MLGW Consultant Rotan Lee Dead at 57

Rotan Lee, who became something of a household word in Memphis in 1998 as a consultant on MLGW, died this week of heart failure in Philadelphia. He was 57.

Lee came to Memphis at the invitation of Mayor Willie Herenton, who wanted to explore the possibility of selling publicly-owned MLGW. The study never went anywhere, and Lee soon became a lightning rod for criticism. He was paid $150,000 plus expenses.

Lee was a well-known figure in Philadelphia. He was school board president, newspaper columnist, and radio talk-show host among other things.

“It wasn’t just Lee’s imposing 6-foot-4 stature that made him hard to ignore,” wrote the Philadelphia Inquirer in an editorial Wednesday. “He was one of the most articulate champions of educational achievement for all children that Philadelphia has ever had.”

• by John Branston

Heavy Metal

Inspired by time spent at the National Ornamental Metal Museum, choreographers for ProjectMotion’s Metallurgy: The Properties of Dance have used movement to explore the ideas of alchemy, strength, desire, forging, mining, blasting and — in whimsical honor of the Metal Museum’s annual repair days — bent spoons. For the particulars (when, where, and how much), check out the Flyer’s new searchable online calendar listings here.

Forward Fashion

Move over, Pat Kerr Tigrett. D.I.Y. designers are taking over the Bluff City. Who needs fancy name brands when you can make your own duds with some vintage fabric and a few safety pins?

Light Years Vintage on Cooper is holding an open-call for aspiring designers for their Summer D.I.Y. Fashion Bazaar to be held the second week in June. They’re looking for handbags, reconstructed clothing, screen-printed tees, whatever.

Herd up your Stitch n’ Bitch buddies and get to work fast because the deadline’s May 15th.

For more, go here.

• by John Branston

They Built This City on Rock-n-Roll

First, they were Jefferson Airplane, a hippy-trippy band that sang about Vietnam and free love. But things got all futuristic in the 1980s, and the airplane morphed into a spacecraft. They become known as Jefferson Starship, a pop group specializing in the now-missing art of the power ballad. They’re back, and nothing’s going stop them now. For a hefty sum ($250), you can see them at the Pyramid at a dinner and silent auction to benefit the American Cancer Society on Saturday, April 29th. Not a Starship fan? The money’s for a good cause, and it may be your last chance to see the Pyramid sans stuffed dead animals. For more info, go to the Flyer's searchable online calendar here.

Better than Motown?

When he presented the city budget last week, Mayor Willie Herenton noted that Memphis is in better shape than many big cities, including Detroit. Nearly everything Herenton has proposed to close the budget deficit in Memphis — selling assets, combining offices for efficiency, holding the line or cutting back wages and benefits — is old news in Detroit. Here's how a columnist for the Detroit News explains it.

• by John Branston

Born To Be Mild?

The weather’s nice, so what better way to zip around the city on a Vespa scooter. But why stop at one? After all, they come in so many cool colors. So why don’t you buy a whole fleet of scooters? In fact, why don’t you just buy a whole Vespa scooter STORE?

You can now. The Memphis Scooters Vespa dealership on Poplar at Humes is now for sale on eBay, and the price is a bargain — just $159,000. “With gas prices at all-time highs, the business can’t help but expand,” claims the seller, who is relocating.

The buyer gets the building, scooters, parts, displays, clothing, TV monitors, and more.

Check it out, and bid now, on eBay here.

• by John Branston

Taking Us for a Ride

Is the Mid-South Fair trying to sell historic city property?

• by Ben Popper

Naked Etiquette

It’s about that time of year to start vacation planning. Which summer hot spot will be your destination? Just in case a nude beach lands on your radar, writer Alan Goldsher offers up the dos and don’ts for fun in the sun, au natural.

• by John Branston

Bringing Home the Green

Flyer wins two Green Eyeshade awards.

30 x 3

To celebrate its 30 anniversary, the Dixon Gallery & Gardens is admitting visitors free on the 30th of each month this year. This 30th is particularly special, however, because today is the opening of a pair of exhibits celebrating two other Memphis institutions celebrating their 30ths: Memphis magazine and Memphis In May. The Memphis exhibit features magazine covers that chronicle 30 years of life in Memphis, while the Memphis in May show is a display of 30 years of the event’s posters. For more information, go the Flyer’s online calendar, here.

Al Green is Playing B.B. King’s!

Unfortunately, it’s the B.B.’s in New York City in November. Can’t get to The Big Apple? You can see the Rev. at the Hollywood Bowl, should California be on your destination list this summer. If you do, pass along a message: Al, come back and entertain your homies! Check out Green’s official site for more tour dates.

• by John Branston

The Cheat Sheet

• by Michael Finger

A Titanic Day

Members of the Tennessee Titans football team, as well as its coaches, cheerleaders, and mascot T-Rac, will be in Memphis today [Tuesday, May 2] at Cummings Elementary School. The visit is part of a 12-day, 4,000-mile trek across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama by the Titans Caravan IX to kick-off the 2006 season. The caravan will arrive at Cummings for a school assembly — entitled “Titans Rule: Awesome Choices” — then stay for a “Join the Teamwork Party” open to the public.

