- Issue Archive for
- Jul 6-12, 2006
- Vol. 1, No. 906
News
Volunteering for Love
Is romance in the STARs?
Happy Anniversary, Rock-and-Roll!
On July 6th, 1954, Elvis Presley recorded “That’s All Right (Mama)” at Sam Phillips’ Sun Records, marking the moment that many consider to be the definable beginning of rock-and-roll.
Wondering what to get rock-and-roll for its 52nd anniversary? While there’s not a traditional anniversary gift for the 52nd year, might we suggest black leather, blue suede, or gold eyewear? — Greg Akers
On the Move
Bantaba Dance Company, a 25-member dance-and-percussion troupe that performs traditional African pieces, presents its second annual Village Heritage Concert tonight and tomorrow night.
Read all about it in this week’s Flyer. And get event details by going to the searchable online calendar.
Bomar in the Barnyard
Memphis Musician/producer Scott Bomar is back in the studio, this time to mix the song “Kick It” with engineer John Hampton at Memphis’ Ardent Studios. As reported by Mixonline.com, the song will be featured in the upcoming animated flick, Barnyard, with vocal performances by Kevin James, Danny Glover, Sam Elliott, and Courteney Cox. Bomar was music supervisor for the Memphis-made Academy Award winning film Hustle & Flow and fronts the Bo-Keys, who perform the song for the film. Barnyard is currently scheduled for an August 4th, 2006 release. For more details, go to Mixonline.com.
On the Fly
Home Waters Expo introduces fly fishing to Mid-Southerners.
Will the Defendant Please Rise ...
The good folks over at WREC Radio 600 AM can rest easy today. Their, er, biggest star, Rush Limbaugh, will not be doing hard time for his recent customs bust for illegal possession of Viagra. El Rushbo had taken Pfizer's Pfinest with him to the Dominican Republic — for what reasons, we can only surmise, since he vacationed alone. It's a visual we don't need, at any rate.
For another Memphis take on America's Biggest Blowhard, visit the Pesky Fly and listen to Neighborhood Texture Jam's lovely ditty, "Rush Limbaugh, Evil Blimp."
Under A Memphis Moon?
It’s really a darn shame. Buttsacrossamerica.com doesn’t have any Memphis booty. People have gotten cheeky in New Orleans, St. Louis, and Charlotte, North Carolina, but no one’s dropped trou for Memphis. Which you know is a lie if you’ve ever driven on Vance. So, someone, please, snap a picture. Especially if you’re near the Graceland wall.
When Nashville Attacks
Just look at what living in Nashville has done to poor Nicole Kidman. Here she is last week on her way to the gym. It’s only been about two weeks since the Cold Mountain star married Nashville resident — and singer — Keith Urban. Well, at least she gets to hang out with LeAnn Rimes.
Wanna see more?
Out of Time
City Council proposes toughened curfew laws; mayors try prayer.
Season's Readings
It’s hot outside, but the books featured in this week’s Summer Literary Guide are cool.
Crump Stadium Demolition Costs Draw Concern
Crump Stadium was demolished last month, but the federal funds that the City thought were going to pay for it turned out to be unavailable, setting off a search for new funding.
Robert Lipscomb, the city’s chief financial officer, told City Council members Tuesday that there is nothing to worry about because another pot of money was available to pay the $975,000 bill. The construction of a sportsplex on the old stadium site behind Central High School is considered part of a general neighborhood improvement that includes demolition of the old Coach and Four motel ...
