Not Rain, Nor Snow, Nor Lack of Internets...

(1/31: I added a few event updates at the end of this post....)

iList Paducah subscribers received our weekly email this morning. We usually send it on Wednesdays, but given that everyone was in the dark and huddled under blankets with no working communication devices — including Nikki — we weren't able to get everything together for the email until last night. We did, though, have our Web site updated right before everything blew up and blew out.

We debated about sending the email as most all of the events are likely postponed or canceled, but we wanted to share our iLove it Market House Theatre story (cuties Sarah Bynum and Anna Brewer are on our home page), our hottie iDate of the Week Michael Conley, our iPet Woody the Wonder Dog and all our other fun features. So have a look, and maybe call or ask around before heading out to any of the events you see listed.

I know the Challenger Center's Trivia NIght tonight will be rescheduled, as will Saturday night's Desserts First event from the Girl Scouts. Two Western Baptist events will be rescheduled — the Saturday breastfeeding class and the Feb. 6 Heart Walk event.

The Sunday Iris Shreve Garrott reception is still on, 3-5 p.m., at the library. So definitely plan to be there. Iris is the best, and definitely deserving of a big bash!

I'll add more updates as we hear about them. If you have any scoop on what's on and what's off, just use the comments button below to let everyone know, or email me directly.

By the way, does anyone know when Tilghman and Paducah Middle classes will resume?

UPDATE: Mz Iris' reception is, indeed, postponed — though I believe the library is open, warm and has Internets. The Monday evening Paducah Photo Club meeting will be rescheduled.

Maiden Alley Cinema is, indeed, open. So check out the schedule and head over for a warm movie. Many downtown restaurants are open, too.

He's Up There Somewhere

So I picked a pretty good time to visit San Francisco, huh? But the thing is, I'm worried sick about my husband Bruce Brockenborough, his folks, my niece Sarah, Nikki — everyone. No power, no heat, no phone — Paducah's hurtin' big time, and I can't even imagine how cold everyone must be.

I'm keeping tabs on a few folks who are able to log onto their Facebook pages. The photo above is on Karen Utz's Facebook. That's our building, and BB must be up there somewhere. (I don't know who the bundled up fella is.) BB finally got through to my cell this morning, but we were disconnected and I haven't heard from him since. I know the phone lines are super iffy — I can't get through from my end either.

If anyone sees him and can let him use your computer to email me (or maybe through Facebook), that would be great. (Tell him to use the ilistpaducah email — my other one is down.)

Here are a few other photos I've swiped from Karen's Facebook — these are from LowerTown:





There are more photos on Patience's blog.

Also on Suzanne's blog. Oy vey.

OK: A little update, just in case you're interested. BB just called. He's fine and his folks are fine. And Nikki's fine. And Sarah's fine. So now I'm just worried about everyone else! Lots of great updates are on Facebook. If you don't have a Facebook page, please consider creating one. When the Internets are back up. It's a great way to keep in touch, especially when everyone's email and cell phones are down!

New iCelebrate Ad!

Just a reminder to click on the iCelebrate ad on iList Paducah — it's in the top left-hand spot. We posted it last week to promote Mardi Gras & All That Jazz, the annual fundraising bash for the lovely Lourdes Foundation. Actually, you can just click here and get to all the scoop, links to the event sponsors' Web sites, cute photos of Lew Jetton and, of course, the event artwork (above) by Bill Ford, which will be auctioned.

The event is 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Harrah's Hotel Event Center. Tix are $50 each; reserved tables of 10 are $800.This event usually sells out, so be sure to call 444.2353 and save your spot!

After All This Melts...

...your motorcycle or scooter will likely need new oil. Because ice and snow corrode oil. OK, I totally don't know what I'm talking about, but if ice and snow do corrode oil, then the timing is perfect for our new Paid Listing on iList Paducah from the Mike Smith Service Department.

Between now and March 15 (and surely things will warm up by then), the good folks at Mike Smith will do a $59.99 oil change for you, including a 10-point inspection. Offer's good for any sort of motorcycle. They're at 370 Hinkleville Rd., in the old Hooper's building. Call 408.2453 for an appointment.

And check out Mike Smith's America's First Motorcycle blog!

OK, Now It's Really Cold

Well, I don't know where anybody'd be going in all the ice and snow, but Jazzy JZ — that's my rapping name for City Manager Jim Zumwalt — issued an emergency proclamation after Tuesday's City Commission meeting. There's now a night curfew until further notice — no driving unless you're an emergency worker, you have to get to essential work or you're headed for shelter or to help others reach shelter. And I don't think Jeremiah's counts. Besides, I don't think they're open.

Sorry about the tiny image. Click to enlarge.

Be safe...

You Know It's Cold When...

...The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore comes to town. Evidently he was broadcasting in front of Whaler's Catch last night. Here he is today with Comcast Spotlight's cheeky monkey Russ Garland. Here's a link to Jim's report today.

No explanation as to why Jim's all Gor-Texed up while Russ is sans jacket. Burrrrr! Bundle up, Russ, bundle up! (Thanks for the photo!)

