norococo

"Valentime"

2012-02-14T08:00:00.003-06:00

When you find someone special, hold them tight and never let them go. It's hard to believe Atticus and Violet have been best friends since they were 3 months old, over 5 years of a loving bond I hope never breaks. Enjoy your 'Valentime' as Atticus would say.

Nikon F film photo by Sophorn.

Vintage Nikon F Film Camera [ For Sale ]

2012-02-07T12:10:00.056-06:00

I've had a generous opportunity to test out this vintage Nikon for my friend James before he sells it. Before it goes on an official site for bids, you can contact me if you're interested in making an offer. sophorn [at] hotmail [dot] com

Details ~ 35mm SLR, 1964 production with standard viewfinder and Nikkor 45mm f2.8 "pancake" lens. Good working condition. See a camera diagram here.

Film Tests ~ More importantly you may be interested the results of my film tests. See the more recent photos I've taken with it below. You may also click here to see more of my favorites from this camera.

Film photos by Sophorn.

To Crave ~ Fuel Baguette Special and My Attempt to Clone

2012-02-01T06:00:00.045-06:00

This is a photo of the baguette created by Fuel food truck I had two weeks ago. My attempt to recreate it last night, because I had been craving it ever since, looked exactly the same but just didn't taste the same. I mean it looked simple enough. I got all the same ingredients, down to the premium Boursin brand cheese that made it so special. Sadly, it fit the true description of a clone - a physical reproduction lacking one vital thing - soul. It couldn't replace the original. I must say, I now have a deeper respect for the culinary talent of the Fuel Cafe team.

Fuel food truck by Fuel Cafe
Usually located at the Barking Lot - Main and Jefferson.
Follow them on twitter @FuelFoodTruck

Photo by Sophorn

Yes, I'm Atticus' Mom

2012-01-23T08:00:00.031-06:00

Although subconsciously I don't want to be known as Atticus' Mom, I hold that as the most important title to me. So before I blog about my latest work, I'll share some recent photos of my favorite subject to photograph - Atticus.

Film Photos by Sophorn.

Tasted ~ Revival Food Truck

2012-01-19T08:00:00.011-06:00

For those of you who declared New Year’s resolutions that have anything to do with losing weight or eating out less, I’ll go ahead and apologize. I know it’ll be torture to know how much you’ll miss out on the gourmet food from Revival food truck. I know this because it’s torture for me having to write about this review reminiscing over the tacos I had or developing maddening cravings just by reading their daily menu specials.

It may seem unconvincing how “food truck” equates to crave-able gourmet food, but I always imagine that without all the fuss of the typical restaurant concerns of dining space, large staff, and long hours, the chef gets to focus on the food. Revival food truck with their daily specials takes the base standard and experiments with flavor and adds their own twist to an original. Their menu standards are a soup, dog, slider, taco, fries, veggies and dessert. From there, you can literally expect your taste buds to be revived every single visit. If I haven’t convinced you yet, taste the food for yourself. The hard part will be deciding on just one thing to order.

See an article on them and food trucks on the Memphis Daily News here. Atticus almost stole their spotlight.

Revival Food Truck
Normally downtown at Madison & Main
Follow them on Twitter or Facebook to keep up with their location and specials.
You call in your order ahead of time.
1.662.715.9049

Photos by Sophorn

Do It Anyway

2012-01-16T12:30:00.033-06:00

Hitting pause -
One of my favorite gifts given to me recently was a framed quote by Mother Teresa that I'm holding close to my heart and allowing to calm my false anxieties. // Thanks Sophea for this gift and all your words of encouragement.

Brown Girl Dreams {Logo Design}

2012-01-16T08:00:00.038-06:00

//

To honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., I wanted to highlight a budding non-profit requesting "dreamers." Lori Spicer, who I met through Dress for Success and whose busy schedule puts mine to shame, began Brown Girl Dreams to mentor and inspire young women of color. I had the honor of developing their logo allowing the idea of clouds and wings to represent the theme "dream BIG".

20...12

2012-01-16T07:00:00.031-06:00

//

I have a feeling it's already flying by like last year but here's hoping we find moments to pause. Only then can we recognize the inspiration that fuels us.

Around Memphis { Photo No. 4 }

2011-12-28T12:30:00.005-06:00

There are two things Atticus loves that are typical boy obsessions - rocks and puddles. And rocks next to puddles? Pure heaven.

Film photo by Sophorn. Lot behind Pearl's Oyster house, downtown Memphis. Hopefully I'll get to post more never-before-posted photos from this year before 2012 rolls around.

Tasted ~ Burly's Down South Burger

2011-12-14T12:45:00.105-06:00

With so many good reviews, menus of Burly's Burgers scattered around the office, and the huge signs along my route to work everyday, I finally gave in over lunch and ordered a specialty Burly burger to go. With the guacamole-topped ground beef heaping over the side, it was hardly the ideal lunch to try to hold in one hand and adjust the camera, but after several tries and a gentleman in the park eying my burger asking, "Are you gonna eat that already?", I didn't wait much longer before taking a bite to officially take ownership of that burger. Well, everyone had good reason to rave. The seasoning was just right and it's meatiness was definitely what I would call "burly". I almost felt sad for the bottom bun that had to hold all that weight. Almost.

Burly's Burgers Fries and Shakes
662 Madison Ave
Memphis, TN 38103
ph +1.901.521.9200

Photo by Sophorn. (FYI: They don't have shakes for the winter season until after February.)

Lunch Date with Atticus at Stone Soup Cafe

2011-11-29T11:30:00.010-06:00

I first heard the story of stone soup in the second grade where it immediately became one of my favorite stories to read. Probably also due to hearing the story of soup making right before lunch, I had an unbreakable association with the word “soup” to “stones” as during recess I eyed every rock around the playground wondering how tasty it would make my bowl of soup. On the other hand, after reading the book to Atticus for the first time last year, there was not the association to stones but he was definitely hungry at the end since he remarked, “One day can we make stone soup? But how about we add cookies. And don't put in the stones.”

When Stone Soup Café opened in our neighborhood Cooper-Young about two months ago and actually served their own version of stone soup, the kid in me filled with excitement, and I discovered that the word association was still rather strong. (I’m not sure if the owners know how brilliant the hunger-inducing name actually is.) Since Atticus and I haven’t gotten around to making our own stone soup, he was the perfect lunch date to try the family friendly restaurant for the first time. We also made sure to bring his copy of Marcia Brown’s Stone Soup to read and induce further hunger while we waited for our order.

As a complimentary starter, our server brought out two cubes of steaming hot cornbread, the best cornbread I’ve ever tasted. Truly. I only had one small bite of mine before I noticed Atticus had quickly devoured his cornbread and was literally an inch from my cornbread about to devour it too. I sadly gave my piece to him knowing a large bowl of stone soup and a stuffed tomato salad was on its way.

The very meaty and chunky stone soup finally came, quite the delicious eye full. The Stone Soup Café version is made from a light tomato base with ground meat, smoked sausage, cabbage, onions, celery, peppers, carrots, and kidney beans topped with sour cream and black olives. With so many vegetables many kids don’t like, I was nervous about Atticus’ reaction to his first taste. Sure enough, he was done after that first bite and wanted just a bowl of grits and bacon which left me with a very hearty meal to finish. I almost regretted ordering the stuffed tomato with chicken salad but I’m glad I got to try it. It was perfect to take home and eat as leftovers.

We later got to meet the manager Troy who showed us the special upstairs dining rooms and even helped with some of the food shots. He was nice enough to answer our questions including Atticus’ one question on his mind the entire time. “Do you really put stones in your stone soup?”

The answer is no but the restaurant did suggest that they do put love in their food stating on their door that “food is love” and that the story of stone soup that inspired the restaurant concept is about community - contributing just a little to the pot makes something wonderful and hearty we can all enjoy.

Stone Soup Cafe
993 S Cooper
Memphis, TN 38104
Ph +1.901.922.5314

Photos by Sophorn.

The Formus Christmas Tree

2011-11-28T15:30:00.030-06:00

Tonight, we'll put on some Christmas music and heat up some hot chocolate while we put up our Christmas tree. It's only four days after Thanksgiving, and I already feel like I'm behind on Christmas. Anyone else feeling sucked into that guilt? Well, if the family Christmas cards don't get out this year, I will tell myself no one actually cares anyway. At least, I got the company Christmas card done this year - the architect's drawing compass, an old friend, used back in the pre-computer days repurposed as a Christmas tree.

Illustration/graphics by Sophorn.

Music Monday ~ A Playlist for Thanksgiving

2011-11-21T12:30:00.018-06:00

Hope your Thanksgiving holiday means gathering with all your loved ones. For your enjoyment and travel pleasure, my playlist.com friends and I put together a group playlist of songs with/for group singing. I also added in a couple of videos of friends and families getting together to sing two of my favorite songs. Instant mood boosters!

Photo from Morning Benders video. Graphics by Sophorn.

Breakfast with Boats at The Arcade

2011-11-15T12:15:00.013-06:00

After rocking the Hi-Tone Café till late in the night, the Canadian crew of Boats, one of my favorite bands, needed a great Memphis spot to enjoy breakfast the next morning. Although they didn’t sleep in as late as their intense tour-strained bodies might have needed, we did head to breakfast well after the morning rush. I led them to the Arcade restaurant, probably “the perfect breakfast spot for rock stars because they serve breakfast all day!” Seriously, I should suggest that be the Arcade’s new slogan, but the band would humbly disagree on the rock star label especially since they recently signed with the US indie label Kill Rock Stars. I asked what changes exactly when signing with a label. “Nothing,” Boats front man Mat responded cynically then laughed. It did get one of their songs on a Target commercial though*. I thought it was pretty special even though the band joked they sold out.

Rock star or not, they were still very impressed that they played at the Hi-Tone where Elvis learned karate and ate at the Arcade restaurant where Elvis was a regular. The Arcade menu and bio is also scattered with other bragging rights, marking Food Network and Travel Channel favorite dishes and noting that many major movies were filmed inside the ‘50s vintage interior. Even without all the cool advertising fluff that impresses tourists, the heart of the menu, the tasty dishes that end up in front of you is what impresses both tourists and locals.

Among the five band members Mat, Louis, Luke, Ashley, and Rory, the best of the breakfast menu standards were ordered – hash browns, biscuits and gravy, sausage, eggs, and French toast. Ashley confirmed the uniqueness of her French toast with the kitchen. Yes, they were deep fried, making them as delectable as doughnuts or beignets. I ordered the buttermilk pancakes with bacon and grits, which I promised them tasted great with bacon. They politely refused my offer to sample as I rethought my bacon phrase. (Sorry, grits but everything tastes great with bacon.) We soon noticed that no one ordered the Food Network favorite, sweet potato pancakes, which became sort of a detailed topic. At the Arcade, they are pancakes with sweet potato bits/flavor mixed in the normal batter. It seems the term ‘sweet potato pancakes’ may be misleading as Rory and a few others imagined them to be hash browns made with sweet potatoes instead of regular white potatoes. It’s one of my favorite things to make at home, so I guess if we are taking the liberty to make suggestions to the Arcade, I would be quite excited to see if they would add this as a menu item – sweet potato hash browns. Maybe, on the next tour, as Mat said, “when we do become huge rock stars and can spend TWO days in Memphis”, they will find the sweet potato hash browns on the menu.

Thanks Mat, Louis, Luke, Ashley, and Rory for the great company. Thanks for visiting me in Memphis. The show was awesome. (I also remembered the musician that I listened on last.fm to discover you guys. It was Blair. I’m sure you’re relieved to know that.)

The Arcade Restaurant
540 S Main St
Memphis, TN 38103
Ph +1.901.526-5757

Photos by Sophorn. / *Listen to the song that was used in the Target commercial here.

Tasted ~ Afters Boutique Persimmon Cookies

2011-11-14T12:15:00.002-06:00

Several weeks ago, I brought a basket full of persimmons from my parents' crop in Alabama to Memphis, sharing with our friend Greg who was also a persimmon fan. Having much more than we knew what to do with, we wondered what could be made from this somewhat obscure fruit. Then just a few days ago, Greg surprises me with delicious cookies made from the very batch I gave him. He credited his lovely lady Dayna of Afters Boutique saying, "she can make anything, especially sweet tasty yummy anythings." I'll add one thing to sweet, tasty, and yummy anythings - beautiful. Dayna crafts all her custom sweets almost too gorgeous to eat.

Make sure to check out her standard selections keeping in mind she can make anything special for you. Afters Boutique is currently running a Thanksgiving special - 30% off orders before November 20, Sunday night. Like them on facebook to keep up with more specials. Thanks Greg and Dayna!

Photos and graphics by Sophorn.

Design Tonic Magazine {Craig Brewer Interview}

2011-11-14T10:00:00.042-06:00

///
I'm proud to say that I'm officially a contributor to the new online magazine Design Tonic. They cover all things creative including film which gave me the opportunity to interview local but now internationally known filmmaker Craig Brewer. He was gracious enough to talk to me about his love of film, his creative process, and the challenges of remaking Footloose. Take a read here and go support his movie Footloose still showing at the Malco Studio on the Square.

Special thanks to Autumn, Erin, and Craig. Photo courtesy of Erin Hagee/Craig Brewer.

Shop & Sip ~ Y.E.S. and Turkoyz Fundraiser

2011-11-13T16:00:00.000-06:00

This Tuesday November 15th from 6-8pm come Shop & Sip at Turkoyz for a good cause. As part of the re-organized Young Executives for Success, I helped create the graphic for the first fundraising event and membership drive for Y.E.S. The event will be held at a great little jewelry and accessory boutique called Turkoyz. I included a few of their photos of my favorite pieces. Come join us for free Sangria donated by Splash Sangria. A portion of the profits during the event will benefit Dress for Success Memphis. More details below.

///
Interested in becoming a member of Y.E.S! (Young Executives for Success)- Join us at our first fundraising event and membership drive, a SHOP & SIP, on Tuesday, November 15, at Turkoyz, located at 4548 Poplar Ave. at Laurelwood Shopping Center.

Founded in 2005, Young Executives for Success (Y.E.S!) is a volunteer branch of Dress for Success that provides its members with volunteer, fundraising and networking opportunities to champion the mission of Dress for Success.

Young Executives for Success Y.E.S! members represent a variety of industries, including but not limited to, fashion, beauty, media, healthcare and finance. Membership is non-exclusive and we welcome the interests of passionate and professional women in the Memphis area. Members make an annual tax-deductible donation and have the opportunity to participate in events and activities that raise awareness and funds for Dress for Success. There is also the opportunity to increase involvement by becoming a part of the executive committee or a sub-committee (e.g. membership, events, marketing/communications, community outreach).

Y.E.S! is not only a great way to support the important efforts of Dress for Success, but to also meet and network with a tremendous group of women who are interested in making a difference.

{Logo Design} Men About Change Memphis

2011-11-13T15:45:00.003-06:00

///Logo design progress for a new non-profit organization in Memphis. Men About Change Memphis, like Dress for Success helping women, will help provide suits and job readiness for low-income men.

Graphics by Sophorn.