Q&A: Laura Kaplan and Katie Camille Friedman
Presidential Scholars
Tom Waits is Coming to Memphis
The cult-fave songwriter, hipster god, and pretty fine actor will play The Orpheum Friday, August 4th, as reported by PitchforkMedia.com and confirmed to the Flyer by an Orpheum representative. “We need to go to Tennessee to pick up some fireworks,” Waits says in a press release to explain the Southern leg of his tour. Waits will play Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium the next night. We got him first. Take that, Nashville! Read more here. — Chris Herrington
It’s Plausible
So, in addition to the mad photo-op created by two heads of state visiting Graceland, it seems Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi and President Bush caused an international incident key in leading to North Korea’s test launch of missiles earlier this week. That’s the theory — which also involves Chinese President Hu Jintao and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il — put forth by BBC’s Matt Frei. Read more about this jungle room of international relations on the BBC site. — Greg Akers
Hackett CEO of CMOM
Former Memphis mayor Richard “Dick” Hackett has been named CEO of The Children’s Museum of Memphis (CMOM).
I See Dead People Voting
Joe Dante's Homecoming is being released on DVD Tuesday. The political satire's plot involves people coming back from the dead to vote. Now why does that sound familiar?
“Taking Back the Streets” ... Oh, and Our Offices, Too.
The Memphis Police Department’s Blue Crush office was burglarized three times in one weekend in late June.
Blue Crush is the nickname for the MPD task force focused on “Taking Back the Streets” from criminals, as its posters proclaim. But the criminals were not deterred when they stole computers and other equipment from Blue Crush’s fourth-floor office at 600 Jefferson, which is within shouting distance of Juvenile Court and the Memphis Police Association’s headquarters.
Police Director Larry Godwin confirmed the rash of burglaries, but told the Flyer Tuesday “we have it under control now.” The building is surrounded by a stout fence and a gate topped with barbed wire, and the front doors are locked and require a pass code or attendant.
Not Our Fault Says PBA
The Public Building Authority says it is not to blame for any problems or possible illegalities with the FedEx Forum.
The PBA issued this statement Monday in the wake of a City Council request for a federal investigation of the parking garage at the arena that was supposed to be an intermodal bus terminal but is actually a for-profit garage run by the Grizzlies.
“The PBA is confident it properly fulfilled its responsibilities, delegated to it by the City and County.
The FedEx Forum project was completed August of 2004. Having completed its duties, the PBA sumitted all records to the City of Memphis many months ago. These public records have been and are currently available for any inspection. ...
Memphis' Sister Cities
Looking for a vacation destination this summer? Forget the Florida beaches, or the Ozark mountains, or even the Tunica casinos. No, we suggest you pay a visit to the official “sister cities” of Memphis — and we don’t mean West Memphis or Nashville.
According to Sister Cities International, Memphis has been paired with two communities on the western coast of Africa: the town of Kanifing in Gambia, and the larger city of Koalack in Senegal.
Sister Cities links communities that “have similar demographic and other characteristics.” So why Kanifing and Koalack? Well ...
Season's Readings
From a terrorist's plot to a pedant's revolt, a Flyer guide to the books of summer.
It Takes a Village
The Bantaba Dance Company presents its Village Heritage Concert.
Elvis: King of Comedy?
There was more to Elvis than talent and charming looks. Elvis was also quite the trickster, according to a soon-to-be-released book by Memphis Mafia member Jerry Schilling.
In Me and a Guy Named Elvis, which hits stores later next month, Schilling reveals the King’s jokester side. Like the time he dropped his pants for Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones or the time he pretended to clobber a guy with a cane for his lousy singing (which actually doesn’t sound all that funny to us).
Just in time for Death Week, the book promises Elvis fans a look into the funny side of the King. — Bianca Phillips
SexyBack Is Here
The long-awaited new Justin Timberlake single is here. To quote the aol.com music news blog: The track opens with a stern assertion: "I'm bringing sexy back," Timberlake states in a voice so laden with effects it's almost unrecognizable. Enter hip-hop heavyweight Timbaland, who instructs ladies to "Get your sexy on."
Fed Report Reveals Heads Likely to Roll
The Flyer has learned from sources that a federal investigation of the phony parking garage/bus terminal was underway at least two weeks ago, well before City Council members called for an investigation and Wednesday’s subsequent announcement that the FBI was looking into the matter. Heads are likely to roll in local, state, and federal government, and indictments are quite possible. A strongly worded federal report released weeks ago gets a second look in next week’s Memphis Flyer, and we tell you who dropped the ball. (For rest of story, go to "Political Beat".