Maiden Alley Cinema: Oscar Night Gala!

Paparazzi! Our own version of Joan Rivers working the red carpet! Hors d'oeuvres and Oscartinis! Need more jewels? Bid on them in a silent auction from Julie Shaw of Aphrodite Gallery. Music from DJ Urban Kobbb! Tuxedo Hotties!

It's Maiden Alley Cinema's Oscar Night Gala, set for Sunday, Feb. 22, and it's going to be a fantastic black tie night! So grab your friends, partners, spouses or come alone! Find out who's best dressed!

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the Oscars starting at 7 p.m.

Tix are $50 and include lots of really good stuff. Send your checks payable to Maiden Alley Cinema, to Maiden Alley Cinema, 112 Maiden Alley, Paducah 42001. Email Landee Bryant to let her know you're coming! Lead sponsor: the fabulous James Marine. Additional sponsorship from the lovely Lanny and Holly King.

Benefits Maiden Alley Cinema.

They're Even Cuter Than Richard Gere!

Many thanks to hotties Bennett Chambers, Chuck Tate and...


...Fowler Black (swooping Jill Chambers off her feet) for being such great sports and sportin' Naval uniforms as part of our Officer and a Gentleman Chick Flick last week at Maiden Alley Cinema! Aren't they darling? Thanks, too, to Creatures of Habit costume shop, 406 Broadway, for the loaners. (The uniforms, not the guys.)


These fine fellas welcomed all the chicks with beer and popcorn prior to the movie. It's all for a good cause — Chick Flicks tix benefit Maiden Alley and Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center.

The next flick is actually Maiden Alley's Night at the Oscars, set for Sunday, Feb. 22. Look for that post next!

In the meantime, check out the Chick Flicks blog!

iSurf Paducah's V-Day Give-Away

Our friends at iSurf Paducah have a neato V-Day Giveaway contest going on! Enter and you might win a $50 gift certificate to Max's Brick Oven Café, a hand-crafted pendant from hottie jewel designer Jimi Gwinn and a night's stay at the Paducah Courtyard by Marriott including breakfast for two. Oh lá lá! Details here! (Um, is Jimi Gwinn, himself, included in all that?)

Tabatha Rocks Country Weekly!

Here's some hot news to warm us up! The Feb. 9 issue of Country Weekly magazine hit the stands yesterday, featuring Tabatha and Southern FRY'd in its Listen Up! section. That's her over there on the right — the really pretty one with the guitar. I haven't seen the magazine yet, and if the piece is on the magazine's Web site, I can't find it. But Kim Kraemer at Kentucky Lake Views says the article calls her "one of the hottest new country artists to come along in quite a while."

Rock on, Tabatha! Check her out on her Web site — and read our interview with her on iList Paducah! Thanks, Kim, for the image above!

The Families Still Need Our Help

A new Web site is up in honor of Tyler Heathcott, Jacob Scott, McKenzie Stanley and Trevor Williams — the young men involved in the Jan. 10 duck hunting accident. Tyler survived, Trevor's body was recovered and rescue workers continue to search for Jacob and McKenzie.

The site is beautiful and includes frequent updates from the families, photos, links, info on fundraisers and a guestbook. Please stop by and leave your thoughts and prayers. The families still need our help in the way of funding for the rescue, thoughts, prayers, karma and anything else we can do to bring Jacob and McKenzie home.

Here's a Really Good Thing....

If you're in or near Mayfield today, head over to the high school gym, enjoy some great music and contribute to the volunteers working so hard to find Jacob Scott and McKenzie Stanley, the two young men missing after their tragic Jan. 10 hunting accident. Funds will also go to the purchase of sonar equipment, which would be very helpful in the search.

Our friend Tabatha Rowland and her Southern FRY'd band are playing, along with several other wonderful performers. We have a little story on Tabatha here.

By the way, I hear Doe's Live (below) was packed last night! Congratulations to Gabe Camacho and the great line up of performers. The next Doe's Live is Saturday, Feb. 14 — big VD Day! The action starts around 9 p.m.

Doe's Live, Tonight!

When you're out and about tonight, be sure to stop by Doe's for live music, starting with DJ Urban Kobbb, at 9 p.m. Organized by hottie Gabe Camacho, the evening features several other great performers — and will held the second and fourth Saturday of eacn month! If you wanna perform, call Gabe, 556.2207.

Nikki at Aspire Arts!

The fabulously gorgeous Nikki D. May, artist, designer and my iList Paducah partner, will be at Aspire Arts noon-5 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Jan 24. Please plan to stop in, enjoy her gorgeous artwork and ask a few questions! Aspire is located at 611 North 6th St. 575.3349.

Boas and Beads!

We have a new iCelebrate ad today on iList Paducah. This one is to help promote Mardi Gras & All That Jazz, the annual fundraising bash for the lovely Lourdes Foundation. When you click the ad you go here, which has all the scoop, links to the event sponsors' Web sites, cute photos of Lew Jetton — he and 61 South are the featured entertainment — and, of course, the event artwork (above) by Bill Ford, which will be auctioned.

