Staff writers for the Memphis Flyer brought home four writing awards, presented earlier this month during the 13th annual Altweekly Awards competition in Philadelphia. The national awards, hosted by the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, were administered by the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. The Flyer winners were: • Chris Davis — Second place […]
Posted inNews, The Fly-By
What They Said
About college radio, one of the “Bright Ideas” for Memphis, compiled by Mary Cashiola: “I love WEVL, but it is NOT a college-radio format. You could only think so if you’ve never heard an authentic college-radio station. Which is a forgivable mistake to make, because you live in Memphis, which doesn’t have one.” — YaYa’s Papa […]
Posted inEditorial, Opinion
Mayoral Hauteur
Whatever accommodations may ultimately be reached between Mayor Herenton and the City Council on matters of funding and reorganization of the schools, or between the council and the school board, or between all of the above and state government, we are going to chance this categorical judgment: The mayor’s plan for assuming control of local […]
Posted inFilm Features, Film/TV
“Incredible Hulk”: Let’s Hear It for Anger!
They made a movie a few years ago that’ll serve just fine as a litmus test for how you’re going to feel about this summer’s next big release, The Incredible Hulk. The litmus film: 2003’s Hulk. A commercial and critical disappointment, Hulk ’03 has now been dealt the ultimate ignominy: It’s been rebooted…
Posted inNews, News Feature
Bright Ideas: Memphis Currency, Homeless Meter
For the Flyer‘s “Bright Ideas” issue, we asked nine Memphians this question: If you were given carte blanche to make whatever changes in Memphis you thought were needed, what would you do?
Up next is Divine Mafa, the owner of a clothing store in South Main, who has some unique ideas about Memphis printing its own currency and “homeless meters”…
Posted inNews
Bright Ideas for Memphis: College Radio
For the Flyer‘s “Bright Ideas” issue, we asked nine Memphians this question: If you were given carte blanche to make whatever changes in Memphis you thought were needed, what would you do?
First up is local blogger and Internet radio host Rachel Hurley, who has a thought or two on college radio….
Posted inNews
School Board Hires Miami’s Cash — Maybe
Dr. Kriner Cash, chief of accountability for Miami/Dade County Schools, was offered the job
of superintendent of Memphis City Schools after the school board voted in his favor 9-0 in a brief meeting Tuesday. Cash accepted via conference call, but, pending completion of negotiations, he may still visit Cincinnati on Wednesday to check out a possible offer there.
Posted inNews
Ask Vance: Goat Testicles and Erectile Disfunction!
I wonder what it is about Memphis that makes our city such a magnet for colorful characters. One of the most intriguing gentlemen in American history wasn’t born here, but he dwelled here for several years and today lies buried in Forest Hill Cemetery.
His name was Dr. John R. Brinkley, and he gained fame around the world as the “Goat Gland Doctor.” He’s also the subject of an amazing book by Pope Brock called Charlatan, subtitled “America’s Most Dangerous Huckster, The Man Who Pursued Him, and the Age of Flimflam” …
Posted inFood & Wine, Food & Drink
Blue Monkey Downtown Open: What Took So Long?
If you’re wondering why it took so long to reopen the downtown Blue Monkey after it burned down in 2005, consider this: How would you recreate the charm and character of an historic building in a commercial strip mall first built as a garage for buses?
Factor in run-away construction costs and do-it-yourself remodeling, and you’ll understand why Mike Johnson talks about his newest restaurant with gratitude and a touch of disbelief…
Posted inFood & Wine, Food & Drink
The Locavore Experiment
No chocolate. No bananas. No beer. Not a single orange or a slice of bread. And worst of all, no cookies. At the start of my local-food eating challenge, I’m focusing on the have-nots rather than the haves.
For one week, I will only eat foods grown within a three-hour drive of Memphis. I will be a “locavore” ….
Posted inFood & Wine, Food & Drink
“Ultimate Beer Lover” Booksigning Saturday
People have been imbibing brewskies since the beginning of time, it seems. “The Golden Rock Star,” as John Schlimm calls it, is said to be the world’s oldest and most popular alcoholic beverage. And what better to enhance a beer buzz than beer-infused food? Schlimm is the author of The Ultimate Beer Lover’s Cookbook, which features more than 400 food and drink recipes — from appetizers to desserts to a party drink guide — all including beer.
Schlimm, who’ll be Harrah’s Tunica for booksigning on Saturday at 5 p.m., recently spoke with the Flyer. Among other things, he says it’s ok to have beer all day, starting with breakfast. …
Posted inNews
Sisterhood Showcase This Weekend
“Come on,” says Tina Birchett. Birchett, publisher of the local African-American women’s magazine Grace, is issuing an invitation to this weekend’s Sisterhood Showcase at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. This huge, annual two-day event draws more than 25,000 participants and features fashion shows, cooking demos, live music, health screenings, and more. Among the celebrity guests appearing this year are Chef G. Garvin of TV One’s Turn Up the Heat, gospel star Yolanda Adams, and bestselling author Kimberia Lawson Roby.
Birchett, who works on the event year-round, recently took a break to talk about the showcase….