Vol. 1, Issue 12 December 2019 KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE MONTHLY WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN SHELBY COUNTY, TN i LoveShe l byCoun ty . c om THE ACADEMY for YOUTH EMPOWERMENT and THE 22nd annual 2019 MEMPHIS CHRISTMAS PARADE! LETTER FROM THE EDITOR By Yvonne D. Nelson, Ph.D. NEWSCENE has just finished Milestone #1, our first full year of publication! We thank you, our subscribing audience, the Memphis City Council, Shelby County Commission, and our online and print readers for all of your support and advice during this, our first year of publication. Please remember to follow us and to subscribe online at iLoveShelbyCounty.com. For those of you who prefer hard copies, thanks for your subscriptions. Subscribe to our printed editions online for $84/year, $42/bi-annually, or $7/month. You can call us at 901-300-0250, subscribe and/or pay online, or make your check made payable to DI’MANS, Inc. We are always looking forward to getting your emails at NEWSCENEShelbyCo@gmail.com. We can also be contacted by mail at DI’MANS, Inc. dba NEWSCENE, I Love Shelby County, P.O. Box 9146, Memphis, TN 38190-0146. HAPPY END TO 2019! On Thursday, November 21, 2019, the annual Graceland Lighting Ceremony kicked off the holiday season in Whitehaven, a mostly bedroom community at the southern edge of Memphis near the TN-MS state line. The annual lighting event is the ceremony that honors Elvis Presley’s traditional Christmas lights being turned on and the reason why they remain lit daily until Elvis’ birthday on January 8th. The official Mayor of Whitehaven, Ms. Hazel Moore, Founder of the Academy for Youth Empowerment youth intervention and development program, followed the lighting ceremony with the 22nd annual Whitehaven Christmas Parade Saturday morning. The parade, now called “Memphis Christmas Parade in Whitehaven,” began near the Southland Mall, 1212 E. Shelby Drive, shortly after 10 AM. The parade route blocked off Elvis Presley Boulevard from Shelby Drive to just north of Raines Road where it ended in the Whitehaven Plaza for hours as bands, schools, and other participants on floats and walking paraded through the streets waving, chanting, and handing candy to spectators of all ages. The weekend of events concluded in the sanctuary of Abundant Grace Fellowship, 1574 E. Shelby Drive, at 4 PM Sunday, with “Songs of the Season,” a festive concert of holiday music. Continued on Page 2
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For information on the 2020 23rd Memphis Christmas Parade in Whitehaven, sponsored in part by FedEx, First Horizon (formerly First Tennessee) Bank, NIKE, Methodist Healthcare South, StateFarm, Memphis International Airport, Southland Mall, Chuck Hutton Toyota/Scion, Graceland, and the City of Memphis, please visit whitehavenchristmasparade.com, WhitehavenParade on Facebook, or phone (901) 345-1857. 8
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2019 HANDY AWARDS: A BOFFO SUCCESS By Tony Jones; Photos courtesy the Handy Awards The 23rd Annual W.C. Handy Heritage Awards held Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, at the Holiday Inn Airport turned out “to be the best ever,” co-host Leon Griffin says many attendees told him. Created to honor “Authentic Beale Street Musicians,” the 2019 edition saluted Handy’s 146th birth date with the two-day Handy Birthday Bicentennial Celebration. Pre-events the night before the awards presentation included the W. C. Handy Birthday Bicentennial Parade, a showing of the documentary Mr. Handy’s Blues, and a book signing of Upright Bass: The Musical Life and Legacy of Jamil Nasser, written by his son Muneer Nasser. Griffin shared host duties with “International Queen of the Blues” diva Toni Greene. The pair was dressed to the nines and enthusiastically greeted the honorees whose personal histories underlined the theme aptly presented in the souvenir program given to each guest. “We are nearing the end of the Memphis Bicentennial Celebration and Memphis has put its best foot forward and showcased its history and accomplishments in grand style. But the celebration is not over yet. It is not over until we pause and give respect and honor to the one to whom much honor and respect is due, the man who put Memphis on the International map…When we learn in the media that Beale Street is the “Most Iconic Street in America” visited by millions of people every year, it is important to note that “Beale Street Blues” was written over 100 years ago by W. C. Handy giving it its popularity.” The same respect is due to event producer, Elaine Lee Turner, and posthumously, her sister and business partner Joan Nelson, for creating the award. Opened in 1983, their firm, Heritage Tours, has single handedly curated the W.C. Handy Home Museum on Beale Street for decades now and continues to do so at the company’s expense. Earlier this year, the City of Memphis awarded Turner a 15-year lease for the landmark, adding additional significance to this year’s awards. The company also owns and curates the Slave Haven commemorative museum, an authentic stop on the Underground Railroad. The night glittered with their commitment to keep our true musical roots alive. The Stax Music Academy kicked off the entertainment with Handy’s signature blues titles. Next came the procession entrance of The African Jazz Ensemble, who remained onstage as the house band. Among the powerful performances to follow were teenager Eliyahu Pinkney’s inspired performance of “Mr. Handy’s Blues” in a style evoking Louis Armstrong and a powerful performance by locally popular Melvia “Chick” Rogers saluting her late father, Rev. Melvin Rogers, who was