RSVP Magazine March 2008 by RSVP Magazine

March

2008

Memphis Heart Gala Memphi Mid-Winter Ball Opera Memphis Wild Game Dinner Grand Krewe of Ennead Coronation Q&A with Mike Warr

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CONTENTS

Contents March 2008

From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Phil Trenary President and CEO of Pinnacle Airlines deals with bigwigs in the airline industry but has just as good of a time giving youngsters a tour of new airplanes in the hangar as he does promoting the regional passenger carrier.

Memphis Heart Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 The American Heart Association biked into another great year with a “Wild at Heart” themed night at The Peabody.

MEMPHIS HEART GALA David and Stacie Waddell

StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28, 44 & 61 She’s transitioned from executive director of the UrbanArt Commission into the same role at the National Ornamental Metal Museum, but her new job couldn’t be more unique. With a passion for meeting new people and bringing in the regulars, Earnestine & Hazel’s legendary bartender contemplates retirement. An award-winning actress and theatre advocate, she has reemerged as a respected and adored psychotherapist at the Memphis Center for Wholeness. StreetSeens spotlight Carissa Hussong, Nathaniel “Nate” Barnes, and Karen Mason Riss.

57 OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER Wilhelmina and Peter Alfonso

MARCH 2008

Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30, 46, 66 & 67 Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.

Memphi Mid-Winter Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

11 RSVP

Guests ventured to the “Lido de Paris” at the Memphis Country Club for a ball to remember.

Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

28 STREETSEEN Carissa Hussong

Q&A with Mike Warr of Porter-Leath Children’s Center.

RSVPeople . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 A trek across the city’s party landscape.

Opera Memphis Wild Game Dinner . . . . . . . . . . .57

62 GRAND KREWE OF ENNEAD CORONATION Gaynette Price and George James

Opera lovers got their wild game fix at the “Deer to be Wild” event at the U of M Holiday Inn.

Grand Krewe of Ennead Coronation . . . . . . . . . .62 A “Tour de Paris” unfolded at the U of M Holiday Inn with a tribute to the “Phantom of the Opera.”

Homestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Designer Nancy Chase and her husband Lee might reside in a house set in the country, but their home resembles more of a château than a farmhouse with its continental European feel.

RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

32 MEMPHI MID-WINTER BALL Dr. Tim and Ellie Bakelaar

Turning Blue, Going Gray Dennis Phillippi sits perched on the edge of his couch this month as he awaits the Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team’s unbelievable chance for a Final victory, which the humor columnist hopes will result in a proper riot.

Cover Photo Kemp and Anne Conrad at Memphi Mid-Winter Ball Photo by John Hammer

69 HOMESTYLE Country Elegance Lee and Nancy Chase

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Volume XIII

Number VI

March 2008 PUBLISHER

Roy Haithcock EDITOR

Leah Fitzpatrick O F F I C E A D M I N I S T R AT O R

Jil Marcy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kelly Cox Jonathan Devin Dennis Phillippi ART DIRECTOR

Patrick Aker s PHOTOGRAPHERS

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

MARCH 2008

Sean Davis Roy Haithcock John Hammer Don Perry Steve Roberts

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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

* OU S PEVD J OH

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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 2008 Haithcock Communications, Inc.

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From the Editor

MARCH 2008

Photo by Steve Robers

Salon • Hair Care • Skin Care

nspiration. How do you get it? Why do you get it? Where do you get it? And even more, how do you act upon rare and delightful moments of sheer enlightenment? I don’t know that I have the answer to all—or even any—of these questions, but I can tell you I experienced a rather unexpected “think session” at an altitude not normally conducive to logical thought, otherwise known as a 14story high-rise downtown. I admit I’ve visited greater heights and seen more riveting views atop the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower, but I’ve never had such a clear vision of my goals or one of the nation’s most historic rivers for that matter. Lost in my thoughts, I also grew an appetite for life, rather I began appreciating the little things. Now, let me go ahead and inform you, it doesn’t take much to make me happy. Those priceless moments when no one notices me are the best: out-of-towners snapping photographs in the street while dodging oncoming traffic, a child trying to walk a dog bigger than he is and accidentally releasing a balloon, a couple of strangers meeting at the bus stop for the very first time, a waitress indulging new patrons about the cool “after hours” spots without them ever having asked, and a woman smiling at her reflection after receiving a makeover she deserved years ago, are just a few everyday vignettes I most recently witnessed. Flip to page 48 to find someone else who has a similar hunger for life. Mike Warr of Porter-Leath Children’s Center is stomping the streets of Memphis to raise funds and awareness for a cause he believes in…giving at-risk children and families tools for healthy and productive development and lowering the county’s considerably high infant mortality rate. To get a better grasp of the situations that can arise from lack of proper care and resources as a child, Warr lent me a copy of Ghosts from the Nursery: Tracing the Roots of Violence. If children are our future, then this book is worth a read. Wake on up, go outside, start your own think session, and see where this month takes you. Maybe you’ll develop the next big business plan or simply start a new trend, but whatever you do, remember that those moments of inspiration can take you to the top!

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MARCH 2008

SIGNATURE MEMPHIS

Phil Trenary

Last book you’ve read: True North by Bill George. Favorite Memphis musician: B. B. King. Personal hero: My father. Movie you could watch over and over again: Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. Childhood ambition: Airplane mechanic. First job: Farming/rancher. First concert: The Guess Who. Favorite author: David McCullough. Stress outlet: Spending time with my family on the Tennessee River. One thing most people don’t know about you: I prefer to keep it that way. One thing you can’t live without: My family – Bridget, Justin, Brittney, and Pearce. Your mantra: “Never, never, never, give up.” – Winston Churchill

photo by Steve Roberts

RSVP

EVENT

Memphis Heart Gala

MEMPHIS HEART GALA

“Wild at Heart”

MARCH 2008

Dr. Justin and Jo Ann Adler

Al and Chelsea Gossett

RSVP

attoos and leather jackets look oh-so-right sported on the open road, but the biker-chic ensemble found a new home at the 32nd annual Memphis Heart Gala. Hog lovers and American Heart Association supporters rallied at The Peabody hotel for a pit stop worth every dollar raised to fight the nation’s leading killer, cardiovascular disease. After getting temporary “Wild at Heart” ink and motorcycle beaded necklaces, bikers and biker babes eyed 13 Harleys, complements of Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson, parked along the mezzanine and in the Continental Ballroom. “Road House” cocktails were next on the agenda, along with some interesting silent auction goodies including a painting executed live during the event, The Rolling Stones’ autographed album pages, a gray fox muff, and a Peyton Manning autographed football. The Peabody mascots even got in on the theme as rubber biker ducks waded among auction items. Guests refueled with hearty eats in the Grand Ballroom, which had larger-than-life silver flames blazing in front of red and black curtains. On either side of the stage, giant screens projected black and white images of bikers as well as those inspired by the American Heart Association. Co-chairs Brooke Tweddell and Leigh Shockey were good sports and appeared in some of the footage. A live auction and dancing to the beat of War, a band best known for songs like “Low Rider” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” turned up the heat following dinner. Just as the crowd built, the event co-chairs and War band members led a congo line back into the Continental Ballroom for a “Midnight Confessions” after-party. The brave hopped into a bullriding frenzy aboard a mechanical bull, and the rest rocked out to The Grass Roots, starring Rob Grill. Attendees also had fun choosing backgrounds for a Harley photo op, where guests’ hair appeared to blow in the breeze while cruising in front of places like The Pyramid, a meandering highway, and a Ferris wheel. No one was afraid of violating a noise ordinance as the party wore on into the night or having enough generosity to donate more than $300,000 for a “heart-worthy” cause.