Tasted ~ Cafe 4

2011-11-09T06:00:00.069-06:00

The majority of my time spent in Knoxville was inside a lecture room learning structures from the deservingly raved about Professor Thaddeus, but I did get to enjoy one local treat with my Memphis group - Cafe 4 in Market Square. Market Square near the University of Tennessee campus was in itself impressive in its urban appeal containing a park bracketed with restaurants, storefronts, and outdoor stage. Cafe 4 continued the lively ambiance with the ultra-cool lighting and architectural details. The Nikon F camera I had handy couldn't capture the food shots that well but it did capture that ambiance that probably kept all the tables filled and helped the long waiting list to form.

We opted not to wait but was immediately offered some open spots in the lounge on the mezzanine level. Expecting a subpar experience from the main dining room, we were almost grateful we got the quiet little table upstairs. I'm suspecting we also got our food a little faster since our server seemed wholly assigned to our area. We could have gotten the food even faster if every single thing on the menu didn't sound so appetizing.

Here's what we finally ordered and tasted:
~Market Square Mini Crab Cakes {Jeanne}
~Low Country Shrimp and Grits {Sophorn}
~Blackened Shrimp on Grilled Romaine {Jason}

My favorite twist to the Shrimp and Grits dish was the addition of goat cheese, one of my favorite cheeses. All in all we were happy to end our long day with a satisfying meal.

///
Thanks to Jeanne, the UT grad, for showing us her favorite part of Knoxville. Thanks to Jason for helping initiate the seminar trip from Memphis. Special thanks to Professor Thaddeus and Susanne for organizing the seminar. Wish us all good luck on our ARE structures exams. / FYI: I've got a ton of restaurant reviews yet to post. See sneak peeks here. You may notice the ones I post much more quickly are the ones where I can't wait to thank people.

Cafe 4
4 Market Square
Knoxville, TN 37902

Film Photos by Sophorn. Cafe 4 renovation and design project by Smee + Busby Architecture (where Susanne is a designer). It was the winner of the 2009 Excellence Award in Historic Renovation.

Meet Super Kitty

2011-11-05T10:00:00.004-05:00

We’ve had this cute furry addition to our family for a whole week before Atticus would allow any photographs to be taken of her. He didn’t say exactly why, but I suppose he was being a bit protective since he asked if she’ll be famous now she’s been photographed. I was quick to laugh but then I remembered the name Atticus had given her – Super Kitty, and after hearing her story from the shelter found it very fitting, and I may be in some ways using this post to make Super Kitty the poster “kitten” for the Tunica Humane Society. / Read her story below by Sandy, one of the volunteers thanking our friend James who brought Super Kitty to us.

That little kitty had a really rocky start in life. I went and picked it up several weeks ago when I got a call from a lady that said her children had found the kitten and brought it home. The woman said she was afraid of cats and she wanted to get rid of it.

It was the next morning before I could ride out to her house. The lady wouldn't come to the door but her kids told me that the kitten was in a box at the side of the house. I walked around to the driveway and found this tiny kitten in a plastic container with the lid snapped on tight. It was sitting in the full sunlight. When I opened the container, the precious little cat was so weak; I never really thought it would make it. But I took it straight to our shelter and tried to give it some food and water. It literally dove into a small can of soft cat food. Its little face was completely covered in food.

Beverly volunteers with us at the shelter and she is our go to person on cats in distress. She took "Tiny" home for a few weeks.

This little guy is still fragile but it is truly a miracle that it lived.

Thank you so much, James. For helping us place this little soul.
Sandy

Please donate to or adopt from the Tunica Humane Society or your local animal shelter today. Thanks again to James and Sandy!

Notice the cat tattoo.

He wanted to introduce you to her backside too.

///
Film photos by Sophorn.

Tasted ~ Ciao Bella

2011-10-27T06:30:00.024-05:00

I have a theory. If it takes the chef over 30 seconds and several breaths to describe his carefully prepared dish, it’s probably going to be incredible. In fact, it might even cause a culinary explosion in every single one of your taste buds. One of my favorite dishes of the evening that sparked this theory indeed had the longest description, so lengthy I had to hear it twice and slowly to get it all down. Here’s the complete description given to me and Christopher by Chef Branon Mason: Chilled orzo pasta salad tossed with the house dressing, baby greens, red onions, roma tomatoes, black olives, feta cheese, and baby heirloom tomatoes. (Explosions definitely erupted.)

To say our meal at Ciao Bella is one of the best we can remember is not an exaggeration. I also say this not because our fine dining experiences have dramatically decreased due to financial problems (that’s a whole other story), but let’s just say I’m officially tired of eating Taco Bell Nacho Supremes when I go out. Inventive dishes using all fresh ingredients, I would never grow tired of eating. Chef Branon, admittedly young in the business but studying under executive chef Jonathan Steenerson, proved there’s nothing more valuable to the restaurant’s vitality than communicating his talent and love of food through his dishes. Hopefully, I was able to translate this as well through the photographs as you may notice subtle but thought out details such as the bowl lined with basil pesto in the duck confit & gnocchi dish. As a special, the protein paired with the gnocchi may also be prepared with Kobe beef depending on what night you dine. Other ingredients in this dish include roasted portabella mushrooms, goat cheese, and pine nuts in a veal reduction demiglaze.

The other special to the menu as beautifully presented to us were the pan-seared diver scallops with pomegranate reduction, toasted almonds, and mandarin oranges. Oh so perfectly cooked and dressed, scallops immediately jumped from my list of least favorite seafood to the top of my food list that I would wrestle Christopher over to get the last bite.

Lastly, we ended the somewhat epic meal with none other than my all time favorite dessert – tiramisu. Tiramisu, in general, is my perfect dessert – light, creamy, a bit of chocolate, a bit of vanilla, and a bit of coffee. Ciao Bella’s version had the perfect combination of all these things and the perfect balance of sweetness. Good thing Christopher knew to stay clear of my path to this plate. I would’ve pulled out my best wrestling moves to get the last bite of this tiramisu.

Thanks so much Ciao Bella for the great meal. Special thanks to Kristen Waddell and Chef Branon and our server April.

Ciao Bella Italian Grill
565 Erin Drive
Memphis, TN 38117
Ph +1.901.205.2500

Web / Twitter

Photos by Sophorn.

Becky - 9 Months { Nikon F Film }

2011-10-26T17:35:00.001-05:00

Gorgeous momma-to-be Becky is so ready to meet her baby girl (baby name is top secret so some of the shots with the name won't be posted) I can't wait to meet her. Thanks Becky for letting me convince you to take these big belly shots you dreaded.

Film Photos by Sophorn. Kodak 800iso with some post edits.

luvmud [ seen ] upclose

2011-10-21T17:00:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure I'll have time to post more luvmud photos anytime soon but here's one significant shot I took right before my face and camera were drenched with mud. See more photos on [ seen ] memphis that should help you experience much more muddiness.

Photo by Sophorn.

Little Black Dress Event 2011 / Upcoming Upscale Garage Sale

2011-10-20T12:45:00.048-05:00

I recently helped Dress for Success Memphis with a fundraiser called the Little Black Dress Event that in essence was a fashion preview party for their bigger fundraiser this weekend - The Upscale Garage Sale. Some of the items modeled in the fashion show are new name brand items donated from upscale boutiques in Memphis that can be purchased this weekend for a steal. For the first time this year, the Upscale Garage Sale will be held during the RiverArts Fest in the South Main Arts District. See details below.

6th Annual Upscale Garage Sale
Friday / 4pm - 7pm
Saturday / 8am - 6pm
MPact Memphis / 506 S. Main St.

Food & Wine photo captions: Various fare from Las Delicias, Ciao Bella, Felicia Suzanne's, Muddy's, Sweet Grass, and Quality Wine & Liquors.

Andrea Fenise of Style Junkie effortlessly organized and styled the fashion show. Below are my favorite LBD's by several lovely attendees.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

~ Little Black Dress Event ~

Wal-Mart, Verizon Wireless, Quality Wines & Liquors, Association of Women Attorneys, Mednikow, Joseph, Peria, Hilton Memphis, Harrah’s, Red Birds, Malco, L' Ecole, Sekisui Restaurants, Turkoyz, Fire Museum, James Davis, Runway, Strut, Charms, Joseph, Peria, K’Presha, 103.5, NewsTalk Radio, 4 Memphis, Felicia Suzanne’s, Interim, Mosa, Lenny’s, Muddy’s, Wing Factory, Sweet Grass.

~ Upscale Garage Sale ~

Wal-Mart, Verizon Wireless, Peria, Cummins Mid-South, James Davis, Le Chic, Ewing Moving and Storage, PODS, Charm Boutique, Mpact Memphis, and Neighborhood Christian Center.

Dress for Success Memphis
Facebook / Twitter

Toutes Directions {Single Cover Art}

2011-10-19T12:45:00.002-05:00

Here's the final artwork I designed for Tristan's second single off his album "Name It What You Want." The idea was based off the song's message "Either way you go, you'll get there." Thus, my inspiration was taken from road signs and maps with a French building placed multi-directionally as if it were a compass. See a live performance of the song below.

Special thanks to Polina Kholodova for use of the Parisian photo. See her amazing photography portfolio here.

sweet kisses {Sneak Peek}

2011-10-17T12:30:00.003-05:00

I had a jam packed weekend that included a cute photo shoot for stylist and designer Andrea Fenise for her new girl's clothing line called sweet kisses. The photo above is literally the first one I pulled, so surprised I caught the girls looking so sweet after doing so much chasing them around. Look for her new website to shop online soon. / Behind the scenes photo below of Andrea putting the girls in a good mood for the shoot. Love her!

Photos taken at the Mid-South Corn Maze near the Agricenter. They were so accommodating. Thanks so much to them.

Tasted ~ The Slider Inn

2011-10-12T12:30:00.010-05:00

The owner of downtown’s Bardog Tavern just brought a whole new coolness to midtown. Aldo DeMartino, who recently leased this former bar and restaurant space, has proven not just any restaurant can liven up this somewhat formerly sad spot near the corner of Peabody and Cooper. Yes, truly a dream location for a business but it takes a few other design related things to express the personality that attracts customers. (See photo of the previous restaurant here.)

First giving credit to the incredible food and concept hopefully not fated to mere trendiness, the Slider Inn is just the cool place to be; eating and drinking completes the stay. The patio, now one of the best patios in midtown, existed in structure but lacked a key element in creating atmosphere – lighting. The strung café lights provide both the ambiance and visual intimacy that’ll remind you of other wonderful restaurants you’ve seen around the world. For me, it reminded me of restaurants in cities like Austin or Philadelphia I’ve visited. The super graphic signage crowning the building does more for the personality of the place than you’d expect. Is it just me being a graphic design geek for choosing to eat there confident the food would be as carefully considered because of the huge neon letters? Maybe so, but I was right.

Here’s what we tasted with favorites marked with an asterick*:
~Veggae Reggae Slider / White American and Swiss Cheese, Tomato, Caramelized Onions, Mushroom, Jamaican Relish, Avocado, and Spicy Mayo.*
~Bleu Cheese & Fried Onion Slider / Ground Beef Patty with warm bleu cheese and fried onions.*
~Potato Salad*
~House Salad with Avocado topping

I have to note that for some unexplained reason before trying their sliders, I was absolutely bored with eating burgers. So I guess it’s a true testament that I’m craving another slider from Slider Inn. Other than the slider size being more compatible to my intake level, the taste and denser quality of the bread won me over. Just as much as the signage.

The Slider Inn
2117 Peabody Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
ph +1.901.725.1155

Twitter / Facebook

Photos by Sophorn.

luvmud 5k 2011 { Day 1 }

2011-10-09T11:30:00.002-05:00

Here are a few shots from day 1 of the luvmud 5k benefiting Habitat for Hope. Come out right now to register to run; eat from the food trucks including YoLo, Fuel, and A Square Meal on Wheels; then watch everyone get muddy (including the spectators on the side lines).

Ready, set, go!

Photos by Sophorn. All rights reserved.

Guest Music Mix {Allison}

2011-10-03T12:15:00.004-05:00

Architecture is a tough field to be in right now, and nothing pains me more to see great talent unused or move away from Memphis. Thankfully though, my friend Allison just got promising work that’ll keep her from moving away. We would have missed her, not just because she’s a great upstairs renter, but because she's a good friend, and Atticus would have probably cried over it because he would have lost his favorite babysitter.

Although Atticus would certainly give glowing recommendations of Allison’s babysitting skills to all his friends, we’re glad for her she can start using her architectural skills again. Allison, as a licensed architect, has not only earned a degree in architecture but a Masters in anthropology as well – a combination that excites me since I don’t think architecture successfully exists or can function purposefully without the examination of the social being and human cultures. She is currently working, on various levels, with P|K|M Architects, Design500, and United Housing Inc. This week I’m excited to have her pick some motivating songs for our week.

Enjoy Allison’s grooving music mix listed below with the band name next to each day along with her song commentary. To find out what song she's selected, visit the sidebar music player each day. Thanks Allison!

Songs that have at one point or another helped me get going in the morning.

M / Amy Lavere / Hopefully you finished all your errands over the weekend, such as laundry, and are ready to start the week.

T / Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators / It is still not Thursday, so keep reachin'.

W/ Richard Cheese Covers The Beastie Boys / A smooth way to start your Wednesday. Lounge music at its finest. Picking out just one was difficult.

TH / Pixies / I think the song title says it all.

F / Wugazi - Mash-up of Wu-Tang Clan and Fugazi / Flashback to high school. Have a great weekend!

UrbanArch Graffiti is Art Auction

2011-09-30T12:45:00.003-05:00

Park(ing) Day lives on. You can own a piece of the graffiti art created by Memphis artists Brandon and Eric, commissioned by the architecture firm UrbanArch for their interactive Park(ing) Day installation. The two large canvases are created by giant puzzle pieces which are on auction right now. You can bid here. Hurry! It ends today. Proceeds go to the UrbanArt Commission. See the stop motion video they created during Park(ing) Day below. See more of my photos of Park(ing) Day here and here.

Graffiti is Art 2 - PARK(ing) DAY Memphis 2011 from UrbanArch Associates on Vimeo.

Photos by Sophorn. Video by UrbanArch.

foodiememphis at The Green Beetle {Sneak Peek}

2011-09-28T12:10:00.003-05:00

The architectural facelift of The Green Beetle restaurant says a lot about the rebirth of the menu as well. Owner Josh Huckaby gave us a great sampling at the last foodiememphis dinner group. Stay tuned for the full review on the foodiememphis blog but in the meantime, read the Q & A with Josh here.

Guest Music Mix {Matt} Architecture Month Memphis

2011-09-26T20:00:00.002-05:00

For the last week of Architecture Month Memphis, I’m excited to introduce our guest dj Matt Seltzer of archimania who is the first guest dj who has actually been a radio dj, back in his college days for Rice’s KTRU. I challenged him with selecting not only great songs but great songs that fit an architectural theme. It turns out it wasn’t much of a challenge for him. Seriously, if I were to switch brains with any great Memphis architecture mind, it would be Matt’s wildly multifaceted but realistic intellect hands down.

Enjoy Matt’s brilliant music mix listed below with the band name next to each day along with his song commentary. To find out what song he's selected, visit the sidebar music player each day. Thanks Matt!

See the Architecture Month Memphis events held by AIA Memphis here.

These songs were chosen around a loose theme of contemporary urban fabrics: exurban development, utopia and its discontents, and the dialogue between new and old.

M / Neil Young / Get your work week started with some everyday running around. A Monday morning gut check: are you doing what you should be doing? Are you with the people you need to be with? Are you where you need to be?

