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CONTENTS
March 2017
58
FEATURES
OUT & ABOUT
53
32 | Allie Awards
GOING ALL-NATURAL
Exploring the arts, culture and scenic beauty of Arkansas
58
TRAVELING IN STYLE
From dresses to denim and slacks to sneakers, mapping out the perfect wardrobe has never been easier
68
ALL ALONG THE RIVERSIDE
From Big River Crossing to the Delta Heritage Trail, it’s never been a better time to cycle across the South
34 | Byhalia Area Chamber of
Commerce Annual Awards Luncheon Appreciation Day
36 | Pure Barre Grand Opening 38 | Repticon 40 | AWA Banquet 42 | Cherokee Valley Golf Scramble 44 | FCA Breakfast 46 | Racquet Club Pickup Party 48 | 28th Annual Soup Sunday Photo by Yen Studios
myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 5
13
CONTENTS March 2017
•
Volume 11
No. 3
DEPARTMENTS 13 | INTERVIEW A Delta Bohemian Rhapsody On the road with Clarksdale’s coolest couple, “Chilly” Billy and Madge Howell, the Delta Bohemians
16 | MUSIC Sound Stew Dead Soldiers to release second album, The Great Emptiness
18 | PEOPLE Hot Spots and Hidden Gems Discovering the Bluff City with Samantha Crespo, author of 100 Things to Do in Memphis Before You Die
20
20 | FOOD From California with Love Memphis’ latest sushi chef rolls out creative cuisine in newly-opened Midtown Memphis digs
24 | BOOK The Best American Travel Writing 2016 Rediscover the joy of travel with this insightful collection featuring writings 27 | RECIPE A Chef Abroad A pair of delicious recipes for the international appetite 73 | ENTERTAINING Islands Away Seeking a new spin on your typical beach vacation? Look no further than the picturesque American Paradise of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
78 | THE POUR Watermelon-Basil Mezcal Margarita This perfectly balanced margarita mixes sweet and tangy with just the right amount of Mezcal smoke
IN EVERY ISSUE 8 | Editor’s Letter 10 | Contributors 50 | Calendar 80 | See & Do
6 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
73
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CASEY HILDER
editor’s letter
Get Lost In David Foster Wallace’s 1996 short story, A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again, the author begins his sardonic documentation of a seven-night cruise with all the enthusiasm of a recently paroled convict: “I have now seen sucrose beaches and water a very bright blue. I have seen an all-red leisure suit with flared lapels. I have smelled suntan lotion spread over 2,100 pounds of hot flesh. I have been addressed as ‘Mon’ in three different nations. I have seen 500 upscale Americans dance the Electric Slide. I have seen sunsets that looked computer-enhanced. I have (very briefly) joined a conga line.” Whether he intended it or not, Wallace’s bit of creative nonfiction serves as a cautionary tale against the mundane, manufactured aspects of tourism and travel. There’s nothing wrong with a little pre-planned fun, but the best moments on the road are the spontaneous, serendipitous occurrences that no sane person would include in a schedule. Believe it or not, getting lost is my favorite part of seeing new places. This month’s issue of Click magazine is all about hitting the road, Jack. From the food to the fashion to the rarely-seen hidden gems of nearby places, it’s all about spicing up your life with the unfamiliar. And few Southern folk know about the spice of life like the pair in this month’s featured interview, Billy and Madge Howell. This cool couple welcomes travelers from the world over to Clarksdale, Mississippi, for a taste of blues, barbecue and local history. See their interview on page 13. In addition, we’ve got an extensive travel fashion feature photographed by Madison Yen and styled by the wonderful Mary Conley (page 58). One of the best parts of any vacation is trying all sorts of new and interesting foods. We’ve got you covered this month, three-fold, with a pair of internationally-inspired recipes from Click chef Andrea LeTard (page 27) and an exclusive interview with up-and-coming sushi artist, Jimmy Sinh (page 20). Other exciting features include a far-flung getaway to the Virgin Islands with Click entertaining expert Michelle Hope (page 73), a review of the Dead Soldiers’ latest musical offering (page 16), and your guide to an in-depth Arkansas road trip (page 58). So, from all of us to all of you: take a vacation, you deserve it. Happy Trails,
Casey Hilder
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myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 9
contributors
March 2017
Tess Catlett
Mike Lee
Click’s social calendar for this month was compiled by Tess Catlett. A Southaven native and recent graduate of University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, Catlett is a former intern for Click. An avid and tenacious writer, Catlett has been featured in various publications including Vox Magazine, The Columbia Missourian and The DeSoto TimesTribune. When not writing, Catlett enjoys binge watching underrated TV dramas.
Event photos in this issue were captured by Click photographer Mike Lee. Mike started in news in 1971 as a TV writer, photographer, and art director. For 20 years, his work appeared on national and international television broadcasts, and was published in print media worldwide.
Doug Gillon A graduate of the University of Missouri and native Memphian, Doug Gillon is a freelance writer whose ten-year career includes writing on everything from sports to music to food to Internet comedy. In 2009 Gillon founded his own branding firm, GillonCreative, which specializes in branding, public relations, social media promotions, web and SEO advertising, among other things. In addition to making fantastic promotional creative work, Doug enjoys playing guitar, writing about sports, and continuing his education.
Shana Raley Lusk
Madison Yen
A lifelong reader and writer, Shana Raley-Lusk is a freelance writer and book reviewer with a focus on Southern literature. A native of East Tennessee, Lusk holds an English degree with a concentration in literature from the UT Knoxville and her work has appeared in a number of publications including At Home Tennessee magazine, The Knoxville News Sentinel and various others. This month, Lusk reviews
This month’s cover and fashion spread were photographed by Madison Yen of Yen Studios and Maddie Moree. Madison specializes in wedding and engagement photography as well as professional headshots. In her spare time, she is a merchandiser for Chloe + Isabel Jewelry and consults small businesses to ramp up their marketing and sales. Her work can be viewed at maddiemoree.com and chloeandisabel.com/boutique/madisonyen.
Michelle Hope & Jamie Newsom Owners and lead designers of Social Butterflies, LLC, Hope and Newsom have a combined 20 years of experience in the wedding and special events industry. This month, Hope explores the beauty of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.. Together, Hope and Newsom have planned numerous notable events, including celebrity weddings, charity galas and Super Sweet 16s for the hit MTV show.
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ARTS, CULTURE & PERSONALITIES
UP FRONT
A Delta Bohemian Rhapsody On the road with Clarksdale’s coolest couple, “Chilly” Billy and Madge Howell, the Delta Bohemians Interview & photo by CASEY HILDER
MUSIC p.16 | PEOPLE p.18 | FOOD p.20 | BOOKS p.24 | RECIPE p.27 myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 13
up front
people
CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI, IS THE STUFF OF LEGENDS. FROM bluesman Robert Johnson’s Faustian bargain at the Crossroads in the ‘30s to the modern-day river-riding exploits of John Ruskey and the Quapaw Canoe Company, there’s something about the not-so-sleepy Coahoma County city that lures the creatives, the eccentrics and the entrepreneurs. Billy and Madge Howell serve as equal parts historians and tour guides for the myriad of visitors who come to Clarksdale seeking food, fun and a little bit of Delta hospitality. The couple’s joint venture combines a blog, tourism service and two bed-and-breakfasts all — under the banner of their shared nicknames about town: The Delta Bohemians. Click Magazine: How did you guys get started? Billy Howell: We’re both originally from Clarksdale. I stayed out West for about 25 years after getting my theology degree and swore I’d never come back, but sometimes life grinds on you and coming home doesn’t sound like such a bad deal. That was nine years ago. When I came back I met my current wife, who grew up just a county over. CM: What was it like coming back home to Clarksdale? Madge Howell: Clarksdale is my home. I’m a Delta girl with roots and family here, but I’ve lived in a lots of other places. Like Billy, I spent lots of time living in different places around the country. I’ve gone to lots of extremes in my life, but at the end of the day, I’m a Delta girl. BH: It was like the elephant’s graveyard. I had changed career fields every few years and the last thing I did before this was teach. Now, I manage the Clark House and the Delta Bohemian Guest House, as well as give tours. CM: Can you share a little about the Clark House? BH: John Clark was a 16-17 year-old kid whose dad was a real prominent architect in England. In 1839, he took a consignment to renovate a post office in New Orleans. The father promptly caught yellow fever and died, and the son ended up heading north to what is now presentday Clarksdale. He cleared about 101 acres in what is now downtown after figuring his way around the lumber monopolies that controlled the land around the Mississippi River. In 1859, he began construction on this home without slave labor and finished after the Civil War, which technically makes it an Antebellum home. 14 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
CM: What are your duties as the manager of these inns? BH: Clarksdale doesn’t have a singular boutique hotel, but we have a lot of really eclectic places to stay overnight. This is technically not a bed and breakfast because we don’t serve a hot breakfast in the morning, like most places in the city. I serve a continental breakfast, check in folks, all that stuff. But, basically what the Clark House offers as far as a distinctive product is the oldest house in Clarksdale, pretty clutter-free, clean, and full of history. And hopefully I make a difference acclimating guests and guiding them around. CM: How did you start giving tours? BH: The Clark House management gig really seemed to dovetail pretty well into the tourism business. I’m always looking for extra cash, I have a bunch of kids to pay for! Madge really helped facilitate me doing the tourism stuff and I found it really easy to connect with some of the people. I used to do it for free until I realized it could be a viable business. I’ve come to realize that connecting with people down here on a relational basis really makes their stay more memorable. MH: We produced a documentary on Clarksdale for the site. It was a very spontaneous, quirky thing that drew a lot of attention. I shot it on a little Lumix camera in a day. We’re not documentarians or videographers, but so many people have mentioned it on their visit.