Bert and Lorraine Wolf

Carol Ann Jordan and Rob Mayer

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Don Perry See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP Melanie and Kerr Tigrett

Eddie Jean and Doyle Childress

Ami and Randy Austin

Valerie Morris, Brooke Tweddell, Jeff Morris and Leigh Shockey

Kevin and Cindy Brewer

EVENT MEMPHIS HEART GALA MARCH 2008

Belinda and Calvin Anderson

Stephen and Shelly Cheng

Barry Yoakum and April Norris

Tina and Mark Bradley

Vickie and Randy Fisher

Greg and Marie Firtik

RSVP

Courtney Lewis and Rosa Wilson

John and Heather Maki

Jon and Cari Hurt

Carrie and Jeff Strang

Brad and Maria Lensing

EVENT MEMPHIS HEART GALA

Kyla and A.J. Starks

MARCH 2008

Bruce and Tina Bancroft

Peter and Wendy Lindy

Jenny and Nick Vergos

Teresa and Kim Dawson

RSVP

Suzie and Mike Bowen

Drs. Roger Price and Susan Murrmann Price with Ernie Ward

Trudy Pfisterer and Holland Tudor

Valerie Calhoun and John Elkington

State Senator Reginald Tate and James Alexander

Dr. Umar Boston with Abbie Peters and Morgan Card

EVENT MEMPHIS HEART GALA MARCH 2008

Becky and Micah Ryan Whitfield

Cristin and Barton Thrasher

Diane Swain and Don Ridgeway

Scott and Julie Rosenberger

Shannon Fischer and Marc Oppenheimer

RSVP

Michele and Dr. Jorge Salazar

Tabatha and Brian Bender

Ginny Hoelscher and Traci Willis

Luke Leatherwood and Dr. Elizabeth Riseling

Robyn James and Marcy Vickery

Mike Christiansen and Kathy Simonetti

Parentheses have a place, but NOT ON YOUR FACE!

EVENT MEMPHIS HEART GALA

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Debbie and Richard Keaton with Pam Flannery

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Uma and Dr. Kishore Arcot

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EVENT MEMPHIS HEART GALA Chris Martin and Mellody Pearce

MARCH 2008

Jason and Laura Wallace

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Wendy Smith and Dr. George Flinn

Winston and Janice Gipson

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STREETSEEN

Carissa Hussong Heating Up The Metal Scene

MARCH 2008

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vermarketing can ruin anything’s charm, but Carissa Hussong promises not to let that happen to one of the region’s most historic art institutions, the National Ornamental Metal Museum. The museum’s new executive director gushes that much of the museum’s appeal is “feeling like it’s your secret,” so she’s opting for selective campaigning. Upon leaving the UrbanArt Commission after ten years and taking over for the Metal Museum’s founding director Jim “Wally” Wallace in January, Hussong has vowed to preserve the museum’s finer points. However that doesn’t include keeping the museum’s top-notch artists-in-residence program quiet any longer. Resident artists actually live right behind the building that houses the museum gallery and learn their trade alongside some of the best blacksmiths around at the museum’s working foundry. These artists also have access to an extensive collection of rare books, photographs, and drawings that Hussong hopes to archive online since artists readily draw upon them for inspiration. “I know artists in Europe who would love to do the artists-in-residence program here,” Hussong said. “It’s just not as well-known as it could be.” The museum further offers two-year internships for experienced blacksmiths looking to expand their knowledge in the metalworking field. Interns are even required to assist with events and exhibition changes. One of the biggest benefits for interns and artists is access to tools and equipment they couldn’t otherwise afford, and they are able to utilize the shop for their own commissions and work. Hussong happily says that every intern who has gone through the program and wanted to pursue graduate school has gotten a full scholarship to the notable blacksmithing program at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Recent renovations to the museum’s impressive two-story library that provides mesmerizing views of the river and its neighboring bridges and a generous $20,000 grant from ArtsMemphis to expand the smithy, have added to the facility’s appeal. Improving the museum’s accreditation and an updated Web site rank high on Hussong’s to-do list. She jokes that a second attempt at Blacksmithing 1 might not be a bad idea either. The best part of all was when her family, which includes husband David Lusk and two daughters, got to preview the company she keeps at work during the annual Repair Day Weekend last fall. She jokes that her girls had so much fun doing the children’s activities they didn’t want to leave. The event features metalsmiths who come from around the country and volunteer their time to repair any and everything the local community wishes to restore. A lot of the volunteers camp out on the museum grounds for the weekend and graciously donate items for a big auction. One hundred percent of event proceeds go back to the museum, which Hussong says will remain “a jewel you feel a personal connection to.” Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts

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St. Jude Red Carpet Bash Ad Fed Funky Furniture Lunch Jack Belz Tribute Dinner

MARCH 2008

James Atkinson and Sam Goff at Ad Fed Funky Furniture Lunch

Erica Smith and Lyle Wardlaw at Ad Fed Funky Furniture Lunch

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he 7th annual Hollywood Casino St. Jude Red Carpet Bash transported guests to a Moroccan oasis for a memorable night benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Attendees were urged to sport white dinner coats for this Casablanca-themed affair, which offered delicious Moroccan cuisine, a cigar bar, and entertainment by local dance band The Plaintiffs. Claudia Barr of WREG-TV 3 delivered as the emcee, and St. Jude supporters enthusiastically delivered high bids in the live and silent auctions. With all the decorating and home improvement shows on the air, it’s no wonder people flocked to the Funky Furniture Lunch hosted by the Memphis Advertising Federation. This event brought new meaning to “power lunch hour” with an auction and lunch buffet combo at Pearl’s Oyster House in the South Main Arts District. While perusing items (decorated by members) such as a child’s chair upholstered in angelthemed fabric and a wiry blue Christmas tree, people voted for their favorite item. Catfish poboys added to the festive atmosphere and satiated eager buyers. Jack Belz—family man, philanthropist, business visionary, and arts patron—was honored at The Peabody for his continuous commitment (80 years!) to Memphis. Guests donned their finest to show support at the Jack Belz National Tribute Dinner for one of the city’s best diplomats. All dinner proceeds will establish the Marilyn and Jack Belz Educational Fund at Kadima Memphis Jewish High School.

Adam and Julie Groveman at Jack Belz Tribute Dinner

Jack and Marilyn Belz at Jack Belz Tribute Dinner

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos Submitted and by Sean Davis and Leah Fitzpatrick

Savannah Bearden and Bill Yerian at Ad Fed Funky Furniture Lunch Chris and Cher Bork at Jack Belz Tribute Dinner

Beth Malone and Lisa Lee-Olding at St. Jude Red Carpet Bash

Rudi Schiffer, Kelly Hill, Joan Matthews and Jeff Strang at St. Jude Red Carpet Bash

Carmen Bond and Lee Proctor at St. Jude Red Carpet Bash

MARCH 2008

MEMPHI MID-WINTER BALL

EVENT

Memphi Mid-Winter Ball “Lido de Paris”

T Sarah and Dennis Norton

Jon and Susan Thompson

RSVP

hree hundred elegant guests arrived at the Mystic Society of the Memphi Mid-Winter Ball, held at the Memphis Country Club, to the strains of lively piano music in the foyer and were instantly swept into an atmosphere of “Old World” glamour. Warm smiles flashed in the lamplight, as women in gowns of every hue mingled with men in black tie and a notable number of kilts. Steven H. Burkett, the Krewe’s general chairman for 2008, described the theme as a mystical visit by Memphi Royalty to the Lido de Paris in France. He said, “Tonight, we transport people in their minds, if not in time, to another age.” In keeping with the color scheme and décor of the Lido de Paris, the rooms were arrayed with purple and white orchids, and tables draped in black lace held orchid centerpieces accented with ostrich plumes. Former general chairman Philip Cruzen, attending with his wife Kathleen, rightly described the candlelit evening as “like a fairy tale.” Prior to dinner and dancing, six new duchesses and their dukes were announced in a program sprinkled with French that included the reading of a poem written especially for each woman. As the royalty emerged from behind a feathered fan to a flourish of horns, they were revealed to be Duchess Rhoda Smith and her Duke Curtis Smith, Duchess Beth Campbell and her Duke Hunt Campbell, Duchess Susan Plough and her Duke Abe Plough, Duchess Virginia Griffee and her Duke Mark Griffee, Duchess Julie Ellis and her Duke George Ellis, and Duchess Lesley Colvett and her Duke Frank Colvett. The honored couples then promenaded the length of the ballroom to cheers and applause and later dined at a flower-bedecked dais. The fête reflected the year’s theme of “Bright Lights, Memphi Nights,” for which events will be based on various historically famous locales remembering the golden age of elegant evenings. Tammy and John Golwen, Susan and Damon Arney, and Kim and Andy MacQueen were the party chairs for the Mid-Winter Ball.

