April 2010
Memphis Heart Gala Tables of Content Phoenix Club Mardi Gras Party Opera Memphis Wild Game Dinner Oscar Night速 America Q&A with Laura Corby
CONTENTS
Contents April 2010
From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Art Gilliam became the first African-American radio station owner in Memphis when he bought WLOK in 1977, and he’s still the proud station owner today.
Memphis Heart Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Beatlemania resurfaced at the American Heart Association’s annual fund-raiser at The Peabody.
12 MEMPHIS HEART GALA Jevon and Dorothy Sisnett
StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18, 20 & 22 She’s giving greyhounds retired from racing a home away from the track. Searching for rocks and fossils takes up most of this man’s spare time. Working at Shelby Farms reaffirms this woman’s commitment to greener living. StreetSeens highlight Vicki Cohen, W.C. McDaniel and Sheri Monroe.
40 PHOENIX CLUB MARDI GRAS PARTY Amy Cain and Brendon Plumpton
Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24, 50 & 51 A P R I L 2 010
Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.
RSVPeople . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 A trek across the city’s party landscape.
Tables of Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
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Guests helped give the gift of reading by supporting a soirée held at the Memphis Botanic Garden for Shelby County Books from Birth.
20 STREETSEEN W.C. McDaniel
Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Q&A with Laura Corby, the founder and CEO of the Autism Solution Center, Inc.
Phoenix Club Mardi Gras Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
42 OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER Jen Bradner and Jonathan Ealy
The Cadre Building was transformed into the French Quarter for the Phoenix Club’s yearly benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.
Opera Memphis Wild Game Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 “Arias and Antlers” opened up a world of tastes to Opera Memphis supporters.
Oscar Night® America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 The Oscars® were eagerly anticipated by those attending a watch party benefiting the Ronald McDonald House® Charities of Memphis.
RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
34
Let’s Play Dress Up Dennis Phillippi squirms at the resurgence of ‘80s female fashion.
TABLES OF CONTENT Matt and Emily Robbins
46 OSCAR NIGHT® AMERICA Rich and Jayn Lando
Cover Photo Drs. Purvisha and Dharmesh Patel at Memphis Heart Gala Photo by Don Perry
Volume XV
Number VII
April 2010 PUBLISHER
Roy Haithcock EDITOR
Leah Fitzpatrick CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ruth Cassin Kelly Cox Dennis Phillippi Lesley Young ART DIRECTOR
Patrick Aker s PHOTOGRAPHERS
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Libby Huff ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
6
Chris Pugh
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Nathan Berry Roy Haithcock Don Perry Steve Roberts
Ruth Cassin
ACCOUNTING
RSVP Memphis is published monthly by Haithcock Communications, Inc. First class subscriptions are available for $55.00 per year. Send name and address with a check to: Haithcock Communications, Inc. 2282 Central Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 For advertising information contact Roy Haithcock Phone (901) 276-7787, ext. 101 Fax (901) 276-7785 e-mail publisher@rsvpmagazine.com WEB
www.rsvpmagazine.com For editorial information or to request coverage of an event, please contact RSVP Magazine one month prior to the event. Call 901-276-7787, ext. 105 or fax to 901-276-7785. e-mail editor@rsvpmagazine.com Copyright 2010 Haithcock Communications, Inc.
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Photos from LaurĂŠl and MMissoni Spring/Summer Collections
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From the Editor
LOOK NO FURTHER FOR MOONLIGHT SALE SAVINGS.
I
ended my last column with
high hopes that spring was just around the corner, and
while the season will have officially begun by the time this issue comes out, it’s hard for me to believe with highs in the Photo by Steve Roberts
upper 40s predicted for a late March weekend. So much for putting up my cold weather clothes! I don’t know about you, but everyone I’ve spoken to can’t stop talking about how Memphis had the worst winter ever. To you meteorologists out there, please, please predict the best summer we’ve had in years.
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What do my daydreams of summer entail? Well, I’d start by kick-
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ing things off with a barbecue and watch party of The Endless Summer
Moonlight Madness Sale Thursday, April 15
(the quintessential surfer documentary), and I’d definitely try to take advantage of every al fresco dining experience in town. Starting an herb garden sounds nice too, but so do lazy days at the pool, Sunday-afternoon drives to historic towns, wearing flip flops, watching sunsets over the Mississippi, catching up on “beach books” and going on vacation (Napa? Maine? Denver?). Since there are more daylight hours during summer, I would also theoretically have greater opportunities to try a new outdoor activity, so I’ll be thinking on that one. As for charity parties, they will slow down a bit when kids get
It’s the biggest sale of the season, where you’ll find clearance prices at premier retailers with a reputation for style.
out of school and families start traveling, but festivals and 5K runs seem to take their place nicely. In this issue alone, I mention two festivals and one dog-friendly event in the StreetSeen features, so flip to pages 18, 20 and 22 for more details. On April 24, the Memphis Brewfest, which benefits the Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, will make its debut at AutoZone Park, and we still have Memphis in May to look forward to next month. Dust off your walking shoes and get ready for lots of adventures in Memphis or beyond. I urge you to let the sun guide your footsteps to fun.
Poplar and West Farmington 4 miles east of I-240, Germantown, TN www.shopsofsaddlecreek.com
Leah Fitzpatrick editor@rsvpmagazine.com
SIGNATURE MEMPHIS
Art Gilliam President & CEO of Gilliam Communications/First African-American Owner of a Memphis Radio Station/Society of Entrepreneurs Member
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Your greatest achievement: Starting my own business. Biggest obstacle you’ve overcome: Hurdles to business ownership, especially financing. Last book you’ve read: The Way To Happiness. First concert: Nancy Wilson in Los Angeles. Favorite album: Exodus by Bob Marley. Guilty pleasure: Vanilla ice cream. Favorite author: James Baldwin. Ideal vacation spot: The beach. Personal hero: Nelson Mandela. First job: Life insurance agent. Stress outlet: Exercise. Hobby: Writing.