CM: What is the average Delta Bohemian tour like? BH: It’s a customizable experience. I’ve gone from an hour or two up to 14 hours for those who really fall in love with the city. A normal tour starts with a history of Downtown Clarksdale, we sweep through the Tennessee Williams district, show off a few scenes where The Help was filmed, check out a few eclectic overnight stays and, of course, we hit every live music place in town. Our calling card here in Clarksdale is “A town of 17,000 with live music every night,” so that’s a must. I usually take them by Cathead Blues Store, Red’s Blues Club and John Ruskey’s place if he’s out. We take a look at the Riverside Hotel, the Shack-Up Inn, Muddy Water’s Stovall Plantation and a little more. That can be about a three-hour tour. But the main thing with these is that they’re relational. I don’t claim to be an expert in anything, but I know just enough combined with enough hyperbole to spark some interest. CM: Where did the name “Delta Bohemians” come from? MH: Billy and I were getting married here in Clark House and it was a lively, eclectic wedding. There was live local musicians and we surprised everyone with a pirate theme. BH: A very reverent pirate theme. We had a priest and everything, but he was wearing an eyepatch during the ceremony. MH: People already knew we marched to the beat of our own drum. And one night not too long after we were married, Billy tells me he has two words ringing in his head: “Delta” and “Bohemian”. So we have these words kind of bouncing around, figuring out what to do with them. A website, maybe? We came up with some taglines — quirky, upbeat, literary — things like that. So we launched a website called The Delta Bohemian in 2011 featuring our own unique brand of content. Local articles, musings, photos, and that sort of thing. I remember being in a meeting with John Ruskey and I remember him saying “You know, a good blog can be a pretty powerful thing.” John doesn’t say much, so what he does say usually sticks with you. BH: Our tagline is “celebrating the constancy and diversity of the Mississippi Delta” and as a guy who studies a history, I know the Delta is rife with duality, paradoxes and irony. Delta Bohemian is as redundant as it is oxymoronic. That’s what we’re tapping into here.
BILLY & MADGE HOWELL’S 10 RULES FOR THE JUKE JOINT 1 BE YOURSELF AND GIVE OTHERS THE FREEDOM TO BE THEMSELVES! Lighten’ up and get loose. Your infectious, free spirit will likely make others more festive. 2 CHECK OUT SOUNDS AROUND TOWN IN CLARKSDALE. Roger Stolle of Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art releases this listing of events going on in Clarksdale from Thursday-Wednesday and changes weekly. 3 TALK TO FOLKS next to you, they are probably from some really cool place and are likely desirous to make connections also. Many have met lifelong friends from sitting or standing next to someone in a juke joint. 4 DANCE when and where you want to, and don’t get pissed off if someone is dancing in front of you! It’s a juke joint, not a performance venue! Musicians feed off our love and dancing makes blues performers happy and a happy musician makes for a happy reveler, and the beat goes on… 5 TIP the musicians, bartender, waiter, server, etc., but feel no obligation to buy anybody’s CD (unless you want to) or to tip some fool who dances one number “just for you” and then asks for a tip. Just say, “I don’t think so, Dude,” and go on ‘bout yo business! 6 DON’T VIDEOTAPE WITHOUT PERMISSION and don’t be obnoxious with a smart phone or camera. If taking a quick pic, turn the backlight on the smart phone down as low as possible, as the light often irritates the hell out of folks. If you are not sure of what’s cool, just ask somebody, they might know. 7 DON’T WHIP OUT YOUR HARMONICA and get to thinkin’ you’re bein’ a blessin’ to folks, unless you have permission from the performer and or the house to do so! PERIOD! Unless it is open mic or jam night somewhere, then it’s cool! 8 BLUES MUSICIANS MIGHT NEED TO TAKE CARE OF SOME “BIDNESS”, so don’t monopolize their time by telling them about your latest venture. Definitely speak to them, buy their product, but just be sensitive if they look like they need the break. 9 TAKE A TOUR prior to enjoying the nightlife, which oftentimes includes serendipitous encounters with local characters, acclimating you to the juke joint scene providing a more thorough knowledge of the history and environmental factors informing the blues. 10 TELL FOLKS ABOUT CLARKSDALE It matters!
myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 15
up front
music
Sound Stew Dead Soldiers to release second album, The Great Emptiness Story by RUSS THOMPSON
THE BAND, DEAD SOLDIERS,
deliver a rich musical stew that draws on several American roots influences including rock, country, bluegrass, soul, and blues. Since 2011, the band has been playing energetic live shows and making high-quality recordings.. On March 31, they will release their highly anticipated second album, The Great Emptiness on American Grapefruit Records. The new album was recorded at Memphis’s own High Low Studios with the help of talented producers, Toby Vest and Pete Matthews. “The biggest difference this time around was that Toby worked with us a lot on pre-production, so we really had a game plan going into the studio,” Jasud remarked about the recording of the new album. So far, they have released a fulllength debut, 2013’s All the Things You Lose and an EP, 2015’s High Anxiety. According to Jasud recording, usually involves a pound 16 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
of coffee and a lot of anxiety. Drums, bass, and electric guitar are usually recorded first, and vocals and acoustic are laid down later. “After the recording, I listen back to my parts, and usually have another anxiety attack, question every decision I’ve made leading up to this point in my life, apologize to everyone around me for ruining everything, and a week or two later, boom. You’ve got yourself a record.” The band members’ musical talents and backgrounds are just as diverse as their roots influences. Several of them have collaborated with one another before. Michael Jasud takes on most of the lead vocal duties and guitar. Previously, Jasud played in the bands Cremains and Galaxicon. Dead Soldier’s vocals harmonize perfectly with Jasud, Benjamin Aviotti, Krista Wooten-Combest, and Clay Qualls sharing the effort. WootenCombest, who honed her musical chops play-
ing with Amy Lavere, Yazoo Shakes, and the Memphis Dolls, plays masterful violin and keyboards. Aviotti complements the performances with guitar and banjo. He also has experience playing with Lavere and the Memphis Dawls in addition to bands My Surrender, Serapis, The Unbeheld, and others. Qualls and Raad laid down the smooth and effortless mandolin and bass. Raab also lent his talents with guitar and keyboard. Qualls once played with Cremains alongside Jasud. Raab played with a diverse list of bands including Grandma, Purist, and with Aviotti in the Unbeheld. Paul Gillian’s drumming takes on its own life, complementing the various moods. He’s played in a wide variety of projects including the Memphis Dawls, Rushmore, Galaxicon, and Clay Otis. The horns provided by Victor Sawyer (trombone) and NaShon Benford (trumpet) are an essential piece of the musical puzzle.
