National Hispanic Professional Organization-Memphis will meet Thursday, May 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd. Speakers include Larry Jensen, president and CEO of Cushman & Wakefield/Commercial Advisors LLC, and representatives from Washington think tank Excelencia in Education. Cost is free for members and $20 for nonmembers. R.S.V.P. to info@nhpomemphis.us or 466-6476.

2. Please, Please Belize! Part 1 - Thursday, April 25, 2013

A decade ago in this space, I told a story about receiving multiple hang-up phone calls between midnight and dawn over a period of several weeks. Via Caller ID and returning some of these calls at later times, I learned the Greyhound Federal Credit Union’s toll-free automated line was one digit off from a toll-free number I’d acquired years earlier. Somehow, I got the issue resolved with Greyhound.

3. Wright Joins Magna Bank as Senior Vice President - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Andy Wright has joined Memphis-based Magna Bank as senior vice president and manager of commercial banking. Wright, who previously held senior vice president positions at Iberiabank and First Tennessee Bank, has experience working with a variety of industries, with in-depth expertise in the transportation and logistics industries.

4. Single-Handed Success Story - Friday, April 05, 2013

SINGULAR PERFORMANCE. The White Station Class of 1966, the year ahead of mine, had two Academy Award winners – one you’ve heard of and one you haven’t.

That was some class. Physicist, gray matter repository and best-selling author Alan Lightman was in it. Federal judge and arbiter of public education’s future in Shelby County Hardy Mays was in it. John Vergos, former courageous city council maverick and scion to Rendezvous rib royalty, was in it. Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates was in it.

5. Crosstown Leaders Discuss Ambitious Project - Saturday, March 30, 2013

Leaders of the Crosstown Development Project talked this month with The Memphis News editorial board about their plans for the adaptive reuse of the 1.5 million-square-foot, circa-1927 Sears Crosstown building.

6. Commission to Consider Residency Ballot Item - Monday, April 01, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners take a final vote Monday, April 1, on a referendum ordinance that would do away with county government’s residency requirement for employment.

The commission meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Vasco Smith County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St.

7. Make Memorable Impressions at Networking Events - Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Find yourself attending countless networking events with little result in new business generated? It’s possible you’re just not leaving a memorable impression. But don’t take it personally. Most attendees are more focused on what they’re going to say than what you or anyone else is saying. That’s why deploying attention-grabbing strategies are essential to generating a real return on your networking time investment.

8. Creative Space - Thursday, January 31, 2013

By the time Crosstown Arts occupies space in the 1.5 million-square-foot Sears Crosstown building, it will have completed a solid test run of promoting arts-based community and economic development in Midtown.

9. Super Bowl Ad Preview - Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The victory of the Ravens or the 49ers won’t be all people are talking about after the Super Bowl. After all, there are the commercials, and considering 110 million viewers are anticipated for this year’s football matchup, it’s no wonder advertisers pony up big bucks. Thirty-second spots went for $3.8 million to $4 million this year – an all-time record, up from $3.5 million in 2012.

10. World Trade Club President’s Career Fueled by Relationships - Monday, January 28, 2013

Planes, trains and automobiles aren’t necessarily the main components of the logistics industry.

Allan Bowden, who works for UWT Logistics and is serving as 2013 president of the Memphis World Trade Club, said relationships keep the industry moving as much as the many varied vehicles associated with it.

11. Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association Elects 2013 Officers - Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association recently elected its slate of officers to serve in 2013, and the group now ramps up for a busy year, including the 14th annual MMHLA Lodging Industry Update on Feb. 22 at the Hilton Memphis.

12. Poll: Fight Obesity Crisis but Keep the Junk Food - Monday, January 07, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Everyone could use a little help keeping those New Year's resolutions to slim down. But if it means the government limiting junk food, the response is an overwhelming, "No."

13. Law Review Symposium Addresses Human Trafficking - Thursday, January 03, 2013

A 2011 report from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on human sex trafficking put it bluntly:

“The results … are shocking. Human trafficking and sex slavery in Tennessee is more common than previously believed possible.”

14. Cooper Hotels Promotes Harrop to General Manager - Saturday, December 22, 2012

Hotel development and management company Cooper Hotels has promoted Kurt Harrop to general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton Memphis.