photo by Steve Roberts
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EVENT
Memphis Heart Gala
MEMPHIS HEART GALA
“All You Need Is Love”
F
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Tommy and Terri Jackson
Kelly Jo and Mitch Graves
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or those who spotted the Abbey Road sign, they knew they’d arrived at the right place for the Memphis Heart Gala. And if the sign didn’t give the theme (“All You Need Is Love”) away, then the Volkswagen Beetles, giant wooden hearts and gerbera daisies inside The Peabody hotel did. The American Heart Association (AHA) benefits from funds raised at the affair, which drew 400 ladies and gents mostly outfitted in red attire or accessories. Blinking red guitar pins and heart pins were handed out to partygoers upon arrival for a special touch and to remind patrons of the work the AHA does to fight cardiovascular diseases and stroke. In fact, local cardiovascular surgeon Dr. James Pate was recognized as the 2010 Heart Gala honoree for his commitment to the cause, including being the first surgeon in the country to replace a heart valve with an artificial valve and implant a pacemaker. Rebecca and Dr. Michael Ugwueke chaired the 34th annual event that began with a groovy cocktail hour, complete with a cloud and rainbow bar. Silent auction items like a Memphis Zoo package, a Sun Studio group tour, tickets to “The Dr. Oz Show” and a U of M Tigers basketball package were spread throughout the area and positioned among neon orange, blue and green draping. Event organizers also set up a Heart Heroes Gallery to showcase the men and women who are survivors of heart disease or devote their time to helping prevent and treat the disease. At half past seven, the crowd crashed the ballroom for a memorable night of Beatlemania. From the purple lights and the “Love” backdrop on the stage to the band Getback belting out Beatles’ hits, the vibe oozed 1960s cool. An “Open Your Heart” video in honor of Dr. Pate aired during dinner, and a live auction featuring vacation packages, a quilt with art by Methodist Le Bonheur cardiac kids at camp, exclusive dining experiences and Mednikow jewelry concluded the agenda. FedEx and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare served as the presenting sponsors for an event that raised $300,000 to further the AHA’s research efforts. Maybe The Beatles should have sung, “All you need is heart.” Story by Leah Fitzpatrick See all the party photos at Photos by Don Perry rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Drs. Brooke and Dwight Dishman
Liz and Patrick Hough
Ron and Anise Belz
Susan and Shahrokh Mokhtari
Karin and Steven Gubin
Kenny and Alicia Wong with David and Catherine Kraus
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EVENT MEMPHIS HEART GALA
Doyle and Eddie Jean Childress
Leslie and Brett Kinman
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Tim Robertson and Ginger Coleman
Bob and Dianne Laster
Suzanne and David Baytos
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Houston and Frank Watson
Kim and Kevin Humphries
Dr. Tom Greenwell and Kelly Greenwell Windschitz
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EVENT MEMPHIS HEART GALA
Earl Coleman and Kesha Whitaker
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STREETSEEN
Vicki Cohen Tales Off the Track
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rom greyhound trainer to director of the MidSouth Greyhound Adoption Option (MSGAO) in West Memphis, Vicki Cohen has a vested interest in the livelihood of dogs she touts as having “hysterical personalities.” Best recognized for their competitive racing at up to speeds of 45 miles per hour, greyhounds are often overlooked as good house pets, but Cohen, an owner of two greyhounds herself, finds the reality quite the opposite. “First off, greyhounds are handled a lot from a young age, so they’re good socially, and I promise you’ll never have anything knocked off a table because racing makes them very sure-footed,” she enthuses. “They even sleep 18-20 hours a day.” Owners should also know that contrary to popular belief, greyhounds only have quick bursts of energy, so they don’t have to be exercised any more than other breeds, and they prefer living indoors because of their thin skin that doesn’t tolerate heat or cold well. After retiring from competition, usually between ages 2-4, greyhounds still possess a strong instinct to chase, so they shouldn’t be let off a leash in a non-fenced area. If a greyhound ever was to run away, most can be identified by ear tattoos dating back to their racing days. “The best piece of advice I can give someone looking to adopt a greyhound is to go to a race and see what they were like before they retired, so you get a better sense of their background,” Cohen says. Located behind Southland Park, MSGAO routinely stays open during race times because Cohen likes to be accessible to out-of-towners or first time visitors who don’t know about the adoption facility that currently houses 36 greyhounds. Southland Park has a hand in the adoption process by furnishing the MSGAO building, paying for some expenses and flashing info about MSGAO on signs during race days. Another effort that will help spread the word is the MSGAO Bark in the Park at Overton Park on April 17 from noon until 3 p.m. Cohen says, “I’m so excited about our first dog fun walk, which will basically be a time for humans and dogs of all breeds to socialize. We’ll also have vendors, box lunches and celebrity judges Bad Dog and Ric judge several contests.” When asked about what type of contests Bark in the Park will have, Cohen suggests “Best in Show” and “Tallest Greyhound” categories and lights up at the idea of an “Owner/Pet Look-Alike” contest. “We’re going to have fun with this,” she beams. Mission off the track accomplished. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts
STREETSEEN
W.C. McDaniel Rockin’ Away
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.C. McDaniel’s rock collection dates back to his childhood when he began collecting arrowheads but has since grown in quantity, quality and diversity, not to mention his addition of innumerable fossils. Nearly every room in his house is chock full of display cases, clear jars and stands showcasing shark teeth, petrified wood, agate, fossilized poop, snail shells, crinoids, amethyst and the list continues. Sometimes the space feels more like a museum than living quarters, with school children often stopping in for field trips. When asked about his décor, McDaniel says, “I tell people it’s based on nature, antiques and good buys.” McDaniel admits he’s not going to pass something up he really likes, be that a mastodon’s molar he found in nearby Nonconnah Creek 10 years ago or a shatter cone, which is created by a meteorite when it hits a rock, that he retrieved near Clarksville, Tennessee. The former piece happens to be his favorite, and the latter is his most rare. If you’re wanting something unique, don’t ask him to part with these pieces, but do venture out to McDaniel’s other venture, the 32nd annual Memphis Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show, on April 24-25 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. each day at the Agricenter. As president of the Memphis Archaeological and Geological Society, McDaniel is responsible for chairing the show that attracts 30 dealers from 15 states and about 3,000 visitors. Not only will a portion of the proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House® Charities of Memphis, but the event will feature demonstrations, a professional speaker series, a Rock Zone for children and a chance to see a giant cast of a flying dinosaur hanging from the rafters. “The first time visitors come to our show, they’re awestruck,” McDaniel says. “Considering we have a 34,000-square-foot space, I encourage people to at least spend a few hours to go through it, but some take all day.” Being that the Memphis Archaeological and Geological Society is the second largest rock club in the South, the group of roughly 400 members puts on several more community events and usually embarks on a monthly excursion, outside of meeting once a month at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church. McDaniel says the club has access to places the general public doesn’t, and it’s not uncommon to see an 85 year old next to a child on a rock/fossil hunt. He even brags on his female counterparts saying, “Some of the best rock hounds are ladies, my wife included.” You can sense this has turned into a family affair for McDaniel and rocked across generation lines for many others. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts
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STREETSEEN
Sheri Monroe Promoting Green Living
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here’s something about Earth Day that’s got Sheri Monroe feeling nostalgic. It was in April of last year that she embarked on a new job as the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy’s manager of events and membership. Though 2010 marks her first time heading up the park’s ode to Mother Nature, she hasn’t shied away from making it the biggest ever, and for good reason. “It’s the 40th anniversary of Earth Day,” Monroe proclaims. For the past three years, park festivities associated with the holiday for the eco-conscious took place throughout the course of a weekend, but this year, a whole week of activities has been planned. Activities include the GreenTeen Gala (April 17, 6:30 p.m.) and SkyFest (April 24, 2-5 p.m.), which will boast sky diving, fly fishing, model airplanes, kites, ultimate Frisbee and wind surfing. Monroe says many other Shelby Farms’ sanctioned events will take place around town during the week, and the traditional kickoff will remain the GreenShoe Gala (April 16, 6:30 p.m.). The grand finale known as the Down to Earth Festival (April 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) has gotten a facelift as well. People of all ages can now look forward to geocaching, which is akin to an eco-treasure hunt, guided park tours and hikes courtesy of guides from U of M’s Ecological Research Center and an increased variety of food vendors, music and kids’ entertainment. The Eco-Marketplace is also unique to the event in that it features items created from reclaimed and recycled materials. Discussions will touch on topics such as composting at home and how to reuse household items. “We’re trying to be an example of how to live green in your daily life and why you should live green in the park,” Monroe explains. “We’re even going so far as to encourage people to bike or take the free shuttle departing from Central Library on Earth Day to the festival. I’ll add that people can recycle by bringing old electronics to several receptacles we’ll have set up at the park.” What matters most to Monroe is educating visitors about sustainability practices, and if spreading the message can be done in a fun atmosphere, even better. In her own life, she does as much as possible to walk the talk about helping the environment. She shares, “I already became a vegetarian about 15 years ago, but I’m constantly trying to expand my green impact and coming to the park has allowed me to take that to the next level. Also, listening to volunteers’ enthusiasm is exciting for me, and I truly think they are the unsung heroes of this movement.” Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts
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ine, Women & Shoes® found a new home this year at the new state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz of Memphis showroom for the event’s grand finale, The Sip-n-Shop Marketplace. A fund-raiser for Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center, the ultimate shopping mecca for all things shoes (and fancy cars) drew 350 attendees, who contributed $85,000 to benefit those receiving care from the only comprehensive children’s medical center in the region. The Best Girls With an invitation that touted “T Night Out Ever,” the event had a lot of buzz going among Memphis’ female population. However, females weren’t the only ones in attendance since several young men had been tapped to carry silver trays featuring wine and the plat du jour—shoes. The servers obliged ladies’ questions about the shoes, which were available for purchase along with other accessories like purses and jewelry. Models, donning wigs of every hue, also showed off footwear trends on the runway. Participating local boutiques included Crazy Beautiful, Peria, Breakaway Athletics, Runway Boutique, Strut Memphis and Joseph, and the three national partners were Gypsy Global Chic, Lisa Mackey Designs and international designer Angelo Anastasio. Star Distributing, Inc. presented Wine, Women & Shoes, which takes place in several other cities across the country. Fashionistas sampled more than 30 wines during the Sip-n-Shop Marketplace, but lots of vino was also savored during the “Le Bon Vin” for Le Bonheur held the night before. Until next year, Salud!
