April 2011
Oscar Night® America Phoenix Club Mardi Gras Party Opera Memphis Wild Game Dinner 21 Chefs: The Great Chefs’ Tasting Q&A with Stephen Lang
CONTENTS
Contents April 201 1
From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Jennifer Chandler invites RSVP into her kitchen for a dose of home cooking.
RSVP Watch List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 An assortment of the season’s coolest rain gear.
10 SIGNATURE MEMPHIS Jennifer Chandler
Opera Memphis Wild Game Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Opera Memphis patrons embraced a “Fish, Fowl and Figaro” theme at the Clark Opera Memphis Center.
34 OSCAR NIGHT® AMERICA Camille and Karen Casey
StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 & 24 He’s been easing pre-flight jitters for Wish families for nearly two decades. This former media personality is helping kids pick up a sport he’s loved since childhood. StreetSeens spotlight
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Pete Caldwell and Joe Larkins.
Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28, 38, 48, 50 & 51 Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.
4 RSVP
Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Q&A with the Tennis Memphis executive director, Stephen Lang.
16 OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER Linda Zastrow and Don Talkar
Oscar Night® America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Minglewood Hall was aglow with fans of Hollywood at the annual Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Memphis’ Oscar telecast party.
40 21 CHEFS: THE GREAT CHEFS’ TASTING Gwen Martin and Tameka Nelson
21 Chefs: The Great Chefs’ Tasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Foodies brought big appetites to the United Cerebral Palsy of the Mid-South’s fund-raiser at the U of M Holiday Inn.
Phoenix Club Mardi Gras Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Mardi Gras arrived at the Cadre Building for the Phoenix Club’s yearly benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.
RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 You Can’t Spell Twitter Without Twit.
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Dennis Phillippi rambles on about his distaste for Twitter.
STREETSEEN Joe Larkins
44 PHOENIX CLUB MARDI GRAS PARTY Nathan Berry and Cassandra Kimberly
Cover Photo Kim and Trey Fyfe at Oscar Night® America Photo by Don Perry
Volume XVI
Number VII
April 201 1 PUBLISHER
Roy Haithcock EDITOR
Leah Fitzpatrick CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ruth Cassin Kelly Cox Jonathan Devin Dennis Phillippi Suzanne Thompson Lesley Young ART DIRECTOR
Patrick Aker s PHOTOGRAPHERS
Nathan Berry Baxter Buck Don Perry Steve Roberts SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
6
Ruth Cassin
RSVP
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Libby Huff Chris Pugh 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 Follow us on
RSVP Memphis Magazine Copyright 2011 Haithcock Communications, Inc.
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From the Editor
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Photo by Steve Roberts
ou know how you can pass by something a million times but never really notice it? Well, I for one, do it all the time, whether it is a house I’ve never seen on my usual walk through Central Gardens or my favorite dark chocolate bar I miraculously didn’t spot in my kitchen pantry. Most recently, something I noticed for the first time, but should have paid attention to sooner, was a quote painted on a tabletop near the classroom where I volunteer teach at Literacy Mid-South. The quote comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson and goes,“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” I read quotes somewhat frequently, as I have two whole books of them at home, however Emerson’s quote resonated with me more than most. Maybe Emerson’s words inspired me because I started thinking about the task at hand (student testing) when I read them; after all, these tests are one of the first steps in the process of helping students become comprehensive readers—a great achievement indeed. Another reason might have been because I thought about how much enthusiasm toward any endeavor usually results in a phenomenal outcome. These musings lead me to this month’s StreetSeens, which feature two dynamic volunteers in the community. First, on page 22, you’ll read about Pete Caldwell, whom my friend Steve Conley of 94.1 KQK informed me about for good reason. After learning about Caldwell’s selfless work in an oft-unheard area of volunteerism (that of pre-flight captain) with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Mid-South, I had to meet the guy. Not only did Caldwell’s story of giving blow me away, but so did the 71-year-old’s energy, which was extremely infectious, as I’m sure Wish families would attest. Equally engaging and upbeat, though in a different way, was Joe Larkins, whose involvement with a new kid-friendly fishing outing has landed him on page 24. Best known for his days hosting the “Outdoors Show,” Larkins now heads up Lead Dog Video but is going back to his outdoor roots by sharing his fishing knowhow with area youth during the Kids Katch Youth Fishing Experience this month. You don’t want to miss taking your little ones to this free event. Be sure to also check out the Signature Memphis with culinary goddess Jennifer Chandler (love the apron!) on page 10 and the Vox Popular with Tennis Memphis’ executive director, Stephen Lang, on page 30. Both of these interviewees hit close to home as I love to be creative in the kitchen, and I grew up playing tennis and heading up free tennis clinics after school. Go enjoy that extra hour of sunlight (thank you daylight-saving time), and have a joyous Easter.
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Leah Fitzpatrick editor@rsvpmagazine.com
Cookbook Author/Food Stylist/Culinary Writer/Restaurant Designer
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SIGNATURE MEMPHIS
Jennifer Chandler
Stress outlet: Yoga. Your mantra: C’est la vie! Guilty pleasure: Chocolate! First concert: Shaun Cassidy. Your greatest achievement: My children. First job: Bank teller at First Tennessee Bank. Ideal vacation spot: Any sunny and warm beach. Favorite Memphis musicians: Amy LaVere and Elvis. Favorite album: Van Morrison’s “A Night in San Francisco.” Movie you could watch over and over again: Sex and the City. Last book you’ve read: The Revolutionary Paul Revere by Joel Miller. Where you take out-of-town guests: The Rendezvous for some of Memphis’ famous dry ribs. Favorite author: My favorite cookbook author is Ina Garten, aka The Barefoot Contessa. One thing most people don’t know about you: I majored in International Finance at Georgetown.
Photo by Steve Roberts
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OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER
EVENT
Opera Memphis Wild Game Dinner “Fish, Fowl and Figaro”
Q Susan and Chuck Brady
Brent and Lea Heilig
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uickly becoming known as the wildest place in Memphis to be during February, Opera Memphis’ Wild Game Dinner was again a resounding success with opera devotees and wild game aficionados alike in attendance. Titled “Fish, Fowl and Figaro,” the event attracted several hundred patrons, many attired in hunting and safari garb, to the Clark Opera Memphis Center. The silent auctions were divided into two categories: Fish and Fowl, of course! Among the huge array of items were “Keep it Classy” (dinner at Café 1912 with tickets to concerts with the Memphis Chamber Music Society); “The Last Supper” (dinner for four at Paulette’s former Overton Square location); “Come Fly with Me” (fly fishing lessons from John Viser with supply consultation and hand tied fishing flies from Doug’s Bugs); “Faust,” “Madame Butterfly” and “La Traviata” art quilts fashioned from opera costumes and sheet music from Antzee Magruder; Chick Huettel framed oil paintings on canvas; Art of Cloth ruana from Kittie Kyle; a hand knit sari silk cowl from Lynsey Mitchell; and “Little Man” (a boy’s suit and toy, featuring custom embroidery from the Woman’s Exchange). Master Chefs Chuck and Marci Goldstein of Heart and Soul Catering, back for the second year by popular demand, served up an innovative menu, beginning with delicious hors d’oeuvres such as deviled eggs with wild caught Alaskan salmon and bacon-wrapped duck breast. Getting through the buffet posed a delightful culinary quandary, as it consisted of a wedge salad, juniper and cranberryglazed grilled duck breast, pastry-wrapped venison stuffed with bleu cheese and walnuts served with blueberry balsamic vinaigrette and chargrilled salmon filet topped with lemon basil vinaigrette. Then there were favorites like venison chili with hot salsa and Cajun sausage jambalaya, as well as several inspired vegetable dishes. Yolo’s desserts were a perfect compliment for those with a sweet tooth. Following dinner, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, the honorary chair, thanked attendees for their support of the opera. An energetic live auction ensued, with avid bidders vying for “A Date with the Opera Memphis 2011-2012 season,” a Redbirds’ AutoZone suite for 18 including $500 in Redbird Bucks for catering, concessions or Backstop Emporium and a full guided day turkey or deer hunt at Fitch Farms Galena Plantation in Arkansas. Perhaps the most coveted biddable was “Figaro,” a 9-week-old male Legacy Labrador Retriever from Duckhill Kennels, who was offered along with training, veterinarian services and feed. When the auctions were completed, The Bluff City Backsliders entertained a crowd ready to dance to the honky-tonk and romping stomping blues. John Ryder served as chair for the dinner and auction, and Mahaffey Tent and Party Rentals was the generous presenting sponsor.