honored by universally respected jazz guitarist Calvin Newborn, vocalist Rev. Melvin Rogers and widely known Mad Lads lead vocalist John Gary Williams. The 2019 W. C. Handy Heritage Awards Recipients are: saxophonist Robert (Bobby Lavell) Garner, recently named “King of Beale Street” Jonathan Ellison, gospel vocalists Frank Phillips, and Teresa Tate-Clardy. Posthumous awards were presented for jazz pianist Harold Mabern, jazz pianist & trumpeter Philip Joyner Jr. and bassist George (Jamil Nasser) Joyner. The Lifetime Music Achievement Award was presented to blues & jazz vocalist Joyce Cobb. She could not attend, but sent a thank you video accepting the honor. Cobb was one of the six original Handy Award honorees at their 1977 inception, an honor she shared with one of the night’s guest musicians, Barbara Perry-Wright. In addition to Stax Records Carla Thomas, saxophonist Herman Green, and Naseer, Perry-Wright was given special recognition as one of the founders of the first Beale Street Music Festival, which has grown to become the city’s biggest annual event, Memphis In May, further solidifying Handy’s importance and the necessary rationale for the event. 10
Photo credit: Jamie Griffin/Whitehaven Branch Library THI S MONTH AT THE WHITEHAVEN BRANCH L IBRARY. . . Monday, December 2 @ 5 PM - Watchful Eye Neighborhood Association Meeting Thursdays @ 10AM - Scrabble Club *(NEW) Saturdays @ 10 AM - Operation Hope Meeting Wednesday, December 4 @ 6 PM - Millbranch-Borden Neighborhood Association Meeting Saturday, December 7 - 1 PM - 3 PM, Protecting Your Security: Cameras Saturday, December 14 @ Noon, Roblox Branch Tournament Monday, December 16 - 3:30 PM - 5 PM, Dixon Gallery and Gardens Meeting Wednesday, December 18, Whitehaven Branch Library Teen Innovation Center grand opening Saturday, December 21 @10 AM - Oak Acres Neighborhood Association Meeting Monday, December 30 (every 4th Monday) @ 5:45 PM - C.A.R.E. Meeting DECEMBER JOB FAIRS: December 3 and 10 AM– 1 PM, Randstad Job Fair December 13 10 AM—3 PM, Connection Point Job Fair All Memphis Public Library locations, including the Whitehaven Branch Library, will close at 6 PM on Monday, December 23, 2019, in observance of the Christmas Holiday. All Memphis Public Library locations will be closed on Tuesday, December 24 and will remain closed on Wednesday, December 25, 2019. All Memphis Public Library locations, including the Whitehaven Branch Library, will reopen at 10 AM on Thursday, December 26, 2019. All Memphis Public Library locations, including the Whitehaven Branch Library, will close at 6 PM on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, in observance of New Year’s Eve. All Memphis Public Library locations, including the Whitehaven Branch Library, will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2020. All Memphis Public Library locations, including the Whitehaven Branch Library, will reopen at 10 AM on Thursday, January 2, 2020. VI S I T FACEBOOK. com/MPLWHI TEHAVEN . . .HAPPY HOL IDAYS ! 11
Will you take a moment to help Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson? Please sign our petitions online... https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-destroying-black-residential-neighborhoods Help us to stop destroying predominantly black communities with environmentally-unfriendly business ventures that keep the rich, rich and the poor, poor, sick, and unhealthy. https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-destroying-black-residential-neighborhoods The facts: According to the Shelby County Board of Education website, Made in Memphis, LLC c/o Elvis Presley Enterprises, paid $200,000.00 for the 10.2 acre former site of Graves Elementary School, 3398 Graves Road, on December 3, 2019, for the purpose of creating "a light manufacturing facility for apparel, jewelry, home decor, and collectibles. They plan to train students in manufacturing and provide jobs." I say NO! My community is zoned single-family residential and no homeowner should have to open their door to semi-tractor trailers nor a light, medium, or heavy manufacturing facility. Why not put this and Waste Connections, LLC of TN in Chickasaw Gardens, Cordova, Bartlett, or Germantown? Jobs in Whitehaven, sure, but not at the expense of the replacing the serenity and comfort of our homes with a center focal point of a vocational training school bringing increased foot, bus, and large-vehicles traffic. We encourage you to tell Joel Weinshanker to put it in front of his front door or better yet, join our petition against this development in ours. What we need is not a light manufacturing facility in the middle of our beautiful neighborhood. What we need is a real community center. A center that will cater to everyone from the infant, through the teen, to include activities for our adult population and our seasoned citizens. What we desire is to provide reasonably-priced healthy food choices, free meals for the homeless, training and "enterpreneurshop" activities, safe and affordable housing for aging vets and their family members, 24-hour high-quality family and youth care, community meeting rooms, entertainment and recreation space for all ages, and similar programs that bring value to communities; not strategies that just make the rich, richer. Thank you SIGN OUR ONLINE PETITIONS NOW! CLICK THE LINK OR THE PICTURE... https://www.thepetitionsite.com/753/756/130/demand-waste-connections-to-cease-operations-now/ https://www.thepetitionsite.com/510/384/190/let%E2%80%99s-move-waste-connections-to-district-5/ DEMAND WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TN, LLC STOP THEIR WASTE TRANSFER STATION ACTIVITIES IN WHITEHAVEN HELP US TO MOVE WASTE CONNECTIONS OUT OF WHITEHAVEN TO DISTRICT 5 WHERE WORTH MORGAN IS COUNCIL REP. BECAUSE HE WAS THE ONLY VOTE FOR IT TO EXPAND. SIGN OUR ONLINE PETITIONS TODAY! Worth Morgan 12
