RSVP Magazine March 2013 by RSVP Magazine

March 2013

Grizz Gala Staxtacular Cirque du CMOM M-Town Countdown Les Passees Cabaret Ball Q&A with Mauricio Calvo

CONTENTS

Contents March 201 3

From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Blues musician and singer Will Tucker invites RSVP to see his restored Bel Air.

Grizz Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Tunica welcomed a little bit of Memphis when the Grizzlies ventured to the Gold Strike Casino for a Grizzlies’ House fund-raiser.

12 GRIZZ GALA Roscoe Poindexter and Lisa Jenkins

StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 & 22 He’s making sure Memphians slow down to enjoy the art of the Japanese tea ceremony. She’s happily sharing the best of her homeland’s film scene. StreetSeens highlight Kentaro Ohkuni and Dr. Cosetta Gaudenzi.

34 CIRQUE DU CMOM Mark Awdeh and Elly Deyhle

Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Q&A with the executive director of Latino Memphis, Mauricio Calvo.

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The Ambassador Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Hampton Sides Part 1: Tracing His “Foote Steps” This writer of historical narratives shares his newest work with us.

Staxtacular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

4 RSVP

Basketball and soul music blended together perfectly at a benefit for the Stax Music Academy.

Cirque du CMOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

20 STREETSEEN Kentaro Ohkuni

The Children’s Museum of Memphis entertained supporters with a Rio Carnivalthemed benefit.

RSVP Room View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

43 LES PASSEES CABARET BALL Babs Barnes and Catherine Feldman

Valerie and Jeff Morris’ kitchen is transformed into the perfect cook’s kitchen.

Les Passees Cabaret Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 High up in the Tower Center, Les Passees members celebrated their newest living ads.

M-Town Countdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 The Junior League of Memphis counted down to 2013 with a spectacular blowout at the Pink Palace Museum that paid homage to the league’s 90 years of service.

Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54, 55, 56 & 57 Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.

28 STAXTACULAR Chris Peck and Kate Duignan

RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Being Joe Cool Part II Dennis Phillippi heads around the globe with his Joe Cool persona.

Cover Photo Ellyn Thomas and Adam Hartman at Grizz Gala Photo by Nathan Berry

48 M-TOWN COUNTDOWN Patty and Tom Schoelkopf

Volume XVIII

Number VI

March 2013 PUBLISHER

Roy Haithcock EDITOR

Leah Fitzpatrick CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ruth Cassin Kelly Cox Jeannie Mandelker Dennis Phillippi Eugene Pidgeon Lesley Young ART DIRECTOR

Patrick Aker s PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Nathan Berry Baxter Buck Roy Haithcock Don Perry Steve Roberts

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Chris Pugh Kristen Miller ACCOUNTING

Ruth Cassin EDITORIAL INTERN

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R achel Warren 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

R SV P S TA F F

CHRIS PUGH, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 901.276.7787, EXT. 103 chris@rsvpmagazine.com

KRISTEN MILLER, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 901.276.7787, EXT. 104 kristen@rsvpmagazine.com

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Chris has been exercising his talent in the advertising world since 1999. He joined the RSVP team in 2009 and brought with him a love for laughter and creativity. Originally from New Albany, Mississippi, Chris has settled in Memphis and enjoys being active in the fashion community.

RACHEL WARREN, EDITORIAL INTERN 901.276.7787, EXT. 108 rachel@rsvpmagazine.com

Rachel is passionate about print media and has covered many local events in Jackson, Mississippi in the past. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Millsaps College, and in 2011, she moved back to her hometown of Memphis. She is delighted to be part of the RSVP team as an editorial intern. She loves writing about all the amazing people and places in Memphis, enjoying a great book and chasing a good story.

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7 Having worked in print advertising for nearly eight years, Kristen Miller felt it was a natural fit to join the RSVP team as an account executive. Kristen, who lives in Arlington with her husband and four children, loves to cook, fish, watch college and Arlington Tigers football, spend time with her family and advertising, of course.

From the Editor

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onsidering my love of travel, I’m giddy that RSVP finally has an issue with lots of international flair. And, no, I didn’t need to traverse the globe to find that type of flair since I discovered that it exists right here in Memphis. Though, when first beginning to gather ideas for my monthly StreetSeens and Vox Popular, I had no clue these features would revolve around people who represent the best of Italian, Latino and Japanese culture in the Bluff City. Fittingly enough, the Cirque du CMOM benefit I covered brought Brazil’s famed Rio Carnival to life, so that event recap (on page 34) adds another bit of world flavor to this month’s editorial offerings. Perhaps sensing the trend, two of our contributing writers, Dennis Phillippi and Eugene Pidgeon, actually touch on adventures in faraway lands in their columns. First, you’ll come across Pidgeon’s story of noted author and former Memphian Hampton Sides in The Ambassador Series (page 26), which details everything from Sides’ upcoming return to his hometown for the “Libration” celebration to his amazing trek to Russia’s Wrangel Island to conduct research for a new book. Then, in our humor columnist’s RSVPhillippi column (page 61), Phillippi tells of his crazy work assignments to both the former Soviet Union and Turkey during his days playing Joe Cool—a retired children’s TV character that one of my coworkers assures me her grown kids still adore to this day. Now about to pour over the final proof for the issue, I still am amazed that the theme came together so nicely, even if it was unintentional. Maybe from now on, I’ll plan to not plan…if that makes sense. In the words of former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, “Life is full of surprises and serendipity. Being open to unexpected turns in the road is an important part of success. If you try to plan every step, you may miss those wonderful twists and turns. Just find your next adventure—do it well, enjoy it—and then, not now, think about what comes next.”

Leah Fitzpatrick editor@rsvpmagazine.com

Blues Musician and Singer/Vintage Car Collector/Aviator

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SIGNATURE MEMPHIS

Will Tucker

Hometown: Memphis. First Car You Drove: ’95 Buick. Place You Go to Think: My garage. Your Lucky Charm: My cross necklace. Biggest Pet Peeve: Bad or careless driving. Your Best Quality: Having multiple passions. Best Dish You Cook: Chicken parmesan pasta. Best Memphis Hangout: Memphis Drum Shop. Your Most Annoying Habit: Biting my fingernails. Who Inspires You: Everyone and everything around me. Favorite Song: “Whipping Post” by the Allman Brothers Band. The Highlight of Your Day: Bringing a smile to anyone’s face! Favorite Southern Idiom: You’re running around like a chicken with its head cut off! Coolest Thing About Memphis: All of the rich and extensive history and Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park. Best Advice You Ever Got: “Whatever you do, NEVER stick anything in your ear smaller than your pinky.”–B.B. King Proudest Moment of Your Life: The day I drove my ’56 Bel Air around the block for the first time after restoring it.

Photo by Steve Roberts

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EVENT

Grizz Gala

GRIZZ GALA

Benefiting the Memphis Grizzlies House

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Alissa and Riley Fowler

Grizz Girls Cassie and Christina

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oon after their arrival in Memphis in 2002, the Memphis Grizzlies became an integral part of the Memphis and St. Jude communities with the team’s pledge to contribute $5 million toward the construction of the Memphis Grizzlies House. The Grizzlies House, which opened its doors in 2004, is a no-cost, short-term facility for St. Jude patients and their families and is located on the St. Jude campus. The NBA team has continued its support throughout the years, in part by hosting its successful Grizz Gala, which once again attracted a large crowd. Dubbed a “Blue Tie Affair,” the gala took place at Tunica’s Gold Strike Casino and was non-stop fun from start to finish. The chilly weather and distance from Memphis did nothing to dampen the spirit of the night. Upon entering the upstairs gallery leading to the ballroom, guests were greeted by the enthusiastic Grizz Girls, dressed accordingly in their sparkly blue dresses. The gallery featured pictures of team members with St. Jude patients, interactive video games, “The Memphis Boogie Heads” and an impressive array of silent auction items. These included many Grizzlies goodies, as well as articles contributed by other NBA teams and favorite local college teams’ memorabilia. Among the fans’ “must-haves” were signed jerseys and “Fathead” photos of NBA players. In the ballroom, guests mingled with players and coaches, all the while enjoying libations and taking advantage of the sumptuous food stations. Provided by the talented Gold Strike culinary team, there was something for everyone: Asian cuisine, a potato bar, sushi and fajita stands, prime rib, seafood and many side dishes to choose from. Opening remarks were given by everyone’s favorite play-by-play announcer Pete Pranica, Gold Strike GM Nik Rytterstrom and ALSAC/St. Jude CMO Emily Callahan, who each were elated at the turnout and expressed their gratitude for the generous show of community support. When the live auction began, this support was most evident, given the lively bidding for such desirables as a Las Vegas Mandalay Bay getaway, a photo of the highest bidder with the entire 2012–2013 Grizzlies team and a “Stars and Stripes & Big City Lights” package for tickets to a home game versus the Washington Wizards and a flight to New York City with the team on their private plane, a stay in the team hotel and great seats at Madison Square Garden for the game against the Knicks. Shoes were kicked off, and folks filled the dance floor when Gary Escoe’s Atomic Dance Machine took over the evening with the large repertoire of Gary’s sounds–everything from rock to soul to funk and more. Sponsored by Gold Strike and SunTrust Bank, this party proved again that Memphis loves its Grizzlies and, of course, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

Wes and Ashley Houseman

Story by Ruth Cassin Photos by Nathan Berry

Alexis Johnson and Anthony Hollins

Angie and Lionel Hollins

Robert Munoz and Stephany Goodnight

Tommy and Monica Fan

Chris Glenn and Amber Lowery with Ashley and Tim Argo

Marvin and Kathy Conley

EVENT GRIZZ GALA

Kevin and Anna Ritz

Mike and Joelle Scholl

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Edmund Ford Jr. and Vickye Hester

Karen and Fred Sliney

Kara and David Joerger

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Susan Russell and Lee Ann Pruitt

