Special notice to any of our readers in the Memphis area -- on Saturday, August 25th, the fifth-annual Grant's Gala will be held at the Rock & Soul Museum on 191 Beale Street, next to the Fed-Ex Forum.

Grant's Gala is a special event my sister and her family have been throwing for the last couple of years to benefit the Children's Heart Foundation, in honor of my late nephew, Grant Michael Goughnour. Grant passed away after 17 days in 2002 due to an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. Nearly one out of every 100 births, or 40,000 babies each year will be born with a congenital heart defect, or CHD. More than half of all children born with a CHD will require at least one invasive surgery during their lifetime. Sadly, 20 percent of these children will not live to celebrate their first birthday.

Tickets to Grant’s Gala 2012 are $60 per person before August 4th 2012, or $75 per person after August 4th 2012. Ticket price includes food, beer, and wine. Tickets will be held at the door.

The Gala will feature live music, dancing, food, drinks and a silent auction that will even include some LSU Football-themed items. You might even be able to enjoy 1,000 cocktails with yours truly. It's a great event for a great cause, something that is really important to me and my family, and if anybody in the area would like to attend, donate or even sponsor, you can find out more information here at http://grantsgala.com/. Donations are, of course, tax-deductible.