The event is 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Harrah's Hotel Event Center. Tix are $50 each; reserved tables of 10 are $800.This event usually sells out, so be sure to call 444.2353 and save your spot!

Rock On in the Wash Post, MzDungey!

Linda Dungey worked her email fingers to the bone, campaigning for our new president, gathering up tons of volunteers to do the same and organizing numerous events and fundraisers this past year. So she must have felt quite the excitement to see Barack Obama sworn in yesterday as our 44th country leader.

And she certainly should have been excited to see this:


A big ol' story about her efforts in the Jan. 19 issue of the Washington Post! The story, written by Peter Slevin, highlights the canned food service project that MzLinda and her team carried out this past Monday at Carson Park, and also credits her with blazing the Obama trail in our area. Here's a little excerpt:

For Dungey, the service projects were another stop on an unexpected journey that began when Obama emerged as a serious candidate. In early 2008, she started an Obama group in conservative Paducah, even though the Illinois Democrat had little shot at winning the primary or the general election here.

"The next thing I knew, I was deeper and deeper involved," said Dungey, whose informal circle grew to include 150 regulars from miles around. "I was thinking that . . . even as a candidate, he may not win, but there's a moment in history where I have an opportunity to make a difference."

New friends and old credit Dungey with stitching together an Obama organization in hostile territory. She saw it as an overdue payment on the political activism she missed in the 1960s, when she was a teenage mother "a little bit too focused on some other things."

"So now," Dungey said, "I feel I've made my contribution to the civil rights movement."

She surely did.

Also quoted in the article were the Rev. Raynarldo Henderson of Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church and Cecil Barnette.

Read the full, fabulous article here! Congratulations!

New Banner Ad!

Check it out! Kenn Gray has launched Kenn Gray Design, our area's newest addition to the world of interiors, weddings and events. He's placed a banner ad on iList Paducah to promote his booth at the Bristol Bridal Expo, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., this Saturday at Goody's, near the Kentucky Oaks Mall.


Brides and their helpers will absolutely love Kenn. He plans to feature two different themes within his exhibition space and at Harrah's Casino's space. Plus, he'll offer special incentives to brides who book their big day with him during the expo. No word if that applies to this bride-to-be!

So be sure to stop by, email or call him at 933.0243.

OK, Back to Bidness: Bring Back Laura K!

Wow, well after a fantastic inaugural day, it's back to work. Nikki and I updated our iList Paducah blog directory today. All sorts of great folks have new blogs, and we have several longtime favorites on the list. So have a look at iblogpaducah.com and see what catches your eye.

One that's conspicuously missing is Laura K's, and I've missed it desperately. She took it down a few weeks ago and, frankly, I'm still not over it.

So in honor of our new era of political action, I'm starting a grassroots effort to bring Laura K back to the blogosphere. If you, too, want her to revive her Mile High Style or her Laura K Finds Her Way blog — I loved them both — please use the comment button below or email her directly.

I mean, really. Why would she break our hearts so? In her own words, "I die" for her blog!

Obama by the Bay

My friend and fellow Twitterer and blogger, the Brand and Naming Goddess Nancy Friedman, is always finding cool stuff on the Web. Today she linked to this bit of news — the renaming of San Francisco's Bush Street to Obama Street.

The street, incidentally, is one way. And while the name switch is obviously temporary — the direction feels absolutely right.

"All Deserve a Chance to Pursue Their Full Measure of Happiness"

So President Barack Obama is making his historical speech RIGHT NOW. If you're on Facebook, join us at cnn.com live. It's like a big party of Facebook friends, sharing this amazing moment, right on our laptops. Just amazing.

My New Favorite Thing(s)

In the category of Yes, Everyone Knows About Them But You, I'm just now discovering Flight of the Conchords, and they're totally cracking me up. My husband heard about them on NPR, so now we're spending every spare minute watching back episodes of their HBO show. So before you go out to do your special service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, enjoy this little ditty from The Hiphopopotamus and the Rhymenoceros. And keep an ear out for them at the next DJ Urban Kobbb gig!

Come BAAAAACCCKKK!

Y'all know I love me some Aynex. So much so that I was so excited when she made a surprise New Year's Eve return, I outed her on Facebook, thereby ruining her surprise. (Hey, she'd been here several hours already — I figured everyone knew!)


Anyway, her weeklong visit turned into two as people refused to take her back to the airport. But leave she did, and she misses us terribly, and we miss her.

Read all about her trip and the amazing Aynextini concoction Brian Steffen whipped up for her as a goodbye treat. Send enough good karma her way, and maybe we'll come up with a plan to get her back for good!

We Are Lovin' THIS

Many thanks to Adam Shull for featuring our Chick Flicks series in yesterday's Paducah Sun. There's gorgeous Landee Bryant, Maiden Alley Cinema's executive director. She, Robyn Shapiro, Jill Chambers and I started the series back in October with two, count 'em, two showings of Sex and the City, and we've been thrilled with the response! The lead sponsor for the series is Contemporary OB/GYN of Western Kentucky. René Advertising and iList Paducah are also key sponsors.