T / (Twofer Tuesday) Talking Heads / So we’re not quite sure what happened, but the urban is now the wilderness, and we are missing some of what was here before. / Joni Mitchell / They paved paradise and put up a parking lot: It’s not a Counting Crows song. Sure the song was reportedly written about Hawaii (and relationships) but we could apply the sentiment to many a paradise.

W/ Arcade Fire / How can such a beautiful landscape of sound be created about the generic landscape of nothingness? There are lots of architectural examples of the banal being sublime, but this song is a lot more portable.

TH / Superchunk / Just because suburbia seems bland and banal, doesn’t mean young people in and out of love can’t create drama within its khaki confines. Real people in unreal places.

F / LCD Soundsystem / Somewhere between 4th and 5th period, you hear some kid you really don’t admire telling some kids he doesn’t know about the party of the millennium, coming this Saturday. You don’t believe what he’s saying, but around 11:30 on Saturday you find yourself pulling into a cul-de-sac loaded with cars, walking down the sidewalk toward the only house on the block with lights on. What happens next?

Unintentional Lunch Date { Andre }

2011-09-24T14:30:00.013-05:00

At the age of 5, I understood the meaning of poor. I understood that just getting a good meal on the table was sometimes the best my parents could provide and focused first to provide for me and my siblings. Somehow, I understood that my parents were beginning a new life in a country they felt was blessed with promise. Somewhat spellbound by their hopefulness, I was under the impression that those already living here had literally everything they needed and wanted.

One of my first memories of kindergarten was the moment I felt a real sadness that this was probably not true. Not really comfortable around other kids, I wanted to pick a secluded spot to eat my lunch when I noticed a boy by himself with no food at all. I’m not sure about any hesitation to change my plans of being alone but it was a strange sense of compassion that pushed me over to him. I asked if he brought any lunch. He shook his head no. I looked inside my lunch bag and offered to share half of what I brought. Once he accepted, I sat next to him, and we ate together quietly…

Until
I said the only thing I could come up with.
“Can I touch your hair?”

I think I’ve learned the art of conversation since then, but I learned some 25 years ago about true compassion. That being blessed means assuring blessings on others. Now in Memphis working in the downtown core where I see so many of those needing help, I see that their need is beyond a few dollars for a sandwich or a night in the shelter but also the value of my time and honest concern for their well-being.

When I met Andre, he asked if I could spare 50 cents for bus fare. I told him I would have some change after I picked up my lunch, and I would look for him then. Assuming he probably hadn’t had lunch, I made sure to order a large sandwich I couldn’t finish by myself. I headed back to Court Square to nestle on a bench to keep my eye out for him. Once I saw him, I pulled out my change and showed the half of the sandwich that was his if he wanted it. He genuinely was satisfied with just the bus fare but gave himself time to identify my sincerity. Just like the first unintentional lunch date I had in kindergarten, I offered my company while he ate his lunch but, instead of quiet stares, we talked. About how he had been to Cambodia during in his years in the army. About how he loved to cook. About how he really could use the internet to find the photo I took of him whenever his sister would let him.

I have always felt a calling to do mission work, imagining a return to Cambodia to help, but recently, through the leaders of my church Fellowship Downtown, I understand that I’ve been positioned every day at work purposefully, where a mission trip is a only few steps out the door.

I recently did graphic layouts for Fellowship’s new outreach program called Downtown Neighbors partnering with the existing impact of the Memphis Union Mission and Habitat for Hope. It was such a reminder to me that I needed to do even more than just sharing a meal. Prayer is powerful.

This Sunday at 9:30am, Fellowship Downtown under the Downtown Neighbors banner is hosting a prayer walk to pray for the transient community, the city leaders, and the kids and families in the hospitals. Read more about it here. Fellowship’s Ricky Jenkins is definitely more articulate than I am.

Film photo by Sophorn. I was still trying to figure out the Nikon F camera settings.

Lunch Date with Chip Chockley { The Little Tea Shop }

2011-09-16T07:30:00.010-05:00

To a hungry tummy, even the mention of food stirs a mad craving. Now imagine the reaction if it’s presented with mouth-watering photographs detailing every luscious ingredient. To my recent visit to the Little Tea Shop, I had to recruit Chip Chockley, one of the best food photographers I know, to visually turn a seemingly simple plate of comfort food into a complex landscape of enticing layers. Plus, I had the secondary motive of picking up a few food photography tips from Chip, who recently was hired by several of my favorite restaurants like Las Tortugas to lure in customers with his mouth-watering images.

Before I go any further into the food photography tips, I also wanted to continue the discussion from the McEwen’s post on what makes a restaurant so well established. The Little Tea Shop definitely has the previously mentioned ingredients of good food, good atmosphere, and good service, but everyone including Chip seems to agree that the draw to this 93 year old restaurant, the oldest in Memphis, is greatly due to the gracious personality of Suhair Lauck, who owns the restaurant with her husband Jimmy and is ever present at the front counter greeting all the customers, either loyal or new like me. The fact that Suhair is the sister of Ameerah, the co-owner of the Peanut Shoppe nearby, is much more than trivia since Ameerah and her husband Ridda suggested I try out the Little Tea Shop to support their sister’s business. Always with a heart for hard-working people coming to the U.S. to find a better life for their family like my parents did for ours, I made it a point to try it several times then give it a worthy post with photographs that truly show off Suhair’s personality and her dishes she works so hard to prepare every morning.

In a roomful of suited regulars and the more casual tourists, Chip confidently pulled out his camera and professional lighting gear in a fairly challenging lighting atmosphere. There was one very important lesson I learned from Chip about lighting – avoid direct lighting on the subject trying to place the lighting source to the side of the subject to create more depth. In the first set of food shots, he tried the Photo Soft Box Pro app on the iPad but then switched to a Nikon SB-700 flash inside a little Lumiquest Softbox III, which he’s holding in the photo I took of him. Chip also let me try out his macro lens, which seems to be a must for me if I want to take this food photography thing seriously. The detail needed to show off the complexity of the dish is captured using the macro lens./ Photo Details - Chip: Nikon D700 with Tokina 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. The exterior shots: 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.

The famous corn sticks were served when we sat down. The dishes we ordered were the Lacy Special – chicken breast served between corn sticks and topped with gravy; and the catfish with fried okra and mashed sweet potatoes. Sorry for the straightforward description but the photographs truly speak for themselves. / Thanks so much Chip for the great photography and of course all the tips and encouragement.

The Little Tea Shop has been featured on the food network an insane number of times and part of the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives show you can see here.

The Little Tea Shop
69 Monroe
Memphis, TN 38103
ph +1.901.525.6000

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Guest Music Mix {Andrew} Architecture Month Memphis

2011-09-12T07:00:00.014-05:00

Architecture Month Memphis is well underway, though the more exciting social events are yet to come, so in the theme of architecture with a mix of fun, I’d thought I would let three great Memphis architecture minds, who also share my passion for great music, take over the featured songs each day this September. See the Architecture Month Memphis events held by AIA Memphis here.

This week, our guest dj is Andrew Parks of archimania who also teaches at The University of Memphis School of Architecture. In addition to his award-winning design and teaching talent, he has seriously mad skills in creating photo realistic 3-d renderings which you can see more of here. In the music realm, I was really impressed with the number of great bands we had in common and began a personal challenge of finding one great indie band that he had yet to discover. Well, after a handful of attempts, I did finally suggest one band he didn’t know – Motopony. Oh the joy in something so trivial, but it also got me excited to know what five songs he would pick for this challenge – songs appropriate for each day of the week with at least one cover and one remix. The result – a super cool mix that should put a little bounce in your week.

Enjoy Andrew’s super cool music mix listed below with the band name next to each day along with his song commentary. To find out what song he's selected, visit the sidebar music player each day. Thanks Andrew!

M / Generationals / An up-tempo but relaxed song to start the week off.

T / Fleet Foxes / How can you not like this one? Very mellow.

W/ Local Natives - Simon & Garfunkel Cover / This song always puts everyone at my house in little a better mood and this just so happens to be Ken Frampton’s favorite band (a little architecture humor there in honor of architecture month). To watch the video, click here.

TH / Bombay Bicycle Club / I guess you could dance to this? At the very least tap your foot and bob your head…

F / JamieXX - Remix of Adele featuring Childish Gambino / I know this song has been remixed at least 100 different times, but this one is definitely one of the best. Swag.

Farewell to Summer { Photo Recap / Nikon F Test }

2011-09-07T23:00:00.008-05:00

The three day weekend gave us a chance to see our family, our brand new niece, and, of course, the most popular weekend attraction - my sister's pool. / Here are the best shots I got from the vintage Nikon F camera with black and white Ilford xp2 film. Stay tuned for the official post on this camera, which my friend James is offering up for sale.

Hello September!

2011-09-01T20:00:00.024-05:00

As we opened the front door today feeling the rush of hot air, Atticus asked if I was ready for winter yet. I'm definitely ready for the end of the scorching/humid weather combo but I'm not ready for winter. No. Truly, fall is my favorite time of year, and note to my traveling friends and family, September and October, considering the milder weather and tons of events planned, are the best times to be in Memphis. *wink* / Have a great Labor Day weekend! See ya next week.

Photo/graphics by Sophorn. Photo taken at Shelby Farms end of winter last year. The cold wind blasted past Atticus causing him to howl in shock.

Dirk Olsen Photo Shoot { Model Portfolio ~ Jenna Pegelow }

2011-08-31T06:00:00.011-05:00

Coming into a photo shoot for the first time, I did learn studio lighting and how to actually use the settings on my camera (I’m only slightly embarrassed to admit that since, thanks to Dirk, my photos have vastly improved since then), but I would have never expected to come away cherishing the people I got to know or seeing a much deeper side to them. As with most people that I've featured, their talent sparks the initial contact, but, in the process, I gain an unexpected friend. For that, I’m eternally grateful for this humble little blog.

Using “humble” just then, though it probably contradicted its meaning, only speaks to its recognition of often undiscovered impressive talent or genuine heart. With Dirk, you’ll find both. I’ve written before that yes, he’s unarguably talented, but he’s also one of the nicest people you’ll have the pleasure of meeting. This second trait is often neglected in measuring success. There’s the illusion that monetary gains, public popularity, and peer recognition define success, but just treating people well and inspiring them, that’s pure gold.

Dirk, as portrait photographer, often shoots model portfolios. This particular photo shoot for model Jenna Pegelow was a year ago but has finally come together to share incredible images by Dirk and more importantly to share Jenna’s perspective. Scroll down to see my behind-the-scenes shots, the final images by Dirk, and Jenna’s story.

Jenna’s Story

"I'm very selective with who I'll pay to work with. Most of my portfolio is actually built off of TF (trade) shoots, so, I really have to feel a need for a photographer's creativity to pay for a shoot. I had added Dirk as a friend on Model Mayhem shortly after I moved to Middle Tennessee from WNY over 2 years ago, and admired his work for months before I contacted him about a shoot. I'm located in the Nashville area, and he is located just outside of Memphis, so I knew it'd be a mini-trip if I decided to shoot with him. With all things considered, Dirk gave me a very reasonable rate, and stayed in touch with me on a regular basis... bouncing ideas off of me, and I him up until the shoot.

Before I moved to Tennessee, I was a paid model. Most of my income came from paid gigs. After the move, I waited to get settled into my surroundings before I started looking for photographers to update my Portfolio with. And then not long after that, it happened. December 11th, 2009 my Mom passed away of complications due to stage 3bLung Cancer and the chemo treatments she was receiving. My whole world was turned upside down, and I just totally fell of the wagon. Coming back from that was hard, but I knew I had to do it. I had to do it for her - that’s what she would want. So, finding the right photographer to kick start things was no longer just important, it was crucial. And I knew Dirk was THE photographer.

I was incredibly nervous driving to Collierville. The entire time I was just thinking... "Am I really ready for this? I'm NOT in the shape I used to be in... What is he going to think of me? What if I'm awful after all this time?" Upon arriving at the studio, I felt a sense of relief. Dirk was there to greet me with warm smile. I told him my story, and I could sense the genuine interest and concern he held. I think knowing my story both encouraged and enabled him to capture me at my best, because the images were beautiful! I can't even begin to explain the sense of relief I felt once I saw them. My favorite image is definitely the image in my red dress. Not only is it my favorite from the shoot, but it's definitely in my top 3 images ever taken. I'd like to believe that says a lot, due to the wide range of talent I've had the honor to collaborate with."

Dirk Olsen Photography

Top left and bottom group of three images by Dirk Olsen. Location: Mike Trobee Studios and Collierville town square. Graphics by Sophorn. Wardrobe: model's own. Hair/make-up by Anna Bearman.

{ Upcoming }The World in a Skillet

2011-08-29T12:15:00.026-05:00

It was an honor to work with food writers Paul and Angela Knipple for their upcoming book "The World in a Skillet" that tells the stories of first generation immigrants bringing a taste of their culture to the South. We chose to photograph their portraits for the book at no other than Casablanca with the great food and interior wall colors. Look for their book out March 2012. Read more on Paul and Angela's blog here. / Thanks Paul and Angela! Thanks also to Aimer for being so accommodating and even suggesting photo ideas.

Photo above by Sophorn of the Tagin, part of the food props for Paul and Angela's photos that I may show soon.

foodiememphis at Buon Cibo {Sneak Peek}

2011-08-24T20:45:00.018-05:00

The amazing sampling we had last night of the best that Buon Cibo had to offer showed off the advantages of eating out with the foodiememphis dinner group, but envy of all envies had to be the phenomenal tiramisu that Katie, co-owner in charge of desserts, made just for our group. / Thanks so much Josh, Katie, the rest of the Buon Cibo staff, and Christopher for organizing such a great meal. Everyone is welcome to join the group. Go to the facebook page for the latest info. Full review to come soon on the foodiememphis blog.

Photos/graphics by Sophorn. Buon Cibo is just a short drive from Memphis in Hernando, MS. I tag "memphis restaurant" to anything I want to feed to the Where the Locals Eat site.

Lunch Date with Becky { The Brass Door }

2011-08-20T15:00:00.013-05:00

The first thing you may notice about my good friend Becky are her adorable dimples but let me just point out her right shoulder. That shoulder, I’ve found recently, is a very, very comfortable shoulder to cry on. Becky, seeing me through a tough time, actually wanted to listen to my problems, and suggested we meet again for lunch. The Brass Door was the place I chose to meet post emotional outpour.

Meeting good friends, making new ones – it’s what I’ve realized is the reality of most visits to a restaurant. Not always just to try out the food. As I’m veering away from a pure food review, realizing that restaurants are the intersection of food, architecture, and conversation, where most of the conversation is not just about the food but life in general, I’ll try to reflect that insight in my writing from now on.

When I went through the interior architecture program, the most fascinating project involved learning about restaurant/culinary school design after learning about food/cooking first. We all focused on the history of food and the entire food culture near the beginning but it soon led into designs where the fascination centered more on the gathering of family, friends, and strangers and how the spaces were designed to support and even engage this communal activity.

That idea actually stuck with me even till my last year in architecture school as evidenced in my thesis statement about fashion and architecture, which I would never have expected to show up in a food posting.

“Architecture has become this environment, a background of sorts, that allows social interaction to take place and be observed, but it is these very functions of fashion that can be embraced by architecture. No longer just a stage for the drama of culture to be viewed but also as an interactive art that intervenes in the way we see the world, the way we see ourselves in the world, and the way we see others, watching partly but also communicating interactively. Architecture can also touch the most personal side of us.”

