May
Brooks Uncorked Wild World of Wine and Beer Zodiac Ball GPAC Gala Q&A with Dale Humburg
2009
CONTENTS
Contents May 2009
From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Jay Sieleman The executive director of The Blues Foundation is gearing up for the 30th annual Blues Music Awards on May 7.
Brooks Uncorked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 “Spring Fever” hit hard at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art’s wine extravaganza.
10 SIGNATURE MEMPHIS Jay Sieleman
StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 & 20 This man has committed his retirement years to his friends at the Memphis Zoo. His art sheds light on solar objects most can’t see with the naked eye. StreetSeens highlights Jimmy Jalenak and Edwin Faughn.
22 WILD WORLD OF WINE AND BEER Lilie Thomas and Beatrice Farr
Wild World of Wine and Beer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 MAY 2009
Guests took a sip on the wild side at the Memphis Zoo’s largest yearly conservation fund-raiser.
Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Q&A with Ducks Unlimited chief biologist Dale Humburg.
4 RSVP
RSVPeople . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 A trek across the city’s party landscape.
12 BROOKS UNCORKED Andrew Bettis and Amy Hyneman
Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39, 48, 50 & 55 Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.
Zodiac Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
40 ZODIAC BALL Ben and Stephanie Jordan
The American Cancer Society® celebrated “A Swinging Good Time” at The Peabody with a speakeasy style affair.
GPAC Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Elegance was the key at “A Night of Wine and Roses” hosted by the Germantown Performing Arts Centre.
RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Greetings from Planet Mirth Dennis Phillippi dissects the anatomy of the handshake this month and comes to the conclusion that he could be president if only he could shake hands like Bill Clinton.
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STREETSEEN Edwin Faughn Cover Photo Dale Hansen and Silpa Gadiparthi at Wild World of Wine and Beer Photo by Roy Haithcock
GPAC GALA Shara Lynn and Chancellor Arnold Goldin
Volume XIV
Number VIII
May 2009 PUBLISHER
Roy Haithcock EDITOR
Leah Fitzpatrick CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ruth Cassin Kelly Cox Dennis Phillippi Suzanne Thompson Lesley Young ART DIRECTOR
Patrick Aker s PHOTOGRAPHERS
MAY 2009
Roy Haithcock John Hammer Don Perry Steve Roberts SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Toni Ander son
6 RSVP
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Libby Huff ACCOUNTING
Ruth Cassin RSVP Memphis is published monthly by Haithcock Communications, Inc. First class subscriptions are available for $75.00 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
2007 Massage Envy Ltd.,
LLC.
www.rsvpmagazine.com For editorial information or to request coverage of an event, please contact RSVP Magazine one month prior to the event. Call 901-276-7787, ext. 105 or fax to 901-276-7785. e-mail editor@rsvpmagazine.com Copyright 2009 Haithcock Communications, Inc.
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7 Javier is a regular teenager. He plays soccer and basketball and even helps his mom in the kitchen occasionally. But it wasn’t long ago that Javier was so sick that he needed
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From the Editor
R
MAY 2009
Photo by Steve Roberts
efreshed and rejuvenated are two words that don’t come out of my mouth too often, or hardly ever for that matter. Getting my brain out of work mode for an extended length of time usually proves a challenge, however I resisted my busybody tendencies recently for the best celebration of my life: my wedding in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Not only was the occasion the most stress-free affair I’ve ever coordinated (I did plan it for a year and a half!), but I had a chance to slow down and enjoy life’s little pleasures. From the beautiful jacaranda tree, which only blooms for 40 days during Lent, boasting its brilliant lavender blooms outside our window to the clang of church bells from the city’s main church, the Parroquia Cathedral, the town oozed colonial charm and a leisurely pace, where residents opt to walk as their main means of transportation. Even more enjoyable, my husband and I stayed in a bed and breakfast that offered guests an unbelievable rooftop view of the city, a courtyard filled with tropical plants and a pool, rather than televisions, computers and phones. The absence of technology during my stay got me thinking about human interaction with nature. For instance, if you have a free weekend, do you choose to go to the movies or go to the park? More times than not, what seems like the most appealing choice is the one that tempts you to stay inside, and not fully engaging your senses. As Dale Humburg, the chief biologist for Ducks Unlimited, explains in this month’s Vox Popular, one of the nonprofit’s biggest challenges relates to society’s increasing disconnect with nature; turn to page 26 to gain a more in-depth perspective on the issue. The StreetSeens section also highlights individuals who are spreading the word about the great outdoors. On page 18, you’ll read about a man who works tirelessly to promote wildlife, and page 20 features an artist dedicated to depicting celestial objects. Find the spring in your step by literally heading outside this month, and, until the June issue, Hasta luego!
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Leah Fitzpatrick editor@rsvpmagazine.com
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SIGNATURE MEMPHIS
Jay Sieleman Executive Director of The Blues Foundation/Former Assistant General Counsel of the Panama Canal Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Solomon Islands)
Ideal vacation spot: Toscana, Italia. First job: Des Moines Register paperboy. First concert: Wadena Rock Festival, a three-day event in July 1970 with the Chambers MAY 2009
Brothers, Guess Who, Leon Russell, Johnny Winter and others.
Childhood ambition: Shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds.
Last book you’ve read: Dead Silence by Randy Wayne White.
Your mantra: “Always do the right thing” from the Spike Lee movie.
Biggest obstacle you’ve overcome: Hoodlum friends back in the day!!!
Guilty pleasure: Bosco’s Bombay IPA from the kegerator in my living room.
Favorite album: Dancing the Blues by Taj Mahal. Where you take out-of-town guests: All over downtown and then to our place on the river bluff.
Your greatest achievement: Turnover of the Panama Canal or turnaround of The Blues Foundation. Hmmm.
photo by Steve Roberts
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Your body talks. We listen.
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EVENT
Brooks Uncorked
BROOKS UNCORKED
“Spring Fever”
T
MAY 2009
Michael and Nancy Fields
Billy and Liz Boywid
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his year’s Art of Good Taste series proved worth the wait, with 12 California vintners participating in the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art’s premiere fund-raising event. Brooks Uncorked marked the second stop in the series that packed in vino connoisseurs and novices to sample more than 80 wines. SunTrust presented the festivities, which helped usher in warmer temps with a “Spring Fever” theme. The theme specifically refers to California’s Spring Mountain region, an area noted for its small vineyards. Wineries represented from this region included Barnett Vineyards, Behrens & Hitchcock Vineyards, Guilliams Vineyards, Keenan Winery, Newton Vineyard, Paloma Vineyard, Peacock Family Vineyard, Schweiger Vineyards, Sherwin Vineyards, Spring Mountain Vineyard, Terra Valentine and Vineyard 7 & 8. Complimentary wine glasses in hand, guests moved throughout the rotunda and Brushmark Restaurant for pours of their preferred whites and reds. As favorites were chosen, one attendee prompted his friend’s drink selection by saying, “You gotta try this one before it runs out!” Thanks to an extensive silent auction, scarcity of vino was not an issue. Where else can one go to vie for a 1995 Frank Sinatra “Collector’s Edition” cabernet sauvignon, a Memphis in May official wine or tickets to a special 2005 Bordeaux tasting at the Brooks? Brushmark Executive Chef Wally Joe cooked up some unique culinary creations for the occasion. From miso-sake cured salmon with grilled pineapple to mini tuna burgers and spring vegetable strudel, there wasn’t a shortage of perfect food pairings. Dessert came in the way of upside down pineapple tarts and Meyer raspberry lemon slices. Before the evening ended, those wanting to burn off the sweet calories shimmied onto the terrace for live music by Keia. Mark Parker and Frank Muscari co-chaired the siptastic affair that raised funding for the Brooks Museum’s exhibitions and educational programs. Catch more spring fever on May 8 at the third Art of Good Taste party, the Brooks Patrons Dinner.
