Month: October 2006

Three people were dead on the scene from a fiery tractor-trailer crash early this morning at Lamar Avenue and Concorde. Five others were transported to an area hospital, where another victim later died.

Officers from the Mt. Moriah police station responded to a crash involving two tractor-trailer rigs, one of which had caught on fire after the collision.

Though an investigation is ongoing, police believe the wreck occurred when a big rig struck another stopped at a red light. Four victims remain in critical condition at the hospital. Identities of the victims are unknown.

Producer Mike Curb has had a long, impressive career, working with everyone from Sammy Davis Jr. to LeAnn Rimes. He is the chairman of Curb Records of Nashville and also served as lieutenant governor of California and has been a multi-million dollar benefactor to universities in Tennessee and California.

Curb also managed to snag Elvis’ Audubon house even after spoon-bending psychic Uri Geller won it from an eBay auction. (Geller is suing).

On Thursday, Curb will be at the Arts Leadership Conference at Rhodes College, where college president William Troutt will announce Curb’s latest venture, which a press release issued by Rhodes says is a “sizable donation to bring together educators, students, archivists, and artists as well as business and communities leaders to promote Southern musical traditions.”

Robin Grindstaff Costa, president of the Maddox Foundation, formerly of Nashville and now headquartered in Hernando, Mississippi, is at the center of litigation seeking to oust her as head of that philanthropic organization and to move it back to the Nashville area. Costa achieved some notoriety two weeks ago when a deposition in the case alleged a sexual relationship between herself and former Mississippi governor Ronnie Musgrove.

As a weekend article in The Nashville Post makes clear, that ain’t all. In one of her own depositions, Grindstaff … er, Costa, acknowledges having had sexual relations with three employees of the Memphis RiverKings hockey team during the period of its ownership by the foundation. One of them, former assistant general manager Kevin Brooks, was demoted and fired (when the relationship cooled, he says) and later sued his former boss for sexual harassment.

Said Brooks in a deposition: “I truly, truly don’t care what’s happening with the organization, and I don’t want to be part of – of – of the Peyton Place that is happening.”

Well, at least there’s one disinterested party. Get all the dish here.

Last month, Bert Gamboa, owner of the Edge District club The Complex, was arrested for his alleged role in a cocaine trafficking ring. (Gamboa was secretly videotaped taking a large payoff at the club.) Police say the Gamboa drug organization, as it’s been called, has been under investigation for five years. The ring, which included two of Gamboa’s cousins, supposedly brought millions of dollars worth of cocaine into Memphis. Yesterday, Gamboa’s parents released a statement asking people not to judge until their son has been judged in a court of law.

“On behalf of The Complex and the Gamboa family, we would like to set the record straight. We love our son tremendously and unconditionally.

“First, let us say that we as taxpaying citizens would like to compliment the law agencies for doing their job protecting our city and its people. As a business owner we don’t condone any criminal activity in and around our place of business as well as our business community of the great developing edge district, we would also like to serve notice to anyone thinking of doing something in our community of a criminal nature, we will not tolerate it! So criminals beware.

“Next, we would like to say that in light of the situation with our son; please do not judge him until he has due process of the law in this great land called America, and in the great historical city called Memphis.

“Also, we want to say thank you to all those who have shown support for our son and The Complex. For that we are truly blessed. Our agenda remains the same, and that’s to help the development of this community with our vision along with our friends, and business associates to create a great atmosphere for anyone who would like to express themselves through art, entertainment, and food.

“Also to create a place for creative thinking and winding down from the day-to-day struggles of trying to make ends meet.

“We, the Gamboa family in turn would like to say that this is a great burden on our hearts and we need your prayers to help us through these trying times for us and our loved ones.

“So in closing, we are proud to say that we love Memphis and believe this city has the makings of greatness. We will continue to put our efforts toward growth and diversity to see Memphis take its rightful place at the top of the list with other great cities in the country.

“The Complex would like to say thanks to all of you that have not judged us in the court of public opinion without knowing the facts to this we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Our doors are opened to anyone and will remain open.

“With the help of God we truly believe he will guide us and protect us and give us strength to carry on. Thank you again for this opportunity and we need your prayers and welcome any help.

“On behalf of the Gamboa family, God Bless You All.”

Parents who are behind on child support payments will have to pay up or risk losing their driver’s license. The State Department of Human Services is sending out letters this week to more than 15,000 parents across the state. If you owe more than $500 and haven’t made payment in more than 90 days, your number’s up. To learn more, go to here.

Fall has fallen, so that means it’s time for the weekly lunch-and-concert combo, Calvary & the Arts, beginning at noon Wednesday at Calvary Episcopal Church downtown. On the menu tomorrow is pulled pork and the musical guest will be Sonny Turner of the Platters.

For a full schedule, go here.