Becky Fowler's
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Becky Fowler 480-652-0000 路 480-767-6900 www.americanassociatesaz.com BeckyFowler@cox.net 8930 E. Raintree Drive #200 Scottsdale, AZ 85260
May is here! The smells of spring are in full swing and the taste of freshly grilled burgers sets the mood for fun in the sun. So uncover the grill, go fill your propane tanks, grab your grilling apron and get ready to get your char on! This month Welcome Home magazine brings you the ultimate in barbeque and grilling. All the hints and how to that you need to pitch the perfect BBQ with your friends and family. Get the scoop on Memphis in May and all it has to offer. Tasty recipes, the latest in Man Cave must haves and a comprehensive grill guide to Natural Gas vs Charcoal grills ensure that you can't go wrong! Have a marvelous May, and as always Welcome Home. We hope that you enjoy our magazine! If you have comments or suggestions please email us at welcomehome@activeezine.com , we love to hear from you! Also if there is a subject that you would like to see covered, let us know! We look forward to hearing from you!
compliments of
Becky Fowler 480-652-0000 480-767-6900 Visit My Site Email Me 8930 E. Raintree Drive #200 Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Welcome Home! Table of Contents 4
Recipe And Design A tasty recipe and a stylish home design how to.
5 Memphis In May See the city at it’s best.
6-7
Man Cave - What is it?
Create your own manly space and take back the garage!
8 - 11 A History Of The Blues Discover the origin of the soulful blues.
12 - 13 Natural Gas vs Charcoal Grills Pick the perfect grill for your grilling pleasure.
14
Perfect Baby Back Ribs Learn the 3 secrets to perfect ribs.
15
Seafood Grilling Tips Succulent shrimp and tasty lobster await.
16 - 17 Products To Love! Hot trends, technological wonders of tomorrow and so much more!
18 City Spotlight Memphis, Tennessee. The home of BBQ, Elvis and the Blues.
19 Businesses That Make A Difference Target, a company with a bullseye on change.
Welcome Home is for entertainment purposes only. This magazine is not intended to solicit other brokersʼ listings. If you are currently working with another broker, please disregard this information. All pictures courtesy of sxc.hu unless otherwise noted. Thanks to Wikipedia for Random Fact information and aid.
Editor in Chief - Phly Jambor The information provided in this publication of Welcome Home or on any website maintained by U.S. Cybertek, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees (collectively Publisher) is intended as a general guide illustrating common methods of common practices, and the publisher makes no warranty or guarantee whatsoever of the safety, effectiveness, or other characteristic of any methods or products described herein. Neither does the Publisher assume any liability for information published in any website or other publication to which reference may be made herein. Readers are cautioned to review and comply with all written instructions, safety bulletins, and other materials provided in connection with any of the products mentioned herein and all products used in connection with any of the methods described. Neither Published nor any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees shall in any case be liable to you or anyone else for any loss or injury or any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special punitive or similar damages arising out of your use of or failure to use any of the methods and/ or products described in this publication or any other publication or websites to which reference may be made herein. Publisher disclaims all warranties, and any warranty or guarantee of safety, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose lies solely with the manufacture(s) of any product described or recommended or used used in connection with any methods described or recommended.
Recipe and Design Fresh Floating Candles
Fried Strawberry Pies
Yield: Makes 18 pies
Ingredients •
2 cups fresh strawberries, mashed
•
3/4 cup sugar
•
1/4 cup cornstarch
•
1 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
•
Vegetable oil
•
Powdered sugar
Preparation Combine first 3 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring strawberry mixture to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute or until thickened. Cool completely. Roll 1 piecrust to press out fold lines; cut into 9 circles with a 3-inch round cutter. Roll circles to 3 1/2-inch diameter; moisten edges with water. Spoon 2 teaspoons strawberry mixture in the center of each circle;
Fresh from the garden -- or the grocer's shelves -- fruits and flowers add a refreshing touch to floating candles. What You Need: • • • •
Glass container or vase Fresh fruit or flowers Water Floating candle
Instructions: 1. Fill the glass container approximately halfway with desired fruit or fresh flower heads. If using lemons or limes, slice them before placing into the container. 2. Carefully fill the container with water, leaving about 2 inches at the top. Place a floating candle on top of the water.
fold over, pressing edges to seal. Repeat with remaining piecrust and strawberry mixture.
