Each member of the committee submitted up to five candidates. The names of candidates who received at least two votes were then alphabetized, and board members spoke on behalf of their favorite candidates.

Daniel Ward, an MCS deputy superintendent from 2004-2005 and former MCS principal, received the most votes with seven. Robert Schiller, a former state superintendent in Illinois and Michigan, received five.

Some committee members thought Ward's experience with MCS would be a major plus. Ward also has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis.

Fairy Shull, president of the Parent Assembly, said she would prefer to hire a candidate from within MCS. "I think it would send the wrong message to the Executive Leadership Team to hire someone from the outside," she said.

In a written statement, commissioner Betty Mallot said that Ward is "well known and respected by MCS staff and school administrators … [and] highly respected by peers as an area superintendent and as a principal."

Schiller, on the other hand, has never worked with MCS. In addition to his positions in Illinois and Michigan, Schiller was deputy state superintendent in Louisiana and Delaware; district superintendent in five urban and suburban districts in New Jersey, Maryland, and Louisiana; and interim superintendent in Baltimore.

Mallot said, "With [Schiller's] past experience as a consultant, he will know how to use that to his advantage, not his disadvantage, as an outsider."

Likewise, at-large commissioner Wanda Halbert backed Schiller. "Our problems and our challenges are no different from any other school district in the United States," she said.

Commissioner Martavius Jones, the head of the committee, expressed mixed feelings: "I voted for Dr. Schiller, as well. But the concern I have is that he's an outsider, and it would take a while to build the relationships that any superintendent needs."

The board hopes to make a decision as soon as possible so that Superintendent Carol Johnson can train her interim replacement before she leaves for her new job in Boston.

Timberlake performed that song with Andy Samberg on Saturday Night Live before Christmas, and it's nominated for an Emmy for original music and lyrics.

That might seem like it's in bad taste, but the competition includes "Everything Comes Down to Poo" from the musical episode of "Scrubs." Prince's Super Bowl halftime show , which brought its share of controversy over Prince's silhouette, is nominated for special class program.

American Idol is also nominated for several Emmys, as is the Grammys show. Tony Bennett and James Taylor were nominated for their music specials.

"My family thinks I'm ashamed of them because I don't use my real name," he adds, coughing up a chuckle.

Bobo is currently in a tight spot. This week, the lean, bearded troubadour launches I'm Your Man, his long-awaited sophomore recording as a solo artist, released on the local Goner Records label. ...

Read the rest of Chris Davis' Flyer cover story on Memphis' favorite angst-ridden performer, Harlan T. Bobo.

Oh, go read the book. The lines are shorter today. (And check out the photo series for stages of the journey.)

j.b.

Give up?

On Thursday, the five were announced as nominees for a primetime Emmy Award in a category called “Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming.”

Congratulations to the makers of American Idol’s Memphis episode. Maybe the city itself inspired them. And maybe there’s good reason for the other nominees: easy to imagine “an evil thought” on Survivor and easy to picture an “iconic statement” on Project Runway. Plus, we’re glad for the Thomas Family, whose house got extremely made over. But who/what is “Phil, Little Ol’Gorgeous Thing” of The Amazing Race? A possible Emmy winner? Or will it be AI’s “Memphis Auditions”? Find out when the winners of the primetime Emmy Awards are announced mid-September.

For a full list of this year’s Emmy nominees, go here.

The magazine promised to post the entire menu, including pickle-cicles and haystack onion rings, later today.

Check out the post here.

The Hes initially entered Anna Mae into temporary foster care after Shaoqiang -- then a graduate student in the economics department at the University of Memphis -- lost his living stipend following a sexual assault charge. He was acquitted, but the Bakers kept Anna Mae. A local judge gave the Bakers custody of the child, ruling that her parents had abandoned her.

Anna Mae will fully return to her parents at the end of this month, following a court-mandated period of visitation. The Chinese citizens will return to their native country.

Read some of the Flyer's coverage of the story here.