Harrop brings more than 23 years of industry experience, most recently six years as food and beverage director of the 266-room hotel. In his former position he was responsible for all food and beverage services including catering and the hotel’s Lynchburg Legends Bar & Grill. Prior to that he served in management positions with Radisson Hotels and Choice Hotels.

15. Cooper Hotels Promotes Harrop to General Manager - Thursday, December 20, 2012

Hotel development and management company Cooper Hotels has promoted Kurt Harrop to general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton Memphis.

Harrop brings more than 23 years of industry experience, most recently six years as food and beverage director of the 266-room hotel. In his former position he was responsible for all food and beverage services including catering and the hotel’s Lynchburg Legends Bar & Grill. Prior to that he served in management positions with Radisson Hotels and Choice Hotels.

16. Former Football Standout Indicted in Teacher Test Scandal - Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Former Melrose High School and University of Tennessee football standout Cedrick Wilson is the latest person charged in a teacher test cheating scandal.

Wilson was indicted Tuesday, Oct. 30, by a Memphis federal grand jury on four counts of conspiracy, wire fraud and social security fraud.

17. Crew Training International Names Woodward Director - Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Steve Woodward has joined Crew Training International as director of learning. In his new role, Woodward will manage CTI’s core learning centers, oversee professional development programs and develop metrics to measure and manage the most efficient learning systems.

18. Leveraging Pinterest For Holiday Sales - Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Virtual scrapbooking site Pinterest is a force to be reckoned with. That’s why brands nationwide will integrate Pinterest campaigns into their promotional strategies this holiday season. This 2-year-old social media phenom has already attracted roughly 20 million users, making it the third-most popular social network in the U.S.

19. Filings Represent Numerous Possibilities for Schools Case - Tuesday, October 09, 2012

All six population maps for Carroll and Gibson counties are on file. And Memphis federal court Judge Samuel “Hardy” Mays has all of the material he needs to make a critical ruling on the future of municipal school districts in Shelby County.

20. Mays Opens Hearings On Municipal Schools With Testimony - Wednesday, September 05, 2012

The first of two days of testimony in the federal court case over the state laws setting up municipal school districts ended with a lot of reading material for U.S. District Court Judge Hardy Mays.

21. Hinte Expands Role At Second to Nunn - Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Lowell Hinte has been promoted to account manager and designer at website- and branding-design company Second to Nunn Design. Hinte has served as a designer at S2N since 2009. In his expanded role, Hinte will ensure clients’ expectations are met on key projects regarding strategy, vision, quality and schedule.

22. Muni Schools Questions Pass, Cohen Wins Big - Friday, August 03, 2012

Voters in each of the six suburban towns and cities in Shelby County approved establishing municipal school districts in the unofficial results of the Thursday, Aug. 2, county general and state and federal primary elections.

23. Muni Schools, Cohen, Weirich, Johnson, Stanton, Kyle Take Early Vote - Friday, August 03, 2012

Voters in each of the six suburban towns and cities in Shelby County were overwhelmingly approving the establishment of municipal school districts and a half cent sales tax hike to fund them in the first vote totals released Thursday, Aug. 2 by the Shelby County Election Commission.

24. Creative Aging Mid-South Honored by Huffington Post - Monday, July 30, 2012

Creative Aging Mid-South, an organization dedicated to promoting vital aging through the arts, is one of 10 arts-focused nonprofits across the country being saluted this month by The Huffington Post, in partnership with GreatNonprofits.org.

25. Hargett: Shelby Election Problems Erode Public Confidence - Monday, July 30, 2012

The election driven by ballot questions and one-time-only races looks to become an election that goes into overtime as well.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett formally asked State Comptroller Justin Wilson Friday, July 27, to audit the administration of the Shelby County Election Commission and investigate election procedures and returns.

26. East Joins Carriage Crossing As Marketing Coordinator - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Kendra East has joined Carriage Crossing as marketing coordinator. East’s new responsibilities include creating and implementing the lifestyle center’s yearly marketing budget, spearheading onsite events and leading merchant communication.