Dead Soldiers’ one-of-a-kind sound is a unique blend of dance and dirge. Many of their songs begin with soft strumming only to rise to a raucous, danceable chorus that brings to mind the spirit of the Pogues or Gogol Bordello. “I like to think of songs as pieces of furniture, like cabinets. Hopefully each one is better than the next. If you build a really solid set, people will use them for a long time. The big difference being that in average, being a cabinetmaker is probably a lot more profitable,” Jasud says with regards to writing the songs for the new album. Michael Jasud’s melodic voice changes along with the music, often transforming into a rousing growl. The band’s aim is to build upon the melting pot of influences at the heart of the Mid South’s musical heritage. They also want to expose the seedy underbelly of the Jim Crow south through their lyrics, like the ones on the new track, “Old Time Religion,” where Jasud sings “I’ll cast the first stone, the second and the third one too. I’ll cast as many as it takes to cast the devil out of you.” The new album combines technical clarity with the energy of their live show. The musicians indulge in several styles including bluegrass, rock and country, sometimes all within the same song. They open with an exercise in inspired resignation with “When I Die.” The lyrics, “Everything I was is now gone, all that is left is flesh and bone” may have a depressing feel, but set to Dead Soldier’s musicality it comes off as inspirational, as acoustic fingerpicking gives way to electric guitar and violin, complementing and harmonizing with each other. Standout “Teddy Bears” captures the mood swings that Dead Soldiers are known for, as brooding electric guitar gives way to a huge chorus of vocals, guitars and trumpets. The lyrics capture the mood of a typical street in inner-city Memphis: “Why are there so many teddy bears hanging on those hard luck telephone poles? The same reason this whole city’s doing life without parole.” The slow country dirge of “Old Time Religion” changes the mood again, taking on religious hypocrisy. The piano and horn accompaniment of “A Love Song” bring to mind the song “Ophelia” by the Band. The song is a rumination that reminds us that nothing easy is worthwhile, even in matters of the heart. “Georgia Tann” and “Smartest Man in the World” are gorgeous country-tinged ballads. The Great Emptiness will become available March 31 on American Grapefruit Records. myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 17
up front
people
Hot Spots and Hidden Gems Discovering the Bluff City with Samantha Crespo, author of 100 Things to Do in Memphis Before You Die Story by MICHAEL WARD
GRACELAND, THE RENDEZVOUS, BEALE STREET AND BASS PRO — all destination locations for visitors to Memphis. Through her book, 100 Things to Do in Memphis Before You Die, Samantha Crespo seeks to highlight that for every Memphis Zoo, there’s a St. Blues Guitar Workshop waiting to be discovered. A native of Tampa, Fla., Crespo and her family moved to Memphis in 2010 when her husband’s job with Medtronic brought them to the city. With her came both an interest and experience in travel and tourism, having worked as a managing editor and freelance writer for a publishing company in her home state that focused on the topics. She became intimately familiar with West Tennessee while working on the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development’s Tennessee Vacation Guide and as a blogger for the Department’s website. “That really got (my family) out and about all over,” she says. “That was really my crash course.” Having also worked on the annual visitors guide for the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Crespo was more than prepared to tackle the book project when she was approached about it in 2013.
“MY FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND ANY DAY IS TO GRAB MY BIKE AND RIDE THROUGH OVERTON PARK TO BROAD AVENUE”
18 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
“I did not think about doing it, honestly, until the publisher called me and asked me,” she says, adding her condition for doing the book was to not only have it function as a travel guide, but to feature things for her neighbors and native Memphians. “Early on, I decided… I was going to write (the book) as much for locals as visitors,” Crespo says of her approach to writing 100 Things to Do in Memphis. Reedy Press published the first edition of the book in May 2014. “The first edition almost put itself together,” she recalls, noting the benefits of having covered Memphis and other areas of West Tennessee previously. While getting the big places and attractions into the book was a must, Crespo wanted to look at some of them from different angles, such as cheaper ways to experience some of Memphis’ most iconic locations. “There are different ways you can do (these things) than the obvious ways,” she says, adding “getting the obvious in there, then peeling back the layers,” was a goal. Though she was able to preview things such as the expansion of Shelby Farms and both the Blues Hall of Fame and Memphis Music Hall of Fame in the first edition of 100 Things to Do in Memphis, a second edition, released last year, allowed Crespo to revisit those and add additional content. “It was really cool to go back to those spots,” she says. The second edition also allowed her to highlight things such as the growth of Overton Square, South Main and Broad Avenue, and get around to things she had never done — like taking in a sermon from Rev. Al Green at Full Gospel Tabernacle. Crespo says the fact that very little old information needed to be updated in the second edition speaks to both the staying power of local businesses in Memphis and to the culture of the city. Though she’s seen and done so much in Memphis, Crespo says revisiting places like Overton Park for inspiration is always nice. Whether checking out a new exhibit at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, a concert at the Levitt Shell or visiting the park in different seasons, Crespo notes Overton Park “has its own ways of being different every time you visit.” When it comes to her own ideal day in Memphis, Crespo likes to keep it simple. “My favorite way to spend any day is to grab my bike and ride through Overton Park to Broad Avenue,” to shop at the Five in One Social Club on Broad and check out local art
on the street. “It’s always a fun experience.” As for future books, Crespo says she’s game. “I would absolutely keep going with the series,” she notes. “I look forward to doing another edition. It is nice to think that, in another edition … [I can] focus solely on those off-the-beaten-path attractions. You can always dig deeper and find more.”
SIX UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN MEMPHIS BEFORE YOU DIE Courtesy of Samantha Crespo
1 Practice yoga in an unconventional spot, including the Brooks Museum of Art and High Cotton Brewing Co. 2 Experience sonic massage in the superlative gong chamber of Memphis Drum Shop. 3 Float the chill side of the Wolf River with Ghost River Rentals. 4 Tour Pyramid Vodka for a taste of award-winning spirits distilled with outstanding Memphis aquifer water. 5 Stop into Lafayette’s Music Room on a Monday night to catch John Paul Keith in residence (you never know who’ll show up on stage with him). 6 Do Felicia Suzanne’s on any budget. Book Friday lunch with friends to enjoy 25-cent martinis in the courtyard, or reserve her kitchen table for a specialoccasion dinner.
myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 19
up front
food
From California with Love Memphis’ latest sushi chef rolls out creative cuisine in newly-opened Midtown Memphis digs Story by DOUG GILLON | Photos by CASEY HILDER
20 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
JIMMY SINH KNOWS WHAT SUSHI TASTES LIKE. Sinh, the 27-year-old owner and operator of Sushi Jimmi, a two-year old food truck business soon opening its first brick and mortar location, doesn’t need to smell a roll, take a look at it or put any of it in his mouth. If he knows what’s in it, he knows the taste. “I think that comes from growing up with my mom,” Sinh says. “She used to feed me things and ask me what was in it or what was not in it, then I’d guess and she would tell me what I got right.” He’s Beethoven of the battera, using knowledge and experience to compose new sushi rolls and fusion flavor combinations that have most of Memphis clamoring to eat raw fish from a truck. It’s a strange thing to have sushi — food’s most elegant art form — being ordered, prepared and handed out the window of a truck in nondescript to-go packaging. But under the squeak of styrofoam tabs from a Sushi Jimmi order lies a remarkable visual and gustatory presentation that looks as if it came straight from an influencer’s Instagram page. “It’s important for the food to look good,” Sinh says. “I like the art of it.” This past Februrary, Sinh brought the art of Valentine’s Day to Sushi Jimmi customers, offering a special “Valentine’s Roll” of rice, seaweed, snowcrab mix and avocado rolls shaped into half-hearts and draped with thick, fresh red tuna slices. The half hearts were laid flat to make whole hearts, and topped with a dab of Sriracha sauce and sprinkled with fish eggs. “It looks good for the cameras and it’s fun to make,” Sinh says. “But the most important is the taste.” Sinh’s signature rolls take both into account. Towering, two-to-three
inch high titans of taste and flavor, Jimmy’s signature rolls, like the Batman or the Shaggy Dog, easily feed one person while combining ten or more flavors into the experience. The Los Angeles, or “L.A.” roll, clocks in at 12 ingredients (not including rice and seaweed) and is matched only by the “Godzilla” fried roll for sheer variety. The LA’s impressive combination is able to include sweet, spicy, sticky, crunchy and even a little bit of gooey into each section, and, amazingly, the gigantic roll maintains its shape while being eaten. It’s almost as if the roll’s supernatural cooperation of flavors extends to its physical makeup. Jimmi invented the LA years ago while working at Red Fish, and brought it with him everywhere he went since. It only recently got a name. “I named it the L.A. because it reminded me of where I grew up,” Sinh says. “In [Los Angeles] you would have all kinds of cultures and people and food, Hispanic, Asian, African American, Indian, and they were all in the same place and all mixing together.” Sinh grew up in California, one of six children born to parents who immigrated to the United States from Vietnam. “We used to be famers, and fishermen too,” Sinh says. “We know what makes a good fish, and what makes a fresh vegetable.” Sinh’s family moved to Memphis during his teenage years, but the influence of Los Angeles never waned. Sinh took this with him through ten years of restaurant jobs at places like Benihana, Nagasaki, Wasabi and Red Fish. Sinh learned his craft and quickly gained a reputation as one of the best and most inventive sushi chefs in the bluff city. myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 21
“IT’S IMPORTANT FOR THE FOOD TO LOOK GOOD, I LIKE THE ART OF IT.”