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Melody McAnally and John Lawrence
Story by Ruth Cassin Photos by Don Perry Drs. Aaron Duberstein and Hilary Baer
Abby and Carey Webb
John and Heather Maki
Sharon and Travis Johnson
Ralph and Tere Gusmus with Kathleen and Mike Edelmuth
Sara Rose and Evan Jones
EVENT OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER A P R I L 2 0 11
Mary and Lyle Muller with Jeanette Watkins
Kelly Jo and Mitch Graves
Jim and Sheila Wilson
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Pam and Esmond Arrindell with Joey Beckford
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Jim Strickland and Bobby Lanier
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Nancy and Martin Edwards
OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER E V E N T
Phyllis Martin and Heather Pike
Anita and Ray Pohlman with Trina and Ray Poquette RSVP
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Steve Baumgart and Lisa Simolon
Mary Beth and Steve Harris
May 6
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11a.m. - 10p.m.
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Adults $3 Children (ages 6-11) $1
Children 5 years old and younger are free
Rain or shine • Free Parking Shuttle buses provided* * Visit our website for more information about shuttle bus
Bo and Laura Adams with Chuck Goldstein
Come To Our Little Greek Island On Highland!
www.memphisgreekfestival.com • 901.327.8177
EVENT OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER A P R I L 2 0 11
Erin Whipkey and Stephen Carey
Nick Dahl and Bobbie Hullerman
Scott and Amy Hickerson
Cristina and Paul Guibao
Hope Webb and Josh Bell
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Chirag and Mandy Chauhan
Anthony and Cathy Lopes
Cyndii Jo Hartley, Jonathan Ealy and Nora Boone with Figaro
Honey Scheidt and Pat Luttrell
James and Shelly Baker
Mickey and Charlie Schaffler
Bob Talley and Beth Riley
Kathy and Daniel Moore
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Carolyn and Gary “Doc” Tomlinson
OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER E V E N T
Max and Elizabeth Ostner
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Dan Altman and Kristin Vienneau with Ashlee and Steven Albart
Dr. Bill and Annie Bell Terrell
C.D. Booker and Lisa Hawkins
STREETSEEN
Pete Caldwell Pre-Flight Captain
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ete Caldwell worked for Northwest Airlines (mostly on the ramp) for 26 years, and though retired, he happily serves as a “pre-flight captain” for countless Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Mid-South Wish families who are traveling by plane to their children’s wish grantings. To clarify, Caldwell, who does maintain a pilot license, says his voluntary role for Make-A-Wish doesn’t involve taking people up in the air. Rather, he greets Wish families, often first-time flyers, at the local airport and addresses any of their needs, from helping check baggage to getting to the correct gate. “Before I met a Make-A-Wish family at the airport for the first time, I actually got on my knees and prayed that I could convey to them I was going to make their airport experience as smooth and easy as possible,” Caldwell shares. The prayer must have been heard because for 19 years Caldwell has been meeting Wish families at the airport, often as early as 6 a.m., and staying with them up until they enter the plane. He even has gone so far as to keep his head shaved—something he first did when battling bladder cancer—to make those Wish kids who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy feel more comfortable. No matter the life-threatening medical condition a child is facing, Caldwell treats each one with equal enthusiasm, as noted by Miranda Harbor of Make-A-Wish, who vouches, “I can’t believe after all the Wish kids we give Pete to meet that he is just as excited to get information for the next one.” Caldwell says, “I’m just trying to make it fun for the kids to got to the airport, so I let my personality take over and try to put myself in their place.” A big personality he is, but thoughtfulness and humility are the basis of his passion for helping others. He feels his volunteer efforts have been an honor to take on and admits that the experience has sometimes watered his eyes. One such tearful moment came when a boy told Caldwell he wanted to bring back money he didn’t spend during his golf-related Wish granting. Tears aside, nothing could have prepared Caldwell last year for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America’s announcement that he would receive its Indomitable Spirit Award. The Mid-South chapter’s first ever recipient of the award, Caldwell accepted this accolade in October 2010 at the Make-A-Wish Foundation Annual Conference in Orlando before the likes of 450 organization supporters, including international chapter affiliates and honoree Dick Vitale. Caldwell doesn’t recall what he said during his acceptance speech, but he does remember who inspired his preflight captain days. “My mom cooked at a children’s home and brought the kids home in the summer, and she said, ‘If you help children, your life will be great,’” smiles Caldwell. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts
STREETSEEN
Joe Larkins Fishing for Smiles
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“T
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he cool part about fishing is you never know what you’re going to get,” muses Joe Larkins, an outdoors enthusiast and former radio and TV newsman who once hosted the locally produced “Outdoors Show.” Now, he’s about to share his excitement for the sport with area youth as the emcee of the Kids Katch Youth Fishing Experience taking place beginning at 9 a.m. on April 16 at Mud Island River Park, a spot that contrasts sharply from where Larkins first tested the waters. “I grew up on a 1,200-acre farm in western Kentucky that had about a dozen ponds, so any time we were out working, we were a stone’s throw away from a pond and would go fishing,” Larkins says. “I would even sometimes improvise my rod out of cotton string, cane and baling wire.” While Kids Katch participants are encouraged to bring their own rod, the free event, presented by the Riverfront Development Corporation and Mud Island River Park, will offer a limited number of loaner rod and reel combos. Larkins will then lead volunteers in helping kids of all experience levels, ages 12 and under, learn how to cast, bait and catch fish in a noncompetitive environment. The primary catch in the park’s big pool that resembles the Gulf of Mexico will be catfish. For Larkins, the prize catch will be the kids’ reactions. “You can’t go wrong by helping someone participate in this fishing excursion, which means exposing people to something they’ve maybe only heard about but never done…also I think I’m going to need sunglasses from all the smiles because even if a kid catches only one fish, it’s one more than he or she had beforehand,” Larkins says. Safety will be a top priority at the event, with Larkins adding that anyone, child or adult, should be careful with a hook and not keep pulling if someone else has been accidentally hooked. Laughing in hindsight at some of his past fishing mishaps, he says, “I’ve put a hook in my clothes, myself and my wife before, so you can never be too careful, but I mainly do catch and release now anyway and have removed the barb from my hook, making it easier to release fish.” In addition to acquiring fishing basics, Larkins hopes Kids Katch attendees leave with an appreciation for patience, perseverance and eye-hand coordination skills. Prizes awarded for first catch, next catch in a specified time frame and through drawings won’t hurt either, but no one will really leave empty-handed. “This whole thing is about fishing, not necessarily catching anything,” Larkins stresses. “Just the pride of accomplishment new fishermen feel when they realize they’re fishing on their own will make the experience worth it.” Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts
FEATURING
The wines from the Family of Silver Oak Cellars with special guests winemaker Daniel Baron & artist Thomas Arvid
PATRONS DINNER FARM TO TABLE, GRAPE TO GLASS FRIDAY MAY 6, 7 PM
- A four course dinner by chefs Wally Joe, Andrew Adams, Felicia Willett and Silver Oak resident chef Dominic Orsini - Paired the wines from the Family of Silver Oak Cellars - Cocktail hour, live entertainment $500 per person. Black tie optional. Seating is limited
GRAND AUCTION LIFE IS A CABERNET!