27. Literacy Mid-South’s Dean Appointed to State Coalition - Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Kevin Dean, executive director of Literacy Mid-South, has been appointed to the Tennessee Literacy Coalition’s board of directors. The board unanimously approved Dean’s nomination, and he will serve as a representative from West Tennessee for three years.

28. Readers Have Their Say - Thursday, June 14, 2012

Viewer mail continues at a record pace. I love it! Phil Newman wrote, “Enjoyed your ‘Check please’ column in the Nashville Ledger, but would submit that you left out one of the most famous usages of the phrase. In “Dumb & Dumber,” after Harry and Lloyd kill the bad guy accidentally by slipping peppers into his burger, Jim Carrey raises his head from the chest of the bad guy and says, ‘Check, please!’ Perfect line and timing.”

29. $17M in Permit Applications Filed for Miller Creek Apts. - Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Miller Creek Apartments
Germantown, TN 38125

Permit Cost: $17.2 million (20 permits)

Permit Date: Applied May 2012

Owner: Miller Creek Residences LLC

30. Revolving Door: Yahoo Ushers Out Another CEO - Tuesday, May 15, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Yahoo still has credibility issues, even after casting aside CEO Scott Thompson because his official biography included a college degree that he never received.

31. Taylor Dedicated to Enriching Lives Of St. George’s Independent Students - Monday, May 07, 2012

When the people who know and work with Bill Taylor speak of him, they describe the president of St. George’s Independent School in a variety of ways.

32. AIA Honors Industry’s Local Activity - Tuesday, April 03, 2012

Despite hard times, there has been a whirlwind of activity in Memphis’ design community over the past year.

That’s the message Josh Flowers, general counsel at Hnedak Bobo Group Inc. and president of the Memphis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, gave Saturday, March 31, at the annual Celebration of Architecture Gala and 2012 Design Awards at Circuit Playhouse, 66 S. Cooper St.

33. ASD Spells Out School Changes - Thursday, March 01, 2012

Now that the state’s Achievement School District has named the three Memphis City Schools in which it will run charter schools and three others that will be run by the state as neighborhood schools, the move to a swift transition by August begins.

34. Elmwood Cemetery Launches Education Initiative - Monday, February 13, 2012

Historic Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis’ oldest active cemetery, has started its own “university” to educate Memphians about the lives of the individuals who helped shape a small river town into a modern metropolis.

35. A Century of Health Care - Monday, January 09, 2012

Memphians packed the new Dr. H. Edward Garrett Auditorium at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis last month to listen to music icon Patti LaBelle discuss her struggle with diabetes and the grief she experienced after losing three sisters to cancer.

36. Jeter Joins Accounting Firm Cannon Wright Blount - Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Andrew Jeter has joined Cannon Wright Blount as director of assurance and accounting services.

37. Tenn. Comptroller Wants School Funding Formula Fix - Monday, December 12, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – State Comptroller Justin Wilson says Tennessee's school funding formula is fraught with complexity and a lack of transparency that could lead to either inadvertent or intentional errors in distributing state money.

38. Fuente Looks to Turn Tigers Around - Friday, December 09, 2011

The next phase of University of Memphis football officially began Thursday, Dec. 8. That’s when 35-year-old Justin Fuente, co-offensive coordinator at Texas Christian University, told media and fans gathered at an on-campus press conference, “This is going to be Memphis’ team. … I don’t care what school you went to, you live in the city, I want this to be your team.”

39. Fuente Looks to Turn Tigers Around - Thursday, December 08, 2011

The next phase of University of Memphis football officially began Thursday, Dec. 8.

That’s when 35-year-old Justin Fuente, co-offensive coordinator at Texas Christian University, told media and fans gathered at an on-campus press conference, “This is going to be Memphis’ team. … I don’t care what school you went to, you live in the city, I want this to be your team.”

40. Juvenile Poverty's Bite is Deep in Tennessee - Thursday, December 01, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – U.S. Census figures bear out the anecdotal evidence of more children in poverty that Tennessee schools have been seeing.

The percentage of children from economically impoverished families rose 1.8 percent in Tennessee from 2009 to 2010 – two-tenths of a percentage point more than the national average increase.

