suspicions Confirmed Cops in Genoa, Italy, were stumped by a drug-trafficking case in their city, BNN reported on Dec. 1 — that is, until they noticed a large number of bald and beardless men visiting a local barbershop. Investigators initiated surveillance and searched the shop, where they found 100 grams of cocaine, precision scales, and packaging materials. They also found hashish at the barber’s home and evidence of ongoing communication with inmates in a Genoa prison. The 55-yearold barber is awaiting sentencing at the Marassi prison. [BNN, 12/1/2023] Awesome! The Burnside Shelter in Portland, Oregon, hit the jackpot earlier in the year when workers discovered a pair of gold sneakers at the bottom of a donation bin, United Press International reported. Turns out, the Air Jordan 3 kicks were commissioned by Spike Lee for him to wear at the 2019 Academy Awards — and they’re valued at more than $10,000, according to Sotheby’s. The auction house were to donate 100 percent of the proceeds, expected to be as much as $20,000, to the Portland Rescue Mission, which operates the shelter. Bidding continued through Dec. 18. [UPI, 12/13/2023] NEWS OF THE WEIRD © 2024 Andrews McMeel Syndication. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I invite you to take an inventory of your taboos, inhibitions, and restrictions. Meditate on why you originally adopted them. Evaluate how well they have served you and whether they are still meaningful. If you find any of them have become unnecessary or even injurious, jettison them. And be excited and happy about being free of them. If you decide that some taboos, inhibitions, and restrictions are still wise for you to maintain, thank them for their service and honor the self-protection they provide. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini novelist Gregory Maguire says there are a “thousand ways people shrink from life, as if chance and change are by their nature toxic and disfiguring.” Your assignment in the coming weeks is to contradict his theory. I’m hoping you will interpret all chance and change as potentially expansive, redemptive, and interesting. You will never shrink from life, but will boldly meet challenges and embrace twists of fate as interesting opportunities. I have abundant faith in your ability to carry out this vigorous project! CANCER (June 21-July 22): You could be a masterful eliminator of toxins and wastes in the coming weeks. Do it both for yourself and for those you care about. Start by purging nonessentials that obstruct the flow of the good life. These might include defunct fantasies, mistaken understandings, apathetic attitudes, and unloving approaches. Among the other dross or dreck you could root out is any clutter that’s making familiar environments feel oppressive. By the way, fellow Cancerian, this should be fun. If it’s not, you’re doing it wrong. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): My goals right now are to inspire you in the following three ways: 1. to be full of love for your daily life; 2. to adore yourself exactly as you are; 3. to shed any numbness or bore-

dom you feel and replace them with alert aliveness. To help you in this exalted effort, I offer the inspiration of three quotes. 1. “The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson 2. “The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” — Eden Phillpotts 3. “I have the mysterious feeling of seeing for the first time something I have always known.” — Bernardo Bertolucci VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In the coming weeks, I hope you avoid sucking up to egotistical manipulators. Please also refrain from being an unappreciated beast of burden and a half-willing pawn in boring games. If you are interested in paying off karmic debts, make sure they are yours, not anyone else’s. If you plan to work hard to lay the foundation for a future liberation, get a guarantee that YOU will be one of the liberated people. PS: I’m fine with you doing unselfish things as long as they will also have selfish benefits. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): One of the great maladies affecting modern people is the atrophy of the soul. It’s related to another affliction: the apathy of the soul. A key contributor to these misfortunes is the entertainment industry. Its shallow and artificial stimuli are engineered to overfeed our egos, leaving our poor souls malnourished. Please note that I have no problem with our egos. They are an important part of our makeup and are essential for healthy functioning. But it’s a shame they hog all the glory and sustenance. Now here’s my climactic message for you, Libra: It’s high time to celebrate a holiday I call Nurture the Soul. Make it last at least three weeks. Homework: Identify three actions you will take to excite, cherish, and enhance your soul. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In myth and legend, pregnancies don’t always begin with two humans having sexual communion. The well-known story of the Virgin Mary tells us she was impregnated when the Holy Spirit, disguised as a dove, whispered in her ear. The Roman goddess Juno conceived her son Mars solely with the help of an enchanted lily flower. The Greek hero Attis germinated inside his virgin mother Nana after she placed a pomegranate in her lap. This might sound outlandish, but I foresee you having a metaphorically comparable experience. Do you believe in the possibility of being fertilized by miraculous magic or a divine spirit? Might you be dramatically awakened or inspired by a very subtle influence? I think it will happen even if you don’t believe. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian computer scientist Grace Hopper (1906–1992) wrote, “The most damaging phrase in the language is: ‘It’s always been