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A Trek Across the City’s Party L andscape Germantown Charity Horse Show Royal Ball
were Sarah Katherine Strawn, Sarah Covington Steele, Jane Cameron Bacon, Mary Parker Rice, Josephine Fitzhugh Brennan, Caroline Anne Crosthwait, Ashly
Sense of place, history and tradition were all alive and well at the 2010 Germantown Charity Horse Show Royal Ball, held at Woodland Hills. Founded in 1948 by a small group of friends recently returned from World War II, the Robert and Sissy Criss with Charles and Angela Herrin
Horse Show is again proud to sponsor the Exchange Club Family Center, which is dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse August LeVangie and Brian Kelsey
and domestic violence by providing quality intervention, counseling and support servic-
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Kay Mitchell, Lucy Wade Shapiro, Grace Ellen Hanks, Kendall Walker Taylor, Anne
Among those attending the Royal Ball
Caroline Mischke, Elizabeth Dunn Latham,
were Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy, Lillie Kay
Catherine Grace Jernigan, Elizabeth Howell
Mitchell, Brian Kelsey, August LeVangie,
Turner, Savannah Mackenzie Hawkins,
Amy Beth Dudley, Angela and Charles
Kaitlyn Ann Anderson, Sydney Marie
Herrin, Sissy and Robert Criss, Amy Foote,
Germantown Charity Horse Show (GCHS)
Sanford, Meredith Anne Rosenberg,
Diana Foote, Steven Wozniak, Katie North
originally aimed to extend local interest in
MaryEllen Southall DeLasho, Miranda
and Maxwell Schwam.
horses to participation beyond county lines.
Marie Strafuss, Jennifer Lynn McPherson,
Mary Aubrey Landrum and Rick Landrum
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es to families in need.
Today, the GCHS is one of the top three all-
Story and photos by Kelly Cox
breed horse shows in the U.S. Each year, various civic and sporting groups choose young women to represent them in the Germantown Charity Horse
HopeWorks Breakfast “A Morning of Hope”
Show Royal Court. These princesses, shown
Though the HopeWorks Breakfast started at 8:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning, Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy and Lillie Kay Mitchell
Katherine Peyton Klepper, Caitlin Forbes McCaskill and Cameron Marie Kawell. The highlight of the ball, of course, was the presentation of Queen Mary Aubrey Kendall Taylor, Sarah Steele and Fitzhugh Brennan
Landrum, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Emrich Landrum, who exhibited both poise
wearing snow-white gowns by the glow of a
and presence in addition to her many
spotlight, commanded all eyes while
accomplishments.
descending the steps to the ballroom. They
This year, the Germantown Charity
Vernita Allen and Ron Wade
Get a handle on a better you Joyce Redd and Tiffany Sharp
Saturday, April 24 10 am – 2 pm
the early time slot didn’t keep HopeWorks from doubling its crowd, from 400 people last year
We’re back and better than ever. Free makeovers, massages, financial planning advice, nutrition information,
to 800 in its second go-around.
jewelry vendors and a host of free health screenings,
Board member Harold Redd com-
including cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure
mented that he hoped to continue
and body mass index. Plus, vision screenings,
growing the event’s attendance in
mini-spa treatments, heel scans, lung screenings
the future and appreciated the
and sleep information.*
response to the organization, which is helping break the cycle
Events like these help spread the
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of crime, violence and addictions
word about the good deeds being
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through its 13-week personal career development program.
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done in Memphis, so it’s only A appropriate that the theme be “A Morning of Hope.�
*These health screenings and other services are subject to location. Please call the location for specific information on offerings.
Baptist DeSoto 7601 Southcrest Parkway Southaven, MS 662-772-4000
Baptist Collierville 1500 W. Poplar Collierville, TN 901-861-9000
800-4-BAPTIST • www.HerBaptist.org
Aubrey Wilson and Barbara Beck
This year, Sean Tuohy was tapped to serve as the featured speaker, but before any of the message by the father in The
Blind Side could be absorbed, guests made a beeline to the buf-
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3UNDAY 4HUR S DAY PM T I L L PM 3AT UR DAY 3UNDAY PM T I L L PM 3UNDAY "R UNC H AM T I L L PM
fet of biscuits, pastries, sausage, bacon, fruit and, of course, coffee and juice. As guests found their seats inside Woodland Hills, the
WWW C A F E C O M
Baptist Women’s Hospital 6225 Humphreys Blvd. Memphis, TN 901-227-9000
Michael and Paula Head
Buddy Youth Symphony Orchestra entertained. HopeWorks executive director Ron Wade then welcomed all to the gathering and asked Chris Altrock, the minister at Highland Church of Christ, to give the invocation. Trent Williamson, the headmaster at New Hope Christian Academy, took the floor A P R I L 2 010
next and opened by saying, “We’re here because of an organization which very few people know about, but I believe it’s the kind of thing that makes God
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smile.” He added that the question HopeWorks proponents ask every day of themselves is “If I don’t help this person, what will happen to them?” As a testament to the program’s success, many HopeWorks graduates were in the crowd, with some like Vernita Allen even bringing a photo album of her graduation class and Antonio Owens, who has become
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a HopeWorks instructor, delivering a powerful testimony.
The FedExForum filled
Sean Tuohy, whose personal story about adopting a
with folks eager to taste the
homeless teen relates to the non-
warming creations of many of our
profit’s ideology, rounded out the
area’s most popular restaurants—
agenda. In the movie based on his
all while supporting Youth
If you can’t suck it in, suck it out.
family, Tuohy said that the two words his wife, Leigh Anne, said when they saw Michael Oher walking the street not wearing clothes fit for cold weather changed his life and could change the country. Those words were, “Turn around.” Tuohy added, “Be careful who you leave behind; be careful how you value humans.”
Danni, Marian, Kali and Delaney Brun
Villages, which offers programs of
Sharp, Pat Wileman, Ann Srnka,
proven success to more than
Holly Brinkley, Paula and Michael
15,000 emotionally and behav-
Head, Laura Beth Harrison,
iorally troubled children each
Daniel Wade, Mark Luttrell, Jim
year. Patrick Lawler, CEO of
Coleman, Mayor A C Wharton,
Youth Villages, praised the event’s
Aubrey Wilson and Barbara Beck.
more than 350 volunteers as
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Soup Sunday Benefiting Youth Villages Carolyn Barnett and Susan Sorrell
That Punxsutawney Groundhog wasn’t kidding when he predicted more winter weather.