41. Baseball Contract Limits Tobacco Use - Wednesday, November 23, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Baseball's new labor deal will limit the use of smokeless tobacco by players, but not ban it during games, as some public health groups had sought.

A baseball union summary obtained by The Associated Press says that players have agreed not to carry tobacco cans in their back pockets or use tobacco during pregame or postgame interviews, and at team functions.

42. Master The Business Lunch To Connect - Wednesday, November 09, 2011

The art of the successful business lunch is no longer a skill common to most salespeople. Master this skill to differentiate yourself and your company in the marketplace. Call it old school, but the bottom line is this strategy still works.

43. Dunlap Finds Good Match With Apperson Crump - Thursday, October 27, 2011

John Dunlap’s career path – from the time he got his law degree from Vanderbilt University in the 1960s to his recently becoming an of-counsel member at Apperson Crump PLC in Memphis – did not always follow a straight line.

44. Beavers Builds Case Around Conduct of Tennessee Judges - Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Editor’s Note: This is an occasional series that profiles Tennessee’s state legislators. It took a budget shortfall in the Wilson County school system and her husband knocking on doors to get Mae Beavers elected the first time.

45. Stone Joins Metropolitan Bank As Mortgage Specialist - Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Kent Stone has joined Metropolitan Bank as a mortgage specialist.

46. Leadership Academy Fellows Sustain Nonprofits - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Leadership Academy’s latest crop of fellows graduated from the program Sept. 15 after creating and implementing a number of innovative, long-term projects that will serve to improve the quality of life in the Greater Memphis community.

47. Literacy Mid-South Aims to Combat Local Illiteracy - Monday, August 15, 2011

Literacy Mid-South executive director Kevin Dean and his staff stay busy spreading the word about the identity and mission of the nonprofit organization, the result of a merger last year between Memphis Literacy Council and Mid-South Reads.

48. $20M in Improvements On Tap for One Commerce - Friday, August 12, 2011

Plans for $20 million in tenant improvements are coming right along at One Commerce Square.

Commercial Advisors LLC held a tenant meeting and appreciation lunch Thursday, Aug. 11, in the historic bank lobby, 40 S. Main St. The event was led by Gary Prosterman, president and CEO of Development Services Group and one of the partners in Memphis Commerce Square Partners LLC, the new ownership group of One Commerce.

49. $20M in Improvements on Tap for One Commerce - Thursday, August 11, 2011

Plans for $20 million worth of tenant improvements are coming right along at One Commerce Square.

Commercial Advisors LLC held a tenant meeting and appreciation lunch Thursday, Aug. 11 in the historic bank lobby, 40 S. Main St. The event was led by Gary Prosterman, president and CEO of Development Services Group and one of the partners in Memphis Commerce Square Partners LLC, the new ownership group of One Commerce.

50. Events - Friday, July 29, 2011

A touchdown celebration will be held for Wei Chen, the first Chinese citizen to circumnavigate the globe, Friday, July 29, at 10:30 a.m. at Wilson Air Center, 2930 Winchester Road. Chen will land his Daher-Socata TBM700 after completing a 69-day trip around the world.

51. Sharpen Your Negotiation Skills - Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Negotiating is an art. It’s more than offering up a series of compromises until you get to your bottom line.

Old school negotiators tell you to shoot for 10-15 percent more than what you’re actually willing to take. With this approach, it’s more about taking advantage of the other party versus creative problem solving – truly understanding what both parties would like to achieve and why, and finding an innovative way to get there.

52. Man With Medtronic Implant will Swim English Channel - Thursday, June 23, 2011

A man is preparing to swim the English Channel in August, thanks to a medical device developed in Memphis.

Doug McConnell of Barrington, Ill., expects to be the 48th person over age 50 to successfully swim the English Channel. If he completes the swim, he will be one of only about 1,200 people to have done so.

53. A Quest for Knowledge - Monday, June 13, 2011

Last week, we spotlighted the Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief, which is the first comprehensive bereavement center for children, adolescents and adults in the region. This week we will explore an organization working to “vigorously equip youth to maximize their potential through intellectual and character development”: Knowledge Quest.

