Le Bonheur Teen Council/Madison Hotel

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

December 11, 2009

The Teen Advisory Board for Le Bonheur Children's Hospital spent a recent evening painting ornaments for the Christmas tree at the Madison Hotel.

The advisory board is a panel of current and past patients, their siblings and some teens who have no connection to Le Bonheur, to help guide the hospital on the wants and needs of the hospital's patients.

"We want them to have as much ownership in this as possible, we want them to be able to say 'This is what we think is important,'" said Thomas Hobson, director of Childlife Services.

Childlife Services is a clinical program that uses play to help children adjust to the hospital setting. The Teen Advisory Board is facilitated by Childlife Services ... (read more)

Political scientist is always up for debate

My Profession profile for The Commercial Appeal

December 10, 2009

There is no debating that the Rhodes College mock trial team is one of the best of its kind in the country.

The team holds the record for most consecutive Final 48 (that's mock trial's equivalent to the Final Four) appearances at 23 straight years.

At the helm of this team for exactly that many years is political science professor Dr. Marcus Pohlmann.

Originally from Davenport, Iowa, Pohlmann did his undergraduate work at Cornell College and graduate work at Columbia University. Having spent more than two decades at Rhodes, though, he considers himself a Memphian and, as a political scientist, appreciates the political show here and its accessibility.

"I know Willie Herenton, I know A C Wharton, I run into them at restaurants," Pohlmann said. "You can't say that in every city, that you can have that kind of access to the players." ... (read more)

Seeking an antidote to the season of crabbiness

"Because I Said So" column for The Commercial Appeal

December 10, 2009

My family has been overcome by sickness lately. Seasonal affective disorder, as any parent 500 miles above the equator knows, is brought on by that time of year when our children are required to wear hats, hoodies, mittens (that match) and coats.

Symptoms include ill temperament, crying, short fuses, screeching, whining and fatigue. It makes the kids crabby, too.

The condition, which we will call SAD for obvious reasons, is exacerbated by morning temperatures in the 30s and afternoon temps in the upper 50s, when outerwear is discarded by kids who are sure their hoods and scarves will never be needed again.

They are simple children. Children with no meteorological background whatsoever ... (read more)

Perfect partners: Toymaker right at home in Children's Museum at fairgrounds

Business news story for The Commercial Appeal

December 6, 2009

In a move that officials say could help efforts to redevelop the Mid-South Fairgrounds, the Village Toymaker has opened a new store in The Children's Museum of Memphis.

The specialty toy store, which has three other area locations, celebrated its grand opening Saturday.

"Our customers have been asking for a Midtown location but nothing was ever a good fit, and then (Children's Museum CEO) Dick Hackett started talking to us just a few weeks ago and it sounded like this could be a good fit," said store owner Pat Monz.

The store is a welcomed addition to the fairgrounds, which is undergoing a $175 million redevelopment ... (read more)

Coffee's on again along Poplar at Perkins

Business news feature for The Commercial Appeal

December 3, 2009

Espresso and chatter are flowing once again in the cream and coffee-colored building at Poplar and Perkins.

Poplar Perk'N has opened in the space formerly occupied by High Point Coffee, which closed the store and another one on Union in Midtown in September.

"I knew the area and couldn't understand why it had closed," said Poplar Perk'N owner Jimmy Whidden, who received a message on Facebook from a disgruntled friend the day High Point closed.

Whidden called High Point owner Thomas Blanche, who agreed to sell his fixtures and equipment, and landlord Stan Graber, who agreed to lease him the building.

With start-up costs in hand and no debt to service, Whidden faced no major obstacles -- other than repairing a leak in the roof -- to open ... (read more)

Room to breathe: Joe's Wine & Liquor expands for growing stock

Business news feature for The Commercial Appeal

November 30, 2009

When the Great Recession ends, Joe's Wine & Liquor will be ready.

The Midtown store with the landmark Sputnik at Poplar and Belvedere is launching a 2,200-square-foot expansion by taking over the neighboring space formerly occupied by the Peter Pan Pantry.

The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter with the complete $400,000 renovation, funded through a loan with Independent Bank, wrapped up and his staff of 10 moved in by March of 2010.

"John Jones is the architect and they've put together a retro '60s kind of feel to the store," said store owner Brad Larson. "When it's all said and done, the countertops will be stainless steel, we'll have a light source at the top that will ring the building, a lot of metal and wood racking for the wines. It's going to look real nice." ... (read more)

True meaning of thanks not lost on kids

"Because I Said So" column for The Commercial Appeal

November 25, 2009

I have fond memories of being a kid and traveling to relatives' homes for the holidays. Any child of the 1970s will recall long road trips spent singing along with the static of The Eagles on the radio, staring out the window, fighting with territorial siblings over the back seat and watching the ornamental seatbelts flap in the wind blowing through windows cracked open to allow the cigarette smoke to escape.

This country was founded on travel and a poor sense of direction.

I asked my children recently about their knowledge of Thanksgiving, its history and meaning. Somerset, 7, was almost positive the Pilgrims came over with Columbus in 1942. Calvin, 11 and my oldest, figured the trip must have taken at least a week and that the children on board spent most of the time throwing up.

"Wait," Somerset said, "the Pilgrims had kids?"

The throwing up, I was then told, was only one activity to pass the time, the other being one of my kids' favorites: rock-paper-scissors ... (read more)