Does Cameron Know About This?
"My parties are a mix of celebrities and beautiful people. Because of our invitation policy we have a higher number of beautiful people than any other party in the world."
So says Playboy geezer Hugh Hefner about the parties at his mansion. And who is one of the most regular guests? According to Hef, it's Memphis' popstar homeboy Justin Timberlake.
The 80-year perv added: "If you can't pull here, you're in big trouble. The girls come here to have fun and get lucky. They leave their games at the gate." To read more about JT's Playboy lifestyle, go here. The 80-year-old millionaire has also revealed he always insures his male guests leave fully satisfied.
Tom Cruise Is Not Amused ... And Neither is Isaac Hayes
A Los Angeles TV station reports that the "South Park" episode that poked fun of Tom Cruise and Scientology has apparently impressed voters at the Television Academy.
One of the Emmy nominees for Best Animated Program is the episode of "South Park" that angered Tom Cruise and Isaac Hayes. ...
Snap To It
Participants in this year’s Stax Summer Music Camp salute Soulsville, USA, the area that was the stomping grounds of artists such as Al Green, Memphis Minnie, Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire, Aretha Franklin, and many others. The kids will dance, sing, play instruments, and more. To get more info on the event, check out the Flyer's searchable online calendar.
Pro-Parking
Evergreen residents work out problems with a nearby abortion clinic.
Did Ya Hear the One About Harold Ford Walking Into a Diner...
"Democrat Harold Ford Jr. loves to tell the story about his unscheduled campaign stop at the Little Rebel Drive-In in Jackson, where Confederate flag bumper stickers are standard in the parking lot. ..."
Yes, Senatorial candidate Ford loves to tell that story — almost as much as the national media love to report it, over and over again. For the latest retelling and a flattering, if not exactly fresh take on Ford, check out Fox News. — Bruce VanWyngarden
We Recommend
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We Recommend
July 6-12, 2006
Music
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A Real Go(o)d Time
Danielson is not your typical Christian-rock band.
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When Amy LaVere Met John Entwhistle
The current issue of Bass Player magazine has a nice full-page profile of Memphis’ own Amy LaVere. In addition to offering a quick look at the remarkable career of this singer and stand-up-bass artist — which includes stints with the Gabe and Amy Show, her just-released solo album This World Is Not My Home, and even a small role in the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line — the article recounts the time that LaVere met John Entwistle, famed bass player for The Who, when he was paying a visit to Memphis several years ago.
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A Real Go(o)d Time
Danielson is not your typical Christian-rock band. They play tonight at the Hi-Tone. Read all about it in this week's Flyer.
Politics
Three from the GOP
Underdogs all, several Republicans seek the 9th District nomination.
Look On This and Despair, Jihadist Devils!
Ed Bryant, the former congressman who is now making his second try for the U.S. Senate, promises to be nothing if not resourceful. No position papers or ten-point plans for Bryant, who has two opponents in the August 3rd Republican primary and hopes to take on Democrat Harold Ford Jr. this fall. No, Bryant has big plans that can be simply stated. In the climactic words of a TV spot that began running last week: “Ed Bryant will secure our borders. And win the War on Terror” ...
Tall Texan Tells Not-So-Tall Tales
A large crowd of Memphians, invited under the auspices of the Stratford Financial Group and U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr., turned out Tuesday at The Majestic restaurant downtown for a book-reading and signing by former Texas Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes (right, here with former president Lyndon Johnson in the early '70s). Barnes, who was on the scene as all kinds of historical deals went down, related such circumstances as his involvement in getting one George W. Bush a bypass of Vietnam via a berth in the Texas National Guard. (To read more, go to "Political Beat".
CITY BEAT: Flagrant Foul
Here’s who dropped the ball in the FedExForum garage “misrepresentation.”
