Month: June 2002

No longer will language be a hindrance to adequate legal advice. A grant from the Office of Criminal Justice Programs will pay for a new tool to help eliminate language barriers in Tennessee courtrooms.

Professionally produced videos in English and six foreign languages — Spanish, Arabic, Kurdish, Laotian, Russian, and Vietnamese — have been issued to every courthouse in the state. The tapes cover the most common topics in the judicial system, including basic rights of defendants, obtaining orders of protection for victims of domestic violence, and the rights of parents in child abuse and neglect cases. The videos also discuss courtroom protocol.

“Because the state has become rapidly culturally diverse, there was a need to reach people who come to the courthouse for various reasons,” says Sue Allison of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. “[The tapes] are meant to allay the fears of foreigners. We’re leaving it up to each judge to find creative ways to use them.”

The $100,000 grant allowed for 200 sets of the tapes to be produced with the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute and distributed to the presiding judge in each judicial district.

Judge James Beasley of the judicial district covering Shelby County says several agencies have requested copies of the tapes.

“I’ve talked with Legal Services and they want copies for their clients, and the public defenders also want some,” says Beasley. He also wants to implement the tapes in a mandatory preliminary-information session which would be held for non-English-speakers upon their first contact with the court system

Recently, I came across an article that was extolling the virtues of the new and improved cocktail lounge, a place where you can sip your cosmopolitan while hobnobbing among the elite in the Memphis social scene; where slick bartenders serve you up a sexy drink and a smile to match and you can show off your knowledge of pricey liqueurs. Apparently, this whole “lounge culture” has swept the country and has finally alit here in Memphis via New York. With the influx of young professionals packing themselves into flashy hot spots like Automatic Slims and Gibson Guitar Lounge, Memphis is becoming quite a trendy place.

OK, so we finally got a professional sports team who might stick around, and yes, we’ve even got the Lewis/Tyson match, but let’s not kid ourselves. We’re no New York. We seem to have forgotten that Memphis’ charm lies not in its tinsel, but in its history. So, just once, trade in your white chocolate martini for a cold Pabst Blue Ribbon and experience nightlife, true Memphis style.

First stop, The Buccaneer Lounge. Opened in 1967 in a tiny house on Monroe, The Buccaneer is the second oldest bar in Memphis and has maintained the same ownership since the beginning. It’s an easy place to miss, but once you’ve scouted out its red padded front door, you’ll be glad you did. The Buccaneer boasts the best jukebox and the friendliest bartenders in town. You can plop yourself down in a huge vinyl booth or get cozy next to the massive stone fireplace. If you prefer to be active while you quaff, you can play anything from pool or darts to an antique upright piano set up on the miniscule dance floor.

You can even go out back for a game of horseshoes or basketball if you wish. Depending on the night, the crowd will range from gaggles of unruly frat boys to small clusters of elderly regulars and sometimes there will be no one at all. If not, more beer for you and you’ll get a chance to better check out the pirate ship motif complete with skull and crossbones, rusty anchors, and the like. Yes, it’s dark and smoky and you won’t be able to see who’s calling your cellphone, but if you want to see a lounge the way it should be, the Buccaneer’s the place, and though you won’t get served a manhattan, you will have a maahvelous time.

If you don’t want to park your SUV in front of The Buck, you can head to The Lamplighter, nestled safely (or safer) between Zinnie’s Full Moon Club and Old Zinnie’s.

Be prepared to slum though, you won’t find a Heineken in this joint. You will find some pretty sweet revolving Busch beer lamps, though, and if you must, Pabst Blue Ribbon in a bottle. Believe it or not, the Lamplighter used to be quite a trendy little place itself back in the 1970’s. You might even be surprised to hear that your parents possibly hung out there in college. Though, if they did, they probably wouldn’t admit it. Some of the bartenders have worked there since it opened and if you’re in the mood, they’ll be happy to tell you some pretty wild stories. The Lamplighter gets pretty busy at night, so the best time to go is during happy hour. You can usually use the pool table then and if you’re nice and the bartender likes you, you may even get some complimentary popcorn.

If you’re a little uneasy and you just want to dip your toe, The Two Way Inn is the place for you. Located on Cooper in a tiny structure, the Two Way used to be the favorite watering hole for local prostitutes and sometimes a handful of CBU students (just a coincidence). It was purchased last year by the owner of Young Avenue Deli, and though it has changed a bit since then, you can still find the coldest beer and the best selection of sad country songs in Memphis.