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NEWSCENE DECEMBER AUTHOR ’ S CORNER . . . REV. MONTEE DAVI S AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM Support DI’MANS, Inc. dba NEWSCENE for free while you shop! Rev. Montee Davis, an honors graduate of Mitchell High School in Memphis, TN; Memphis Alumnae Chapter (1985) Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member; English/Humanities Bachelor of Arts graduate of LeMoyne-Owen College; Guidance and Counseling Masters of Education graduate from Texas Southern University in Houston; and retired (2002) Shelby County Schools English Instructor and Secondary Guidance Counselor has traveled the world extensively. Davis, trained in the metaphysical-New Thought Movement called Unity, is part of a loving, healing ministry and she invites everyone to learn more about the Unity Movement and its Truth teachings through her eyes and words of wisdom so skillfully captured in her book, Blessed, I’m So Blessed released “When bad things happen to wrote about in t h i s book, or lose faith in God. Instead, good in every situation and in Initially, Davis’ grandparents Christian Methodist Episcopal “One day, while listening to heard a speaker by the name of The speaker spoke about God her grandmother, Montee April 5, 2012. you,” says Davis, “Just like I don’t c r i t i c i ze , condemn praise God, and look for the every experience.” were faithful members of the (CME) Church. the radio, my grandmother Dr. Hodgkins,” said Davis. “She did some research and g roup was mee t i ng in beautiful, but segregated, Fa l l s received permission New Thought Movement he r husband to jo i n he r Dr . J o s eph K . a nd Re v . Mi l d r ed F a l l s Da v i s ’ da u gh t e r s ( fr om l e ft ) Re v . Da v ene Da v i s , Re v . Mon t e e Da v i s , a nd S i s . J oy c e Da v i s Co l ema n . in a manner that Davis’ said Falls, sa id was new to her. found out t ha t a s t udy downtown Memphis in the Peabo dy Hotel.” and began to attend these meetings. She encouraged and t hey bot h became licensed and ordained Unity ministers. Unity Churches have always had female ministers, something that was extremely unusual for Memphis, especially during those times. The Unity Center of Memphis was founded by Falls and 12 members on October 30, 1952, in the old YMCA building on Lauderdale Street. In 1984, Rev. Mildred Falls Davis, Rev. Montee Davis’ mother and the Rev. Mildred Falls Davis’ daughter, moved the church to 3345 McCorkle Road. Services at the Unity Christian Church of Memphis, as it is now known, are held on Sundays at 11 AM. Call (901) 396-9961 for Davis’ book, program offerings, and more information. You are also encouraged to visit unitychristianchurch.us, to “LIKE” UCC of Memphis on Facebook at UnityChristianChurch, or to share and dial (816) 969-2000 for the free Silent Unity: 24/7 Prayer Ministry line. 14
ATTENTION FAMI LY & SPEC I AL GUEST SPEAKER ALL INTERESTED PARTIES… TO BE INVITED TO THE 1ST MEETING OF 2020 WITH KROGER MANAGEMENT PLEASE EMAIL YOUR NAME AND PHONE # TO: MYZIP463@GMAIL.COM NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT FRIDAY, JAN. 3, 2020 THANK YOU My ZIP will be meeting with Kroger Management the second week of January 2020 PLEASE HELP MONITOR ALL STORES FOR CLEANLINESS... 15
The 11th annual Fundraising Benefit for the ZION COMMUNITY PROJECT, Inc. “And Still We Rise” Benefitting the ZION Christian Cemetery A Memphis, TN Historical Landmark Established in 1876 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019 ♦♦♦ McCallum Ballroom at Rhodes College Story By Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson and PHOTOGRAPHY by TYRONE P. EASLEY, tpephoto1@yahoo.com The April edition of NEWSCENE featured a brief synopsis of the history and the marking of the Thomas Moss gravesite in the Zion Cemetery, the oldest known African American community cemetery in Memphis, TN. On Thursday, November 7, 2019, a group of Zion Community Project supporters gathered in the McCallum Ballroom at Rhodes College, 2000 N. Parkway, to honor those whose contributions have assisted in the ongoing restoration of the historic site. “Tonight’s theme, “And Still We Rise,” said Dr. Tyrone T. Davis, Zion Community Project Board Chair and General Secretary, CME Board of Personnel Services, “speaks to the hopes of tomorrow in the face of the challenges of today.” Davis acknowledged the magnitude of the project as he spoke about the cemetery in terms of the project being “more than the restoration of a cemetery.” The Zion Community Project, Davis stated, “encompasses a legacy of nearly 150 years and represents the lives and accomplishments of a newly freed people who learned to do so much with so little.” Designed to raise funds and awareness, the program featured WREG-TV, News Channel 3 anchor Alex Coleman, who B. was introduced by Tramica Morris, President and CFO of Mo’s Bows, as the Master of Ceremonies. Reginald Eskridge, Esq., Senior Partner at Eskridge & Eskridge Law Firm, provided the greetings and Dr. Roderick D. Lewis Sr., General Secretary of the CME Department of Publications gave the invocation and blessed the dinner. The menu, consisting of house garden salad with a choice of dressings, wild salmon fillet baked with Chablis butter, herb roasted beef shoulder tender with port Demi-Glaze, vegetables, buttermilk Yukon gold mashed potatoes, rolls, carrot cake or pecan pie, iced tea and water was prepared by Mark Coy, Catering Director of Bon Appetit Management Company, the recently contracted