The Brass Door exemplified this statement in physical terms – the long string of tables allowed for conversation with strangers and the natural light streaming from the high windows illuminated the food and everyone so beautifully they became somewhat irresistible. Becky and I became lost in our conversation only commenting on how delicious the sliders and “chips” were. Nothing was a distraction, which, in my eyes, is a mark of the restaurant’s success.

I won’t go into the exact personal details of our conversation but I might, just might, share it with you in person if you treat me out to another visit to the Brass Door.

Becky is the volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Hope, an amazing group of people. / And just for fun and since I actually had forgotten what the building looked like before the Brass Door, I posted below a film photo I took a couple of years ago -The Marx & Bensdorf Building as Madison Tobacco Shop.

The Brass Door
152 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38103
Ph +1.901.572.1813

Photos by Sophorn.

Rock for Love 5 / Story Spotlight No. 2

2011-08-19T12:55:00.031-05:00

Today's story by Jeff Hulett spotlights young Katie Lipsey, another Church Health Center patient. It's hard not to read this and get a little emotional. / Help the Church Health Center help people like Katie by supporting Rock for Love. Music continues tonight and into the weekend with a free 5:30pm show at the Cooper-Young Gazebo and 9 pm at the Hi-Tone where Jeff and his band Glorie will perform. Can't make it to the music? You can also visit the silent auction to bid here. Do it, will ya?

///

What do you remember most about being a kid? Most people think about playing outside with friends, eating ice cream and thinking life is easy.

For Church Health Center patient Katie Lipsey, she doesn’t remember life being easy at all. Instead, she remembers the pain of watching her parents get divorced, losing her father to renal-cell cancer and being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which did not run in her family. All this before her 10th birthday.

“After the shock of my parents’ divorce and losing my father to cancer, I found myself with this new medical problem I had to learn about and live with,” Katie said. “It’s not something a 9-year-old should have to go through, but those are the cards I was dealt.”

How do you tell a child they can’t enjoy candy on Halloween, or cake and ice cream at a birthday party? Worse still was Katie having to explain her disease to her classmates, who teased her endlessly.

“It wasn’t easy explaining why I had to have frequent shots, eat snacks often and sit out of P.E. class if I wasn’t feeling well,” said Katie. “Kids can be cruel when you’re different, so it was no surprise when my friends were hesitant to play with me for fear of catching my diabetes.”

Katie’s hardships didn’t stop there. She lost her mother in 2005 to a very preventable staff infection following heart-valve replacement surgery.

Over the years, she learned to manage her health and educate herself and others about every aspect of her diabetes. Katie, now 26, credits a lot of her diabetes education and training to Church Health Center volunteer diabetes educator B.J. Cline. In fact, Katie is even considering going into diabetes education as a career.

Living with diabetes is difficult, but there are tools that help make dealing with it easier. Insulin pumps are expensive, but they help manage blood glucose levels and deliver what is referred to as a bolus dose of rapid-acting insulin to help the body process a meal or snack.

Katie received the first of several insulin pumps at age 15 and grew to rely on them to help her maintain her diabetes. To her, having an insulin pump meant having freedom. “I hated taking needle shots, so to be able to leave them at home instead of sticking myself in public was a blessing, not to mention the freedom to eat and bolus at will was something I always wanted,” said Katie.

Last year, Katie’s insulin pump started acting up. At first, it wouldn’t allow her to change the batteries without setting off an alarm. Then, the buttons started sticking, which made it nearly impossible to give herself a bolus dose.

She called the company to see about getting a replacement, but her warranty had just expired. The company told her she could have a loaner pump, but it had to be returned in three months.

“There was a lot of red tape involved in applying for the loaner pump, and the stress of finding the money to pay for one or the thought of going back on needle therapy was enough to make me crazy,” Katie said. “I was depressed and on the brink of giving up.”

At the Church Health Center, we try our best not to let our patients leave with a problem they can’t solve, and we pride ourselves on being good listeners. RN Case Manager Jean Reed overheard Katie telling volunteer endocrinologist Dr. Sonia Guerra about her troubles, and she was filled with compassion. Jean had worked with Katie before, so she knew how much she depended on her insulin pump. Maybe, just maybe, we had one in storage that someone had donated, she thought.

“I asked a couple of Clinic Assistants to check our storage space across the street,” Jean said. “We welcome donations of any kind and, while I thought it was unlikely we would have one, it was worth a shot.”

Amazingly, they found a brand new insulin pump.

“It’s as if the planets aligned for her, and with God’s guidance, helped it all happen for her,” Jean said. “Plus, Katie did her part, making phone calls to the company and following up as instructed.”

Some people call it fate, and others call it luck. We at the Church Health Center call it God’s grace, and you don’t have to work here long to see it, or be a conduit for it.

A kind person thinks to donate an insulin pump. A staff member gets to know a patient’s story and looks for a way to be helpful. Then, a woman in need who hasn’t caught many breaks in life finally gets one when she needs it most.

“When I heard the good news, I felt the weight of the world come off of my shoulders,” Katie said. “That was the biggest feeling of relief and gratitude I’ve felt in a long time.”

“God won’t put something in front of you that you can’t get through, and I’m so thankful for the family of healthcare professionals who came together and made this miracle possible,” she said. “I would like to thank Jean Reed for listening to me and helping me, B.J. Cline for checking in on me, Dr. Guerra for managing my insulin pump orders, and all of the other folks who played a part in this. This is a true blessing, and I will be forever grateful.”

With your continued support, we will continue to care for people like Katie and help them get through life’s problems. We will continue to be a place where people listen and allow God’s everyday miracles to take place.

If you have any unused medical equipment that you would like to donate to help change someone’s life, please call (901) 272-7170 for more information.

Photo via Jeff Hulett, Church Health Center

Rock for Love 5 / Story Spotlight No. 1

2011-08-18T12:30:00.027-05:00

Do you know what happens when love is genuine? It can conquer any hardship and will grow into something beyond anyone's expectation. Now in its fifth year, the Rock for Love benefit concerts have had growing success year after year because the love for its cause is truly genuine. In the last few years, I've helped promote the concert by interviewing the musicians involved in the coordination and the performances but this year wanted to focus on the people benefiting from all this love - the patients of the Church Health Center. Jeff Hulett sent me two inspiring stories he wrote for the CHC newsletter that I wanted to reshare here today. Read the first story below, and come out to support Rock for Love starting tonight at the Hi-Tone.

///

“This is when it hit me that I was in a place of healing, and it was time for me to fight my illness,” she said. “You can’t let your illness conquer you. You conquer it.”

When it comes to sisterly love, Levorida and Mironda Rollins are like two peas in a pod. They are inseparable. So much so, that they’re often asked if they’re twins. Mironda is the older sister by four years, but they act more like best friends than sisters.

“We have our differences,” said Mironda – she attends Living Life In Victory Ministries church while her sister attends Greater Imani – “but we are tight.”

The sisters live together in north Memphis with five boys ranging in ages from 7 to 14. Levorida has two boys and Mironda has three. In fact, it was their boys who lead them to Church Health Center Wellness. The boys came here last summer for church camp and just raved about how great it was.

Their doctors had also encouraged them to join, so the two agreed to give it a try, and now they’re very glad they did. Members since last June, the sisters have not only made great strides, they have found a supportive community that has helped them make healthy, positive changes.

“Everybody is focused on doing better here,” Levorida said. “When you first walk through these doors and see these pretty smiles, it does something to you. It’s like one big, happy family here.”

Being in community with others headed in the same direction means the sisters are also inspiring others around them to take their health more seriously and embrace healthy changes.

With such positive, can-do attitudes, you’d probably be surprised to know that both of them are struggling with serious health issues.

In April 2008, Levorida was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery, went through chemotherapy and radiation, but unfortunately the treatments led to even more health problems, including avascular necrosis (deterioration of the bone), kidney disease, liver problems and digestive issues.

“When you find out you have breast cancer, it’s devastating,” said Levorida. “I was only 30 years old and I thought I might have to lose one of my breasts. I wasn’t married, and I wondered if anyone would have me. Would I have the support I needed to make it through it?”

Levorida has already had two hip replacements, and once she gets back from her family reunion this summer, she plans to have knee replacements in both legs as well.

This is the point in the story where you well up and say, “My God, the poor woman.”

Don’t.

The Rollins sisters, who are not the self-pitying types, say they draw their strength from God.

“When life gets hard, God puts everyone that you need to get through it in your path,” said Levorida. “This place is such a blessing.”

In September 2008, on the heels of Levorida’s breast cancer diagnosis, Mironda was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of the central nervous symptom. MS is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. When this nerve covering is damaged, nerve impulses are slowed down or stopped. Symptoms vary, because the location and severity of each attack can be different. Episodes can last for days, weeks, or even months.

“It snuck up on me,” Mironda said. “The first couple of months I was in denial and didn’t know what to do. I lost my job and was looking for answers.”

Mironda was also going through a divorce and was worried about how she was going to take care of her children. Thankfully, she had the support of her family and her faith community, but she still struggled to make sense of all that was happening in her life. She was looking for anything that would help her remain positive and moving forward.

That’s when she saw it.

“Be faithful. Be focused. Be connected” right there on the Church Health Center Wellness Sports Court bulletin board she’d passed hundreds of times before. The message changes almost every day, but this day was different… it was as if it had been written just for her.

“This is when it hit me that I was in a place of healing, and it was time for me to fight my illness,” she said. “You can’t let your illness conquer you. You conquer it.”

Thankfully, Levorida and Mironda have a great team of doctors that care for them, all of whom have encouraged them to work on their health goals at Church Health Center Wellness.

More and more doctors in our community are starting to realize that Church Health Center Wellness is a great place to send their patients who need extra hand-holding to make lasting changes. After all, we are the only certified Medical Fitness Facility in the city. That means we have staff trained in helping people with chronic diseases exercise safely.

One such staffer is Wellness Education Coordinator Amber Weed, who has worked with Levorida and Mironda through our Healthy Bodies weight loss and weight management program. Weed says she is inspired by their positive attitudes amidst such trying circumstances in their lives.

“They were both so successful because of their open mindedness about learning how to live healthier lives,” Weed said. “They’re always friendly, and I always enjoy seeing them around the Center.”

Once they went through Healthy Bodies, the Rollins sisters immediately started attending the community cooking classes on Thursdays, where Church Health Center Wellness Education Coordinator and chef Carolyn Nichols encourages participants to introduce healthier foods and ingredients into the household setting.

“We bring a lot of the recipes we cook in class home to the family,” Levorida said.

“The boys love them, especially the fruit crepes and corn casserole,” Mironda added.

Nichols said the classes are popular with lots of members, including the sisters. “In the kitchen we make changes to everyday recipes people are familiar with. We incorporate healthy, economical ingredients while ensuring the food tastes great.”

After cooking class is over, Levorida and Mironda usually head upstairs to our sports court, where they walk around the track, stretch and then exercise on the elliptical machines.

They also talk and visit with other members and friends they’ve met along the way.

“You hear people’s stories and share your own stories and it encourages you to keep going,” said Mironda. “Working out here is good for us because it releases a lot of our stress and takes our minds off of things for awhile.”

Let’s face it, struggling with two debilitating diseases while raising a family is no easy task, and everyone needs an outlet to release stress.

“Raising five boys is hard, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said Levorida. “You’ve got to be positive and not let your mind get so overwhelmed.”

Things have gotten better for both sisters as they continue to seek treatment and work on becoming healthier and stronger. They continue to test new recipes from the Church Health Center kitchen at home and share their experiences with family and friends.

The Church Health Center is much more than a clinic, and our wellness center is much more than your average gym. We are proud that our members have told us that “spiritual guidance,” “compassion” and “being a safe-haven for my kids” are reasons why they come to Church Health Center Wellness.

“Coming here with my sister – it’s our thing – we started as a team and we’re not going to stop until we reach our goals,” said Levorida. “Always look for the light at the end of the tunnel. We’re doing better and we will keep on fighting.”

Photo via Jeff Hulett, Church Health Center.

Guest Music Mix { Jeff Hulett } / Rock for Love 5 Line-Up

2011-08-15T08:00:00.008-05:00

Good morning all. To make this week extra bearable (at least for me), super-talented Memphis musician Jeff Hulett, in more bands than anyone I know, has selected this week’s music mix. Jeff is also the PR and communications coordinator for the Church Health Center (CHC) and co-coordinator of Rock for Love, a benefit concert for the CHC, now in its fifth year. With his newest band Glorie, he’s performing the second night of Rock for Love.

Enjoy Jeff’s great mix listed with the band name next to each day with his description below. To find out what song he's selected, visit the sidebar music player each day. Thanks Jeff! Don’t forget to head out to Rock for Love 5 starting this Thursday. See the line-up in the poster below and stay tuned for more Rock for Love postings. Going on Now: An online auction for the CHC with really cool local items. Click here to bid.

M / Helio Sequence / This song is a great tune to start out the week. It always puts me in a good mood and helps me get my mind right for the week ahead.

T / Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers / I picked this tune because it helps me realize that no matter what, everything will work itself out.

W / Balanescu Quartet / This is a Kraftwerk cover that I really want my band Glorie to cover.

TH / Arcade Fire / I recently saw them at the Orpheum and I’ve been playing this album non-stop. This tune in particular is a perfect song to get you ready for the weekend.

F / R. Kelly / This song always makes me think of being on the road with Snowglobe. I think we all know every word to this jam.

Poster design by Sasha Barr of Sub Pop. Photo of Jeff by Tom Hibdon.

Buon Cibo / Meet the Chef

2011-08-10T23:00:00.011-05:00

Click on over to the foodiememphis blog to read Christopher's interview with former Memphis chef Josh Belenchia about his new restaurant venture just down the way in Hernando, Mississippi. They will be hosting the next foodiememphis dinner group gathering August 23rd. Get your tickets today. / We tasted the fig and prosciutto pizza and ham and cheese sandwich with cream cheese and sweet jezebel sauce. They have the sweet and salty combinations perfected!

Photos by Sophorn.

The Brass Door ~ Today's Slider Special

2011-08-09T13:45:00.002-05:00

My good friend Becky and I tried the newly opened Brass Door today and had the slider special: Grilled Portabello with Spinach and Red Pepper. Get it before they close tonight (they close at 2 a.m. but I still suggest going soon.) / Thanks so much Becky for the good talk. More photos to come.

Photo by Sophorn

Iconic Design Exhibition + Auction Teaser

2011-08-08T12:45:00.002-05:00

I'm helping with more than a handful of Memphis events this fall, but I can honestly say that this design auction for AIA Memphis' 8th Annual Architecture Month on September 24th will be the most unique event I'll find this year or ever. The teaser marketing piece above created with Heather Koury, executive director of AIA Memphis, gives you a small glance into the type of iconic items you'll see and have a chance to own. The chair shown is the Harry Bertoia Diamond Chair donated by Knoll. If you are interested in sponsoring or donating, please contact me or Heather. sophorn [at] hotmail [dot] com or info [at] aiamemphis [dot] org. / The font used for the logo was a careful selection in what defines iconic. We matched Helvetica against Bauhaus, and as you can see Helvetica won in its simplicity and timelessness. (The "c" in the Bauhaus font just annoyed the heck out of me.)