The next flick is An Officer and a Gentleman, tomorrow night, Tuesday, Jan. 20 . It's $10, and includes beer and popcorn with the money going to Maiden Alley and to the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center. You can just pay at the door — make your check out in advance to Maiden Alley Cinema — but email me so that we know how much beer to buy. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., and the movie starts at 7 p.m.

The next, next Chick Flick is actually Maiden Alley's Oscar Night Gala sponsored by our good friends at James Marine. It's Sunday, Feb. 22, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the Oscars rolling at 7 p.m. It's going to be a fantastic party, so please plan to join us! Send your $50 check, payable to Maiden Alley, to Jill Chambers, 601 Jefferson St., Paducah 42001. And again, email me if you'd like to come so that we can keep you in the loop as our planning shapes up.

You'll find more info about the Chick Flicks series here!

B&B for Single Folks!

iList Paducah sponsor Susan K. Edwards of Wildhair Studios got this wildhair idea the other day: a Brushstrokes and Beverages event for single folks only! I thinks it's a great idea — a fun evening of painting and sipping wine — or pretending to paint while sipping wine — in her lovely studio classroom on 2nd and Broadway.

The first one is 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6 — just in time to be scoutin' out a Valentine's date. The cost is $35, including all materials. So bring some single friends and a few of your favorite bottles. Call Susan, 444.6115, to reserve your spot.

You'll see the above ad on our iDate of the Week page each week on iList Paducah!

Pasta House Serves Up Some Great News!

iList Paducah sponsor The Pasta House Co. has two servings of great news!

First, the restaurant chain is celebrating its 35th anniversary — and 17 years here in Paducah. To celebrate, lovely owners Bob and Lisa Hoppmann are offering six popular pasta dishes for just $5.99 now until the end of February. The restaurant, located at Jordan's Crossing next to the Cinemark Theatre, is open for lunch and dinner with a full premium bar (woo-hoo!), party room and WiFi. So you can eat, drink and do email all at the same time.

Second, and this is just super sweet, Bob presented Ashley Wright, director of the United Way of Paducah-McCracken Co., with a check for $1,500. That's from the 12th Annual Cheese Garlic Bread fundraiser The Pasta House recently concluded. Each year, the restaurant donates $1 per order during the months of November and December. The Hoppmanns had hoped to raise more than $1,000 — and did exactly that.

Congratulations, Pasta House!

By the way, Bob invites everyone to stop in for his weekly wine tasting, each Thursday, 5-8 p.m.!

Riveting Rosa Scott: New Head of NAACP!

Congratulations to the gorgeous and very talented Rosa Scott! She's the new president of the Paducah-McCracken County NAACP, taking over from JW Cleary. JW led the group for an amazing 20 years of service.

MzzzzRosa is totally babealicious, and was one of the first people I met when I moved to Paducah. She's an actress, often starring in Market House Theatre shows. She's an entrepreneur — she owns and directs Care Bears Day Care Center. She's a media mogul — she and Sherona Crim publish the lovely Diversity on the Go. She's faithful — worshiping at Enoch Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church. And she's a contributor to many organizations in our community.

Download the press release to read more about Rosa, and get ready! Rosa's filled with great ideas and a love for our community. We're lucky to have her!

Hello, Young Careerists!

This just in from the gorgeous Sarah Bynum (above), rockin' the concrete as marketing director for Federal Materials:

The Paducah/River City Chapter of Business & Professional Women will host the 2009 Young Careerist Speech Competition at noon, Tuesday, March 10, at Whaler's Catch. The competition calls for a written essay, interview, proven ability to help others achieve, group interaction and a prepared speech.

The Young Careerist Program recognizes the accomplishments of young, upcoming leaders and provides them with professional development skills and opportunities.

Sarah, herself, won the local and regional competition last year. She and fellow BPW member Mary Hammond are putting out a call for interested participants for this year.

Find more details here, or give Sarah a call, 217.9071, if you'd like to participate!

Sarah's my niece, by the way. I always like to throw that in. Good for my street cred.

Retro-Tinis With Attitude

You'll see this ad today on iList Paducah over on the left-hand side. So cute — it's to promote the Paducah Chamber's 70th Annual Meeting. This year's speaker is Keith Harrell, a dynamic life coach who specializes in changing behaviors through a positive attitude. Purchase tickets and you'll be changing your behavior with these fun Retro-tinis starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22 at the Carson Center!

Whether you're a Chamber member or not, this event is a great way to connect with colleagues and potential customers. EVERYBODY will be there, so don't miss it!

Two New Banner Ads And...

We've added two new banner ads to iList Paducah this week!


This one, of course, is from our friends at Green Turtle Bay Resort. It's to help promote a special two-night stay for lovers (oh lá lá) in a luxury condo, with meals, dancing and a basket of goodies for $199. I reckon you don't have to be lovers to take advantage of the offer. You could go with your BFF or something. I mean, it's not like they're gonna grill you when you get there. But nonetheless, it's a lovely offer. So call 'em at 800.498.0428 or click here.