company that provides food and beverages to and for all events held on campus. There were three categories of emphasis, Public Service, Preservation, and Legacy, highlighted during the event. The Rose Flenorl Public Service Award was introduced by Trena M. Williams, Principal at the Williams Law Firm. Rose Flenorl, Global Citizenship Manager at FedEx, presented the award herself. The award recipient was First Horizons Advisors Financial Advisor, Steve McManus. The Ron Walter Preservation Award was introduced by Elmwood Cemetery Assistant Director Bob Barnett. The award was presented to award recipient Mark L. Stansbury Sr., University of Memphis (retired) Assistant to the President, by WREG-TV - News Channel 3 President, Ron Walter. The William Smith Legacy Award was introduced by Howard Robertson, President of Trust Marketing. The award was presented by L. Geraldine Smith, the widow of Rev. William Smith, to Dr. Marjorie Hass, the program’s Keynote Speaker and President of Rhodes College, who was introduced by Dr. Milton Moreland, Rhodes College Provost. Dr. Davis provided the closing remarks and final blessing for the event. “We are grateful to Dr. Warner L. Dickerson, Dinner Program Chair, Program Committee members Dr. Milton Moreland, R. Elaine Turner, Raka Nandi, Trena M. Williams, Beverly Robertson, Dr. Walker D. Wright, and all the participants who have worked to make this evening a success,” said Davis. “The entire Board joins me in thanking you for your contributions and your presence which continues to encourage us.” Davis encouraged those in attendance to join the ZION Community Project again in 2020, thanked everyone for all 16
Top (from left) L. Geraldine Smith, widow of Rev. William Smith and presenter of the William Smith Legacy Award, Award recipient, Dr. Majorie Hass, Rhodes College President, and award introducer, Howard Robertson of Trust Marketing; Center (from left) Rose Flenorl Public Service Award recipient, Steve McManus, First Horizon Financial Advisor and award introducer, Trena Williams, Esq., Principal, the Williams Law Firm; Bottom (from left) Bob Barnett, Assistant Director, Elmwood Cemetery and introducer of the Ron Walter Preservation Award, Award recipient, Mark L. Stansbury Sr., University of Memphis (retired) Assistant to the President and award presenter, Ron Walter, President, WREG-TV– Channel 3. D. 17
Photo Credit: Tyrone P. Easley Photo Credit: Tyrone P. Easley 18
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HEAL THE HOOD FOUNDATION Basketball Game Fundraiser Heal the Hood (HTH) Foundation of Memphis is a nonprofit organization that provides positive outlets for youth of all ages and young adults through singing, dancing, art, acting, motivational speaking, screen writing, and modeling. Founded by LaDell Beamon in 2007, after seeing the lives of several youth being affected by the media, Beamon decided to use his talents of writing, acting, producing, and directing to become a catalyze for change through film. If we can positively influence our young people to think before they make decisions, get out of gangs, avoid outcomes that result from peer pressure, stay away from drugs and alcohol, steer away from weapons and other mass destruction, then we have just saved someone’s life and helped them to be the dynamic person they were created to be. The mission of the Hero Empowerment Center (HEC) is to create an artistic therapy platform that cultivates and equips youth to use their gifts and talents to positively shape the community around them. The HEC uses creative and strategic partnerships to shape three core areas of youth that become a part. Those three core areas are body, mind, and spirit. Facility includes: Comic Studio, Dance Studio, Martial Arts, Career and Leadership Program, College Prep, Guitar Lessons, Recording Studio, A Hero Shop, and so much more. The Evolution School of the Arts is a mobile after school program that brings the arts to your school or neighborhood. The program offers martial arts, instrumental music, audio producing and recording, dance, graphic arts and drama. These components are coupled with general sessions for all students in the form of life coaching. Our motto is “Don’t let you gift take you where you character can’t keep you.” Did we mention that all classes are taught from a Hero’s point of view? The Phases Mentoring Program is a premiere CLICK HERE TO DONATE 20 program that works in conjunction with the Wake Up Tour, Vision Team, and the Evolution School of the Arts. Youth are divided into gender-based sessions that speak on subjects that empower and inspire youth. Phases spans from 7 years of age to 21 years of age. The Young Women and Young Men sessions are conducted by Adult Mentors that use various speakers, innovative trips and fun sessions to create a relaxed platform for growth in today’s sometimes complicated world. Continued on Page 23
The Legacy Project’s mission is to saturate residential lie in apartment complexes that are considered low-to-moderate income households with empowerment programs that increase the quality of life. By doing this, we are able to set goals for residents, bring programming to their front yard, and change the social climate. The mobile programming of The Legacy Project eliminates excuses and brings a comprehensive solution to an immediate need that fosters long term results. The HTH six Core Areas of Concentration are: 1. Social and Community Empowerment 2. Mentoring and Afterschool Programming 3. Parenting Programming 4. Career and Leadership Programming 5. Entrepreneurship Development 6. Professional Development CLICK HERE TO DONATE 21