You might also be interested in reading about Heather, the AIA Memphis Chapter, and Architecture Month in the latest RSVP magazine. Click here.

Support Local { Chocistry }

2011-08-08T07:00:00.016-05:00

You've probably often heard that Memphis has a great entrepreneurial spirit. It's a statement that's true to the core as I've have never met a Memphian that does not have a full time job and multiple side projects. Well, to further confirm that, I'd like to introduce you to P. Ashley Rix, gourmet chocolatier, working his katoosh off late at night to experiment with unique flavor combinations for his new business venture Chocistry. Please support Chocistry to support our local economy and you'll be rewarded with nothing better - gourmet chocolates. Click here to pledge today.

Day 1 Highlights { 2011 AIATN Convention }

2011-08-04T06:00:00.004-05:00

The Peabody Hotel and Continental Ballroom - Site of the convention and speaker series

Here are several highlights from yesterday's convention events as reminders for the rest of today and tomorrow. I'll be photographing and tweeting for AIATN the entire event. It really has been a blast so far.

Left: Trey Trahan presenting Right: Will Bruder & random new friend

Committee Co-Chair Joey Hagan and Exhibitor at the Coalesse booth

Silent Auction Items - Be sure to bid today.

Tour fans (the side I designed) and convention attendees waiting for the "party" shuttle.

Photos by Sophorn

Meet Mayor A.C. Wharton / Mayor of Memphis

2011-08-03T21:30:00.055-05:00

Meet Mayor AC Wharton - AIATN2011 from Justin Thompson on Vimeo.

Click above to play the video responses to my interview with Mayor A.C. Wharton to promote Memphis, the host city for this year's AIA Tennessee convention. Over fifteen minutes of mostly fun chatter were edited down to a more focused look into the Mayor's view of the city, impressive because of his understanding of architecture. He spoke about the role of architecture much like architect and convention speaker Brian Mackay-Lyons spoke about fabric architecture healing the city, an often overlooked but important role. / I literally only had 30 seconds to take a "behind the scenes" photo of the Mayor as he prepared to step right into another interview with Fox13. He speaks tomorrow at 8am at the convention welcoming over 400 architects to Memphis. Thanks so much to the Mayor, Kerry Hayes, and Justin Thompson for making this interview happen.

Tasted ~ LadyBugg Bakery

2011-08-02T12:45:00.066-05:00

If you asked me which I liked better - cupcakes or frozen treats, I'd take Atticus' approach and say "both" with a squinty eye that asks why do I even have to choose? This is probably why we love the YoLo Midtown location so much. The frozen yogurt and topping selection plus rotating flavors of gelato and a bakery offering cupcakes, cookies, and now breakfast items are all in one stop.

We tasted LadyBugg Bakery's popular salted caramel cupcake and the pistachio rosewater cupcake. The cake itself was good but the delicious frostings dressed them up so nicely.

LadyBugg Bakery
at YoLo Midtown
6 S. Cooper
Memphis, TN 38104

Photos by Sophorn

Meet Robert Ivy, CEO of AIA { 2011 AIATN Convention Speaker Series }

2011-08-01T07:00:00.011-05:00

Memphis is an amazing array of speakers from across the street and around the world.

Meet Robert Ivy, FAIA / CEO of the American Institute of Architects
Speaking Friday, August 5, 3 – 4:30

In one sentence, how would you describe architecture to those outside the field?
Any building can be just a building but architecture always has more.

Who or what most inspire your creative side? / How do you spark creativity?
As an editor, trying to be creative every day, it’s not about a lightning bolt. It’s slow work that forms into something much like piling up match sticks.

What are you currently reading, whether it be books, magazines, or blogs?
As a writer, I’m an eclectic reader. I’m reading “Ulysses” by James Joyce or should I say trying to read, that choice may make me sound highfalutin. Of course, I read Architectural Record, Architect magazine, blogs like Dezeen, newspapers, the Economist.

Where would you suggest young talented architects use their design talents to make the most impact?
I’m a believer in volunteering. Start as a volunteer doing damage assessment or helping Habitat for Humanity. You’ll meet people and do good. Everything you do and everyone you meet counts.

How do you balance work life and social/family life?
Life is a whole and needs to be whole. If you don’t, you’re cheating yourself. My home is focused on my wife, children, and a quiet garden. It’s also my emotional center where I can relax and work in the garden.

What other hobbies, interests do you have outside of Architecture?
I’m a big reader, gardener though my Mississippi home is probably full of weeds. I run, love the outdoors, and travel all around the world.

I know you have been to Memphis several times before and have family here, correct? What are your current impressions of Memphis?
I do have family there – a first cousin and good friends there too. My daughter used to be in Memphis. One reason I’m visiting is to see the changes in the city. I’ve made short trips before but I really need a long visit.

What are some things you most look forward to in your trip to Memphis? In this response, can you be specific about what exact food you are looking forward to?
It’s a big city. I know it well so it’ll be like coming home. I am looking forward to bbq and southern cooking, the blue plate specials. I love cornbread. I do like chefs that look at traditional cooking with a twist.

Any fellow speaker(s) you look forward to seeing present?
All of them – Brian Mackay-Lyons, Julie Snow, long term colleagues. I look forward to seeing what they’ve been up to.

What can we look forward to in your presentation at the AIA TN convention? I understand that it’ll be a Q & A format with Connie Wallace conducting the interview.
It will be a conversation. Connie has known me a long time and will know where to ask the right questions but I have no idea what kind of questions Connie will ask. It’ll be fun to watch.

///

We look forward to Robert‘s responses to Connie’s questions. Read more on Robert Ivy in the convention brochure and through the links below.

Webpage www.aia.org
Magazine Cover via www.architectmagazine.com
Twitter @robertivy

Thanks so much Robert, Carolyn and David for making the great phone interview/conversation happen.

{ Lunch Date } Andrea Fenise at McEwen's

2011-07-29T07:00:00.004-05:00

Meet fashion stylist and lifestyle designer Andrea Fenise who joined me for a fabulous lunch meeting downtown at McEwen’s. When I say fabulous, I actually mean Andrea was fabulous from head to toe which explains the fashion and “product shots” in addition to the food photography. It was Andrea’s first taste of McEwen’s and my first time back in almost five years.

As a side note, I must admit it’s a bit deceiving that I only put in the effort to photograph and document visits to the newer buzz-worthy restaurants in Memphis while more than often than not I’m eating out at more established local restaurants. All with good intention though since the newer restaurants in my mind need the most press to help them survive that critical first year. I’ll respectably continue highlighting them but it does seem useful to view and write about the established ones with a focus on their successes and secrets to their longevity.

With that thought too late for this post, I wasn’t able to delve in the details to why McEwen’s is such a popular standard for many locals or why they are so packed in the middle of the week but I can say they did hit the major points that people expect – good food, good service, and good atmosphere.

From a design perspective, I always notice the “atmosphere” first trying to relate it to physical elements for personal future design reference. I’m more swayed by the space and lighting than by mere decor so I immediately was charmed and felt happier in their lower dining space. The taller ceilings and warm natural light created a comfortable southern dining room.

The inviting, comfortable space, in my mind, helped me enjoy my good company, and my conversation with Andrea as also a Memphian, young mom, and blogger really helped me understand that as busy as life gets it really is about making an impact. Not just passively meeting people but spending valuable time with people and helping each other grow. Although we were specifically trying to figure out how to motivate young ladies to an event for Dress for Success Memphis, we were discussing the puzzling task of motivating people. How do you motivate people? It was our shared mission for our blogs among other projects we had – inspire them.

After an unexpected tangent with an architect I truly admire and had the privilege of interviewing over the phone stating that blogs are evil, I immediately wanted to alert everyone that I am not a blogger just a designer and photographer who is too lazy to make a proper portfolio website. I promise I don’t use my blog to rant and rave about a topic beyond my expertise. Like Andrea, I truly want to use my blog to inspire people.

Well, back to McEwen’s and our food. I was so tempted to order the roasted chicken sandwich, a sandwich of which I had very, very fond memories, but noticed they offered meat and two sides specials that I didn’t remember before. Truly glad I opted for that since the tomato and cucumber salad was truly fantastic. Andrea’s grilled portabello and zucchini sandwich that she let me sample left a big impression on us. It does say a lot when a vegetarian sandwich is that cravable for non-vegetarians. I’ll never let five years pass again to visit McEwen’s or to give them a little shout-out on the blog. / Thanks again Andrea. We must do this again.

Andrea Fenise
Blog / Shop / Twitter

McEwen's on Monroe
120 Monroe Ave.
Memphis, TN 38103
ph +1.901.527.7085

Web / Twitter

Photos by Sophorn. Fashion by Style Junkie.

Meet Brian Mackay-Lyons { 2011 AIATN Convention Speaker Series }

2011-07-28T07:00:00.017-05:00

Memphis is an amazing array of speakers from across the street and around the world.

Meet Brian Mackay-Lyons, FRAIC, Hon. FAIA / MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects / Halifax, NS

Speaking Friday, August 5, 1:30 - 3

///

In one sentence, how would you describe architecture to those outside the field?
Architecture is art which you can cause to happen, what you can build. (The public understands what architecture is, and they have entrusted architects to cultivate the environment, and in doing so, trusts that we are good at making beautiful things.)

Who or what most inspire your creative side? / How do you spark creativity?
The landscape is the principal inspiration. When you start a project, you read and see the landscape. Senses are bombarded and you absorb influences - where is the sun, the breezes, views, the protected places, sweet spots, the most energy? Every site is different, but the landscape is what brings you into the project and reading it is a discipline. You do this with the client, finding what’s different, exciting, original about the site. Building traditions also inspire.

Different cities have different problems or dynamics. What’s the best thing about designing in your city? This may be connected to your response to the second question.
Yes, it is connected to the second question. As you may know, our firm is a poster child for critical regionalism. I look at the landscape, material culture, climate as a way into architecture. It’s like one learns their manners at home. You learn what to do at home and in this case you learn from your region what to take out into the world with you as an adult.

We design infill projects in cities, and university campuses. What we look for in our city, we look for in all cities – urbanity and how to reinforce it through adding a building. We’re attracted to strong fabric, consistency, and density. It all starts at home knowing what is a good street or good town square. It’s not a fashionable approach although this fabric architecture contributes to good cities. Good fabric is the glue that holds the city together. In the book “The Fall of Public Man” by Richard Sennett he talks about the loss of urbanity as a serious problem. It leaves the city without a spirit.

Although we do work in Halifax, we do more work in the village where I live, our second studio in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. We understand the sense of history and place and contribute to it. Our buildings are good neighbors. Many look like they have always been there. Our mission is to make buildings that are more silent. They do say a lot in that they are educational instruments but they don’t call attention to themselves.

What are you currently reading, whether it be books, magazines, or blogs?
I’m not as good at reading books, but with that said I have been picking up books from those I’ve seen speak. “The Craftsman” by Richard Sennett an anthropologist. “ The Embodied Image: Imagination and Imagery in Architecture” by Juhani Pallasmaa. “Ways of Seeing” by John Berger. We have recently held the Ghost Conference at our farm in Upper Kingsburg, which has been described by others as the G20 for architects. Architectural Record wrote a nice article about the conference entitled “Plotting a New Course for Architecture.”

How do you balance work life and social/family life?
The word balance sounds like it is a question of compromise. It’s a bit of an unproductive discussion. A workaholic is someone who loves what they do, right? For that someone like me, I integrate work and life into one integrated picture. As we speak, I’m sitting next to my wife, Marilyn, as I work. We live in our studio. Artists have always done this and that’s how architects should think of themselves – as artists, living and creating in the same environment. We forget that. Sometimes clients come over to the studio for dinner. There’s no real dividing of community, practice, and teaching. It’s a unifying perspective that allows everything to be the same thing.

What other hobbies, interests do you have outside of Architecture?

Farming and sports of all kinds. When I take the tractor and mower out, I see it as if I’m making giant drawings on the land. Work is life.

Have you been to Memphis before? What are your current impressions?

Yes, once for the AIA Memphis a number of years ago. It’s the hot bed of music origins.. As a musician I see it as a place you’ve got to go to. I did not get to go to Graceland before but would love to go.

What are some things you most look forward to in your trip to Memphis? In this response, can you be specific about what exact food you are looking forward to?

Ribs at Rendezvous, Beale Street, ducks in the Peabody Hotel fountain, Sun Records Studios.

What can we look forward to in your presentation at the AIA TN convention?

From the title Listening and Willing; it is about listening, seeing and receiving inspiration, but that’s not good enough. It’s also about willing things to happen not just passively observing. As Aalto said, “Architecture is a search for paradise on earth”. It’ll be a back and forth between listening and willing.

Do you also have a formal position in teaching architecture or design?

No itinerant Visiting Professorships right now, but I remain a full professor at Dalhousie University here in Halifax.

Any fellow speaker(s) you look forward to seeing present?

Robert Ivy, Randy Brown, Roy Decker, Will Bruder, Julie Snow, Trey Trahan – all colleagues. It’ll be rejuvenating and refreshing. The convention gets us all together to remind each other why we’re doing what we’re doing.

///

We look forward to his presentation entitled “Willing Paradise – Cultural Sustainability.” Read more on Brian in the convention brochure and through the links below.

Webpage www.mlsarchitects.ca

Thanks so much Brian and Lisa for the great phone interview/conversation and providing the images for us.

Las Delicias { foodiememphis review }

2011-07-27T21:00:00.001-05:00

Good food. Good company. The full review of the two dinner group gatherings now up on the foodiememphis blog. Click here.

Photos by Sophorn.

Night Light {Panama City Beach / Part 5 }

2011-07-24T23:45:00.000-05:00

Every single day, Atticus and his cousin Lauraline begged us to go on the fishing pier that was such a prominent element in the view from the beach house. It wasn't until the very last night of the week that we decided to walk the pier to take the opposite viewpoint and look at the beach house from the pier. The lights of the shore make a fantastic scene to end on although it also made it hard to bid farewell. / Goodnight everyone.

Photos by Sophorn.

Away from the Beach { Panama City Beach / Part 4 }

2011-07-23T14:00:00.012-05:00

One of the last days of the beach week when it was clear no one was making the very short walk down to sit beach-side, we all headed near the bay by special invitation from the family Christopher's parents were renting the beach house. The McFatters had a second beach house in a much quieter development a few miles north with incredible amenities such as biking, kayaking, hiking, and crabbing (equipment all supplied). With the whole day at our disposal, we dabbled a little with crabbing near the pier, but like a watering hole in the desert, the pool was the most popular spot to be. / Thanks so much Miki, Bill, Sid and Rosalyn.

Wow, these are my not i-phone camera phone photos. Stay tuned for Part 5.

Meet Julie Snow { 2011 AIATN Convention Speaker Series }

2011-07-21T07:30:00.002-05:00

Memphis is an amazing array of speakers from across the street and around the world.

Meet Julie Snow, FAIA / Julie Snow Architects /
Minneapolis, MN
Speaking Friday, August 5, 8:30 – 10am

///

In one sentence, how would you describe architecture to those outside the field?
Inspired buildings - It’s what distinguishes what we do from generic buildings - specific architecture tailored and inspired by our clients.

Who or what most inspire your creative side? / How do you spark creativity?
People I work with, and the conversations with clients and colleagues about larger issues in architecture along with specificity of projects. Those conversations are not just words but are also through sketches and convey strategies.

