Members of “Get Off Our Lawn” group are calling for the resignation of Memphis Zoo director Chuck Brady. Toby Sells has the latest.
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Month: June 2014
The Memphis Zoo needs new leadership, according to the protest group that helped ban cars from parking on the Overton Park Greensward.
Get Off Our Lawn, the group that protested Greensward parking, issued a simple statement Monday: “It is time for new zoo leadership.” The statement also called for supporters to send that message to city leaders and to Twitter with the hashtag #newzooleadership.
The statement came after Memphis Zoo president Chuck Brady asked zoo members on Monday to contact Memphis Mayor A C Wharton for “an adequate solution” for parking around the zoo and criticized the new, trial shuttle service that started last weekend. The Get Off Our Lawn statement said they were “disheartened” to see Brady’s letter saying he’s not giving the shuttle a chance or showing an effort to find alternative parking solutions.
“Brady’s ultimate goal is to open (Overton Park’s Old Forest) roads to trams, which would have no greater capacity than the current shuttles,” said the Get Off Our Lawn statement. “The Old Forest roads have been closed to traffic for over 20 years and are not up for discussion as a solution.”
Brady’s letter came Monday as three, large events loom for the park this weekend that will no doubt strain the already challenging parking situation there.
An email from Brady to zoo members Monday said he’s working to convince city officials to come up with a “better plan — both short term and long term — for all of our visitors within Overton Park.”
The two, free shuttles, that run from the new parking garage at Overton Square to Overton Park aren’t cutting it, he said.
“We feel it is our members and visitors who will suffer the most from this approach, and we agree with your concerns that this isn’t an adequate solution,” read Brady’s letter.
If the Overton Park Greensward is no longer available for overflow parking and no one comes up with better short-term solutions than the shuttles, the “Zoo will be negatively impacted in many ways, including the scope of our operations.”
Justin Fox Burks
Chuck Brady
Brady’s letter urges zoo members to contact Wharton at mayor@memphistn.gov. Also, it asks for public feedback at the zoo at (901) 333-6567 or at parking@memphiszoo.org.
Parking problems around the zoo were pushed to the forefront earlier this year when a group called Get Off Our Lawn began protesting against zoo parking on the park’s Greensward. Mayor Wharton said publicly that parking was prohibited on the park field as his office, zoo officials, and the Overton Park Conservancy searched for parking solutions.
The issue will be pushed to the limit this weekend as simultaneous events are scheduled in Overton Park.
The Overton Park Conservancy will host A Day of Merrymaking at Overton Park, a free festival for families, kids, and dogs on the Greensward from 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. The Levitt Shell will host the Moon River Music Festival with gates opening at 11 a.m. Also, sources have said this weekend last year was one of the largest for attendance at the Memphis Zoo.
So, if the Red Rocker keeps moving halfway to Memphis, and Zeno’s paradox works, he’ll never arrive. That’s good, right?
Also, former Memphian and noted Blues ninja Steven Segal is currently touring Europe with his band. Admittedly, he’s not much of a singer, but when he executes a flying back kick you can feel love slipping away.
Sometimes you want to enjoy the Sunday comics, but just don’t understand why they are funny. As a service to our readers, we provide “The Howling Monkey Reads The Comics”.
The goal is to publish this every Sunday (more or less) at The Howling Monkey blog. Depending on how this goes over, it may appear here as well.
Anywho, in this week’s episode: Arlo and Janis complain! Hagar enjoys cake! Earl’s dirty pants! School’s out! All that and more in The Howling Monkey Reads the Comics! (Look, we admit this isn’t for everyone. But those who it is for will laugh and laugh)!
[audio-path:http://thehowlingmonkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/140601comics.mp3]
Joey Hack is a regular contributor to The Fly On The Wall blog and is a member of The Wiseguys improv troupe.
Cohen addressing the troops at Saturday HQ opening
Greeting a large crowd of supporters and other attendees, including numerous local officials, at the formal opening of his newest campaign headquarters at Poplar and Collins on Saturday. 9th District congressman Steve Cohen said, “I get better at my job every day,” recounted a list of achievements for the district, and rebutted a charge from the camp of Democratic primary opponent Ricky Wilkins that he isn’t “local” enough.
“Even if I weren’t the candidate, it makes no sense not to keep ‘goin’ with Cohen,’” the congressman said, contending that “in Congress, experience counts.” Noting that his own campaign slogan is subject to re-use in campaign after campaign, Cohen teased Wilkins for “being smart enough to copy us” with billboards that proclaim “Our Next Congressman.”
Said Cohen to appreciative laughter from the crowd, “He can use those again and again and again!”
Focusing on his work in Washington and his relationship with President Obama, who has endorsed him, Cohen said his good relations across the aisle with Republicans like Appropriations Committee chairman Frank Wolf had allowed him to add $5 million to the federal budget for local rape-kit testing. He said he had received a call at the time from Mayor A C Wharton who was with a group of women “singing my praises” for doing so.