Mimi and Jim Taylor
Barbara and Mike Satterwhite
Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Don Perry See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP Linda and Greg Casals
Jennifer and Dale Stover
Rachel and Aaron Boland
Mary Lynn Cassidy, Michael Pagliari, Donna Jacob and Melissa Shiffman
Tracy Eaves and Renee Adam
EVENT BROOKS UNCORKED MAY 2009
Lauren Carr and Allison Sossaman
Anne and Thayne Muller
Terri Panitz and Jeany Dionne
Kim and Jonathan Ellichman
Brooke Tillie and Lee Davidson
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Bianca Phillips and Misti Lira
Emily Terral and Jeff Hirka
Shelley Flowers and Lindsey McGrew
Erica Richards, Richard Gamble and Celia Pruitt
Diana and Chip Greer
Susie Sneed and Anne Barton
EVENT BROOKS UNCORKED MAY 2009
Joey and Amy Dudek
Sandra and Dr. Matt Smolin
Judge Jayne and Daryl Chandler
Sarah Blankenship and Janie Bates
Elisha and John Vego
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Tina and Lou Chiozza
Ann and Richard Sullivan
Brian and Monika Johnson
Julia and Ham Smythe
Brian Hansford and Lauren Bobal
Courtney and Trent Allen
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STREETSEEN
Jimmy Jalenak Mayor of the Memphis Zoo
MAY 2009
F
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or a man who brought his kids to the Memphis Zoo what seemed like every Sunday, Jimmy Jalenak shows no signs of tiring of the scenery any time soon. In fact, the retired lawyer keeps company with animals on a regular basis in his role as the zoo’s chief administrative officer. “My aunt and uncle had a farm, so it seemed a natural thing for me to be at the zoo,” Jalenak tells. “I’ve also always been interested in conservation.” As a past chairman of the Memphis Zoological Society and a member of the Breakfast Club, a group of zoo supporters who met for several years to spearhead projects like Cat Country, the Avenue of the Animals and Front Gate, the courtyard, administrative buildings and an education complex, Jalenak transitioned into his new role having a working knowledge of the institution’s operation. Jalenak was also a proponent of the China Exhibit and is now eagerly anticipating the opening of the Birds and Bees Exhibit on Memorial Day Weekend, the completion of the Teton Trek Exhibit in October and the Zambezi River Hippo Camp in late 2010. Speaking of new arrivals, a baby elephant will make headlines this July as the first elephant ever born at the zoo. He adds, “It is a big honor for the zoo to show we’re good at breeding. Every spring, we also have baby river hogs, penguins and bonobos.” In addition to the baby frenzy, the zoo garnered attention recently when TripAdvisor ranked it as the number one zoo in the country for 2008. When asked what sets our city’s zoo apart from others, Jalenak points out that visitors can easily navigate the zoo in two or three hours and that exhibits are designed with width, not depth, in mind to maximize viewing areas. A friendly staff and cleanliness are other high priorities. The zoo also has as good of an animal hospital as anywhere in the community and an increased focus on its educational department, according to Jalenak. He says, “I’m lucky to have a job that excites me at 68. The zoo is good for the city, and it’s such a happy experience being here.” Life is happy indeed for the animal lover who gets a front row spot to photograph his favorite friends, Debbie the siamang and Chickie the orangutan, at play after hours. What a mayoral perk! Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts
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STREETSEEN
Edwin Faughn Space Savvy
MAY 2009
M
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ost people only see a black canvas dotted by white specks when looking at the night sky, but Edwin Faughn, a space artist, witnesses so much more thanks to an early astronomical influence. Growing up in rural Arkansas, Faughn had a neighbor who had a full-blown observatory in his back yard and a plethora of knowledge to share. “I had read about Mr. Rhea in the local news for years, and when he saw my art work featured celestial objects, he realized I was serious about space,” Faughn says. At age 16 Faughn remembers observing a lunar halo through Mr. Rhea’s telescope and subsequently sketching and painting it according to his neighbor’s instruction. The two soon began doing articles together, with Faughn serving as illustrator and Mr. Rhea writing the accompanying text. A local paper published their ongoing collaborations, as did national science journals. By the time Faughn was in college, he had forayed into graphic design, but still focused his attention on everything science and space-related. He enrolled in painting classes to further his artistic skills and says a radical transformation occurred after he learned to work with color. “What I try to do is create the next best thing to being there,” he explains. “I also have to do lots of research because you can’t always see the things I paint.” What others can see is Faughn’s unique talent. Fresh out of college, he landed a job as the Sharpe Planetarium artist and photographer, a position he held for 17 years. During that time, he coordinated multi-laser light shows and led public telescope viewing events, which he still does amongst his group of friends. Other notable accolades include being a member of the International Association of Astronomical Artists, getting published in Scientific American and being asked to be a part of Titanic: The Exhibition at the Pyramid and in St. Petersburg, Florida. “For the Titanic exhibit, I was given the coordinates where the ship went down, so I recreated the night sky the passengers would have seen...it was one of those benchmark moments,” he recalls. Currently, Faughn is focusing on public speaking engagements in the fields of art, faith and space science. He presents his “Reflections of the Universe” lecture to places like schools, universities and aviation firms, and uses his artwork to help communicate the beauty and vastness of the heavens. He also helps people relate to his topics with analogies: 1.3 million earths would fit inside our sun is just one of his many examples. “I hope people get the feeling they’re part of a larger thing because it’s humbling when you realize how tiny the earth is,” he says. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts
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MAY 2009
WILD WORLD OF WINE AND BEER
EVENT
Wild World of Wine and Beer At the Memphis Zoo
W
ildlife lovers sipped an assortment of wine and beer to support the Memphis Zoo’s biggest conservation fund-raiser of 2009.
Now in its 11th year, the Wild World of Wine and Beer attract-
ed hundreds of guests to the China Exhibit, where animal presentations, live music, food, drink and a silent auction awaited. Casually-attired attendees took advantage of the clear, cool evening by strolling through the “Middle Kingdom” for a taste of the wild side. Southwestern Distributors supplied the libations,
Susan and Chuck Brady
which featured 45 wines from Italy, Australia, Spain, Chile, France,
Michael and Heather Belz
Argentina, Washington State, Oregon and California and five specialty beers brewed in Nashville, New York State, Louisiana, California and Great Britain. The drink selection was nothing short of all-inclusive! While observing the antics of the exhibit’s residents, including giant pandas Ya Ya and Le Le, small clawed otters, smews (small Asian ducks) and white cheeked gibbons, attendees migrated to cheeses, dips, crackers and tenderloin with rolls, courtesy of Cindy Krag Catering. A silent auction showcased an array of unusual items Shawn Whitworth and Darris Ware
such as original animal-inspired art by Susan Inman, sculptures,
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fine wines like a dogwood wine from China, a large stuffed panda
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MAY 2009
tables draped with animal print linens for a light repast of crudités,
and alligator and zoo feedings. The evening ended with partygoers
Ashley Boggs Williams and Mike Robilio
crowding the dance floor as DJ Tommy Austein took requests and spun popular tunes from oldies to present-day hits. Event proceeds benefit the zoo’s Conservation Action Network, which funds local and worldwide conservation research. Story by Ruth Cassin Photos by Roy Haithcock See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP Ron Schwarz and Jan Genke
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Robert and Brenda Brown with Joseph Dewane
Leo Arnoult, Roger and Ann Knox and Cathy Arnoult
Susan Jordan and John Peterson
EVENT Thomas Whitehead and Leslie Petty
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MAY 2009
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WILD WORLD OF WINE AND BEER
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MAY 2009
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WILD WORLD OF WINE AND BEER
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VOX POPULAR
Vox Popular Q&A with Dale Humburg
M
emphis might be home to Ducks Unlimited’s national headquarters, but the organization’s scope extends far past the Bluff City through its management and preservation of wetlands from Mexico to the Arctic. A worldwide leader in its field, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres of waterfowl habitats, boasts support from 780,000 members and volunteers and has attracted a talented staff, including the likes of its chief biologist, Dale Humburg. RSVP editor Leah Fitzpatrick met with Humburg to gain insight into the causes behind the ever-changing ecological landscape and learn simple steps humans can adopt to avert further damage.