Betsy Brasher and Brandon Bell

Kim Gerlach and Clay Clarkson

Charles Leslie and Grizz Girl Kelsi

Carol and Keith Shirley

Sharri Maynard and Michael Humes

EVENT GRIZZ GALA

Hassan and Farrah Bourgi

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Sharee Edwards and Crystal Lovreta

Keith Jones with Paige and Brad McCormick RSVP

Alex and Dr. Kimberly Womback-Rice

Rob and Kathryn Stallins

Ryan Humphreys with Jennifer and Jim Scholler

EVENT GRIZZ GALA Paul Morris and Michele Lunati

Corey Strong and Kerri Campbell

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Tyler White, Dana Brooks and Al Pickett

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Sean Hartman, Mike Conley and Jenny Barham

Stacy and Lanale Brown

Megan and Justin Starling

EVENT GRIZZ GALA

Kara Caldwell and Conetta Nelson

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Kathy and Buster Kelso

Vic Santiago with Karen and Preston Hudson RSVP

Todd and Tammi Schneiderman

Warren Hogue and Kim Jones

Kim and Duane Palmer

Mike Christensen and Leslie Fowler

EVENT GRIZZ GALA Natasha Ashworth and Tina Fletcher

Brandon and Monica Dardeal

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Jenny and P.J. Koltnow

19 RSVP

Alan and Brooke Balducci

Joey and Jazmine Thorsen

STREETSEEN

Kentaro Ohkuni Serving Up the Art of Tea

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ccording to tea master Kentaro Ohkuni, the most important part of a tea ceremony ironically is not the tea one ingests, but the heart one puts into the custom. If that’s indeed the case, then Ohkuni has grasped the concept to the fullest, so much so that he flies to Memphis nearly once a month from Columbus, Ohio, where he works as a cancer researcher at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, to lead usually three consecutive The Way of Tea in Tennessee classes at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Of all places, why does he choose Memphis for his tea ceremonies classes? Well, having lived in the Bluff City from 2005-2010 to work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Okhuni knows the city already, but one reason he continues to share his passion for tea with Mid-Southerners stems from the connections he has made with those devoted members of The Way of Tea in Tennessee group. Though one doesn’t have to be a member to take a class, around 30 people from Memphis, both Americans and natives of Japan, have joined this group in order to pursue the ongoing study of the tea ceremony, which Ohkuni maintains is a practice for life. In fact, he’s been studying the ancient art form for 15 years and will continue to do so. He admits, “I don’t think of myself as a teacher because I’m always studying—this [the Way of Tea in Tennessee class] is my way of studying.” Originally from Ako, Japan, Ohkuni imparts the knowledge he first began acquiring at a tea ceremony school in Hiroshima to those interested in the subject. In particular, he demonstrates the Ueda Tradition of Tea, which is the samurai style taught in Hiroshima and one that men prefer says Patti Lechman, an American who takes turns with Ohkuni teaching The Way of Tea in Tennessee classes at the Botanic Garden. The Ueda Tradition dates back to the late 1500s, when Soko Ueda, touted as the first grand tea master of Ohkuni’s school (Sokei Ueda is the current grand tea master.), formed rules and procedures of the way of tea for two military families after becoming a feudal lord. During the latter part of his life, Ueda fashioned many items still seen in today’s tea ceremonies, such as chawan (tea bowls) and chashaku (tea scoops). In the accompanying photograph, Ohkuni sits on another important component of the ceremony, a tatami mat, which signifies to those who arrive in the tea room that they’re about to enter a different world—one of spiritual importance. He says participants also put a fan in front of themselves to tie them to the earth, thereby helping to show reverence for one’s natural environment and essentially slowing down to fully enjoy the ceremony at hand. For those interested in engaging in this special aspect of Japanese culture, Okhuni will return to Memphis on April 27 for his classes at the Botanic Garden; see the calendar listings at memphisbotanicgarden.com for a full schedule of all tea ceremony classes. As if the experience isn’t unique enough, it becomes even more so once participants hear from Ohkuni and Lechman that (as far as they know) Memphis is the only city in the Southeast to offer these tea ceremony classes to the public. They hope to enhance the ceremonies by having a tea house built at the Botanic Garden in the future, but until then, they’ll keep pouring up matcha, powdered green tea, for anyone wanting a taste of Japanese culture. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Don Perry

STREETSEEN

Dr. Cosetta Gaudenzi Importing Italian Cinema

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talian cars, fashion and food have long secured a spot in the American market, and with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs proclaiming 2013 the “Year of Italian Culture in the USA,” the country could become known for a lot more of its exports. Dr. Cosetta Gaudenzi, a professor in the Italian program at the University of Memphis, has been more than on board with disseminating her native Italian roots in the Mid-South and can now say that her fondness for Italian cinema, a topic of one of her courses, will be something she can “officially” brag about this year. See, for the past two years, Gaudenzi has headed up the Italian Film Festival USA of Memphis on the U of M campus, but not until this year has the local festival’s governing body, Italian Film Festival USA, been recognized by the Italian Ministry as a participating event. Based in St. Louis, Italian Film Festival USA, a nonprofit, launched in 2005 and has since spread to 11 other cities. Gaudenzi says that Barbara Klein, the president of the national office, approached her about bringing the festival to Memphis audiences several years ago, as Klein was looking at big cities near St. Louis that would be conducive to the festival’s growth. She gladly accepted Klein’s offer, having wanted to start an Italian film festival since arriving in Memphis 10 years ago for her U of M professorship. Without the backing of Italian Film Festival USA, Gaudenzi felt it would have been a different enterprise altogether to put on the festival by herself and deal with movie distributors, which she doesn’t have to worry about thanks to Italian Film Festival USA of Memphis’ parent office. The festival centers on offering the public Italian films that otherwise wouldn’t get distributed in audiences’ respective local theaters, but also on increasing the awareness of Italy, from its culture and people to its land and language. While the festival’s participating cities present a varying number of movies, all are recent and shown in Italian with English subtitles, with many being award-winning. Gaudenzi says, “We show lots of movies by young filmmakers, who are recognized, for example, at the Venice Film Festival…no Italian movies really come here, so it’s important to show them to the community.” Funded in Memphis by the Italian Film Festival USA and through the Public Service Award from U of M, the festival here remains free and is the first of the total 12 cities to air films this year, with March 26, March 28 and April 2 dates. Three films of different genres, which screen at 7 p.m. each night at U of M’s University Center Theatre, make up the local line-up, however the only title currently confirmed is Il giorno in più, a romantic comedy directed by Massimo Venier set in Italy and the U.S. Following each screening, audiences will be asked to rank the films on a scale of one to five, with five being the best, and the film with the highest score will be announced at the festival’s overall conclusion in May. The UNICO National Memphis Chapter will be involved with the festival as well, welcoming attendees and providing biscotti and beverages after each night’s showing—a gesture Gaudenzi appreciates since it gives people an opportunity to discuss the films afterward. “We had an average of 90 people a screening the first year and 100 the second year, so it’s nice to see a crowd of people eager to watch the films, and they thank you and want more—that’s the best part,” she says. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts

VOX POPULAR

Vox Popular Q&A with Mauricio Calvo

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RSVP: You’ve said in the past that you hope Memphis will become more and more a place that embraces all immigrants in the way that it embraced you, so I was just wondering what are some ways you felt embraced here?

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Calvo: One of the ways I was embraced was being made to feel welcome. Memphis, for the most part, does a really good job of that. I talk to people across the state and across the South, and it’s different. When you’re an immigrant, you’re in a completely different world. You’re not looking for a handout or freebies—you’re just looking for an opportunity. It’s a two-way street. The potential has to be there, and then you have to grab it and work and do a good job. So, hopefully what Latino Memphis is doing is working on creating this framework. We’re not creating these opportunities, but facilitating or making sure these opportunities do happen. RSVP: Is there a specific reason that Memphis has the largest Latino population in the state? Calvo: Well, Memphis is the largest city in the state, and the Latino population in Tennessee is mostly urban rather than rural, so that alone does help. I don’t know about cost of living, but I would suspect it’s a little cheaper to live in Memphis than in places like Nashville, however I’m guessing at that. Again, the climate has been positive here. For instance, we have the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office which believes that immigrants and anybody should have the right to report crime because that’s a safety issue not only for those families, but for anyone. If immigrants report crime, then your community is safer. They get it, and that’s why we have an officer here at Latino Memphis [for people to report crime] on Wednesdays. Many of the things we deal with actually center on safety and justice.

Photos by Don Perry

atino Memphis executive director Mauricio Calvo has been actively involved with the organization long before he took over the reins in 2008, watching it grow from a program of MIFA to becoming an out-right nonprofit that advocates for the betterment of the state’s largest Latino population, which happens to be right here in Memphis. A native of Mexico City, Calvo came to Memphis in 1993 to attend Christian Brothers University and decided to stay after graduation because he says, “There was so much to be done, and the idea that I could hopefully make a difference.” That he has certainly done through the formation of numerous collaborative partnerships with Latino Memphis and its clients, and he will continue to do so, especially as Latino Memphis focuses on its largest current undertaking, a college access project called Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors). Standing in front of the flag display of Latino countries in the Latino Memphis office, Calvo pointed out to RSVP editor Leah Fitzpatrick that these flags represent the diversity of Memphis, a place the soon-to-be full-fledged American citizen refers to as a pretty special home.

homeless to going to a briefing at the White House on how health reform would impact Latinos. It’s so much fun, and every day is different. Some days it can be very challenging because you are dealing with situations that don’t have an easy answer. We’re not really fixing people’s problems though. We’re connecting people with other agencies, and we’re collaborating, advocating and building partnerships. So, often times, what we do is intangible, but other times, it’s really fulfilling, like helping get someone’s utilities put back on in their house by helping them find the right piece of paper to fill out. RSVP: How has the organization evolved since you came on board as the executive director in 2008? Calvo: I think evolved is a good word to describe to it. You know, we have a new mission statement and strategic plan for our program. What we were doing back then, like being an organization that was doing ESL [English as a Second Language] classes, has changed to us helping people prepare for our college access project, which is our biggest program now. Back then, we didn’t feel like it made any sense to talk about college access, but when you look at Kingsbury [High School] being the school with the highest number of Latinos in the whole state, and that’s from the Department of Education numbers, and at the same time, you’re looking at the number of Latinos not going to college, it makes perfect sense to be doing this. So, some of the programs have changed. Some have gotten smaller, and some bigger. We used to have a huge festival, which we don’t do anymore because that’s not our role—we’re not event planners. We do now have a 5K, which is called Cinco K Mayo, and it’s about bringing Americans and Latinos together.