SATURDAY MAY 7, 2011 5 PM - Silent auction & tastings from favorite local restaurants - Silver Oak wines and special guests - An exciting live auction featuring 50+ lots $150 per person. Casual dress 901.544.6209 | memphiswineandfoodseries.org
*Weekend Package:$600 per person (a $50 savings)
CELEBRATING THE ART OF GOOD TASTE AT THE MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM: Morris Auction Group | Athens Distributing Co. of Tennessee | Delta Wholesale Liquors Premier Transportation | Southwestern Beverage Distributing | Star Distributors United Liquors | The Victor L. Robilio Company | Kitchens Unlimited
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Community Partners: ArtsMemphis, Hyde Family Foundations, Tennessee Arts Commission, The Jeniam Foundation, and AutoZone
ONSITE
Onsite
Agents of Change Awards Gala Celebrity Waiter’s Night Ronald McDonald House 20th Anniversary Party SPAYtacular emphis Urban League Young Professionals held awards ceremony, the Agents of Change TAwheanardMinaugural s Gala, this past December at the Tower Room.
Renee and Chango Santiago at Ronald McDonald House 20th Anniversary Party
Gina DeAngelis and Peter Richter at Ronald McDonald House 20th Anniversary Party
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Young, minority professionals in 10 different categories were recognized for their contributions to the community. Some categories included the Committed Doer, Innovator of the Year, Helping Hand and Health Advocate of the Year. The MULYP is a service-oriented leadership organization that upholds the objectives of the Memphis Urban League, the National Urban League and National Urban League Young Professionals. More than the wings were hot on January 11 at Tim Spencer, Jeri Johnston and John “Bad Dog” McCormack the Buffalo Wild Wings Cordova location. Radio, newsat Celebrity Waiter’s Night paper and broadcast personalities gathered for Celebrity Waiter’s Night, a fund-raiser for the Rock 103/Ronald McDonald House Radiothon. Since 1991, the radiothon has raised more than $7 million for the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Memphis and continues to do so thanks to the help of the Rock 103 staff, including Melody Meadows, Ric Chetter and the late John “Bad Dog” McCormack. The second of the kick-off events for the Rock 103/Ronald McDonald House Radiothon took place at the Mellow Mushroom in Germantown and also served as the Ronald McDonald House 20th Anniversary Party. During the evening, diners mellowed out to the tunes of guitarist Jimmy Davis as they enjoyed delicious food and partied for a worthy cause. Half of the cost of double cheeseburgers and Big Mac Pizzas were donated to the radiothon, along with half the cost of some draft beers. The actual radiothon was held for 28 hours on February 10-11. 28 It was a virtual zoo at the Parkview in Overton Park as fans of our furry friends clamored to get in Leon Griffin and Tonya J. Powers their bids for the Mid-South Spay and Neuter Services’ at Celebrity Waiter’s Night fourth annual SPAYtacular, a slient and live auction offering more than 200 items. Held in the Azalea Room of the Midtown retirement home, the event raised money for the organization’s affordable spay and neuter services with items such as pet-themed original artwork, fine jewelry and two round-trip tickets donated by AirTran Airways up for grabs. Champagne was provided by Star Distributors to go with the dog and cat decorated cupcakes, created by Julie Drewery, and for those with a bigger appetite, Whole Foods provided a spread of other fare, including many vegetarian items. For more information about Mid-South Spay and Neuter Services, visit spaymemphis.org. Story and photos by Suzanne Thompson and Lesley Young
Emily Teague and Jennifer Miller at Ronald McDonald House 20th Anniversary Party
Patrick Wyatt, Caren Creason and Jeff and Susan Davis at SPAYtacular
Ruth Poston and Leigh Powell at SPAYtacular
Kahala Cannon, Maras Jackson, Lori Spicer, Malikah Nelson and Brandon Williams at Agents of Change Awards Gala
Megan Turner, Yolanda Parks and Shante K. Avant at Agents of Change Awards Gala
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VOX POPULAR
Vox Popular Q&A with Stephen Lang
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RSVP: Did you grow up playing tennis?
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Lang: I started playing when I was 11 years old, which I guess was kind of a late start. My parents never played tennis and didn’t know the first thing about it, so it’s kind of interesting how I got into it. I actually started playing at an apartment complex, which had two courts. I had no lessons and ended up doing really well and won a local junior tournament a couple of years later in which I defeated kids who trained at the Racquet Club. As a result, Peter Curtis, the tennis director at the time, offered me the opportunity to attend junior clinics at the Racquet Club without being a member and get some professional tennis instruction and training. It was approximately six months later while at an out-of-town tournament that I caught the eye of Phil Chamberlain, who shortly thereafter became the tennis director at the Racquet Club, and I began taking from Phil private lessons and instruction for the first time, formally trained in the junior development program and was provided a scholarship for club membership and junior development because of my high USTA rankings. Phil was my first tennis coach, and he gave me weekly lessons at a discounted rate because my parents could not afford the lessons or junior development fees. My grandmother funded my tournament travel and lessons. So, I very much came from a nontraditional background, and people helped me along the way. RSVP: How did you get involved with Tennis Memphis? Lang: I’ve been involved with Tennis Memphis since its inception in 2002. After my playing days were up, I landed at Bellevue Tennis Center, which is one of our facilities, in 1993. I was an independent contractor with the city and founded a nonprofit at the time that was called the Tennis Association for Memphis Youth, or the TAMY program. We had two indoor courts and four outdoor courts, and I was off the satellite tour, so I wanted to come back and get into the tennis business. Being an intercity location, we thought, “How is this going to work?” So, we devel-
Photos by Don Perry
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s executive director of Tennis Memphis (a nonprofit that manages Memphis’ public tennis centers), Stephen Lang is challenging himself and the community to raise the profile of tennis in the city. Though there have been achievements along the way, including successful after-school programming in four of the city’s elementary schools and the recent two-year bid the local public tennis centers received for the USTATennessee Adult and Senior Championships, the mission for tennis to be accessible to the entire community hasn’t been without its share of challenges. Limited resources, funding cuts and staff downsizing are all things Lang has undergone during his tenure. However, he remains one of the area’s staunchest enthusiasts for grassroots tennis and quickly pointed out to RSVP editor Leah Fitzpatrick that his introduction to the sport didn’t begin at a fancy club, but on courts at an apartment complex.