See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

Mimi and Jim Taylor

Story by Kelly Cox Photos by John Hammer

David and Jane Sorsby

Colleen and Larry Capstick

Janie and Bruce Hopkins

Kim and Johnny Pitts

Marvin Palmer with Tina and Ace Roberts

Tate and Melissa Yawn

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EVENT MEMPHI MID-WINTER BALL MARCH 2008

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Susan and Damon Arney

Tracy and Ed Galfsky

Chris and Kathryn Head

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John and Tammy Golwen

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Vox Popular Q&A with Mike Warr

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RSVP: Were you a fundraiser when you began at Porter-Leath in 1998?

or 88 babies were 5.5 pounds or greater, which is your cutoff for a healthy birth weight.

Warr: I’m an old restaurant guy. I used to own Captain Bilbo’s. No, I wasn’t a fundraiser when I started. I ran the place because what they needed was a manager. We were about to get defunded by United Way, and we were a United Way agency, and it’s always been a chunk of our operating capital. So, they were in trouble, and the chairman of the board at that time went over and talked to the late Judge [Kenneth] Turner, who I was close with for years through Junior Court—in fact, I ran the probation service there for five years, I always did all of this as a volunteer—so Judge Turner recommended he talk to me. The chairman then asked me, “What do you suggest we do cause we’re about to lose it?” I said, “You need to hire a manager,” and I gave him my name because I’d sold all of my restaurants. This was my second nature anyway. I’d done all this volunteer work for years. I literally knew all the players. I had just never officially done it, so I took it over and ran it. Let’s see…three years ago, I moved strictly into fundraising because I had two people who could run the day to day, and I became the fundraiser because we had nobody that could fundraise.

RSVP: What are some of the lesser known causes of infant mortality?

RSVP: What are the different fundraisers you hold throughout the year? Warr: We do two major fundraisers. We have the Rajun Cajun Festival, see that’s the one we started at Bilbo’s. Then the second one is our Toy Truck, which we started here five or six years ago. You know we talk about toys, but it’s really about money. It’s our biggest fundraiser, and we raised $246,000 in cash in six weeks. A lot of that money goes to our Early Childhood programming. RSVP: I know Porter-Leath does a lot of programming to prevent infant mortality. Do you know how Memphis’ infant deaths ranked last year compared to other states? Warr: Overall, I can tell you the crux of it hasn’t gotten much better. It’s still about the same. Now, I know our numbers. We served 292 pregnant mothers in calendar 2007. We had 96 deliveries, and all were live births, which is very unusual, and 91.6 percent of them

Warr: Well, it all comes down to just bad prenatal care and postnatal care, but the real decision point in it is the healthy birth weight. If you get a healthy birth weight child and mom has some help, then you’re probably going to have a healthy infant, and you’re probably going to have a productive adult. Let’s start with brain development. It’s a little off your question, but it’s key to what we do. Brain development happens in the first 30 months of life. We can argue it starts happening prenatally. We can argue it goes on till the kid’s 36 months, but the child’s brain at birth is about 25 percent developed, which is less than any other mammal, but all of your other organs function, so your heart beats, your lungs function, your liver cleanses. What happens then in that first 30 months of life is the brain goes from about 25 percent developed to about 85 percent developed, but you’ve got to do key things. The key things are not rocket science—it’s just what moms sort of know by nature as a general rule. I mean you nurture your child, you hug your child, you do eye contact with your child, you talk, you sing, you manipulate their limbs, you give them toys so they get their fine motor movements going on, so it’s this combination of events. Every time you stimulate this child’s brain with music or any movement or let them play with a dangly toy over their crib, it creates what’s called synapses. Synapses just mean that the connections in the brain are getting made, so when you’re born, it’s like you’ve got two or three interstates running through your brain. Well, the synapses start causing all of these other connections that look like road maps that connect, and basically your brain starts functioning at a higher level. So, step one is if you get a healthy birth weight, you can immediately start teaching this mom to make sure she understands that you just don’t set this kid in a crib and walk off and leave them and then don’t talk to them or flip on the TV. Truthfully, the TV is better than nothing—at least it makes a noise— but the infant really requires touching and holding and interaction Photos by Don Perry

MARCH 2008

he care infants receive, or in some cases the care they might not receive, can be the deciding factor on how that individual’s brain develops, according to Porter-Leath’s executive vice president of development and new business, Mike Warr. The first matter of duty is educating low-income expectant mothers on the importance of nurturing themselves and their unborn babies to ensure a healthy birth weight. Some statistics rank Shelby County’s infant mortality rate higher than those in third world countries, but whatever the staggering numbers officially are, Warr proves that the parent(s) and/or caregivers must be involved to make those figures decline. During a fascinating tour of the Porter-Leath campus, which was founded more than 150 years ago, Warr enlightened RSVP editor Leah Fitzpatrick about the organization’s history and its commitment to assisting at-risk children and families through 11 programs that are making a difference.

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and cuddling and any activities like that. If you get the kid to age 3 and you’ve done those things pretty consistently, then what you’re going to end up with is a child who’s got an 85 percent developed brain. Then the next 13 or 14 percent happens over the next twothree years, so by age 6, you’re done except for this little tiny portion that goes on for the rest of your life, but if you get a nonfunctioning brain—let’s just say the kid’s brain development stops at 65 percent—the child is basically doomed. They’re not going to be able to hold a regular job. They’re not going to be a very good parent just because they don’t get it. They don’t make decisions like we make decisions at all because their decision process is flawed, and when something bad happens to them their first reaction is “Oh, somebody did something to me, I’m going to do something to them.” Violence is a direct result of poor brain development. It’s almost the “eye for an eye” at an extreme level. So, our deal is if you get a good product, it’s a whole lot easier to work with. A good product is a healthy birth weight baby, and even if it’s not a good product, you can still work at it.

MARCH 2008

RSVP: Do moms normally come to Porter-Leath?

RSVP

Warr: No, we go to the moms. They can’t get to us. See, that’s probably the major single flaw with any kind of social services or any kind of agency. They say, “Oh, you come to us, and we’ll help you.” You’ve got to go to them, particularly if they have another child. First of all, mom is usually young—too young—and she probably

already has another child, and if she doesn’t, then she’ll probably have another one sooner than anybody would like. We try to tell moms to give themselves 18 months because anybody gets overwhelmed with two babies, and if you get three, you’ve had it, you lose control. RSVP: How do you scout expectant mothers who need help? Warr: We recruit actively with our 30 home visitors, but people seek us out now because we make it a very attractive thing. The family gets rewards. For example, at Easter, all the kids—keep in mind all of these are poverty-stricken kids under age 5—get an Easter basket and some candy. At Christmas, the Toy Truck collected some 20,000 odd toys. Well, every family, depending on their need, gets something for their kids. I mean if you get into a food problem, we can usually come up with some formula for you. In August we have a baby shower, so all the new moms get stuff. It may just be disposable diapers and baby powder, but those are physical or tangible rewards for staying involved in the program. RSVP: Who develops the curriculum to teach the mothers? Warr: Interesting story…the HIPPY program, Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, is Israeli based and is a very expensive curriculum. That’s the one where the parent is the child’s first

Warr: No, the other curriculum is MIHOW, Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker. That is the Vanderbilt model. It’s utilized extensively in the South: Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia. We track everything child by child, so when we go into the home, we do a pre-test. When we leave the home— a lot of the mothers leave the program after one year but sometimes they do two—we do a post-test, so we can gauge all this stuff. Also, with MIHOW, we track their Apgar scores. There’s a one-minute Apgar, and I think there’s a five-minute Apgar. It’s the baby’s activity, pulse, grimace response, appearance, and respiration at one minute after birth and five minutes after birth, so the higher the Apgar score, the better off you are. We also track their days in the hospital. Most of our mothers spent two days or less in the hospital, so there’s another benchmark.