Awesome choices, huh? Maybe Adam “Pacman” Jones will be there

• by John Branston

K-Fed Disses JT

Yo, yo, yo. Dig it. Britney Spears' latest soon-to-be-ex-husband Kevin Federline went on an LA hip-hop station and said he could whip Memphis homeboy (and former Britney love object) Justin Timberlake. No word yet from JT, but we're expecting a throwdown any day now. Listen to the inanity here.

• by John Branston

Meet the Mayors

• by Mary Cashiola

The Big Sweep

After round one of Election 2006, there will be a brand-new Shelby County Commission. Guaranteed.

• by Jackson Baker

Think Pink

The hopeful, multicultural, film-noir-ish, Mancini-inspired Pink Martini.

• by Andria Lisle

We’re No. 50!

Memphis ranked last in a study by the Tenneseee Center for Policy Research in comparing the state’s 50 largest cities in four areas: community allure, minimal/local business tax burden, workforce skill/value, and strategic location business amenities. At or near the top in all categories were such metropoli as Farragut, Mount Juliet, Maryville, and Franklin. Nashville finished at 15th, Knoxville 34th, and Chattanooga 38th. Read more about it here.

Graffiti Buster

It’s not exactly biotech, but an announcement by the Memphis-based Markee company last month could have lasting repercussions. Or more accurately, not-so-lasting repercussions. The company introduced its Dry Erase paint, a clear coating substance that makes walls dry-eraseable. We’re thinking maybe Graceland — especially with its new National Historic Landmark status — should invest in a few cans.

• by John Branston

Private Party

Drinking Liberally demonstrates against sex-toy bans

• by Bianca Phillips

His Way

Down memory lane with Merv Griffin.

• by Tom Shales

Bring On the Pancakes!

Because Memphis needs more late-night, early-morning, post-party breakfast places, the International House of Pancakes franchise plans to open three more of the restaurants in the Memphis area. We welcome more IHOPs, but no matter how many Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruities we have, nothing can replace Howard’s donuts. Read more about it here.

Dress for Success

Elvis’ former home isn’t the only kingly purchase you can make on e-bay. Item #8410316830 is a vintage gold lame jacket that’s almost identical to the one designed as part of Elvis’ famous $10,000 suit. Like Elvis’ jacket, which was cut into thousands of pieces and given away with his four-record box set Elvis: The Other Sides, Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors, who were famous for outfitting the Western movie stars and honky-tonk heroes of the 1950s and ’60s, created this metallic beauty.

Paper Trade

Commercial Appeal hires a new attorney.

• by Chris Davis

Intelligent Design Talk at U of M

Tonight, the University of Memphis hosts mathematician and philosopher William Dembski, who will give a lecture titled “The Scientific Status of Intelligent Design.” Dembski’s support of Intelligent Design and affiliation with the Discovery Institute has made him a controversial figure. The lecture will be at 7 p.m. in the Michael Rose Theatre.

In more evolution news, is it just happenstance that Dembski’s visit coincides with the opening of Theatre Memphis’ run of Inherit the Wind? Read Flyer staff writer Chris Davis’ take here.

Showerin' in Memphis

From our secret vice — Google Video — comes this soapy rendition of "Walkin' in Memphis." Don't say we didn't warn you.

• by John Branston

We've Got Mail

Send not to ask for whom the spam comes/ It comes for thee, political media

• by Jackson Baker

Inconvenient

A new movie by Al Gore is not boring.

• by Richard Cohen

May 2nd Election Results

• by Jackson Baker

Delayed Verdict

With Ford and Roland both out for now, the County Commission hedges on a District 29 senator.

• by Jackson Baker

He Also Favors Baseball and Apple Pie

U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. announced today he supports a resolution in the Senate calling for the singing of the National Anthem in English. "The National Anthem should not be lost in translation," Ford said in a Monday press release. "Our Anthem describes more than ideas. It details what Francis Scott Key saw on a night in our history when our very freedom hung in the balance. The words, the phrases, the expressions — they all count for something irreplaceable."

Like votes?

Ford continued: "Freedom and liberty are the same in every language. But we sing our nation's Anthem in the language of our historic common understanding and language of Francis Scott Key. We sing it in English."

O, puede usted ver por el bullshit temprano del amanacer?

• by Flyer Staff

Delayed Verdict

With Ford and Roland both out for now, the County Commission hedges on a District 29 senator.

• by Jackson Baker

Political Squeeze Plays

"Plots, true or false, are necessary things/to raise up commonwealths, and ruin kings." -- John Dryden

• by Jackson Baker

May 2 Election Results

• by Jackson Baker

The May 2nd Election Results

What hath Shelby Countians wrought? Well, a brand-new county commission, for one thing, with eight of the 13 commissioners to be newcomers. Question: Can Henri Brooks and Wyatt Bunker co-exist? What will he do if she won’t stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? (The question could be moot if Republican Novella Smith Arnold -- here with the GOP's George Flinn -- pulls an upset over Democrat Brooks in the August general election.) See who won and why for the commission and in the other countywide primary races as well by going here.