oped the concept of a nonprofit there and got about a $20,000 grant from the Plough Foundation for a youth development program, which was TAMY. The program included all of Memphis youth, not just intercity youth, though that was our focus. Interestingly enough, the program took off, and we had kids that started in that program who started competing in local tournaments and were doing well and went on and got scholarships. A couple of years after that, Leftwich Tennis Center came open in terms of needing a manager or director, so I moved over to Leftwich and maintained the nonprofit. What we did was summer camps in the parks and some of the outlying centers, like in Frayser, and at Leftwich. We were able to do some pretty good stuff at Leftwich in terms of the facility, programming and junior development and kind of had the concept to say, “Look, why don’t we do a community project and do a community program?” Then, we merged with another local nonprofit at the time to found Tennis Memphis, me being one of the founders. We knew we had to tie all these centers together and do something really special, whereas, at the time, you had seven public tennis centers kind of doing their own thing. We got a board together, and we’ve been the manager of the public tennis centers since late 2002. It’s really a bit unique in terms of other public tennis centers around the country in that we’ve managed a pretty big undertaking. RSVP: What are the seven tennis centers managed by Tennis Memphis? Lang: Leftwich, Frayser, Wolbrecht, Eldon Roark, Bellevue, Raleigh and the Wooddale Tennis Center. As the executive director, I’m based at Leftwich, and right now, we really only have four centers [Leftwich, Wolbrecht, Eldon Roark and Bellevue] that are operational because those are the only ones with indoor courts. Total, we have 12 indoor courts spread among those centers. In Memphis, people are used to having these indoor courts, but they’re a special thing. But, with those indoor courts come addition-
RSVP: Do you know how many people use the city’s public tennis centers on average per year?
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al operating costs, so meeting those costs is kind of our challenge.
Lang: We have a gate total, which is just the number of people coming in every day, and it’s around 70,000 people a year. I think it should be up around several thousand more…maybe even 100,000.
RSVP: Do you ever hold fundraisers to benefit Tennis Memphis? Lang: We’ve been having fundraisers, and we’ve been fortunate to get some grants through the years from the USTA [United States Tennis Association] to do programming, mainly a lot of outreach programming—bringing players to the game who wouldn’t ordinarily participate. Five of our tennis centers are located in areas of Memphis where the demographics have all shifted, and so you’re kind of left with some facilities in areas that aren’t able to support the facilities, outside of Leftwich and Wolbrecht, which are our East Memphis locations. What really got us in the game as an organ-
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Lang: That’s in our management agreement with the City of Memphis, and we’ve really spent these last eight years learning what it’s really going to take to make this thing a model for other cities. The city is really responsible for capital improvements and major maintenance, whether that’s AC at the indoor facilities or the condition of the courts, and that’s a challenge because the city has many facilities. All we can do is make recommendations. There has been many a year where there’s been zero dollars in capital improvements for tennis.
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RSVP: Who determines how often the public tennis centers need to be maintained for things like resurfacing the courts?
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Lang: The big reason why we do what we do is to make a difference in the community and part of that is doing outstanding events like the ones coming up this summer. The USTA-Tennessee Adult and Senior State Championships, which the Memphis Tennis Association and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau were instrumental in bringing here, was announced by the mayor and will take place June 10-12 and June 24-26. And another one we’re hosting in June is a much smaller regional tournament called the Southern Boys and Girls 10 Closed-West. What’s neat about the Southern is the USTA has a new division called 10 and Under Tennis. They’ve shrunk the racquets and shrunk the court size, so if you’re 8 and under, you play on a 36-foot court [A regular tennis court size is 78 feet], and if you’re 10 and under, you play on a 60-foot court. You’re also not playing with a traditional ball. You’re playing with a low compression ball and a smaller racquet. This is what has been going on in other countries and is the way of the future, and I want to embrace this in public tennis and throw down new lines on the courts. Doing this will pave the way for the Southern tournament and allow us to be on the front end of this new wave of tennis. What’s even neater is we’re not going to just have the best local or state kids, but we’re going to have the best kids from five states coming to Memphis. This will set the bar really high for our young kids at a competitive level.
Lang: We have a lot of volunteers, and a couple of years ago, we had to really scale back our staff because we’ve got cuts in funding from the city and donations. Technically, we only have two fulltime staff and a lot of part-time. You would definitely need more full-time staff to run the program efficiently: some full-time people to help program the facilities and full-time managers at the different centers. I feel like we’ve accomplished a lot given the framework we’ve had to work with, but right now, we’re looking at a new logo, a new five-year agreement with the city and some new board members coming on board. We’re really trying to set the stage and say to the community, “Here are the lessons we’ve learned, and here’s the potential for tennis to make a difference throughout the entire Memphis community, but we can’t do it without you. Let’s think big and make something happen.” We can’t do this without the community and without the city’s support—they’ve been good partners, but we’ve got to have more support. A P R I L 2 0 11
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RSVP: Can you tell me more about the upcoming tennis tournaments being hosted at the Memphis public tennis centers’ courts?
RSVP: How many people does Tennis Memphis have on staff?
RSVP: What is Tennis Memphis’ five-year vision? 32 Lang: A part of our vision is maybe having one major public tennis center as well. If you go to most communities that have bigtime tennis and tennis is just really vibrant, and it doesn’t have to be a town as big as Memphis, they have one big center. Chattanooga, for example, has a nice, 25-court facility, and that was who was hosting the USTA Adult and Senior tournament that we brought to Memphis this year. In Mobile, Alabama, they have a 60-court public facility. Rome, Georgia is building a 50-court facility. These are small towns, but in these small towns, recreation is important. I think there is an untapped potential for Memphis because if we could have a major facility with 30 courts, then the type of tournament we’re running this summer that we’re going to have spread out to a lot of facilities would take place at one, and we become a real attractive destination, especially with all the tourist and historical sites Memphis already has. So, I think we could bring in some great events, but also really grow the sport locally because we have a big league program that’s already growing. As we look over the next five years, we really want to raise the profile of tennis and for it to be good for Memphis economically, health-wise and educationally. We hope tennis will be a piece of the puzzle that makes us connect and move forward as a community. RSVP
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ization was figuring out how we could have a great program at all of our centers in Memphis. If Tennis Memphis was a for-profit or business venture, you wouldn’t necessarily consider all of these facilities, but because it’s about the community, all the centers are important. For example, two years ago, this room at the Frayser Tennis Center had 30-plus kids coming every day after school for the First Serve Memphis program, which offered homework help/tutoring and a life skills curriculum that combined tennis and real life skills, but that program doesn’t exist anymore because of the changing of the times over the last couple of years. Now, we’re really trying to find a sustainable way to make it all work, and we’re really resetting and trying to have a fresh approach going forward in the next five years to say, “Hey, we’ve done some things really well, but how can we do more and really make it stick?”