“unsung heroes” and estimated
The cold was getting old when,
that more than 2,000 people
Soup Sunday to the just in time...S
would attend throughout the
rescue!
course of the afternoon. Those holding VIP tickets to the Souper Party on the club level also enjoyed a buffet provided by
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Draper’s Catering, cooking demos by Chefs Kim Gauger and
Special #2 Latisse for $75
Nathaniel Stewart of L’Ecole Culinaire and music by Fiddler Jon. All attending were invited Patrick Lawler and Bill Lawler
to cast a vote for their favorite offerings. Winners of the People’s
Longer, darker, thicker lashes for a great price. For a limited time, also get a $20 Rebate. Free consulation. Call today. 2120 Merchants Row, Suite 2 | Germantown, TN | 901.362.7170 | www.dermatologyrealm.com Hurry! These specials good through April, 2010 • 1004A
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cause were Joyce Redd, Tiffany
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Those supporting the
Delaney and Kali Bruns. Story and photos by Kelly Cox
Lose Weight
Fastest Weight Loss Clinic In Town! Phentermine, Adipex, Ambien, and Other Prescription Medications Available
Madonna Learning Center Gala and Auction
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Steve Conley and Karen Perrin
By 7:30 p.m. on a late
Helps with weightloss!
winter’s night, the line at the Choice were Rafferty’s for Best
door to Christian Brothers High
Soup (cream of potato with
School’s Heffernan Hall stretched
bacon); Dixie CafĂŠ for Best Bread
Walk-Ins Welcome No Appointment Necessary Monday-Saturday www.cordovamedical.com
(homemade rolls); Draper’s Catering for Best Dessert (bread pudding with vanilla sauce); Tug’s for Best Seafood Gumbo
BBQ for Best Specialty Item (bar-
Cordova Medical Clinic
becue nachos). The Spirit Award
'U -RKQ %LOOV -U 0'
(with shrimp, crawfish and
A P R I L 2 010
andouille sausage); and Central
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went to B.B. King’s and Itta Bena. This taster favored the slightly
Anita Couglin and Tootie Hagerty
sweet and savory chili from Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q, served with an
down the sidewalk and into the
awesomely hot fresh jalapeno
parking lot as Mid-Southerners
slice and a dollop of cooling sour
eagerly awaited an opportunity to
cream.
sip, bid, nibble and mingle at the
%RQQLH /DQH (1 block east of Corky's)
41st annual Madonna Learning Center Gala and Auction. The rockin’ sounds of Memphis’ own Soul Shockers put an extra skip in everyone’s step while attendees drifted inside, and from room to room, to bid on hundreds of donated silent auction items.
At Your SERVICE
FM 100’s Ron Olson served as master of ceremonies Jamie Cockrell, Joseph Holmes and Amy Friers
for an event where plates overflowed with stuffed turkey breast,
Among those spotted soup-sipping the winter blues
Leah Donahue 246.4375
away at this family affair were Bill Lawler, Amy Linthicum, Blaine and Harper Loyd, Lana and Shawn Danko, Carolyn Barnett, Susan Sorrell, Steve Conley, Karen Perrin, John Force, Jamie Cockrell, Joseph Holmes, Amy Friers and Danni, Marian,
C AT E R I N G by
Karolee Olsen, Virginia Weeks and Terry Olsen
attendance this year and close to $200,000 in contributions. “It is just a fun night,” said chairwoman Donna Glenn. “We have such a great group of
ordinary... “The gift shop with nothing or rdinary... traveledd.” on the road less traveled.”
parents and lots of support from the faculty who help put this on. We are very blessed.”
Jan Vogelfanger and Connie Tichy
shrimp and grits and chocolate fondue prepared by Southwest Tennessee Community College culinary school students, dressed in full chef regalia and never failing to deliver. Other than beer and wine to sip on, the Fox and Dede and Howard Eddings
Hound English Pub and Grille
9\N *VTWHU`
items, which included two tickets
Julie and Brad Olsen, Karolee and
to see John Mayer and a private
Terry Olsen, Virginia Weeks, Bert
suite to a Redbirds game at
and Tom Depperschmidt, Mark
AutoZone Park for 24 guests, sup-
Depperschmidt, Anita Coughlin,
porters could purchase their
Tootie Hagerty, Jan Vogelfanger,
table’s flower arrangement as
Connie Tichy, Kelley and Paul
another way to support a good cause. The Madonna Learning Center was established in 1969 to provide education to special needs students in the Memphis area. Today, it serves 52 students, ages 5 to 22, out of its Germantown facility. The gala helps raise funds for the private school, and
Julie and Brad Olsen
each year it has grown in popular-
Come to Casablanca! Join us on
ity, with close to 500 guests in
April 24, 2010
Jordan, Jacqueline Majors, Michelle Reuer, Meredith Haselwood, Sarah Smith, Ann and
at the
Dr. Stewart Burgess, Becky
Peabody Hotel
Fisher, Carla Fisher, Ann Fisher, Lil and Larry Wright, Lisa and
Wine Auction and Hors d'ouerves at 6:30pm Dinner at 7:30pm
John Bobango, Andy Durr, Drew Durr, Bobbie and Mike Landreth, Doug Bloom and Betty Musselwhite.
For Ticket Information Contact: Karen Watson with the Arthritis Foundation at (901) 685-9060 or kwatson@arthritis.org
Paul and Kelley Jordan
Story and photos by Lesley Young
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Also in attendance were
tion to the silent and live auction
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donated two martini bars. In addi-
benefiting the Arthritis Foundation
+HZO (SILY[
EVENT
Tables of Content
TABLES OF CONTENT
Benefiting Shelby County Books from Birth
W
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Mae and Ed Stanton
Anna Hatfield and Kathryn Gilliland
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hat was your favorite book when you were a child? Was it by Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein or Beatrix Potter? Maybe it was about the Berenstain Bears. Whatever the title, whatever the generation, there’s something special about the books that pave the way to a literate life. This is what drew 450 people to the Memphis Botanic Garden for the debut of Tables of Content, presented by First Tennessee Foundation and benefiting Shelby County Books from Birth. Alongside items like Mednikow jewelry and original art by local favorites such as Mary Reed and Betsy Bird, the silent auction presented a bit of a plot twist in the form of unexpected offerings. How about a Grapes of Wrath wine tasting with Bill Huddleston? Or a dinner for eight themed around Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love at the riverside home of Gail and Karl Schledwitz? Literary references abounded in the live auction as well, with bidding for items like an authenticated, framed leaf from a 1611 King James Pulpit Bible and a Fancy Nancy Tea Party for 40 lucky ladies of all ages. As if these references weren’t enough, dinner was catered by A Moveable Feast (Hemingway, anyone?) and served around kid-litthemed “tablescapes” competing for blue ribbons in five categories. Most Creative or Whimsical went to the Grandview Garden Club for its interpretation of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Best Theme was awarded to Ann Nelson and Debra Smith for their adorable The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies. Most Elegant was bestowed upon Joe Tice for his rendering of The Polar Express. Best of Show went to Shelley Miller and Tricia Dudley for Fancy Nancy Tea Parties. Last, but not least, People’s Choice went to Harrah’s Entertainment, Marilyn Micheletti, Deb Blundell, Debra Hutchinson and Susanne Smith for their tablescape drawn from The Wind in the Willows. Shelby County Books from Birth is the local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Each month, it provides a free hardcover, age-appropriate book to every local child enrolled in the program, from birth to age 5. More than 30,000 children are presently enrolled. See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Jason and Hallie Ward
Story by Kelly Cox Photos by Nathan Berry
Leah and Les Jones
Margaret and Alec McLean
Dorothy and Dr. Phil Bryant
Karen Kruse and Tom Prestigiacomo
Juanita and Jerome Luke with Dorothy Johnson
Amber Sam and Brian Thompson
EVENT TABLES OF CONTENT Lee and Dorsey Hopson
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Missy Hamilton, Tameka Nelson, Kecha White and Lindsey McGrew
Gus and Linda Lauer
Sleeping Beauty
Playhouse on the Square Apr 24–May 2 A fresh, vivid retelling of the
Mary Kay Bartek, Elizabeth Rouse and Kim Dougherty
timeless ballet that will awaken your beliefs in the ability of love and determination to overcome any obstacle. Tickets start at just $10.