done that way.’” I will expand on that wisdom. The most obvious meaning is that we risk ignoring our individualized needs and suppressing our creative inspirations if we mindlessly conform to the habits of society. But it’s equally important not to mindlessly repeat our own long-standing ways of doing things. Maybe they were brilliant and appropriate in the past, but there’s no guarantee they will always be so. In conclusion, Sagittarius, I recommend you rebel against your own personal “it’s always been done that way” as well as everyone else’s. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Being in love is as desirable for you Capricorns as it is for everyone else. You may be less open and dramatic than the rest of us in expressing your yearnings, but they are still a driving force. Here’s an important point: Even if you are not constantly chattering to others about your urges to give and receive intimate care, it’s crucial that you acknowledge them to yourself. To keep your soul healthy, you must be in close touch with this core fuel. You must love your need for love. Now is an excellent time to deepen your appreciation for these truths. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I invite you to resolve old business, draw unrewarding projects to a close, and finish your lessons at the School of Tough Love. You don’t have to carry out my next proposal, but if you do, I will be glad: Politely and quietly scream, “Get out of my life” at anyone who doesn’t give you the respect and kindness you deserve. I also recommend that you do a Wrap-It-Up Ritual. Start by making an altar that pleases you with its beauty. Take scraps of paper and write on each one a description of an influence or experience you want to purge from your life. As you rip each scrap into bits, say this: “I’m grateful for what I have learned from you, but now I am leaving you behind.”

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Happiness” is an amorphous term with a different meaning for everyone. What makes me feel happy may be unlike what works for you. Besides that, any kind of perfect happiness is impossible to achieve. However we define it, we are always a mix of being happy and unhappy. Nevertheless, I invite you to ruminate about the subject in the coming days. I believe you are primed to arrive at a realistic new understanding of your personal version of happiness — and raise your happiness levels by at least 15 percent. Maybe more! Now here are helpful clues from philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: “Precisely the least thing, the gentlest, lightest thing, the rustling of a lizard, a breath, a whisk, a twinkling of the eye — what’s little makes up the quality of the best happiness. Soft!”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): It’s the fifth annual Brag Therapy Holiday — for you Aquarians only. During this celebration, we expect you — indeed we want you — to boast with panache. Tell us all in exquisite detail why you are such a marvelous creation. Explain how you have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to transform yourself into a masterpiece of intuitive intelligence. Regale us with stories of your winsome qualities, your heroic triumphs, and your hilarious and poignant adventures on the edge of reality. Make sure we understand how educational and healing it can be to bask in your influence. Show us why we should regard you as a role model.

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Intolerance Ava DuVernay asks big questions about race, humanity, and hatred in Origin.

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n 1915, D.W. Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation revolutionized film. It became the first big crowd-pleasing blockbuster by basically inventing the modern chase scene. Covering the Civil War and Reconstruction in its epic three-hour length (it was also the longest American film to date), the adaptation of Thomas Dixon’s The Clansman is horrifically racist in its depiction of Black Southerners and glorification of white supremacy and the Ku Klux Klan. Even as the film was raking in the dough at the box office, its blatant racism was called out by everyone from the NAACP to The New Republic. Griffith responded to his critics with his next film. Intolerance was another three-hour epic which pushed at the boundaries of the form — this time by crosscutting between four stories from four different time periods, each about a different historical tragedy brought about by hate. Griffith’s response to his critics was not so much an apology as an observation: “Everybody hates for different reasons.” It is ironic that, more than a century later, director Ava DuVernay would use the same technique as Griffith in a film that tries to place the American experience of racism into the larger context of world history and anthropology. In Origin, she weaves together stories from contemporary America, the Jim Crow South, Nazi Germany, and colonial India, trying to find the commonalities. These stories are recounted in the 2020 book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson; the film is the dramatized story of the writing of the book. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stars as Wilkerson, who became the first Black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1993. (In more Griffith-related irony, EllisTaylor also starred in Nate Parker’s 2016

