This will be my last blog post leading up to convention.  I am working hard on those last-minute details so that, hopefully, everyone will have the best time ever next week in Memphis!

Our “Serving Together” theme has been carried throughout the entire planning process for convention.

• All of our speakers are donating their time
• The “Serving Together” logo was produced at a reduced rate
• Several firms have contributed financially as break sponsors
• Silent Auction donations are streaming in
• Dinner tickets were donated to two deserving students
• St. Jude Educational Tour planned
• St. Jude T-shirt Fundraiser honoring Turner Lee
• St. Jude Waiting Room Fun Bag/Craft Table
• Our convention photographer is donating his time
• Our convention photographer is giving back all proceeds to TCRA from any sale of pics
• Student Scholarship Award of $1500 will be awarded to a most deserving student (thanks to the generosity of our members)
• Our promotional vendor is a former St. Jude patient

I would like to take just a few moments to speak a bit more about the last bullet point.  During the initial phase of planning, I was talking to a representative of St. Jude researching different options of things to do at our convention in furtherance of our theme.  Christopher advised me in that telephone call that I really needed to speak with a certain gentleman by the name of Harris to secure TCRA’s promotional materials.  He went on to tell me that St. Jude uses his services and that he was really great to work with.  He also informed me that Harris was  a former St. Jude patient.  I thought to myself, “Wow! What a great recommendation!”  Plus, it would tie in well with our overall theme.  Harris’ firm name is Perfect 10 Promotions, reflecting the fact that his survival after diagnosis was estimated to be ten years.  With the advances in technology and medicine and the resources of St. Jude, Harris has beat the odds!

Of course I’m all about networking and finding good people to work with.  Harris has exceeded my expectations throughout the whole process!  From Day One, he has kept me informed and abreast of all aspects of the order process.  He is always gracious and kind when I e-mail or call him on the phone inquiring as to status of product, never once making me feel as though I were “bugging” him.

I have invited Harris to come by convention next week to say “hi” and so that I may introduce him to all of my court reporting friends.  His personal story is one of triumph, to be sure.  I look at him and see the powerful miracle sitting before me and know that St. Jude had such a strong hand in that miracle and in others before him.

Have a good week leading up to convention, everyone.  I  look forward to “Serving Together” with you all next week!

No trip to Memphis would be complete without a visit to the home of Elvis Presley, Graceland.  I have actually visited Graceland a total of four times since moving here eight years ago! Of course, my reason for so many visits is because I’ve had out-of-town family members wanting to tour the home.  I grew up with Elvis’ music in my home, as my parents were huge fans.  Who wouldn’t be a fan!

The most memorable Graceland moment was when I helped one of my nephews out with a school project — the Flat Jacob project.  Yes, in spite of the embarrassment and mortification of my children, I hauled Flat Jacob all over Memphis taking tourist pics!  Flat Jacob did not want to miss out on the goodness of Elvis’ music either.

According to Wikipedia:

Elvis purchased Graceland in early 1957 for approximately $100,000 after vacating an east Memphis house located at 1034 Audubon Drive. He moved because of privacy and security concerns, and the opposition of neighbors to the raucous behavior of the many fans who slowly cruised by his home. Elvis moved into Graceland together with his father Vernon Presley and his mother Gladys.

Graceland is  a large white-columned mansion sitting on 13.8 acres.  It has become the secondmost visited private home in America with over 600,000 visitors a year.  The mansion is constructed of tan limestone and consists of twenty-three rooms, including eight bedrooms and bathrooms. The entrance way contains four Temple of the Winds columns and two large lions perched on both sides of the portico.  One of Presley’s better known modifications was the addition of the Meditation Gardens, where he, his parents, Gladys and Vernon, and grandmother are buried.  A small stone memorializes Elvis’ twin brother, Jesse Garon, who died at birth.

Graceland should definitely be on your itinerary when you come to Memphis.  There are several packages available for this site.  If you have time constraints, choose the mansion tour only option.  It is by far the best part of the Elvis Presley experience!

Below is a Graceland tour video courtesy of YouTube.  Enjoy!

Sun Studio was opened by Sam Phillips in January 1950. They lay claim to being the birthplace of rock & roll! Some of the most well-known artists recorded here in the 1950s, including Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

According to About.com:

In 1953, an 18 year old Elvis Presley walked into Memphis Recording Service with a cheap guitar and a dream. Nervously, he sang a demo song, failing to impress Sam Phillips. Elvis continued to hang around the studio, however, and in 1954, Sam Phillips asked him to sing again, backed by a band made up of Scotty Moore and Bill Black. After hours of recording and nothing to show for it, Elvis began playing around with an old blues song, “That’s Alright, Mama.” The rest, is of course, history.

Sun Studio is located in its original location, on 706 Union Avenue.  Not only is it a recording studio, but a popular tourist attraction as well.  Sun Studio is open seven days a week, and tours begin every hour on the half hour, with the last tour beginning at 5:30 p.m.   Children under 12 are free, but those children 5 and under are not permitted on the tour.