In 2015, Sinh, along with his family, introduced his food truck to Memphis — and sold out of suhi in about 90 minutes. “One of the problems that day was we didn’t have enough rice,” Sinh says. “So we couldn’t make the rolls, so that’s kind of how we started with the crawfish nachos.” Spicy Crawfish Nachos are one of Sushi Jimmi’s fusion staples, part of a menu that regularly includes Japanese Tacos, Kimchi Fries and, on occasion, the Seoul Dog - a hot dog with Kimichi and Pico de Gallo. These, of course are separate from the six-variety Sushi Burrito portion of the menu. “Fusion is when you take two or three things that are very different and you combine them together, to make something new,” Sinh says. Sinh’s family cooking background, his sushi-sense of taste combinations, and his natural propensity for innovation, has enabled his truck to succeed past the first day. Social media accounts, Twitter and Facebook, allowed Sinh and his crew to let Memphis know where they would be everyday, and what they would be serving. “Most people don’t even need a website anymore,” Sinh says, “when you can get all this stuff on social media for free.” This roving, socially powered business grew for two years, earning Sinh a place in the Memphis Flyer’s 20>30 list, and saw him named Thrillist’s Memphis Chef of the Year for 2016. Now, Sushi Jimmi, while still operating the food truck, will open his first brick and mortar location at an old Wendy’s in east Memphis, on Poplar Ave. near the main Library. The restaurant is “a month or two away” from opening, by Sinh’s estimation, and will include a sushi bar, a sake bar, and much of the same fusion and sushi menu Memphis has fallen in love with. Big, photo-ready rolls filling up full sheets of seaweed, not the half-sheets most places use, and on plates this time. Plates at tables with customers whom Jimmy can politely ask if “everything is tasting alright,” Even though he already knows. 22 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
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up front
books
The Best American Travel Writing 2016 Rediscover the joy of travel with this insightful collection featuring writings Review by SHANA RALEY-LUSK
EDITED BY BEST-SELLING AUTHOR BILL BRYSON, The Best American Travel Writing 2016 seeks to answer the everlingering question of why we seek to travel through the lens of various contributors and their fascinating adventures all over the world. Whether you are a globetrotter or a homebody, there’s something captivating about imagining far-off places. The exotic appeal of the vast unknown is hard to resist, even if only in your imagination. There are so many reasons why human beings are drawn in by the idea of travel, but perhaps the most lasting of those reasons is to have a memory to hold onto and a story to tell. The Best American Travel Writing 2016 seeks to answer the ever-present question of just what the allure of traveling to new places really is. The book is the latest edition in the enduring series by the same name. This volume is edited by Bill Bryson who is the well-known author of several books including A Walk in the Woods and The Road to Little Dribbling. The foreword is by Jason Wilson who is the series editor and is also the author of Spaghetti on the Wall as well as some other books. The introduction to the book, written by Bryson, seeks first to dispel and comment on some contemporary assumptions about traveling, including the notion that it just isn’t quite what it used to be. He also addresses the fact that many folks think there just is not as much interest to see as there once was. “A second enduring assumption of travel writing is that the world has become dispiritingly homogenized and isn’t nearly as interesting as it used to be,” he writes. He recalls the bygone era when each and every European nation was culturally exceptional in comparison to its neighbors. “Every country had its own cars, movies, restaurants, and stores, just as it had its 24 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
own architecture, history, and language,” he continues. As his third point of common assumption about travel writing, Bryson notes that many believe it is “something of a doomed art.” But even with all this said, he reminds readers that there are still great reasons to get out there and see what our world has to offer. In short, he tells readers, that reason is that travel writing “reminds us just how multifariously interesting that world can be.” Then the book launches into 24 unique and multifaceted tales from all over the world. From Havana to Alaska and beyond, this book will send readers on a fast-paced adventure right from the start. These are stories by various writers that have each been published separately in various publications ranging from The Washington Post Magazine to The New Yorker to Smithsonian Journeys. The various tones and styles make the book a fun and engaging read which takes readers seamlessly from one exciting destination to the next. The tales are short, making it easy to find yourself galloping through the pages as you hop around the globe. The detailed descriptions and expert storytelling bring every location to life in an instant. The South even makes an appearance in Paul Theroux’s, “Return of the Mockingbird” on page 232. For readers with a deeper interest in learning more about this talented group of writers, the contributors’ notes at the conclusion of the book offer additional information about the authors. Notable traveling writings from the previous year are included in a list from Jason Wilson in the back of the volume. Whether your wish is to visit far-off places or just feel that you did, The Best American Travel Writing 2016 is a perfect choice for all.
myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 25
26 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
A Chef Abroad
A pair of delicious recipes for the international appetite
T
Travel and food go hand in hand. As a matter of fact, I can’t imagine what people do on vacation who don’t like to eat. But then again, is there anyone who doesn’t like to eat? My husband and I are constant travelers. We make good use of our vacation days by taking several weekend trips a year. That way, we’re only forced to take off a Friday or a Monday, thus only use one vacation day for one vacation. It works beautifully, and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves to travel but feels like there are never enough vacation days in the year. As for big trips abroad, the best way to keep vacation days in the bank is to take them during extended work holidays – Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas are perfect times to travel and not miss out on too many vacation days. So why all the travel advice? Because if it wasn’t for strategically planning how to use vacation days, I would have missed out on two of the most memorable trips that now inspire many of my recipes. We went to Rio de Janeiro over Thanksgiving one year and to Italy over
Story and photos by ANDREA LETARD Independence Day another year, and both the recipes included were inspired by those trips. Brazilian cuisine, known for its heaping servings of meat and delicious sauces, always comes to mind when I’m creating a new steak recipe. We had chimichurri sauce for the very first time in Brazil, and when I got home I created my own version – this Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce over Cauliflower Puree. Italy, known for simple, fresh pasta dishes with few ingredients inspires all my pasta dishes. When we were in Italy we experienced truffle hunting with a truffle trained dog, and every truffle he found was used in our cooking class where we learned to make gnocchi from an Italian lady who had been making it her entire life – the true Italian way. This Homemade Truffle Gnocchi is as authentic as it gets. Travel is priceless when it comes to food inspiration. It’s also something you’ll never take for granted if you do a lot of it. The memories, experiences, and stories last a lifetime – and so will these recipes. myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 27
Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce over Cauliflower Puree GROCERY LIST (4 TO 6 SERVINGS): Chimichurri Sauce: · 1/2 cup parsley - chopped · 1/2 cup cilantro - chopped · 4 garlic cloves - chopped · 1 tsp dried oregano · 2 tsp ground cumin · 1/2 tsp red pepper flake · 1/2 tsp kosher salt · 1/2 lemon - juiced · 2 tbsp red wine vinegar · 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil Cauliflower Purée: · 1 small cauliflower head - cut into florets and steamed · 1 garlic clove - chopped · 1/4 cup Parmesan · 2 tbsp fat free cream cheese · 1 1/2 tbsp butter · 1/2 tsp kosher salt · 1/4 tsp pepper Flank Steak: · 1 (2 to 2 1/2 lb) flank steak · Olive oil · Kosher salt · Fresh cracked pepper DIRECTIONS 1. In a food processor, add the parsley, cilantro, garlic, oregano, cumin, red pepper flake, salt, lemon, and red wine vinegar. Blend until it all comes together, then stream in the olive oil until smooth. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use. 2. In a blender or food processor, add the steamed cauliflower, garlic, Parmesan, cream cheese, butter, salt, and pepper. Blend on high until smooth and silky. 3. Heat a cast iron or grill pan to medium high heat. Brush flank steak on both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle liberally on both sides with salt and pepper. Pan sear or grill the steak for about 4 minutes on each side for medium rare. Cover in foil and set aside for at least 8 minutes to rest. Slice into thin strips across the grain. 4. Build plates by spreading a large spoonful of cauliflower on the bottom of each plate. Top with the flank steak strips, then finish with a heaping spoonful of Chimichurri sauce.
