#Helen Turner's

[memphisbarbecue]

"LOTS OF PIG ON EVERY SANDWICH"

     That has long been one of my favorite barbecue restaurant slogans, courtesy of Fracchia's Pit Barbecue Cafe, which operated at 2461-2465 Jackson Avenue from the late 1940s up to about 1970. It came to mind when I saw the obituary for John Thomas Fracchia Jr., 84, in The Commercial Appeal of June 25. The bulk of Mr. Fracchia's work life was spent in the marine industry, but he got his start by managing the family restaurant.     For most of the 15 or so years I've been dabbling in this, I have almost always sent letters to the people I've wanted to talk with. Surely I sent one to Mr. Fracchia, but I have not been able to find a copy in my research mess. If I did not send him a letter, that was a huge blunder on my part. If I did and did not get a response, well, that has happened a lot. I might try to contact the family later on.    Anyway, here are some phone book ads for Fracchia's. The oldest one, circa 1948, lists the 2461 address (and features a classic clip-art pig). Fracchia's was among several barbecue restaurants in the city from that era that also had Italian on the menu. At the time it disappeared from the phone book, circa 1970, a Loeb’s was practically next door, at 2451.

PROJECT UPDATE: 954 JACKSON     A post from last October led with the news of a $25,000 Good Neighbor grant from the Center City Development Corp. to Roosevelt Bonds, owner of Jazzy J’s Sports Bar, to renovate the site into a 1,430-square-foot restaurant to be called Jackson Cafe. Upgrades were to include a new facade, outdoor seating and improved landscaping, at a total cost of $32,550. March was the target for opening.     The interest here is that the location has a long history as a barbecue restaurant, at least back to the mid-1950s when it was known as the Bar-B-Q Center. Later names included Jones Smoke House, Beasley's Barbecue, and Jango's, which was a favorite around our house in the early 2000s.       I drove by a couple of months ago and not much had changed, but today's visit saw lots of progress. The west side has a spiffy mural, and the patio area is moving along (enclosed, in a departure from the design rendering). It all looks neat and inviting, and worth a stop when it opens.

PUT IT BACK     Tops, the venerable local barbecue chain, has been on a tear lately with new menu offerings and freshened facades on their older locations. All good, but I'm not a fan of the new look at the No. 6 shop at 3353 Summer. I have long considered it to be the most handsome Tops restaurant -- not even close -- and maybe the best-looking in the city. It has the neon pig (which is making a well-deserved comeback), but the real asset is the out-front placement of the pit, with a wall of windows to see it all. Fake flames now hide the real thing. Ugh. Put it back.

SERVICE ON THE ROAD    I've had the opportunity this year to visit a couple of West Tennessee barbecue treasures -- Helen Turner's in Brownsville and Sam's in Humboldt. I try to stop at Helen's any time I'm passing exit 56 on I-40, but Sam's is a bit farther off the beaten path, but definitely worth the drive. I hadn't been there in years. The barbecue is excellent, and be sure to take a “pie” with you. Sam's is a Thursday-Saturday business only, so keep that in mind.

[whirlpool-blogs]

Leaving | Episode 1

[poppingmary]

Lana Turner as Lily Brannel James in “A Life of Her Own” - 1950

Costumes by Helen Rose

[mothsartart]

finally drawing again, so here’s this weird piece

[runfreebirdrun]

i'm halfway through the third book of The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner and i think they're really fun, big recommend if you like plot twists and suspense and vaguely Grecian fantasy and authors who don't let the audience know nearly enough. Gen is my worstie

[diasdesol05]

Helen Maria Turner

[white-cat-of-doom]

More weekend fun in Cast 16 of the Oasis of the Seas.

Two unusual suspects fill in for Macavity, with Elise O'Connell (Grizabella) as a Decoy and Samuel Lewis-Wright (Mungojerrie) as Macavity.

Sitting pretty with Helen Turner as Demeter and Harry Planck as Rum Tum Tugger.

04-05 January 2025.

[ihamtmus]

i realised i never posted my piece for @hamiathesgiftexchange from 2022 on here! so here it is!

helen with a piece of wax - did she keep the one she found in the cave where she saw the gods as a child? or did the wax from the candle made her remember the past? the burden of the crown and knowledge is heavy, especially if you can't share it with anyone.

[driveintheaterofthemind]

Original Art - Lana Turner "Crystal Radek" Costume Sketch (1952)

Art by Helen Rose

The Merry Widow (MGM)

From ha.com...

Vintage original costume sketch accomplished in gouache on artist board measuring 15" x 22.25", featuring Turner in a black satin and lace outfit, looking into a mirror. Signed "Helen Rose" with approval initials at left and notes in pencil and red pencil at upper left. The verso retains stamped production form and approval form.

[tommygrace]

This cast 😍

[anliafail]

Cheer up, you know what the Monty Python boys say... Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition. x

SLIDING DOORS | 1998 dir. Peter Howitt

[whirlpool-blogs]

So what am I then, just some little puppy that keeps on jumping up at you?

[classicdavinci]

Helen M Turner - Flower Girl (1920)

[mothsartart]

after months, i finally was able to draw again, so i did another installation of my modern AU. if you can divine when along the timeline this is then you’re phenomenal and we should talk. otherwise that’s my secret :)

cool little details if you can make them out: the friendship bracelet and the beer bottle logo

[deadmomjokes]

I really don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read yet, but I absolutely have to yell about Queen of Attolia, so just scroll on by if you don't want hints and potential context-less spoilers.

.

This book spoke to me and also put me in the ground. I had a lot of complex emotions while reading, and I'm pretty sure half the reason I finished so quickly (less than 24 hours!) was because I was speed-running it because I was stressed about Eugenides' wellbeing, having been in some of the same places emotionally.

Then we also have:

She is SO IMPORTANT TO ME i would die for her

On that note:

There's so many good moments, just f'n classic and I'm so normal about it I swear

Speaking of, there was this one:

And of course:

I had to scream in a pillow. My husband thinks I'm insane. I probably am.

How tf do you go from making me hate someone with every fiber of my being to cheering them on and wanting them to be with the person I wanted them dead for? It's so confusing and so good, and I'm ready to bow down and admit I will never be able write anything as glorious as that arc, because I still don't know how she did it. All hail her majesty MWT, I AM NOT WORTHY