Tips:
Place pies in a single layer on a baking sheet, and freeze at least 1 hour.
•
Pour oil to a depth of 1 inch into a large heavy skillet; heat to 350°. Fry
•
pies, in batches, 1 minute on each side or until golden. Drain on paper
For a child's birthday party, fill glass container with marbles or small plastic toys. For extra sparkle, sprinkle the water with glitter before adding the candle.
towels; sprinkle with powdered sugar. Southern Living, JUNE 2002 Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.com
Memphis In May Memphis in May is a month long festival held in Memphis, Tennessee. The festival itself is split into four main events: The Beale Street Music Festival, the kick-off event which showcases a mix of local and national music acts, International Week, a group of events dedicated to the country that is sponsored that year, The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, one of the most popular barbecue contests in the country, and the Sunset Symphony, a night of classical music. This event will mark its 37th anniversary in May 2013. The Beale Street Music Festival is a three day music festival that has both a mix of big-name stars performing side by side with local musical acts. Held during the first weekend of May in the city's Tom Lee Park at the foot of Beale Street, it is considered to be the kick-off event of the entire Memphis in May celebration. It typically hosts 100,000+ people for each of the first two nights of the event, and usually quite large crowds for the ending bigname finales on Sunday night. The festival was added a year after Memphis in May was created. Its history can be traced back to the 1800s, when African-American musicians throughout the South would come to Beale Street and perform. International Week: Every year the festival sets its theme around a different country. A week of events and publicity, starting the day after the music fest, is dedicated
to this country and it showcases the local foods and entertainment of that location. While International Week provides a learning experience for the community at large, the core is a comprehensive educational program for area youth in public and private schools and home-schooled students throughout Memphis and Shelby County. The goal of International Week is for area students, by the time they graduate from high school, to have had the opportunity to experience the customs and cultures of twelve different countries from around the world. Two countries — Japan and The Netherlands — have been featured twice. World Champion BBQ Contest: Although the WCBCC had a small start in 1978, with only 26 teams, it rapidly grew. More than 250 teams from 20+ states and several countries compete, and an estimated 100,000 people attend the competition. Media from around the world, including the BBC and The Food Network, come to the city to cover the event. The Sunset Symphony is usually a free or low-priced event held on a single stage at Tom Lee Park, during the Saturday evening of the last full weekend in May. The concert is the largest annual performance event of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and serves as a closing event for the MIM festivities. The symphony performs a variety of classical works as well as music of the year's honored country. Article courtesy of wikipedia.org. Photo Courtesy of City of Memphis
MAN CAVE What Is It?
WHAT IS A MAN CAVE? A man cave is a room inside the house or outside where a man can do as he pleases without fear of upsetting any female. Women usually have a say in the design of a house, but not in a man cave. It's just like a special room which any female in the house recognizes as the man's room only. Nobody tells him what type of man cave design to use, what to include, etc. Man caves are used by men for different purposes. Whenever a man wants to be alone or just wants to be away from females, his cave is a perfect place for him to go. He can hang out with other male friends there and play some games or watch Tv. For some men, it's where they don't need to behave in the best way they can. Married men find this a good place to recreate some of the freedom and space their bachelor days provided them. You
can have your own man space and use any man cave design you like in the room, as long as there's an agreement between your wife or girlfriend that that space is under your control only. This is probably why they are so popular. Kick back, relax and be yourself. It's not going anywhere!