28 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
Homemade Truffle Gnocchi GROCERY LIST (4-6 SERVINGS): · 1 lb russet potatoes (about 4 potatoes) · 2 eggs – lightly beaten · ½ tsp kosher salt · ¼ tsp pepper · 1 ½ all-purpose flour – plus extra for dusting and rolling · 2 tbsp truffle butter · ½ cup heavy cream · ½ tsp truffle salt (or Kosher) · ½ cup parmesan – freshly grated, plus more for serving · 1 tsp corn starch – optional · Fresh truffles or truffle oil – optional DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Poke small holes all over the potatoes with a fork and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until slightly overdone. Let cool then cut in half longways. If you have
a ricer, you can push the potatoes through the ricer. If not, using a cheese grater, grate the potato on the smallest grating side until the entire potato, aside from the skin, has been pushed through the grater and onto a clean work surface. Discard the skin or any rough part of the potato. The texture of the grated potato should be fluffy. 2. Pour the egg mixture over the grated potatoes, and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Cover the potato mixture with about ¾ cup of the flour and start to combine lightly with your hands (the key to fluffy gnocchi is lightly handling the dough and not overworking it). Once combined and as the dough becomes sticky or sticks to the board, add more flour. Continue to add more flour as you lightly mix it together. You will know when it’s finished when it holds together and is not too dry or not too sticky. 3. Cut the dough into 4 even pieces and roll
each of the 4 pieces into a ½ inch rope, lightly flouring the pieces as needed. Cut the dough into ½-inch gnocchi pieces, flouring the dough as you cut them and keeping the gnocchi on a floured baking sheet or work surface. 4. When ready to cook, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Begin to prepare the truffle sauce by heating a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the butter and let melt. Add the cream and salt, and let come to a slight boil. Simmer the sauce until it thickens. For thicker sauce, whisk in the corn starch. Add the grated parmesan and grated fresh truffles if using them. 5. Boil the gnocchi for about 2 minutes or until they float to the top of the pot. Using a pasta strainer, add them directly into the cream sauce and stir to combine. Add more parmesan to the top and fresh sliced truffles or truffle oil if desired. myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 29
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OUT&ABOUT AROUND TOWN ONE PARTY AT A TIME
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Allie Awards Three award-winning authors shared their experiences with a full audience at the Horn Lake Library’s Southern Author Celebration. Channel 24 news anchor and Mississippi Woman of the Year Katina Rankin, historian and teacher Nancy Gentry, and motivational speaker Billie Cash all spoke about their latest book projects. Photos by MIKE LEE myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 31
out & about
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32 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
Emily Cockrell & Julia Anne Still
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myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 33
out & about
Byhalia Area Chamber of Commerce
Annual Awards Luncheon Appreciation Day On January 19, the Byhalia Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards luncheon at The Flame at Byhalia United Methodist Church. Over 100 people turned out to celebrate service and stewardship within the community. After Mayor Phil Malone presented his annual “State of the Town” address. Photos by JANICE WAGG The following awards were presented: Leader of the Year — Sarah Saywer, Chamber Director for the Byhalia Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member — Sarah Kinkade Non-Profit — Marshall County Historical Museum Customer Service — Health First Family Med Clinic
Terry Griffith & Alex McClarty
Savannah Gadd, Jessika Harris, Jackie McDaniel, Jennifer McMinn, Erin McMinn, Venita Raimey & Jennifer Hatfield
Bill Kinkade, Terry Griffith, Sarah Kinkade & Debbie Kinkade
34 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
Alex McClarty, Sarah Sawyer & Sheri Perettee
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myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 35
out & about
Alicia Teeter, Kristin Bettis & Robyn Mastry
Adam & Kristin Bettis, Nikki & Allen Courson
Pure Barre Grand Opening Pure Barre Olive Branch celebrated its grand opening on January 23. After a free barre class, attendees were invited to sip and shop the fitness center/gym’s athleisure collection and try their luck in a raffle. Photos by MIKE LEE
Theresa Breshears & Julie Phillips
Purvisha Patel, Angelina Harrell, Teri Lynn Gordon & Rebecca Kimbrough
Jennifer Kuehn & Courtney Tharp
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36 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
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myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 37
out & about
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Samuel Kietzmann holding 'Gelb'
Sara Fisher & Bradley Hoffmeyer
Repticon Every year, amateur and professional herpetologists from across the tri-state area gather at Repticon Memphis. The twice-yearly reptile expo made its MidSouth debut in September 2009, introducing the community to a wide range of educators and breeders. The winter expo featured a number of panels, including how to take care of pet parrots, proper snake handling, and reptile nutrition. Photos by MIKE LEE
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38 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
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AWA Banquet The Memphis Chapter of the Association for Women Attorneys (AWA) held its 37h annual banquet on January 31. The chapter posthumously honored attorney Mary Wolff, formerly of Wolff Ardis PC, with the 28th Marion Griffin-Frances Loring Award for Outstanding Achievement. Several scholarships were also awarded to students at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Photos by MIKE LEE
Kimberly Dandridge & Karlyn Washington
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40 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
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AWA Scholarship Recipients
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Cherokee Valley Golf Scramble On February 5, Cherokee Valley Golf Course hosted its third annual Super Bowl Scramble. The pre-game tournament kicked off with a 9 a.m. shotgun start and featured 18 holes. Afterward, each two-person team was treated to a hot dog and chili lunch. Photos by MIKE LEE Carson Coker & Taylor Daniel
Mike Herrington & Nelson Barbee
Parker Jennings & Zach Jones
42 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
Nick Maynard & A.J. Konrad
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myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 43
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Milton & Jean Kuykendahl
Banks Ready & Jean Kuykendahl
FCA Breakfast Former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth spoke at this year’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) breakfast extravaganza. Before joining the NFL, the two-time All American athlete played football for the University of Oklahoma. Proceeds from the event will aid the FCA in its mission to educate and empower student athletes, coaches, and leaders to use their platform to spread the word of Jesus Christ. Photos by MIKE LEE David Stitton, Cecil Sowell & Harold Graeten
Deanna & Harvey Ferguson
B. Wilson & Emmy Powell
44 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
Randy Hirshberg, Don Gammage & Danny Dishuon
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myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 45
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Christine & Scott Giles
David & Jane Sorsby
Adrian Shane & Stacy Mangrum
Racquet Club Pickup Party Every February, the Racquet Club of Memphis hosts the Memphis Open, an ATP-certified men’s professional tennis tournament. This year, the Club hosted a pre-tournament celebration with drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres for its members. Photos by MIKE LEE
John & Kim Sanders, Jeff Lee
Rhonda & Marty Fowler
46 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
Jennifer Magee, Blair Connor & Brooke Halle
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Jennifer Magee, Bob Rasch, Erin Mazurek & Greg Stone
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Vicki Singh & Susan Wortham
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myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 47
out & about
Jennifer, Dylan & Sophie Jones
Agnes Jones, Cassandre Walker & Gina Bryant
28th Annual
Soup Sunday At Soup Sunday, folks from across the MidSouth have the opportunity to sample soups, breads, desserts, and other savory dishes from over 50 local restaurants — all while supporting Youth Villages. Overall, the annual tasting event has raised nearly $1 million for Youth Villages’ programs serving troubled children and their families. Photos by MIKE LEE
Emily & Dan Forte
Kathy & Tom Lannan
