Around Town #3

Overton Square is on the rise.

"Thursdays Squared" was last summer's concert series and it showcased the energy that was pulsing thru this recently dubbed "Theater District." 

New restaurants there were also on everyone's culinary destination list. Babalu was my first find with their tableside "best guac on the bloc." 

Today's "find," Belly Acres, would be a "build your own burger" paradise for lovers of grain fed beef. I, on the other hand, was "rurally"enchanted by the decor and the unique street signs assigned with each order. 

I also have a quirky habit of checking out a restaurant's restroom---it's part of a  many a "lady's" dining experience. Since the restaurant's interior has been described as looking like "Willy Wonka" bought a farm," I knew checking our the restroom was a must. 

A bucket sink and straw on the walls----I was not disappointed. 

Around Town #2

Delightful describes three recent happenings around "Memphis Town."

Three "events" made me smile. Smiles made even bigger because events were attended with dear friends!!

• Chaperoning HHS English students at Opera Memphis production of Hansel and Gretel was a treat. The inventive set was an example of less is more and the hand-drawn screens, which enabled shadow play, were mesmerizing. Plus, a friend's daughter was one of the gingerbread men. Ned Canty continues his mission to bring opera to the people---from the pop-up opera introductions in the routines of our lives from farmer's mkt., Botanic Garden and Shelby Farms playground to the upcoming Midtown Opera Festival in April. Kudos to Canty who has elevated opera acceptance throughout our town.
• 
• Paddington, the movie, showing at several Malco theaters will make you smile, whether your are 9 or 90. So rare to find such a family type movie these days. It's worth adopting a child for a day if you need a reason to go see it. As for me, I was the youngest in our group---at an age some folks consider elderly, and I smiled---a lot!
  
• TV Dinners, a lunchtime option at River Oaks. Chef José Gutierrez takes all food to the next level of delicious. Every morsel delightful. José's TV Dinner concept provides 4 small portions. Think...."Four-Course Prix-Fixe"......including salad, entree, veggie and dessert. Definitely more sophisticated than the Swanson dinners of the 50s. The warm dark chocolate cake is a favorite dessert.....
  
  but the creme brulee made me smile!

anonymi-TEA

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (Matthew 6:33, NIV)

Pay it forward. Random Act of Kindness. (RAK) These contemporary terms describe unselfish giving of gifts. No thank you note required when the donor chooses to remain anonymous. 
At Hattiloo's Overton Square grand opening this past weekend, I noticed lots of "big" Memphis names and corporations who were etched into the wall of this black repertory theater's entry. But....what caught my eye was the simple one, "A Friend of Hattieloo." No fanfare. No accolade. No strings attached.

Such a gift was "downright" biblical. (Matthew 6:33) In the area of black arts, there has been a tremendous need for a platform for many Memphis actors "of color," as a former HHS student of mine shared with me.  Not just on the stage, but behind the stage expertise as well. So a "shout-out" of "Hooray" to that "friend of Hattieloo."

In the spiritual realm, anonymous giving is more than just a way to reignite one's faith in human kindness, it's a way to follow the examples set in God's word.

Certainly a cuppa anonymi-TEA in gift giving can brighten the day of the recipient or recipients, but it can brighten the "givers" day as well.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: MAGIC OF MEMPHIS

Memphis Botanic Gardens Farmer's Mkt on Wed 2-6 pm

9/23/12 This week, with my eyes intentionally open to find the positive aspects of Memphis, I saw lots of good stuff---in just 3 days. Is it all merely one’s viewpoint?

Certainly negative words tend to run across our newspaper and top the “breaking news” intro on TV----But God…..reminded me that…..

With the blessing of decent people a city is raised up, but by the words of wicked people, it is torn down. (Proverbs:11:11)

So………….here's what I saw in places and people of Memphis in those 3 days.

Pop-up opera all over town for 30 days---Go Opera Memphis!

Art Classes for kids at the Dixon Gallery

Give 365 described in CA as philanthropy for young donors but they welcomed this Medicare gal as well----so many (11) worthy finalists for the "Eye on the Prize" grant money---

Catching up with Pi Phi Chum, Mimi, at GIVE365 meeting

A GREAT place to visit in the fall or spring....or anytime----a real Memphis treasure

View from Visible Music College toward Redbird's Stadium

Ekundayo Bandele, founder of Hattieloo presents his grant request for a technical theatre internship program at Give365. I LOVE Hattieloo---as all who know me can attest! Click to see renderings of new Overton Square proposed theatre district.

After school creative writing program at the Hooks library vying for one of the grants.

Wish I had a picture of the adorable Brady family who travel from Illinois to Memphis for St. Jude. They LOVE St. Jude and all of Memphis should as well!

Shakespeare as hubby likes it----FUNNY! Performance is such fun that we both recommend it for everyone!! TN Shakespeare Company----what an asset right here in our community!