Democrats Object and Overrule on Judicial Choices
At a lengthy and boisterous meeting at the IBEW Union Hall Thursday night, members of the Shelby County Democratic Committee overturned several recommendations for judicial endorsements submitted by a party screening committee. But that wasn’t the half of it: The party’s innate fault line was laid bare for all to see.. Yes, the meeting was a non-stop ruckus. Yes, there were catcalls, interruptions, and enough tortuous repetition of already covered procedural points to be considered cruel and unusual at Guantanamo. But there was method to the madness. (For the complete story, go to "Political Beat".)
Sports
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star!
Last week, the Redbirds’ Josh Kinney was named to the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game. A couple of days later, though, Kinney earned his first promotion to St. Louis. Kinney’s replacement for the Pacific Coast League squad, Brian Falkenborg, declined an invitation to the game. All of which means a third Memphis relief pitcher — Andy Cavazos — will suit up for next week’s All-Star bash in Toledo, Ohio. ...
No Time for Soccer
It has been noted ad nauseam that Americans just haven’t been all that into this year’s (or any year’s) World Cup soccer tournament, currently being held in Germany.
Reuters has piled on now too, deriding American soccer interest, claiming that, “whereas spontaneous soccer breaks out on Rio and Cape Town beaches … you will not see youngsters kicking around a ball on the streets of Philadelphia or Memphis.”
Oh, and we suppose it was something other than our city’s rampaging soccer hooligans that tore down Crump Stadium last week?
The Big Dance Is Coming to Memphis
The Memphis Business Journal is reporting that the FedExForum (and Memphis, obviously) will host NCAA regional tournaments in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, Memphis will join Boston, Indianapolis, and Glendale (AZ); in 2010, other regional host cities will be Sacramento, Dayton, and Kansas City.
If Coach Calipari sticks around (and keeps winning) his Memphis Tigers could be playing at home for a couple of years. Not a bad deal for the university, and potential big bucks for Memphis. Sounds like a win-win to us. Read the Biz Journal story here.
Griz Open Summer Practice
The Grizzlies held their first summer practice yesterday, welcoming rookies Kyle Lowry (pictured) and Alexander Johnson to a summer-league team that also includes second-year players Hakim Warrick, Lawrence Roberts, and Anthony Roberson. For a report from yesterday's practice and other Grizzlies-related notes, see Beyond the Arc, the Flyer’s Grizzlies blog. — Chris Herrington
Where's John?
John Calipari, that is. Turns out the U of M's basketball coach is in his hometown of Pittsburgh for this week's major-league baseball All-Star Game at Heinz Field.
Joining Calipari for various parties and festivities were (among many) Franco Harris, Curtis Martin, Manny Sanguillen, Rocky Bleier and other stars of the Pittsburgh sports firmament. Go to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Web site for more dish.
Dick Vitale on Darius Washington: Sad Story
"Reflecting back on last week's NBA draft, there was one sad story."
And what story was that? According to ESPN analyst Dickie Vitale, it was the saga of the U of M's Darius Washington.
"Every year we have a story like this, where youngsters listen to the wrong advice from individuals who fill their head with visions of grandeur. ..."
Read Vitale's article for a sobering take on D-Wash's not-so-bright future prospects.
Film
Nerd Paradise
It's a conference room in Connecticut in crossword-puzzle doc Wordplay.
Opinion
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Letter from the Editor
Two weeks ago, I took a boat ride to the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor ...
"I love this country."
A sham-wedding planner nabbed by the terrorism task force is sentenced.
A Real Crime Fix
Our children deserve a public-safety solution that works; here's a suggestion.
Food & Wine
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Memphis: Home of the Blues ... and Tater Tots?
The folks at Jaunted, a “pop culture travel guide“ Web site, blogged this week from our fair city, taking in a show at the Hi-Tone and taste-testing various barbecue joints, all the while giving their readers (questionable) lessons on local barbecue lore.
We’re most curious about their Wednesday entry, a stirring analysis of a delicacy we clearly take for granted, the Sonic tater tot. ...
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