54. Events - Thursday, May 26, 2011

Methodist North Hospital will hold a stroke support group for stroke survivors and caregivers Thursday, May 26, at 5 p.m. in meeting room one, basement level, 3960 New Covington Pike. This month’s topic is “Dealing with Life After a Stroke.” The group will meet every fourth Thursday of the month. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 516-5646 or visit www.methodisthealth.org.

55. Events - Wednesday, May 25, 2011

A Belgian Beer Dinner will be held Wednesday, May 25, at 7 p.m. at Mesquite Chop House, 88 Union Ave. The dinner will be presented by Steve Barzizza of Southwestern Beverages. For more information, call 527-5337 or visit www.mesquitechophouse.com.

56. Events - Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Institute of Real Estate Management Memphis Chapter will join the Apartment Association of Greater Memphis for a meeting Tuesday, May 24, at noon at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. For reservations, email irem20@bellsouth.net.

57. Events - Monday, May 23, 2011

Indie Memphis will present its Dance Film Series Monday through Wednesday at the Evergreen Theatre, 1705 Poplar Ave. “William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet” will make its Memphis premiere Wednesday at 7 p.m. Other films include “Rumba,” playing Monday at 7 p.m. and “NY Export: Opus Jazz” Tuesday at 7 p.m. Award-winning short films will precede the three features. For more information, visit www.indiememphis.com.

58. Newcomers Highlight BSMF Lineup - Friday, April 22, 2011

Memphis in May’s salute to Belgium will once again kick off with headline musical acts from across the country, singing on the river, in the sometimes muddy Tom Lee Park.

59. The Right Manager Can Make or Break Restaurant - Monday, April 11, 2011

Here’s why restaurants need good managers to be there on the spot, to watch what’s going on, to keep everything smooth and proper and comfortable.

This occurred at dinner recently:

The waiter, a young woman, approached our table and said, “Oh, I just got health insurance. And dental! I’m so happy I think I might cry.”

60. Agricenter Gives Region’s Ag Biz Place to Call Home - Tuesday, March 29, 2011

In the daily hustle and bustle of city life, it’s easy for Memphians to forget that the urban pocket they call home sits amid one of the nation’s richest agricultural regions.

And the world’s largest urban farm, nonprofit Agricenter International at 7777 Walnut Grove Road, is continually working to create more awareness about farming through educational programs and to advance agricultural technologies through research and trials.

61. Sustainable Real Estate to be Subject of Conference - Thursday, March 17, 2011

Planners of an upcoming conference are hoping to put Memphis on the map even more so than it already is.

The Conference On Sustainable Real Estate is slated for March 24 to 26 at the University of Memphis. The conference – modeled after a similar program offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – brings to Memphis internationally recognized leaders on sustainable real estate, land economics, land planning and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, construction procedures.

62. Wilson Sets Himself Apart With Work in Transportation Law - Thursday, March 10, 2011

Despite working for a law firm with almost 600 attorneys and advisers, Mason Wilson has more than made a name for himself.

Wilson, an associate with the longtime Memphis law firm Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC, joined the firm in 2007. He has been able to distinguish himself as a valued transportation litigator, dedicated 24-hour response team member and, most recently, president-elect of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.

63. Memorial Service Tuesday for Justice Fones - Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A memorial service for retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice William H.D. Fones Sr. of Memphis is Tuesday at Christ United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. in Wilson Chapel.

Fones died Thursday at the age of 93 after a long illness.

64. Hill’s Law Practice Transformed by Social Media - Thursday, December 16, 2010

As a student at the University of Memphis’ Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in the mid-1970s, Charlie Hill never suspected the word “tweet” would become part of his lexicon.

65. Mt. Juliet Named State's Most Business-Friendly City - Wednesday, December 01, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) – Mt. Juliet in Wilson County has been chosen the most business-friendly city in the state by the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.

Farragut southwest of Knoxville was second, followed in order by Brentwood, Spring Hill and Franklin, all south of Nashville.

66. Crosstown Arts Looks to Take City to Next Creative Level - Monday, November 29, 2010

As an arts community, Memphis is world-renowned. The city’s rich, bluesy culture is inextricably tied to its deep traditions in the visual and performing arts.

