Greater Metro

BRIEFS & THINGS: 28th Annual Memphis Thanksgiving Dinner

The 28th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the Homeless and Hungry will be held on Thanksgiving Day, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.

MATA will provide free transportation on a special route to and from the event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Baptist Health Care Systems will provide free health screenings, including cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes. For participants who are separated from their families, Verizon Wireless will provide free long distance long distance calls to anywhere in the continental United States.

The City of Memphis and the Cook Convention Center donated the venue for the event. Longtime event sponsor Cargill will again donate the actual meal, which is prepared in the kitchen of the Downtown Memphis Marriott.

Memphians can help by donating new caps, scarves, gloves and especially blankets, which can be dropped off at any area Ashley Furniture Home Store location or at the Cook Convention Center, or by making a cash donation. Make checks payable to Memphis Thanksgiving Dinner, C/O Cargill Inc., ATTN: Cary Brown, PO Box 13368, Memphis TN 38113. All donations are tax deductible.

Retired Memphian named AARP state president

Cleophes Owens, a former executive with the Federal Reserve Bank and veteran volunteer leader from Memphis, has been appointed as AARP Tennessee's highest-ranking volunteer. He is the first African American to serve as state president for AARP Tennessee.

"I want AARP Tennessee to be the go-to source for resources and information about caring for parents and other loved ones, and to help ensure that when we work hard and retire, we have the money, health care coverage and choices that allow us to live our best lives, " said Owens, calling upon the help of AARP members, volunteers and all 50+ Tennesseans to accomplish the goals.

"Cleo has the respect and admiration of AARP volunteers and staff from across the state – and in many parts of the country – for his passion, professionalism, dedication and desire to help us get the information and resources we need to live our lives with dignity and purpose," said AARP Tennessee State Director Rebecca Kelly.

Owens is a native of Arkansas but spent most of his life in Memphis. He graduated from The LeMoyne-Owen College and is a U.S. Army vet. He retired from the Federal Reserve bank after 32 years of service.

For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 1-866-295-7274.

Ben F. Jones Chapter of National Bar Association Awards Scholarship

Corey Strong, recipient of the Wyatt/Hooks Scholarship at the University of Memphis School of Law, has been awarded the National Bar Association's Ben F. Jones Chapter Scholarship for second-year law students.

Strong, a summer associate with the Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs law firm, received the honor based on academic excellence, community service, and his dedication to the goals and objectives of the National Bar Association. He was presented the Scholarship during the Ben F. Jones Chapter's recent annual Barrister's Ball/Scholarship Award Program.

The National Bar Association is the nation's oldest and largest professional association of predominantly African-American lawyers and judges, with affiliate chapters throughout the United States.

Strong is a graduate of White Station High School and the U.S. Naval Academy. He served a tour of duty in Afghanistan before returning home to Memphis last year to attend law school. He is the first recipient of the Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs-Benjamin L. Hooks Law Scholarship, which was created by the Wyatt law firm in honor of the late Benjamin L. Hooks, who was the head of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs' diversity practice group until his death in 2010.

BRIEFLY: Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway is donating 100 Thanksgiving dinners to needy families in the Binghamton community. Hardaway, along with his mom, will be at Lester Community Center (317 Tillman) on Wednesday (Nov. 21) from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. to give a complete meal, including a Honeybaked Ham turkey or ham and all of the trimmings. Each basket is valued at $100.

BRIEFLY: Chow Time Buffet & Grill, 4207 Hacks Cross Rd., is having its annual Christmas Seniors Celebration Day on Dec. 10, beginning at 2 p.m. The event includes the giveaway of 200-plus turkeys and is open to other local vendors.