Humburg: My motivation was hunting waterfowl with my dad. It’s that innate attraction of waterfowl and the wetlands that initially were born out of hunting experiences, but then ultimately were a result of exposure to mentors. When I was in junior high, the only professionals I knew that were involved in wildlife conservation as a whole were conservation wardens, and I didn’t know anything else existed. Well, in the mid-1960s, I was introduced to Iowa’s waterfowl biologist, and all of a sudden there was a profession that was absolutely in lockstep with my personal desires.
MAY 2009
RSVP: What was your first job after you finished school?
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Humburg: I was fortunate to have worked for the Iowa Conservation Commission seasonally for a number of years, so when I got out of school, there was a pheasant and quail research biologist job that opened up in Iowa within a month of graduation. I worked there for a couple of years, and then I became Missouri’s wetland and waterfowl biologist for 25 years, so from 1977-2002, I was one of 15 waterfowl biologists in the Mississippi Flyaway. I next spent five years as the chief of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Resource Science Division, and I did that from 2002 until the time I retired and came to Ducks Unlimited. RSVP: Why did you decide to come aboard as the chief biologist for Ducks Unlimited in 2007? Humburg: The opportunity here really represents a professional capstone for me, given my personal and professional interests. What an opportunity! There’s been precious few chief biologists for Ducks Unlimited over the last 70 years or so, and being able to play that role for a period of time, hopefully at the height of my career, is indeed an opportunity. RSVP: What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities in this position? Humburg: Ducks Unlimited is science-based, so a great deal of what
I do is provide the scientific basis for conservation programs for policy issues. We, like any other agency or industry, are limited in staff resources and funds, so, in order to expend those dollars in the most efficient and effective way, we need information to make good decisions. A key part of my job is to instill in the process use of the best information available, and interpret it. One of our emerging challenges relates to the U.S. citizenry’s disconnect with the outdoors. If you read Richard Louv’s book, “Last Child of the Woods,” it talks about nature deficit syndrome and the fact that as we become more urban, we have an increase in competition for our free time. What Richard Louv has identified, as have other authors, is that with those demographic changes, people’s connection to the outdoors has been lost to some degree. Our education now for the outdoors comes from the National Geographic Channel. The social landscape is as big a part of it as our ecological landscape, and recognizing that and being able to engage in that level of science is as least as important as understanding the biology. In some respects, the biology is the easy part; the difficult part is dealing with the tradeoffs and competing views of how landscapes are to be used. RSVP: What achievements are you most proud of in your career? Humburg: Over my career, I’ve had some really neat opportunities to do some cool stuff. Perhaps, some of the neatest opportunities involve some of the work in the Subarctic and Arctic. I had the good fortune to be able to fly as an observer on some surveys across those landscapes. During the mid-90s, for example, I was able to fly from the Yukon all the way to Baffin Island. We were above the Arctic Circle for more than a week. I think we had like five hours of daylight. It was just a fascinating, extensive and humbling habitat. It took a hundred years for mankind to figure out how to navigate through there. We flew through every major goose concentration area in the high Arctic over a week’s time and did that for a few years. The raw geology that’s still in the process there—active glaciers, broad landscapes that are essentially pristine. What that points to is a key challenge that we have to protect those pristine landscapes. During the 25 years that I was the wetland and waterfowl biologist in Missouri, I was able to fly every single year Photos by Don Perry
RSVP: What motivated you to pursue a career in biology?
VOX POPULAR
along the west coast of Hudson Bay. We kept track of snow goose distribution, changes in the distribution of caribou and those types of things. RSVP: You presented a testimony before the House of Representatives last year about the decline in the global bird population, so just wondering what prompted you to do this? Humburg: In this case, it was more an informational forum as opposed to an advocacy forum. Recently, about two weeks ago I think, there was a news release, State of the Birds, that provides pretty good insights to why there were concerns, specifically within which landscapes or eco-regions particular issues exist. From the standpoint of DU, waterfowl provide pretty good barometers to changes in landscape health. Waterfowl are highly mobile, they respond to changes in habitat conditions, so their distribution and abundance over time are good indicators to habitat conditions and long-term changes in those conditions.
MAY 2009
RSVP: In your testimony, I read that some waterfowl populations are decreasing, while others are overabundant. Can you share with our readers which ones these are? Humburg: Therein lies some of the challenge. Among those populations that are decreasing are species like northern pintails and lesser scaup. Northern pintails are basically out of sync with agriculture. They nest early in available cover, and those are also the landscapes
that are cultivated early in the year, so the birds might select land that in the next few weeks could be disturbed for agriculture purposes. Species that arrive a little bit later can begin to nest after the ag operations have already ensued, so species like gadwalls or northern shovelers are a bit more in sync with how we’re currently using the landscape. Species like lesser scaup and greater scaup present a different suite of conservation challenges. They nest in many respects quite a ways further North, and a lot nest in the Western Boreal, which is an area in some places that’s above the Arctic Circle. Those species are in areas that are in a large part inaccessible, so we don’t have as good a handle on their numbers and distribution and so on. They are also in a part of the world that is probably most affected by climate change, which is manifested in those higher latitudes, and we are seeing significant changes in temperature, impacts on permafrost and impacts on wetland conditions. Overabundance—kind of the challenge on the other end of the spectrum—are species like lesser snow geese. Lesser snow geese have essentially been released by agricultural operations over the last several decades. In years past, these geese that nest from over the Subarctic all the way into Arctic regions, meet conditions when they arrive on the breeding grounds that year after year can be quite variable. In a year of a late snow melt, when nest sites aren’t available very early, they have to draw on reserves that they’ve built up in migration just to survive until they can nest. Now, it’s rare that those birds return North in poor condition, so it’s only the less common poor nesting year that affects those type of populations. The result has been that those populations have increased to the point where they’re essentially eating
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spring has sprung The auction event not to be missed!
This casual evening features tapas, open bar, the winemakers of Spring Mountain and 55 live & 60+ silent auction items including these highlights: · Unforgettable trip to Spring Mountain with airfare, limousine, fine dining, and private tours · Charleston beach house
grand auction sat may 9 5 pm $150 per person
· 12 pieces of original art · Mega bottle of 2004 Aragone with original artwork by Michael Stipe of REM · Exclusive wine dinners, tastings, and cellar tours Sponsors: Acura of Memphis · Pinnacle Airlines Corp. · Stanford Private Wealth Management · The Parker Family, in memory of Tony M. Parker, Sr. · Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar · Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs · David Lusk Gallery · Buster’s Liquors & Wines · Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. · Oak Hall · Memphis Magazine · Paulsen Printing · RAM Entertainment · Thomas Chu, M.D. · Athens Distributing Co. of Tennessee · Delta Wholesale Liquors · Southwestern Beverage Distributing · Star Distributors · United Liquors · The Victor L. Robilio Company · VIP Memphis Magazine · DCI Gallery · Michael Carpenter & Switch Creative · Graphic Systems, Inc.
to purchase tickets, visit www.theartofgoodtaste.org or call 544.6209
Humburg: Certainly the early impetus for Ducks Unlimited was a function of some really concerned waterfowl hunters that saw during the Dust Bowl era, in the 1930s when the DU was established, some dramatic changes in the habitats that support ducks. Their early concerns, in a large part, were fueled by whether or not they were going to be able to continue to hunt ducks in the future. Even today, a fair amount of the perception of Ducks Unlimited is centered toward the duck hunter, however Ducks Unlimited doesn’t manage ducks. We conserve and try to influence the habitats that ducks use and that duck hunters use. There’s a term that characterizes the value that wetlands play called ecological goods and services, which entails clean water, clean air, reduced soil erosion, reduced flood impacts and increased groundwater supplies. Wetlands provide all of these things that are way beyond the value they play for waterfowl or waterfowl hunters. The value of Ducks Unlimited’s mission to restore wetlands conservation, key landscapes and important waterfowl are the same landscapes important to people. RSVP: Why do you think the local community should pay attention to what Ducks Unlimited is doing?