VOX POPULAR

Warr: The program runs a calendar year for the HIPPY curriculum. This is for children who are already born. If they’re in MIHOW, in other words they’re pregnant, then their term runs really for as long until they have the baby and then the first three-six months after. Then they can switch to the HIPPY curriculum if they want, or we can keep them in MIHOW. Most of them really like the support because most of them don’t have anybody, so this home visitor becomes somebody that comes in and if there’s a problem they can usually get them some help. Most of these moms are depressed. We do a psychosocial screening on them, and almost all of them are depressed. We understand they’re depressed, so we try to brighten their day a little bit. RSVP: What’s your favorite success story? Warr: Well, a true success is just a healthy birth weight baby because that’s the first step, but we’ve had moms that have completed the program and they turned around and became part of the program as an AmeriCorp volunteer, which means they get paid a stipend. If they do their 1,700 hours, they get paid their stipend, which is right at minimum wage, and then they get their $5,000 educational certificate, but then they turn around and get a real job, so that’s really success.

MARCH 2008

RSVP: Is the HIPPY program the only curriculum Porter-Leath uses?

RSVP: How long do moms stay in the program?

43 RSVP

teacher. The reason the Israelis developed it was they had all these kibbutzes in the middle of nowhere over in Israel usually with very young families and no resources. The home visitor would go around from kibbutz to kibbutz, and they would get the moms together and teach them the curriculum, which in turn they would teach their own children. Once a week, the visitor would go around and do that, so we’ve now adapted that. It’s a complete book, and every week there’s five very specific activities you can easily demonstrate.

STREETSEEN

Nathaniel “Nate” Barnes Serving Late Night Charm

MARCH 2008

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he rickety stairwell at the back of Earnestine & Hazel’s looks menacing, but a climb to the top rewards regulars with the best seat in the joint if they’re lucky enough to snatch a barstool at “Nate’s bar.” Atmosphere remains key here— hence the peeling paint, dirt-caked windows, and the cash only policy—and so does the man who flashes a smile as wide as the Mississippi. His full name may be Nathaniel Barnes, but no one knows this favorite downtown bartender by any name but “Nate” or by any hat other than a derby. A fixture behind the upstairs bar for more than a decade, Barnes has been sporting his signature hats, which vary from brown to gray to black with a straw hat thrown in during the summer, since he was 17. Barnes’ track record for hauling in regulars is as consistent as his look, but so is his commitment to this weekend gig; he contends he’s maybe missed three nights of work ever. A newcomer to Memphis in 1963, Barnes couldn’t have predicted the professional relationship he’d form with Earnestine’s owner Russell George. Barnes only planned a two-week visit to see his sister, but when two weeks passed, the 18-year-old didn’t return to Edgefield, S.C. During his time in the home of the blues, Barnes has held a number of jobs, including his current day job of 31 years with D. Canale Beverages, which also facilitated an introduction to George. “Russell had Murphy’s Oyster Bar, and I was delivering kegs to his bar one day, and the next thing I knew I was cleaning up the bar,” Barnes said. “Two years later, Russell taught me to bartend…he’s been a fine fellow!” Barnes remained at Murphy’s until 1993 when George got out of the business, but he always stayed in touch with his employer. A couple of years later, George left word he wanted Barnes’ help again, and the two reunited in the bar scene. Friends for almost 27 years, Barnes and George have an undeniable chemistry in the work place, making it difficult for Barnes to retire. Now 63, Barnes says he’s waiting until his birthday in July to announce future plans, but he admits the decision will be a tough one since he feels good physically, despite being diabetic. Love for his patrons keeps Barnes burning the midnight oil, and their love for him runs just as deep. Celebrities like Danny DeVito and John Travolta have enlivened his weekend shift, but Barnes says he’s enjoyed meeting many other friendly people along the way. He literally knocks on wood as he proudly says, “Nothing bad has ever happened up here.” This bartending legend’s character is priceless, so cozy up to his charm before the “R” word makes him shout, “Last Call!” Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts

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Cotton Club Fundraiser Network of Memphis 30th Anniversary A Night Out with the Big Dogs

he era of the Memphis cotton trade was alive at the Cotton Club Fundraiser. Held at the historic Cotton Museum, the Memphis Knights Big Band played swing,

MARCH 2008

Heather Doty and Jaredan Braal at Cotton Club Fundraiser

Melanie Miller and Ken Hall at Cotton Club Fundraiser

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modern jump-jive-wail, jazz, and holiday tunes for lots of happy feet. Proceeds benefit the museum, which had chalkboard displays from 1939, the year that produced hit songs like “Stairway to the Stars” and “Over The Rainbow.” Network of Memphis celebrated 30 years of promoting professional women last December. Held at an iBank branch on Poplar, all of the founding members in attendance received beautiful long-stemmed roses and were congratulated for their efforts in organizing a pioneering women’s organization during a time when similar groups were only available to men. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and wine enhanced the festive atmosphere, which showed that Memphis’ “unique oasis” for working women is thriving. A Night Out with the Big Dogs paid tribute to the community’s favorite four-legged friends at the home of Drs. Susan Murrmann Price and Roger Price. This cocktail reception helped launch the Humane Society’s 75th anniversary Dog Daze in Memphis Project, which is the Bluff City’s first public art animal

Joan Munsee and Agnes Pokrandt at Network of Memphis 30th Anniversary

Lorrie Garcia and Alicia Spurlock at Network of Memphis 30th Anniversary

awareness project. In June, 75 “Buddy Dogs” designed by local artists will be unveiled throughout the city. Each dog will give animal lovers a chance to learn a little more about each artist as well as historical tidbits about the Humane Society. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos Submitted and by Sean Davis and Leah Fitzpatrick

Happy Jones, Donna Sue Shannon, M. Joyce Tyler and Jocelyn Wurzburg at Network of Memphis 30th Anniversary

Missy Flinn and Kyle Dempsey at Cotton Club Fundraiser

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A Trek Across the City’s Party L andscape Apartment Association of Greater Memphis Diamond Achievement Awards Banquet The Apartment Association of Greater Memphis, a non-profit trade organization serving multifamily housing professionals and vendors, hosted the 4th annual Diamond Achievement Awards Banquet one recent evening. Close to 600 friendly folks in formal attire filled the Ginger and Mike Lowry Jessi Craddock and Marianne Bailey

MARCH 2008

As friends and colleagues mingled prior to the seated dinner and presentation of awards, one couldn’t help but notice the genuine camaraderie—and the stunning fashions. Tammie Harris, who took home a Diamond Achievement Award for Outstanding Associate of the Year, wore a floor-sweeping, halter-necked black evening gown worthy of the red carpet. Sarah Tate shimmered in figure-skimming soft gold, and Mike Lowry, attending with his wife Ginger, was the definition of black-tie style.

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Bennie Clark, Jeanne Presley, Michelle Childers, Jessi Craddock, Marianne Bailey, Dean Jones, Anita Breslin, Kristina Gabehart, Joya Bullock, Kimberly Smith, Steve Jones, and Sally Lee. Story and photos by Kelly Cox

Memphis Scottish Society Burns Nicht Dinner The tradition and pageantry of Scotland roared to merry life on a frosty night in Cordova late in January as the Memphis Scottish Society held its 25th annual Burns Nicht (That’s Night, for those not versed in Scottish). With whiskey flowing and tartans on parade, the society,

Dusty Raiborn and Tammie Harris

Grand Ballroom at the U of M Holiday Inn. A vibrant air of joviality pervaded the event, which was geared both to recognize excellence in the field and to raise funds for the Political Action Committee for

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Jeanne Presley and Michelle Childers

Multi-Family Housing and Ronald McDonald House. Between a silent auction and the raffling off of a breath-taking pair of princess-cut diamond earrings set in white gold, $5,445 was raised in support of these two causes.