At night, the Two Way gets pretty packed and on weekends, you can barely squeeze your way around. The best time to go, if you have the luxury, is during the afternoon. Then you can get the full effect of the way it used to be and have your pick of the best hamburger in the whole city or an equally good fried bologna sandwich. Even if you’re a teetotaler, I recommend tasting one of these divine creations. On any given night, you could walk in to a DVD showing on one of the TV’s and a room full of silent viewers or a rowdy bunch of imbibers whooping it up. If you just can’t give up your cellphone and your attitude, The Two Way is always a good choice.

Please understand, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with getting dressed up and enjoying a good dirty martini, but don’t forget where you are. If you love Memphis, you gotta love all of it, grimy underbelly and all.

I just moved in with my boyfriend Ben and we’re deliriously happy. We’ve been together for about four years and I consider this the next step towards our wedding. I wouldn’t have moved in if I thought it was to live together and then eventually break up and go our separate ways. I want to be with Ben for the rest of my life.

His parents have always liked me and been nice when they’ve met me. I don’t see what the problem is. My parents have known since before I moved. He says he hasn’t told his because they are very religious and he knows they won’t approve. I don’t buy it. He’s 32 and I think he should grow up and tell them.

Signed,

Nearly Homeless

Okay:

I thought it was always the girl who couldn’t tell her parents about her live-in. Not that that helps you in this case, however. But I bet it makes you feel kind of whory that he won’t tell them. Like you’re just some floozy sharing his bed who’s not worth mentioning. Then again, it might make you feel even more whory if his parents are really religious and he told them.

Religion has been known to make people crazy (terrorists, anyone?). He might be 32, but it might be easier (for him, at least) if he just avoids the subject altogether with his zealoty parents. If they’re going to shun him (or more likely, you), he might feel he’s protecting you from a huge scene (especially at a restaurant).

On the other hand, it takes two to cohabitate. He should be able to stand up to said zealoty parents and declare both his love for you and the fact that you’re not a floozy. Because you’re not living there alone; if you were, this wouldn’t be an issue at all.

You need to understand that maybe his parents are better off not knowing. Honestly isn’t always the best policy. He’s known them for 32 years, after all; he’s probably gone through something like this before (not exactly, I’m just saying I’m sure he’s had girlfriends in the past and there were probably indicators about how Mom and Dad would feel about him living with them). But he needs to understand why it bothers you. So figure out if it makes you feel like you’re temporary or a floozy or not worth mentioning and tell him.

If that doesn’t change his mind, or change yours, it might be a dealbreaker. If you’re having problems in the first month, you should definitely consider a change of venue. Either way I see this resolving itself fairly soon, mostly because I think his parents are going to find out you’re living there. His mom will drop by unexpectedly and see all your clothes hanging in his closet. Or they’ll call and you’ll answer the phone, “Ben and Nearly Homeless’ residence.” And that will be that.

I’m going to my 10-year high school reunion in a few weeks. Ever since I heard about it, I’ve been on a diet and am now at a coveted size 4. For the past few years, before the extra dieting, I’m probably a small-ish size 8. Ten years ago, when I was 18, I was a size 18.

I never thought I’d go to my reunion. High school wasn’t exactly pleasant. I had a few friends, but I never dated anyone. I think I will surprise people I haven’t seen in a few years, but I only want to wow this one guy I liked all through school. He wasn’t captain of the football team or anything like that, just a regular guy in my French class. Even regular guys were out of my league back then. I did some checking and he’s divorced. Should I call him up and ask him to be my date?

Signed,

Skinny Minnie

Okay:

If you really want to wow him, just wait. Go to the reunion with someone attractive, but platonic (do you have any gay male friends?), and then carefully intrude into his sight line. In something slinky and revealing, preferably.

Remember, it’s been 10 years. You could call him, but come on, a lot can happen in ten years. He could get married and divorced, for instance. You don’t want to look like the girl that’s been pining away over him for the last decade, do you? I don’t care if you’re a size negative 2, that’s crazy.

Plus, you’ve changed a lot. Chances are he will have, too. He probably won’t be exactly how you remember him; it doesn’t sound like you knew him well even way back when. I don’t care how nice he was in French, he might be a jerk now. You don’t want to box yourself into spending the entire evening with someone you don’t like.

Here’s the deal: take the gay friend we talked about and just have a good time. If you still want to after you actually talk to your moldy crush, make a move. But if you don’t, feel free to wow some other people. Kick up your heels. Maybe even meet somebody else. Just don’t set yourself up for all that disappointment of your dream man not working out. It’s not worth it.