VOX POPULAR
RSVP: Are there any steps people can take to ensure the longevity of wetlands? Humburg: There are a number of things. Duck stamps are a source of funding necessary for wetlands conservation, and you don’t have to be a duck hunter to buy a duck stamp. Next year, depending on the status of the legislation that’s been introduced to raise the price of the duck stamp, the stamp’s availability will increase because the number of the vendors that provide them will be greater. Also, people can support legislation through congressional contacts that support wetlands conservation, like the Clean Water Restoration Act. Citizen support means a great deal when those pieces of legislation are considered. Things you can do personally as well are to limit your use of water, recycle and turn off the lights each time you leave the room. There’s also a lot of NGOs or nature conservancies you can join that play an incredible role, and we certainly appreciate Ducks Unlimited membership. It’s that community participation that gives people a greater awareness of what the issues are and a greater understanding of the importance of those issues.
MAY 2009
RSVP: Do you feel the general public has any misconceptions about Ducks Unlimited’s purpose?
Humburg: I believe that Ducks Unlimited brings a national focus on the Mid-South that has great credibility, that has an obvious mission of value to Memphis citizens and to the Mid-South as a whole. We have a suite of supporters nationwide that are focused right here on the Mid-South. Our membership includes people in every single state, and the projects DU does are focused on at the national headquarters in Memphis.
29 RSVP
themselves out of house and home on the breeding grounds, and tundra habitats have been affected dramatically by lesser snow geese.
Jeanne Arthur
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RSV PEOPLE
A Trek Across the City’s Party L andscape Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Founders Day Coffee
jewelry, purses and clothing for sale from the Salvation Army Boutique. During the breakfast hour, a fashion show, organized by Doris Hill, took place, so guests could
When time doesn’t allow for a morning cup of joe, just head on over to the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Founders Day Coffee and get your caffeine fix. At least that was the thought of 150 women at the auxiliary’s first-ever breakfast get-together.
get a glimpse of clothes in the boutique. Those lending their modeling talents included Sarah Grace Lebovitz, Lauren Hill, Paige Thompson, Barbara Bingham, Nancy Walker, Pat Massengill and Fran Jabbour. Auxiliary president Carol Wolf told the crowd, “Thanks so much for buying things, and I hope you find some bargains.”
Ellie Pelts and Margie Sanders
Eleanor Glaze. Afterward, Florence Leffler spoke about the importance of the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center. Leffler
MAY 2009
wanted to have their hearts warmed to
32
runs the facility, then took the stage for a
RSVP
told the audience members that if they ever
drum and vocal performance and to share
come see the men at the center on graduation night. Major Rick McConniel, who
Paige Thompson, Sarah Grace Lebovitz and Lauren Hill
more about the center’s ministry efforts. Morning soon turned into after-
Theatre Memphis provided the backdrop for the event, which offered shopping, yummy eats and a theatrical performance. Auxiliary members were the ones who actually prepared finger foods ranging from ham and rolls, quiche, fruit, muffins and an assortment of cookies. Tea and coffee were also available to guests, who perused
Betsy P. Martin, Sara Laman and Libby Pritchard
noon, and the moment all had been waiting for had arrived—the announcement of the
Other than purchasing unique vintage finds, attendees could also contribute to the Salvation Army’s beneficiaries by donating items in carts designated for canned goods, books, clothing and toiletries positioned outside the front door. The actual program got under way when Jerre Dye, the artistic director for Voices of the South, prepped the audience
Marsha Dunlap, Blanche Tosh and Carol Wolf
for a performance by founding acting company members Jenny Odle Madden and Alice Berry. The actresses commanded everyone’s attention from Lorhey Stage as they delivered a truly hysterical performArlene Southern, Anne West and Nelda Hamer
ance of The Window, which is an adaptation of short stories by Memphis author
SALLIE Award. This annual award, which stands for Service And Love Lasting In Eternity, recognizes someone who has made generous contributions to the auxiliary and the community. Immediate past president
Dianne Champlin bestowed the honor on
diamond pendant from Robert Irwin Jewelers
Gloria Nobles for the 2009 year.
and several dinners from various fine-dining
Others enjoying the heart-warming
restaurants around town.
occasion were Blanche Tosh, Marsha Dunlap,
The four-course dinner included cau-
Rosemary Ballinger, Marjorie Brown, Eva
liflower veloute with shrimp, tuna niçoise,
Miller, Norma McHugh, Betsy P. Martin,
beef tenderloin and lemon semi-freddo, as
Sara Laman, Libby Pritchard, Ellie Pelts,
well as an ever-present flow of red and white
Margie Sanders, Arlene Southern, Anne
wines. The foundation has held the event for
West, Nelda Hamer, Krista Lebovitz and Major Rhea Dawn Woodcock.
Judith Shaw, Courtney Wall, Meredith Grace and Angela Foster
the audience,” said Rob Joyner, with the haute couture boutique, as he introduced the
Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick
the past six years to raise awareness of and to help prevent kidney disease as well as offer assistance to families who are affected by the illness.
models. Most of the models were locals from the community who volunteered their time and beautiful frames, along with professional
Babbie Lovett donated unworn items from
West Tennessee When Chef José Gutierrez opened his
Lorrie and Bob Ridder with Colleen Depete and Jorge Jaramillo
restaurant, Encore, downtown, it’s as if he
Teresa Bullock, whose son endured a
intended the appreciators of high fashion to grace the red-carpeted floors of his eatery.
kidney transplant as an infant, has never
And event planners of the National Kidney
missed a dinner. “It’s a great event, and the
Foundation of West Tennessee’s annual
funds raised go towards screenings for the
One Magic Evening” took full fund-raiser “O
community for early detection,” said Bullock, Carolyn and Kevin Osborne
who now visits her son while he’s attending
advantage of the walkway of the elongated room with a fashion show sponsored by
her personal collection and helped emcee the
James Davis to accompany a special dinner
show. Other volunteers visited tables to dis-
Gutierrez prepared for the event.
play auction items, including an original
“I don’t know if we’re as beautiful as
HobsonRealtors.com 901-761-1622
5384 Poplar Ave., Ste. 250 Memphis, TN 38119
metal sculpture by local artist Pat Moody, a
college at the University of Mississippi. “A lot of people have never had a screening. That reason alone is a reason to support the event.”
Ask Us About an $8,000 Tax Credit!
