The Commercial Appeal (2007-Current)

Branching Out -- Fellowship Memphis Follows Trend of Churches That Add Multiple Locations

An established East Memphis church will soon begin services at a prominent building Downtown. "Bass Pro (Shops) is just a front," said pastor John Carroll, joking about the lengthy negotiations to bring the outdoors store to The Pyramid.

Spotlight On Mom / Stacey Margarita Johnson

Stacey Margarita Johnson of Memphis always wanted to have foster children and adopt. Two weeks shy of turning 30, her dream of adoption came true. The Tennessee Department of Children's Services called her about two brothers, 2 and 3 years old at the time, who needed an adoptive home. Johnson, who lives in East Memphis, had spent nearly two years getting ready for her future children. She attended foster- parenting classes, completed a home study, turned one of the rooms in her house into a c...

Skirmishes Resolved at Living Room Summit

Barack Obama and I will be the first to tell you that it's not easy being president. Oh, sure, the hand waving and goodwill junkets, and even the budget stuff, is simple. But sometimes there is discord among your people. Occasionally there is a situation in your country or, as I refer to it, living room, that requires immediate attention and I, the president, am the only one who can attend to these matters. Recently, with so many of my little countrymen out of work for the summer and home all...

People / Georgia Man Accused of Attempting to Stalk Miley

A 53-year-old Georgia man who told police he is secretly engaged to marry Miley Cyrus has been charged with attempting to stalk the teenage "Hannah Montana" star, who is filming a movie in the Savannah area. Tybee Island Police Chief Jim Price said Wednesday that Mark McLeod of Appling was arrested after Walt Disney Pictures security officers reported he had returned to the beachside movie set Sunday after police warned him to stay away in June.

Guinea Pigs Fragile, Not Film Tough Guys

While the guinea pigs in the new movie "G-Force" are fearless, feisty, and even walk on two legs, real life pets are not so tough. Memphian Michelle Kunkel, who owns nine guinea pigs, hopes the movie doesn't cause over-indulgent parents to buy their children one without doing some homework.

Go Ask Mom -- At What Age Do You Think It's Appropriate for a Child to Be Given a Cell Phone?

NEXT WEEK'S QUESTION Do you remember your first crush?

Families - Things to Do

Today: Brown Bag Concert - Center for Southern Folklore, noon to 1 p.m. Local and touring acts perform blues, soul, rock-a-billy, bluegrass, jazz and folk at these free weekly shows. Bring your lunch or try one of the Center's southern dishes. Call 525-3655. Friday: Shade Tree Pickin' on Collierville Historic Town Square - 6:30 p.m. Each Friday through mid-October (weather permitting), musicians and listeners gather to enjoy an evening of bluegrass and old time music. Go to mainstreetcollierv...