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Oscar Night America
EVENT
®
OSCAR NIGHT ® AMERICA
Memphis’ Own Red Carpet
T
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Lisa Shaffer and Ned Little
Irwin Mageveney and Beth Richter
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he Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Memphis brought a piece of Hollywood to town when the nonprofit rolled out the red carpet for its yearly Oscar Night® America fund-raiser. Only instead of taking place at the Kodak Theatre, the most glamorous of awards season shows was shown on a giant movie screen in Midtown Memphis’ Minglewood Hall. Much as the paparazzi fawn over Academy Award nominees fashion choices, attendees of this local bash oohed and aahed over one another’s best black-tie numbers. In fact, those fashion-forward attendees could bid on clothing worn by the stars in an expansive silent auction that included Jimmy Choo shoes worn by Kate Hudson in the film Something Borrowed and a white coat and dress worn by native Memphian Ginnifer Goodwin in the same movie; the live auction offered one lucky bidder a chance to attend Fashion Week in New York. Other fashionable ensembles were viewed on live models, who posed atop platforms while wearing exquisite star-worthy gowns from retailers such as Bella Viaggia, J. Jill, James Davis, Joseph, Pink Zebra, Sachi and Talbots. As guests finished placing their bids and made their way into the main room, they picked up flutes of Champagne and received a warm welcome from the master of ceremonies, Cameron Harper of ABC-24/CW 30. Next on the agenda was hitting up the various food stations scattered around the venue’s perimeter. Though celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck wasn’t present, local establishments served up fine fare in their own right with offerings like braised short ribs with various sauces from L’Ecole Culinaire, she-crab soup and duck confit quesadillas by Itta Bena, shrimp and grits from Boscos and seared ahi tuna with fennel salad courtesy of Bari. The coveted Food Star Awards went to the following: Humdingers-Most Creative Movie Themed Booth, Jack Binion’s Steak House-Star Cuisine, CrêpeMaker-Star Dessert and L’Ecole Culinaire-Food Star Chef. After wining and dining, patrons headed to the Academy Awards® viewing room to catch a glimpse of the Oscar winners and to see how co-hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway (the first male/female hosting duo in the show’s 83-year history) were doing. But what guests really remembered was how they felt knowing they’d dressed up for a good cause—that of helping raise $118,000 for families of children receiving medical treatment to stay free-of-charge at Ronald McDonald House. See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Kate Murphy and Matt Garibaldi
Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Don Perry
Chris and Colleen Canale
Nicole and Mike Monroe
Darryl and Laurita Jackson
Bridgitte and Fred Moss
Margaret Shivers, J.J. Keras and Hart Kiser
Martha and Mike Hess
EVENT OSCAR NIGHT 速 AMERICA
Tausha and Sylvester Tate
Margie and Scott Lacy
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Lauri and Tom Holland
Fred and Caroline Smithwick
Henry Nelson and Susan Murrmann
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Luca and Stephen Mancuso
Jenny and John Campbell
Jessica and Todd Griffin
Jennifer DeBaer and Emily Terral
Mike and Donna Spearce
Ginger and Tim Lowell
EVENT OSCAR NIGHT ® AMERICA Tara Bodansky and Ed Galfsky
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Clare Roy, Ellen Boone and Taylor Young
Bob and Trish Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor
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ONSITE
Onsite
Italian Winterfest Page Robbins Winter Gala River Oaks Garden Club Valentine Dinner Works of Heart Valentine Auction
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Jerry Colletta and Angelo Lucchesi at Italian Winterfest
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38 Frank Grisanti, Lynn Canale Lifsey and Dr. Mary McDonald at Italian Winterfest
Jay and Pam Jefferies at Page Robbins Winter Gala
Laura Meador and Doug Tiffany with Linda and James Gattas at Page Robbins Winter Gala
hat could be more heartening on a frigid night than walking into a warm room redolent with the aromas of garlic and sauce and filled with music and laughter? That was just the atmosphere at Italian Winterfest, hosted by Tony Barrasso, Sam Bomarito and Angelo Lucchesi to benefit the scholarship funds of Christian Brothers High School, Catholic Education and Jubilee Schools. An unforeseen crowd of 600 people of all ages turned up at CBHS for an evening made in down-home, Italian-American heaven. There were checked tableRhonda Jones and Beth Holloway cloths, balloons in red, white and green, candles in at Works of Heart Valentine Auction wine bottles and signature dishes from Pete & Sam’s, Coletta’s, Garibaldi’s and Frank Grisanti’s, accompanied by wines from local distributors. DJ Michael Spano even supplied Sinatra-centric music, and Barrasso strolled with his accordion. The 400 people who attended the Page Robbins Winter Gala, themed “R Rock the Red Carpet,” had hundreds of silent auction items to peruse, which lined the halls of Esplanade Memphis. Many guests also snapped up the “bottomless” wine glasses hand painted by Page Robbins Adult Day Care Center’s clients. When the dining room opened, tables covered with glistening gold cloths awaited, as did a feast that included salad with mixed greens, beef tenderloin and Chilean sea bass with roasted red potatoes and green beans almondine, Jennafer Marchetti, Karen Anderson and Susan and Mike Anderson Death by Chocolate and Champagne. Following a live at Works of Heart Valentine Auction auction, guests danced to the tunes of Natchez and celebrated raising $125,000 for Page Robbins. The Memphis Hunt and Polo Club was a sight to behold at the River Oaks Garden Club Valentine Dinner, an occasion that also recognized the club’s 10year anniversary. After a cocktail hour, partygoers were ushered into a ballroom, where tables looked as though Cupid himself had decorated them. Red candles flickered from silver candelabras, and place settings were adorned with heart-shaped fans and large, red foil-covered chocolate hearts laid upon silver chargers. Pam Montesi, a past president of the group, sang a variety of love songs just before the sumptuous dinner was served. Held just two days before the holiday for sweethearts, the Memphis Child Advocacy Center’s 19th annual Works of Heart Valentine Auction at Memphis College of Art was aflutter like a paramour’s pulmonary. Packed wall to wall, inside and out, event attendees wined, dined, panned and proffered while Joe Claudia Efird and Betty Green Birch emceed. Collectors had the option to purchase at River Oaks Garden Club Valentine Dinner VIP tickets in order to escape the bidding mayhem for more cocktails and canapés and to lounge a while. The event raised more than $80,000 for the CAC. Story and photos by Kelly Cox, Suzanne Thompson and Lesley Young
Kathleen and Dr. John Pender with Camille and Mike Thompson at River Oaks Garden Club Valentine Dinner
Barbara and Mike Satterwhite at River Oaks Garden Club Valentine Dinner
Romeo & Juliet Playhouse on the Square Apr 9–17, 2p & 8p
Tickets start at just $10
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balletmemphis.org 901.737.7322
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21 CHEFS: THE GREAT CHEFS’ TASTING
EVENT
21 Chefs: The Great Chefs’ Tasting Benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of the Mid-South
I Mark Sanders and Susan Jordan
Debbie and David Newsom
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t’s hard to decide which is more pleasant on a Sunday afternoon: a nice stroll with friends or an early dinner prepared by your favorite chef. Just before Valentine’s Day, Memphis foodies got a chance to do both at the same time. United Cerebral Palsy of the Mid-South presented 21 Chefs: The Great Chef’s Tasting at the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality inside the U of M Holiday Inn. During this unique event, which has been a favorite on Memphians’ social calendars for more than 10 years, diners stroll around a grand ballroom in which 21 restaurants and caterers are set up to offer portion-size servings of their signature dishes. Among the appetizers were barbecue bacon-wrapped shrimp and prime rib by Chef Chris Sherfield of Billings Ball Butcher and a scrumptious California soup by Randy and Rose Oliver of Oliver’s Catering. For entrees, Gary Garlington handed out highly popular pizza squares from Memphis Pizza Café, and Chef Edward Nowakowski of the Holiday Inn wowed guests with his seafood martini—a clever concoction of spicy shrimp, scallops, avocado, onion, tortilla and spices served in a martini glass. UCP’s own Memphis Works’ Café got in on the action as well offering steaming plates of Italian spaghetti and garlic toast. Desserts included a raspberry parfait by Chef John Bragg of Circa and twice-dipped chocolate strawberries, the perfect Valentine’s Day treat, also by Chef Edward Nowakowski. Periodically, chefs stepped aside from their tables to do cooking demonstrations for onlookers, who were eager to taste the freshly prepared fare while sipping wine from Southwestern Distributors or beer from A.S. Barboro. And as guests’ stomachs filled, many took a break in order to file through a silent auction in the lobby that included entertainment and vacation packages, sports memorabilia and gifts. Proceeds from the event will go to furthering the programs of United Cerebral Palsy, which helps children and adults with disabilities gain job skills, find needed medical equipment and make the most of life.