Among those recognized were John Barger, for Outstanding Property Member of the Year; Fogelman Management Group, for Best Waterscapes; and Gayoso House, LEDIC, for Best High-Rise Community. Said Keith Acton, AAGM president, “We’re extremely pleased to have this night to honor our industry professionals…and to give back to the community.” Attendees included Maggie Patterson, Dusty Raiborn, Larry Gathing, Margaret Pierce, Nathan Schwend,

Susie and Joe Lyle

which promotes and celebrates the heritage of Scotland in the Mid-South, gave a rousing, evening-long toast to the most famous of Scottish bards, Robert Burns. The grand Woodland Hills Country Club Ballroom seated the event, and ironi-

cally, it’s Southern gentility combined nicely with the brash tones of the tartan in much the same way that partygoers expressed their dual Scottish/Southern lineage. Indeed the majority of men in attendance went bare from the hem of their kilts to the tops of their wool socks, donning formal

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black jackets and sashes above. Each seemed ready to tell the tale of the tartan he wore with special pride. Ladies attired themselves in floor-length gowns adorned with tartan stoles. The evening began—How else?—with a whiskey tasting followed by artistic displays of music, dance, and poetry. The Wolf River Pipes and Drums, whose remarkable talents merit a larger visage in Memphis’ arts

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and Catherine Hutchison, John and Karen Cicala, and Charles and Diana Crump. Amid the revelry, there did at times appear to be some playful rivalry of the clans and cultures. Upon learning that RSVP had dispatched an Irishman to cover the Nicht, one kilted gent remarked, “Ah, well, better Irish than a Campbell. Have some whiskey!” Story and photos by Jonathan Devin

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only by the presentation of the haggis and its traditional address before dinner. A small silent auction and social time preceded a Scottishthemed dinner of chicken and cranberry stuffing, oatcakes, honey pecan carrots, “neeps and taters” (turnips and potatoes) au gratin, and raspberry cranachan. Munching heartily on the fare were guests Joe and Susie Lyle, Rev. David Williams Sr., Carole Ornelas, Kent McAden, Louis and Jackie Garner, Jeanette Tennant,

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and John and Judith McInnis. The presentation of awards, namely the Order of the Thistle and the Order of the Heather wrapped the frivolity before a chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” officially ended the evening. Among those filling the rafters in song were Cheryl Noland, Robert Walker Hawks, Sherry and Ron Roberson, Lee

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Villages, Memphis Farmers Market, Wolf River Conservancy, Leadership Memphis, and ArtsMemphis set up booths, where attendees could ask questions and see visual representations of some amazing contributions these groups are making in the community and beyond. Pam Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, who represented On Location: Memphis, was so dedicated to her organization that she appeared in costume in the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s promotional poster for the International Film Festival. Her co-worker, Sam Bahre, asked as he pointed to the poster, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do you know who that is?â&#x20AC;? Well, if you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

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MARCH 2008

More than 800 people braved the rain to learn about the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse volunteer opportunities at the Memphis Botanic Garden. The event didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t carry a price tag other than a willingness to learn about more than 100 nonprofit agencies. Participating groups like St. Jude Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Youth

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Women on the Move Luncheon Featuring My Harrison Women on the Move moved into its third year with a luncheon featuring guest speaker My Harrison. Members gathered at the Crescent Club for a power hour filled with insight about Harrison’s work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Memphis field office.

only is Harrison the third African-American woman in a senior executive position with the FBI ever, she has supervised high-profile federal investigations, including “Operation Tennessee Waltz,” “Operation Tarnished Blue,” and “Operation Main Street Sweeper,” since her arrival in Memphis two years ago. Of the 30,000 strong federal agency,

Phalishia Eldridge, Wendy Geurin Smith, Kim Terrell and Jill Baker

Tran Bui, the networking group’s president, thanked attendees for supporting the group’s ongoing mission to promote female professional relationships and peaked everyone’s interest with the guest speaker’s impressive credentials, which include 33 years of law enforcement experience. Harrison first

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Harrison says there are 13,000 special agents, and the agency’s current number one priority is the prevention of terrorist attacks. “It doesn’t matter what city you’re from, people that commit terrorist attacks have to live somewhere,” Harrison added. While enjoying a light lunch served during Harrison’s

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caught Bui’s attention when she heard the FBI special agent speak at a convention before a roomful of men. Bui joked that she was overwhelmed by Harrison’s track record and hoped all attendees could learn something from a “woman who can hold her own before the opposite sex.” Harrison, dressed in an immaculate navy and white pinstriped suit, took the floor after a heart-felt introduction and shed a little light on what she does as an FBI employee. Not

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presentation, members composed questions for their speaker. Many questions related to the FBI’s local concerns, but one question was priceless: “How do

the course of the evening. By all appearances, that number was far exceeded. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heart Hawkersâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;volunteers in red feather boasâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;facilitated bidding on original pieces by 115 artists, including renowned notables like George Hunt, John McIntire, Veda Reed, Dolph Smith, Mahaffey White, and

My Harrison and Tran Bui

Murray Riss. Riss, a cornerstone of the Memphis arts community, is also integral to this event, having spearheaded the auction for the past 13 years. Some artists worked closely with the wooden heart traditionally provided as inspiration, while others took off in a different direction on the theme of love, or of love lost. John

MARCH 2008

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you hold your own as a woman in the FBI?â&#x20AC;? Harrison laughed and told eager listeners she has held the FBIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record for the amount of weight she squats since 1996â&#x20AC;&#x201D;all 515 pounds. After a newfound appreciation for local law enforcement, Harrison rushed to another meeting, and attendees hurried to make professional connections with Ellen Edgerton, Dorinda Crawford, Niki Brown, Lea Carr, Carol Allen, Donna Staub, Felicia Hartsfield, Kim Terrell, Tricia Miles, Phalishia Eldridge, Wendy Geurin Smith, Jill Baker, Sharon Fleming, Cheryl Shanaghan, Shali Atkinson, Ramisha Turner, Courtney Davis, Debbie Neal, and Donna Austin.

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Works of Heart Valentine Auction and Exhibit Benefiting Memphis Child Advocacy Center The 16th annual Works of Heart Valentine Auction and Exhibit, benefiting the Memphis Child Advocacy Center (CAC), held at Memphis College of Art the weekend before Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, was again a resounding success. The Ted Rust gallery space was packed from the start with art enthusiasts and collectors. Virginia Stallworth, associate director of the CAC, estimated that 400 guests would attend over

full of primitives, antiques, fine art, jewelry, George E. Mabon and Yolandrea Clark

Robinette used the wooden heart as a canvas for one of his highly recognizable evocative and iconic nightscape paintings of a quiet clapboard church under a full constellation. Jon W. Sparks, on the other hand, contributed an audio/video installation ingen-

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iously built into a small red valise and featuring two women companionably and cathartically feeding flowers, love letters, and strawberries into a leaf shredder, all to the tune of a troubled love song by Memphis singer Amy LaVere. Still another eye-catching piece was a chunky, intricatelyworked, heart-shaped locket of copper, sterling silver, amethyst, and rainbow moonstone by jewelry-maker Tootsie Bell.