Cohen also cited his efforts on behalf of minimum wage and unemployment insurance legislation, on drug sentencing reform, and on his success in securing funding for local projects as a member of the House Transportation Committee.
A congressman’s main task, Cohen said, is to keep local officials supplied with federal funding, “the tools they need,” to support projects of their own devising. “Congressional people don’t administer We can’t tell them [local officials] what to do,” he said, adding to applause, “If you want a political boss, we can bring back Crump!”
Settling a score of sorts with his former district director Randy Wade, now a cog in the Wilkins campaign, Cohen recounted a conversation between the two at a time when a local tax-refund company was in legal trouble. “When Mo Money Taxes was ripping people off in his co0mmjunity, my district director came to me and said ‘don’t mess with that, that’s so and so’s nephew.’ I said I don’t care whose nephew it is. They’re messing with our people….Now they’re no longer in the tax business and they won’t rip off anybody.”
Cohen also said he had resisted pressure to get aboard the charter-surrender bandwagon at the onset of the local school-merger crisis in 2010. “You don’t get on the Titanic,” he said, contending that supporters of the Memphis City Schools charter surrender “shouldn’t have got involved with ‘local issues’ because they were working for lawyers, who made millions and millions of dollars and have messed up our city schools.”
That last thrust doubled as a hat-tip to the Rev. Kenneth Whalum Jr., who had stoutly resisted the charter surrender as an MCS board member. Whalum, a long-time supporter of Cohen, had introduced the congressman on Saturday with a spirited endorsement that included a warning to the crowd.
“Be cognizant of a real truth in this city,” Whalum had said, predicting “one of the most mud-slinging races we’ve seen in the 9th District in a long time, particularly among African-American ministers,” based on “the red herring that a Jew cannot effectively represent the black community in Memphis.”
This was “disingenuous, especially in Memphis, Tennessee, for a group of Christian African-American ministers,” said Whalum. “We preachers get in the pulpit every Sunday and preach about how a Jew is effectively representing us in Heaven for 2000 years!”
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Harris English Talks FedEx St. Jude Classic
Frank Murtaugh talks with Harris English, the defending champion of the FedEx St. Jude Classic, which begins Thursday.
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Q&A With Harris English
You could say Harris English introduced himself to the golf world from Memphis. Keyed by three birdies and an eagle over the first five holes of the second round, English marched to his first PGA Tour victory at the 2013 FedEx St. Jude Classic. The former Georgia Bulldog broke par in all four rounds to edge Phil Mickelson for the $1.026 million winner’s check. English returns to Memphis this week, another Tour win under his belt (the OHL Classic at Mayakoba last November) and having climbed to eighth in the FedExCup standings.
As we near the anniversary of your first win on the Tour, what stands out from last year’s FESJC?
That was kind of my breakout on the PGA Tour. I’ve got a lot of good memories. I had a lot of high school friends who came out to cheer me on, and the city of Memphis has been a huge help since then, taking me under their wing. It’s such an awesome city and such an awesome tournament. I’m excited about getting back, defending my title, and seeing all the people who helped me get there.
At what point in the tournament did you feel like you had a decent chance to win?
I was playing in the last group on Saturday [as a leader], so I knew I’d put myself in a pretty good position after 36 holes. I felt like I was playing well all week. I feel like any time I’m putting well, I have a good chance. And I was feeling good with the putter. I came out Sunday one shot behind, and that was pretty comfortable for me, knowing I had to stay aggressive.
Among the holes on the TPC Southwind course, which stand out in your memory?
I had a few hiccups on 8 and 9 [in the fourth round]. I three-putted 9 from the front of the green for bogey, and I was pretty upset with myself. But my caddie said, ‘Look, we’ve got nine holes to go. We’re not out of this.’ Making that [birdie] putt on 17 was so huge. Having a two-shot lead going to 18 was so much better. Made my decision to hit a five-wood down the center of the fairway a lot easier.
Southwind is one of the best TPC courses we play all year. I really like the back nine, especially the stretch from 14 to 18. The 15th is one of my favorite par-4s; you have to be so accurate off the tee.
You had an interesting final round, with six birdies and five bogeys.
I didn’t let the bogeys affect me. And that’s tough in the final round; a lot more pressure. I feel like I did a good job not letting the bogeys get in my head and change my game plan. I stayed aggressive. I didn’t do anything stupid, but I didn’t play safe either. I played for the win.
What element of your game are you working on most these days?
I’m always working on my short game, from 100 yards in. I feel like I’ve been struggling with this the last couple of months. You can never be good enough [with your short game]. It’s an area where I can really set myself apart.
And what’s a strength in your game today?
I feel comfortable with my irons. I hit a lot of greens in regulation, to give myself chances at birdies.
You grew up a fan of Davis Love III and Fred Couples. What drew you to them in particular?