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Elizabeth-Wen Schultz and Ted Schultz
Story by Jonathan Devin Photos by Baxter Buck
Baretta Northern and Dr. Christopher Johnson
Fontaine Moore and Judy Cole
Debra Towns and Jim Browning
Whitney and Don Smith
Lindsey Devers with Tori and Brandon McDonald
Melissa and Jeff Lee
Blue Streak’s 7th Annual Food Tasting & Silent Auction April 29, 2011 ã 7:00 PM Pink Palace Museum
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$75 per person $85 at door 320.6362 or tasteofjubilee.org
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Participating Restaurants:
Three Angels Diner ã Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen ã Bari Cafe 1912 ã Cafe Society ã Carmela’s Caffe ã Ciao Bella Erling Jensen ã Felicia Suzanne’s ã The Grove Grill ã High Point Pizza Interim ã Jim’s Place Grill ã Local Gastropub ã Lucchesi’s McEwen’s on Monroe ã Rendezvous ã Restaurant Iris ã River Oaks Sweet Grass ã Sole ã Wang’s Mandarin House
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Audrey Tate, Terinni Dukes and Ginni Potts
Terrance and Shawanda Potlow
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Wilder Hubbard and Becky Burkeen
Jenna Bragg and Jordan Carter
Caroline Harrison and Chris Kelly
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Denise and Don Carpenter
Patrick Anderson and Lekia Davis
Jenna Robbins, Jennifer Cates and Sophie Anthony
Catherine Thornton, Jackie McCrary and Louise Biedenharn
Andrew and Candace Yaklich
Janet and Harry Keatts
EVENT David and Kristen Wheeler
21 CHEFS: THE GREAT CHEFS’ TASTING
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February 19 – July 17, 2011
A wide array of more than 200 works of art illuminates Japan’s enduring influence on the West.
Additional support provided by Trustmark Bank, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, and the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau. Support is also provided in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
The Annie Laurie Swaim Hearin Memorial Exhibition Series
William Merritt Chase (American, 1849–1916), The Japanese Woodblock Print, circa 1888. oil on canvas. 20.16 x 24.25 in. Collection of Neue Pinakothek, Bayerische Staatsgemaeldesammlungen, Munich, Germany. Inv. 8401. Photo Credit: Bildarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz / Art Resource, NY. Unknown Artist (Japanese, 19th century), no title, circa 1870. watercolor, ink, metallic leaf on off-white paper. 15.75 x 25.39 in. Courtesy National Park Service, Longfellow National Historic Site.
Drew Pierotti and Grace Forsdick
Renee and Ricky Frazier
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1-866-VIEW ART | msmuseumart.org 380 South Lamar Street, Jackson, Mississippi
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Shirley Matlock, Peggy Fryer and Diane Ellington
Janice Wright and Reneé Abel
Candace Ray and Vanessa Ray
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PHOENIX CLUB MARDI GRAS PARTY
EVENT
Phoenix Club Mardi Gras Party Benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis
A Virginia Cupples and David Kirsch
Jim Evans and Brittany Meeker
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s a University of Mississippi coed, Jennifer Gardner’s seen a lot of parties. The Phoenix Club of Memphis’ Mardi Gras Party takes the king’s cake. “This is one of the best parties I’ve been to,” said the 22year-old journalism major. Hundreds of other college-age-and-up revelers agreed, as they took over the Cadre Building downtown and let the bon temps rouler to the singular sounds of Papa Grows Funk—all in the name of a good cause. “This is my fifth year–it’s a great party,” said Memphian Kevin Fairburn, 30. “It’s the atmosphere, the people here, plus the money goes to the Boys & Girls Clubs. You can’t beat that.” Harrah’s Casino donated close to 40 dealers along with card, roulette and craps tables for partygoers to gamble for raffle tickets and go home with free trips, golf games, dinners and other prizes. Restaurants including Itta Bena and South of Beale also set up shop and supplied specialty drinks. A VIP section was offered this year and featured drinks, food provided by Rendezvous and seats in the balcony overlooking the dance floor, which was something friends Amanda Webb and Karen Drobeck took full advantage of. “You get tired in heels,” said Drobeck, 30, of Olive Branch. “We’re having a really good time.” Maggie Giffin was cotton to the cuisine. “It’s the Rendezvous–you can’t beat that,” said Giffin, 22, of Oxford. According to event co-chair, Battle Williford, the night’s success couldn’t have happened without a little help from some friends. “All of these places in town have gone out of the realm of what we asked them to do, and we’re really appreciative of all the help,” Williford said. “It’s a great party. It’s a good way to network and meet new people, and raise money at the same time.” The Phoenix Club was established in 1955 and now donates all funds raised throughout the year to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.