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Returning to the event were Joe Birch as emcee and Sabine Baltz of Fratelliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, who provided delicious nibbles including tarragon chicken salad in delicate filo cups, olive and artichoke tapinades, and chicken satay with

George E. Mabon, Tracie Burke, Emily Joyner, Maritza Davila, Jackie Sparks-Davila, Karen Mason Riss, Pam Santirojprapai, Deborah Geels, Yolandrea Clark, Karen Scatamacchia, David Brown, Laura Terry, Stan Norwood, Carol DeForest, Lorelei Scatamacchia, Summer Burt, Barbara Standing, Ken Hudson, Gloria Dodds, Sam and Patricia Chafetz, Mary Kay Caldwell, and Beth Holloway. Story and photos by Kelly Cox

Junior League of Memphis Corks, Courses, and Cupid Dinner With Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day only two days prior, the first ever Corks, Courses, and Cupid Dinner thrown by the Junior League of Memphis warmed

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a spicy peanut sauce. North Berkley Imports provided a selection of wines. Works of Heart raises funds for the CAC and highlights its mission to serve children who are victims of sexual and physical abuse through prevention, education, and intervention. Among the many in attendance were Nancy Williams,

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attendeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hearts and appetites. Held at BrontĂŤ restaurant inside Davis-Kidd Booksellers, Junior League members brought their

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few. Junior League president Mary Trotz and president-elect Nora Capwell, who will resume her new role in May, seemed pleased with the turnout and the generosity of their members. Those Junior Leaguers and guests who braved the chilly February night to savor the Corks, Courses, and Cupid Dinner were Maya Ervin, Candice Ivy, Amy Farris, Ross Capwell, Belinda Mandrell, Kelly

Community Cookbook Award winner. Each course that came from Heart and Soul had its respective page number referenced on the menu, providing a simple solution for members to plan a Valentine meal at home. Three wine pairings with dinner added another festive element to the night. Members didn’t leave home empty-handed as goodie bags and door prizes were up for grabs, but the true gift came when Towne announced that the

event had raised more than $300 for the Junior League’s annual fund. This fund goes toward the group’s 15 community projects, such as the Church Health Center, Memphis City Schools, Shelby County Books from Birth, The Salvation Army, and American Red Cross, to name a

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closest friends and significant others to sample recipes from the group’s latest cookbook, Heart and Soul. Flickering candlelight that illuminated warm red walls created quite the appropriate setting for the four-course meal. Three courses, minus Brontë’s own tomato bleu cheese soup, came from the fourth edition of Heart and Soul, which event chair Samantha Towne says is DavisKidd’s top-selling cookbook and also a national Tabasco

Bridgforth, Carrie West, Erin Lee, Kim Turner, Mike and Martha Hess, George David and Emily House, Joe and Karen Kassen, Jeff and Karen Smith, James and Kathy Torode, Mark Towne, Corey Trotz, Kurt and Bonnie Voldeng, Bill and Chey Widdop, Amy Wilhite, Allison Bloodworth, and Kim Bridgforth. The event chair says she hopes to make the dinner a yearly get-together and encouraged all to attend the group’s biggest fundraiser, Crystal Kaleidoscope, on April 5 at Bridges. Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick

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pera supporters tested their exotic fashion ensembles and taste buds for a 16th year at the Opera Memphis Wild Game Dinner. The “Deer to be Wild” spirit abounded as the pickiest eaters broadened their palates with delicacies prepared by Chef Edward Nowakowski all to the taste of raising money for one of the area’s most appreciated art forms. If Sorghum Hill, a Memphis based bluegrass band, didn’t get hunters out of the forest or the savannah, then the laid-back vibe certainly enticed attendees to come to the U of M Holiday Inn. Brooke Newlin, Opera Memphis’ marketing and communications director, says she doesn’t know of any other event of this kind where people can dress however they want and still have fun while contributing to such a highly respected art. Attendees are definitely encouraged to dress festively, which meant lots of camouflage, leopard prints, fur, and suede. Whether dressed as predators or prey, hunger reigned big as a delicious array of wild game hors d’oeuvres were scattered throughout the silent auction. Venison summer sausuage, truffled venison pâté, quail deviled eggs, whole decorated Alaskan salmon with truffle garnish medallions, and duck galantine presented a challenge of which delicacy to sample first. When questioned about the food’s origin, Michael Ching, Opera Memphis’ general and artistic director, boasted that all of the food had been literally hunted and brought in. The dinner menu offered even more exotic fare like broiled wild duck and antelope stew. The action didn’t dwindle after the dinner feast thanks to several exciting live auction items up for the hunt. Opera Memphis even donated two of the goodies, which included a one-hour private performance of opera singers at the winning bidder’s residence and a walk-on role with a line in the 2008 production of “La Traviata.” Chairman Dan Bamrick and honorary chairman Mayor A C Wharton certainly “set their sights on something wild” as the program gave the culturally diverse a unique way to support opera. Stanford Financial also contributed as this year’s event sponsor.

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MARCH 2008

“Deer to be Wild”

OPERA MEMPHIS WILD GAME DINNER

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Opera Memphis Wild Game Dinner

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f Shakespeare’s right and all the world’s a stage where we are the players, then Karen Mason Riss has embraced a role for the ages…that of psychotherapist. A resource in many people’s lives, Riss comfortably found her calling without straying too far from her theatrical experiences, which allowed her to deal with intense feelings. For Riss, the biggest flattery has come from the positive response she’s gotten from her clients (she strays away from referring to clients as patients). She sees roughly eight people daily at the Memphis Center for Wholeness in Midtown, and some even drive as far as three hours to seek her psychotherapy services. Warm earth tones, cool Brazilian and jazz music, and her friendly dog Misha (a pet she rescued) help facilitate a nurturing environment for her client base, but she would say the ambiance stems from something much deeper. “I believe spaces have energies,” Riss offered. “Only healing has taken place here. People walk in and say they feel soothed.” Riss works with clients on an intuitive level and aims to form a collaborative relationship with each. She says that sometimes people’s feelings aren’t congruent with the way they think, so she tries to help them differentiate the two. Her office also offers services by a registered herbalist and an aesthetician, and sometimes a meditation group meets there. She adds that once a cat died under the exact spot where the meditation group convenes because it wanted to spend its final moments near the peaceful atmosphere above—proof of the energy she feels spaces have. A big believer in personal improvement, Riss helps clients heal by working on herself first; she says she aims to be the best human possible in order to be the best therapist or actress. A daily dose of Chinese-inspired meditation and guided imagery does just the trick, and a tapestry blessed by a Buddhist monk doesn’t hurt either. “The way I meditate is compatible to acting because you become aware of how energies flow through the body,” Riss said. “Guided imagery is also a way to communicate with one’s body and internal self.” For a woman who was also the first female employee of Theatre Memphis as its educational director and a ballet manager for the former Ballet South, Riss is very keen at promoting the performing arts. Now, the challenge lies in promoting the art of helping people grow spiritually.

MARCH 2008

GRAND KREWE OF ENNEAD CORONATION

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Grand Krewe of Ennead Coronation “Tour de Paris”

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Llana Smith and Dr. John Rada

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péra Garnier gave guests of the Grand Krewe of Ennead Coronation a glimpse inside the mysterious world of the Phantom of the Opera. The “Tour de Paris” unfolded at the U of M Holiday Inn, where old and new royalty, dignitaries, and visiting royalty embraced the internationally acclaimed musical’s theme. Upon arrival, everyone received a playbill announcing “opening night” acts as well as the fittingly titled executive director, executive producers, the scenery crew, and the cast and “Krewe.” A bountiful fruit and cheese spread complemented cocktails served in the foyer, but a bigger buffet awaited within the opera house’s doors. Everything from mini enchiladas to crab rangoon to sesame fried chicken beckoned a taste test, and mini pastries and strawberry cake added the finishing touch. The performance was ready to begin because the Phantom couldn’t hide any longer. As the “Phantom of the Opera” theme song sounded, executive director Carolyn Mayo announced the old royalty. Llana Smith and Dr. John Rada oversaw the performance as the respective mistress and master of ceremonies, and presented King Ennead XVIII (Charles Crumby), Queen Sahara XVIII (Kathy Jacobs), and the royal court. The king and queen addressed Enneadians and distinguished guests from their plush thrones on stage, which was decorated with dimly lit chandeliers, twinkling white lights, and an opera house backdrop. Queen Sahara gushed, “I hope to continue your legacy.” Dancing and frivolity commenced with King Charles and Queen Kathy taking the floor for their first dance to “La Vie en Rose.” Others followed the rulers’ lead and took their elegantly clad feet to the dance floor. The new royalty included Duchess Joyce Hufford, Duchess Vickie Rivers, Duchess Sandra Hurley, Duchess Nancy Williams, Duke Bob Laurie, Duke J.R. Humphreys, Duke Bill Carwell, and Duke Jim Woods. Mike Beck fulfilled the flagman duties. A night of merrymaking and altruism carried on Carnival Memphis’ tradition of effectively raising money for children’s charities. To date, the Grand Krewe of Ennead has raised more than $175,000 for child-based charities.