What are you currently reading, whether it be books, magazines, or blogs?
Where I like to read is at my lake house at Lake Superior. I’m currently reading six books. One of those is by David Brooks “The Social Animal.” It’s about the different ways we think and rationalize, how things work – intuitive, institutional. Regarding architecture, we tend to talk in hyper rational terms which may not be how we understand the world. Looking outside of architecture there is less tendency to misunderstand architecture.

Different cities have different problems or dynamics. What’s the best thing about designing in your city?
We really don’t do much work here in Minneapolis though I do think the best thing about Minneapolis is that there is a select group of enlightened and progressive clients in a quite progressive city. The issue in most cities is dynamics, how to create more dynamic public space - public spaces that are more engaging, and private space that feels public rather than public space that in reality is an empty plaza. There is a need for intense social engagement, interaction, and dialogue like you have in a coffee shop or more specifically the Ace Hotel, very open and engaging.

How do you balance work life and social/family life?
When my kids were small, it was definitely harder. At a certain point, there was a real distinction between work and family. Not so much anymore. I socialize with those in the same work environment which blurs the edges of personal life and work life. Balancing the two has become more flexible as work is becoming more and more mobile.

Have you been to Memphis before? What are your current impressions?
Yes, a long time ago. It was about ten years ago, and I thought it was great - a great spot with all the history, music and its location on the river. They were just starting a rejuvenation downtown. There is amazing work and people from Memphis.

What are some things you most look forward to in your trip to Memphis? In this response, can you be specific about what exact food you are looking forward to? Everyone seems to be excited about barbecue but we are a great culinary city.
Graceland. The fascinating culture. I look forward to seeing my friends and colleagues in Memphis – Barry Yoakum, John Jones, and Roy Decker. I’m bringing my son with me so we’ll tour the city together. I personally don’t get excited about barbecue. I need to research options as I remember the convention in New Orleans had a lot of discussion about food.

What can we look forward to in your presentation at the AIA TN convention?
Our recent projects that expand the ideas of what defines design excellence, not necessarily by clients but by architects. Design excellence that relates to design performances and sensibility of social dynamics, bringing people together, which seems to work on so many levels. Going back to being social animals, we’ll show strategies that support the many dimensions of architecture.

Any fellow speaker(s) you look forward to seeing present?
Those I know – Brian Mackay-Lyons, Robert Ivy, Randy Brown, Roy Decker, and Will Bruder. I look forward to meeting all of them though.

What other hobbies, interests do you have outside of Architecture?
It’s a pretty big list but it all revolves around family, travel, and architecture.

Do you also have a formal position in teaching architecture or design?
Next fall, I’ll teach a studio at Syracuse University with Matt Kreilich. Previous positions include the University of Minnesota and visiting professor positions at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, Washington University, and the University of Arkansas.

///

We look forward to her presentation entitled “The Architecture of Julie Snow.” Read more on Julie in the convention brochure and through the links below.

Facebook Julie Snow Architects
Webpage http://www.juliesnowarchitects.com/

Thanks so much Julie and Trudy for the great phone interview/conversation and providing the images for us. Top photo: Julie busy at the office with her dog Lenin.

Andrea at McEwen's { Sneak Peek / To Crave }

2011-07-21T06:30:00.012-05:00

My lunch date yesterday with the lovely Andrea Fenise was exactly what I needed to motivate myself. I love absorbing the positive energy of good-hearted, ambitious people. I'll write more about our lunch but will leave you with a photo of a sandwich at McEwen's worth craving. Andrea with good instincts ordered the "Molasses Glazed Grilled Portabello Mushroom & Zucchini sandwich" which tastes as good as it sounds (Andrea let me sample a piece). On the menu, the list of dressings include sundried tomato pesto, provolone, roasted red peppers, on toasted kaiser roll. / My tummy just rumbled. More photos to come.

Photo by Sophorn.

Music Giveaway ~ Tristan Clopêt Debut LP

2011-07-18T06:00:00.060-05:00

Happy Music Monday! I thought I would start the week by sharing a little bit of happiness in the form of beautiful music by Tristan Clopêt suitably packaged in a colorful design by me. I was a little more than thrilled to finally see and hold the artwork I’d been staring on the screen months before, so starting today, you can get a chance to hold your own cd copy {shown in the top 3 photos above, though you'll get a sealed unopened copy} of Tristan’s debut LP “Name It What You Want” as long as you leave a little love on the blog.

Here are the giveaway guidelines.
~ Giveaway ends next Monday, July 25, 2011 at midnight central time.
~ Leave one comment on this post with your name.
~ Anonymous comments cannot be accepted.
~ One winner will be chosen through random.org.
~ Winner will be announced on the top of the post July 26, 2011.
~ Winner will need email me to claim the cd within 7 days.

///

Along with having a beautiful voice, Tristan truly can jam, so if you want to start jamming right away, download the album now on iTunes here. Also enjoy a few more links to his music and my previous interview with Tristan below.

~Official Music Video “A Chat With My Brain” single from the debut LP.

~M Ward “Chinese Translation” Cover live from the cd release tour.

~Meet Singer/Songwriter Tristan Clopêt

Tristan Clopêt Web / YouTube / Twitter / Facebook

Thanks again Tristan for sending the cd’s and having me on this project with you. One day I’ll finally see you perform in person.

Black Lodge Video / New Local Movie

2011-07-15T12:45:00.037-05:00

Black Lodge Video has been one of those underground Memphis spots we visited the very first week we moved here and visit every so often just so we can feel like a true local. It's kind of an obsession this cultural fascination I have with all things local. While the guys at Black Lodge clearly have a passion for all things film stocking almost every title made and categorizing even by director, every visit, I still aim straight for the local films section.

Christopher's recent conversation with one of the owners Matt led to the discussion of a film Skiptracers by his cousin's husband Andy Stuckey that cast in the lead role Memphian Porter Harris, his stage name since his real name Harrison Ford would have caused apparent confusion. Matt chuckled at the random trivia and mentioned the indirect tie to Memphis via Porter Harris could categorize it as a local film. Christopher almost rushed home that instant to grab our copy of the movie and offer it a good home at Black Lodge but Matt suggested we make sure it was off the festival circuit first, and since they offer all the rental sales of local films go straight to the filmmakers, we’d need to get Andy and Matt connected. Needless to say, Andy responded right away by shipping 2 DVD copies to them the very next week.

So tonight and this weekend, go to Black Lodge, especially if you’ve never been before, and if you are already planning to go, take a glance at the local films section and rent a copy of Skiptracers. It’s a great little movie accompanied by a great soundtrack with some help from one of my favorite musicians Langhorne Slim. See my previous postings and interview with filmmakers of Skiptracers here. / Remember Cooper-Young Association members get a free movie rental every month at Black Lodge.

Black Lodge Video

831 S. Cooper

Memphis, TN

Ph +1.901.272.7744

Black Lodge on Facebook

Photos by Sophorn.

Meet Victor F. (Trey) Trahan, FAIA { 2011 AIATN Convention Speaker Series }

2011-07-15T08:00:00.003-05:00

Memphis is an amazing array of speakers from across the street and around the world.
Meet Victor F. (Trey) Trahan, FAIA / Trahan Architects / Baton Rouge, LA
Speaking Wednesday, August 3, 2:00 – 3:30

///

In one sentence, how would you describe architecture to those outside the field?
Defining of space that is contextually authentic.

Who or what most inspire your creative side? / How do you spark creativity?
Art, presently African art and its creation for ritual / By sketching

What are you currently reading, whether it be books, magazines, or blogs?
A book on the Dogon Region of Africa and an article by Tom Butler, Colossus Versus Liberty: A Bloated Humanity’s Assault on Freedom.

Different cities have different problems or dynamics. What’s the best thing about designing in your city?
The influence of the river both past and present.

Have you been to Memphis before? What are some things you most look forward to in your trip to Memphis? In this response, can you be specific about what exact food you are looking forward to?
Yes. Barbeque. Experiencing the unique culture of Memphis and its influence on the built environment and the reciprocal.

What can we look forward to in your presentation at the AIA TN convention?
A body of the work that reflects my personal search and desire to create.

Any fellow speaker(s) you look forward to seeing present?
Robert Ivy. His unique perspective is invaluable to the profession.

What other hobbies, interests do you have outside of Architecture?
Conservation of temperate rainforest specifically Patagonia.

How do you balance work life and social/family life?
I don’t. It’s hard but since I am naturally excessive in everything, I make time for work and family life.

///

We look forward to his presentation entitled “Defining Local.” Read more on Trey in the convention brochure and through the links below.

Facebook Trahan-Architects
Webpage www.trahanarchitects.com

Thanks so much Trey and Patricia for pulling together the responses and images for us.

Let's Get to Know Each Other

2011-07-14T21:00:00.008-05:00

I’ve probably heard about you for years, passed you many times, and glanced at you a time or two, but I think it’s time to finally get to know each other. Frank’s, yes, I certainly mean you but I also mean the sweet people I know only in passing or in exchanging emails or through twitter. After the great cross interview/food review with Thomas of Eat Local Memphis, I recently extended to my new blogger friend Andrea of Style Junkie the idea of choosing a restaurant that I should try and photograph as we discuss in person our future collaborations – the way the experience of eating good food should be - with someone. It may not be an original take on future food “reviews” on this blog but I’ll certainly enjoy doing it much more with some great company.

Photo of Frank's Deli, corner of S. Main and Vance by Sophorn. Hopefully a review to come soon once I actually go inside.

Meet Heidi Hefferlin and Craig Kronenberg { 2011 AIATN Convention Speaker Series }

2011-07-14T08:00:00.007-05:00

Memphis is an amazing array of speakers from across the street and around the world.

Meet Heidi Hefferlin, AIA and Craig Kronenberg, AIA / Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects / Chattanooga, TN

Speaking Thursday, August 4, 1:45 – 3:00

///

In one sentence, how would you describe architecture to those outside the field?
Craig

Architects collaborate with their clients to fulfill their building needs in a nuanced relationship where form, function, cost, time, and social responsibility are considered.

Heidi

The collaborative process between architect, owner and builder working through the challenges of budget, time, codes and construction to achieve a building.

Who or what most inspire your creative side? / How do you spark creativity?
Craig

Travel, and I like discussion and dialogue, especially with the energetic. Having said that, I’m more of a sketcher than a talker.

Heidi

Shaping space and the influence of many other architects. I spark creativity by making models.

What are you currently reading, whether it be books, magazines, or blogs?
Craig

John Adams by David McCullough; The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell; the NY Times every day.

Heidi

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Different cities have different problems or dynamics. What’s the best thing about designing in your city?
Craig

Chattanooga is very open minded and lacking in preconceived notions about the outcome of a design. It’s refreshing and liberating.

Heidi

The energy for change and the influx of people who want to live downtown.

How do you balance work life and social/family life?
Craig

Being partners in life and work we mostly leave the business side of our practice at work while the creative side is a constant dialogue.

Heidi

It is integrated; even our vacations are architecture tours. I take time for play, which is critical.

Do you also have a formal position in teaching architecture or design?

Craig

Heidi

What other hobbies, interests do you have outside of Architecture?

Craig

Travel, tennis, cooking, sketching

Heidi

Hiking Fishing Horseback riding and golf

Have you been to Memphis before? What are your current impressions?

Craig

Only the airport. My impressions are the Delta Blues and ribs in a flat verdant city by a big river.

Heidi

Once 15 years ago. Impressions are blues music and barbeque.

What are some things you most look forward to in your trip to Memphis? In this response, can you be specific about what exact food you are looking forward to?
Craig

I’m looking forward to some big city meals. Chattanooga has great restaurants but I like French/Creole type things.

What can we look forward to in your presentation at the AIA TN convention?

Craig and Heidi

We’re enthused to present our contribution to designing and building our Southside neighborhood in Chattanooga.

Any fellow speaker(s) you look forward to seeing present?

Craig

Definitely Brian Mackay-Lyons and Robert Ivy

Heidi

All of them. I am very excited by the lineup of speakers.

///

We look forward to their presentation entitled “Southside Development / Hands on Architecture and How It Can Change a Neighborhood.” Read more on Craig and Heidi in the convention brochure and through the links below.

Webpage www.hkarchitects.net

Thanks so much Craig and Heidi for pulling together the responses and images for us.

Treehouse and Fireworks

2011-07-11T21:00:00.019-05:00

Atticus takes his cousins to his favorite playground - Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms. I guess you can consider these shots as my ode to Terrence Malick's Tree of Life. That tree is monumental. / Atticus claps in excitement over the fireworks at the Redbirds baseball stadium a few days before his birthday.
B&W Ilford film photos by Sophorn.

Atticus' Best Tweets

2011-07-11T20:30:00.032-05:00

I was hesitant to post this fearing I would seem like that mom who thinks their kid is the cutest kid in the world. Although you should think your kid is great, I just can’t take the luster from Atticus’ personality by a biased display of love for him. He shines pretty brightly on his own. His twitter account started as our way for our family, all long distance, to really know him through his own words, the ones especially unique to him. Now even those we don’t know and who have never met Atticus express how charmed they are just by reading his tweets. Here are some of his best tweets categorized for effect since turning five (and changing his twitter name from @AtticusToddler to @MisterAtticus).
///
About Twitter

Response to his twitter acct: I don’t want ANYONE to put me in the computer! I don’t want to go!
25 Jul 09

They ate so much food their bellies got fat like my daddy. (Gasps) Don't tell him I said that! Tweet it before he hears it.
10 Feb 11

Mommy, you have to tweet everything funny. A-goo-ga. (Giggles). Ok tweet that.
5 Mar 11

(M: You didn't get any new followers today.) Ahh. (You have 63 followers.) That means they'll all get behind me.
22 Apr 11

I have a new follower @booboodash. Just kidding. I just made up that name.
22 Apr 11

Atticus, The Atticus

Look Rudolph the reindeer! In their yard. Tomorrow when it's Christmas, Santa will go out. His sleigh will be stuck & we'll know why.
2 Dec 09

(M: Atticus, take your hands out of your pants. Gross! Just don't touch me.) Haha. Let's high five. Hahaha!
29 Jan 10

(Quickly finishes his bowl of ice cream) But I didn't want ice cream! Poppy just gave it to me 'cause it made me happy. (Makes crying face)
14 Jun 10

I need to go potty! (P: Go on your little potty.) No, I really have to go a lot. The little potty can't hold all of it 'cause it's a TOY-lit.
19 Jun 10

One day can we make stone soup? But how about we add cookies. And don't put in the stones.
16 Jul 10

(M: You are so cute!) What?! I heard you say 'I wanna choke you.' (M: I did not say that.) Yeah. You did. (Jokingly.)
20 Aug 10

H-h-h. I'm hungry. Hungry starts with H. (M: Can you carry this plate for me?) Y-y-y No.
22 Sep 10

(M: Did you poot on me?) Well, it was because I was sitting on your lap.
5 Oct 10

(Baby cries in next aisle over at Target) They do not need to have a crying baby section here.
15 Jan 11

(With his new camera, directs Mommy & styles photo) Look back at me. Wait. Here, hold my dirty sock. Good. (Reviews shot.) I love it.
22 Jan 11

Christopher said a bad word at school today. He said fat. He said ' get that fat stick over there.'
16 Feb 11