Morgan Parks and Josh McCoy
Joe Keppler and Magyn Darmstaedtler
Story by Lesley Young Photos by Nathan Berry See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP Grace Russom and Christin Austein
Joey Kaegi and Cristen Marzula
Andrea and Tres LeTard
Vance Gamble, Brittany Whisenant, Julie Acosta and Daniel Lynn
Maggie Giffin and Bowen Weir
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Jessica Harris, Chris Pope and Helen Morrison
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EVENT PHOENIX CLUB MARDI GRAS PARTY
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Liz Cunningham, Lee Opie, Karie Gano and Leslie Clement
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Jake McRae, Zac McRae and Keith Schmitt
Keith Duff, Alexandra Phillips and Nick Byrne
Bethany and Rodger Wilson
Rebecca Riser and Julie Robinson
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Will and Hayley Hudson
Lindsey and Alex Berry with Ellen Davis
Allen Stanford and Briana Su
Mary Beth Epps and Ben Schultz
Camille Barrie, Christina Cupples and Paige Pirkey
EVENT Kimberly Wilkinson, Victoria Wallace, Blaire Rowell and Kim Williams
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Grand Krewe of Ennead Coronation Grand Krewe of Ptah Coronation Grand Krewe of Ra-Met Coronation Grand Krewe of Sphinx Coronation
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Charles and Mary Stewart at Grand Krewe of Sphinx Coronation
Sphinx Queen Suzanne Shelton and Sphinx King Hooper Jones at Grand Krewe of Sphinx Coronation
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he Grand Krewe of Ennead, the first secret society of Carnival Memphis to hold its Coronation this year, introduced the 2011 court in grand style at an event Paradise held at the U of M Holiday Inn and themed “P Bound.” A palm tree ice sculpture was the centerpiece for one of several buffet tables featuring food with a Caribbean flare, such as coconut shrimp and other tropical offerings. Following dinner, the revelers danced the night away to tunes provided by FreeWorld, along with Steve Hopper, who provided musically Ra-Met Queen Carolyn Mespoli and Ra-Met King Steve Leatherland themed ambiance with his steel drum. at Grand Krewe of Ra-Met Coronation The theme at the Grand Krewe of Ptah Coronation, held at the Germantown Centre’s Great Hall, was “L Latin Celebration,” and celebrate the krewe members did. As soon as the party began, the band 240 Loop had the dancers on their feet. Spirits were high, and the party was in full swing before the presentation of the court, which then joined in the revelry. Members of the Grand Krewe of Ra-Met roamed the Clark Opera Memphis Center in lavish costumes reflecting the theme of this year’s coronation, Venetian Masked Ball.” The group recognized past “V kings and queens who preceded Queen Maat LXIX and King Ra LXVIII down the aisle. A light buffet was available at the black-tie affair that lasted with dancing until Cheryl and David Schlitt the wee hours of the morning. at Grand Krewe of Ra-Met Coronation 48 Rooms at Colonial Country Club were transformed into a Siamese ballroom at the Grand Krewe of Sphinx Coronation, which mirrored the dance scene in A King and I.” Red paper lanterns, umbrellas the play “A and fans adorned the rooms that were fit for a king— and queen. Queen Tia LXIV and King Horas LXIV were presented and enjoyed a first dance before their court and other guests joined them. A buffet was served along with a regal cake–a rival to those seen on “Cake Boss”—consisting of a huge white sheet cake with a large pagoda, cherry blossoms, an arched bridge, a koi pond and a medallion of Queen Tiaa LXIV. Story and photos by Suzanne Thompson Eve and Bob Gammond at Grand Krewe of Ra-Met Coronation
Ennead Queen Marta Vinzant and Ennead King Bud Cowgill at Grand Krewe of Ennead Coronation
Ptah King John Sill and Ptah Queen Sharon Fewell at Ptah Coronation
Bob Laurie, Gaynette Price, Carol Carpenter and Charlie Crumby at Grand Krewe of Ennead Coronation
Jim Woods and Dee Stephens at Ptah Coronation
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Polar Bear Plunge and Chili Cook-Off Chocolate Fantasy AWA Annual Banquet Dr. Henry Logan Starks Scholarship Dinner mercury barely budged above the freezing mark, Tplushebutsupporters a tent at Mud Island River Park teemed with 400of the Polar Bear Plunge and Chili
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Laurie Christensen, Shari Myers, Michele Howard-Flynn and Lucie Brackin at AWA Annual Banquet
Claudia Haltom and Sheree Hoffman at AWA Annual Banquet
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Shirley Barnes, Sharon Burress and Courtney Magbee at Chocolate Fantasy
Cook-Off, benefiting the Special Olympics Greater Memphis. In this pep rally atmosphere, cook-off competitors “The Pirates of the Chilibean” embodied the family focus. A team of sisters and cousins, Julie Miller, Laura Peacock, Sarah Bishop, Traci Davis and Louisa Taylor (a Special Olympian) wore tri-cornered hats, wigs and smudged-on goatees in a bid to again capture the “Best Showmanship” honors. Frank Chin, fittingly attired as a polar bear, ruled the costume contest. Out on the cobblestones, Tom Dees of Fox 13, in a multi-colored mohawk wig, was sneaking peeks at the slate-colored river. Jonathan Ealy and Erin Whipkey of Opera Memphis, in Viking helmets and hopping from foot to foot for warmth, were cheered on in their plunge by Elizabeth Berglund and friends. Sweets lovers united for the National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee’s Chocolate Fantasy at Oak Court Mall. The fund-raiser, which raised $24,000 for the NKFWT, offered the best of chocolate desserts, candies, cookies, pastries and ice cream, all donated by local businesses like Just Catering, Gibson’s Donuts, The Classique Epicurious and Carmela’s Café. For an extra donation, attendees could get a to-go box to take home those goodies they couldn’t eat onsite. Other activities included face painting, bingo and entertainment from Central Orchestra, D Monet and the Hooper Troopers, to name a few. No objections were made when members of the Association for Women Attorneys were requested to attend the AWA Annual Banquet at the Racquet Club of Memphis. Co-chaired by Lisa Gill and Leah Hillis, the event featured a silent auction, the installation of officers and the presentation of the Marion Griffin-Frances Loring Award to Judge Donna M. Fields. Amanda Floyd, Jessica Farmer, Madeline Bertasi, Jennifer Haile and Elisabeth Toecker were also announced as recipients of scholarships to the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. The Memphis Theological Seminary recently presented the Dr. Henry Logan Starks Scholarship Dinner at Hilton Memphis. Themed “S Saluting Those Who Light Our World,” the occasion did just that with a presentation of the Outstanding African American Alumna Award to Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Pryer and Rev. Sonia Walker; the Outstanding African American Alumnus Award to Rev. Dr. Eric L. Winston Sr.; the President’s Humanitarian Award to Dr. Mary McDonald and Bishop J. Terry Steib; and the Dr. Henry Logan Starks Distinguished Service Award to Russell Sugarmon. Story and photos by Kelly Cox and Leah Fitzpatrick
Joanna Hudson and Judy Kern at Chocolate Fantasy
Laura Peacock, Louisa Taylor, Julie Miller, Sarah Bishop and Traci Davis at Polar Bear Plunge and Chili Cook-Off
Teresa Sloyan, Gary Shorb and Maxine Smith at Dr. Henry Logan Starks Scholarship Dinner
Rev. Sonia Walker and Charles “Chuck” Scruggs at Dr. Henry Logan Starks Scholarship Dinner
Tom Dees and Ally Dees at Polar Bear Plunge and Chili Cook-Off
Jonathan Ealy and Erin Whipkey at Polar Bear Plunge and Chili Cook-Off
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Literacy is Key Luncheon MRA Banquet Game Day. Give Back. Love the Park Happy Hour Pegasus Mardi Gras Ball
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Shannon and Brad Leslie with Wight Boggs at MRA Banquet
Garet Gordon and Brandi Marter at Pegasus Mardi Gras Ball
Matt Farr, Jen Andrews, Kate Phillips, Laura Adams and Caleb Tinkle at Love the Park Happy Hour
Story Submitted and by Leah Fitzpatrick and Lesley Young Photos Submitted and by Kate Phillips and Lesley Young
Mike Miller, Kelly English and Patrick Reilly at MRA Banquet
Jim Rout, George Klein, Rick Shadyac, Jerry Schilling and Bill Morris at Game Day. Give Back.