Tickets start at just $10 balletmemphis.org 901.737.7322 Harold and Debra Wingood
Greg and Jill Graflund
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VOX POPULAR
Vox Popular Q&A with Laura Corby
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RSVP: What initially motivated you to start the Autism Solution Center?
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Corby: I have two kids with autism spectrum disorders, and I have Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a high functioning form of autism. My daughter and I were actually incorrectly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I got diagnosed at 16 with bipolar disorder, and they put me on all of these psychotropic meds for 20-something years that made me very nonfunctional. I even quit school in 10th grade. My daughter was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD at age 7. They put her on psychotropic meds, which made her psychotic. Then, my son, who about that time was 1, got very ill. He ended up going to the hospital, and he came home and was unresponsive. He quit talking, he lost all of his language, he stopped eating, he had chronic diarrhea. People don’t realize a lot of the signs and symptoms with some of these kids because it’s not just about talking and socialization. This is a medical problem that causes neurological consequences that has behavorial outcomes. When you just treat the behavior end, it’s like spanking a kid with cerebral palsy and expecting him or her to get better. We have to look at the etiology of this disorder and look at what the underlying issues are that are causing all these problems. RSVP: What are your thoughts about the causes behind autism? Corby: First, I want you to know I’m not anti-vaccine at all, but I’m absolutely, positively one million percent convinced they play a role. I don’t think they’re causal, and I say that because if they were a cause, everybody that had shots would have autism. What we do know is that there is a subset of children that have a genetic predisposition, and that genetic predisposition is setting the stage. Genetics load the gun, and the environment pulls the trigger. It’s not just the shot in general, but there are a lot of different things. The mercury for some kids is a trigger, the live viruses (such as MMR) in vaccines for some kids are a trigger, the combination can be a trigger and sometimes kids can get a bad bout of the flu that’s a trigger. It can be environmental stuff, and you know that too because you look at places like New Jersey, where they have a lot of coal burning facilities, and you have pockets around those indus-
Photos by Don Perry
B
eing that April is Autism Awareness Month, it seemed more than appropriate for RSVP editor Leah Fitzpatrick to meet up with the founder and CEO of the Autism Solution Center, Inc., Laura Corby. This facility helps children and adults with autism and autism spectrum disorders, like ADHD, ADD, Asperger’s Syndrome and bipolar disorder, and was the first of its kind to offer services across all domains and at no cost. Though the center’s staff continues to treat patients in-house and online, times have been tough for the nonprofit, forcing Corby to make a decision to start charging patients a small fee last month. She’s saddened to not be able to help everyone that needs treatment and is on a mission to educate the general public about the necessity of this center. Corby also plans to open an Autism Solution Center in all 50 states and hopes to turn her current Cordova facility into a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art treatment center in the near future.
trial areas where the rates of autism are thousands of times higher than in other places, and it’s because coal burning emits mercury. There’s a lot to look at, and there’s really no one answer. We’re not telling families not to vaccinate, just to be educated about their choices and vaccinate safely—thimerosal-free, single dose vaccines and spreading them out when there is a family history. RSVP: What’s the difference in people who shows signs of autism at birth versus those who show signs at a later age? Corby: Well, I’m guessing about 85 percent of kids we see now have regressive autism, where they develop normally and somewhere between ages 1-3, something goes wrong. Even with those groups, you find parents saying, “Early on, I noticed some of the symptoms but never put it together.” You have to recognize that even in the regressive kids, there’s still a genetic predisposition that is there from birth, which can still give them a lot of these characteristics, it’s whether or not they’re pushed over the edge. What I think is interesting too is if you look at the rates of at-birth kids 10-15 years ago, which were one in 10,000 kids, you see those rates are close to still intact today. That shows us that those rates have remained pretty stable, but we now have this whole new plethora of kids that have this new regressive form, and it’s often recoverable. In atbirth kids, you don’t see a lot of recovery, improvement yes, but not often recovery. However, these regressive kids are getting better when they’re treated. If autism is truly genetic only, you don’t get better from genetic disorders. That tells me there’s a tremendous amount of environmental factors involved that are sending a whole group of kids over the edge. This is not just a genetic disorder. RSVP: What are the national rates for autism? Corby: We’re talking one out of 90 children. We have an entire generation of children’s lives who are at stake right now and are not
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going to be functional. That’s crazy. And there’s all this money going into genetic research, but who’s helping these kids now that have already been affected? RSVP: How have doctors received your efforts to help those with autism?
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Corby: I speak all over the country at conferences and training/teaching workshops. The bottom line is you can tell me all you want to about how what I’m saying isn’t scientifically valid because there’s no CDC placebo-controlled studies to prove it; well, yeah, nobody will fund them because they don’t want to know the answers. Interestingly enough, there are plenty of studies out there supporting this that have been dismissed. At the end of the day, you can make studies say whatever you want to—depends on who’s funding them. What I really want to know is, “Are the kids you’re treating getting better or not because ours are?” If they’re not, isn’t it time we start doing something different? It’s all about outcomes, and should be. So, families love us, but many in the therapeutic and medical community think we’re absolutely insane. Really though, at the end of the day, doing something that works and is getting kids better does not seem like the insane option to me. RSVP: What’s some advice you give to parents if they suspect their child is showing signs of autism?
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Corby: One thing I tell parents now is, “You have that instinct and that intuition 38 for a reason, don’t you ever ignore it. It’s never wrong.” I never heard a mom come in here and tell me, “Oh well, I thought something was wrong, but it really wasn’t.” But, what I hear every day is, “I just feel sick because I knew something wasn’t right, but I couldn’t pinpoint it and no one would listen to me.” Doctors need to learn to listen to that. There are autism checklists on our Web site (autismsolutioncenter.com) that parents can complete if there’s a concern. RSVP: Do public schools offer any programming for kids with autism? Corby: Good question. I had to learn the law and learn what, on a federal mandate level, these early intervention systems in schools are required to do for these children with special needs. We pay taxes for all these services, but my child, for instance, wasn’t getting them. I actually went in to my son’s school and said he needs this and this, and when I asked the school if they had those services, they said, “Oh, we don’t have that here.” I told them that’s not what the law says, and I think they were floored I knew the law because I don’t think anyone had challenged them before. My son ended up getting everything he needed. He got 35 hours of ABA in the home environment, which is a behavior modification technique, which is how our children learn and is what our kids need desperately. He also got five hours a week of speech therapy, three hours a week of occupational therapy and an hour a week of music therapy, and we were the first family through early intervention here that had ever gotten that. All of a sudden, he started making these huge gains. Then all these other families are saying, “Will you help me?” It was really empowering because the more I learned, the more I realized that I was driving this bus. About that time, I opened the center. I worked out of
my house for two years, and then in 2003, we applied for nonprofit status after I leased a space just for the center. Then, we got the land donated for our current location, and we put up these temporary buildings thinking we’d just raise funds for a building. How naïve was I? Here we are, still in these temporary buildings five years later. RSVP: What’s your biggest challenge currently at the center? Corby: We’ve been doing this seven and a half years now, and until last week, it was a no cost center. We did everything at no cost for families because what I found is when you go to these DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctors, who are a group of specially trained medical doctors who have expertise in metabolic issues and gastro and immune issues that are common in kids with autism, you can easily drop $2,000 or more in one day, like I did when I had to take my kid to a DAN doctor in Louisiana. If I didn’t have a credit card and they hadn’t been willing to work with me on a few things, I couldn’t have done that. What do people do that don’t have an open credit card? The answer is their kids don’t get helped. That’s why I decided to incorporate the no cost policy at the center, and we hired a DAN doctor and started bringing him in to see patients. I was doing biomedical counseling, dietary counseling, teaching functional communication, behavior modification and pretty much doing everything, and he was coming in once a month to see patients. We did that probably for four years off and on, and then he moved. I hired another doctor for about a year, and the original doctor finally came back. Unfortunately, I’m at the point that I’m having trouble just paying the bills, so we are charging what were suggested donation rates now for services. Also, our donations have dropped almost 50 percent in the last year. We need help. We need board members, volunteers and help fund-raising. It makes me sick because I know if we go away, there’s no one else doing what we do. This is so desperately needed, and people don’t realize what an epidemic autism is. RSVP: How many autistic people have you helped at the center? Corby: I can’t give you an exact number because I don’t know offhand, but I can tell you from my database that we’ve helped close to 1,800 people in the last five years. That’s not even counting how much I do online. I have on a continual basis thousands of e-mails in my inbox, and our phones ring off the hook. RSVP: Where do patients at the center come from? Corby: We have one family now coming to us from Iraq. We have others from Canada, Australia and all over the place. You know, we were the first organization worldwide that did everything under one roof and did it at no cost. Of course, we can’t say anymore that we do it at no cost, but maybe again soon. RSVP: What is your ultimate goal with the people you and your staff treat? Corby: My goal is to get people with autism living independently. I don’t want these parents when they die to have to worry about who’s going to take care of their kids.