ABOUT ALZHEIMER/DEMENTIA & VOLUNTEERING Volunteer Memphis had it’s humble beginnings in 1975 as The Volunteer Center of Memphis an organization sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women and the Junior League of Memphis. The organization merged with HandsOn Memphis in 2000 and became known as Volunteer Mid-South in 2009. Volunteer Mid-South became an action-arm of Leadership Memphis in 2015. The volunteer branch works with other nonprofits, churches, schools, corporations and groups and is responsible for “building capacity for effective volunteering and connecting people with opportunities to serve.” Volunteer Memphis held a session featuring several Andrea Hill (far right) Director of Volunteer Memphis lists to panelists. local Alzheimer’s and Dementia providers on November15, 2019. The session speakers encouraged caregivers for those with loved ones with Alzheimer’s and Dementia to first take care of themselves and understand that they are a caregiver which is and can be a very demanding job; and to secondly, not be afraid to seek the services of agencies that provide support services to make their lives easier as they continue to care for their loved ones. Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive disorder that causes brain cells to degenerate and die, is the most common cause of dementia. The disease is marked by 7 stages starting with no impairment where the disease is undetectable, to very mild decline, to mild decline, to moderate decline, to moderately severe decline, to severe decline, to the very severe decline stage. Contact Andrea Hill at (901) 278-0016 or ahill@leadershipmemphis.org, visit volunteermemphis.org, or contact your choice of local providers for information on local Alzheimer’s and Dementia support groups and caregiver conferences. Memphis-born saxophonist/arranger/composer Mark Baker developed his musical interest back in 1978. He trained and began to develop his personal style under the direction of Lonnie Neely. Baker began playing gospel music in 1981. After graduating from Southside High School in 1983, he spent four years in the U. S. Navy where he served as an Operations Specialist Petty Officer. After returning from service, Baker tried his hand at being a DJ and began to pick up R&B, Jazz, Blues, Country, and opportunities for DJ work all around town. He has performed with several well-known entertainers, in various venues, at the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival and, most recently at the Southern Heritage Classic Memphis State vs. Jackson State football game. “Mom purchased my sax in 1978,” said Baker of his mother, Mary Baker. “She could barely afford to pay the $15/month rental fee back then, but look at how God has turned the tables…” Baker treated his mother to dinner at Rafferty’s Restaurant and Bar, 4542 Poplar Avenue in Memphis, on Friday, November 15, 2019, at 6 PM. During the event in a show of appreciation, Baker pulled out his saxophone and played the Happy Birthday song to his mother. 22 SAXOPHONIST MARK BAKER...
My Brother’s Love Memphis native and “My Brother’s Love” film producer William Edwards held a red carpet film premiere and after party on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Brinson’s Downtown Chicken Lounge, an after hours spot located at 341 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103. Edwards wrote and produced the love story about everyday life for a young couple living in Memphis. The hour-long, global film premiere production began at 3 PM. Admission was $10/ person. For more information or to book the production at your venue, please call (901) 208-0471. POP TOP MINISTRY ITEMS 48 Vienna Sausages ($12): https:// www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr… 12 Sardines ($18): https:// www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr… 12 Crackers ($12): https:// www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr… 14 Chips ($21): https:// www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr… 12 Mixed Fruit Cups ($12): https:// www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr… Deacon Drew Woodruff (far left), Mother Georgia King (center) and Patricia Thompson (second from right) are joined by volunteers at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral for a Pop Top Fundraiser. Mother Georgia King (901) 650-7321 Patricia Thompson (901) 443-3731 Deacon Drew Woodruff was ordained in 2007 although his ministerial work began long before that time. Woodruff oversees the Pop-Top ministry at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 700 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38105, (901) 527-3361, where he’s been a member since 1978. Organized in 1857 as a mission church, St. Mary’s was the cathedral church of the old statewide Episcopal Diocese of TN in 1871 and, with the creation of three dioceses, it became the Cathedral of the Diocese of West TN in 1983. Located near Poplar and Orleans in what is now a part of downtown Memphis with modern-day food desert characteristics, St. Mary’s was officially dedicated on Ascension Day, May 13, 1858. The church played an important roll during the yellow fever epidemic that occurred in the late 1850s in Memphis. Known as the “Martyrs of Memphis” or “Constance and Her Companions,” Episcopal nun superior, Sister Constance, three other nuns, and two priests risked their own safety to stay in Memphis to care for the sick and dying. Woodruff, a modern-day martyr in his own right, carries forward this work through St. Mary’s Pop Top and Shoe ministries and by being a liaison to the church’s Haiti Partnership. Following in the steps of several members of The Order of the Daughter’s of the King, Woodruff has provided more than 5,600 