RSVP: How did you first find out about Latino Memphis? Calvo: I had a small business at the time, and somebody invited me to come to a meeting for Latino Memphis, which was a part of MIFA then. I ended up joining the board and became pretty involved, and after that, I got married, had kids and was not as involved. Then, almost four years ago, we were expecting our third child, and I lost my job due to a lay-off. A friend of mine told me that the director of Latino Memphis was leaving and suggested that I apply. I had never thought about working for a nonprofit organization, but I did apply. Now, I can honestly say that it has been the best job ever, and I get to do so many things from working with the

RSVP: You just mentioned that Latino Memphis has a new mission statement, so what does it entail? Calvo: It says that we advocate for the betterment of the Latino community. My goal has not necessarily been to become a much larger organization because in this economy we have to be careful in how we grow in order to be sustainable. Sure, we can grow now, but what about next year? You have to keep in mind that most of our services are free, so we’re adding a few services that will have a fee with them. We have moved from just barely existing…I remember many foundations told us in the past that they liked what we were

Calvo: First, Latinos face the same challenges as everyone else, so, of course, the economy is huge. For instance, it’s really hard if your hours are getting cut in half. Immigration [reform] is also huge. Now, we think that, for the first time, we kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel, so we are excited to see that something is actually going to happen, maybe not this year, but in the near future. Also, the community that Latino Memphis serves is underserved, and often times, our clients are limited in their accessibility to resources. I’m talking about resources they have a right to access but they just don’t know how to access. I’m not talking about entitlements, but if your landlord isn’t fixing the roof and you don’t know you can ask him or don’t know how to ask him to do so, then you have a problem that can turn into a lifechanging issue. The more we’re here for the people who come to our front desk, the better advocacy we can do at any given level because we have a better understanding of what people need. RSVP: How many people come into the Latino Memphis office during an average year? Calvo: In an average year, you’re talking about 5,000 people coming through the doors. RSVP: How do Latinos new to the Memphis community find out about the organization? Calvo: Word-of-mouth is the number one way. We do have ads in all of the Latino newspapers, too. A lot of times though people will just tell people to come to our office even though they might now know what we do, and sometimes we can’t help them. Our focus for the last few years has been health, education and justice, and we help people with these things by connecting them to the right resources, whether it’s Christ Community Clinic or a church office. It’s important for us to have strong collaborations because if we’re just sending people to Chris Community, and they’re not equipped to take you, you’re going to show up and not be taken care of. RSVP: Are there any new programs you’re looking to implement? Calvo: If there’s immigration reform, we hope to provide more targeted legal services. This is the first year that we really launch our Abriendo Puertas [Opening Doors] program. That evolved from being a program that was targeted to at-risk youth going into gangs to those kids going to college because now we have less kids going into gangs. We’re going to really expand that into other schools. Cordova [High School] has the second largest Latino high school population in Memphis, so we’re going to go there and Ridgeway. This is a big priority for us. Going back to immigration reform, we want to make sure that applicants are equipped to do what’s necessary to do, but we also want to be equipped to have conversations with the larger community about why this is important to kind of ease their fears and concerns. I don’t expect people to agree on everything, but let’s have these conversations because sometimes people do have misconceptions and need to talk about it. RSVP: I know that Latino Memphis is also a proponent of the national Goal 2025 movement, so just wondering if you can explain what this project is and what Latino Memphis’ involvement with it is? Calvo: So, the Lumina Foundation has this goal, Goal 2025, which is to have 60 percent of Americans period having some kind of postsecondary education by the year 2025. Right now, the national number is 38 percent. In Tennessee, the Latino population for having any type of post-secondary education is only 14 percent, so here, the

VOX POPULAR

RSVP: Another goal I’ve heard that Latino Memphis has is for Latinos to become more engaged and active in the community at large. Can you tell me some ways you’ve seen Latino Memphis clients become more involved? Calvo: Many times Latinos live in the shadows, and it’s really hard to get someone active when they’re in a shadow. Our goal is that when people are here that they understand they have rights and that they have to do their share. I have to confess that it’s challenging to talk about being so proactive given the circumstances of immigration and poverty that we see so often. As we overcome some of those things and gain their trust, hopefully they’ll become more independent. There are so many specific things we’re going to offer, and we’re offering as many seminars and educational workshops as we possibly can on topics related to legal issues and health issues—we have a strong partnership with the YMCA, which has an office next to us. Talking about things like health is important because, for instance, Latinos have a high rate of diabetes among children in the U.S. So, we’re doing something to help people get out of the shadows so they can become physically, socially and emotionally active. RSVP: What are some ways you’ve witnessed Latino Memphis’ impact in the community? Calvo: Direct impact is so hard to measure, but we are seeing more willingness to collaborate and more and more organizations in Memphis having specific things in place to help Latinos, like having a [Spanish] language line for many of their services to the Exchange Club [Family Center] having a full bilingual department dealing with domestic issues. Can I trace that back and say that is a success for Latino Memphis? No, because it’s a collective impact. We like to be a part of that change, but when you’re dealing with combating social issues, it’s hard to say, “Oh, I did that.” RSVP: In what capacity can someone who doesn’t speak Spanish volunteer at Latino Memphis? Calvo: I have people helping with the college access project, helping high school students go to college. The sheriff that’s here doesn’t speak Spanish, but helps with people reporting crimes…so all you have to have is heart. We’ll deal with the language. Most of our volunteers actually don’t speak Spanish, or speak very little Spanish. If people want to help, we’ll find a way for them to do so. RSVP: What do you think someone would be most surprised to know about Latino Memphis? Calvo: I think people would be surprised how diverse our sponsorship and our board is. We have a board that’s made up of people who are Jewish, African-American, white…more than half the board is not Latino. We are an organization that was started by nonLatinos, and we’re an organization that’s supported by United Way, FedEx and Nike—it’s not that we’re only supported by Mexican restaurants, for example. So, I think something that would be surprising is that we’re concentrating on the Latino community, but that’s not our only priority. I’m more open-minded than that. We take a holistic approach and look at what’s the best interest for the city.

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RSVP: From the immigrants who come into the Latino Memphis office, what do you see are the greatest hardships they face in Memphis?

Tennessee Higher Education Commission partnered with the City of Memphis Mayor’s Office, Latino Memphis, Leadership Memphis, FedEx, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Kingsbury High School, the Community Foundation, the YMCA, TN Achieves and the Greater Memphis Chamber to apply for a four-year grant for this initiative, which is called LSS [Latino Student Success]. We got it, which is amazing because they picked 12 cities, and most of those are well-known places like San Antonio, Miami and New York. So, we’re all saying, “What is it going to take for Latinos to get to Goal 2025?” If we’re going to get to Goal 2025, we have to look to all populations though. As a state, we’re at 31 percent of people with post-secondary education of some kind, so we’re way below. We have to decide as a community whether we keep moving this graph in a few years. Lumina is funding this, and it’s a partnership agreement.

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doing, but they didn’t know if we’d be here next year. That was kind of a constant thing. No one is knocking at the door to give us money now, but we’re getting a little better at raising it after five years. I have to say that my predecessors did a good job of laying the foundation—it’s just a different time and organization. You have to look out for what makes sense at the time.

THE AMBASSADOR SERIES

The Ambassador Series By Eugene Pidgeon

HAMPTON SIDES PART 1: TRACING HIS “FOOTE STEPS”

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n 2009, when Jon Stewart introduced Bruce Springsteen at the Kennedy Center Honors, he used humorous and poignant detail to outline how a common idealist from the dirty streets of Freehold, New Jersey, the abandoned child of James Brown and Bob Dylan, rose to become the premier arbiter of everyone’s rock ‘n’ roll possibility and everyone’s American Dream. Stewart skillfully merged the attention span of his captured audience of formally suited diplomats and informally rooted culture rats and anchored them collectively to a single call to arms, “Bruuuuuuce!” Then, in a surprising turn, Stewart got serious—thus, his closing remarks, though a bit garish, were resonantly honest and personal. Stewart said, “Whenever I see Bruce Springsteen do anything, he empties the tank…every time. And, the beautiful thing about this man is he empties that tank for his family, he empties that tank for his art, he empties that tank for his audience and he empties it for his country. And we, on the receiving end of that beautiful gift, are ourselves rejuvenated, if not redeemed.” Without corrupting the imagination, the very same attributes could be accorded to the former Memphian and present critically acclaimed and acclimated best-selling writer/author and premier arbiter of the historical narrative, Hampton Sides. Next month, during the weekend of April 25-27, The Memphis Public Library will present the very first “Libration,” a library celebration to benefit the Memphis Public Library & Information Center. Hampton Sides, who now resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his wife, Anne, and their three sons, will be traveling to Memphis for the occasion. In fact, he will be the special guest and keynote speaker for this inaugural event. Sides has penned notable works of portent such as Ghost Soldiers, Blood and Thunder and the award-winning and Memphis specific Hellhound on His Trail. The latter is a riveting and beautifully researched account of the international quest to find and capture James Earl Ray in the furor of days following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in downtown Memphis on April 4, 1968. So compelling is Hellhound on His Trail that it reached number six on the New York Times Best Seller List—this is an astonishing and unprecedented achievement for a historical narrative. The Times’ literary critic Janet Maslin was impressed enough that she regaled the work as “spellbinding, bold, dynamic and unusually vivid.”