WHAT TO INCLUDE There are many accessories that men can include in their caves, most of which are masculine and appropriate only in the eyes of men. A big screen television is useful for watching sports games with your buddies. You can even yell at the television if you like since it's set apart from the rest of the house. You can also equip your man cave with refrigerators, vending machines, musical
instruments, boxing rings and pool tables. Do you have sports trophies? Feel free to include them. Feel free to include a bar and just about anything that you may need.Sports-themed furnishings can also be included in your man cave design. DESIGNING A MAN CAVE When you are planning out a man cave design, you should focus on your own taste. Don't forget that the space is yours. Think about what you love most and your interests. For example, if you love watching movies, you can fill it up with movie posters. Once you've gotten this part, and you have a certain theme in your mind, you can go on and add your stuff.
your favorite Tv channels, a set of speakers and a DVD player. A huge couch is perfect if your designing your man cave for yourself and your friends. However, if it's just for you, then there may be a slight change in your man cave design, like buying a recliner instead of a couch. Keep a fridge with beers and put a lock on the door. I'm sure you don't want anyone barging in. You can add a bathroom, add any sports memorabilia, and cover the walls with posters. It's always a good idea to have everything you need in there so you won't find yourself going out every now and then.
A big television is the first thing that should come to your mind. After that, you should purchase other media equipments like a satellite dish for watching Written by Mike Osborne. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com
A History Of
The Blues
Ah, the Blues. . . . . . .
We say we have the Blues when feeling down. But the "Blues" is also a genre of music, one that is difficult to define but is most characteristically defined as something with a specific chord progression - one that includes the twelve-bar and the 'blue note', one that is flattened or bent in relation to the pitch of the major scale. Nobody knows for sure how the Blues got its name or how it originated but many theorize that it started with unaccompanied vocal music of poor black laborers between 1870 and 1900. Prior to this, many of Blues characteristics is said to be traced back to the music of Africa, most particularly in the way it uses a wavy, nasal intonation. The progression of Blues from this early time then rolls into early spirituals or religious songs at camp meetings. Like Blues, spirituals were passionate songs that conveyed to listeners the same feeling of rootlessness and misery as the Blues. Spirituals, however, were less specifically concerning the performer and rather instead about the general loneliness of mankind. Despite these differences, the two forms are similar enough that they could not be easily separated — many spirituals would probably have been called Blues had that word been in wide use at the time. Country music was not country in its time as it too was considered the 'blues'. Both types of music during the nineteenth century were also
labeled 'race music' or 'hillbilly music'. As the recording industry grew, country Blues performers like Bo Carter, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lonnie Johnson, Tampa Red and Blind Blake grew more popular. The first Blues recordings from the 1920s are now categorized as a traditional, rural country blues. Country blues performers often improvised, either without accompaniment or with only a banjo or guitar. Regional styles of country blues varied widely in the early 20th century. The (Mississippi) Delta blues was considered a rootsy sparse style of blues with passionate vocals accompanied by slide guitar. Robert Johnson was one artist who combined elements of urban and rural blues. Boogie-Woogie was another important style of blues in the1930s and early 1940s. While the style is often associated with a solo piano, boogie-woogie was also used to accompany singers and, as a solo part, in bands and small combos. In the 1950s, the Blues had a huge influence on mainstream American popular music. Music from Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry were catching people's attention. John Lee Hooker made Blues more personal and with his rough voice and single electric guitar, his music was newly characterized as Guitar Boogie. His song Boogie Chillen reached number one on the R&B charts in 1949.
In northern cities like Chicago and Detroit, during the later forties and early fifties, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, and Elmore James among others, played what was basically Mississippi Delta blues, backed by bass, drums, piano and occasionally harmonica. At about the same time, T-Bone Walker in Houston and B.B. King in Memphis were pioneering a style of guitar playing that combined jazz technique with the blues tonality and repertoire. White audiences' became more interested in the blues during the 1960s with the Chicago-based Paul Butterfield Blues Band and the British Blues movement. Before long, Blues and rock began fusing and America was seeing Blues Rock performers such as Jimi Hendrix. During the 1980s, the Blues also continued in both traditional and new forms. Today, there are more than 160 Blues societies throughout the United States, Canada and Europe whom are constantly keeping the perpetual Blues flame alive with their distribution of newsletters to keep their members of which there are more than 100,000 informed of all the latest information about blues artists and concerts. While the Blues may have had its beginnings with one culture, it is now appreciated and enjoyed by many cultures, worldwide.
