It is my understanding that the gentlemen who play basketball for the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee Knoxville are ranked among their peers in the number one and number two positions respectively, and that the two clubs will compete on Saturday in a contest characterized as the Game of the Century.

Tickets to attend said contest in Memphis are reportedly fetching a price of $10,000 per ticket, indicating a heightened level of interest in the rivalry and an unusual demand for credentials to witness the historic confrontation.

Experts report that the University of Tennessee's number two ranking is the highest level of recognition ever secured by the university's basketball program. Much of the credit is given to their wily and tenacious coach, a Mr. Bruce Pearl, who is a relative newcomer said to be popular with those who follow the university's sporting activities.

Monks, Nudes, and Rollerskates: Life Begins at 40. Purchase it online at monksbook.com. (Hardcover. ISBN: 978-0-980055306 Rocket Squirrel Press)

“When some men hit the middle age crazies, they quit their jobs, buy red convertibles, divorce, and marry trophy wives half their years. James Cortese took a different route, economically and matrimonially, by following his dreams in real-life flights of fancy. What’s more, he did it during the Ozzie and Harriet 1950s–when “respectable working men” (if, ahem, newspaper columnists are included in such lofty circles) were supposed to be above this kind of nonsense.

Cortese’s fun-to-read book chronicles his adventures all over the map: everything from swimming across the Mississippi River, to playing Beethoven in the Grand Canyon, to roller-skating through Texas and much more, all culminating with his appearance on the CBS quiz show, To Tell The Truth.

Walter Mitty, eat your heart out.”

–Sam Venable, Columnist,Knoxville News Sentinel

more after the jump...

The Clean Water Protection Act (HR 2169) would reverse the Bush Administration’s 2002 decision that the toxic “waste” created by mountaintop removal could be defined as “fill material,” and recklessly dumped into our water ways. This practice has already destroyed over 1200 miles of American headwater streams, and eliminated access to safe, clean potable water for many communities. The CWPA (HR 2169) currently has 107 co-sponsors, and a lot of momentum. But we need more to get out of committee and onto the floor.

We have 3 of 5 Democrats from TN onboard, and we need to know if Lincoln Davis, Bart Gordon, and John Tanner are “wit’ us” or “ginst us” on stopping mountaintop removal.

If you have a moment, please take a moment to call Davis (202-225-6831), Gordon (202-225-4231), and Tanner (202-225-4714), politely but forcefully asking that they co-sponsor the Clean Water Protection Act (HR 2169), and take a stand against mountaintop removal.

A quick report on our TN Dems and mountaintop removal below…

This June, Memphis Tennessee's very own Stax Records turns 50.

What began as a tiny record store in an old movie theater at the corner of McLemore Avenue and College Street in Memphis, Tennessee, grew to become one of the most important music recording studios in the world. When the modest Capitol Theater in the heart of Soulsville USA was transformed into Stax Records in 1959, it began launching the careers of unknowns who would become icons, cranking out a massive catalog of smash soul hits by the likes of Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, Wilson Pickett, Luther Ingram, Albert King, the Bar-Kays, Booker T. & the MG's, Johnnie Taylor, Rufus and Carla Thomas, and dozens of other artists whose influence remains vital in the music of today. On its many and varied labels, Stax Records also recorded such legends as Big Star, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bill Cosby, Moms Mabley, and the Grammy-winning comedic genius Richard Pryor.

To commemorate their golden anniversary, there's a gala concert in Memphis featuring many of the acts which made Stax Records a worldwide phenomenon. Announced so far:

* Booker T & the MGs
* Isaac Hayes
* Angie Stone
* William Bell
* Eddie Floyd
* Mavis Staples
* Mable John
* Soul Children
* Rance Allen

You can find tickets by going to Link... .

By John Mark Hancock
Copyrighted – All Rights Reserved

As 2007 gets into full swing, without much snow yet in the Great Smoky Mountains, the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team is finding tough sledding on the road after some major successes in December. It appears that Head Coach Bruce Pearl’s young team, while they overachieved in the early part of this still-young season, has been humbled and brought back to earth with three straight losses on the road, all of which were bitter and hard fought at the end.

The fiery Pearl, who nearly got tossed out of the game on the Plains when he was assessed a technical foul down the stretch while protesting an egregious call by a referee, lost three games in a row for the first time in his entire 15-year coaching career last night at Auburn. The Volunteers blew a 14-point lead late in the game, which when combined with the very poor officiating and the fact that star Chris Lofton never got to the free throw line while the Tigers shot multiple free tosses throughout the game, led to a 3-point loss.

Read more after the jump...

Was looking at "Open Secrets" tonight and came across this page.

What the heck is the Memphis school system doing on Corker's donor list?