At “Libration,” Sides will read from his vast body of published material. He also promises to share excerpts from his current work in progress, which is a yet untitled exploration of an ill-fated expedition to the Arctic Circle nearly a century ago that ultimately floundered in Siberia. The event itself will offer a weekend of irresistibly digestible polysyllables and, alas, the witty and winsome lyric of our myriad “native” tongues (all of which are equipped enough to evoke and reflect the wholly unique and sometimes electri-

cally volatile and disparate literary cuisines and voices of Memphis and the MidSouth). “The Libration” celebration promises to be a three day-page turning homage to the work of Hampton Sides and, too, the culture of our language—a language of both the spoken and written word. It is the language of our particular possibility and of our local American Dream. Yet, “Libration” will perhaps serve to address a more important idea altogether. May it remind us of our individual and communal responsibility to preserve and protect the very institution of our library system, a system which despite all political and economic climates still remains to faithfully preserve and protect our culture of language and literacy. More than this, however, the Memphis Public Library and the Memphis Library Foundation are preserving the culture of family. When the culture of family is preserved so can be the preservation of that which sets Memphis apart from other cities anywhere on Earth…while still binding us on a level playing field with the entire world. Above everything else, it may just be the preservation of family which has inspired Sides to return to Memphis for the “Libration” celebration. Sides is nothing if not a committed family man, and because of people like him, as well as the

efforts of the Memphis Public Library and the Library Foundation, our city is looked upon as a redoubt of fable and allure. In addition, Memphis has emerged as a fulcrum, a universal compass point to a true South of grand literature and a deeply rich and fissured history. Those of us who will be on the receiving end of the gifts Sides and the Library Foundation will bring when “Libration” commences next month are also going to be rejuvenated, if not redeemed. The gravity of “Libration” and the return of Sides to Memphis cannot be overstated. Therefore, RSVP, in a one-time gesture, will dedicate both the March and April editions of The Ambassador Series to Sides and the Library Foundation. For the April issue, and drawing from the transcripts of three separate interviews with Sides, this column will function to openly share the author’s ideas on everything from the shifting impact of language itself to his worldwide adventures, with his family in tow, to research the information that forms and informs the body of his work. He also talks about his journeys as an evolving writer and as an evolving husband and parent. The highlight will perhaps be his warm reflections on Shelby Foote, who presides as one of his most significant personal and professional influences. The following excerpt comes from “Entirely His Own Man,” an essay which Sides is crafting about his first impressions and his lifelong relationship with Foote. The Ambassador Series is proud to announce that this is the first excerpt from the essay to be published anywhere. “Shelby Foote was a fierce devotee of ‘As the World Turns.’ He insisted on Pet Condensed Milk in his coffee. He wrote in long hand with various antique writing instruments, in a queer kind of Cyrillic script that was uniquely his own. He was the first writer I ever met and the only writer I ever personally knew until I left my hometown of Memphis and went off to college. And so my image of what a writer was supposed to look like, sound like and smell like came first and foremost from him.”—Hampton Sides

If you want to read more excerpts from this essay and to discover the open and genial person of Hampton Sides, then be sure to pick up a copy of the April edition of RSVP, where the story will continue. And for more information on “Libration,” log on to memphislibraryfoundation.org or contact Diane Jalfon, the Memphis Library Foundation executive director, at DJalfon@memphislibraryfoundation.org. Mark your calendar for this event.

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Staxtacular

STAXTACULAR

The Grizzlies’ “Soul -Shakin’ Throw-Down”

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Jenny Koltnow and Tim Sampson

Marie and Charlie Roland

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he Memphis Grizzlies ushered in 2013 with a monumental offcourt success according to the sold-out ticket sales the team helped generate for the ninth annual Staxtacular, which subsequently broke past fund-raising records with $135,000 contributed this year. At capacity thanks to a turnout of 550 guests, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music could have rivaled FedExForum during Grizzlies games with this high-energy crowd, who not only generously donated to the Stax Music Academy’s youth mentoring and music programs, but also cheered on the talented Stax Music Academy students and the Bo-Keys when they took the stage this night. Jenny Koltnow, the founding executive director of the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation, which helps put on the benefit with the Soulsville Foundation, expressed her appreciation for how much Staxtacular has grown since it was first held in 2005 after only a five-week planning period. She said that the Grizzlies players and some of their wives were looking for a meaningful organization to give back to in the community where they live, and after touring the Stax Music Academy, they were so impressed that they decided to raise funds for it—hence the birth of Staxtacular. To date, more than $800,000 has been raised for the academy at this benefit, and several players continue to serve as honorary hosts, who this time included Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. “With music and basketball, what more fun can you have?” smiled Koltnow. Indeed, the pairing of two of our city’s hottest commodities for this event has proven ingenious, not to mention the unbelievable food stations that appear at every turn (athletes have big appetites!). There were canapés of goat cheese tartlets and roasted tomatoes, cucumber slices with smoked salmon and cream cheese and beef Carpaccio on crostinis, sushi and roasted pork dumplings at one table alone. Many more mouth-watering edibles awaited guests though, like fried mac and cheese, mini cornbread muffins with short ribs, chocolate-covered bacon and an ice cream sundae bar. Tennessee’s own Prichard’s Distillery also set up a whiskey tasting station and had donated all five of its whiskeys for the silent auction, which, in addition to the live and online auctions, boasted lots of basketball-friendly loot, like a father/son Grizzlies bow tie set from Mo’s Bows, a burlap “Grizz” door hanger and two floor seats to the Grizzlies game against the Washington Wizards. The evening ended with partygoers cutting loose with candid photo booth shots and lots of dancing. This party has been dubbed a “Soul-Shakin’ Throw-Down” after all, and that it proved to be for a slam-dunk of a ninth year.

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David and Rhonda Porter

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Roy Haithcock and Don Perry Bridget and Phil Trenary

Brent and Heather Long

Jim Maddox and Amy Goldsmith

Rachelle Rogers and Renita Rogers

Darrell Arthur, Hamed Haddadi, Mike Conley and Jerryd Bayless

Doug and Sissy Carpenter

STAXTACULAR E V E N T

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Lynne and Henry Turley

Traci and Colin McDoniel

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Terry Reeves and Judy Carmichael

Molly Fitzpatrick and Leah Fitzpatrick

!PPLING 7AY -EMPHIS 4. s

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Devon Dennis and Jeb Hart

Nancye Starnes and David Hughes

Lionel and Angie Hollins

LaToya Knox, Rudy Gay and Charmaine Taylor

Alyson Bauer and Matthew Heffington

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Anastasia Wiseman, Zach Randolph and Yelena Ovando

Tim and Cathy Dalfiume

Stephanie Anderson and Meredith Ray

Adrianna Christmas and Jeremy Larry

Chuck Thomas III and Sherri Thomas

Tomeka Hart and Russ Wigginton

STAXTACULAR E V E N T Abby, John and Amy Huber

Gary and Letitia McClain

Geneva and Josalyn Sanders

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Julie and Fred Azar with Hope Dooner

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Scott and Carolyn McCormick

Ruby and Kirk Whalum with Kirk and Karen Johnston

Sonia Benn and Lester Ferdinand

Melanie and Doug Schrank

Brooks and Linsey Oakley with John David and Becky Dowdle

EVENT

Cirque du CMOM

CIRQUE DU CMOM

“Unmask Your Wild Side”

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Sarah Spinosa and Mary Ballard

Greg and Elizabeth Smithers

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hile Rio de Janeiro was still preparing for its annual celebration known as Rio Carnival, the party was already starting stateside at the Children’s Museum of Memphis. Filled with revelers outfitted in masks, extravagant headdresses and feathers, the museum resembled a South-American Carnival parade for its always well-executed Cirque du CMOM benefit. Organizers even planned ahead for those who might arrive sans costume by providing feather boutonnières for gentleman and colorful masks for women at the entrance (The official party invitation came with masks as well and read “Put the mask on and see your inhibitions disappear.). From the get-go, this party didn’t disappoint. With a rainbow-colored entrance carpet that led to a giant float, complete with samba dancers atop it and Jeremy Shrader’s Seis Musicos pounding out the sounds of Rio beside it, guests were given a warm introduction to the evening’s theme. Farther along, an ice luge carved with a Patron logo enticed patrons to sample cool tequila shots, which the brave enjoyed as ambient noises of the rain forest played in the background. Some 20 restaurants had supplied tasting stations, many of which featured hors d’oeuvres that catered to the festive atmosphere. For instance, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen served fried pasta with pork salsa verde, while Automatic Slim’s plated beef kabobs with pineapple, a fruit indigenous to South America. Of courses, dishes like Ciao Bella Italian Grill’s Kobe beef with portobello mushrooms and feta and Owen Brennan’s shrimp and grits and signature bread pudding hit the spot, too. Entertainment factored in big at this affair, with Alston Meeks Jr. and an eight-piece band performing big band style music in the Oak Hall tent, decorated with chic lounge furniture, and Party Planet and DJ Mark Anderson taking turns heating up the stage in the Copacabana. Normally the Malco 4 Kids area, the Copacabana was adult territory for this party and helped transport attendees into a world where music and passion rule, beginning with a conga line of samba dancers who brought out the party spirit. From the ceiling hung larger-than-life butterflies ensconced in twirling vines, and on the cocktail tables, DJ Mark Anderson projected photographs from the real Rio Carnival. As Party Planet lead singer Al Paris took the mic, he said, “Okay, y’all, it’s officially party time!” And, not a second later, the dance floor was packed with those ready to show off their wild side. Carnival had truly come to life in Memphis, and Carrie Callaway Roberts, CMOM’s director of PR and marketing, couldn’t be more ecstatic that this Cirque du CMOM raised a record amount of funding for the museum, its exhibits and educational programming.