A newly formed nonprofit is working to take the city one step further – to establish Memphis not only as a strong arts community, but as a strong artists’ community.

67. RMK Bond Fund Investors Win $1.8 Million - Wednesday, November 24, 2010

A burned investor in Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc.’s former family of soured bond funds has along with his wife won a seven-figure arbitration award against the Memphis investment banking firm.

68. Morgan Keegan Bond Fund Investors Win $1.8M - Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A burned investor in Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc.’s former family of soured bond funds has along with his wife won a seven-figure arbitration award against the Memphis investment banking firm.

69. Morgan Keegan Bond Fund Investors Win $1.8M - Monday, November 22, 2010

A burned investor in Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc.’s former family of soured bond funds has along with his wife won a seven-figure arbitration award against the Memphis investment banking firm.

70. County Commission Spars Over PILOT Rules For Suburbs - Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners sparred over how much oversight is too much when it comes to awarding tax breaks for corporate and industrial moves to Shelby County and expansions of existing businesses.

71. Center Stage - Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Last week Kallen Esperian sent her world-renowned operatic soprano soaring through Calvary Episcopal Church.

The week before Ruby Wilson proved once again that she’s the Queen of Beale by beling out bluesy renditions at the historic church.

72. Bardos Named Dean at St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School - Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Denny Bardos has joined St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School as dean of enrollment management and financial aid.

Hometown: Germantown
Education: Bachelor of Arts, psychology, Christian Brothers University
Work Experience: Prior to joining SAA-SDS, I spent 16 years in college admissions.
Family: My wife, Amanda, and I have three children:Daniel, 14; Breana, 11; and Brandon, 2.
Favorite quote: “Many a truth is said in jest.” William Shakespeare
Last book read: “The Little Big Things” by Tom Peters
Favorite music: I like anything from Beethoven to Blink 182, but alternative is my favorite.
Favorite movie: The original “Batman” with Jack Nicholson
Sports team: Chicago Cubs
Activities you enjoy outside of work: I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and biking.
What talent do you wish you had? I wish I could play the piano.
Who has had the greatest influence on you? My mother. She was an incredibly generous, loving, spiritual, and caring woman.
What drew you to St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School? I wanted to be able to utilize my background in admissions and financial aid at an excellent independent school.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishments? Seeing students whom I recruited go on to become very successful in their lives.
What do you most enjoy about your work? Working with families to show them all the outstanding benefits of a SAA-SDS education!

73. Taking Care of Business - Monday, August 30, 2010

A diverse mix of Memphis businesses is defying the odds and finding success spanning multiple family generations. Grant & Co., Champion Awards, Jim’s Place East, Barden Stone and Broadway Pizza are among the Memphis institutions thriving under second- and third-generation ownership and management.

74. Magic Kids Launch Album With Memphis Youth Symphony Fundraiser - Tuesday, August 24, 2010

When Alice Buchanan plays her violin with the Memphis Youth Symphony tonight at the Levitt Shell, it won’t be a nostalgic reunion.

75. GOP Carries Countywide Offices - Friday, August 06, 2010

The only thing Republican candidates in Shelby County were denied in the Aug. 5 elections was a majority on the Shelby County Commission. The local GOP slate swept every countywide partisan race on the ballot with Thursday’s election results.

Voter turnout – early and Election Day – was almost 30 percent of Shelby County’s 600,000 voters. All election returns will be audited and must be certified by the Shelby County Election Commission.

Republican Bill Oldham, the former chief deputy of the Sheriff’s Department under outgoing Sheriff Mark Luttrell, beat Democrat Randy Wade in the race for sheriff.

The unofficial returns with all precincts reporting were:

Oldham: 89,613 (52%)

Wade: 82,981 (48%)

Wade, who was the Democratic nominee for sheriff in 2002, linked his 2010 campaign to the re-election bid of Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen. Wade, a former sheriff’s deputy, is Cohen’s district director.

Oldham campaigned on continuing the policies of Luttrell. But his campaign faltered when Oldham was forced to resign his job as chief deputy – the No. 2 position in the department – following a complaint to the U.S. Justice Department that his candidacy violated the Federal Hatch Act.