I took my mom here this past February when she was here for a visit.  As a teenager, she loved watching and listening to Elvis Presley!  She told me that she enjoyed Sun Studio nearly as much as she enjoyed Graceland.  The tour guide was fabulous and very knowledgeable about the great artists that walked through the Sun Studio doors.  The last stop of the tour is in the actual recording studio.  You may even take a picture standing in front of one of the microphones used by Elvis himself!

This tour is a definite must-see!

Convention is only about a month away, and most of you may be making your vacation plans for your trip to Memphis June 11-13! Hopefully, this blog has been helpful for you when planning your itinerary.

Most of you are probably wondering, “Okay, all these activities sound like so much fun, but how am I going to navigate through Memphis to locate these attractions and restaurants?”

Well, I’ve created a Google map with you, the convention attendee, in mind.  This map has all the attractions and restaurants that have been posted on this blog since February.  Simply bookmark this map and check back later for more attractions and restaurants to be added and start planning!

View Serving Together in Memphis in a larger map

Okay, one more restaurant review — Brooklyn Bridge is a family-owned Italian restaurant hidden and tucked away in a strip mall just off of Kirby Parkway and Poplar Avenue.  While its surroundings are not much, this little eatery has loads of charm and good food!  It’s a refreshing break from the usual Italian chain restaurants.  When you walk in the door, you are usually greeted by the owner herself.  The wait staff is exemplary and will take care of your every desire.

My dinner recommendation would be to order the ravioli with meat sauce and then end with a decadent dessert — the caramel pie is to die for and my all-time favorite!

Brooklyn Bridge is located at 1779 Kirby Parkway in Germantown.  The restaurant does accept reservations.  Please call (901) 755-7413 to make yours today.

Just a quick post to let you know about a fantastic resource for your visit to Memphis this June. Check out the Memphis Visitors Web site for things to do and see.  Here is a short list of some of the information you will find on their site:

1. I Love Memphis Blog
2. Suggested Itineraries
3. What’s New in 2010
4. Coupons for area attractions and restaurants

Remember to register for convention soon — early registration ends May 10th.  See you soon!

If Elvis Presley were still living, he would have turned 75 this past January. Here is a video commemorating Elvis from the TV show, Extra! Priscilla Presley talks about Elvis’ tastes in this video.

As you can tell from the titles of several of my most recent posts, the focus has been on Elvis Presley song titles. Elvis Presley has had such an influence and impact for Memphians, it only seemed fitting to honor the King that way.

YouTube is a video sharing Web site on which users can upload, share, and view videos — and there are literally thousands of uploaded videos to choose from!  The following video is from YouTube. Please enjoy this rendition of  Jailhouse Rock performed by Elvis Presley in 1957.  The song as sung by Elvis Presley is #67 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and was named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Look for more posts and videos about Elvis Presley in the coming weeks!

My favorite place to eat barbecue in Memphis is the Germantown Commissary, located at 2290 Germantown Road in Germantown.  The hickory-smoked, slow-cooked barbecue and ribs have been enjoyed by folks for over 25 years. The restaurant cooks the old-time, Memphis-style barbecue way and everything is made from scratch.  Their motto is “We strive to serve food fast, not fast food! ”

Last year the Commissary was voted one of the 10 top U.S. barbecue restaurants by Playboy Magazine.

Memphis has more than its share of landmarks and tourist attractions. And true barbecue fans know there’s no other city that can lay claim to so many of the country’s best barbecue joints. While Memphis standbys like Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous, Corky’s and Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que draw the largest crowds and serve up fine meat, Walker Taylor’s underdog joint in the affluent suburb of Germantown tops them all as the Memphis area’s king of ribs. The Commissary ups the quality quotient by making everything by hand, and its Monday all-you-can-eat ribs feed into our penchant for gluttony. In case the pork isn’t enough for you, there are also appetizers like BBQ Nachos, tamales, Pig Chips and even deviled eggs.

Be sure to stop by for some of the most tender ribs you’ve ever tasted!

An amazing hairdresser is a woman’s best-kept secret! Well, I’m sharing the name of mine with everyone who is reading this post — and you know women don’t share vital information like this very often. Her name is Shannon Hendrix, and you will find her at the Ella David Salon in Germantown. Ella David was voted the No. 1 2009 People’s Choice in Germantown.

Nearly nine years ago when I moved to the Memphis area, I was faced with one of the most crucial decisions a person is faced with when transitioning to a new town — where do I get my hair cut? One of my husband’s coworkers at the time recommended Shannon to me, and I have never regretted the decision to make that initial appointment with her since.  Shannon has made a few transitions of her own, and I have faithfully followed her every step of the way.

Shannon is outstanding with a pair of shears, to say the least.  And her skills as a colorist are beyond reproach.  I am proud and honored to also call her my friend!  She takes care of my whole family and we all feel that she’s part of our family too.

I was sharing some of our events planned for the upcoming TCRA Annual convention at my last appointment.  (She’s a very good listener)  Anyway, Shannon has generously offered to donate her time and talents by offering a free haircut to a lucky registered convention attendee.  Look for opportunities to earn this gift certificate/door prize during convention between seminars.

Remember that the early registration deadline is May 10, 2010.