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Todd and Stacey Watson

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Baxter Buck

Anne and Keith Townsend

Caroline and Terry Morris

Cathy Weaver and Terry Lynch

Tom and Robin Watson

Jessica Hackett, Dick and Kathy Hackett, Chester Rockwell and Bootsie Vonschlegel

Leslie and Alper Cetingok

EVENT Allison Rogers and Richard Williamson

Stephanie Jarratt and Jessica Simpson

Lance and Fiona Binder

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CIRQUE DU CMOM Patrick and Marla Pennington

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Dee and Jerome Franklin with Gina and Michael Thompson

Save the Date Blue Streakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 99th th Annual F ood Tasting Tasting & Silent Auction Food

A APRIL PRIL 19, 2013 7:00 PM | Pink Palace Museum

$75 per person | $85 at door tasteofjubilee.org 320.6362 Benefiting Benefiting tthe he JJubilee ubilee SSchools chools of of M Memphis Meemphis PRESENTED BY: BY:

Karl and Gail Schledwitz

Lindsey and Josh Hammond

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Dan Kyle and Sally Morris

William and Emily Young

Shannon and Tyler Benitone

Clay and Casey Tidwell

Chris and Nicole Girata

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Brooks and Tara Fowler

Joyce and Mike Nussbaum

Jennifer Godwin and Amanda Ray

Amy Thakkar and Tanika Yancy

Mike Hooker and Berry Simpson

Mike and Helen Kiser

EVENT Allison and Richard Smith

Amanda and Stanley Johnson

Ree Liverance and Matt Sellers

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CIRQUE DU CMOM Tim Parks and Jeannie Bleu

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Freddie Young, Al Paris and Amber Wilson

Jordan Scott and Hunter Haley

Terry and Caprice Morgan

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Chad and Hattie Rounder

Anne Dunavant and Jennifer McCullough

David and Timmi Warlick

Craig and Susan Williams

Cole Giovannetti and Lauren Lee

Jim and Amy Whittington

Nathan and Amy Raines

Laura and Buddy Dearman

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EVENT CIRQUE DU CMOM Jenna and Ed Wallis

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Katie and Ryan Savage

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Carroll and Tina Todd with Heather and Henry Grosvenor

Floyd and Keosha Williams

Uma and Dr. Kishore Arcot

Joe Dandan, Angela Garber and Kofi Appah

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RSVP ROOM VIEW

Interview by Kelly Cox | Photos by Steve Roberts nyone who loves to cook knows that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Not just meals are made there, but memories also; it’s a source of nourishment for the body and the soul. Valerie Morris—former chef and founder of the much-missed River Terrace Yacht Club and the restaurant Equestria, who has had the supreme honor of cooking at the James Beard House—knows the worth of a good kitchen more than most. Having left a career in the culinary arts for the corporate world, Valerie kept cooking in her personal life, but quickly realized how unsuitable her home kitchen was for the frequent dinner parties she and her husband, Jeff, host. Working closely with designer Ami Austin of Ami Austin Interiors, the Morrises found that holy grail: the dream kitchen.

All stainless appliances and distressed pecan cabinetry with ample storage make this kitchen suitable for a chef who entertains at home. Hardwood floors, subway tile walls and a tray ceiling with pendant lighting add to its beauty.

RSVP: Was storage an important consideration?

RSVP: This kitchen is amazing. So, how did the project begin? Austin: Valerie and Jeff entertain a lot, and I mean a lot. Valerie’s a very well-respected chef—she attended Le Cordon Bleu L’Ecole Culinaire in Paris, she’s written cookbooks, taught culinary arts and is very accomplished. The way the kitchen was before, she used to pull a drape while cooking for her guests because the kitchen was just for working, not for enjoying. I have “before” pictures that show how she used to try to work in here. Looking back, she can’t believe it! It’s nice now when they give a party because their guests can sit down and enjoy watching Valerie prepare a meal. Now, she feels very comfortable navigating this space in full view.

Austin: Storage was essential, especially as much as Valerie cooks and as organized as she is. She is SO organized—the spices in those built-in racks are in alphabetical order! All her pots and pans used to hang from the ceiling above the butcher block. So, we did all full-extension drawers and cabinet slats so that she could get her sheet pans, pots, pans and tools even more organized and out of sight. And, I added a tray ceiling in that space to accommodate the pendant lighting. The butcher block itself has built-in drawers for commercial-size wraps and foils. It’s interesting to see how a chef does it at home. RSVP: What’s behind this leaded glass door? Austin: That’s a wine cellar closet that holds a little more than 150 bottles. Having proper wines to serve with dinner was important, and we were able to create this space by closing off a short hallway that led into the kitchen from the foyer. The ceiling is stained bead board. And, I thought this was really neat, to be able to do a whole wall using wood from the crates that the wines are shipped in. That was Valerie and Jeff’s idea.

RSVP: What turns a home kitchen into a chef’s home kitchen?

RSVP: Had they been in the home long before deciding to renovate?

Austin: Crucial elements were the extra-wide, double ovens, with one being a convection oven, two dishwashers, a 48-inch six-burner Thermador range, range hood and warming racks. Valerie and Jeff gave a lot of input on the appliances, with Jeff doing most of the research on BTUs and heat output that Valerie requested. They both wanted all stainless steel and very clean lines. There’s the stainless steel backsplash above the range. The colors are a big change from the way things used to be. The whole kitchen area was red with

Austin: Yes, they’d been here about 10 years before this complete renovation. We finished everything in time for a Christmas party in 2011. In the end, we carried the hardwood floor selected for the kitchen throughout the whole of the house, which is wonderful. Really, before the renovation of this room and others, they were on the fence about whether to stay in this house, but they decided that no, they loved the location and the ranch floor plan, and it was worth renovating.

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black appliances. We extended the kitchen and replaced the cabinetry with a warm-toned, distressed pecan and did subway tile walls and granite countertops. I did an arched doorway into the living room, just because it added interest and gave an Old World, French country flavor more suitable to someone of Valerie’s cooking caliber. We did two built-in spice racks on either side of the range. Before, she had exposed racks of spices taking up all this wall space, really like a restaurant kitchen instead of a home kitchen.

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Left: By closing off an unnecessary hallway, designer Ami Austin was able to create a 150-bottle wine cellar closet for the Morrises. Below: An accomplished chef, Valerie was invited as one of the top five chefs in the state to represent a James Beard Taste of Tennessee Bicentennial Dinner. Valerie says José Gutierrez was also invited from Memphis to participate in the dinner and that she was responsible for creating the entire dessert course.

Nicole Wood and Jere Gerard

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Phillip and Missy Green

Story by Lesley Young Photos by Don Perry

Elizabeth and Mike Rodriguez

Jennifer Kruchten and Deborah Matthews

Patti Russell and Anne Newell

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Lida Kruchten and John Buttross

nside one of the best rooms in Memphis, atop the Clark Tower, more than 200 members and supporters gathered in their most elegant attire to celebrate Les Passees’ annual Cabaret Ball in the Tower Center. Themed “A Night in the Orient,” the Tower Center was transformed with a sea of Asian-style red paper lanterns hung from the ceiling and pagoda lamps with Ikebana-inspired flowers adorning the tables. In addition to the décor, the mood was set for magic by ladies in their floor-length formals, including the Living Ads presented for the evening, who were the following: Emily Booth, Lida Kruchten and Eva Wehr. Their escorts included Cody Brooks, Andrew Ellen and Trey Keppen. This year’s pages were Kaitlyn Keppen, Andrew Kruchten, Bennett Kruchten and Lauren Ledger. Les Passees has served as a women’s philanthropic organization since 1919 to provide advocacy and support for children and families in the Memphis community. One of the group’s current projects is the Harwood Center, which provides specialized education and therapeutic services to children with developmental disabilities from birth to age 5, and it also supports the national organization Kids on the Block, an educational puppet program that travels to schools throughout Shelby County. Kids on the Block specifically addresses social concerns such as bullying, low self-esteem, how to say no to drugs and alternatives to gangs and violence, and each year, the Les Passees Kids on the Block puppet troupe performs for more than 25,000 children. “This night is a thank-you to our generous sponsors who support us throughout the year,” Suzanne Shelton, co-chair of the event, said at the event. “This is the first time we’ve held it at the Tower Center, and I just love it. It should make for a fun event.” Once guests satisfied their Asian palates on sushi and stir-fry, they danced the rest of the evening to the blues and R&B intonations of Memphis’ own The King Beez.