MAY 2009
benefiting the National Kidney Foundation of
model Angela Foster. Fashion consultant
33 RSVP
“One Magic Evening” Dinner
Debbie Jones and Elizabeth Sweet
Others who attended the event included Surjid and Nimmi Kamra, Claire Barnett, Pat Moody, Gary Shaw, Shirley and Leland Burress, Susie and John Hite, Debbie Jones, Elizabeth Sweet, Brian Brasher, Jennifer Dekker, MAY 2009
Jenny and Ben Millrany, Humphrey Tolliver, Zola Burgess, Carolyn and Kevin Osborne, Dana and Kent
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Gary Shaw with Shirley and Leland Burress
Farmer, Phyllis Groskind, Lorrie and Bob Ridder, Colleen Depete, Jorge Jaramillo, Christine Hutchinson, Katia Neves, Christina and Renee Guibao, Judith Shaw, Courtney Wall and Meredith Grace.
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MARTHA ANN PHELPS - HARP, PIANO & ORGAN NATHAN PHELPS - TRUMPET & CLASSICAL GUITAR Story and photos by Lesley Young
Weddings, Receptions, Dinner Parties, Liturgical Music, Corporate Events marthaaphelps@comcast.net
(901) 756-1399 • (901) 487-8055
The Great Wine Performances A Wine Tasting in 10 Acts This season Playhouse On The Square debuted a surprise smash hit...in the form of a fund-raiser! The Great Wine Performances: A Wine Tasting in 10 Acts was a new addition to Playhouse’s standing roster of events and had been brewing in the mind of executive producer Jackie Nichols for the past couple of years. Courtney Oliver and Andrew Moore
around a different Playhouse production. For example, at one station, the wine was Flying Fish Reisling, and the accompaniment was seared tuna, and a character standing by chatting with guests was from the play “A Tuna Christmas.” Theater buffs who could put all the elements together to name each character and play stood to win booty such as pet spa packages from the McGehee Clinic for Animals or dinner for four at Tsunami. Those grasping for answers MAY 2009
were welcome to approach any of the volunteers in hard hats to
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36
“buy a clue” for $5.
Whitney Jo and Bill Andrews
A witty riposte to the traditional tasting affair, this creative evening had it all: wines from around the world (provided by Kirby Wines & Liquors, Southwestern Distributing and others), some of the city’s finest cuisine (crafted by The Inn at Hunt Phelan), intrigue, theatricality, competition and prizes. “You know us,” chuckled Playhouse’s Whitney Jo, “we never do anything normal!” Each of 10 tasting stations were thematically organized
Taylor McAlpin and Annette Egner
The wonderful wine selections ran the gamut from Blue Nun Rheinhessen to Tilia Malbec. And from among the gustatory delights, two dishes garnered particularly rave reviews: chicken skewers with a tangy, zesty relish of cilantro, tarragon, jalapeno and lime, and peanut butter (and jelly!) mousse in a crisp dark chocolate cup. This year Playhouse On The Square celebrates both its 40th anniversary and the advent of its all-new facility, which is scheduled to open in January 2009 with “Pippin.” Among the more than 200 Katie Nichols-Cook and Kat Donato
partygoers were Courtney Oliver, Andrew Moore, Karen Franklin,
Joseph Ozment and Daniel Ezell
Bill Andrews, Katie Nichols-Cook, June Burnette, Mary Lynn and Tom Cassidy, Vivian and Curtis Dillihunt, Joseph Ozment, Amanda Wiley, Kat Donato, Daniel Ezell,
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Taylor McAlpin, Annette Egner,
Story and photos by Kelly Cox
Every little thing counts. BVS Âż `ab bW[S g]c aSS VS` BVS Âż `ab bW[S g]c V]ZR VW[ 6Wa Âż `ab e]`Ra 6S` Âż `ab abS^a
Hands of Hope Auction Party
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Garden for the Hands of Hope
Be Seen!
Perfecting the Art of Giving since 1957
Attract an Affluent clientele to your business! Advertise in RSVP Magazine Andre and Monica Wharton
For information call 276-7787
4 7 0 4 P O P L A R A V E N U E , M E M P H I S , T E N N E S S E E â&#x20AC;˘ ( 9 0 1 ) 6 8 2 - 16 2 1
37 RSVP
Vescovo.
MAY 2009
Mike McLaren and Judge Diane
ONSITE
Onsite
Rock ‘n’ Roll for Red Dance for the Memories Gala Memphis Botanic Garden Wine Tasting Mezzo Fresco Art Show
I
MAY 2009
Floyd Brummett, Julia Stroble and Michael P. Hoots at Mezzo Fresco Art Show
Pat Brown, Tom Clifton and Virginia Stallworth at Mezzo Fresco Art Show
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38
f you weren’t wearing some shade of red at the Rock ‘n’ Roll for Red party, you stood out like a sore thumb amidst a room filled with American Heart Association supporters. Other than sporting red, a $10 cover charge was all attendees needed to get in the door at Red Rooster Bar & Music Hall for a chance to dance the night away to the tunes of Rusty Lemmon. All proceeds benefited the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign. The Page Robbins Adult Day Care Center, a nonprofit providing weekday care for those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, threw its most successful Dance for the Memories Gala yet. More than 350 people attended the 10th-anniversary event held at The Esplanade. Joe and Robyn Birch served as honorary chairmen for the occasion, which offered guests more than 200 live and silent auction items and wine glasses hand-painted by Page Robbins participants. Memphis Botanic Garden recently devoted its Tuesdays on the Terrace” Wine Tasting to monthly “T the king of celebrations—Mardi Gras. The tasting drew a large crowd eager to hear live Dixieland jazz by the Beale Street Strutters and sample Abita beers, as well as a selection of red, white and sparkling wines. Guests also munched on New Orleans-influenced appetizers donated by The Half Shell, Bayou Bar and Grill, They Should Have Called Us, Just For Lunch and La Baguette, while enjoying street-style performers and caricaturists. Artist Tom Clifton unveiled his new show, Mezzo Fresco: In the Bloom, at Memphis Botanic Garden to a host of art lovers and charitable patrons alike. The mezzo fresco painting techniques popularized in the 17th-century inspired Clifton’s latest pieces, which were on display at the Botanic Garden through the end of March. Clifton donated 50 percent of the show proceeds to Friends for Life and the Memphis Botanic Garden Foundation.
Diane George with Kevin and Johnna Vaughan at Dance for the Memories Gala
Mike and Aven Russell at Dance for the Memories Gala
Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos Submitted and by Leah Fitzpatrick and Chuck Lajeunesse
Brittany Montgomery, Kristy Phillips and Beth Clawson at Rock ‘n’ Roll for Red
Sherry Henson and Mark Dean at Mezzo Fresco Art Show
Elise and Bob Wilson at Memphis Botanic Garden Wine Tasting
Darlene Cunningham, Ariel Sereika, Laura Swann and Jessyca Robinson at Memphis Botanic Garden Wine Tasting
Will Dodd with Beth and Clay Auttonberry at Rock ‘n’ Roll for Red
wine. This year, the Hands of Hope fund-raising event debuted a new format, trading the formality of a seated dinner for the easy-going atmosphere of a cocktail party. More than 300 guests mingled in spring-
Amanda Anderson and LeighAnne McGill
time surroundings, where floral centerpieces containing flowering dogwood, azalea blossoms and
Mike Detroit. “We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors, staff, volunteers and planning committee for making this a successful fund-raiser,” continued Murrah. “We’ve had a rough year with cuts in funding, so these events are vital to keep our programs running and to assure people are getting the help they need.” The mission of the Exchange Club Family Center is to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect by replacing abusive and violent behavior with
Rinnie Wood, Karen Johnston and Courtney Murrah
buttercups with whimsical, bright clusters reminiscent of rock candy, abounded. As Courtney Murrah explained, the new lineup of the evening included
effective parenting skills. Among those supporting the cause at the party were Monica and Andre Wharton, Rinnie Wood, Karen Johnston, Amanda Dent, Lori and Dan O’Brien, Brad Carmony,
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dancing to the New Orleans sounds of Breeze
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Cayolle and the French Quarter All-Stars, a coffee
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liqueur bar, a VIP wine bar courtesy of North
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Berkeley Imports and a number of gourmet chef’s stations provided by Wade and Company. In addition to more than 250 silent auction items, a num-
Janet and Doug Shipman
Amanda Anderson, LeighAnne McGill, Janet and Doug Shipman, Caroline and James Sposto, Brittany Skelton and Matt Woodward.