48 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
Willette Coleman & Arnell Stewart
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calendar
MARCH 2017
SOCIAL AGENDA
YOUR MONTHLY RESOURCE FOR WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND TOWN March 3–26 Lord of the Flies Playhouse on the Square, Memphis 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., 10 a.m. fourth Tues.–Fri., Admission $15–$40 playhouseonthesquare.org March 3 Dropkick Murphys Horseshoe Casino’s Bluesville, Tunica 7:30 p.m., Admission $35 ticketmaster.com March 4 Ben Folds and a Piano Minglewood Hall, Memphis 9 p.m., Admission $35–$259 ticketfly.com 3rd annual 5K Glow Run Snowden Grove Park, Southaven 7 p.m., Admission $25–$30 communitybank.net Spring In to St. Paddy’s Day Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson, Southaven 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Admission free southernthunderhd.com Twenty One Pilots FedExForum, Memphis 7 p.m., Admission $27–$47.50 ticketmaster.com through March 5 The Little Mermaid Presented by DeSoto Family Theatre Landers Center, Southaven 7 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m., 2 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Admission $15–$30 ticketmaster.com March 6–17 Drawing Memory Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Weds., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Thurs., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun., Admission $3–$7 brooksmuseum.org
50 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
March 8 ZZ Top Orpheum Theatre, Memphis 8 p.m., Admission $59.50–$300 ticketmaster.com
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Weds., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Thurs., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun., Admission $3–$7 brooksmuseum.org
March 10–12 27th Southern Women’s Show Agricenter International, Memphis 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Admission $5–$15 southernshows.com/wme
March 19 Aaron Lewis Horseshoe Casino’s Bluesville, Tunica 8 p.m., Admission $29–$49 ticketmaster.com
March 10 Dance Gavin Dance New Daisy Theatre, Memphis 7:30 p.m., Admission $20 ticketfly.com
March 24 Thomas Rhett Landers Center, Southaven 7 p.m., Admission $23–$239 ticketmaster.com
March 11 94.1 Songwriter Fest Halloran Centre, Memphis 7 p.m., Admission $20–$50 ticketmaster.com
March 24–26 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Championship South Regional FedExForum, Memphis Times vary, Admission $200–$300 ticketmaster.com
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Atlanta Hawks FedExForum, Memphis 8 p.m., Admission $20–$235 ticketmaster.com March 16 Bon Jovi FedExForum, Memphis 7:30 p.m., Admission $19–$243 ticketmaster.com March 17 Reverend Horton Heat New Daisy Theater, Memphis 8 p.m., Admission $22 ticketfly.com March 18 Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonia Spurs FedExForum, Memphis 8 p.m., Admission $25–$285 ticketmaster.com through March 19 Selections from William Eggleston’s Portfolios
March 24–26 Riverdance 20th Anniversary Orpheum Theatre, Memphis 8 p.m. Fri., 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Sat., 1 p.m. Sun. Admission $30–$85 ticketmaster.com March 28 Lasting Impressions: Restoring Kate Freeman Clark The University of Mississippi Museum, Oxford 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tues.–Sat., Admission $3–$5 museum.olemiss.edu March 31 Pillow Talk Hi Tone Café, Memphis 6 p.m., Admission $10 ticketfly.com “Bloomin’ Art” Member Reception Historic City Hall, Hernando 6–8:30 p.m., Admission free desotoarts.com
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Going
All-Natural Exploring the arts, culture and scenic beauty of Arkansas Story by CLICK STAFF
Planning a Mid-South road trip? Look no further than the Natural State of Arkansas, a statewide treasure trove of wilderness that includes the Buffalo River, 52 state parks and a bevy of interesting cultural curiosities. myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 53
Little Rock
Just across the bridge from Memphis, the state capital of Arkansas is a popular destination for arts, culture, and music. Guests are welcomed to the city with a stunning view of the Main Street Bridge, which includes a dazzling array of LED lights color coordinated for special occasions. Making History The city of Little Rock proudly displays its involvement in the Civil Rights era through the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. This high school, which is still in operation today, played a central role in the Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education and is remembered as one of the first major instances of school integration in the South. Guests are invited to walk the same steps as the Little Rock Nine while observing the building’s beautiful architecture. The Historic Arkansas Museum, known to locals as the HAM, invites tourists to experience a hands-on history lesson through exhibits like Alice Guffey Miller’s “PARTy for Peg,” a sculpture installation piece that serves as a tribute to Peg Newton Smith, one of the museum’s earliest contributors. There’s also the William. J. Clinton Presidential Center and 54 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
Park, a sprawling complex that includes a museum with artifacts from Bill Clinton’s eight years as president of the United States on display. Popular exhibits include a full-scale replica of Clinton’s Oval Office and the presidential limousine. Arts About Town The Robinson Center has a long and storied past as the performance home to several of the city’s performing arts organizations, including the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Arkansas and Celebrity Attractions’ Broadway Theater Series. The newly renovated theater, which was opened as a WPA project in December of 1939, will host a plethora of shows this year including the Phantom of the Opera, Riverdance, Motown: The Musical and more. The nearby Arkansas Repertory Theatre, also known as “The Rep,” offers a more classical approach to theater and boasts Arkansas’ largest nonprofit professional theatre troup. The company has produced more than 280 productions, including 40 world premieres, since it was founded in 1976. For a more feminine take on the arts, the Esse Purse Museum and Store on Main Street offers a compelling look at the history of the handbag and its many offshoots and design evolutions over the years.
St. Joe The sleepy former mining town in the Ozarks known as St. Joe is the perfect launching point for an adventure on the Buffalo River, a 150-mile stretch that provides ample opportunity for leisurely canoeing, fishing or camping on the riverbanks. Hit the River The beautiful and historic Buffalo National Scenic River is one of the best spots in the country to brush up on basic canoeing and kayaking. Guides are available from the nearby Buffalo River Outfitters, a trading post of sorts that serves as the one-stop shop of the area for supplies, lodging and canoe rental. Tyler Bend Visitor Center is a great starting point for a leisurely morning hike along the Collier Homestead/River View Trail. This short and scenic half-mile trek offers some spectacular views of the Buffalo River and local wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled. Overnighting Made Easy Country-style log cabins are available to rent through Buffalo River Outfitters. These spacious, old-school lodgings are decorated with local paintings and hand-crafted accents and include stone fireplaces, air conditioning and wide front porches that offer a quiet mountain view. When hunger strikes, nearby Big Springs Trading Company Restaurant is on-hand with a variety of barbecue, smoked meats and regional favorites like the “Razorback Platter,” a 1/3 pound helping of Ozark-style sausage.
Ponca The unincorporated community of Ponca is the perfect place to get away from it all. Nestled within the Ozarks and sporting a population of just under 120 citizens, Ponca offers some of the best nature watching in the state with its stunning mountain views and variety of wildlife. Nearby facilities include the Riverwind Lodge at Buffalo Outdoor Center, a popular overnight facility known for its breathtaking mountain views. Nature Watching While some might associate the mighty elk with states further west, the particular species of eastern elk was a native of Arkansas for more than 100 years before the elk population plummeted after 1840. Elk were reintroduced to this area in the mid-‘80s and continue to thrive against the backdrop of the Buffalo River. Ponca’s state-run Elk Education Center is a great place to catch the largest member of the deer family hanging about. Visitors can learn more about this animals’ recovery, biology and history, as well as the other flora and fauna of the Ozark Mountains. From Tree to Tree If stationary nature watching doesn’t excite, perhaps the thrill of flying through the treetops if more your speed. The Buffalo Outdoor Center hosts the first-ever zip line treetop canopy tour in the state. The tree-friendly platforms used in this course are built around live Ozark Mountain hardwood trees. The length of an average treetop zip line source is determined by a variety of factors, including group size, time and weather. This activity is best suited for guests age 10 and older who weigh between 70 and 250 lbs.