• by Flyer Staff

POLITICS: We've Got Mail

Send not to ask for whom the spam comes/ It comes for thee, political media.

• by Jackson Baker

Coming When?

Some months ago, when relatively unknown 9th District congressional candidate Nikki Tinker first put her campaign Web site up, skeptics noted with some amusement that her section on issues was annotated simply: Under Construction. That was then, this is now, and Tinker has long since supplied an elaborate set of positions on that portion of her site. But guess who hasn’t, some two years after the beginning of his senatorial campaign. Hint: Some of the categories on this candidate’s site are “Campaign Photos,” “About Harold," and “Harold and Me.” The link that says “Harold on the Issues,” however, leads only to a blank page with the two words, Coming Soon. Any advice you can share, Nikki?

• by Jackson Baker

Homeboy Naifeh

Last week, the Scientology-loving, former South Park chef Isaac Hayes dined on raccoon meat at House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh’s annual “Coon Supper” in Covington.

At the annual political schmoozefest, Tipton county native Hayes greeted Naifeh as his “homeboy.” Hmmm….we see a rap album in Naifeh’s future. Could Homeboy Naifeh be the next Crunchy Blac?

And what’s with the “coon supper”? Apparently, it’s been going on every year since 1945, but doesn’t that seem a bit Confederate South? Come on, it’s 2006. Let’s get a little more sophisticated. Like say sushi?

• by Chris Davis

FROM MY SEAT: Songs and Players

'Name That Tune' for the All-Stars

• by Frank Murtaugh

“You Da’ Man!”

With his Golf Channel reality show and his legions of screaming, beer-drinkin’ fans, “Long” John Daly is arguably the most popular golfer on the PGA tour. On Monday, his status will become legendary when he releases his autobiography, “My Life in and out of the Rough: The Truth Behind All That Bull**** You Think You Know About Me.” We smell a National Book Award, John. An excerpt:

‘“I'm off those ... medications. I don't drink JD [Jack Daniel's] anymore. I don't beat up on hotel rooms and cars as much. Only gambling remains a problem,’ he wrote.”

Gambling? Drinking? Who knew? Daly goes on to claim he’s lost more than $50 to $60 million from his casino love. Here’s an ESPN article on the book. If you gotta have the book, you can pre-order from Amazon here.

• by John Branston

Cardinals Minor-League Report

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch takes a periodic look at the St. Louis Cardinals’ farm system. In this week’s report, Goold examines current Redbird outfielder, Shaun Boyd. Read it here.

The Levels of Losing

The Monkey Wrench. The Alpha Dog. The Stomach Punch. All are names for ways to lose. Chris Herrington, the Flyer's Grizzlies writer, takes a scenic trip down Loser Boulevard at the Grizzlies Blog, here.

• by John Branston

Top-Ranked (Well, Almost)

If you’re among the boxing fans already counting the days to the June 17th showdown between Jermain Taylor and Winky Wright at FedExForum, you’ll be happy to see where SI.com’s Richard O’Brien has Wright on his list of the top 10 fighters, pound-for-pound, in the world.

• by John Branston

Number 20 at Number 27

You have to wonder if the Carolina Panthers fully realize the gem they found near the end of the first round in Saturday’s NFL draft. However much talent DeAngelo Williams may bring coach John Fox’s squad, the Carolina locker room has already gained a notch in class. Read the Panthers’ first Q & A with DeAngelo here.

• by John Branston

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

This is the quandary of many a college basketball star these days. Earlier this week, the University of Memphis lost a pair of underclassmen when guard Darius Washington (a sophomore) and forward Shawne Williams (the 2005-06 Conference USA Freshman of the Year) declared themselves eligible for the 2006 NBA Draft (the players have until June 18th to change their mind). Read what SI.com’s B.J. Schecter has to say about the players who need more college seasoning, and those who don’t.

• by John Branston

Sixth Sense

Grizzlies guard Mike Miller won the NBA's Sixth Man Award on Friday. Miller led the NBA in scoring off the bench this season, averaging 13.7 points. He ranked second in scoring for the Grizzlies and was second in rebounding with a 5.4 average. He also tied for third in assists.

Miller started last year but had no problem playing a backup role as the team adjusted to roster changes, Grizzlies president Jerry West said. Read more about it here.

• by John Branston

Gostkowski a Patriot

The top scorer in University of Memphis football history, Stephen Gostkowski, was one of only two placekickers selected in the 2006 NFL draft. His challenge now? Merely to replace Adam Vinitieri, a man who won two Super Bowls with his foot for the New England Patriots. Read all about it here.

• by John Branston

Scopes of Our Imagination

Is the evolutionary drama Inherit the Wind still controversial?

• by Chris Davis

Tragedy Revisited

United 93 remembers 9/11 with gripping immediacy.

• by Ben Popper

Steve Buscemi's dark indie treads familiar territory.

• by Ben Popper

Southern Neighbors

How does Memphis stack up against the majors and the minors?

• by John Branston

A Welcome Addition

• by Flyer Staff

Fresh Thinking

A health-care proposal in Massachusetts aims to reverse a troubling trend.

• by Robert B. Reich