Arbors of River Oaks 225 Arbor Common Circle Memphis, TN 38120
Lori O'Brien, Brad Carmony and Dan O'Brien
Story and photos by Kelly Cox
901.747.2011 www.ArborsRiverOaks.com
ber of true treats—ranging from a New Orleans getaway to a breakfast for 15 with Mayor A C Wharton—were offered in a live auction emceed by
riveroaks@fogelman-properties.com
MAY 2009
each guest was greeted with a glass of sparkling
39 RSVP
pink tulips lined the approach to the party, where
Arbors of River Oaks
Family Center. Flowerbeds bursting with bright
Newly Redesigned Apartments & Townhomes
Auction Party, benefiting the Exchange Club
EVENT
Zodiac Ball
ZODIAC BALL
“A Swinging Good Time”
“A
MAY 2009
Colleen Smith and Ashley Burton
Leighanne Hart and Jack Soden
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Swinging Good Time” was had by more than 300 local American Cancer Society® supporters who turned out at The Peabody Grand Ballroom to honor Dr. Thomas McColl Chesney for his dedication to the fight against cancer. Ballroom decorations of long white plumes, pink ribbons and oversized pearls were reminiscent of a Prohibition Era speakeasy, and many attendees followed through with the theme by donning “Snazzy Duds” and “Greta Garbo Glam.” The evening began with a silent auction and a “Baubles and Bubbles Event,” wherein guests purchased a “bottomless” glass of premier champagne in hopes of winning a 1-carat diamond from Platinum Jewelers. There was also an exhibition of popular 1930s dances and lessons given by the Red Hot Lindy Hop dancers. Following an elegant dinner and dessert, co-chairs Holland Tudor and Tracey Witchko welcomed everyone and introduced the master of ceremonies, media personality Tom Prestigiacomo. After a video presentation highlighting Dr. Chesney’s commitment to helping cancer patients and those whose lives are touched by cancer, Dr. Chesney graciously accepted the honor, commending the hard work of the American Cancer Society’s volunteers. Special guest Abby Jones was also on hand to represent Camp Horizon, a summer camp for children with cancer located just outside of Nashville. Live auction items, such as a private dinner for 12 prepared by top Mid-South chefs Kelly English of Restaurant Iris and Jimmy Gentry of Magnolia: A Delta Grille, a Cash River Hunting Club duck hunting weekend, a Port Royal Ocean Resort golf weekend in Port Aransas, Texas and a Michael Maness original painting, were in great demand. To the consummate delight of partygoers, The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, nationally renowned for its “Zoot Suit Riot,” performed Big Band Swing and many other hits in its vast repertoire. “Our committee members really outdid themselves to create a swanky gala for hundreds of ‘cool cats’,” said Greg Broy with the Greater Memphis office of the American Cancer Society. “Everyone had great fun while raising much needed funds to support life-saving cancer research and our local programs to benefit cancer patients and survivors.”
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Robin and Sergio Musicante
Story by Ruth Cassin Photos by John Hammer
Robert and Jeannine Brooks
Kevin and Judy Spiegel
Diane Duncan and Knox Phillips
Alison and Sean Henneberger
Shelly Fisher, Dr. Joan Chesney and Margaret Chesney
Laurie Brown and Shane Waldroup
EVENT Nils and Heather Rege
Amanda and Matt Cox
Ricky and Cassidy Todd
MAY 2009
ZODIAC BALL Tom Joyce and Chris Funke
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Marilyn Micheletti, Nancy Askew and Deb Blundell
Gus and Linda Lauer
Nick Dodson and Kimmie Taylor
EVENT ZODIAC BALL
Jeff and Valerie Morris
Tom Harrison and Deborah Hester
Trudy and Chip Pfisterer
MAY 2009
Jim and Brenda Lanier
Dale and Norm Hill
Jason and Laura Wallace
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Bob Bell and Jamie Patterson
Dr. Dharmesh and Dr. Purvisha Patel
Tiffany Tidwell and Jeshahnton Essex
Amelia and Macey Johnson
Eddie Faulkner, Jennifer Richardson and David Gillespie
Mary and Bill Pennington
EVENT ZODIAC BALL Elaine Gordon and Dr. Lee Carter
Scott and Marjorie Trott
Dr. Jeff and Katharine Sorenson
MAY 2009
Christopher and Jennifer Jenkins
Andrea and Tim Jackson
Kim and Hal Lovett RSVP
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Mike Worsham and Vickie Capocaccia
Jeska and Mike Tinsley
Robert and Catherine Chesney Carotenuto
Kim and David Spencer
Dr. Susan Hoover, Lisa and Robert Massa and Dr. Michael Berry
Gail and Mike Huey
EVENT
GPAC Gala
GPAC GALA
“A Night of Wine and Roses”
A
MAY 2009
Kristi and Senator Paul Stanley
Dann Crawford and Jean Mathews
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s guests arrived at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) Gala, they were greeted with a warm welcome and a glass of cold champagne. Themed “A Night of Wine and Roses,” this event delivered in style and served as the nonprofit’s largest annual fund- raiser. Tennessee State Senator Paul Stanley and his wife, Kristi, chaired the festivities, which featured delectable hors d’oeuvres by Chef Andreas Kisler of The Peabody hotel and Jim’s Place Grille. Chef Kisler’s creation was halibut and butternut squash lollipops served with whole grain mustard, while Jim’s Place Grille provided souflima, a pork tenderloin dish which dates back to the original Jim’s Place East on Sycamore View. There was also a wine tasting table offering Spanish, Italian and Portuguese wines and an assortment of cheeses donated by Lucchesi’s Ravioli and Pasta Co. During the cocktail hour, GPAC supporters browsed the silent auction items lining the lobby. Everything from tires to tote bags tempted eager bidders. When asked if he found anything he couldn’t live without at the silent auction, former Germantown Alderman Gary Pruitt said, “I could probably live without most of it, but it doesn’t stop me from bidding.” Before being seated for dinner, the crowd was treated to a stage performance in the theater to get a glimpse of GPAC’s programming. Israeli pianist Pnina Becher began her presentation of Scarlatti pieces with “Quartet for the End of Time,” which the composer wrote while imprisoned at a concentration camp during World War II. As Becher’s performance ended, a curtain went up behind her revealing tables set with 3-foot rose-adorned candelabras, creating a “Phantom of the Opera” effect. Harrah’s, the signature sponsor, supplied delicious dinners, with a menu of mesclun salad of roasted walnuts, Mandarin oranges and Gruyere cheese, followed by pan roasted breast of chicken stuffed with Empire apples and golden raisins, roasted Portobello mushrooms, grilled asparagus and herbed vin blanc sauce. A dessert of chocolate decadence with fresh raspberries and warm Godiva chocolate sauce followed the live auction. Almost all the money raised at the soiree—98 percent, according to Carrie Corbett, director of marketing and public relations—goes directly to stage productions. Perhaps GPAC executive director Tania Castroverde Moskalenko summed up the cause best when she said, “The arts are as essential to us as a breath of fresh air,” as she presented Rudi and Honey Scheidt with the Patrons of the Arts Award. See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Sherri and Chuck Thomas
Story by Suzanne Thompson Photos by John Hammer
Earnie and Ethele Hilliard
Sam and Ann Beach
Diana and Mark Billingsley
Anise and Ron Belz
Bobby Lanier with Grace and Frank Uhlhorn
Chris and John Krosnes
EVENT GPAC GALA
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MAY 2009
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EVENT GPAC GALA
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MAY 2009
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Jim Fegley and Carole Hinely
Nathan Bicks and Andrea Bienstock
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Daniel and Debra Sledd
Brad and Rebecca Hirsch
Lynn and Dr. Jorge Calzada
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Pat and Larry Scroggs
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Roberta and David Kustoff
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Patricia and Dr. Paul Hutchison
Liz and Tim Mulroy
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William Gillon and Adrienne Pakia Gillon
Brenda and Rob Adams
Veronica and Mark Yates
Valerie and Jeff Morris
ONSITE
Onsite
ICHF Wine Tasting Madonna Learning Center Gala MFM Dinner Tour “A Dog’s Life” Reception
M
MAY 2009
Beth Edwards and Kembree Darakshani at “A Dog’s Life” Reception
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Steve and Lynn Day at MFM Dinner Tour
Chef José Gutierrez, Karen Mayor and Parker Pickle at MFM Dinner Tour