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Hot Springs
The citizens of Hot Springs, Arkansas, are pretty proud of their namesake. The eponymous hot springs underneath the town bubble out of the ground in places. The average temperature of this water is more than than 140 degrees. The center of the town is known as Hot Springs National Park and is among the oldest federally preserved lands in the United States. Soak It In Right of the bat, visitors are presented with a plethora of ways to experience the town’s greatest natural treasure of piping hot mineral water. The historic Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa is the largest hotel in Arkansas with almost 500 rooms and suites. The hotel, which was built in 1875, is considered one of the South’s premiere places for relaxation and recovery. The Arlington is a short jaunt away from Bathhouse Row, a collection of spas with a worldwide reputation for recuperative properties, making them especially popular among baseball players, boxers, joggers and others who lead an active lifestyle. In addition to relaxing spas and stunning views abound, popular annual events include the Hot Springs Music Festival. Now in its 22nd year, the festival has gained notoriety for providing a broad, diverse offering of musical talent every summer. 56 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
Woodlands & Badlands Hot Springs boasts a unique mix of cityscape and wide wilderness, with 26 miles of hiking trails scattered throughout the national park. Tourists are encouraged to visit Lookout Point Lakeside Inn, a tiny getaway in the Ouachita Mountains just off the bay of Lake Hamilton. Lookout Point showcases unique regional craftsman architecture, plush furniture, fine art, gardens with waterfalls and scenic water. The area drew attention from the national press during the era of prohibition, as gangsters like Al Capone had taken a liking to the city’s warm waters and avenues for illegal gambling. Capone himself was so taken by the area that he eventually took suite 443 of the Arlington Hotel as his own. The suite, which is said to house a secret escape door when the feds come knocking, is still kept in pristine condition and embraced by locals as a curious relic of the city’s sordid past.
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Traveling in Style From dresses to denim and slacks to sneakers, mapping out the perfect wardrobe has never been easier
Editor CASEY HILDER | Photographer MADISON YEN Art Director JENNIFER CORBIN | Stylist MARY CONLEY Hair KATIE ANNE RAEBURN with High Definition Makeup ASHLEA BOWLES with High Definition Models RYAN MCCRORY & SARAH CARRAHER from COLORS Agency Venue Gateway to the Blues Welcome Center & Tunica River Park
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ABOVE Her: Sunglasses Center Stage $110; Denim Jacket Frank $78 Him: Chambray Shirt $98.50, Tie $85, Khakis: $78, Belt $78, Duffle Bag $110 Soco Apparel RIGHT: Sweater Frank $250; Skirt Janie Rose $42; Black bag Sugar Plum Consignments $40; Teal Bracelet Center Stage $24; Choker Lizzie B's $16
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HER White Blouse $34, Flare Jeans Janie Rose $100; Shoes $119, Scarf Center Stage $19; Ring Frank $69 HIM Shirt $115, Pants Soco Apparel $79; Shoes Baer’s Den $110
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Chambray Shirt $98.50, Bookbag Soco Apparel $200; Green T-Shirt $69, Gray Jeans $178, Boots Baer’s Den $358
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HER Sweater Sugarplum Consignments $25; Shirt $27, Pants $44, Necklace Lizzie B’s $36; Purse Center Stage $74; Shoes $51 Ring Frank $69 HIM Jacket $345, T-Shirt $68, Jeans $224, Shoes $110 Baer’s Den
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Army Green Jacket Magnolia Boutique $55; White Shirt $44, Ring Frank $69; Jeans Janie Rose $92; Black Necklace with Bull Lizzie B's $26; Shoes Janie Rose $36
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All Along the
Riverside
From Big River Crossing to the Delta Heritage Trail, it’s never been easier to cycle across the Delta
W
Story by Jane Schneider
When work life and traffic is bogging you down, it’s nice to know refreshment is within reach. Just pack up your bike and head to Helena, Arkansas. There you’ll find the Delta Heritage Trail, an easy, rail-to-trail ride that takes cycling enthusiasts through the fields and forest of the Arkansas Delta. The trail is picturesque, but also part of a bigger cycling picture.
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The Big Reveal With the opening of the Big River Crossing across the Harahan Bridge in Memphis, riders can more readily access a web of bike trails that will eventually run through the Arkansas Delta. Big River Crossing, the nation’s longest pedestrian land bridge across the Mississippi River, is part of a master plan called the Big River Strategic Initiative (BRSI) that “fosters and develops recreational amenities that support economic development to previously harder to reach areas of the Arkansas Delta,” says Terry Eastin, BRSI’s executive director. The overarching idea is to encourage recreational tourism in the Delta, which has long struggled economically with job and population loss. With rail-to-trail paths and Big River Trail, a crushed gravel path that runs 63-miles atop the St. Francis Levee from Marion to Marianna, Arkansas, visitors will find new ways to appreciate and explore the Delta. The 21-mile Delta Heritage Trail runs from Lexa to Elaine, Arkansas. The best jumping off point is the town of HelenaWest Helena. Discovering Helena’s History While you might be familiar with HelenaWest Helena thanks to its musical roots — the King Biscuit Flour Hour or the annual King Biscuit Blues Festival (Oct. 5-8) — this sleepy river town has an intriguing past. Helena is Arkansas’ second oldest city and its early history was as a river port. Starting in the 1820s, steamboats on the Mississippi River would call, hauling cotton, timber, and other goods as they plied the waters from Vicksburg to Memphis and beyond. The cultural riches of the town are on display at the Helena Museum of Phillips County. Here you’ll see portraits of the county’s seven Confederate generals, as well as the original silk flag made by the townswomen for their sons and husbands to carry into battle. There’s also a signed copy of Mark Twain’s Life on the Mississippi, an interesting assortment of Native American pottery, and material belonging to the great American inventor, Thomas Edison. A second destination is the Delta Cultural Center, where you’ll learn more about the region’s settlement, blues music, and how the Mississippi River floods have impacted the area.
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Out on the Trail Next, drive six miles to Lexa, where you’ll find the first of several put-on points for the bike trail. (The trailhead is one mile south of Lexa on Highway 49.) Created from the former route of the Missouri Pacific’s Delta Eagle, the Delta Heritage Trail State Park is part of the national, rail-to-trail initiative that converts former rail lines into bike routes. Being developed in phases along the former Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way, this segment stretches 21 miles to Elaine. When completed, the 84-mile trail will end in Rohwer, Arkansas. Here, the crushed limestone trail is kept cool by a gracious arbor of hardwoods. In addition to cotton, the Arkansas Delta was famous for its timber. During the teens and twenties, logging was extensive as a bounty of loblolly pine, black walnut, oak, chestnut, Bald cypress, and other trees were harvested. During that time, Helena boasted the second largest hardwood market in the world. This flat, easy ride is alive with bird song and wildlife, such as deer and turkey. Even foxes can be spotted, if you’re lucky. The canopy thins as you travel further south, gradually giving way to expansive views of farmland rich in milo, cotton, soybeans, and rice. You’ll find a number of historic markers along the route that tell interesting tales about the region, such as the skirmish at Lick Creek during the Civil War and the Elaine Massacre of 1919, a reminder of long simmering racial tensions that once boiled over here. The riot that ensued is considered among the deadliest racial conflicts in the nation’s history. To enjoy a water view, consider paddling Old Town Lake. This beautiful oxbow lake, once a section of the Mississippi River, is filled with towering cypress trees. If you don’t have your own equipment, you can rent a bike or kayak at the Barton Visitor Center during their Pedal Paddle tours, which take place monthly. (See sidebar for more details).
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Delta Heritage Trail State Park arkansasstateparks.com/ deltaheritagetrail/ 5539 U.S. 49 West Helena, AR 72390 870.572.2352 The Park’s Visitor Center in Barton has maps, bathrooms, a gift shop, and bikes for rent ($2/hour). Trailhead locations are at: • Helena Junction near Lexa • Walnut Corner at U.S. 49 • Lick Creek (Ark. 85 just south of Barton) • Lake View (across from Old Town Lake) • Elaine
Learn more: Big River Initiative www.br-si.org Rails to Trails A nationwide site for rail trails and other great bike trails. www.railstotrails.us March 25 Pedal Paddle Tour at Delta Heritage Trail State Park Time: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost: $25 (fee includes bike and kayak rental) Park rangers take riders on a guided bike and paddle tour of the trail. www.arkansasstateparks.com/ events/pedal-paddle-tour147251/#search
You can learn about Thomas Edison’s storied life at the Helena Museum of Phillips County. The Edison collection was donated by Charles Edison (a Yale classmate of a Helena resident) who created a foundation to preserve his father’s legacy and educate the public about the contributions of this important American inventor. helenamuseum.com
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ENTERTAINING
Islands Away Seeking a new spin on your typical beach vacation? Look no further than the picturesque American Paradise of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands Story by MICHELLE HOPE
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entertaining
WHETHER YOU ARE PLANNING A FAMILY TRIP OR A romantic getaway, there is something for everyone in St. Thomas. Here are a few travel tips and recommendations to consider when planning your own adventure in the U.S. Virgin Islands. WHERE TO STAY & PLAY
With many amazing resorts to choose from in St. Thomas, the decision can be hard, but we certainly hit the island jack pot with The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas. Overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean sits a luxury hotel and resort situated on 30 acres of white sand and turquoise sea. Although I was there with adults only, the Ritz Carlton St. Thomas is family friendly and left us wanting to bring our kids back. Even with other children staying at the resort, the layout and environment could not have been more perfect. Upgrade to club level. Amenities include a full breakfast, light lunch and hors d’oeuvres and desserts in the evening, plus a generously stocked bar. Well worth the extra expense. Our absolute favorite day was spent on the water Island hopping. The beauty of going to the Virgin Islands is the chance to explore multiple islands by water. St. John, Virgin Gorda and Jose Van Dyke are the three we travelled to from St. Thomas and you won't want to miss any of them either. Good Day Charters picked us up from our resort’s private beach and we embarked on an islandhopping adventure.