Written by Jeff Bachmeier. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com
Natural Gas vs Charcoal Grills Which one is right for you?
Barbecuing outdoors is a pleasure that anyone can partake in and with so many types of grills available you can practically cook anywhere. One exception to the list is a natural gas grill which needs a permanent hook up. Listed below are some of the main advantages / disadvantages and suggestions for both natural gas and charcoal grills to help decide which one is best for you.
Charcoal Grilling and Benefits
Natural gas grilling and benefits
The backyard chef's favorite challenge is to create the perfect fire for grilling to produce that mouthwatering smoky taste! Most popular and with about 80% of all American households owning one, is the barbecue grill. Approximately 47% of these bbq owners are cooking with good old charcoal. With brands such as Weber, clearly the most popular charcoal grill sold, as well as a household name, one might dismiss other quality charcoal grillers. But brands such as Brinkman and Hibachi are sought-after as are lesser known charcoal grillers Arctic, Meco, Aussie, Texas Pit Masters, Uniflame, Capital and Thermos, Fire Magic and others.
How many times have you wanted to barbeque on a Saturday night but were out of propane gas? With a natural gas grill you will never have to worry about the grilling disaster because you'll never run out of propane while grilling steaks for friends. If you're in the market shopping for a barbeque that will offer you great convenience and ease, then natural gas is the way to go. Why? Unlike charcoal grills, there is no waiting for the coals to heat up. With a natural gas grill you just push the button, turn the dial and ignite! And, since these barbeques are connected to the gas supply piping of the home, they are always ready for cooking.
If you are looking to find the right barbecue charcoal grill, you are in luck. Why? Charcoal grills can add an extra smoky flavor to your grilling that gas grills can't! And, these grills are affordable to suit any budget. That said, if you buy a fancy one with deluxe features, the price tag will be higher. However, compared to an outdoor gas grill featuring mechanical parts and a more complicated design, charcoal grillers are just more economical.
How to choose the natural gas grill that's right for you
Which charcoal barbecue to buy? Begin with a few simple questions. How many people will you be grilling for? Does the bbq need to be a specific grill type such as: portable, stainless steel or cast iron? Are you looking for a particular brand: Weber charcoal grills, Brinkman charcoal grills, Hibachi, Arctic, Patio Life, Meco, Aussie or something else With a charcoal grill, if you are going to be cooking for a lot of people or just a few people, size matters. A small charcoal grill is 300 to 500 sq. in. cooking surface; a medium charcoal grill is 500 to 700 sq. in. cooking surface; and a large grill is 700 sq. in. and up. So make sure you are getting the size you that fits your needs. If you need something portable, take a look at the brands Weber and Arctic. You will find these to be lightweight and easy to carry. A lock-lid is a convenient portable barbeques feature for camping and outdoor picnicking.
It's never easy deciding, especially when there are so many outdoor grill manufacturers to choose from: Weber, Broilmaster, Lynx, Fire Magic and many more. And besides the brands, you've got to figure out which brand model will suit your grilling needs. Here are some grill features to consider: What size cooking surface do you need? Does the barbeque need side shelves? Do you want a multi-burner system, meaning 2, 4, or 6 burners? Do you want warming shelves, a side burner, a grease catcher? And what about the grill's appearance? Does it need need to fit into an outdoor kitchen? Or to match the dĂŠcor of the exterior of your house? Two great ways to decide are your particular budget and reviews. Read as many gas grill reviews as possible, talk to friends with natural gas grillers, and shop around locally and online. Whatever your needs and whatever you decide, adding a barbecue to your life, be it natural gas or charcoal, will never be something you regret.
Written by Nicole Martins. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com.