emphians did their hearts some good by coming out for the International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF) Wine Tasting at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. The A Little Wine is Good for the Heart” was theme, “A taken literally as guests sipped vino and savored appetizers, while bidding on international cigars and precious gems from around the world. Several of the children who ICHF supporters have been blessed to help were featured in posters on display during the festivities, which raked in $1,500—the amount needed for surgery to save one child’s life. The Madonna Learning Center Gala offered a memorable evening for students with learning disabilities and their advocates. Christian Brothers High School hosted the party, which offered guests a plethora of auction items for purchase and lots of yummy eats. Funds raised at the gala help the school’s operating costs remain affordable for families who have children and young adults, ages 5 to 22, with special needs. Patrons of the Memphis Farmers Market (MFM) enjoyed an evening at Encore Restaurant in participation of the MFM Dinner Tour. Executive Chef José Gutierrez prepared a three-course meal indicative of rich, seasonal flavors and warmed with spirits. Tom Volinchak provided the music as guests enjoyed the winter harvest of local growers. Thirty percent of event proceeds went to the market to aid in operating expenses for the season. “A Dog’s Life” Reception, held at Rust Hall in the Memphis College of Art, proved a must-see event for art and canine lovers. Artist Beth Edwards organized the opening night festivities, which raised nearly $1,000 for the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County. A silent auction was also held, and those who attended received a poster print of Tina Newberry’s “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” in exchange for a donation to the Humane Society. Story Submitted and by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos Submitted and by Mark Davey and Leah Fitzpatrick
Rev. John M. Pitzer, Elizabeth Hawkins and Dr. Mike Neel at Madonna Learning Center Gala
Sandy McMahan, Bret Rodriguez and Eva Lynn Bishop at ICHF Wine Tasting
Rudi Schiffer and Tim Thomas at ICHF Wine Tasting
Donna Redmon and Mary Kleinman at ICHF Wine Tasting
Lisa Abart and Leigh Ellis at Madonna Learning Center Gala
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ONSITE
Onsite
Young at Art’s ARTini Party
M
artinis and mingling went hand in hand at the annual Young at Art’s (YAA) ARTini Party. This
year’s affair attracted 340 people to the Dixon Gallery and Gardens for an evening devoted to raising money for the Dixon and increasing the YAA’s membership. For this particular spring get-together, YAA members and guests outfitted themselves in “snappy Michael and Erin Nunn at Young at Art’s ARTini Party
dress” for a visit to a mixologist’s paradise. From the
Shea Hicks and Maggie Biedenhara at Young at Art’s ARTini Party
signature cosmopolitan to specialty martinis of every hue, partygoers had a whole lot of sippin’ to do. However, dirty martinis were by far the most coveted drink of the night. A silent auction and music by Super 5 kept guests’ attention till the last call. YAA members gained free access to the event, which also offered a friendly environment for those
group’s purpose. With a target membership of those
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museumgoers, as well as to encourage Dixon support.
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nonmembers trying to gain more insight into the
aged 25 to 40, the YAA exists to generate a younger generation of art collectors, garden enthusiasts and
Mike Force and Crissy Smith at Young at Art’s ARTini Party
Travis and Courtney Black at Young at Art’s ARTini Party
Throughout the year, the organization plans many educational and networking mixers, like the Culture and Cocktails: Exhibition Tour of Regional Dialect: American Scene Paintings from the John and Susan Horseman Collection on June 20 and the ever-popular Art on Tap party in the fall.
Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Libby Huff
Jimbo Williams and Amber Ross at Young at Art’s ARTini Party
Mason Sheffield and Amanda Neuffer at Young at Art’s ARTini Party
Jennifer and Morgan Anderson at Young at Art’s ARTini Party
Katherine Simmons, Lisa Heros and Kelly Wilkerson at Young at Art’s ARTini Party
Tiffany Brimhall, Cristy Portopsattis and Melanie Towery at Young at Art’s ARTini Party
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MAY 2009
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contact Betsy McKay | 901.435.5309 | 1695 Central Avenue | Memphis 38104
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The Original Society Pages rsvpmagazine.com Special Advertising Section
MAY 2009 RSVP
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Special Advertising Section
AFTER HOURS
COLLISIONWORX GRAND OPENING
After Hours A photo collage of the latest business happenings
LILLY PULITZERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 50TH ANNIVERSARY JUBILEE AT THE PINK DOOR
Lisa Wilder and Wilda Hudson at Pink Door Jubilee Party Michael and Patti Whitlock at Collisionworx Grand Opening
Sarah Cox, Semmes Humphreys and Mimi Taylor at Pink Door Jubilee Party Shawn and Lana Danko at Collisionworx Grand Opening
MAY 2009
FLIGHT RESTAURANT
AND
WINE BAR GRAND OPENING Ashley Wallace, Amber Ross and Brooke Kellenberger at Flight Grand Opening
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Samantha Gargus and Teri Roberts at Collisionworx Grand Opening
THE CURTAIN EXCHANGE TRUNK SHOW AT THE MONARCH
Carmen McGee and Tim Tanner at Curtain Exchange Trunk Show
Tom Powers and Russ Graham at Flight Grand Opening
Dick and Sandy Powers at Flight Grand Opening
Lydia Belew and Will Butler at Flight Grand Opening
Stephen Laws and Nancy Thomas at Flight Grand Opening
ONSITE
Onsite
COMEC Dance Party Forget-Me-Not Trivia Night Planned Parenthood Benefit Performance Greek Festival Wine Tasting
G
Tony and Jamie Stallworth at COMEC Dance Party
Rita Works, Michelle Morgan Taylor and Betsy Widdop at Planned Parenthood Benefit Performance
Jason Scott and Shoshana Creech at Planned Parenthood Benefit Performance
Story and Photos Submitted and by Leah Fitzpatrick and Lesley Young
Gracie Templeton, Brittany Jones and Kristina Plado at Forget-Me-Not Trivia Night
Nick Kourvelas and Judd Tashie at Greek Festival Wine Tasting
MAY 2009
Taylor Grisham, Beena White and Katie McLemore at Greek Festival Wine Tasting
55 RSVP
Marlene Mahoney, Jessica Walker, Claire Slade Brophy and Lydia Lukasiewski at COMEC Dance Party
irls (and a few guys) just wanted to have fun on a Friday night, so they dressed as 80s fashionistas and strutted their totally tubular selves to the Commission on Missing and Exploited Children (COMEC) Totally Awesome Dance Party. Michelle Robinson emceed the annual fund-raiser held at the Variety Club of Memphis. Kerry Rogers of Memphis DJs spun tunes that had guests grooving to support COMEC, the organization that issues the region’s AMBER Alert. While Germantown Athletic Club members were sweating off calories in the gym, Alzheimer’s Day Services of Memphis, Inc. supporters were enjoying slices of Italian crème, chocolate peppermint and praline cakes for $5 a slice at the fourth annual Forget-MeNot Trivia Night. Close to 100 teams—some in costume—decorated their tables to fit the evening’s Remember When…Holiday Celebrations” theme and “R answered 10 rounds of 10 questions based on the theme. Prizes were given for the most correct answers and best decorations, and drawings were held for “big prizes,” such as a black pearl necklace, plane tickets and a Memphis Redbirds fantasy radio experience. The Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region’s (PPGMR) production of Eve Ensler’s “T Th e Vagina Monologues” packed the Circuit Playhouse. The performance featured a cast of 18 talented local women, who put a lot of their own personalities into the monologues. PPGMR sold all available tickets to the event, raising thousands of dollars that will go to support PPGMR’s health center, which provides family planning, sex education and preventive healthcare to girls, women and men in Memphis, West Tennessee, East Arkansas and Northern Mississippi. Greek pizza, spanakopita, wine and beer tempted taste testers at the second annual Greek Festival Wine Tasting. Held at Ciao Bella, the tasting kicked off the 51st year of the Greek Festival, which benefits the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and Youth Villages. During this occasion, attendees also got a chance to pre-order festival tickets, watch a video that showed how to make signature Greek recipes and practice saying their“Opas.”