The civil complaint investigated by the Justice Department’s Office of Special Counsel left Oldham with the choice of either quitting the job or quitting the race. To keep both could have jeopardized federal funding the department receives.

The complaint was unique because deputies and high-ranking officers running for sheriff has been a regular feature of the sheriff’s race for decades. It wasn’t until 2002 that those in the department were required to take a leave of absence if they ran.

In other general election races, challenger Ken Hoover lost to Shelby County School Board Chairman David Pickler in the race for the District 5 seat on the seven-member board.

Pickler has been chairman for 11 of the 12 years the school board has been an elected body. Pickler ran on his record as chairman. Hoover also ran on Pickler’s record, saying his leadership style was too autocratic and not transparent enough.

The unofficial results were:

Pickler: 5,123 (51%)

Hoover: 4,956 (49%)

In the two other contested school board races, former Bolton High School principal Snowden “Butch” Carruthers beat Millington parent Charlene White in District 1. And political newcomer David Reaves beat fellow newcomer Lara A. McIntyre, both of Bartlett, for the District 3 seat.

White and McIntyre both called for change in school board methods during their campaigns.

District 7 school board member Ernest Chism ran unopposed.

The even-numbered district school board seats are on the 2012 county ballot.

After running for Probate Court clerk three other times, Democratic nominee Sondra Becton could not claim the office on her fourth try – even with the incumbent she campaigned against the three other times out of the race. Republican contender Paul Boyd easily beat Becton in the race for the office Chris Thomas gave up to run for and win a seat on the Shelby County Commission.

Becton lost to Thomas by 604 votes four years ago and was among the four Democratic challengers who unsuccessfully challenged the results in Chancery Court. This time she lost by more than 6,500 votes.

The vote totals were:

Boyd: 82,259 (52%)

Becton: 75,702 (48%)

Republican Tom Leatherwood easily defeated Democratic challenger Coleman Thompson to remain Shelby County register. The two faced each other in 2006, with Leatherwood winning.

The results Thursday were:

Leatherwood: 96,531 (58%)

Thompson: 68,784 (42%)

As early voting began, Thompson’s Pyramid Recovery Center was evicted from its longtime South Memphis space that was also an early voting site and an election day polling place. The landlord agreed to leave the voting sites up and running. But the possibility of a change in polling places served to highlight Thompson’s financial problems.

Late publicity about financial problems took a toll on another Democratic contender.

Newcomer Corey Maclin began campaigning early for Shelby County clerk, with incumbent Republican Debbie Stamson not seeking re-election. Maclin lost to Republican nominee Wayne Mashburn, the son of late county clerk Sonny Mashburn.

The unofficial returns were:

Mashburn: 88,619 (55%)

Maclin: 72,651 (45%)

Stamson’s husband, Steve Stamson, retired as Juvenile Court clerk, setting up the race that was won by Republican nominee Joy Touliatos, the chief administrative officer of the clerk’s office. She beat Democratic nominee Shep Wilbun, who won appointment to the clerk’s office in 2000 but lost to Stamson in the 2002 election and was beaten by Stamson again in 2006.

With all precincts reporting, the numbers were:

Touliatos: 85,849 (51%)

Wilbun: 73,345 (44%)

The remaining votes went to independent candidate Julia R. Wiseman.

Also seeking a return to countywide office was Minerva Johnican. Johnican, the Democratic nominee for Criminal Court clerk, lost to Republican nominee Kevin Key, the son of outgoing Criminal Court Clerk Bill Key and an administrator with the Circuit Court Clerk’s office.

The results were:

Key: 79,755 (49%)

Johnican: 74,831 (46%)

Independent candidate Jerry Stamson: 8,581 (5%)

Johnican, also a former Memphis City Council member and Shelby County Commissioner lost the clerk’s job in 1994 when she was upset by the elder Key.

Incumbent Republican Circuit Court Clerk Jimmy Moore easily defeated Democratic challenger Ricky Dixon. Although Dixon was part of the effort by Democratic party leaders to get voters to vote the entire party slate, Moore continued to show up at Democratic functions and make his case for crossover votes.

Regina Morrison Newman, the third Shelby County tustee in four years, lost her bid for a full term in the office to Republican challenger David Lenoir. It was an impressive political debut for Lenoir, who had heavy backing from the local GOP.

