Calkins: Jes Shea’s van exploded — with her in it. Here’s what she’s learned.
Jes Shea's arms and legs bear scars from the explosion she survived last August. (Mo Al-taher/Courtesy Jes Shea)
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
She wanted to cook some rice.
That’s it. Nothing fancy. Jes Shea stepped back into her Mercedes Sprinter van to cook some rice.
“That’s when everything went to h--l,” Shea wrote in a Facebook post. “As soon as I bent down to light the burner — BOOM.”
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
Jes Shea Mushroom Festival Third-degree burns Sprinter van Propane fire Geoff Calkins Subscriber Only Memphis Mushroom FestivalWe’re in the final countdown of 2025. ⌛🪩🎉
Will you make a donation before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve to fuel trustworthy reporting in the new year?
➡️ Make a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian, a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now!
Geoff Calkins on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Geoff Calkins' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Calkins: How do you celebrate turning 50? If you’re Memphis Pom, you dance.
Memphis Pom is 50! Time flies when you’re having fun. So how is the group going to celebrate? With a reunion dance at Friday’s game, of course.
Calkins: How an 11-year-old girl helped inspire Hardaway’s greatest season
Penny Hardaway was named American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Tuesday. Is that because an 11-year-old girl gave him an unexpected gift? OK, maybe not. But he did just ask her for two more.
Calkins: Remember that girl who gave Hardaway a bracelet? She’s Seattle-bound — courtesy of FedEx
Eleven-year-old Maci Barrett gave Penny Hardaway a bracelet expressing her support for the coach. Now FedEx is flying Maci and her family to Seattle for the NCAA Tournament.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.