Twinkling trees, a Santa costume, a sleigh with reindeer, wreaths and holly garlands should be residing in storage boxes for another three or four months -- unless, of course, you're celebrating Christmas in July.

Temperatures were in the 90s, but Red Rooster Bar and Music Hall was decked in Yuletide trimmings Friday night for its Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South Christmas in July fundraiser. Lt. George W. Lee between the Westin Memphis Beale Street and the Gibson Guitar Factory was blocked off for live music and partying. Bands also performed inside the club.

The purpose of the event was to raise enough money to grant one or two wishes for children, said Luke McKee with Red Rooster.

"We're going to try to do it again during Christmastime," he said.

Museum fundraiser bolls 'em over

Some guests wore appropriate all-cotton clothing to the Laid-By And Waitin' For Harvest Party -- a fundraiser for The Cotton Museum Saturday night at Earnestine & Hazel's.

The Earnestine and Hazel's Band (aka "The Cotton All Stars") -- drummer Calvin Turley, guitarists Willie Bearden and Doug Easley, keyboard player Rick Steff and bass player John McClure -- performed downstairs, and Lex Bonner played piano upstairs. Proceeds from the event will help support the operation of The Cotton Museum in the Memphis Cotton Exchange building.

Guests dined on Soul Burgers and gumbo. Murphy George said The 5-Spot, the former fine dining restaurant at the rear of Earnestine & Hazel's, will reopen in two weeks after being closed for two years. Murphy, whose dad, Russell George, owns E&H, will return as chef.

Famous former FBI agent addresses luncheon

Sue Thomas, author of "Silent Night," spoke at the Women Against Multiple Sclerosis Luncheon Wednesday at the Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis.

"Silent Night," Sue's autobiography, is about how she coped after she lost her hearing when she was 18 months old. She became Ohio's youngest freestyle skating champion when she was 7. In the 1980s, she worked for the FBI. The PAXTV television series, "Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye," was loosely based on her life.

Judy Gauthier and Cynthia Tobin were honorary chairmen of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society fundraiser. Kym Clark was emcee.

Contact Michael Donahue at 529-2797 or e-mail donahue@commercialappeal.com