Three Secrets To
Perfect Baby Back Ribs
Baby back ribs are a classic barbecue favorite. While it may seem intimidating at first to make them on your own on a charcoal grill, it is actually not that difficult if you're willing to practice and be patient in allowing them to cook the right way. There are many different ways to prepare this pork BBQ dish, and some of them can be done in less than 30 minutes from start to finish. They can be made by cooking them in the oven or a slow cooker, and some have even claimed success with a microwave. For the best and most authentic flavor however, slow cooking them on a grill is the preferred way to do it for many. Here are the top three secrets for making perfect ribs:
2. Set Up the Grill Properly: This is the most critical component in whether your ribs will be fall off the bone tender or dry and rubbery and tough to eat. Grilling the meat requires that they be cooked over indirect heat, which means they should never come into contact with the flame. One popular way to do this is to arrange the charcoal on one side and with an aluminum pan of water on the other side of the bottom of the grill. Instead of placing the food over the coals as you would for other grilling favorites, you would cook it instead over the pan of water. 3. Cook Slow and Low: Slow and low refers to the temperature of the grill and the amount of cooking time. You will want your grill to be around 200-225 degrees. This can be difficult with charcoal for beginners to regulate temperature, but with practice can become much easier. It takes about 2 and a half hours for ribs to be cooked this way, so you'll want to be sure that you check the heat and temperature often.
1. Allow Ample Time to Marinate: The more time you give your ribs to marinate, the better the flavor and the more tender the meat will be. There are many different types of marinades available. Some may use a simple dry rub of seasonings such as salt, pepper, and brown sugar If you do these three things, you'll be surprised to find how others may prefer to let them soak in their favorite sauce. easy it is to make baby back ribs and how well they turn It's all a matter of your own personal preference on what out. Before long you may even find yourself enjoying ingredients you choose. The most important thing is that making them so much you may decide to start joining they are given enough time to absorb the flavor. The bare barbecue competitions to start showing off your grilling minimum should be two hours if you are in a hurry, with skills! overnight being preferred by most competition barbecue chefs. Written by Chelle Stein courtesy of Articlesbase.com, Photo courtesy of memphisinmay.org
Seafood Grilling Tips Grilling season is here. You've got your grill full of gas, you've stocked up on hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks, and you're ready to go. But those hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks are getting old fast. You'd like to try something else for a change. If you're looking to change up your usual grilling menu, why not try seafood? Fish makes a healthy meal, and grills up quite easily. Seafood does present some grilling challenges, however. These tips should help you on your way to grilling great seafood. 1) Make sure your grill is clean and oiled. Fish sticks to the grill very easily, so proper lubrication is essential. If you don't oil your grill, the fish will stick, and break apart when you try to remove it. Grab a wad of paper towels, or a rolled up kitchen towel in a pair of tongs. Dip the paper towels or kitchen towel into some vegetable oil, and rub the oil onto the grill. You can also spray the grill with cooking spray, just be sure the grill is off when you do this, or the spray could ignite, injuring you. 2) Use fresh fish if possible, since it is easier to work with than frozen fish. Each serving should be about 6-8 ounces for fillets or steaks, and 8-12 ounces for whole fish. 3) You can place fish directly on the grill, but if you do this, you should use a firm fleshed fish, like grouper, tuna, swordfish, or salmon. You can also buy grill baskets made for grilling seafood. These will help small pieces of fish from falling through the grill, and will help in grilling delicate fillets. 4) Cook the fish over medium-hot to hot heat. If your grill doesn't have a thermometer, then hold your hand about 5 inches above the heat. If you can hold your hand there for 2 seconds, the temperature is hot. If you can hold your hand 5 inches from the heat for 3-4 seconds, it is medium hot. If you're cooking whole fish, you'll need to have the temperature a bit lower, so the fish won't burn. You should plan on cooking the fish for about 10 minutes for every inch of thickness. The fish is done cooking when it is opaque, and begins to flake. It is better to undercook the fish a bit than overcooking it. You can always cook it some more if it is undercooked, but you can't un-cook it if it is overcooked. 