bags of food containing more than 150 cans of Vienna sausages over the past 15 years. Unfortunately, the dwindling congregation that boasted over 800 members in earlier years, has a struggling 250 active members today which, along with Woodruff’s retirement-only income, makes providing free bag lunches much more difficult. Recent collaborations with Patricia Thompson, Executive Director of One Mouth At A Time and Mother Georgia King, who has sponsored the MLK50 food drive for the past three years, has provided some assistance in meeting the needs of an ever growing population of hungry elderly and homeless persons. “I became a deacon to help those whom God sends to our cathedral seeking help,” said Woodruff who loves St. Mary’s and wants her to continue being the beacon of hope she has always been to the poor and marginalized in Memphis. “The ultimate goal I would like to achieve is for people to not be hungry; then, there would be no need.” 23
At 10:30 AM Saturday morning November 2, 2019, I encountered this pair of raptors on Timothy Drive just east of Elvis Presley Blvd. By Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson, “Raptor,” is a generic term for all birds of prey. While I am no expert in the field of Ornithology, a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds, I am confident that these two were not robins! A couple of quick Google searches brought out the following information concerning birds of prey: 1. There are five (5) types of birds of prey. They are: a. Accipitridae: hawks, eagles, buzzards, harriers, kites, and Old World vultures. b. Pandionidae: osprey. c. Sagittariidae: the secretarybird. d. Falconidae: falcons, caracaras, and forest falcons. e. Cathartidae: New World vultures Raptors, according to the spruce (thespruce.com/types-of-birds-of-prey-387307), “are carnivorous birds with strong bills, large talons, and exceptional flight capabilities. There are more than 500 species of raptors found throughout the world and different types of raptors can be found in every type of habitat (including your front and/or backyard)! A few other special characteristics that set raptors apart from other birds are their curved claws, sharp feet, strong eyesight (to see this road kill from soaring heights in the heavens above), and hooked beaks (which are visible even from the distance I took these pictures at—which was safely behind the steering wheel of my car, with my foot on the brake and ready to hit the accelerator at a moment’s notice! It is important to note that these raptors were not interested in my meat, mainly because, with the exception of vultures (which are very unsightly to look at), raptors feast on animals that are already dead. Other birds of prey, like owls which are also present in our community, are hunters that eat mice, rats, rabbits, and sometimes small birds and maybe even cats (including my beloved pet NALA), though. The word “Raptor,” is derived from the Latin term ‘rapere’ which means “to capture.” CONTEST Please correctly identity which bird of prey is pictured in this story and where it was seen. Email your responses to us at newsceneshelbyco@gmail.com by midnight December 31, 2019, for a free dozen of Krispy Kreme donuts! 24
LISTEN UP! COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF PEOPLE ARE LEAVING HERE DAILY WITHOUT MAKING PREPARATIONS… ...WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE ONE OF THEM. December 1, 2019 DI’MANS, Inc. Post Office Box 9146 Memphis, TN 38190-0146 RE: Technology Seminars for Seniors My ZIP - My Email Meetings Free Announcement Calendar Greetings, The board and staff of DI’MANS, Inc., a nonprofit, IRS recognized organization founded in 1999, wishes to invite you to join us as we begin to reintroduce Shelby County to our series of informational presentations on subjects we believe you need to know about. Subscribe to our online newsmagazine NEWSCENE at iLoveShelbyCounty.com TODAY, to stay informed... We will begin offering free classes on topics that include: Gardening for Survival Navigating Your Mobile Device with Confidence, Especially for Seasoned Citizens Social Security Disability: Application Submitted, Approval Received Securing loved ones’ futures by preparing for the End-of-My-Life Student loan management: What You Should Know Before and After Signing The Real ID: What’s Happening after October 1, 2020? Hosting Voter Registration Drives: What you need to know Who are You Voting For? Meet the Candidates Thank you, Phone (901) 300-0250 for information, to make a donation, or for volunteer opportunities! 25
A Discussion on Environmental Racism with Tait Keller, Associate Professor of History at Rhodes College By Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson, CNC According to their Facebook page, GlobeMed at Rhodes College, 2000 N. Parkway, was founded in September 2008 “to raise awareness about health inequity and provide monetary support to A Ministry of Sharing Health and Hope (AMOS), a partner organization in Nicaragua, while enabling college students to become aware of and use their privilege to empower those suffering from health inequities.” The Rhodes College chapter has partnered with AMOS “to implement home water filtration systems in rural communities.” On November 20, 2019, the nonprofit organization joined forces with the Rhodes Sustainability Coalition to sponsor “A discussion on environmental racism in Memphis,” featuring Dr. Tait Keller, a Rhodes College Associate Professor of History as the guest speaker. “I teach a variety of courses that focus on environmental history, war and society, and modern Europe,” said Keller. “Several of my courses, especially my environmental history