Kierstin Spottswood and Melissa Ellen

Judy Ashby, Ron Childers, Joyce Peterson, Jack Conway and Suzanne Shelton

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“A Night in the Orient”

LES PASSEES CABARET BALL

EVENT

Les Passees Cabaret Ball

Chris Cardona and Anna Ellis

EVENT LES PASSEES CABARET BALL

Julie and Kevin Stonebarger

Cassandra and Jack Moriarty

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Bennett and Andrew Kruchten

Charise and Finice McCarley

Steve Nix and Pam Cain

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Belinda and David Sink

Kacie and Stephen Cooper

Craig and Karyn Whittington

Jim and Karen Williams

Tristan Hayes and Andrea Lopez

Sue and Ralph Berry

Leslie and Bryan Darr

LES PASSEES CABARET BALL

EVENT David and Andrea Mikkola

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McClain Gordon and Alison Smith

Brad and Kim Flynn

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Lisa and Erin Reid

EVENT

Molly McNiell, Emily Booth and Amanda Booth

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LES PASSEES CABARET BALL

Lori Wehr, Peri Jones, Eva Wehr and Jay Wehr

Alan and Cindi Ledger

Donnie and Amy Thweatt

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Trey Keppen and Kaitlyn Keppen

Cody Brooks, Helena Susen, Alice Blackmon and Ryan Brooks

Emily Green and Taylor Martin

Liz and Rick Gano

Nancy, Margie and Jim Brooks

EVENT Starr and Jennifer Cheshier

Meredith Nelson and Leif Craig

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Bob and Linda Whitten

LES PASSEES CABARET BALL

Bernie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor and Tes Herman

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Bradford Waters and Anca Pop

Lovie and Richard Raines

Anne and Gary Blevins

Jane and Mark Harris

EVENT

M-Town Countdown

M-TOWN COUNTDOWN

t seems fitting that the Junior League of Memphis would celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Pink Palace Museum. The league began the same year—1922—that Clarence Saunders declared he would build the palace, not to mention the fact that the philanthropic organization helped establish it as a Memphis institution. “We couldn’t have picked a better location to celebrate this year,” JLM president Sally Pace said. Calling it the M-Town Countdown, the organization’s 1,600 members decided to “Party Like It’s 1922.” Women dressed in flapper frocks and feather hair pieces and men in gangster hats and wingtips, with some just in black tie, for a night of dancing, snacking and, of course, some celebratory imbibing. Azz Izz was the featured band for the evening, and Eclectic Catering provided build-your-own shrimp and grits among other heavy hors d’oeuvres. Event sponsor Laurelwood Shopping Center provided freeze models, who were stationed throughout the venue, and Classic Party Rentals did not disappoint setting the mood for a night that harkened to The Great Gatsby or “Boardwalk Empire.” “I’ve had this flapper dress in my closet just waiting for a chance to be worn,” said the event’s emcee, Lauren Lee, of Fox 13 News. Memphian Marilyn Vatter added, “Just the fact that it’s at the Pink Palace. I mean, who doesn’t want to celebrate New Year’s at the Pink Palace?” JLM members had a little extra to celebrate besides wrapping up 2012 and ringing in 2013, as this year marks 90 years of service for the organization. “This is the sunset to 90 years of perfect service and the sunrise for hopefully 90 more years of perfect service,” Pace said. And for that, organizers added sliders and doughnuts to the menu when the clock struck midnight.

New Year’s Eve Bash

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Darrell and Libby Smith

Truman Hull and Milandria King

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Ward and Brittan Robinson

Story by Lesley Young Photos by Baxter Buck

Anna and Blake Jeffries

Brian and Deana Spangler

Raquel and Tommy Carls

Madelyn Gray and Charlene Cox

Patty and Tom Schoelkopf with Sue and Jon Berry

Sally and Ashley Pace

EVENT Brandt and Julie Maddox

Kristin and Steve Oswalt

Gina and Chad Boyd

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M-TOWN COUNTDOWN Hank and Anna Kathryn Word

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Brad and Rebecca Bush

Ron and Mica Partain

Mason Money and Tricia Thomas

Ashley and Kevin Demsky

EVENT M-TOWN COUNTDOWN

Paul and Angie Bell

Meagan and Corey Jones

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Amy Stack and Stephanie Simpson

Jenny and Nick Vergos

Jeff and Amanda Cunningham

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Karimen and Spencer McDaniel

Derek and Amy Bailey

Megan and Paul Klimo

Emily and Joel Long

Warwick and Cathy Garner

Landon and Angela Himelright

EVENT M-TOWN COUNTDOWN Ken and Lisa Roberts

cl a ssy

Caroline and Rob Williams

For underwriting information, call 901-678-2560 Visit us online at wumr wumr.memphis.edu .memphis.edu

Tricia and Nelson Adrian

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i t â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s j a zz!

Lee and Isabelle Welch

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Andrew Wilbourn and Sarah Gallagher

EVENT M-TOWN COUNTDOWN

Matt and Jessica Neil

Jen Larkin and Amanda Meredith

Matt and Jessica Ryan

Cecil and Summer Godman

Aaron and Stacy Terry

Jim Levy and Edgin Wright

Mark Awdeh and Elly Deyhle

Courtney and Tommy Kiggins

Dan Hoit and Vikki Nolan

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Janie and Bruce Hopkins

Cody and Carter Giovanetti with Lauren Lee and Cole Giovanetti RSVP

Allen Scoggin and Marilyn Vatter

Kerri and Ryan Lynn

Peter Barta and Carrie Strehlau with Mary and Nick Griffin

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ONSITE

Onsite I

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AFP Crystal Awards Luncheon

UTHSC Chancellor’s Holiday Party

Memphis is the second most generous city in the nation, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, and the reason was obvious at the Memphis Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals 2012 Crystal Awards Luncheon at the U of M Holiday Inn. More than 400 luminaries in the nonprofit world joined AFP to honor individuals, groups and organizations that have gone to extraordinary lengths to serve the city’s needs. Kemmons Wilson Jr., in accepting the Outstanding Philanthropist Award, spoke for many when he explained what drives his generosity. “I realized that the purpose of life is not to be happy. The purpose of life is to matter,” he said. Joe Birch, a previous award winner himself, returned as emcee for the seventh year in a row. He shared the stage with AFP Memphis president Connie Gonitzke. Pianist René Koopman provided the music, and guests dined on salad, chicken with mushroom sauce and cake. The afternoon’s other honorees included Dorothy Gunther Pugh, Bob Plunk, Mark Halperin, Lester and Brenda Crain, FedEx, ServiceMaster and the Jewish Foundation of Memphis.

For guests in the midst of all the holiday hustle-bustle, the quiet and intimate University of Tennessee Health Science Center Chancellor’s Holiday Party was just what the doctor ordered. Nearly 50 guests relaxed as they enjoyed full use of the clubhouse at Windyke Country Club. Chancellor Steve Schwab was joined by high-ranking UTHSC officials, including Ken Brown, COO; Kris Phillips, Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni and Annual Giving, and Guy Reed, chairman of the Department of Medicine. With pianist Christopher Ward providing soft background music, partygoers sipped wine, beer or harder spirits and visited buffet tables offering shrimp and grits, roast sirloin, ham, grilled chicken tenders and fried green tomatoes and pickles. Desserts were abundant and ranged from sweets to fruit and cheese. Chancellor Schwab spoke briefly to thank his talented team and generous donors for making the institution “as good as it has ever been.” Then he added, “We couldn’t do it without you.”

Story and Photos by Jeannie Mandelker

Make-A-Wish Wine Tasting and Silent Auction Duration Fine Arts Club Christmas Luncheon Holiday get-togethers to help others have been a tradition at Regions Mortgage since the group’s vice president, Dean Puryear, first organized a fish fry for employees, clients and friends four years ago. Last year’s event was a decidedly more upscale wine tasting and silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Mid-South. The wine tasting took place in the rotunda of the former Union Planter’s National Bank building, now the main Memphis office of Regions Bank. The hall was decked with holiday cheer, and Memphis Consumer Credit Company co-sponsored the event. Some 60 people nibbled on mushroom Camembert and cranberry-laced cheddar, as well as artichoke and Gruyere tarts, lemon pepper chicken and beef tenderloin prepared by Off The Square Catering’s Neely Draughon. A silent auction also beckoned guests to bid on items including a FedEx flight simulator session, a Windyke Country Club family membership, signed art by Clay Connor, an iPad donated by Puryear and a photo session with Allison Rodgers Photography. Adding frisson to the evening was the announcement of a five-figure anonymous donation to the charity. Story and Photos by Jeannie Mandelker

Molly and Bob Plunk

Ken and Cynthia Brown with Carol and Steve Schwab Meredith Crawford and Dean Puryear

Connie Gonitzke, Joel Ashner and Deni Hirsh

Kemmons Wilson Jr. and Norma Wilson

Since its inception in 1945, the Duration Club, now the Duration Fine Arts Club, has undergone a handful of transformations—from assisting WWII veterans and opening the first preschool for mentally challenged children to supporting the Baddour Center. In its most recent evolution, members meet once a month to focus on the arts. Through the various stages of its arc, one thing has remained steadfast: its members’ constancy. During the Christmas season, the ladies met at the Memphis Country Club to celebrate their longevity and loyalty, and to gather for the annual Duration Fine Arts Club Christmas Luncheon. With their new focus in mind and once everyone enjoyed the lunch catered by the country club, the program commenced with musical entertainment by Gabe Statom and his wife, Ginger, who performed a variety of holiday tunes. Story and Photos by Lesley Young

Becky Treace-Entrekin and Brenda Glass

Hilda Mullen, Donna McManus and Karen Gahan Kris Phillips with Peggy and Jim Duke

Rebekah Sudduth and Joe Di Nicolantonio

Kevin and Judy Spiegel with Steven Bares

Karen Harris, Chelsey Harris and Natasha Kyle

Ginger and Gabe Statom

Hammerin’ in the Holidays

The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts offered a stellar view of night falling over the Mississippi River...and of the stars coming out for the inaugural induction ceremony of the new Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Administered by the Smithsonian-developed Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum with the support of other local musical attractions, this is one Hall of Fame with a lot of ground to cover. “Memphis music is so broad,” explained John Doyle, executive director of the museum. “We are rock, we are soul, we are blues, we are rhythm and blues.” To appropriate a lyric sung by the great Otis Redding, “it’s been a long time coming,” and this Hall of Fame made up for lost time with a first class of 25 inductees that included Redding himself, Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, W.C. Handy, Memphis Minnie, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Jim Dickinson, Sam Phillips, Jim Stewart/Estelle Axton and Three 6 Mafia. At a special reception prior to the ceremony, inductees like Bobby “Blue” Bland, Steve Cropper and ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill celebrated with special guests that included the families of inductees Rufus Thomas and Willie Mitchell. The Hall of Fame looks forward to honoring more Memphis musical greats year after year.

Unveil South Main threw a launch party in the quintessentially downtown space of the Jack Robinson Gallery during last November’s Trolley Night to fete 20 regional artists who were selected to exhibit their work for 20 days in 20 downtown businesses, restaurants and nonprofit spaces. Each participating artist provided an original piece for a silent auction at the Arcade Restaurant-sponsored kick-off bash to benefit the South Main Association. Featured artists included Kemper Durand at Charlotte Fine Jewelry, Michelle Duckworth at Hoot + Louise, r2c2h2 tha artivist at the Blues Foundation, Tori Lyn Cooper at the Russian Cultural Center, Allison Furr-Lawyer at Pearl’s Oyster House and Shirin Shahin at Emerge Memphis.