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PHOENIX CLUB MARDI GRAS
EVENT
Phoenix Club Mardi Gras Party Casino Fun
P Zac McRae and Michelle Johnson
Gaines and Courtney Conaway
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urple, yellow and green Mardi Gras flags waved outside the Cadre Building downtown, signaling the beginning of late night revelry at the Phoenix Club Mardi Gras Party. Though Memphis is a far cry from New Orleans’ French Quarter, 1,100 guests didn’t seem to mind celebrating the king of all celebrations right here at home. The Phoenix Club’s chosen philanthropy is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, and while the Mardi Gras Party isn’t the club’s largest fund-raiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs, it seems to be the most popular. Event chair Gaines Conaway says, “The party’s ever-growing popularity is a combination of word-of-mouth, the fact that it benefits such an important local cause and because it appeals to a very young, active and social group in Memphis.” This year, attendees contributed around $20,000 through ticket and raffle purchases. Another spot where numbers mattered was at numerous casino tables, which were donated by Harrah’s Entertainment. Gamblers had their pick between blackjack, craps and roulette, and those in the VIP Room on the second floor had access to private gambling, as well as their own bar and food. Winning was made even sweeter for attendees who picked up raffle prizes from donors such as Bella Bridesmaid, Oak Hall, Tommy Bronson Sporting Goods, the Madison Hotel, Folk’s Folly, the Tower Room and Fleming’s Steakhouse. No Mardi Gras festivity would be complete without live music, and this gathering didn’t disappoint. For a second year, Lord T & Eloise returned to the stage to deliver their signature aristocrunk tunes, quickly turning the room into a dance party. None other than Al Kapone and Total Savage joined the group later in the night as the guest performers. Last call might have been at one in the morning for drinks by D. Canale, Itta Beena and South of Beale and for delectables by Rendezvous, but the good times will be had soon enough when the Phoenix Club hosts its annual end-of-summer luau.
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Rachel Tyler and Matt Young
Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Don Perry
James Williams and Lisa Lynch
Lindsay Sambecki and Ericka Porter
Franklin Childress and Rebecca Riser
Adam and Kim Britt
Bobby and Bethany Gallagher with Ashley Ezekiel and John Yacoubian
Kelly Williams and Josh Hutcheson
EVENT Amanda Kirkman and Suzanne Pike
PHOENIX CLUB MARDI GRAS PARTY
Charles Bronson and Kevin Hansom
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OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER
EVENT
Opera Memphis Wild Game Dinner “Arias and Antler s”
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Jess and Annabel Woodall
Mercedes and Chuck Treadway
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early 200 opera buffs and wild game aficionados turned out for Opera Memphis’ annual Wild Game Dinner. Aptly themed “Arias and Antlers,” the opera’s largest fund-raiser of the year, held to benefit its outreach and education programs, shifted venues this year to the beautiful Clark Opera Memphis Center. Many guests were in the spirit of the wild, clad in animal print attire and some even sporting antler headgear reminiscent of a Wagnerian Opera, as they sipped aperitifs and enjoyed such tasty hors d’oeuvres as breaded duck tenders with papaya orange glaze and marinated ostrich kabobs. Bidding soon began on an array of silent auction items, including those generously donated by Gild the Lily, Dermatology Realm, Memphis Botanic Garden, Hard Rock Café, Hal Jaffe, The Alluvian, The Orpheum, The Memphis Symphony Orchestra and The National Ornamental Metal Museum. Mednikow Fine Jewelers displayed David Yurman bracelets, rings and necklaces with 20 percent of the purchase price going to the opera. Replicas of safari animals stood throughout the hall, and dinner tables were draped with camouflage cloths and decorated with leopard print candles, duck calls stamped with the Opera Memphis logo and copies of Chef Valerie Morris’ cookbook Flavorful Wild Game and Delectable Desserts. Marcie and Chuck Goldstein, Master Chefs and owners of Heart and Soul Catering, used their creativity in preparing a first rate buffet dinner of braised duck breast topped with diced tomatoes and bell peppers, Cajun venison and turkey sausage jambalaya, Carolina trout stuffed with collard greens and herb roasted venison loin, followed by desserts of peach cobbler and turtle cheesecake. Works from Opera Memphis artists, as well as tunes from the Jim Spake Trio delighted the crowd. Following dinner, a spirited live auction took place, conducted by Jeff Morris. Up for bid were Rebecca “Cleopatra” earrings and necklace from Mednikow, Chef Mike “Bubba” Whitfield’s Wild Game Dinner for eight with wine paired by Gary Burhop of Great Wines, a “Kill It and Grill It” half day hunt and lunch from The Willows and Harrah’s Tunica, a private home concert with Kallen Esperian, a New Orleans trip for two with a stay and dinner at Harrah’s NOLA and tickets to the New Orleans Opera. Mayor A C Wharton served as honorary chairman, and John Ryder and Laurie Brown were the chairman and auction chair, respectively. Christiana Leibovich, special events manager and development coordinator, was ecstatic about the event’s success stating, “Only in Memphis would hunters, politicians and music lovers gather to support the opera. For more than 20 years, Opera Memphis has had the privilege of hosting the Wild Game Dinner, and this year we raised almost $20,000.” See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Laura and Kenny Charbonnet
Story by Ruth Cassin Photos by Nathan Berry
Mike and Sherry Murphy
Brenda and Jason Berry
Shannon and Amanda McGee
Karimeh McDaniel and Brittan Webb
Emily Woodside, Bill Falvey and Lain Whitaker
Joyce Lower and Tracey Witchko
EVENT OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER
Jane Young with Phil and Susan Fisher
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OPERAMEMPHIS presents Puccini’s
madame butterfly
Mark McCowan, Tom Essmyer and Ryan Ehrhart
Opera Memphis thanks our generous season sponsors:
ADAMS FOUNDATION Andrew and Melissa Taber
Jackie and Jerry Fanion
Orpheum Theatre, 203 South Main St Saturday, April 17 & Tuesday, April 20 7:30 pm
901.257.3100 OPERAMEMPHIS.org This production was created by Opera Omaha. Scenery, Costumes, Projections and Props designed by Jun Kaneko. Photo courtesy of Hawaii Opera Theatre.