5) Marinades are a good way to add flavor and moisture to the fish before cooking. You only need to marinate fish for 30-60 minutes. If you marinate the fish for too long, the acids in the marinade will start to cook and break down the flesh. Lean fish should also be basted during cooking to keep the fish from drying out. Fattier fish, like tuna and salmon don't need basting, but you can baste them to add more flavor. 6) Shrimp, Scallops, and chunks of firm fleshed fish work well on skewers. Alternate chunks of seafood with chunks of vegetables on a skewer for great seafood kebobs. If you're using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning on the grill. It isn't hard to grill seafood, but it does take some practice. Follow these tips for grilling seafood, and expand your grilling repertoire. It's a great break from hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks. Written by Tim Sousa , courtesy of Isnare.com Photograph courtesy of Robbie Owen-Wahl
Products To Love In May This is a new novelty & funny Collectible Top 10 Man Cave Rules tin metal sign. The rules are 1. My Cave. My Rules. 2. Man Decorates Man Cave. 3. Sports On TV 24 7. No "Sex and the City" Reruns Ever. 4. Wine Spritzers Ground For Immediate Expulsion. 5. Man Controls All Remotes. 6. All Chick Flicks Are Banned. 7. Dogs Welcome. 8. No B!$*%ing At Any Time. "Issues" Not Allowed Either. 9. Talking About "Feelings" Earns Lifetime Ban. 10. Man Is Always Right. It will look great in your game room, garage, bar, playroom, pub, restaurant or where ever you want to hang it! Please click here for more information.
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Reviewed by Rural Jungle Testing
Love the idea of growing your own fresh vegetables but lack the space to make to make your gardening dreams come true? Dreams do come true with the AeroGarden Veggie Pro for Full-Sized Vegetables! This nifty gadget sits easily out of the way and makes growing, well anything, a breeze! No dirt, no weeds or mess to deal with! Just follow the super easy instructions, add nutrients and water when required and grow yourself all the vegetables your heart desires. Grow your own completely organic veggies without any fuss! Many different types of vegetables, herbs and even flowers are available to grow for your gardening delight. Great for beginners or pros! Please click here for more information.
McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning adds something extra to all of your steaks and burgers. The coarsely ground spices provides a bolder flavor to make every steak a little special. We totally love this around our house, especially when it始s grilling season. It adds just a perfect amount of zesty goodness to everything from steaks, to veggies to seafood. Happy Grilling! Please click here for more information.
Products To Love In May
Every tool you need for the ultimate grilling experience! The Platinum Prestige 30-pc. Grilling Set comes with it始s own case and is sure to excite even the most jaded of grill connoisseur. Just toss in a Kiss the Cook apron and life is perfect! Please visit www.target.com for more information.
Fabulous retro style meets superior comfort in this Palmetto All-Weather Wicker Egg Chair. Make your backyard the hottest hang out in town with this eye catching charmer. Oversized and shady this is the perfect chair for kicking back with your honey or reading a book in peace. Please visit www.potterybarn.com for more information.
Remember that perfect charcoal grill your dad used to have? Well you can have it too! We love the Weber OneTouch Silver Kettle Grill. At 22 1/2 inches it is just the right size for most grilling needs, without taking up half your deck. Please visit www.weber.com for more information.
City Spotlight
Memphis, TN Memphis the jewel of the mid-south, sits on the might Mississippi river, and is home of the worlds greatest attractions. If youʼre looking for a vacation full of excitement, history, and southern charm, then Memphis Tennessee is the place for you. Memphis a City that dates back over 200 years, also that survived the civil war, and the great earthquake is a warm inviting city for vacationers every year. Famous for its music and barbecue, there are also other things that one can visit while staying in Memphis. Everyone should visit Beale Street where you still get the feel of that down home blues of B.B. King and Memphis Minnie. On Beale Street you can also get world famous soul food and party the night away with the sound of constant music from an eclectic assortment of musical clubs. It would also be comforting to talk a stroll down on Front Street to the Mississippi River. A ride on the Memphis Queen is always a nice closure to your evening. When the night has died down you can stroll back to you hotel room at the world famous Peabody Hotel and in the morning watch the ducks waddle in to lobby before breakfast. After breakfast, you should visit Elvis Presley Mansion and maybe stay or eat lunch at the Heartbreak Hotel in front of Elvisʼs House. Mud Island, a replica of the Mississippi River is a museum full of enlightening information of Memphisʼ past. You can also take a ride on the Monorail and maybe have brunch there. The Pyramid is also a tourist attraction found downtown, Memphisʼ very own replica of Ancient Egyptianʼs Pyramids.