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Sallie Johnson, Beth Hoffman, Hillery Efkeman and Heather Grosvenor at Literacy is Key Luncheon
Robert York and Larry Tyger at Pegasus Mardi Gras Ball
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Charlotte Bray and Jennifer Chandler at Literacy is Key Luncheon
emphis authors Jennifer Chandler and Julia Schuster shared the stage with New York Times best-selling author Beth Hoffman at the inaugural Literacy is Key: A Book and Author Affair. The luncheon, sponsored by the Memphis Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association with assistance from Davis-Kidd Booksellers, was held at the Racquet Club of Memphis. Event proceeds will support Literacy Mid-South and Reading is Fundamental. The 47th Memphis Restaurant Association Banquet not only recognized outstanding members, but generated awareness for the Gulf Coast’s struggling A Tribute to the Gulf Coast” seafood industry with a “A theme. Held at Hilton Memphis, the MRA benefit had 500 participants and contributors to the local food scene come out for a night that included tunes by the Dixielanders and oysters-on-the half shell grilled to order by Greg Voisin of Houma, Louisiana. Awards Restaurateur of the Year and to went to Kelly English-R Brad Leslie-A Associate Member of the Year. Graceland turned into football central for the Game Day. Give Back. watch party for Super Bowl® XLV. Former Shelby County Mayors Bill Morris and Jim Rout teamed up with Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and Memphis City Mayor A C Wharton to host the affair that was held in a tent decorated to resemble Elvis’ TV room. Other parties were held across the U.S. in conjunction with this one to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Happy hour remains a welcome respite from a busy day, so it’s no wonder a lot of buzz surrounded the debut of Love the Park Happy Hour. A membership mixer for proponents of Shelby Farms Park and the Shelby Farms Greenline, the event unfolded at the Shelby Farms Park Visitor Center, where there was live music by Jeremy Schrader, nibbles by Draper’s Catering, cake by Oh My Ganache Bakery and Ghost River Brewing Company suds. Prize drawings for a Midtown Bike Company bike and an Eden Spa and Laser gift card, to name a few, were also given out. Mardi Gras traveled up the Mississippi to Memphis thanks to the Mystic Krewe of Pegasus. For the eighth consecutive year, the krewe held a Mardi Gras Ball in an effort to raise money for charity, with this year’s proceeds benefiting Hope House. Kym Clark of WMC-TV 5 emceed alongside guest entertainer Coti Collins, Miss Gay America 2011. At the end of an evening filled with Carnivàle costumes and appearances by the Phantom of the Opera and the Mad Hatter, Michael Divoky and Paulette Harness were crowned King and Queen Pegasus VIII.
Becky and Tucker Davis with Mylissa and Mark Horrocks at Love the Park Happy Hour
RSV PHILLIPPI
By Dennis Phillippi
YOU CAN’T SPELL TWITTER WITHOUT TWIT.
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here comes a point in everyone’s life when they realize they’re no longer keeping up. For some people, it was cell phones. For others, it was the Internet. For me, it looks like it’s going to be Twitter. I have never tweeted and can’t envision a time when I would. Sure, I have tons of opinions about things, and I’d love to tell everyone what I had for lunch, but the problem, as I see it, is they will tell me back. That’s not entirely true. While I do have strong opinions on things, as a rule, I keep those opinions to myself unless you happen to catch me a whiskey in on a Friday night, and even then, I’m probably only going to subject you to my opinions on sports-related topics. As for tweeting what I did this morning or what I’m going to do tonight, my only thought is: Who on earth cares? I don’t care what famous people are doing, and they may actually be doing something interesting. What I’m doing at any given moment is as dull as doing your taxes. Yes, it appears I am surrendering to advancing age. While I do text like a teenage girl, I can’t make myself update my Facebook page on a regular basis, mainly because I’ve been married for 25 years, don’t have a real job and do pretty much the same thing every day. My status doesn’t ever change, so why would I change my Status? Now it dawns on me that I’m not only old, I’m also boring. Friends of mine sit with their cell phones out, constantly visiting Facebook. They look at other people’s pictures and make comments, or “like” them. When someone comes at me with pictures, whether old fashioned prints, or on their phone, of their vacation, or their visit to a car show, or their brief sighting of Rudy Gay buying a newspaper, I can’t get away quickly enough. I don’t want to make comments because they wouldn’t be appreciated, and I can tell you before looking at the first one I don’t “like” them. My own pictures bore me, so there’s no way yours are going to interest me. Largely because there’s almost no chance I’m going to be in them. When I signed onto Facebook, I got exactly what I thought I would get: greetings from old girlfriends and people I went to high school with wanting to get
together and talk about the old days. I dropped out of high school and moved 600 miles to avoid just this sort of thing. There is a quantum of solace in the fact that no one I hang around with has ever asked me if I’m on Twitter, nor have they told me that they are. My friends may be younger than me for the most part, but they still have some dignity. We may all be a bunch of barflies obsessed with sports, but we’re not going to subject one another to our three-sentence thoughts on the world.
The last thing I want is to lose sleep because someone calling themselves CougarHunter said my jokes suck. My wife, who has also never tweeted, has said that my belief on what I will or will not embrace cannot be trusted because I always announce that I will not be getting on whatever new gizmo train is leaving the station. For a while, I said that I would never get a cell phone, and I’ve been through six or seven of them. Someone checking their phone to see if they have any messages is like someone else checking their watch; when one person does it, we all do it. I have spent 200 dollars on a phone, which is something I once said I would sooner read Mien Kampf than do. For a long time, I said that I would never text. The thought that I wouldn’t simply call someone I wanted to contact rather than sit and type them a message
on my phone seemed as silly as the circus. Then I discovered the joy of communicating with someone without having to actually talk to them. What freedom. As you’ve gathered if this is the first time you’ve ever even read this column, I spend a lot of time in bars, and talking on the phone in a bar is troublesome. There’s a lot of asking people to repeat themselves and having to go outside to hear them talk about things I don’t want to talk about. Texting means never having to say, “It’s too loud in here.” Texting is quick, silent and allows for very limited response. All of life should follow those rules. Yes, I do check my e-mail on my phone, which is something else I resisted for a long time—not checking it on my phone, but having e-mail at all. Being someone in the public eye, the thought that some complete stranger could send me an e-mail telling me that something I said or wrote wasn’t funny seemed like a bad system. If someone wanted to criticize me, I wanted them to have to at least buy a stamp. Luckily, there are fewer cranks out there willing to bother writing a mean spirited e-mail than I thought. But, apparently, no one will hesitate to send a vicious tweet. Tweeting is an easy, anonymous way to tear into someone without having to fear any repercussions. You e-mail me, and I can probably find out who you are. You tweet me, and there’s no way for me to do that. The last thing I want is to lose sleep because someone calling themselves CougarHunter said my jokes suck. Sure, I’m tempted to get an account so that I can make my thoughts on LeBron James or Charlie Sheen known to them, but then people can do it to me, and I’m surprisingly thin-skinned for someone who makes fun of people for a living. Is that a double standard? Of course it is; I’m in show business. Double standards are how we roll. And I’m old.
It’s a good thing Dennis Phillippi that you have adopted some modern technologies like Facebook, texting and especially email, since we at RSVP wouldn’t be happy about transcribing your monthly rants. You would humor us though if you ever embraced Twitter because we’re sure your alias would be a lot more clever than CougarHunter.
cl a ssy
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his photograph shows the Charlotte Morgan Dancers of Memphis, who appeared on “The Original Amateur Hour” with Ted Mack and performed with the Berl Olswanger Orchestra in the 1960s. Pictured from left to right are Pat Treadway, Marilyn Ilsey, Sheila Hearn, Susie Buchwald, the late Connie Brasfield, Gail Sammons, Laura Walker, Carol Ann Inman, Linda Berretta, Susan Fleming, Beverly Hill, Marcia Sweat and Sally O’Brien. PHOTO COURTESY OF SALLY (O’BRIEN) ALFONSO 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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