Caritas Means Love

*article originally seen at www.memphisconnect.com

There are a lot of places in Memphis to find amazing food. It’s one of the things we’re known for. If you’re looking for a somewhere that has a really cool vibe and is a place to chill around art and music, there are a plethora of spots to go. And if you are concerned about our community and you want to get involved with an organization that has the best interests of Memphis in mind, there are also many choices. But there are not so many places where all three of these things come together as seamlessly as the Caritas Village.

The Caritas Village was the idea of Onie Johns, who nine years ago, decided to move to the Binghampton area to do what she could to help the community. She got started by convincing children to help her clean up the neighborhood in exchange for the opportunity to earn a bicycle. Several years later, the old Masonic Lodge on the corner of Harvard and Merton came available for sale. Onie took steps to purchase the property in order to put in a coffee shop and community center. This idea evolved into what is now one of the most unique spots in Memphis.

In Latin, Caritas means love for all…

…and more than anything else, you will find that at the Village. My first time there I noticed two business men meeting for what looked to be a power lunch, sitting in the booth next to two ministers discussing the direction of their church, sitting in the booth next to two African American teen girls playing scrabble and laughing about boys. There are few places in Memphis, or anywhere else, where you can find such a mix of cultures and such an atmosphere of acceptance. Onnie says, “I want this to be a church in the market place.” While you’re there its hard not to feel like this is what God meant for church to become.

The Caritas village also means great food (you should try the soup), an environment that creates and inspires art, a community center that hosts everything from Yoga to chess club for kids, and a place that’s really making a difference. It’s a place where you feel good about the money you spend. Lately, Onie has been using profits from the restaurant to purchase homes and provide affordable housing in the community.

Candidly, I love the Caritas Village. The next time you’re looking for a cool spot for lunch with your friends, or a venue for an informal meeting, or a quiet place to chill and get some work done away from the office, I hope you will give it a try.

Nanee’s Big Ride

This is my 96 year old grandmother. She had a blast.

The Political Mosh – Caring less and less…

The presidential election is only a few weeks way, and I’m finding I couldn’t care less who wins.

This is surprising for several reasons. Historically, I have really been very interested in politics. I have paid attention since I was old enough to comprehend on some level what was going on. I grew up an Alex P. Keaton republican, a true child of the Reagan years. My grandfather was an FDR democrat. He even worked for one of the New Deal organizations (TVA to be exact). We argued about politics the way some people argue about sports. It was all good fun, and mostly harmless.

Speaking of sports, I started out watching this election cycle much like I watched last year’s Superbowl. I sorta liked both New England and New York, so it didn’t matter to me at all who won or lost. I just wanted it to be an interesting game. It did not disappoint.

Throughout the primary I was rooting for both Obama and McCain. I like both of them; I was hoping for my “Superbowl” experience. Instead, I got a contest where neither team plays by the rules, the coaches are idiots and the referees have already decided who they want to win.

I think I might vote for Nader.

The Theology of Smoking

My Friend David sent me this link.  Enjoy

In Praise of Pipe Smoking

The List – College Football Power Rankings

1. Texas – They looked like “world beaters” this weekend.  I think Colt McCoy is the real deal, and I still think Oklahoma is the better team on paper.  All in all, a huge win.  They deserve the top ranking.
2. Penn State- If Florida can’t win it all, I’m rooting for Joe Pa to get another title.  This team looks great, and it should scare the crap out of the other coaches for the prince of coaching to have bird’s eye view every week.  Of course, who can tell if they’re really good- they are in the Big 10.
3. Alabama – If they had played against Kentucky the way they played against Georgia, they would be higher on the list.  After what happened in Gainsville this weekend, I’m not convinced the SEC west is as strong as once thought.
4. FLORIDA – speaking of, that can only be called one thing:  a beat down.  Dan Mullen finally opened up the play-book, and the results were down right nasty.
5. USC – Of course, I hate them, but they don’t play anybody for the rest of the year. So. Cal. High School could make it through the rest of their season unbeaten.