courses, transcend national boundaries and place their subjects in a global context.” To bring a real-life context to his classroom environment, Keller is known for integrating educational off-campus adventures into his lectures and discussions. According to Keller and in the words of another historian, “A little ‘intelligent wandering’ will teach us more than ‘a half-semester of armchair study’.” The open-floor forum discussion, featured free Vegan Food provided by Pearl Walker founder of MRYE—Memphis Raise Your Expectations!!! Facebook page. The forum asked the question and the main topic of discussion was, “Why are a l l t he t ox i c was te p l an t s l oca ted i n predomi nant l y b l ack ne i ghborhoods ? ” Keller posits, “Communities are not all created equal and we know that. You’ll find that environmental injustice occurs whenever some individual or group bears a disproportionate amount of environmental risk. Like being located near a hazardous waste dump or if they have unequal access to environmental goods like clean air or clean water; or they have less an opportunity to participate in environmental decision-making. In every nation of the world you find that poor people, minorities face greater environmental risk. They have less access to environmental goods; they have less ability to control the environmental insults imposed on them.” Although dining on vegan delights, the room was silent as all eyes and ears were focused on the truth to the words that Keller spoke so matter-of-factly about. It was time to bring the subject home. 14 15 “Let’s focus our attention on the United States,” said Keller. “We all learned in the history of the United States institutional racism shapes our economy, it shapes our politics, and it shapes the ecological landscape…” Keller went on to explain that clear evidence exists that supports the hypothesis that being a minority or in fact ones’ race, or perceived race, is an “independent factor” in predicting which areas will experience excessive lead in water, higher levels of air pollution, industrial facilities placement, the enforcement of other inappropriate land uses including, but not limited to, highway routes. Minorities in the United States experience a disproportionate share of these environmental injustices and they have less power to prevent them from occurring. While Professor Keller did in fact mention that Buckman Hall was packed to a “standing room only” status that Wednesday evening, the population did not include, in my estimation, enough of the general public subject to and/or fighting against similar developments. My mother always taught me that “A closed mouth does not get fed,” so I speak up against injustice and, if you don’t want to lead, at least join the fight. Besides, nothing beats a failure but a try and, when we all try together—the way we’ve done in the past against Pull-a-Part, Kroger, and Waste Connections, LLC of TN, we can and will continue to prevail in preventing these environmental insults from destroying our minority neighborhoods. 26
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DID YOU KNOW? There are several moneyless ways you can support nonprofits like DI’MANS, Inc. dba NEWSCENE and the McCorkle Road Neighborhood Development Association, Inc. of Memphis (serving all of ZIP Code 38116). When you shop at Kroger you can, AT NO COST TO YOU, support DI’MANS, Inc. by enrolling in the Community Rewards Program and earning rewards for DI’MANS every time you shop! Visit Kroger.com/ communityrewards and support Organization #DN098. Smile.Amazon.com is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, again, AT NO COST TO YOU, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to DI’MANS Inc., the charitable organization of choice. Email us at NEWSCENESHELBYCO@gmail.com for details today! 28
Memphis City Council Representatives for Fiscal Years 2020-2024 ...as of November 21, 2019 Photo Credit: City of Memphis, TN (Seated from left) Incumbent Ford Canale, Super District 9-2, *Dr. Jeff Warren, Super District 9-3, Incumbent Cheyenne Johnson, Super District 8-2, (center standing) Incumbent and newly-elected Chair, Patrice Robinson, District 3; Incumbent Jamita Swearengen, District 4, Incumbent Martavius Jones, Super District 8-3; Incumbent Frank Colvett Jr., District 2; (Standing, from left) Incumbent Worth Morgan, District 5; *J.B. Smiley Jr., Super District 8-1; *Rhonda Logan, District 1 (formerly Sherman Greer); *Michalyn EasterThomas, District 7 (formerly Berlin Boyd); *Edmund Ford Sr., District 6 (formerly Geraldine ‘Gerre’ Currie who ran for Super District 8-1 but lost), and *Chase Carlisle, Super District 9-1. *Donates newly-elected council member Questionable things in Memphis?!! VIEW FROM RIVERSIDE DRIVE... 29
A Sermon entitled “LOVE” By Rev. Michael A. Callier, Chicago, IL Rev. Michael A. Callier of Chicago, IL, provided the message, a sermon entitled “LOVE” during regular services at Unity Christian Church of Memphis, 3345 McCorkle Road, on Sunday November 24, 2019. Callier used the first letters of the word as acronyms to describe Living, Outstanding, Victorious, and Encouragement as he reminded those in attendance, “We must be more loving towards all people…” and then asked everyone [how], “Do you encourage yourself and others?” NE IGHBORHOOD BUS TOUR On Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 1 pm several members of the McCorkle Road Neighborhood Development Assoc. (MRNDA), Inc. of Memphis gathered at the former site of Graves Elementary School to board a MATA bus and take a tour to identify city and county code violations in the northern part of Whitehaven. Within an hour of traveling only half of the predesignated