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King Charles Crumby and Queen Kathy Jacobs

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Laura Caroline Johnson and David Lusk at UrbanArt Commission 10th Anniversary Party

he Deja New Opening Reception gave art lovers a sneak peek of the new direction the artists at the Artists on Central Gallery are taking. Several of the artists graciously guided attendees through the inspiration behind their latest works, and curator Jane Croy was more than happy to facilitate introductions between gallery newcomers and her beloved artists. The artists who participated in this show include Mary WingerBowman, Kathryn Abernathy, John Sadowski, Greg Bowden, Kenny Hays, John Sosh, Nigel Merrick, M.J. Reeves, and Jeff Corbett. Public art has never been more high profile or more popular in the Bluff City, and the UrbanArt Commission 10th Anniversary Party recognized this monumental accomplishment. The UrbanArt Commission began its three-month-long celebration at the Memphis College of Art, where plans and models of ten temporary public art projects on display throughout the city were featured in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;IInteractions/Interruptions: 10 Years of Public Art in Memphisâ&#x20AC;? exhibition. These pieces were produced by Dan Corson, Anthony Lee, Phillip Andrew Lewis, Greely Myatt, Sanjit Sethi, Tad Lauritzen Wright, Catherine Blackwell, Dwayne Butcher, Chandler Pritchett, and Delbert Sisk. The art scene continued down in the South Main Arts District with The Art of Helping Others Launch at Disciple Gallery. Irish-American artist Dubhghlas showcased some of his paintings at the exhibit as well as a Gibson Epiphone guitar he painted thanks to a donation by Gibson Guitars USA. The Art of Helping Others is dedicated to humanitarian and advocacy organizations that enhance communities worldwide and will donate 33 percent of net proceeds from the exhibit to The ONE Campaign and Memphis Union Mission, which helps men, women, and children who are homeless, addicted, and in crisis.

John Sosh and Greg Bowden at Deja New Opening Reception

Theresa and John Sadowski at Deja New Opening Reception

Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick Kenny Hays and Jane Croy at Deja New Opening Reception

Michele Mann and Dubhghlas with Craig and Cindy Thompson at The Art of Helping Others Launch

Pat Mitchell Worley, Andre Mitchell, Zsofia Nagy and Elizabeth Alley at UrbanArt Commission 10th Anniversary Party

Pamela and Greg Campbell with Patrick and Susan Scholes at The Art of Helping Others Launch

David and Teri Smith at UrbanArt Commission 10th Anniversary Party

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IIDA Winter Social GPAC Season Kick-off An Evening with Frank Deford The Links Incorporated Holiday Cotillion

MARCH 2008

Angie Eckburg, Lori Norton and Andrea Gillespie at IIDA Winter Social

Logan Daniel and Frank Deford at An Evening with Frank Deford

67 Erica Booker and Kai Blackston (front) with Zamyra Lambert (back) at Links Incorporated Holiday Cotillion

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos Submitted and by Leah Fitzpatrick Stephanie and Bryan Sabbe at IIDA Winter Social

Carol Raines and John Vernetti at An Evening with Frank Deford

Melissa Webster, Laura Barse and Jennifer Miller at IIDA Winter Social

Sandy Sillay, Dorothy Steen, Pat McCaleb, Nancy McComas and Margaret Williams at GPAC Season Kick-off

Brian, William and Allison McBride with Mike Stavropoulos at An Evening with Frank Deford

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Danielle Frieson and Kristian Thomas (front) with Amber Coble and Kyerra Brownlee (back) at Links Incorporated Holiday Cotillion

he International Interior Design Association Winter Social offered a trendy meet-n-greet at the Robinson Gallery and Archive in the South Main Arts District. This event also helped generate new members, which wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a hard thing to do with the plethora of appetizers, cocktails, drinks, music, and prizes on hand. The local IIDA chapter strives to provide interior designers with opportunities to gain professional contacts and a competitive edge. The 2008 Germantown Performing Arts Centre Season Kick-off included a reception and a performance of Giselle by the St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre. The epitome of romantic ballet, Giselle attracted more than 900 people who also enjoyed food and refreshments prepared by the Germantown Performing Arts Guild. The Links Incorporated Holiday Cotillion was a special time for 20 debutantes who were introduced in the Grand Ballroom of The Peabody. Link member Dee Griffin of WPTY-TV 24 served as the mistress of ceremonies. The Memphis chapter of The Links Incorporated has reinvested profits from this annual fundraiser to the establishment of a $100,000 permanent endowment fund at LeMoyne-Owen College; $50,000 to the Memphis/Shelby County room in the Benjamin L. Hooks Library; and several thousands to other nonprofit youth and cultural groups. CB Richard Ellis and the Lipscomb and Pitts Breakfast Club hosted An Evening with Frank Deford, an event that gave attendees a rare glimpse inside the private life of the legendary sportswriter, author, and NPR commentator. Deford spoke before a packed crowd at the Crescent Center about his mission to find a cure for cystic fibrosis since his daughter, Alex, lost her fight to the disease in 1980 at age 8. All proceeds from the event, which included a silent auction and signed copies of three of Defordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books, will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Featured Home of Lee and Nancy Chase

Left: The sweeping expanse of the Chases’ living room was designed to create the perfect setting for entertaining.

HOMEST YLE

HOMESTYLE

“M

y husband always wanted to live in the country and he

got his wish!” says designer Nancy Chase of her husband

Lee, a nationally known litigator. After years of living in

a custom home on the pastoral walk of Tuckahoe in East Memphis, the Chases made their dreams come true in the form of a lavish country estate on a small private drive near the eastern extremity of Walnut Grove, intertwining the grandeur of their collaborative design with the peaceful simplicity of nature’s own. Nancy says the library is her favorite room because the large picture windows often invite her to watch the comings and goings of entire families of deer, fox, and an array of birds not found within the city limits like bluebirds, goldfinches, and indigo buntings. She kept the window treatments simple for that reason. “Why move to the country and then cover it up?” she asks. And indeed, her five-bedroom home—all 8,500 square feet of it—fits remarkably well in the rural setting. The Chases chose a continental European feel for the exterior and interior alike, which feels at home amid a forest of oaks and sycamores. To perfect their vision, they brought along a host of friends like architect Charles Shipp and homebuilder Mike Ruble, who also constructed the Chases’ home on Tuckahoe. Twelve years later, the house has been the scene of many a gala affair for which it was designed. “We never have a bottleneck in this house no matter how

69 RSVP

COUNTRY ELEGANCE

MARCH 2008

Below: A hammered metal sunburst illuminates the country charm of the breakfast room.

HOMEST YLE

many people we invite over,” Nancy says with a laugh. The front door opens onto a pool of French limestone tile which ushers guests down a central lane between two parallel living

beyond. Nancy also sees a lot of artistry in her fabric choices. She chose several patterns (“I see my life in fabrics!” she says), many

areas, each complete with a

with a touch of the Far East

marble fireplace and smoky

for the library, and her careful

“antiqued” glass studded with

eye positioned the furniture to

brass buttons. Nancy says mar-

make a progression from one

ble has always been her

piece to the next. For exam-

favorite, so she made her

ple, she cleverly set a tan

home a formal study of it in

chaise lounge next to a tan

all its many forms. The living

and blue floral print armchair

room mantles are done in

next to a dark teal floral print

emperador dark (a rich choco-

sofa. The effect is surprisingly

late). The master bedroom

subtle, but makes for a rich

mantle is composed of rojo

depth inside the room.

corolito (deep rose), and botticcino classico (soft white

is decked with cherished

with pinkish veins and flecks

antiques like majolica plates,

of glass) lines the master bath.

porcelain figures, barley twist

All of the marble in the house

candlesticks, objets d’arte, and

was fashioned by Alexander Brothers of Memphis.