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EVENT OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER A P R I L 2 010
John David Douglas and Linda Gail
Kathy and Daniel Moore
Clifford Stockton and Bob Lanier
Rickey and Tonya White
Shelly and James Baker
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Sharon and Jack Dietz
Barbara and John Snyder
Jamie Patterson and Bob Bell
Josh Hammond and Lindsey McGrew
Steven Douglas and Nora Boone
Holmes Paschall and Laura McLain
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Sarah Watkins and William Roark
OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER E V E N T
Valerie and Jeff Morris
Tony and Robin Womeodu with Mayor A C Wharton RSVP
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Blue Streak’s 6th Annual F ood Tasting Tasting & Silent Auction Food April 23, 2010 7:00 PM Pink Palace Museum
Elizabeth Henderson and Max Ostner
Anthony and Cathy Lopes
$75 per person / $85 at door 320.6362 or tasteofjubilee.org Presented by
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ith 10 movies vying for Best Picture, Meryl Streep fans hoping for her Best Actress losing streak to end and Kathryn Bigelow in the running to become the first female winner for Best Director, there was a lot to be excited about as viewers watched the 82nd annual Academy Awards®. Memphians didn’t even have to travel to the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles to experience the most glamorous of award shows thanks to the Oscar Night® America party at Minglewood Hall. Even better, the event benefits the Ronald McDonald House® Charities of Memphis. No Oscars® broadcast would feel quite the same without a red carpet for guests to show off the latest in black-tie fashions, so organizers delivered by rolling out the grand walkway for 500 attendees. Faux paparazzi even snapped pics in the wings, and movie characters like Snow White, Cinderella and Belle waved their hellos. At the end of the entrance, flutes of Champagne were handed out while partygoers perused more than 100 silent auction items and answered movie trivia questions for door prizes. By that time, the live telecast had begun in the Academy Awards Viewing Room, but numerous television screens were positioned throughout the main event hall as well. A live auction by Morris Auction Group took place later on, and in keeping with the movie madness, participating restaurants featured booths inspired by popular films. Humdingers stole the show and the Food Star Award for Most Creative Movie Themed Booth for its interpretation of The Lost Boys’ Tree House from Peter Pan. Other awards went to the following: Itta Bena (Star Cuisine), Lynchburg Legends (Star Dessert) and Interim (Food Star Chef). Cameron Harper of ABC24/CW30 Eyewitness News emceed the affair that raised in excess of $70,000 to support the “home-awayfrom-home” for families with children receiving treatment for cancer and other illnesses. The Bar-Kays also contributed by keeping the crowd dance happy until the last golden statue was accepted.
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Scott Williams and Carrie Hahn
Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Don Perry
Karla and Terry Davis
Shirley and DeNaye Mathews
David and Alex Matlock
Elizabeth Batchelor and Drew Davenport
Stephen Mancuso, Luca Linder, Jennifer Goyer and Melinda Sanders
Sophie Anthony and Bryan Duffel
EVENT OSCAR NIGHT ® AMERICA
Madison and Gay Young
Ashley Lopez and Ashley Hooppaw
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Jamie Holmes and David Loy
Caron Byrd and Ally Luciano
Tiffany Collins and Darrin Hines
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Bob and Trish O’Connor
Rachel and Carl Curbo
Stacey and John Clark
Missy Flinn and Scott Finney
Jack and Laura Sherman
Gwen Horner and Warren Pan
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ACES in Ties Mardi Gras Wine Tasting River Oaks Garden Club Valentine Dinner
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Lisa Bell, Jackie Hogan and Sandy Hudson at Mardi Gras Wine Tasting
Eric Harris and Victoria Mallett at Mardi Gras Wine Tasting
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eturning to center court for another year at The Racquet Club of Memphis was the ACES in Ties Fashion Show and Auction. During the charity event for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, men (or ACES) model one-of-a-kind ties designed by St. Jude for the auction. Other biddable items included a football signed by Archie, Eli and Peyton Manning, two tickets to the SEC Championship Game in December and dinner at Erling Jensen’s Restaurant. By afternoon’s end, 200 attendees had scored $17,000 for St. Jude. Fat Tuesday couldn’t come fast enough for reguPam Campbell, Linda Niell, Pat Canale and Elaine Colmer M emphis Botanic Garden’s February edition of lars at at ACES in Ties Tuesdays on the Terrace.” Of the nonprofit’s monthly “T wine fund-raisers, the Mardi Gras Wine Tasting always ranks as a fan favorite thanks to its mix of Cajun fare and music. This year, the Beale Street Strutters provided Dixieland jazz, while guests sampled New Orleans cuisine by Bayou Bar & Grill, The Half Shell, Just Catering and They Should Have Called Us, as well as Abita brews and red, white and sparkling wines. Massages by Daniel also provided a little relaxation, and door prizes were given out courtesy of Whole Foods, Owen Brennan’s and Crescent City. Proceeds benefit education and horticulture programs at the Botanic Garden. The evening was as smooth as the red-colored Cosmopolitans served during the River Oaks Garden Club Valentine Dinner, held on the commemorative day 50 Claude Chafin, Chris Park, Marty Austin and Linda White of love at the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club. Rather at ACES in Ties than vie for the corner table at everyone’s favorite restaurant, members and their husbands mingled with friends to drink, dine and dance to music by Hudson and Saleeby while outfitted in sparkling reds, silky roses and sumptuous violets. The club hosts the party annually, and it is one of the rare events spouses are allowed to attend. “We used to hold the dinner party at a member’s home, but it’s grown so much, we started having it at the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club,” said Claudia Efird. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick and Lesley Young Photos by Leah Fitzpatrick, Chris Pugh and Lesley Young Jane Ezzell, Grace Leatherman Jones, Hilary Butler and Ruth Lancaster at ACES in Ties
Dawn Moreau and Jessyca Robinson at Mardi Gras Wine Tasting
Mike and Camille Thompson at River Oaks Garden Club Valentine Dinner
Joe and Diane Davis with Richard and Sharon Shaknis at River Oaks Garden Club Valentine Dinner
Moacir and Elma Schnapp with Nan and Burns Landess at River Oaks Garden Club Valentine Dinner
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The Purrrfect Evening Creative Arts for a Cure Gold Tag Luncheon Fairways Dinner Methodist VIP Reception
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Jim Darr, Loren Roberts, Wil Bridges and Bob Simpson at Fairways Dinner
Dr. Melvine Seymour, Dr. Penn Joe and Dr. Barbara Duncan-Cody at Methodist VIP Reception
Dr. Giancarlo Mari, Dr. Ramasubbareddy Dhanireddy, Dr. Michael Schneider and Dr. Joe DeWane at Methodist VIP Reception
Julie Butler, Dana Farmer and Anita McCarty at The Purrrfect Evening
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Mike and Renee Jordan with Kent Farmer at The Purrrfect Evening
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Berry Jones, Bill Nixon and Kemp Conrad at Fairways Dinner
ana and Kent Farmer hosted The Purrrfect Evening to benefit Mid-South Spay and Neuter Services. As some guests perused a silent auction of artwork and jewelry provided by fused glass artist Lisa Allen, Farmer’s Frocks and Mednikow Jewelers, others enjoyed dinner and desserts prepared by Sondra Levingston, Gail Silverstein, Janis Iansmith and Robert Hayes. Marne Anderson paired the evening’s menu with a variety of wines during a three-room tasting that also included cordials, brandies, scotches and bourbon courtesy of Victor Robilio Company, Southern Vines, Kobrand Corp. and Kent Farmer. Seven Memphis artists teamed up with Karyn Waxman to raise funds and awareness for the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation. Dubbed Creative Arts for a Cure, the event took place at the Tom Clifton Art Gallery in the Broad Avenue Arts District. Recent works by Lisa Allen, Myrna Halpern, Joan Kelly, Ken Lecco, Lisa Mergen, Dorothy Northern, Barbara Olive and Jen Winfrey were featured. The Le Bonheur Club kicked off its Gold Tag Drive with a luncheon at the University Club. This Bring Some Sunshine Into a year’s campaign, called “B Child’s Life,” was aimed at bringing in funding for the group’s newest endeavor, the Child Life Endowment. Sally Perry and Lauren Barnett chaired the event, and Thomas Hobson served as guest speaker. Local golf great Loren Roberts gave back to his sport by delivering a keynote address at the Fairways Dinner, benefiting The First Tee of Memphis/MidSouth Junior Golf Association. More than 100 supporters gathered at Southwind TPC for the occasion and helped chip in for a good cause by bidding on silent and live auction goodies. By night’s end, $22,000 had been raised. Doctors, donors and elected officials took a trip to the hospital not for their health, but for a VIP Reception for the Women’s and Children’s Pavilion at Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital. Rene Koopman tickled the ivories in the lobby, while the Tom Lonardo Jazz Trio entertained the crowd from an outdoor tent. Tours were offered throughout the evening so guests could preview the extra 208,000 square feet of hospital space.
