The post If Game of Thrones Was Located in Memphis appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>Game of Thrones wrapped on Sunday, and let’s just say “it’s so hard to say goodbye.” As a faithful watcher of the show, it’s difficult to ignore the resemblance between the realm and the city of Memphis. One of the boldest comparisons is through the shared centering of families and their houses. Memphis is a city of families who are almost one degree of separation from the next family. You can always trace folks back to where they live or were raised by asking two simple questions “What high school did you attend?” and “What’s your church home?”
Give or take a few elements in the 8-year tv series, GOT houses easily mirror some of Memphis’ communities. If Westeros had a 901 zip code, here’s where you’d find some of your favorite characters and houses:
1. House of Stark – North Memphis
Two words: Not. Today.
Have you ever met anyone from Frayser?
Is your spouse a native of Smokey City?
Maybe you’re a teacher at Douglas or Craigmont High.
One thing is for sure: people from North Memphis don’t go down without a fight and even if they lose, they don’t stay down.
You can find Arya learning to fight at Ed Rice Community Center. Sansa is a graduate of Raleigh Egypt High and now acts as the Executive Director of the Frayser Community Development Corporation. Meanwhile, Bran sits in the middle of Ridgecrest Apartments listening to Yo Gotti all day, clapping at birds.
2. House of Lannister – Central/Chickasaw Gardens
The Lannisters are the richest family in Westeros. Can you not see Cersei standing at the top level foyer with a glass of red wine overlooking that lake in the middle of the Chickasaw Gardens community? Of course you can. Central and Chickasaw Gardens hold some of the finest families and homes in the city. Just ride through on a gorgeous summer day and admire the homes (unless you’re being creepy). There’s a hidden richness (no pun intended) in these areas.
3. House of Tyrell – Cooper Young/Midtown
So Olenna Tyrell – while perched on her porch across from Peabody Elementary – is the old lady you speak to when dropping your kids off but doesn’t speak back. Her garden is perfect and she shops alone at the Farmer’s Market in the parking lot of First Congregational. Margarey is often found at Cafe Ole, but more recently hangs out at Side Street Grill after Joffrey died, in search of her next king, but Loras got there before her at 4 p.m. Tommen rides through Overton Park on one of those Bird scooters, speaking to everyone on the Crazy Noodle patio until he was brought to an untimely demise attempting backflips on the motorized machine. His memorial was held at Rainbow Lake.
4. The White Walkers – (Elmwood Cemetery)
Some of the most notable Memphians who have ever lived are buried at Elmwood Cemetery, from civil rights leaders and politicians to racist confederate war generals. If they were to ever resurrect, we do hope Arya’s training from Ed Rice will come in handy.
5. House of Frey – South Memphis
The Red Wedding was facilitated, orchestrated and executed by someone from South Memphis. Period. Stone Bridge connects the two keeps of the Frey’s ancestral seat, the Twins. The new and old bridge is a dead giveaway that the Frey’s would reside in South Memphis with the house words, “We Stand Together.” People from South Memphis are extremely territorial, and they aren’t afraid to take action against those who break their promises. Walder Frey grew up around Hamilton but sent all his children (wives) to Booker T. Washington.
6. House of Targaryen – The Suburbs
If any Memphian would have dragons in their backyard, they would be in the suburbs because of all that acreage. All Targaryen’s are graduates of Collierville High where the mascot is, coincidentally, the dragon. It explains why Daenerys was attracted to men from the inner-city. Now that we know Jon Snow is really a Targaryen and therefore, a natural at riding dragons – it would only be right that we award him an honorary degree from Collierville.
7. House of Baratheon – Hickory Hill
Remember the 2008 tornado that took our Hickory Ridge Mall? People of Hickory Hill are Storm Lords, not unfamiliar with revitalization after disasters like the tornado. Since, the mall has been revived quite a bit. Folks from Hickory Hill are resilient people. They’re stylish, but they play to win like the Ridgeway High basketball teams. They know how to party and have a good time. Just stop by Winchester Bowl or East End Skating Rink and you’ll see what we’re talking about.