This one's from the amazingly beautiful Nicole Brown of Paducah Yoga Center. Nicole's always doing sweet things for our community. On Saturday, Jan. 24, she's offering FREE CLASSES. ALL DAY. Beginning at 8 a.m. Click the image to enlarge if you have trouble seeing the times. No registration necessary — just show up and get ready to stretch. Nicole's the bomb. Her biceps are better than Madonna's.


We also have this nice PAID LISTING from art teacher Ruth Badgett. We can do these if you wanna promote something, but you're not really doing an event. They're super cute and fairly low-cost. if you think something like this might work for your business or organization, send an email and we'll hook you up!

Separated at Birth?

Is it just me, or does Drew Barrymore's "do" from the Golden Globes make you think she'll be reprising Angie Dickinson's Pepper in a remake of Police Woman?

GQ at the DQ!

Oh, honey child, it's Jay Page, bringin' a big scoop of GQ to the DQ! A former iDate of the Week and future husband to Lauren Adams, also a former iDate (their story here), Jay is the cover eye candy for the newest issue of Paducah Life, on newsstands and in mailboxes now!

Executive Editor/Publisher Darlene Mazzone and her award-winning team always represent. In this issue, there's a great This I Believe piece by hottie poet Gabe Camacho (also one of our iDates) and stories on St. Thomas More, the St. Mary School System, the Paducah Art School and more.

And I am LOVING THIS:


It's a spread on our Sex, Sushi and the City Chick Flicks party at Maiden Alley Cinema a few months ago. (The next Chick Flick is An Officer and a Gentleman. Scroll down for details.)

So be sure to pick up a copy. And check out the This I Believe program that Darlene is co-sponsoring with WKMS. She talks about it in her intro column. Super cute!

The Nuptial Notebook Is Back!

Actually, now I'm not sure that it ever left — folks over there have been so hush-hush about it — but nonetheless, The Nuptial Notebook by engaged Paducah Sun reporters Dusty Luthy and Adam Shull appeared again on Sunday, much to the relief of many of us. Suzanne Clinton has a great post about it this morning on Bizzyville. And Kristin Williams offers a very interesting comment on it, which you can read if you click the comment button at the bottom of the post.

You know, the voices that I'm dying to hear are from our friends at The Sun. The folks who make the big decisions. What do they think of all the letters? What kinds of conversations are they having about the column and about straddling the divide among our conservative population, our liberal population and our folks betwixt and between?

I suspect this hulabaloo has caused some significant heartburn — you hate to turn off readers and, gulp, advertisers. But, really, it's an interesting debate. I'd love to see an editorial that shares a little about what went on behind the scenes — and what kind of impact, if any, the whole experience will have on editorial policies and guidelines going forward.

Just curious, as always.

40/50 Group Gets Some Love

Adam Shull did a nice piece on the 40/50 Group in Sunday's Paducah Sun, with a lovely photo of Gwen Taylor at Market Square Coffee, shot by Lance Dennee. Gwen started the group last year, and it's definitely caught on as a great business and social networking group for those of us in our 40s and 50s.

The next gathering is 5:30-7:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 19, at Flamingo Row, 2640 Perkins Creek Dr. The group also meets the first Monday of each month, often at Cynthia's Ristorante, 125 Market House Sq. To get on the email list, email Peggy Allgood, the group's new leader. Or watch for the listings on iList Paducah, which helps promote the group.

The three "contributed photos" are mine, by the way. Hello??? Someone must have a case of the photo credit stingys.

Speaking of Handsome Fellers....

Special D's changing their special name. As of, like, now, the band's new name is Hearts of Handsome Saints.

Why? Well, according to lead hottie Craig Felker (far right), there's a bit of a Google conflict with the German DJ known as Special D. And lots of music bigwigs have been telling the band that "Hearts of Saints" was a better pick. It's from Philemon 1:7, in the New King James Bible. I would have inserted Handsome into it, but that's just me. Well, and lots of other gals, I'm sure.

So after lots of pow-wowing, the band, which also features LJ Granstaff, Joel Purdy and Jason Killebrew, is on board with Hearts of Saints and will unveil their new Web site on Feb. 20, complete with brand new photos like the one above. Their sound will remain the same, thank goodness.

In the meantime, plan to hear them in concert at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23, at Bethel Church, 2100 Bridge St., with their special guest Lee Steffen. $5.

Conduct WAY Becoming of An Officer and a Gentleman

Y'all. Now that Zack Mayo's a handsome feller. Here's your chance to see him on the Maiden Alley Cinema BIG SCREEN, going through boot camp, gettin' all sweaty and then gettin' all cleaned up and wearing that white Navy uniform. And that swooping Debra Winger off her feet scene. Geeze.

An Officer and a Gentleman is our next Chick Flick, which raises money for Maiden Alley and for Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center. It's Tuesday, Jan. 20. The doors open at 6:15 p.m. (free Heineken and popcorn) and the movie starts at 7 p.m.

Reserve your spot by sending your $10 check (payable to Maiden Alley) to Jill Chambers, 601 Jefferson St., Paducah 42001. Lemme know if you'd like to come! We wanna get a head count so we know how much beer to buy.