Thomas Hobson and Sally Perry at Gold Tag Luncheon
Story Submitted and by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos Submitted and by Joseph Martin
Gary and Glenda Shorb with William and Carol Kenley at Methodist VIP Reception
Tom Clifton and Karyn Waxman at Creative Arts for a Cure
RSV PHILLIPPI
By Dennis Phillippi
LET’S PLAY DRESS UP
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ritics have been doing backflips for that show “Mad Men” for the last couple of years, praising the show for its design, complex storytelling and attention to period detail. I don’t buy any of that. “Mad Men” is so cool because of one thing— dresses. The show is packed full of swell dames wearing dresses. Fitted, tailored, figure-hugging dresses. Boy, the ‘60s were swell. Okay, the early ‘60s were swell. The late ‘60s were more androgynous, figure concealing, “let’s not focus on gender, let’s just be people” junk. Forget that noise; let’s get back to swinging ladies. In case you haven’t noticed, the current big thing in women’s fashion is the return of the ‘80s. Yes, the ‘80s. The era of “Dynasty,” “Dallas” and Hall & Oates. Women are once again, and God only knows why, wearing high-waisted jeans, piled up hair, shapeless dresslike things over leggings and shoulder pads. Overall, it’s very depressing. First off, the fashion of the ‘80s isn’t flattering. It was another misguided attempt to level the playing field by manufacturing the idea of the women’s power suit and compensate for the height differential through the profligate use of hair spray. Women in the ‘80s, not to mention Boy George, all wore too much makeup and not enough midriff baring hotness. I lived through the ‘80s, and I’m here to tell you the men’s fashions weren’t any better, in fact, they may have been worse. We wore knit ties, sport coats with shoulder pads that rivaled those worn by NFL players and pleated pants. Multipleated pants no less. Thankfully, none of that seems to be returning. If those Michael Medved, Sally Jesse Raphael gigantic horn-rimmed glasses start making the scene again, we’re all lost. Please, women of the world, unite and reject this horrible trend and give the early and mid ‘60s a spin. Cast off the shackles of the fashion industry’s empire waist recycling and slide into a dress and a pair of heels. Men will be trailing you like bloodhounds. Be saucy. Be refined. Be prim. It will drive us insane. Make us once again ask ourselves the eternal question, “Are those stocking stockings?” Why do you think Don Draper smokes so much? One word, dresses. There was a terrifying moment ear-
lier this winter in our house when track suits suddenly appeared. I do the laundry, and out of the blue, several of the comfortable, utilitarian, cult-wear ensembles made the scene. It was a scary time. Had my wife decided it was time to accept the fact that we are well into the mid part of middle age? Had she secretly become an acolyte of “Jersey Shore?” Was she going to turn into that screaming mini troll Snooki? What an awful development this would’ve been. If she was going the track
Women in the ‘80s, not to mention Boy George, all wore too much makeup and not enough midriff baring hotness. suit route that meant I was going to have to figure out how to bankroll a new red convertible, buy a couple of gold necklaces and begin a tanning regimen. Thankfully, none of that was in the offing, she just wanted something warm to wear to the gym, where we go to forestall any talk of our being middle aged. That’s what makes my wife so cool. Now, if I could just get her in dresses. Oh, she’ll wear skirts, and I am a big fan of the skirts. Frilly, hippie skirts, flowing gypsy skirts, handcrafted, beaded numbers bought at street fairs, those are all super. But like all men, I secretly, well, not so secretly now, want her to dress like Laura Petrie. I want her to be dolled up like Grace Kelly in “To Catch a Thief.” When I tell her this, she says the same thing she says about lingerie that I like,
“It’s uncomfortable.” To which I reply, “I don’t care.” Because I don’t. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating going back in time when women were expected to stay at home and be happy with their lot in life. Good heavens no. Mainly because that’s what I do. My wife has outearned me most of the years we’ve been together. Considering the fact that I’m a middle-aged high school dropout who can’t do math, there’s no place for me in the business world. I’ll make the jokes, she brings home the bacon. Plus, as a well-informed man of the 21st century, I respect and admire women and sincerely believe they’re every bit my equal, and in most circumstances, my superior. Still, would it kill those same self-actuated, confident and successful women to take a run at a nice cocktail dress? Take a look at the preceding pages of this magazine. Look at all those dreamy skirts and pretty dresses. They certainly don’t look downtrodden. They look yummy. Let me also say that if there were something other than what I wear now that my wife wanted me to sport, I’d do it in a second. She just doesn’t seem to want me to change. If she wanted me to make the same deal, to wear sharp suits and carry a cigarette case, I’d do it in a second. Mind you, she’d have to foot the bill for the suits. Hell, if she wanted me to dress like a cowboy, a soldier, a cop or any other member of the Village People, I’d do it if it would make her happy. What do I care? My personal style, as I’ve pointed out on these very pages, consists of clothes that don’t go in or out of style and things that have enough pockets. All I want is enough pockets. But if she wanted me to strut around in a loincloth and moccasin boots, I’d do it; I’d just have to carry a purse. Yep, I’d wear whatever made her happy. Except dresses. I don’t have the legs for it, cross-dressing doesn’t hold any appeal for me, and frankly, they’re uncomfortable.
Oh Phillippi! You know us women have to keep our love for Joan Collins’ Alexis and Linda Gray’s Sue Ellen alive with our wardrobe ensembles. Too bad Phillippi forgot to mention the ’8os stilettos because those were—and still are—powerful and sexy.
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Class Picture
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tudents in the Roulhac Colonial Senior Kindergarten Class took their places for a class photo in 1960. Seated in the front row from left to right are Bill Wilder, Nancy Sternberger, Don Newman, Julie Kopald, Bobby Norton, Ricky Dichtel, Cindy Kretzer and Mark Harris. Standing in the back row are John Cergnel, Bill Cottam, Mike Molloy, Karen Wilson, Bill Eubanks, Walter Polk, Vicki Busby and Larry Busch. B.E. Busby (not pictured) taught the class. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIE KOPALD-FISHER If you have a past photo you would like to share with RSVP readers, please contact Leah Fitzpatrick at 276-7787 ext. 105 or e-mail the photo and caption to editor@rsvpmagazine.com All photos will be returned promptly.
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