(Lays back in bed without a shirt on) I'm sleeping like a REAL man.
16 Mar 11

I don't like my name Atticus. I want another name. How about Robbit?
4 Apr 11

Haha. I had a burp in my "excuse me."
11 May 11

(Accidentally bangs head) I'm ok. Just a little bit dizzy. Nothing to worry about.
3 Jun 11

Atticamisms

(M: A makes up words that fit perfectly. P: Call it an Atticism.) You can call it an Atticamism. Or whatever you said the first time.
2 May 10

(Atticamism #2) Don't hork down your food.
2 May 10

(Atticamism #3) Emerson and Katye was playing chase the bad guys. They couldn't catch me because I was going SPEEDFAST.
7 May 10

(Atticamism #4) Smack-n-cheese
5 Jun 10

(Atticamism #5) It's so sweaty outside.
15 Jul 10

(Atticamism #6) Shush down.
18 Jul 10

(Atticamism #7) (play fighting w/ M) I'm gonna battle you up!
13 Dec 10

(Atticamism #8) What's the order for your tummy? (Translation: What do you want to eat?)
13 Jan 11

(Atticamism #9) Mommy, I'm so cold. Hold me and destroy my coldness.
22 Jan 11

(Atticamism #10) The Heimlich Remover.
6Apr 11

(Atticamism #11) Oopsa dahza. (Italian sounding version of oopsy daisy.)
27 May 11

(Atticamism #12) I'm sleepy deepy.
12 Jun 11

Atticus' Lame Excuse Series

(Atticus' Lame Excuse #1) I can't brush my teeth. My legs are broken.
11 Jun 10

(Atticus' Lame Excuse #2) I can't say my name. My leg's too itchy.
11 Jun 10

(Atticus' Lame Excuse #3) No, I can't wash my hands. Because. I am a ro-bot. (Said like a robot with arm motions.)
8 Oct 10

(Atticus' Lame Excuse #4) I can't walk to the car. You'll have to carry me because I don't want to walk all over this beautiful grass.
21 Jun 11

Girls and Love

When people get married, new kids get born. I want to do that in eight years. Get married.
24 Jul 10

I chase girls around the playground with Gregory. We catch them to marry us. I married Kate.
23 Nov 11

Topic of chasing girls to marry them.) After I chase Lucia, I'll give her a ring. (Holds up big toy ring. M: What will you say?) You're welcome.
5 Dec 10

(M: will you kiss Violet for the Christmas picture?) No, I'll let her kiss me! If we kiss each other, it means we're in love.
13 Dec 10

It’s Fun to Pick on Poppy

Poppy, you're fat-oops so sorry. (pauses as Poppy fake cries then assures Poppy:) It's your belly. Your belly is fat.
6 Jul 10

(Pretend fighting with Poppy. Makes first strike.) I hit your belly so hard, it broke your ankles.
4 Jul 10

(P trys to talk to M while A is shoutin. P: Let's have quiet time. A is quiet. P continues to talk) Hey so quiet time only Atticus is quiet?
24 Apr 10

Poppy, I blew you a kiss. (P: why thanks!) But first I burped on it then punched it. (Evil laugh)
7 Jan 11

(Pats Poppy's 'winter pot belly') You're going to have a beautiful baby.
10 Feb 11

(P: Oww!) What? (P: I hurt my booty. Can you kiss it better?) No, but I'll punch it better.
10 Feb 11

Poppy, I love Mommy all the way to Africa. I love you to Alabama.
5 Mar 11

Poppy, your belly button's so far! (Puts mouth near Poppy's belly) HELLO? Hello? hello? (Said like an echo)
25 Jun 11

(P: Let's have a boys night) I want to have a boy’s night with mommy. (P: What! That's not how it works.)
25 Jun 11

He’s good to his Mama

Mommy, I want another you.
3 Oct 09

(Comes back just a minute after getting tons of kisses all over the face from M) Can I get more kisses? The other ones dried out.
26 Mar 10

(Kisses M firmly on lips) oh we missed! Let's try again. (Kisses on lips again) Missed again. (Kisses on lips again) There you got it!
18 Oct 10

I love Poppy 100. I love you affinity. That's the last number Mommy. That's how much I love you.
10 Feb11

(Grasps M while she tries to leave) No, don't go. I've got too much hugging to do.
6 Apr 11

(M: I need someone to help me feel better.) That would be me. I'll read you a bedtime story, give you a kiss, & find you a flower.
2 May 11

Mommy, I want to go to heaven the same time you do.
4 May 11

Most Tweeted Word
Shows up mostly in rhymes.

Poppy, drum my booty. hahaha. Play drum bums.
6 Mar 10

Booty beauty Judy. Willy silly killy nilly.
6 Mar 10

Snooty booty.
11 Mar 10

Say booty. Say duty. Say armpit duty. Say slarmpit duty. Hahaha. -booty rhymes.
13 Mar 10

Ooh, that says Pirate's booty! You can say booty if it's with pirates.
28 May 11

You know the joke, "Don't mess with my booty!" Haha, for real it was written on the pirate's booty.
28 May 11

Best Tweet

(Mommy unknowingly bends over in front of atticus) I don't want to see that booty! Mommy, this isn't show 'n' tell. (Laughs hysterically)
18 Sep 09

Twitter avatar: Atticus dressed as musician Jason Freeman, Halloween 2010.

Meet Will Bruder { 2011 AIATN Convention Speaker Series }

2011-07-08T12:05:00.000-05:00

Memphis is an amazing array of speakers from across the street and around the world.
Meet Will Bruder, AIA / will bruder+PARTNERS
/ Phoenix, AZ
Speaking Wednesday, August 3, 3:45 - 5:15

///

In one sentence, how would you describe architecture to those outside the field?
Architecture is the balance of pragmatism and poetry, grounded in people and place.

Who or what most inspire your creative side? / How do you spark creativity?
Intense looking that is fueled by a deep curiosity. Traveling to cities, seeing great buildings and background buildings, both old and new, creating urban energy. Art that celebrates ideas, invention and shows evidence of its making.

What are you currently reading, whether it be books, magazines, or blogs?
Books:
“Le Corbusier: The Unite d'Habitation in Marseilles” by Jacques Sbriglio, 2004; “Triumph of the City” by Edward Glaeser, 2011; “Kurt Schwitters Exhibition Catalogue: Color and Collage” 2011
Periodicals (architecture and design):
Architectural Review, Architect, A, V, A+U, Metropolis, Dwell, ArchNewsDaily
Other:
New York Times – daily, Arizona Republic – daily, The New Yorker – weekly, Newsweek – weekly, Art in American - once and a while, Wired - once and a while

Different cities have different problems or dynamics. What’s the best thing about designing in your city?
The magic of the desert light, the visibility of the horizon, the surreal flora/fauna, and the sense of possibility.

How do you balance work life and social/family life?
What balance there is ebbs and flows but I always want to work on projects that make a difference in the lives of their users and communities. I think about architecture pretty much all the time, mostly on the front burner, sometimes on the back burner.

What other hobbies, interests do you have outside of Architecture?
Art, travel, film, reading, and watching professional tennis.

Do you also have a formal position in teaching architecture or design?
University of New Mexico Marjorie Mead Hooker Memorial Visiting Professor 2011, Portland State University Distinguished Visiting Professor of Urban Architecture 2009-2011

Have you been to Memphis before? What are your current impressions?
Yes, it was a quick date. Memories: the window shrine with the dancing Elvis (20+ years after his death), the lights of the continuous stream of Fed Ex jets coming through the dark sky, landing in the night.

What are some things you most look forward to in your trip to Memphis?
I'd like to see the lights of those jets again, take a walk around downtown Memphis, experience buildings that have the 'buzz' of the place, and sample the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of your city.

Any fellow speaker(s) you look forward to seeing present?
MEMPHis local talent plus Julie Snow, Trey Trahan, Brian Mackay-Lyons

What can we look forward to in your presentation at the AIA TN convention?
Shake it up (per the title), make some friends, piss some people off, pull out something new and fresh from the audience and myself, and start a conversation.

///

We look forward to his presentation entitled “Architecture: It’s More than Digital Rock and Roll.” Read more on Will in the convention brochure and through the links below.

Webpage www.willbruder.com

Thanks so much Will, Louise, and Elizabeth for pulling together the responses and images for us.

Discovering { Panama City Beach / Part 3 }

2011-07-08T07:00:00.012-05:00

Much of the pre beach week excitement centered around the memories and nostalgia of the ocean, sand, and seashells but the reality for Atticus and his cousins during that week was a discovery of much more.

*Splashing in the mini pool and spraying the water hose is much more refreshing than getting knocked down by the waves.
*The beach breeze really can blow the bubbles for you.
*Grammy is a brilliant and engaging lady.
*Yesterday’s cold pool water dumped on you is the best form of a morning shower.
*You just have to get used to my Mommy sticking the darn camera in your face.
*Puppet shows don’t need any stinkin’ rehearsals. Just be cute and laugh.
*And lastly and most importantly, your cousins can be some of your closest friends.

Photos by Sophorn.

Meet Reese Rowland and Wesley Walls { 2011 AIATN Convention Speaker Series }

2011-07-06T13:30:00.003-05:00

Memphis is an amazing array of speakers from across the street and around the world.
Meet Reese Rowland, AIA and Wesley Walls, AIA
/ Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects / Little Rock, AR
Speaking Friday, August 5, 10:15 – 11:45am

///
In one sentence, how would you describe architecture to those outside the field?
Reese
Architecture is the only artistic endeavor that is a necessity for living, providing shelter and warmth while also lifting the spirits.
Wesley
The process of conceptualizing and then realizing the construct of our built environment.

Who or what most inspire your creative side? / How do you spark creativity?
Reese
The intangibles must be present: the people, geography, quality of light, and most importantly, memory - the story generated. Ultimately, it is the story...the meaning that can contribute to making a memorable place; the experience is shaped by what you take away. The minute I discover that story, the design sparks fly.
Wesley
Since I was very young, perhaps nine or ten, I was quite aware of my surroundings and the impact that space and structures had on me. I knew right away that I wanted to manipulate that environment, and there was never a question that I would one day be an architect. My mother influenced me greatly through her work as a Housing Specialist with the UA Cooperative Extension Service. Consequently, I continue to be most influenced by people around me, the work of other architects past and present, and I find inspiration through research and travel. Most importantly, my business partners continue to encourage great work and are an inspiration to me both personally and professionally. Aside from those influences, I find that my own creativity is best found once I fully understand and value the mission of the client. I do my best work when I share their passion.

What are you currently reading, whether it be books, magazines, or blogs?
Reese
I read the typical architectural journals, but I enjoy online journals like Architecture Week. My reading is limited to travel times usually, so I have become quite the e-reader fan. I read new and old books, mainly adventure and mystery. I am currently reading an old one: "Tarzan of the Apes" by Edger Rice Burroughs. My next book is going to be "The Devil in a White City" by Erik Larson.
Wesley
Pillars of the Earth, 1776, ArchDaily, Architizer and UrbanPlanet.org

Different cities have different problems or dynamics. What’s the best thing about designing in your city?
Reese
The city has recognized in general that we should build toward a bright future, and not live in the past. The legacy of the 1950's crisis has been a shadow on the city; however, Little Rock has moved forward, developing a progressive technology and non-profit base. I have been fortunate to have designed for both groups where the mission had to be the architectural statement. This attitude has allowed our city to create an eclectic, expressive and exciting River Front Market District that is comprised of new and old, modern and historic, public and private. Little Rock, in my mind, is a hidden gem. The Presidential Library is usually what people come here for, but they leave discovering a surprisingly vibrant and culturally aware city.
Wesley
Little Rock has managed to retain much of its historical context and neighborhoods surrounding the urban core, which is quickly realizing its renewal through massive reinvestment, including the renowned River Market District. Recognition of both the value of the historic districts and the newly built commissions in the area have resulted in an enlightened public awareness about the value of great planning and equally aspiring architecture. It's a great time to live and practice in Little Rock.

How do you balance work life and social/family life?
Reese
Before children, my identity was tied specifically to the work...I am an architect. With children, I strive for my identity to be that of a father and husband...who is also an architect. My small children do not care about the buildings yet; they care about time with me. My most successful designs have come after I had children. I discovered that I wanted to be with them, so I concentrate and make better decisions during the day at work. My family is my release - otherwise I would be consumed by architecture. Balance is about time, place, and priorities.
Wesley
My wife and I have two young boys, eight and eleven. I love my work and practice, but I do my best to avoid compromising my responsibility as a husband and father. If I have to work longer hours than usual, I will do that after they're in bed or before they awake. In contrast though, my family values architecture in general and respect my work as a professional, which is extremely rewarding for me personally. My family inspires me to do better work.

Have you been to Memphis before? What are your current impressions?
Reese
Like Little Rock, Memphis is a city in transition; it is a place that is discovering its heart again. A downtown that was built on the river and turned away is now turning back to the river. People are finding downtown, and the entertainment aspect is allowing other activities to flourish.
Wesley
Memphis, of course, is much larger than Little Rock, but both share a history of difficult race relations and urban struggles, and both are currently experiencing a rebirth and re-emphasis on the value of reinvestment in the heart of the city. The cultural and historical heritage of Memphis' blues, civil rights and center of agricultural/trade (which began on the banks of the Mississippi, and now takes to the skies) are impressive. We travel to and/or through Memphis fairly regularly and value the vast and continually expanding cultural and urban amenities that it offers.

What are some things you most look forward to in your trip to Memphis? In this response, can you be specific about what exact food you are looking forward to?
Reese
I cannot come to Memphis without eating at The Rendezvous. My first experience there was in college, where I was stunned to be asked simply "Do you want a full order or half order?" There was no need for further questioning - the answer was easy.
Wesley
I look forward to visiting Beale Street, savoring BBQ, and experiencing the new vibe downtown - visiting some of the new work produced and meeting those responsible for it.

What can we look forward to in your presentation at the AIA TN convention?
Reese
The commonalities of practice in Tennessee and Arkansas, I assume, are similar. We strive to create an architecture that is both creative and economical, while being environmentally sound. It is not a matter of choice, but necessity. I firmly believe that great architecture is not budget driven; however, it does takes greater critical design thinking to discern and achieve the needed objectives in projects with low budgets. We seek to find the appropriate message to express in the architecture no matter the cost.
Wesley
We hope people come away from our presentation recognizing a commonality and familiarity between our typical, mid-south firm and their own. We share the same highs and lows, budget struggles and (often) lack of appreciation for good work that every firm experiences, yet we've found a few opportunities to push through and design buildings which, we feel, have helped change peoples perceptions about the value of architecture - not just our clients, but the broader community as well.

Any fellow speaker(s) you look forward to seeing present?
Reese
I have had the pleasure of hearing most of the speakers in the past, and they are all excellent and inspiring; I plan to attend them all again. I have not heard Julie Snow, and I admire her firm's work greatly.
Wesley
I look forward to hearing ALL of the speakers. What a phenomenal lineup. It should be exceptional.

Do you also have a formal position in teaching architecture or design?
Reese
Not formally.
Wesley
No, not formally.

What other hobbies, interests do you have outside of Architecture?
Reese
I still love to get out and play a little basketball, even at my advancing age, and I really enjoy a good movie in a great theater. My free time is mostly devoted to my family. Having two small sons, I have become the author of many action figure adventures, wrestling matches, art projects, and grand hiking expeditions - I love the outdoors as well. While I enjoy traveling to great cities, I get most excited about attending a major league baseball game in a park I haven't been to before. It is something that I hope my sons and I can do together throughout life.
Wesley
Cycling, Canoeing, Camping/Hiking, Traveling, and whatever else my two boys (and wife) want to do!