There are other social important places to see as well. For instance a trip to Memphis wouldnʼt be quite complete with a visit to the Civil Right Museum. There you can get the history of Civil Rights Movement, get a historical perspective, and even see where Martin Luther King was slain. The controversial replica of the Statue of Liberty is housed in Memphis at World Overcomers Church. It has received national attention, so donʼt forget to stop by and get a snapshot. Memphisʼ very own NBA team, The Grizzlies play at the Fed-Ex forum downtown. Go watch them in action while youʼre in town. The Peabody Place, located in downtown Memphis is another great way to spend a day in Memphis. Shop in the malls, hang out at Jillianʼs, or enjoy the IMAX theatre. You canʼt leave Memphis without stopping by the Memphis Zoo. Memphisʼs Zoo is a large fantastic zoo that also features the Panda Exhibit. After the zoo, the Pink Palace Museum and the Brooks Art Museum are a must. Remember when visiting Memphis, partake in all of itʼs many inviting and alluring aspects. You wonʼt be sorry, because the southern hospitality, fascinating entertainment, and incredible cuisine will never disappoint you.
Written by Donna Rice, courtesy of Isnare.com Photo courtesy of the city of Memphis
Businesses That Make A Difference
Target Corporation is consistently ranked as one of the most philanthropic companies in the US. It
ranked #11 in Fortune Magazine's "Top 20 Most Admired Companies" for 2007, largely in part to the donation efforts of the company as a whole. Target donates around 5 percent of its pre-tax operating profit; it gives over $3 million a week to the communities in which it operates. It also gives a percentage of charges from its Target Visa to schools designated by the cardholders. To date, Target has given over $150 million to schools across the United States through this program.
During disasters, Target has been a major benefactor for relief efforts.
Further evidence of Target's philanthropy can be found in the Target House complex in Memphis, Tennessee, a long-term housing solution for families of patients at the city's St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The corporation led the way with more than $27 million in donations, which made available 96 fully furnished apartments for families needing to stay at St. Jude over 90 days.
Target provided monetary and product donations during the September 11 attacks; it also donated money for relief efforts for the 2004 tsunami in South Asia and donated $1.5 million (U.S.) to the American Red Cross in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It also allowed its store properties in the affected area to be used as command centers for relief organizations. It also donated supplies such as water and bug spray. Check out www.target.com to find out more.
This month's random fact is on the soulful and soothing origin of The Blues. Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States around the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads. The blues form, ubiquitous in jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll is characterized by specific chord progressions, of which the twelve-bar blues chord progression is the most common. The blue notes that, for expressive purposes are sung or played flattened or gradually bent (minor 3rd to major 3rd) in relation to the pitch of the major scale, are also an important part of the sound.
The blues genre is based on the blues form but possesses other characteristics such as specific lyrics, bass lines, and instruments. Blues can be subdivided into several sub-genres ranging from country to urban blues that were more or less popular during different periods of the 20th century. Best known are the Delta, Piedmont, Jump, and Chicago blues styles. World War II marked the transition from acoustic to electric blues and the progressive opening of blues music to a wider audience, especially white listeners. In the 1960s and 1970s, a hybrid form called blues-rock evolved.
The term "the blues" refers to the "blue devils", meaning melancholy and sadness; an early use of the term in this sense is found in George Colman's one-act farce Blue Devils (1798). Though the use of the phrase in African-American music may be older, it has been attested to since 1912, when Hart Wand's "Dallas Blues" became the first copyrighted blues composition. In lyrics the phrase is often used to describe a depressed mood.
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