Peter Abell and Bonnie Kourvelas at Greek Festival Wine Tasting
Anna Terry and Sheryl Ludeke-Smith at Forget-Me-Not Trivia Night
RSV PHILLIPPI
By Dennis Phillippi
GREETINGS FROM PLANET MIRTH
MAY 2009
B
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eing the in-house yuckster for a society magazine affords some opportunities to rub elbows with swells at the occasional soiree. Recently, I was at some rich people’s house for their annual hoedown with the spats set when a lady introduced herself and in a practiced maneuver placed her four fingers in my hand like pencils in a coffee cup, slowly cantilevered at the waist and rested her cheek against mine like she was tucking herself in for a quick nap. During the next few minutes, I watched her repeat this ritual half a dozen times, always in the exact same way. It was reminiscent of one of those dunking birds you used to be able to win at the fair. A glacial, spooky greeting that no one else seemed to find odd. Since that night, I’ve become obsessed with the ways people interact with one another upon meeting. At first, it seemed that men had more of a straight forward method. A quick handshake, accompanied by a nod. Simple. But closer examination showed that men use hellos in a variety of ways. There is a class of men who uses a greeting as a way of showing social dominance. There’s the big guy who uses his mass to intimidate while maintaining the pretense that he’s being welcoming. He comes in too close, looming, and envelopes the other’s hand in his massive mitt. He will often drag the smaller guy into an unwelcome embrace, even going so far as to rock the unfortunate recipient back and forth in what looks like a drunken dance. He pats with surprising force. Other large guys just go for their patented bear hug, adjusting your spine as a way of showing their strength. They’re the “I’m here, now the party can start” big guy. Older men use eye contact and their extra hand as a way of displaying their aggressive comfort in social situations. They stare into your eyes and ask you how you are as if they’re expecting an actual answer. Their wise eyes glinting with what looks like sympathy and compassion. This is a sweet trick. Before you know what you’re doing, you’re blurting out things you hadn’t told your wife yet. Suddenly Dr. Smith, whom you don’t even know, is walking around with the knowledge that you are afraid you’re about to be laid off, or you have a weird pain in a
place you don’t normally discuss at wine tastings. Older eye contact guy can wheedle without effort. He is also the elbowgrabbing guy. One hand firmly grasps your hand, the other cradles your elbow like he’s taking a hand-off. He’s a mesmerist, and he has your secrets. The former frat guy has the windup shake. He pulls his arm back like a handshake is going to require warm-up
Suddenly Dr. Smith, whom you don’t even know, is walking around with the knowledge that you are afraid you’re about to be laid off, or you have a weird pain in a place you don’t normally discuss at wine tastings. stretching. He swings his arm outside and comes in fast. This handshake is like docking with the Space Station. He also holds that shake a few seconds longer than you’d like, but he put so much effort into it, you don’t want to say anything. Some guys, and I have to admit I’m one of them, do the shake and halfhug. Somewhere along the line we picked this up as a mechanism to avoid full hugs. The hand grips the others firmly, while pulling them inexorably into our shoulder. It looks like a quasi-intimate move, but it’s really all defense. There is no reason to go into detail with high five guy. There is also no reason to go into knuckle-bumpers, dap givers or elaborate multi-move shakes that make you feel like you’re missing a handshake meeting or not getting some group e-mail about the current line-up of moves. Women, of course, are much more likely to be huggers. There’s nothing wrong with a nice hug. I can be a hugger…if I know you. Women use hugging as a default greeting. The amount of body lean is directly proportionate to the degree of intimacy. If a woman doesn’t know you, or has doubts about your hygiene, like the woman I met at the fancy social, she will keep her entire lower body as far away from you as possible. Seen from a distance it looks like she’s preparing to wrestle. Her hands will flutter birdlike near your shoulders, making about as much contact as a butterfly. It’s like embracing someone who
has a pair of pet hummingbirds. If she knows you better, her body will come incrementally closer, but the woman always sets the parameters. Women; and I provide this to grab-happy guys from the perspective of a long time married man, hate the guy who escalates the body contact, making a show of dismissing the restrained hug. “Come on, give me a real hug” guy is not nearly as popular as he thinks. A note to women, and again this is from someone who has been married since Reagan was in office and dinosaurs roamed the earth, are far more likely to be the perpetrator of the dreaded limp handshake, possibly because they’ve received so many of them from misguided men. We make an instant judgment about people, men or women, who drape their fingers onto our hand as if they’re recovering from a karate tournament injury, and it’s not a good kind of judgment. When men give a woman a gentle handshake with their hand as soft as a rose, women aren’t flattered, they are infuriated. They feel, I’m told, as if the man has treated them like they might be damaged by a real handshake. Baby-handed shakers creep women out. You heard it here first. The best handshake I ever received, and this will come as no shock, was from Bill Clinton. For reasons too complicated to explain years ago, I found myself in the direct focused gaze of the former president, rocked on my heels by this impossible wave of charisma, and then all of the control shakes happened at the same time, he is gigantic, and looms like a florid polar bear, his eyes lock onto yours like your elementary school principal, his enormous paw consumes yours, as his other hand grips your elbow, then your shoulder. It was the perfect handshake. If I could shake hands like that, I’d be president.
We here at RSVP feel we need to be taking notes from our yuckster, Dennis Phillippi, about the plethora of crazy handshakes on the loose at social gatherings. Who knew you could tell if someone is nursing a sports injury or trying to uncover secrets by their handshake? And what planet is someone from if he dismisses an extended hand altogether?
RSVPAST
Graduation Party
MAY 2009
1949
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S
pring is here, and so are graduation ceremonies and parties. For some members of the 1949 graduating class of PentecostGarrison School, The Skyway at The Peabody hotel was the place to celebrate. Seated left to right are Billie Dean Ingram, Hugh Chalmers, Bob Ford, Gail Albrecht, Howard Pritchard, Betsy Graham, Dale Ragland and Charles Ozier. Standing left to right are Billy Newman, Webster Riggs, Bobby Partain, Marian Cobb, Pete Nebhut, Phillip Graham, Russell Martin, unknown and Dennis Dean. PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. WEBSTER RIGGS If you have a past photo you would like to share with RSVP readers, please contact Leah Fitzpatrick at 276-7787 ext. 105 or e-mail the photo and caption to editor@rsvpmagazine.com All photos will be returned promptly.
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