Tell us if we hit the nail on the head or the dragon on the Greyjoy. What house and Memphis community do you resonate with the most?
The post If Game of Thrones Was Located in Memphis appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>The post Love Memphis craft beer? Check out Crosstown Brewing! appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>Whether you prefer malts or ales, Crosstown Brewing has something flavored with fruits and spices and brewed for a deliciously smooth drinking experience. Here are some of our favorites:
Cover photo credit: Crosstownbeer.com
Traffic IPA
Flavored with mango, pineapple, passion and grapefruit, this beer is brewed in the West Coast American tradition to bring out a crisp finish that’s dry on your palate.
Photo Credit: Crosstownbeer.com
Crosstown Brown
Crafted in the vein of traditional English beers, Crosstown Brown has a nutty taste that belies its brown malt base. The addition of toffee, graham crackers, caramel and toasted bread results in a rich taste and a flavor that pops.
Boll Weevil Brown Ale
The Boll Weevil’s Pilsner Malt and Belgian Saison yeast infuse to yield a rich, dry crispness that’s pleasantly flavored with Saison pear and pepper.
Alt School
This beer strikes a perfect balance between bitterness and malt—and has toffee, caramel and crusty bread flavors to boot. Once you go Alt School, you won’t go back!
Siren Blonde Ale
This blonde ale has just the right amount of bitterness to go with its spice. Its mild citrus flavor with floral hints is well balanced and suitable for any occasion.
Photo Credit: Crosstownbeer.com
Russian Imperial Stout
The deep, dark color of this stout is your first clue that you’re about to enjoy the dark goodness of chocolate, roasted coffee and fruit. Go ahead, rush in for a Russian.
Stick Shift Pale Ale
This German-inspired beer is a delightful blend of strong and bitter with a smooth finish. One ingredient in particular—Skagit Valley red wheat—gives it a nice kick.
Drop by Crosstown Brewing’s spacious taproom to enjoy local brews conceived or selected by Memphis creatives who go the extra mile for magnificently flavored and spiced beer.
Want more Memphis stories? Check out Choos901!
Looking for more stories on what makes Memphis great?
Follow our Instagram page below!
The post Love Memphis craft beer? Check out Crosstown Brewing! appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>The post Kitchen teaches healthy cooking habits for communities in Memphis appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>In recent years, premier Memphis-area charity Church Health has stepped up to assist residents in leading healthier lives. Church Health’s push to promote a healthy diet through kitchen teaching sessions falls in line with its larger goal of providing healthcare services to the working uninsured.
How the classes work
Fueled by a focus on Church Health’s aforementioned core mission, the Teaching Kitchen aims to instill proper meal preparation skills in the community. When Church Health founder and CEO Dr. Scott Morris launched the operation, he did so with the vision of promoting a well-balanced lifestyle through medical care, proper nutrition, a vibrant spiritual life and more. Today, Church Health is among the top volunteer organizations in Memphis that emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Sharing tips for a healthy lifestyle
The Teaching Kitchen at Church Health has expanded in popularity over recent years, and now holds classes at the Crosstown Concourse (formerly the Sears distribution center). This large facility provides enough space and resources for Church Health nutrition professionals to expand upon the theme of using food as a medicine.
Memphis residents may be advised to reduce carbs or eat more protein—but how does this translate into an actual meal on the table? Church Health is one of the few Memphis charities that provides practical nutritional classes for locals to implement in their own homes.
In addition, Church Health works with Tulane University medical students, teaching them how to communicate food benefits and value to their patients.
The Teaching Kitchen runs one day a week for a six-week period. During their training, students work in teams to learn essential cooking skills, optimal use of ingredients and recipes that have the potential to make a big difference to their health over time.
Church Health also maintains a network of health coaches, doctors and providers who work with patients and students at the Teaching Kitchen on an ongoing basis.
Effects on the community
Because the Teaching Kitchen is open to the whole community, it has had a widespread positive influence on the local population. Church Health breaks down the economic barriers often associated with living a healthy lifestyle by using simple and accessible nutritional programs.
For more Memphis news, check this out!
The post Kitchen teaches healthy cooking habits for communities in Memphis appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>