Paducah Arts News

The Paducah Renaissance Alliance, which we'll be featuring on iList Paducah this week, has a monthly email newsletter that's totally cute because it's designed by this person. It has a list of LowerTown/Downtown events on the left and then there's a super cute feature on the right, usually about a person or a business.

This month, the newsletter features Emily Jane Butler. I haven't met her yet, but look how darling she is! She's all about art, nutrition and wellness and has already held several nutrition workshops since coming to LowerTown a few months ago.

If you'd like to be added to the distribution list, just send an email to artinfo@ci.paducah.ky.us. And contact Emily here!

The Dream Lives On....

The Paducah/McCracken County NAACP has all sorts of great events planned for the 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration. The action kicks off at noon on Friday, Jan. 16, with the life-saving blood drive at Rosary Chapel, 711 Ohio St., and culminates at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, with the MLK Memorial Service at New Greater Love, 1249 North 12 St., with tons of wonderful things in between.

Unless you have super-duper X-ray vision, click the image above to enlarge for more details. You an even save it as a PDF and email it around to friends. Happy MLK Weekend!

Roll On to KC's Rec Room!

I am totally fascinated by, and in awe of, the Radioactive City Roller Girls. They're hot, they're athletic, they're all tattoo'd up and they're totally darling. If I weren't such a wuss on wheels — I don't even like to drive — I'd join them. But only so I could have a cool Rollergirl name like Mean Mean Mississippi Queen, Jaded Hades and all them.

Anyway, the Rollergirls are having a big bash this Thursday, Jan. 15, at KC's Rec Room — NOT the KC Hall — KC's Rec Room, 3501 Park Plaza Rd., starting at 8 p.m. They've got hotties The Union Suit, Tony Foo Young and Chris Black on tap to perform and Radioactive Green Beer on tap to drink, served by the Miller Girls. No cover charge, but they'll be selling all their cool logo'd stuff.

So roll on over and show your support for these gorgeous gals. Sign up and you'll earn a Rollergirl name of your own!

This Just In!

I'm a big fan of Bill Renzulli, and if you know him, you're likely a big fan, too. Looks like he has a great show coming up. For more on Bill, check out his blog!

Men Who Cook: Tailgate Party!

The Purchase Area Sexual Assault & Child Advocacy Center staff members are planning their amazingly fun Men Who Cook fundraiser, and they're looking for hottie volunteer chefs! The event is 7-11 p.m., Saturday, March 14 at the Carson Center.

All you have to do is prepare a tailgate-party themed dish to serve. Then you'll serve it from a table that you'll decorate.

Several iList Paducah iDates of the Week are on board, including Gabe Camacho, Daniel Case, Lisa Guill (her son will be the chef!) and the Kenndras. DJ Urban Kobbb is in, as well.

For more info, go to our March calendar page and scroll down to March 14. All the forms are there. Or call PASAC's Amberly Larkins, 534.4422.

iList Paducah is a media sponsor, so we'll definitely be there!

Girl Scout Cookies, All Grown Up!

Here's a reminder about the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana Desserts First event: It's 6-8:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Carson Center, featuring gourmet desserts made from Girl Scout Cookies, a silent auction, music and hors d’oeuvres.

Attendees vote on their favorite desserts from A Pampered Palate, Don Barger of Westminister Presbyterian Church, Market Square Coffee, Etcetera Coffeehouse, Doe’s Eat Place, David Boggs of Paducah Renaissance Alliance, Artisan Kitchen, Good Ole Boys, Kirchhoff’s Bakery & Deli, The Range Steakhouse, Paducah-McCracken County Senior Citizen's Center and Neil’s Catering.

Tix are $30 per person; corporate tables available for $1,000.

For more info, call Aretta Terry, 933.3010 or send her an email. You can also order tickets online!

New Amazon Feature

On iList Paducah this week, we have an iList PlayList column from DJ Urbanette, the daughter of DJ Urban Kobbb. It's totally cute. At 16, DJ Urbanette is an expert on indie bands. She listens to XM Radio, reads trade magazines and has most definitely inherited her dad's ear for great music.

So if you wanna know what the young people will be listening to, check out her column — she's got some great predictions.

And if you want to purchase any of the music, just use our handy new Amazon tool included in the story. When you click the album covers or links, you'll go directly to the Amazon order button. We have it on our 2008 top 10 PlayList feature, too!

Super cute!

Live Friday at Di Fratelli's!

It's Tony Logue! He's totally hot and a great musician. Di Fratelli's, 8 p.m. Come early for Ladies Night — great drink and appetizer specials!

Two New Sponsors!

We're thrilled to have two new regular sponsors added to the right-hand side of iList Paducah this month!


The first is the very lovely Adoption Bridges of Kentucky, a licensed adoption agency serving residents of Kentucky. The group offers domestic and international adoption programs, working closely with both birth parents and adoptive parents. Their services include home study, training, support groups, post placement, birth parent legal counsel, birth mother counseling and more. The international program offers training, support, home study, post placement and re-adoption services to adoptive parents seeking a China adoption, Guatemala adoption, Russia adoption or Vietnam adoption.



The organization is based in Louisville but has a local representative here in Paducah. If you'd like to know more, contact Tammy Gross, 556.4864. She's available to meet with you and provide more details.


