Expo educates job seekers to career changes

Business feature for The Commercial Appeal

September 25, 2009

Piggly Wiggly founder Clarence Saunders fell on hard times in the 1920s and found himself out of sorts, out of money and out of a house.

So it seemed fitting Thursday that the famous Memphis entrepreneur’s pink Georgian marble mansion — the Pink Palace — on Central Avenue was the site for the first Opportunity Expo, a joint effort between OppCities, Brother Industries and the Bartlett Chamber of Commerce to help out-of-work professionals get back on their feet.

“People have been very open, very excited about the program,” said Carlos Fearn, OppCities vice president of development. “They see it as another vehicle to get their foot in the door.”

The event also marked the launch of OppCity.com, a Web site for those looking for work or career transitions … (read more)

Indie Memphis 2009 film festival

Film synopses for the 2009 Indie Memphis Film Festival program

“God’s Architects” by Zachary Godshall

Through the works of five visionary individuals, filmmaker Zachary Godshall tells the story of people’s inspirations. There is Leonard Knight, building the “God is Love Mountain,” a Seussian landscape in the California desert; Shelby Ravellette, a self-professed master mason and Knight Templar; Mississippi preacher H.D. Dennis and his wife, Margaret; Floyd Banks Jr., who builds with bricks, rocks and his own tooth; and the works of sculptor Kenny Hill as presented by Julius Neil … (read more)

“St. Nick” by David Lowery

Two runaway children take refuge in an old clapboard house, their youthful curiosity and mischievousness succumbing to focused movement and the necessity of survival. The story is one not so much of innocence lost as of independence gained as the brother and sister forage and scrape to get by, setting up housekeeping — including building a fort of sheets in the abandoned house — as kids will do to feel safe … (read more)

Read more about Indie Memphis and the 2009 film festival (Oct. 8-15) at indiememphis.com.

OppCities links professionals to job options

Business profile for The Commercial Appeal

September 18, 2009

During this time when the economy is flailing about and the workforce is reeling with layoffs, it is often the white collar worker who becomes nearly transparent.

OppCities was formed earlier this year in conjunction with Brother Industries and the Bartlett Chamber of Commerce to assist out-of-work professional employees in their search for work, educational advancement or information on area businesses.

“Professionals are overlooked and there is a longer time frame from when they lose their jobs to when they find work again,” said Carlos Fearn, OppCities vice president of development … (read more)

My aim is busting myths, not fixing ills

“Because I Said So” column for The Commercial Appeal

September 17, 2009

I’ve been writing this column now for a year and a half and I have a blog about parenting that’s more than three years old. As I feel it necessary to do every so often, I’d like to make the disclaimer that these writings in no way constitute advice. I have little or no idea what I’m doing day to day. I have four kids, yet will leave the parenting advice columns to the experts: those with five kids. Suckers.

I am in the business, however, of dispelling myths about being a parent and about children, such as the “bundle of joy” myth or the “sleeps like a baby” tale. Another common myth is this notion that children know things, usually concerning some sort of weighty issue or upheaval in the home.

“Children seem to know things, they have a sense of what’s going on,” grandmothers will say, as though children are some sort of Jedi Knights using the Force. Grandmothers love Star Wars references … (read more)

Heart to Heart

International Children’s Heart Foundation

Feature story for the lifestyle section of The Commercial Appeal

September 13, 2009

In December 2006, Dr. William Novick was in Pakistan for the first time, as part of a medical mission team with the International Children’s Heart Foundation, the charity he founded in 1994 to take cardiac care to children in need around the world.

A young boy, less than 3 months old, was presented to him suffering from a condition in which the vessels carrying blood from his heart to his lungs, and vice versa, were in abnormal positions. He also had a hole between the two pumping chambers of his heart.

“He was totally emaciated. You could see every rib on this baby,” Novick recalls now, as his organization celebrates its 15th anniversary.

Though Novick is generally wary of doing a procedure of this magnitude on a first visit, he knew the child wouldn’t last until his team’s next visit, so he operated.

The surgery went as well as could be expected and the boy, Abu Bakr, was expected to live. Later, Novick learned that Abu was the only living grandson of a former Taliban fighter … (read more)

High Point Coffee stores close

Breaking business news story for The Commercial Appeal

September 10, 2009

As the economy continues to hammer small businesses nationwide, it has claimed another local victim: All three High Point Coffee stores are shutting down.

Two of the stores — one at 1680 Union and another at 4610 Poplar — are owned by High Point Coffee founder Thomas Blanche and have already been closed. About 25 jobs were lost.

The third store — in Germantown and owned by franchisee Tracy Gossett — is closing Sept. 18 after being open for about a year and a half. The number of jobs lost was not disclosed.

“It’s a unique time in that you had simultaneous effect where food prices increased dramatically and at the same time revenue dropped drastically,” Blanche said. “I’ve enjoyed it, and it made economic sense for a long time … (read more)

Tops Bar-B-Q: Cue the Caring

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

September 4, 2009

Tops Bar-B-Q sold hearts for a dollar to benefit the Le Bonheur Foundation, the fundraising arm of Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center.

The 14 area locations spent six weeks raising money, with the culmination being the FM-100 radiothon for the hospital that took place last week.

In addition to raising money, they also provided food for participants in the radiothon.

Tops owner George Messick “is very happy and proud to lend a helping hand to people who need it,” said Tops spokeswoman Amy Laughlin. “Tops has raised around $4,500 so far.” … (read more)

These cool cats just can’t stop the music

“Because I Said So” column for The Commercial Appeal

September 3, 2009

When my wife and I were newlyweds 15 years ago, we lived in a little house on a little street in Midtown. Like many Midtown streets, this one claimed an old woman with too many cats, and those cats had the run of the neighborhood. On any given night, one or several of those cats would sit underneath our bedroom window and make the most awful noise you’ve ever heard, warbling from sundown to sunup. It was part of the charm of Midtown.

I don’t know what made me think of that just now after all these years.

Anyway, 11-year-old Calvin has recently taken up the saxophone for band class at White Station Middle School. Alto sax, to be specific, which is different in size, tone and price, I’ve learned, than the tenor or soprano saxophone … (read more)

Russo’s latest brings back the magic

Book review for That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo for The Commercial Appeal blog, “The Shelf Life.”

August 25, 2009

Richard Russo is a man obsessed with bridges. In his novels, these bridges are largely symbolic, spanning the chasm of emotions and responsibility that men feel, bridges they must cross on the road to coming to terms with divorce, death, estranged children, age and loss.

In his previous novel, Bridge of Sighs, and his latest, That Old Cape Magic (Alfred A. Knopf, $26), those bridges, while still metaphoric, have become quite real … (read more)

Student volunteer program exposes hospital to diversity

Cultural exchange at Le Bonheur

Corporate giving story for The Commercial Appeal

August 21, 2009

A group of immigrant students from Central High School and the City University School of Liberal Arts charter school worked as cross-culture volunteers at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare last year.

About 60 students are expected to enroll in the program this school year.

“The volunteers come after school twice a week for two hours and learn the clinical side of the hospital, teaching, nursing, administration,” said Johnekia Catron, manager of volunteer services for Methodist Le Bonheur. “They shadow paramedics in the emergency room and work in same-day surgery.”… (read more)