///

We look forward to their presentation entitled “Anatomy of a Practice: Creating Place through an Architecture of Meaning.” Read more on Reese and Wesley in the convention brochure and through the links below.

Twitter WesleyRWalls
Webpage www.polkstanleywilcox.com

Thanks so much Reese and Wesley for pulling together the responses and images for us.

Meet Randy Brown { 2011 AIATN Convention Speaker Series }

2011-07-04T13:00:00.002-05:00

Memphis is an amazing array of speakers from across the street and around the world.
Meet Randy Brown, FAIA / Randy Brown Architects /
Omaha, NE
Speaking Thursday, August 4, 8:30 - 10:00

///
In one sentence, how would you describe architecture to those outside the field?
Space that stirs your emotions.

Who or what most inspire your creative side? / How do you spark creativity?
Artist, books, and films.

What are you currently reading, whether it be books, magazines, or blogs?
"My Father, The Genius" film about Glen Small- one of the founders of Sci-Arc (Netflix).

Different cities have different problems or dynamics. What’s the best thing about designing in your city?
Our designs tend to stand out because in the Midwest, there are not a lot of designers doing what we do.

How do you balance work life and social/family life?
Not very well! (I have 2 boys ages 10 and 13 that are involved in every sport imaginable! It keeps me very busy!)

Have you been to Memphis before?
Just the airport (many times)

What are some things you most look forward to in your trip to Memphis? In this response, can you be specific about what exact food you are looking forward to?
I am on a diet- sorry. Ha, ha! Just kidding. Looking forward to experiencing some Memphis food!

What can we look forward to in your presentation at the AIA TN convention?
Top secret - you just gotta see it!

Any fellow speaker(s) you look forward to seeing present?
All of them!

What other hobbies, interests do you have outside of Architecture?
Tennis – playing and teaching, spending time with my family.

Do you also have a formal position in teaching architecture or design?
Not at the moment but would like to pursue one outside of Nebraska. In the past, I’ve taught at University of Nebraska at Lincoln and at Omaha and was the Hyde Lecture Chair at UNL.

///

We look forward to his presentation entitled “Recent Work of Randy Brown.” Read more on Randy in the convention brochure and through the links below.

Facebook Randy-Brown-Architects
Twitter rbarchitects
Webpage http://www.randybrownarchitects.com/

Thanks so much Randy and Kim for pulling together the responses and images for us.

My Big Backyard Birthday

2011-07-04T10:45:00.072-05:00

Happy Birthday Atticus! A year truly does fly by as evidenced by the delay in these photos from Atticus' birthday party last year (although some of these photos did debut in last year's TN Conservationist magazine). I'm pretty sure no one really cares, but before I post photos from this year, I thought we'd reminisce.

The party took place at one of Atticus' favorite kid hang-outs in Memphis - My Big Backyard at the Botanic Gardens. Several educational themes were available with half of the time indoor doing nature activities, but it was the outdoor play that the kids were itching to start. Needless to say, we rushed to get the birthday cake and customary candle blowing done as fast as possible before letting out the very apparent pent up energy.

Photos by Sophorn.

Miracle Strip at Pier Park { Panama City Beach / Part 2 }

2011-07-01T07:30:00.022-05:00

When Christopher's mom described the beach house location next to Pier Park as a perk, we didn't realize it was an immense development of great shops, restaurants, a movie theatre, and a mini carnival. We strategically went toward the end of the beach week knowing Atticus and his cousins would ask to go again and again.

Photos by Sophorn. More photos {my favorites} yet to come.

Meet Roy T. Decker { 2011 AIATN Convention Speaker Series }

2011-06-30T06:00:00.023-05:00

Memphis is an amazing array of speakers from across the street and around the world.
Meet Roy T. Decker, AIA / Duvall Decker Architects /
Jackson, MS
Speaking Thursday, August 4, 10:15 - 11:45

///

In one sentence, how would you describe architecture to those outside the field?
Architecture is the making of forms and spaces that awaken and enliven us as individuals while serving and extending our culture.

Who or what most inspire your creative side? / How do you spark creativity?
I am inspired by the potential to serve the “public good” by promoting civility and growth. More than any other aspect, I am always interested in the effects of our work. I worry sometimes that architects allow service to displace leadership. These two activities, both so important to a successful practice, should complement and challenge each other.

I think creativity is sparked by being a close observer of nature and our habitation of space. When we see the complexities and subtleties of our world, and allow them to be our media, we can build spaces that are engaging and challenging.

What are you currently reading, whether it be books, magazines, or blogs?
I am currently reading “Teaching as a Subversive Activity” by Neil Postman. This is a second reading as we prepare for an educational project. I have been a teacher for many years, so I generally see most problems through a lens of education. It seems like we could do so much better as a society if we could institutionally allow excellence to replace minimal standards as our measure of success. I also enjoy online reading early in the morning – a series of sites; NYT, Wired, Local News, Local Free Press.

Different cities have different problems or dynamics. What’s the best thing about designing in your city?
Jackson, Mississippi is a typical middle-sized capital city. It suffers from a shrinking tax base, struggles to maintain services, and has a high vacancy/empty lot ratio and many other similar American urban problems. Despite these typical challenges, it is diverse and rich in cultural capital. It has a good art community, great restaurants, and good location. As an architect in Jackson and Mississippi, I have found willing community partners and clients interested in helping to solve some of our toughest urban problems. We have found interest in imagining what the next generation of our city will be and how neighborhoods will have to be transformed.

How do you balance work life and social/family life?
My wife, Anne Marie Decker, AIA, is my partner. We have two children, 10 and 5. Between our practice, home and children’s needs we strive for balance though achieving it can be elusive. We are both equally responsible in the practice and equally responsible at home. We juggle our time, often have our children with us, text each other a lot of updates, and have learned to be efficient.

Have you been to Memphis before? What are your current impressions?
Anne Marie is from Humboldt, Tennessee, so we travel through Memphis often on our trips to visit family. We have friends and family in Memphis and love to visit. One of our favorite stops is the Peabody lobby at Christmas time.
We have watched an impressive renaissance in Memphis, and though this economy has challenged it, we find it to be a hopeful example.

What are some things you most look forward to in your trip to Memphis? In this response, can you be specific about what exact food you are looking forward to?
Visiting Memphis is always an opportunity to hear great music. The Blues clubs on Beale Street are a draw I hope to have time to visit. And it is always great to catch some barbecue at the Rendezvous.

What can we look forward to in your presentation at the AIA TN convention?
Anne Marie and I have been working for some time exploring the idea of public work designed from a local perspective. Most historic public buildings borrow their culture, expression and appearance. We strive for our buildings to be borne from the local conditions. Using some of our projects, we will explore the value of cultivating local circumstances and knowledge in service of genuine cultural growth.

Any fellow speaker(s) you look forward to seeing present?
AIA Tennessee has assembled a very good group of speakers; all have great work and are impressive architects. I look forward to seeing them all.

What other hobbies, interests do you have outside of Architecture?
I am a Sunday painter. I enjoy painting quiet landscapes; places where there are no words. These paintings are a sort of research to consider moments and spaces in buildings when there are no words, explanation or instruction, just feelings, qualities and maybe a little inquiry.

Do you also have a formal position in teaching architecture or design?
For the first 15 years of practice, I was also a teacher. I lived a double life, not wanting to give up full time practice for teaching, nor wanting to shortchange teaching. When Anne Marie and I started Duvall Decker Architects in 1997, I left full time teaching to focus on our practice and to find some of that balance I lacked. Since then, we have taught together in visiting and adjunct positions, the most recent being the 2009 Paul Rudolf Visiting Professorship at the Auburn University School of Architecture. Attending reviews and serving on design juries are also rewarding and educational experiences.

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We look forward to his presentation entitled “public work.” Read more on Roy in the convention brochure and through the links below.

Facebook DuvallDeckerArchitectsPA
Webpage http://www.duvalldecker.com/

Thanks so much Roy and Krystal for pulling together the responses and images for us.

Meet Javier Sánchez Corral { 2011 AIATN Convention Speaker Series }

2011-06-29T07:30:00.001-05:00

Memphis is an amazing array of speakers from across the street and around the world.
Meet Javier Sánchez Corral, HON. F. AIA / JSª / Mexico City
Speaking Thursday, August 4, 3:00 - 4:30

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In one sentence, how would you describe architecture to those outside the field?
It is a social discipline that creates spaces that seek to enhance and stimulate human activity.

Who or what most inspire your creative side? / How do you spark creativity?
Visiting architecture inspires me. Working in teams discussing architecture's possibilities sparks our creativity

What are you currently reading, whether it be books, magazines, or blogs?
I like to read books, Peter Zumthor's book atmospheres and Juhanni Palasmaa 'the eyes of the skin' are my favorites.

Different cities have different problems or dynamics. What’s the best thing about designing in your city?
Mexico City is a transformable living organism where anything can happen.

How do you balance work life and social/family life?
Every part of life goes into a separate drawer.

Have you been to Memphis before? What are your current impressions?
I have never been and am very looking forward to it, including going to Graceland.

What are some things you most look forward to in your trip to Memphis? In this response, can you be specific about what exact food you are looking forward to?
I heard Memphis is famous for its barbecues.

What can we look forward to in your presentation at the AIA TN convention?
It will be about urban architecture, architecture that responds to very different levels and scales, architecture that disappears within the city.

Any fellow speaker(s) you look forward to seeing present?
Brian MacKay Lyons

What other hobbies, interests do you have outside of Architecture?
Reading, traveling

Do you also have a formal position in teaching architecture or design?
As often as I can, I try to spend part of my time teaching to architectural students: through conferences, workshops and by receiving trainees in my office.

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We look forward to his presentation entitled “urban acupuncture.” Read more on Javier in the convention brochure and through the links below.

Facebook JSa Arquitectura
Twitter @JSaArquitectura
Youtube jsajaviersanchez
Webpage http://www.jsa.com.mx/ or www.jsa.com.mx/en (available in Spanish and English)

Thanks so much Javier and Virginie for pulling together the responses and images for us. Stay tuned for more interviews from the great collection of speakers at this year's convention.

foodiememphis at Las Delicias { Sneak Peek }

2011-06-29T06:00:00.006-05:00

Forty people gathered for foodiememphis' gathering last night for a great tasting of Las Delicias. More photos and the full review later on the foodiememphis blog. Special thanks to owner Antonio and crew for a great dinner.

YoLo { Currently Snacking }

2011-06-28T18:00:00.039-05:00

Among the many great birthday gifts Atticus received this past weekend, one stood out to Christopher and I - the YoLo gift card. (Thanks Lanie!) These cards were also the party favors we gave out since we, too, know a gift of YoLo's frozen yogurt equals instant happiness.

Photos by Sophorn. Special thanks to Margaret.

The Place { Panama City Beach / Part 1 }

2011-06-24T12:30:00.024-05:00

Moments of calm as we move into the weekend. We'll share more photos of our beach vacation next week.
Photos by Sophorn.

Las Delicias { A Memphis Favorite }

2011-06-23T06:00:00.009-05:00

I have never had so much positive response on a restaurant after mentioning it on the blog. Clearly, Las Delicias is a favorite among locals, most of whom are passionate almost to the point of fanatical about this restaurant. Las Delicias is sort of a rediscovery for us as over three years separates the first visit from this second visit. I’ll blame the distance and its south Memphis location, that we never happen to find ourselves in. Now, with the second Las Delicias located much more conveniently to us, there’s no telling how many visits we’ll be taking. In fact, the foodiememphis group will have its next gathering at the second location next Tuesday. You'll want to go if you want a large sampling of the menu selected by owner Antonio Martinez. Go to foodiememphis.blogspot.com for more details on the group and upcoming Q&A with Antonio.

Food Details: This meal, of course, started with house-made tortilla chips and guacamole, freshly chopped in large tasty chunks when ordered. We then split the Alambre fajitas – grilled steak, onions, cheese, and bacon served with corn tortillas. The plus about this Mendenhall location is that the shop that makes and sells the chips and corn tortillas is right next door. Luckily for midtowners and downtowners, you can also find Las Delicias at the Memphis Farmer’s Market selling those delicious chips, salsa, and chunky guacamole.

Don't forget to tip the pig. Atticus is watching.

Las Delicias
Mexican Bar and Grill
4002 Park Avenue (Near Getwell)
Memphis, TN 38111
ph +1.901.458.9264
or
3727 S. Mendenhall
Memphis, TN 38115

Photos by Sophorn

Turning 5

2011-06-21T17:45:00.037-05:00

5 is HUGE. Listening to Atticus talk about turning 5, you'll wonder if he believes he'll turn into someone important, equaling "grown-up" status, with a higher intelligence and great physical strength. Although we'll make sure he's not let down when the physical strength doesn't suddenly appear, we'll be sure he knows he's pretty important and very intelligent already. His big birthday party with fellow schoolmates is this weekend so before then I promise to post pictures from last year's party at My Big Backyard (oops) and even try to post a sorted list of Atticus' best tweets. Invite cover design/illustration and photo by Sophorn with assistant art direction by Atticus. Photo: This has been the best look Atticus will give me. Not much cooperation in front of the camera lately.

Adjusting

2011-06-20T07:30:00.038-05:00

Oh my, unplugging for a week and returning to a crazier schedule than before will take some adjusting. First though, I should probably wake up.

Photo by Sophorn.

Photography by Atticus

2011-06-09T06:10:00.053-05:00

Photography by Atticus. More specifically, digital photography from the Fisher-Price camera he got from his Grammy last Christmas by Atticus. He's taken over 300 photos over the last six months, and these are the best ones he and I chose to "exhibit." You'll see his hand in abstract photography, portraits, food photography, and architectural photography. It's funny to watch him take photos as he sometimes directs people to hold things to get the shot he wants. Favorite example from his twitter stream: (With his new camera, directs Mommy & styles photo) Look back at me. Wait. Here, hold my dirty sock. Good. (Reviews shot.) I love it.

Anyone need a photography assistant? or emerging photographer for that matter. / Thanks Grammy for the camera! If anyone has suggestions on the next camera he should get for his 5th birthday around the corner, let me know.

Flashback Photo No. 1 { Cambodia }

2011-06-09T06:00:00.067-05:00

My parents are pretty incredible people. They've embarked on another mission trip to Cambodia, using their retirement savings and travel time to help build churches in the poorest parts of the country. Have a safe trip! Love you. / I may start posting photos from way back before I started the blog as filler content. Hopefully, always good photos.

Photo taken in 2005 in Battambang. From right: My grandmom, mom, nephew, sister, and brother-in-law.

To Crave ~ Las Delicias Guacamole and Chips

2011-06-08T12:30:00.029-05:00

Yesterday, I was really early for a dinner meeting at Las Delicias. 24 hours early I found out. Unashamingly though, I'll be back to order more of their cravable chips and guacamole at the meeting tonight. Stay tuned for the full review.

Las Delicias
Mexican Bar and Grill
4002 Park Avenue (Near Getwell)
Memphis, TN 38111
ph +1.901.458.9264
or
3727 S. Mendenhall
Memphis, TN 38115

Photo by Sophorn