route, nearly 3 dozen violations had been identified. While we did discover a neighbor with at least one Steve Shular, Special Assistant to Mayor Jim Strickland, spoke during the neighborhood violation tour held on November 5, 2019. chicken in their yard, a serious violation, the majority of the violations recorded involved vehicles. Home after home and house after house showed signs of inoperable vehicles parked on paved and/or unpaved surfaces, some s i t t i ng r i gh t i n p l a i n v i ew , in front yards and near the street. Items including broken garage doors, garbage carts left on the curb before and after the weekly garbage collection day, excessive junk/debris/furniture in yards, dead, dying, and fallen trees, and more. Since the area being toured was a mixed residential/industrial/commercial area, several county code violations were forwarded to Shelby County so the appropriate agency could follow up. The entire tour would have taken approx. 2.5 hours, so a second tour is being planned for sometime in 2020. Neighbors whose properties were in violation at the time of the tour will be receiving official city documentation of the specific violation and the length of time they will have to correct the violation before being sited to Environmental Court or fined. Tours are free and open for the public to attend in hopes they will institute a similar event in their neighborhoods. For dates, times, or additional information on the future tours scheduled, please call (901) 300-0250. 30
2nd Annual I Love Whitehaven Week Nov 19-24, 2019 The community was encouraged to drop by The Whitehaven Holiday Marketplace, which was held in conjunction with the annual I Love Whitehaven Week celebration, after the Memphis Christmas Parade in Whitehaven on Saturday, November 23, 2019. The event, featuring vendors, food trucks, music, and fun was held in the parking lot of the Whitehaven Plaza, 3966-4096 Elvis Presley Boulevard behind the McDonalds restaurant. Phone 901.289.6909 for info on upcoming events. NEWSCENE ENCOURAGES YOU TO DINE AT THE... 972 E. BROOKS ROAD Across the street from the MAPCO (at the light) between Elvis Presley Boulevard and Lakeview Road Hours and Days: Tues & Wed, 10A-8P; Thurs-Fri, 10A-9P; Sat., 12N-9P Closed Sundays & Mondays Specializing in and serving chicken wings; ham & turkey burgers; hot dogs and chili (w or w/o cheese) dogs; smoked sausages; fries (w or w/o) chili; okra; mashed potatoes; baked beans; onion rings; and more! Prices: $$ - Delivery available (limited radius) and to the sick, elderly, and disabled. Cooked to Order - Call (901) 308-2404 to place your order for pickup today! Chef Theresa Sullivan, Proprietor 31
CFC #46643 AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Location: Memphis, TN | Year Founded: 2009 DI’MANS, Inc. (Click here) to shop at SMILE.AMAZON.COM Mission: DI'MANS, Inc. was formed to establish a positive, proactive force in the fight against juvenile crime and juvenile delinquency. The goal of DI'MANS, Inc. is to bring adults dedicated to positively shaping future generations together to assist disadvantaged youth in becoming productive citizens as adults. Help Support Causes in Your Community! (Click here to sign up) Did you know you can support nonprofit organizations in your community just by shopping at Kroger? It's easy when you enroll in Kroger Community Rewards®! To get started, sign up with your Plus Card below, and select a local organization you wish to support. Once you're enrolled, you'll earn rewards for your chosen organization every time you shop and use your Plus Card! Enroll now for the Kroger Community Rewards Program. And remember….all participants must re-enroll each year to continue earning rewards for their chosen organization. DIRECTIONS: 1) Go to Kroger.com; 2) Create an account or sign in; 3) Drop down the arrow at your name 4) Select “My Account” 5) Click on Community Rewards on the left side of the screen) Make a One-Time donation to DI’MANS, Inc. 32 Make a Recurring Donation (Click here)
Alternative & Holistic Health Services ORDER HERE (901) 789-4844 Congratulations! Continued Success, Wishing You Well! 33 CLICK HERE TO VISIT US ONLINE
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SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSCENE, the NEW SCENE where NEWS is SCENE, for $42.00 bi-annually or just $7 per Month! Single and multiple copies are also available for purchase. Thank you for subscribing to NEWSCENE, our online newsmagazine publication. We are the NEW SCENE where NEWS is SEEN! We hope you enjoyed the stories about and the pictures taken at events we visited last month. We are looking forward to sharing more pictures and stories with you next month about the many events taking place this month. As you know, we can’t be at more than one event at a time, but we are here to assist you to get your events online, in our calendar, and in print. Don’t forget you can click on the links that are included to visit websites, blogs, Facebook pages and more! We want to be the first place you look to learn about the things happening in your community, but we won’t know about what’s happening unless you tell us. Write to us at NewsceneShelbyCo@gmail.com or call (901) 300-0250 to leave us a message. We promise to return your call in a timely fashion. Visit us online today and everyday @ iLoveShelbyCounty.com NEWSCENE . . . ...is currently seeking ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS and passionate and outgoing volunteer photojournalists who can write stories and take pictures at local events. Interested persons should phone (901) 300-0250 for details. 36
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