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ISLAND HOPPING
Jose Van Dyke is home to the famous Soggy Dollar Bar and Foxxy’s. It’s definitely the island for “belly up to the bar” kind of fun. You may never want to go home. St. John’s is a gem amongst the other islands and you can spend an entire day in this quaint beauty shopping, exploring and dining. We took a water taxi (St. Thomas Water Taxi) over for dinner at Oceans 362. Don’t miss the Chef’s Tasting — it was a meal we are all still talking about. The Baths at Virgin Gorda provide an unforgettable snorkeling adventure. Don’t get lost in the caves! If Island hopping is not your thing but you still would like to spend some time on the water. I recommend the Lady Lyndsey Sunset Cruise. at the Ritz. There is nothing quite like this smooth-sailing catamaran during sunset.
ISLAND FARE
My favorite St. Thomas dinner experience was at Room With A View. The entire island was lit up so not only does the restaurant live up to its name, the food was spectacular and the Sommelier did not disappoint. The A.C. is a bonus. Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Resort is set up on a dramatic cliff with amazing views of the entire island. We enjoyed a day at their hip infinity pool and lunch at the Terrace restaurant. It was a nice change of scenery with a more upbeat atmosphere. Other dining options we would recommend are Sea to Sails, which offers fresh catch of the day options and live music al fresco at the Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas, and also Havana Blue, a Cuban-style restaurant.
WHILE ON LAND
A vacation is not complete without a day at the spa. At the Ritz Carlton's Spa we had a couples massage in a private beach cabana (definitely worth it!). At Lazule Sea Spa at the Frenchman's Reef Resort, which has it's own private pool area, equally stunning views, and a vast menu of services, we tried the rejuvintating body treatments. For the athletic travelers, you won’t want to miss a round of golf at the challenging but beautifully scenic Mahogany Run Golf course. It’s the only course in St. Thomas and one of the only in the Virgin Islands.
WORDS TO THE WISE
I highly recommend you book your transportation in advance if you plan on exploring all that St. Thomas has to offer. From your 45-minute airport transfer to late-night bar hopping, we had “Mr. Nice Guy Transportation Services” take us everywhere we wanted to be and it was a seamless experience. There is plenty of duty-free shopping and lots of local markets as well. ATMs are readily available and the currency is the same as US. You won’t need your passport in St. Thomas but you will if you plan to Island hop over to the British Virgin Islands, so it’s best to pack it just in case. Spring Break is just around the corner so start planning your Virgin Island get away now and you will never want to go back to your same old beach vacation. myclickmag.com | MARCH 2017 75
live well
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an estimated 10 million adult children who are caring for an aging parent. Care can be defined as help with dressing, feeding, bathing, and other personal needs. This level of help goes beyond grocery shopping, driving parents to appointments, and helping them with financial matters. As tough as it may be to enlist outside help when it comes to caring for your parents, it can be one of the healthiest decisions for your family. It will take strain off of you and your parent will benefit from professional care at home. Whether it's being attentive to special medical needs or assisting with personal care, having Senior Helpers will provide a variety of benefits to both the patient and the family. Senior Helpers promotes healing. “I know that our clients enjoy a much better quality of life, which many families have said helped to extend the lives of their loved ones,” says Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. In many circumstances, the person rehabilitates better at home because they’re in a familiar environment and are more comfortable. Home Care is safe and allows for maximum freedom. 76 MARCH 2017 | myclickmag.com
“Many risks such as infection are eliminated or minimized when care is given at home,” says Ross. Quality home care by professional caregivers can help prevent issues like falling that may become very serious within the home. Patients at home are actively engaged with daily activities and receive care in the least restrictive environment. Senior Helpers eases burdens on families. Milca Pabon, RN, a home health care nurse with Adventist Home Health explains, “With the length of stay in the hospital decreasing, patients are going home earlier and many of them do not choose to go to a rehabilitation center to recover.” They want to go home to their own environment and be provided with the care needed to reach their maximum level of function. Home care is comfortable. “Every study done has shown that people would prefer to stay in their home,” says Constance Row, executive director of the American Academy of Home Care Physicians. There is familiarity and comfort being in one's own environment, surrounded by loved ones. She notes, “It's a type of quality care that people would want for their senior relatives.”
ABOUT ROB MARTER Owner of Senior Helpers Senior Helpers, is a national leader in professional in-home care assistance services. Founded in 2001, Senior Helpers rapidly built a reputation for providing only the best in dependable, consistent and affordable elderly care services. We have the people, resources, systems and knowledge necessary to make sure our clients get as much or as little help as they need to enjoy living independently at home. Senior Helpers is a proactive leader in professional in-home senior care in Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Cordova, Arlington, Lakeland, Millington, Oakland, Eads and the surrounding areas. Senior Helpers will be your loved one's advocate. We believe in the power of anticipating needs and removing all the daily obstacles to dignified, independent living. If you need customized in-home care for a loved one, please contact Senior Helpers at (901) 753-7520 to learn more.
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THE POUR
WATERMELON-BASIL MEZCAL MARGARITA Recipe and Photo courtesy of SERENA WOLF
This perfectly balanced margarita mixes sweet and tangy with just the right amount of Mezcal smoke
Yield: 1 cocktail
INGREDIENTS: · Flaky salt for rimming the glass (optional) · 4-6 large fresh basil leaves (depending on how much basil flavor you like) · 1 ounce fresh lime juice · 3 ounces fresh watermelon juice (recipe follows) · 2 ounces mezcal (or tequila) For the watermelon juice: · 3 cups cubed watermelon For garnish: (optional) · Watermelon cut into roughly ½-inch cubes · Lime wedges (I recommend slicing your limes into ¼-inch rounds, then slicing each round into four triangles.) · Fresh basil leaves · Bamboo skewers
DIRECTIONS: 1. If you plan to garnish your cocktail with a fancy fruit skewer, make that first. Trim your bamboo skewer so that it's about 1-inch taller than the cocktail glass you plan to use. Thread a cube of watermelon onto the skewer, a lime wedge, and a basil leaf. Repeat until the skewer is full. (It’s usually best to end on a watermelon cube for stability and presentation purposes, but don’t stress about it.) Briefly set aside. 2. Next, make the watermelon juice. Place your cubed watermelon in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh strainer (yes, a pasta strainer will work if that’s all you have) into a glass or mason jar. 3. If you like a salt rim on your marg, pour some flaky sea salt onto a small plate. Moisten the rim of your cocktail glass and dip it in the salt. 4. Add the basil leaves and lime juice to a cocktail shaker and muddle gently. Add the watermelon juice, mezcal and a few ice cubes and shake vigorously to combine. 5. Strain the margarita into the rimmed cocktail glass and garnish with a decorative fruit skewer if you like. Notes If you're making margs for a crowd, feel free to prep your decorative skewers in advance. Once assembled, place them on a large plate, cover them with a damp paper towel, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
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ONE THING NOT TO MISS THIS MONTH
SEE & DO
Dancing for Our Stars Saturday, March 4, 2017, 6–9 p.m. Landers Center, Southaven Now in its third year, Dancing for Our Stars takes a page out of the Dancing with the Stars playbook. Modeled after the popular TV show, the competition pairs veteran performers with “celebrities” in the community for one fun-filled night of dancing. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Baddour Center, a residential community for adults with intellectual disabilities.
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