“When people move into their own home, it changes their lives,” said Ed Clark, a former board member of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis who has sponsored several H4H homes to “make a difference one family at a time.” Thanks to the generosity of Clark and several hundred other guests who attended the 11th annual Tool Box Bash at the Great Hall in Germantown, the nonprofit will be able to make a difference for many more families. Valero Memphis Refinery was the title sponsor for the event, which featured silent and live auctions, music by G3: Garry Goin Group and food from Humdinger’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Draper’s Catering, Off the Square Catering, Zest of Memphis and Piece and Love Pie Company. With the event being held last December, the customary Mardi Gras flavor was shed in favor of a “Hammerin’ in the Holidays” twist. Silent auction bids were made using tool-shaped pens, and if guests just had to have an item, there was an option to “Buy It Now” at a premium price over value. “I got the idea from eBay,” explained event organizer Shanda Wicker. The evening also included cooking demonstrations by Chef Ayanna Johnson and a Monty Hall-type game in which guests could pick an unknown bottle from a “Wall of Wine” for a set price, hoping they would choose one of several valuable vintages made available by The Stellar Cellar Wine & Spirits.

Story and Photos by Kelly Cox

Anna Avant and Lisa Doss

Story and Photos by Kelly Cox

Joel Rose and Jenean Morrison Story and Photos by Jeannie Mandelker

Memphis World Trade Club's Port of New Orleans Night Port of New Orleans Night, in its 62nd year last November, celebrated the key strategic relationship between Memphis and the Port of New Orleans. With more than 800 guests in attendance at The Peabody, the event was truly a grand gala featuring dinner and remarks, cocktails, live music and dancing. Now more than 65 years old, The Memphis World Trade Club is an organization of Memphis’ professionals in the international trade industry. MWTC is one of the oldest and most respected clubs in the industry and is a key resource in the Memphis community for promoting the participation and growth in international trade. Story Submitted Photos by JD Meredith

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Joann Massey and Natasha Donerson

James and Anne Nowlin with Lindsey and Eric Gentry

Lorrain Mitchell, Pat Mitchell Worley and Yvonne Mitchell

Caroline Ray and Kylie Hayes Lewie Steinberg and John Doyle

Janice Ousley, r2c2h2 tha artivist and Loretta McNary

Andria Lewis and Marcus Johnson

Kevin Kane and Bobby “Blue” Bland

Jennifer Payne and Brandon Marshall

Randy Henry and Dwayne Spencer

Jennifer Russell, Shannon Hicks and Abby Johnson

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Memphis Junior Cotillion Presentation and Holiday Ball Ave Maria Wine Tasting and Art Show

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The Memphis Junior Cotillion Club, in existence as early as 1928, has members who are 11th and 12th grade students at Hutchison School and St. Mary’s Episcopal School, or those who are legacies of past members. This past December, there were 48 juniors and 53 senior members of the club who were recognized at the Memphis Junior Cotillion Presentation and Holiday Ball, held in the Continental Ballroom of The Peabody. For more than 80 years, Junior Cotillion has introduced its members to society while also making substantial monetary donations to charitable causes. Junior Cotillion chose last year to support the Ronald McDonald House® of Memphis, which is solely associated with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A “home away from home” for families who are in Memphis while their children are receiving treatment for cancer or another catastrophic illness, the Ronald McDonald House has had more than 5,700 patients and their families from nearly every state and 45 countries stay at its facility completely free of charge. Story and Photos Submitted

Memphis artists and the Ave Maria Home joined forces with Delta Wholesale Liquors to raise funds for the residents of Ave Maria, a long-term care facility for seniors, with the fourth annual Ave Maria Wine Tasting and Art Show. More than just an art show, the event displayed beautiful artwork for sale from more than 20 different local artists. Guests indulged in a variety of select Italian wines provided by Delta Wholesale Liquors and munched on delicious hot hors d’oeuvres whipped up by the Knights of Columbus as they jumped at the chance to take home pieces by Mary Bowman, Greg Bowden, Rena Chiozza, Rita Dattilo and Mary Pera, to name a few artists. Frank Gattuso, executive director of Ave Maria Home, says that the event “is a relaxed fun event” that showcases great local art. In all, the gathering raised more than $10,600, and with 30 percent of every purchase going to fund Ave Maria residential scholarships and 70 percent to the artists, this philanthropically-driven event will be able to give back to some of our city’s most inspiring residents.

Le Bonheur Club Gold Tag Art Party

MCA Premier Selection Exhibition and Auction

The Le Bonheur Club kicked off its annual Gold Tag Fund-raising Drive with a Gold Tag Art Party at Cheney Parish Hall inside the Church of the Holy Communion. Members are raising funds this year to get a new ambulance for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, which transports some 2,200 children to the hospital annually for treatment. With that goal in mind, members urged their guests and one another to place bids on the diverse art creations supplied by many talented artists, including Michèle G. Allen, Scott Baxter, Danny Broadway, Julie Lamb, Denise Rose, Joy Routt, Virginia Williamson and NJ Woods. Spearheading the effort are Gold Tag Drive co-chairs Laura Gorham and Jan Wiygul, and Le Bonheur Club president Donna Flinn couldn’t be more passionate about the cause either as she said, “We need this ambulance for Le Bonheur—it’s an emergency!”

Cleaning up shop was the motivating factor for the Memphis College of Art Board of Trustees when the group decided to sell some of MCA’s nearly 550 pieces in storage. To get the ball rolling on clearing out space, the MCA Premier Selection Exhibition and Auction was held in mid-January at the college’s Nesin Graduate School’s Hyde Gallery downtown. Featured works were done by respected local, regional, national and international artists who range from the late American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein to local photographer Murray Riss and the late local painter and drawer Burton Callicott, whose son and grandson, Baird Callicott and Burton Callicott, respectively, were in attendance at the auction. Proceeds from the auction will help with the operations and programs of MCA, which plans on continuing the cleaning-out process throughout the next eight to 10 years.

Story and Photos by Leah Fitzpatrick

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Cara Sievers

Story and Photos by Rachel Warren

Jan Wiygul, Donna Flinn and Laura Gorham Doug Ferris, Shawna Engel and Travis Green

Courtney Skouteris and Charlotte Nichols Rita Dattilo and Helen Keith

Linda Underwood and Karen Carlisle Chloe Duke, Maddie Droke, Tori Crnogorac, Ellen Cowens and Caroline Coleman

Martha Podesta, Toni Rutledge and Terri Heard

Lizzie, Baker, Warren, Alice and Warren Ball

Evelyn Mallone and Sara Gibson

Congressman Steve Cohen and Remy Miller

Greg and Carol Weidenhoffer

Baird Callicott, Veda Reed and Burton Callicott

Story and Photos by Rachel Warren

Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce members had a chance to mix business with pleasure at the group’s 2013 Annual Dinner Gala. Many of the guests wore glamorous gowns, which fit the sophisticated décor of the Presidency Ballroom at Esplanade Memphis. Singer LaDon Jones provided the entertainment, and the evening’s program began with inspiring words by Pat McCree, a breast cancer survivor who is living life to the fullest as she is treated by Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women, a presenting sponsor. The Germantown Area Chamber then honored Senior Care Management Solutions, Inc. and Germantown Aesthetics with First Tennessee 2012 Small Business of the Year Awards; UT Medical Group with the Watkins Uiberall 2012 Large Business of the Year Award; Bodine School as the NonProfit of the Year; and Amanda Morgan of The Reserve at Dexter Lake as the Rob Edgerton Ambassador of the Year. The event was bittersweet for some, as it marked the last gala for outgoing chamber president and CEO Pat Scroggs. Dave Klevan, a past chairman of the chamber, led a tribute to Scroggs, who was besieged by members all night long as they wished her well.

The Grand Krewe of Ennead kicked off the 2013 Carnival Memphis season with the coronation of King Ennead XXIII (known to his friends as John Goodyear) and Queen Sahara XXIII (Ellen Patrick) at the U of M Holiday Inn. The queen’s elegant duchesses (Pat McWilliams, Cynthia Talley and Paula Wyatt) were resplendent in deep teal strapless gowns. Each carried a single long-stemmed white rose that picked up the brilliant white of the queen’s gown, which, like the duchesses’, came from All About Weddings. Completing the court this year were Dukes Don Harants, Charles Humphreys and David Kelly. Led by flagman Jim Browning, the court made a dramatic entrance into the ballroom, packed with 300 guests. The evening’s theme was “Days of Wine and Roses,” so along with the duchesses’ stems, there were striking wire towers holding a half-dozen red roses on each table; the centerpieces were handcrafted by Ennead vice chairman Marion Marr. The wine flowed, too, as guests helped themselves to a buffet and enjoyed entertainment by the musical group Magi. This year, the Grand Krewe of Ennead, as well as the other Carnival Memphis krewes, are supporting three children’s charities: Perea Preschool, the Ronald McDonald House® of Memphis and the YWCA of Greater Memphis.