In a telephone interview on Monday, Stevie's stepfather, Terry Hobbs, confirmed that West Memphis police had videotaped an interview with him within the last three weeks. Pam Hobbs, Stevie's mother, also said she had been interviewed by police. The Hobbses are now divorced.

Terry Hobbs, who lives in Bartlett, said police requested the interview with him as a result of recent DNA tests on items found with the bodies. Prior to the police interview, he said, he had been informed of the test results by Ron Lax, a Memphis private investigator.

Terry Hobbs said, "Ron claims that a piece of my hair is in the knots that tied up [victim] Michael Moore. ..."

Read the rest of Mara Leveritt's extensive story from the Arkansas Times.

For 17 years, Wharton (better known as "Sauce Boss") has fed his fans gumbo that he specially prepares during each show.

The Tallahassee, FL-based musician is now set to jam with his band at Blues City Cafe from July 18 to 21 and at Memphis Union Mission July 22.

At his upcoming Memphis performances, Sauce Boss doesn't plan on letting anyone go hungry, especially when it comes to those in need. "We’re all about the food," he says.

Four years ago, Wharton founded Planet Gumbo, a non-profit organization that aims to provide hope and sustenance. Since then, he has performed for and fed homeless shelters nationwide. Wharton explains, "We try to give a message of hope -- and a big pot of gumbo. Food breaks down all barriers and brings people into the kitchen. We bring the kitchen to people, no matter where they are."

Playing blues and cooking gumbo are "one and the same," and only Wharton's special Liquid Summer Hot Sauce rivals his energetic music in spiciness. But for Sauce Boss, "giving back to the communities where we play" is most important.

"I thought I had it really good before I starting doing this. But now that I have a life with service, it's opened up so many avenues," he says. "It's amazing, totally amazing. You’ve got to give to receive, and you receive an awful lot when you give."

--Rachel Stinson

American Idol's 2006 winner Taylor Hicks is set to sign copies of his book, Heart Full of Soul, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 26. The book chronicles the time preceding Hicks’ success on American Idol and explains the motivation behind his emergence as a star in the music industry.

Thanks to Hicks' numerous "Soul Patrol" fans, the singer's self-titled album is a certified platinum bestseller, and he will also sign CDs for customers who have bought books.

Tickets for the signing are required and available with the purchase of Heart Full of Soul. Davis-Kidd is located at 387 N. Perkins.

Here's how it works: Go to the Memphis Shopping Bag website and fill out the grocery order form, specifying brand names and sizes. Someone will go to the store, buy all your groceries, and deliver them to the door. In fact, they'll even put stuff in your 'fridge.

Now, this may sound like a stoner's dream come true, but there's a catch -- you’ve got to order at least 24 hours in advance. So potheads, that mile-long list of junk food may not be so enticing a day later.

Currently, the service is only available in downtown, Harbor Town, and select parts of East Memphis. Memphis Shopping Bag will visit the following stores: The Fresh Market, Wild Oats, Krogers, Schnucks, and Costco.

Tonya Dyson and Soul will provide the entertainment. All you need to provide is your lovely self and some of your lovely friends. Meet some of the Flyer gang and hang out until the rooftop parties start.

Help solve their dilemma by entering the Shelby Farms Park Alliance Buffalo Baby-Naming Contest. Submissions are due this Friday. Staff members and rangers will vote on the selections, and the winner will receive an official Shelby Farms toy buffalo.

For information on how to participate, visit the Shelby Farms Park Alliance website.

Of McCarthy, whose work includes Teenage Tupelo, Superstarlet A.D., among others, writer David Smay declares, "Who needs a grindhouse when you've got the best drive-in director in America living right in Memphis?" and says that Teenage Tupelo is "something weirder than genius."

Smay urges the reader to "dig into" McCarthy's oeuvre. "Do it because you're a horny, deep-fried, hip-wiggling, butter-bean-eating, hairdo fanatic."

Timberlake and childhood friend Trace Ayala are opening a restaurant called Southern Hospitality on Second Avenue on the Upper East Side today. The eatery is a barbecue-and-soul-food joint themed to reflect Timberlake's Memphis roots.

Wonder if they'll serve beefcake.