We also have Occunet on board! Occunet takes care of your most valuable asset — your employees! The group works with human resource directors, safety managers and medical and other facility personnel in meeting and exceeding compliance in employee health and safety requirements.


Occunet does physical examinations for employees, evaluates work-related illnesses and injuries, handles facility and job-site safety inspections, conducts all sorts of OSHA and other safety training, offers a variety of wellness programs and a whole bunch of other stuff that many companies need.

For more their services, visit this Web page or call 575.3001. They're located at 2535 Broadway.

Two New Banners!

We have two new banner ads on iList Paducah!


The first promotes Southern Comforts, a very fun upcoming play at Market House Theatre. That's Renie Barger and Tom Dolan, above. Renie plays Amanda, a vivacious Southern Belle visiting family in New Jersey. Tom plays grumpy Gus, who loves baseball and hates to travel. In this romantic comedy, the two have us cheering at their second chance at love.

The show runs Jan. 29-Feb. 1 and Feb. 5-8 p.m. Reserve tix online or call 444.6828. And check out director Michael Cochran's blog! He gives us a nice shout-out in this post!


Our Curves top banner spot isn't exactly new — we launched it in December — but the wording has changed. Now you can get 50 percent off the service fee, plus 30 days free!

So if you're carrying around a few reminders of eggnog and holiday cookies, get thee to 3420 Park Ave., Suite 3, and learn about CurvesSmart, a great new workout system created by Curves. The number is 575.3800 — and, as always, please tell 'em iList Paducah sent ya!

In Support of: In Support of Love

Bizzyville readers know that the past year has had its share of challenges for the blog's author, the gorgeously lovely Suzanne Clinton. So when she came out with this In Support of Love post the other day about young Paducah Sun reporters Adam Shull and Dusty Luthy, I thought, wow, rock on. Even after a bit of a broken heart, Suzanne remains solid on love.

The post is in support of Adam and Dusty's columns they've been writing for the Sun, sharing with us some tidbits about their engagement and, most recently, their, gulp, cohabitation.

The cohabitation column prompted just three printed letters of the moral tsk-tsk variety — go to the Sun's archives and key in fornication, for one — and one printed letter in support of the column.

And that led Suzanne, and just the other day, her mom, Brenda, to blog in defense of this totally super cute, cohabitating couple.

"… here are two young people who have actually bucked the trend and relocated to Paducah from other states (Missouri and North Carolina)," Suzanne writes, encouraging the two to keep on with their column. "Kids who have not only come here seeking a career, but have had the good fortune to have fallen in love on our soil."

Her mom's wise advice to those who didn't like the column: "Well, don't read it!"

Since the onslaught of Cohabi-Gate, the soon-to-be-married Adam and Dusty have been extremely quiet on the subject. In fact, they very sweetly declined to comment when I asked them about it. Several times.

Was their column news? OK, maybe not. Was it entertaining? I thought so, and frankly am sad that we won't learn what happens with Dusty's Baxter, the Adam's-allergies-causing cat, as promised for the next installment.

Was it cavalier about pre-marital sex, as the letter writers imply (without using the, shhhh, s-e-x word)? I don't think it was. There was no mention of any such topic.

I liked the column. It was enthusiastic. It was giddy. And it was proof that even in our cynical world, young people still believe in love and want to join their lives together, live together and get married together.

I don't think the order really matters when the result is just so very sweet. Best wishes to you, Dusty and Adam.

Keep On Treadin'

Hottie Fowler Black and dad Bill Black were among the many of us who did 30-minute intervals on treadmills in the beautiful Western Baptist Heart Center's rehab room today. It was all part of MyStart!, with the goal of showing that exercising with a buddy is way more fun — and helps ensure that folks stick with their fitness goals.

I walked early this morning with the lovely Anne Bidwell of WKMS. Also on deck for today were Mayor Bill Paxton and Judge Van Newberry, several TV and radio reporters, several folks from Lourdes and, of course, Western Baptist and our friends from isurfpaducah.com, Paducah Life and Paducah Parenting.

It was super cute, except I had an amazing view of G&O the whole time, and all I could think about was going there for fried eggs and bacon for breakfast. Luckily I had to be back at my office for a phone interview, otherwise those 30 minutes would have been well-reversed at the G&O counter....

Kenn + Kendra = Kenndra!

Yep, it's official! Two more iDates of the Week are gettin' hitched! And they happen to be two of the hottest iDates of 2008! It all happened at the Charity League's New Year's Eve Snowball party when this one...


...the fabulous Kenn Gray...proposed to this one...


...the exceptionally gorgeous Kendra Thompson...


...right in the middle of the dance floor! Gal pal Anna Brewer was there to capture the moment.


Kendra said yes (of course!) and the two promptly flew off to Playa del Carmen for an engagement vacation. The big event will take place around June, right here in Paducah. Will it be fabulous? Yes, indeedy, fabulous times two!

Congratulations, Kenndra! And many thanks to the ever-clever Laura K for coming up with their new moniker!

Not Your Mama's Girl Scout...