Above: Nancy Chase says she refused to finish the kitchen until she had just the right cabinetry and mosaic tile for the walls.

Though Nancy loves bright colors, she chose neutral tones— from eggshell to warm tans—for the walls to favor the solid features of each room. “You don’t want to take away from the architecture,”

overhead, a magnificent handcarved wooden chandelier with

votive shades hangs from heavy ceiling beams. For the dining room, Nancy found rare, hand-carved

cinnabar screens for the corners and matched them with marble-

she says, though she did

topped sideboards around a

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MARCH 2008

The rest of the library

choose bold wallpaper patterns

circular glass dining table set

for some of the bathrooms.

for nine atop a mahogany

The hardwood floors—red oak

base. Nancy prefers round

in a Chevron pattern laid by

tables to rectangular ones

Tom Garrett—also favor the

because everyone seated can

simple yet artistic light of a

easily talk to one another. The

château in Brittany.

kitchen is the masterwork of

Just beyond the living

Lou Kern’s cabinetry, mosaic

room, the garden room fea-

and slate tile, and a fabulous

tures a gallant view of the

collection of painted pottery

patio and fountain as well as

coats of arms from Siena,

an extraordinary lacquered

Italy. Of course the home of

iron stairwell banister, which was originally set inside The

a designer is never quite fin-

Ritz-Carlton hotel in New

ished, and Nancy says that’s

York. Nancy purchased it from

just how she likes it. “It’s a more like a tapestry,” she

Linda Felts in Midtown’s Palladio, and David Doss of

Above: The Chases spend most of their time at home in the charming, wood-paneled hearth room in the company of their cavalier pup, Bailey.

Twisted Dimensions provided

says. “You keep adding on and tweaking the design, fine tun-

installation. The fountain also is a regal favorite of Nancy’s. A

ing it all the while, but you never quite get it finished.” Some peo-

cupid-like boy riding on the back of a swan aims his bow and arrow

ple say the same about great works of art and also about life.

into the surrounding pool of water. This piece was designed to mimic a fountain at Versailles. Harriet McGeorge, landscape design-

Story by Jonathan Devin

er, takes credit for the emerald lawn and strolling flowerbeds just

Photos by Steve Roberts

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By Dennis Phillippi

TURNING BLUE, GOING GRAY

MARCH 2008

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reetings, people of the future. That’s what you are to me, as I write this it is all the way back in early February. Try to remember what it was like back in my day. Mike Huckabee still has hope. The Phoenix Suns still think spending $20 million dollars a year on a broken down Shaquille O’Neal is a good idea. And, most importantly, the Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team remains undefeated. A couple of days ago, the Tigers beat SMU to go to 22-0. They’ve successfully defended the number one ranking a couple of times now, and most people agree that their only real test before the NCAA tournament is the game against Tennessee. Maybe you don’t remember what it was like back here in the past, but the word that comes to mind is “tense.” This is uncharted territory for the Tigers and their fans. As many of you know the last—and only—time they were ever ranked number one in the country, it lasted for all of six hours. Seriously, ranked number one in the morning, lost that night. Which is exactly what we are accustomed to as Memphis sports fans. Sure the Tigers football team went to a few bowls, and Coach West even managed to accomplish it this year without DeAngelo Williams, but no one is walking around town saying that the football team is on track to being a BCS team. Well, no one without a tinfoil hat. Yes, the Grizzlies had a couple of trips to the play-offs, but they were also impressive doormats each time. Now, of course, the only all-star in Grizzlies history, Pau Gasol, finally got the trade he had been pouting for the last two seasons, and in return the team got a project in Kwame Brown, who was the biggest draft bust before Darko Milicic, who is also currently a Grizzlie. That’s a whole lot of not good, but it’s also a whole lot of what Memphis fans are used to. This thing, this number one in the country for more than a few hours thing, is stressing us all out more than our local weathermen when it might snow. Everywhere you go the same conversation is happening: Can they go undefeated? Can they win the tournament without hitting any free throws? Can they win against a good team that won’t stop playing a zone defense? How does Coach Calipari get his

entire coaching staff to groom their hair exactly like his? These are serious questions. From where I sit, back here in the past, it’s hard to imagine that the Tigers will lose before the NCAAs. The Tennessee game is huge, and it wouldn’t shock the world if the Tigers lost, but there’s something special about this team. I’ve seen the Vols play

T he T i ge rs r are l y p l ay h alf cour t beca use th e t eam, as a w hole , is fast er t ha n a soccer mom late for a na il a ppointme nt an d ha s more moves tha n P ri n ce o n a su g ar hi g h . half a dozen times this year, and while they are good and they hit their free throws, there’s nothing special about them. They are about eight players deep, and those eight players are good, but the Tigers are about 14 players deep, and ten of them could start for almost any team in Division 1. That’s special. The Vols can play half court and have an okay fast break. The Tigers rarely play half court because the team, as a whole, is faster than a soccer mom late for a nail appointment and has more moves than Prince on a sugar high. Again, that’s special. Now, the NCAAs, that’s a different story. That free throw thing is what’s making all of us so tense. Beating UTEP by six, at home, while missing 20 free throws, is not reassuring. Yes, UTEP’s coach, Tony Barbee, was a long time player and assistant to Coach Calipari and therefore knew that a zone would force the Tigers to play half court, which they don’t do very well, and that put them on the line a lot, but other coaches, of better teams, will have seen the tape of that game by the tournament. Miss 20 free throws in the Sweet

Sixteen and you can talk about it on the long flight home the next day. If the Tigers can’t hit free throws and can’t play against the two-three zone they haven’t been able to play against consistently this year, it’s back to Memphis as usual. Unreasonable high hopes punctuated by a heartbreaking loss. But what if? What if this is finally that year when we, Memphis, get a champion? It’s really un-Memphian like to even speculate because it just never happens. The closest thing this city has had to a real winner in decades is Justin Timberlake, and he’s never here and is kind of a sore winner. The Redbirds won the PCL Championship a few years ago, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. They’re not here to win championships; they’re here to make more Cardinals so the Cardinals will win a championship…for St. Louis. The stress is all but unbearable now, and I’m back here in the past, back before Valentine’s Day, when the rest of the country is still busy paying attention to the Spears family and ignoring the Tigers. It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to have the team advance past the Sweet Sixteen. The Final Four would be so intense Memphians would pass out by the score. A Final, much less a Final victory, could kill more Memphians than cholesterol. If the Tigers really are all that’s advertised and win it all, what will we do? We’re ill equipped. There’s no precedent. Let’s assume the city will be able to throw together some kind of parade, but who among us knows how to properly riot? I’ve never turned over a police car. I have no idea what neighborhoods we’re supposed to set on fire. No, I don’t know, but I am willing to learn. If this team can win it all without being able to hit free throws or play against a zone, then the least I can do is manage a little rampaging in the streets. Go, Tigers, Go!

Just like the Memphis Tigers, Dennis Phillippi has done it again…advanced to that pivotal moment of near glory with his finesse and sweet-talking jive. Let’s hope the Tigers’ talent carries the team to victory, so Phillippi can carry out his over-thetop riot with the city’s most emphatic and drunken basketball fans.

RSVPAST

Zoo Memories

MARCH 2008

1 9 68

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isiting the Memphis Zoo for the very first time always produces a smile, however this youngster seems to have a frown and a furrowed brow. She says to pay no attention to her expression because she definitely enjoyed the trip with her parents, Carolyn and Jim Ketchum. PHOTO COURTESY OF CANDI KETCHUM 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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