film about the Nat Turner slave rebellion, The Birth of a Nation.) When we meet Isabel, she’s trying to find her mother (Emily Yancy) an assisted-living facility and figure out what to do with the house she grew up in. Her husband Brett (Jon Bernthal) is a great help to her, even as they navigate the tricky social ins and outs of an interracial marriage. Meanwhile, the editor of The New York Times opinion page (Blair Underwood) is trying to get her to write about the Trayvon Martin killing, which was then fresh in the headlines. When her husband dies suddenly, Isabel deals with her grief by throwing herself into a new book, which neither she nor her agents or editors really understand. Wilkerson’s book was a huge bestseller in the wake of the Black Lives Matter summer and seriously engaged with scholarship studying oppression around the world. It identifies eight “pillars of caste,” including the belief that

the oppressive social order is the will of god and that the upper castes are “pure” and must be protected from contamination by the impure lower castes. The problem DuVernay has as a filmmaker is that her subject is nonfiction, and heavy with sociological theory. Her solution is to smuggle the ideas in through Isabel’s personal melodrama like a science-fiction writer smuggles ideas with spaceships and lasers. We learn the history of liberationist Dr. B. R. Ambedkar by traveling to India with the writer and visiting his museum, for example. It doesn’t always work. At times, I felt like Caste would have been better served with a documentary series that explored each of the pillars in turn. In the last third of Origin, Isabel breaks out the whiteboard to help explain her theories, and we sit in on documentary-style interviews with both scholars and ordinary people. Four-time Tony winner Audra

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McDonald shines in one interview as a Black woman whose father named her “Miss” so white people would be forced to use a term of respect. These are the film’s most compelling and memorable moments. Even with the attempts to make its message more palatable, Origin does not shy away from the big picture. The script even engages with the biggest critique of Caste when a German Marxist (Connie Nelson) points out that the origin of American racism was in service of capitalist exploitation of free labor, while Nazis sought to completely exterminate their out-caste group, the Jews of Europe. Wilkerson and DuVernay argue that even though people might think their hate is unique, in the end, it all looks the same. Origin Now playing Multiple locations

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N O W P L AY I N G B y C h r i s M c C o y Our critic picks the best films in theaters. The ’Vous This Indie Memphis-winning documentary takes you inside the most famous barbecue restaurant in the world, Memphis’ own Rendezvous. It’s a story of a family business struggling with change, proud working-class heroes struggling for dignity, and a younger generation trying to make sense of it all. This exclusive engagement is held over for a second week. The Zone of Interest Under The Skin director Jonathan Glazer adapts Martin Amis in this Best Picture nominee. Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) build their idea of a perfect family life with their five children. But Höss’ day job as the

commander of the Nazi Auschwitz death camp intrudes on their domestic bliss.

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Argylle You’ve probably seen the trailer for this Matthew Vaughn film which repackages Romancing The Stone for the Kingsman crowd. Bryce Dallas Howard stars as Elly, a reclusive novelist whose spy capers unexpectedly come to life in the body of super himbo Henry Cavill. Sams Rockwell and L. Jackson also star, along with Dua Lipa. The cat’s named Chip. Just don’t show me that trailer anymore, okay?

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SENIOR HRIS ANALYST needed at Terminix International Company, L.P. in Memphis,TN. Must have bach in Computer Science or related & 3 yrs’ exp in HRIS, including: Translating business requirements & user needs into operational requirements, collecting, organizing, analyzing & disseminating signiﬁcant amounts of highly conﬁdential data, building algorithms to analyze big data & provide insights for recruitments & retention strategies, performance, & employee engagement, creating dashboards and reports for interactive data visualizations to help stakeholders understand HR data, organizing & converting Data related problems into Mathematical representation & using appropriate methodology for data analysis based on the data sets using Python, R, SQL Languages, developing & implementing data security & privacy

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Snow Days, Losers, and Food!

