#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

[emilybeemartin]

"Irene---"

"Don't call me that."

"You were the princess Irene the first time we met."

"It means 'peace,'" Attolia said. "What name could be more inappropriate?"

"That I be named Helen?" Eddis suggested.

The hard lines in Attolia's face eased, and she smiled. Eddis was a far cry from the woman whose beauty has started a war.

-The Queen of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner

Revisiting the Iliad made me think of this exchange with the most important Helen of my heart. One thing I love about the Queen's Thief is how MWT threaded in these sparing links to existing mythology, so that even though all the pantheons and legends are made up, the story is placed in a greater context. It makes the worldbuilding feel so huge and real even while the struggles are intimate and contained.

[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

[emerydraws]

two queens sittin in a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g ---

[jaxsterrapp]

CARTOON MOMS😉

[random-brushstrokes]

Helen Maria Turner (American, 1858 - 1958)

[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

[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.

[whirlpool-blogs]

Leaving (2012) + neck kisses

[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.

[emilybeemartin]

Sadly, Gen didn't win the Unreliable Narrator poll. In fairness, he had a steep battle against Lemony Snicket, who I imagine is more broadly familiar to readers (something something conflating quirkily convoluted storytelling with intentional unreliability something something WHATEVER). Also, it's always been Gen's strategy to never show his full hand (HA), so maybe he prefers not winning, to keep folks underestimating him.

Anyway, I was reminded I've had this piece sitting in my folder for a while, so here are two absolutely reliable narrators who are frequently rendered unreliable by their proximity to Gen. Sophos would hardcore get a tattoo after marrying Helen, and she would add one to match--it's a pinecone and an olive branch!

[anliafail]

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

SLIDING DOORS | 1998 dir. Peter Howitt

[classicdavinci]

Helen M Turner - Flower Girl (1920)