A who’s who of female professionals in the legal world stepped outside their offices, and some outside their chambers, to join together at the Tower Center for the 33rd annual Association of Women Attorneys Banquet and Silent Auction. Chaired by Keating Lowery and Diane Comes, the event honored Judge Paulette J. Delk with the Marion Griffin-Frances Loring Award for her outstanding achievement in the legal profession. Members also awarded scholarships to three University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law students, who included Kaycee Arnold, Jessica Chandler and Angela Harris. In addition to the awards presentation, attendees got a chance to mix and mingle during a cocktail reception and at dinner, and they continued to show support of the AWA Scholarship Fund by bidding often on the diverse silent auction offerings, which featured items like artwork, restaurant gift cards and tickets to shows by performing arts groups. Past AWA president and member Lucie Brackin pointed out that it was easier than ever this year for guests to bid on items, as she had helped secure light-up pen readers so that attendees could read all the details about the wonderful goodies that had been donated. Story and Photos by Leah Fitzpatrick

Story and Photos by Jeannie Mandelker Story and Photos by Jeannie Mandelker

Joel Alexander

Judy Gupton, Pat Scroggs, Janice Hamil and Janie Day

Fran Ridley and Lucie Brackin Pat McWilliams, Paula Wyatt, Ellen Patrick and Cynthia Talley

NJ Woods and Marty McKee

Joe and Carol Ballard

Blair and Bill Lansden

Don Harants, Charles Humphreys, John Goodyear and David Kelly

Keating Lowery and Diana Comes

Mike Palazzola, Germantown Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy and Jane Lappi

Marta Vinzant and Jim Browning

Steve Harris with Rachel and Kenyarda Patterson

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Disguises were the order of the night at the second annual Incognito Gala and Silent Auction at the Memphis Botanic Garden. More than 300 people viewed 80plus unsigned works of art from talented artists across the MidSouth, and, true to the evening’s slogan of “bid on what you love, not who you know,” attendees bid on works based purely on what captured their imaginations, and not the name attached to the piece. The featured artists kept their identities under wraps in glitzy masks and mysterious costumes while guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from Just Catering, a cash bar and music from Tom Prestigiacomo and René Koopman. The added bonus of the event was that all proceeds went straight into the Botanic Garden’s outreach and educational programs. Joel Alexander, a clay sculptor and a former art teacher, took a moment from the night’s festivities to remark that she is “thrilled the money goes to the education department.”

AWA Banquet and Silent Auction

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Incognito Art Gala and Silent Auction Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce Grand Krewe of Ennead Coronation 2013 Annual Dinner Gala

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53 Treatise 56 Rope fiber 57 Tyrannosaurus 58 Engraved 61 To scrape or file 65 First letter of the Arabic alphabet 67 Vivacity 68 Sheer, triangular scarf 69 Particle 70 Den 71 Resting upon (2 wds.)

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DOWN 1 School (abbr.) 2 Small (prefix) 3 Ova 4 Woven container 5 Gallery content 6 Those who are opposed 7 Star Trek Automoton始s 8 Diving bird 9 Agreement between nations 10 It grows acorns 11 Malevolence 12 Wear away 13 Rough-and-tumble 21 Eye infection 22 Bind 25 Abdominal muscles (abbr.) 27 Among 28 Mr. Disney 29 Decorative needle case 30 Nape 31 Beware of this, 3/15 34 Guild 35 Snake like fish 37 Prefix for half 38 Egg-shaped

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39 Traditional Easter flower 41 Buss 45 Colors having soft, subdued shades 46 A piece of bedroom furniture (2 wds.) 47 Carribean potable 50 Untruth 52 Season of renewal 53 Bum 54 Slave 55 Leaves 56 ___ Matisse, painter 59 Pottery ingredient 60 Salute 62 Acting (abbr.) 63 Scat! 64 Baby pooches 66 Government worker 68 Enemy

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72 Posttraumatic stress disorder 73 Monetary unit of Guinea 74 Kellogg始s waffles

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ACROSS 1 1 One-celled water animal 14 (var.) 17 6 Competent 20 10 Above 14 Roll of tobacco 15 Hour 28 16 Air (prefix) 32 17 Anxiety 18 Horse始s gait 40 19 Have knowledge 44 20 Thin, flat circular object 21 Small seal 53 23 Strange 24 Dines 57 26 Niger始s capital 65 28 Passed (2 wds.) 69 31 Object 32 Dined 72 33 Break off (from) 36 False god graven image 40 Chance or fortune 42 Downwind 43 Hindu goddess, consort of Siva 44 Carved Polynesian pendant 45 Type of star or watch 48 Bad (prefix) 49 Block 51 Actively

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More Than 120,000 Readers Average Household Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $174,000 per year Average Net Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,250,000 Male Readers . . . . . . 40.8% Female Readers . . . . . . . . 59.2% Marital Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62.2% married Home Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81.3% Education: Attended/Graduated College plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83.0% Have Post graduate degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.6% 88.6% . . . . Purchased a Product or Visited a Store due to Advertising in RSVP. 42.6% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Traveled Abroad during the past year. 52% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eat out at least 3 times per week. 30,000 copies delivered monthly throughout the Affluent Shopping Areas of Greater Memphis From Harbor Town to Collierville.

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AFTER HOURS

After Hours A photo collage of the latest business happenings

Vance Boyd Special Showing at Palladio

Wilkinson and Mary Ann Gano

Mary and Walker Mulherin

Ruth Thompson and Judy Harber

April Littleton and Travis Littleton

Jayne Frank and Robert Stephenson

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Priscilla Alexander and Vance Boyd

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Carol Peretz Trunk Show at Kittie Kyle

Carol Peretz

Cindy Gambrell and Anne Dunavant

Nancy Robinson and Donna Elrod

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By Dennis Phillippi

tlesnake decide that my flowered shirt might be an ideal place to take refuge. I looked a vulture in its beady eye and had a peregrine falcon fly between my legs. The library sent someone to talk about all the great books kids can enjoy, and the Humane Society encouraged kids to talk to their parents about rescuing a pet. It was a fun studio. Messy, but fun. You may have noticed that I haven’t mentioned anyone involved by name. That’s because I’m afraid that I’ll forget one of the amazing people who worked so hard on the show and hurt his or her feelings. I’d be mortified if anyone involved thought that I discounted any of his or her contributions, even the ones who couldn’t stand me.

There’s a great picture in my house of the producer and me walking through a gate at Topkapi Palace with a sign that reads “White Eunuchs Only.” In time, it was decided that we would start a Saturday morning show with a live audience. This was The Joe Cool Show. It’s the thing a lot of people remember because it featured bleachers of kids screaming their heads off and pulling each other’s hair. With the expanded format, I was lucky enough to visit Space Camp twice, once getting in trouble for not returning my super-cool jumpsuit. I got to sit on the wing of an SR-71 Blackbird, the coolest plane ever built. I got to ride elephants into not one, but two, different circuses. We went behind the scenes at amusement parks in Florida, including getting to be in the tank with a Beluga whale, the white whale with the giant bump on its head. That bump is to amplify the whale’s whistle, something soon discovered by the sound guy when the whale shot a shrill blast into my microphone and straight into his ears. In 1990, the general manager of

the station called the producer of the show and me into his office and said the following, “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but would you two idiots like to go to Russia next month?” This was during the days of the Soviet Union. We said yes, but in much more colorful language. See, the Wonders Series was bringing the treasures of Catherine the Great to Memphis, and there was a media junket to what was then known as Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. Every other station was sending its A team of news anchors, but we didn’t have news. In fact, I was the only actual living person on the entire station, so they sent us. These completely professional reporters were in suits, operating from huge information books, gravely speaking about the grandeur and history of the palaces and museums. I was disrupting the entire city by shouting my head off in ridiculous clothing, blurting facts I kept lifting from a guidebook I’d bought at the airport. We were followed constantly by the KGB. We got to have caviar and vodka at the American Embassy. I stupidly wandered into other station’s shots because I was young and stupid. The next year, presumably because we hadn’t done enough to damage international relations, as well as those with our fellow Memphis TV stations, we got sent on the Wonders junket to Istanbul. There’s a great picture in my house of the producer and me walking through a gate at Topkapi Palace with a sign that reads “White Eunuchs Only.” So, believe me when I say that I am not in any way embarrassed about having been Joe Cool. There are worse things in my life, and in my career, to have at the top of my obituary. I just wish some of it was available to see on the Internet. I have a few VHS tapes, but no way to transfer them. If you have a clip from when you were on the show, as a kid or a guest, post it. You think you remember how insane that character was? Wait till you see him again.

You heard the man RSVP readers—start posting those clips of Joe Cool online. Please don’t hold back because our dear Phillippi assures us he knows no embarrassment. See if you can make him retract his words by next month!

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uch of the time, even most of the time, when people find out that I spent much of my time in the late ’80s and early ’90s hosting the kid’s programming on WPTY as Joe Cool, they expect me to be hesitant to talk about it. They act as if they think I’m going to be embarrassed about the whole thing. Granted, there are plenty of aspects about it that qualify as potentially embarrassing: the Hawaiian shirts, the white pants, the turquoise high-top tennis shoes, the sunglasses, the name and, of course, the ridiculous screaming voice are all good examples. But, taken as a whole, those were just fun things that made the show entertaining for kids, which was the point. If I’d been wearing a tweed jacket and glasses, it may have been more satisfying for me, but it also would’ve lasted about as long as it would’ve taken a 10 year old to say, “This is stupid.” If you happened to catch this column last month, then you know the whole thing was supposed to be a one-shot promotion, and it took on a life of its own. Within weeks of the initial segments airing, the station decided to start wrapping its heavy load of children’s programming with vignettes of my character talking to various people about things that kids might find interesting. I don’t want to pretend that this was some altruistic endeavor; we were still in the business of hawking sugary sodas and water parks and turbo-powered squirt guns, but we at least made an effort to make it quasi-educational, which I’m not even sure we were required to do. We had people on from the Pink Palace, the Memphis Zoo, the Humane Society and the library. We had educators, scientists and doctors on. These kind people did their best to be interesting to kids, all while trying not to wince every time I would yell a question at them. The zookeepers brought every imaginable animal to visit. I held tarantulas and ferrets and a kinkajou. I had a baby snow leopard take a swipe at my face, and a five-foot rat-

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BEING JOE COOL PART II

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lassmates Kara Chamberlain, Worth Tate, Carly Haithcock and Elizabeth Fasteen take a break from their schoolwork to pose in their Easter Bunny costumes. The students were dressed up for Christ Methodist Day Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Easter program in 1996. 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.