THE LAST WORD

It’s time for another tween/teen-friendly Memphis weekend! My kids are 15, 12, 12, (happy belated b-day, twins), and 10 years old. Unfortunately, this particular weekend landed on the Memphis Snowmageddon! So we went nowhere. But that doesn’t mean we did nothing! Monday — Everything was covered in snow. It was MLK Day and I had planned on doing nothing anyway. I had stopped by High Point Grocery a few days before and picked up some items. (Hubby stopped by a store, too … a liquor store.) In other words, we had everything we needed. As I rolled over to go back to sleep, I heard a noise in the kitchen. First thought, “What could anyone possibly require from the kitchen at this hour?” Second, “I wonder how much those cabinets cost that close really slowly to prevent slamming them?” After listening to the cacophony that comes PHOTOS: PATRICIA LOCKHART with someone cooking in — and destroying — the kitchen, a soft knock rapped at my Snowmageddon meant plenty of time for breakfast in bed and a door. My oldest child fixed me breakfast in bed! Hot Cream of Wheat topped with competitive bowling session on Nintendo Switch Sports. baked apples. We piddled around as we waited for MSCS to announce schools were closed. When they did, my hubby reminded the kids that they still had to brush their teeth and take baths. Tuesday — When my kids are at school, I never hear tales of them starving. So can someone explain to me how at 10 a.m. we had to have a family meeting about the rationing of food? First, we took inventory of what we had on hand. Then we brainstormed and created a menu of lunch and dinner dishes. Lastly, we laid down the law! Under no circumstance could these crumb-snatchers eat anything that was needed for lunch or dinner. If they got hungry, they could eat a PB&J sandwich, ramen, or canned tomato soup. After spending a good chunk of the day doing work from home, I felt it would be nice to whoop the kids in a game of Monopoly. (I’d won the last two games!) We only had plain tortilla chips for a snack since they ate everything else. The game lasted four hours and I did not win. The last hour was brutal. I endured all sorts of verbal jabs from my oldest, who showed me no mercy. Upon bankrupting, I assigned him the chore of putting everything up neatly. I poured myself a glass of wine to lick my wounds only to be reminded by my daughter that I was supposed to have a “Dry January.” I stared at her in defiance as I drank straight from the bottle. Wednesday — I woke up late to the smell of something burning. Irritated, I snuggled deeper into the covers. I know what you’re thinking, “You didn’t go see what was burning?” Absolutely NOT! Burnt food falls solidly in the categories of “None of My Business” and “I’m Not Eating It.” So you can imagine my surprise when hubby walks in with a plate of pancakes and coffee. I prepped my “I’m too old to be eating nasty food, even if my kids made it” speech, but was greeted with two perfect chocolate chip pancakes. Later, I announced I was making chicken and dumplings for dinner. To be fair, I did Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe to decide who would be my sous-chef. I began, “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe … ” Before I could finish, one of the twins HOLLERS and then calmly walks away. I was confused. Then the penny dropped. “If he hollers, let him go.” So I had to let him go and choose from the remaining kids. That was never the rule when I was growing up, but it makes sense. As I plated the dumplings, I called the kids down for dinner. They stared at their bowls, back at me, and back to their bowls. Twin #2 asked, “Where are the chicken dumplings?” Befuddled, I pointed to his bowl. He replied, “No, I thought you were making chicken dumplings like the ones at a Chinese restaurant.” While they devoured the meal, I told them the history of Southern chicken and dumplings and Black cuisine. Later we played “Uno No Mercy.” I lost that game, too. Thursday — I opened my eyes to hubby placing a cup of coffee on my nightstand. I had to make my own breakfast, so I headed to the kitchen. I was greeted by my oldest son with a hug and a request. Can I teach him how to make French toast? Of course! We served up some French toast, and he topped it with his homemade whipped cream and baked apples. I balanced my day with work, video games, and reading. Everything was going swell until we ran out of dishwasher detergent. It’s now every person and dish for themselves. New rule: If you mess up a dish, you must wash it by hand! We are also dangerously low on eggs and butter. But not low on deodorant, which the boys seem to think is not a necessity. We played the Exploding Cats card game. I lost that game, too. My Dry January has officially changed to a Damp January. Friday — My sleep cycle is all off. I woke up at 5 a.m., read in bed, went back to sleep, and finally woke up for good at 11 a.m. I was not greeted with breakfast in bed or hot coffee. I was served a nice Memphis-style “roasting” for sleeping so late. Since my clapbacks are infamously lame, I kept my mouth closed. We spent the afternoon playing Nintendo Switch Sports. I did okay in bowling and golf. Not good enough to call it winning, but I’m proud of myself regardless. My oldest asked if I could teach him how to make chocolate chip cookies, so I busted out my recipe book and baked a batch with him. I am thankful for my tweens/teens. Because snow days with little children are not for the faint of heart. Patricia Lockhart is a native Memphian who loves to read, write, cook, and eat. Her days are filled with laughter with her four kids and charming husband. By day, she’s a school librarian and writer, but by night … she’s asleep. @realworkwife @memphisismyboyfriend

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A week spent stuck at home with tweens is not for the faint of heart.

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