I love Jean Rhodes. Gorgeous, smart, original, athletic. All tattoo'd up and always wearing some totally and effortlessly cool outfit. When she's not at the rink, you'll find this Radioactive City Roller Girl at Etcetera Coffeehouse, dreaming up hot coffee drinks and baking muffins and quiche.

She's among several celebrity chefs on board for Desserts First Paducah, a new fundraiser for our local Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana group. Set for 6-8:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Carson Center, Jean and her mom Johanna will compete against the likes of lovely Laura Duff, Max and Ben of Max's, David Boggs of Paducah Renaissance Alliance, Dale Perry of the Good Ol' Boys and others who'll be creating amazing desserts using, yep, Girl Scout cookies.

Event attendees will sample each and vote on their favorites. Hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction are included, too.

Tix are just $30, with corporate tables available for $1,000. For more info, call Aretta Terry, 933.3010, or send her an email.

By the way, Girl Scout cookies are on sale now! So get your Thin Mints from any scout or from the 711 Jefferson St. Girl Scout office!

Jean's gorgeous photo, by the way, is by Brian Steffen!

Make Room for That Wii!

Old computers, monitors, mice, keyboards, modems, cell phones, DVD and VCR players, digital cameras, radar detectors, radios, stereos, phones, medical electronics — bring 'em to 1830 North 8th St. this Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., for recycling!

The Recycle Now group is expecting a record turnout of recyclers, so if you can help volunteer, there's pizza in it for you. Show your support for this amazing group by signing up for a shift!

Recycling is open now three days a week: Thursdays, noon-6 p.m.; Fridays 7 a.m.-noon and Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (The Jan. 10 collection is for e-scrap only, so bring all your papery and plastic-y things next week!

Next Chick Flick: Richard Gere

Richard Gere today: Hot. Richard Gere back then? Oy vey. An Officer and a Gentleman is the Tuesday, Jan. 20 Chick Flick at Maiden Alley, benefiting the cinema and Merryman House! Reserve your spot by sending your $10 check (payable to Maiden Alley) to Jill Chambers, 601 Jefferson St., Paducah 42001. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. (free Heineken and popcorn) with the movie starting at 7 p.m.! Lemme know if you'd like to come!

Maiden Alley's Seven-Day-A-Week Maiden Voyage!

Maiden Alley Cinema begins the new year with great new news: This past week has been the best week ever, thanks to everyone showing up to see Doubt, the Academy Award Winner Best Actress Meryl Streep and Best Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman movie. Doubt marks the first time that Maiden Alley has successfully snagged a first-run independent film.

In another first: The cinema is now open seven days a week! If enough folks keep coming, then the cinema will continue with the seven-day schedule, which increases its chances of getting first-run movies going forward.

So if you haven't seen it, see Doubt any night this week at 7 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday at 4 or 7 p.m. And all next week, too!

Rock on, Maiden Alley Cinema!

First Feast for St. Nick

I love St. Nicholas Family Clinic. Created in 1994 by several lovely people in Paducah, St. Nicholas provides health care services for folks who fall through the economic cracks — the folks whose incomes barely cover bare necessities, yet they earn just enough to make them ineligible for state or federal benefits. Health insurance, as you can imagine, is practically impossible for these folks.

Luckily for Paducah, we have St. Nick, where Executive Director Anita Wyatt and her team take care of folks free of charge. We did a story on them this time last year. They're an iList Paducah sponsor, which makes me love them even more.

Anyway, that's the little back story to this piece of news: Dee Dee Whittaker, Karen Edwards, Peggy Culbertson, Karen Story, Phyllis Stovesand, Lisa Zakutney, Pam Edwards and Janet Colgan — now that's a fab line up of gals! — are planning the First Annual Feast for St. Nick. It's set for Saturday, April 18, beginning at 7 p.m.

The idea is that you purchase a ticket and enjoy an amazing dinner at one of 20 or so gorgeous, gorgeous homes in Paducah. Homes on the lists so far belong to Tom and Cindy Butterbaugh, Mike and Caroline Cappock, Gary and Lisa Zakutney, Laura Jane Walsh, Missy and Stan Eckenberg and Tony and Lucy Milliano. Can you imagine cocktails and dinner in any of these beautiful houses? Oh lá lá, fah fah fah fah!

The group needs two things: more homes and people to buy tickets.

If you'd like to volunteer your oh lá lá, fah fah fah fah home — you provide the appetizers and drinks, the organization takes care of the dinner — or if you just want to purchase tickets ($75 apiece, so grab a bunch of friends and plan a great night out), please call Dee Dee Whittaker, 217.0188, or email her.

This sounds like an extremely fun fundraiser, and a lovely way to support a lovely organization. I'm in!

Look Who's Back!

Well, here's a great way to start 2009! A return surprise visit from the beautiful and talented Aynex Mercado, who left us a few months ago to go live in Maryland, despite our very loud and distraught protests. She's back visiting for a week — I spotted her last night drinking Cosmos at Doe's with her BFF Nikki May.

If you want to see her, send her an email! She'll be in big demand, no doubt about it.

Happy New Year!