I grew up taking lessons at Sea Island [in Georgia]. I’d see Davis practicing there, and I always idolized his game, and the way he carried himself on the golf course. Freddie was the same. You didn’t really know if they were playing well or not. That’s what my mom taught me, and I tried to emulate them. I get just as mad inside as everyone else, but I try not to show it.
Playing the Masters for the first time had to be special, particularly being a Georgia native.
It was an awesome experience. I played there five or six times before I turned pro. I obviously didn’t play as well as I wanted to [English missed the cut], but I’m looking forward to getting back next year and giving it another shot.
You’ve stepped forward to help raise funds for St. Jude. What are your impressions of the hospital and its connection with the local tournament?
I took a tour of St. Jude for the first time a couple of months ago and was amazed at how well-run the organization is. It’s such a happy place. It’s so fulfilling, being on the PGA Tour and being able to give back, to help the kids who are really struggling. I’m doing something I love, and those kids need our help. It gives golf fans something extra to pull for.
The contest is back … and the giveaway this week is a good one: 4 tickets to the annual martini-tastic Literacy Mid-South fund-raiser Literatini, being held Friday, June 13th at the Booksellers at Laurelwood.
The first person to correctly ID the dish and where I’m eating wins the tickets.
Among the restaurants offering up samples of their martinis at the event are Automatic Slim’s, Alchemy, South of Beale, Silly Goose, Blind Bear, Grove Grill, and Jim’s Place, with guests voting on their favorite two. There will also be a “Martini Death Match.” Last year’s Literatini sold out.
To enter, submit your answer to me via email at ellis@memphisflyer.com.
Answer and winner will be revealed in the next contest post.
The answer to contest 29 is the Wedding Cake Supreme at Jerry’s Sno Cones, and the winner is … Michael Donahoe.
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Roland Martin Talks News, Career, and Golf
Louis Goggans chats with newsman Roland Martin, who’ll be in town this week for the FedEx St. Jude golf tournament.
A multitude of celebrities will flaunt their golfing skills during this year’s Danny Thomas Pro-Am golf tournament.
The event, which will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, is taking place Monday, June 2nd at TPC Southwind. It starts at noon.
NFL Hall-of-Famer Jim Brown, Mike Conley and Mike Miller of the Memphis Grizzlies, Penny Hardaway, Robby Krieger of The Doors, and former Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins are among the celebs participating in the tournament.
Reputable journalist Roland Martin is another person who will showcase his golfing skills during the event. A former CNN news analyst and the current host of TV One’s News One Now (which airs daily at 9 a.m. EST), Martin along with his wife, Jacquie, have been supporting St. Jude for the last few years by conducting fundraisers and spreading awareness of the hospital’s dedication to treat children with life-threatening diseases free of charge.
“We’ve held fundraisers in Washington, DC and I’ve done discussions on radio and television, because I think it’s important to bring the story of what Danny Thomas did and also what St. Jude still does to our audience, who otherwise might be unfamiliar with their background,” Martin said. “For me, it’s an opportunity to further my role as an ambassador for the hospital and encourage people to step up and do their part to assist the hospital and these children who desperately need the assistance.”
The Danny Thomas Pro-Am is a part of the FedEx St. Jude Classic, a professional golf tournament. This year, the competition will last from June 2nd-June 8th.
For the Danny Thomas Pro-Am, there will be four amateurs and one professional/one celebrity per group during the event. Amateurs will play nine holes with a professional and nine holes with a celebrity.
The event title comes from late actor Danny Thomas, who, in 1969, agreed to lend his name to the tournament in exchange for St. Jude becoming the tournament’s charity.
Martin said he was motivated to support St. Jude after visiting the hospital and learning more about its history and dedication to provide children with treatment regardless of their race, religion, or family’s ability to pay.
Martin was introduced to golf as a freshman at Texas A&M in 1987. He chose to play the sport as his physical education course. Years later, he’s developed a fervent passion for the same sport he once played for a grade.
“It really is one of the best decisions I’ve made, because I’ve been able to meet some phenomenal people through the game of golf,” Martin said. “It’s a sport that challenges you physically and mentally. You step on that course, you’ve got to contend with the wind, the heat, the cold, sand, water … you’ve got to deal with undulation, [and] the ground. You’ve got all those different things. It challenges you. You have to think your way through it. On a given day, something may be wrong. You can’t hit your club the distance you normally hit. You’ve got to make an adjustment … you’ve got to take a full swing, a three-quarter swing, [or a] half-swing. It really challenges you to think yourself through and problem-solve, and that’s one of the things I love about it.”
Following the Danny Thomas Pro-Am, the Window World Pro-Am will take place on Wednesday, June 4th. Notable participants include former major league baseball players Ozzie Smith and Tino Martinez, Britton Colquitt of the Denver Broncos, and NASCAR drivers Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Denny Hamlin.
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