The results were:

Lenoir: 77,166 (49%)

Newman: 72,618 (46%)

Independent candidate Derrick Bennett: 6,353 (4%)

Newman was appointed to the office by the Shelby County Commission following the 2009 death of Trustee Paul Mattila. Mattila was appointed to the office and won a special election for the position following the 2008 death of Bob Patterson. Patterson was re-elected to a four-year term in 2006.

In the judicial races:

Attorney Bill Anderson Jr. emerged atop a field of 20 candidates for General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Div. 7 with 15 percent of the vote. Assistant County Attorney Janet Lansky Shipman was second and the only other contender to go into double digit percentages. The 20 candidates were the largest field in any race – primary or general – on the Shelby County ballot.

Prosecutor Bobby Carter, who had the backing of District Attorney General Bill Gibbons and former District Attorney General John Pierotti, was elected judge of Criminal Court Div. 3 in a close race with attorneys Glenn Wright and Latonya Sue Burrow.

Carter got 26 percent of the vote to Wright’s 25 percent and Burrow’s 24.7 percent.

The results in the three other special judicial races saw the three appointed judges rejected by voters.

• Lee Wilson, the appointee to General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Div. 10, lost to former General Sessions Court Clerk Chris Turner by more than 64,000 votes. Turner’s victory was the strongest proof of the strong Republican turnout for races across the general election ballot. Turner had been the General Sessions Court clerk until 2006, when he was upset by Democratic challenger Otis Jackson. He is also a former Republican state legislator.
• Lorrie Ridder, the appointee to Circuit Court Judge Div. 4, lost to attorney Gina Higgins by about 5,000 votes.
• Rhynette Northcross Hurd, the appointee to Circuit Court Judge Div. 8, lost to attorney Bob Weiss by more than 12,000 votes.

Ridder and Hurd had been appointed to the Circuit Court vacancies by Gov. Phil Bredesen, who picked them each from a list of three finalists from the Judicial Nominating Commission. Bredesen even taped a robo-call on behalf of Hurd, his first robo-call for any candidate in the state.

Wilson was appointed to the General Sessions vacancy by the Shelby County Commission and adopted a domestic violence case docket for the court.

76. Binghampton Farmers Market Prepares for Sept. 4 Opening - Friday, July 30, 2010

The Binghampton Development Corp. needs volunteers to help prepare for the opening of the city’s first farmers market linked to a commercial-scale, community gardening enterprise.

77. Developer Hopes Condos Go Like Hotcakes at Auction - Tuesday, July 20, 2010

A condo development in a historic Midtown neighborhood where pies used to be made is now focusing on making lemonade out of lemons.

The Pie Factory Lofts, occupying a block of Young Avenue between New York and Philadelphia streets will auction off 18 available units Saturday at 11 a.m.

78. Bryant Taps Panel to Study Successful Pre-K Model - Friday, July 16, 2010

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant says he's appointing a panel of business and education experts to study a privately funded early childhood development program with hopes of establishing a statewide model.

79. ALBA Enhances Airport Gateway - Wednesday, July 07, 2010

As Bluff City officials continue to push the aerotropolis effort, the Airways Lamar Business Association is doing its part to improve the area just north of Memphis International Airport.

Spearheading that improvement effort is Trennie Williams, who is celebrating two years as president and CEO of the association, a nonprofit alliance of business and community leaders working to strengthen, redevelop and beautify the Airways Boulevard, Lamar Avenue and Park Avenue corridors.

80. ‘Ways to Win’ Seminar Planned for July 14 - Thursday, July 01, 2010

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International and the Sales and Marketing Society of the Mid-South will hold a half-day summer marketing seminar and luncheon July 14.

The “Ways to Win in 2010” seminar will feature a variety of speakers sharing their marketing strategies.

81. Memphis on the Rocks Latest Vision for Trailblazer - Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Whether your drink of choice is cotton candy vodka, a more traditional gin and tonic or a no-nonsense straight-up bourbon, you can quench your thirst Thursday night on South Main Street at Memphis on the Rocks.

The celebration of fine distilled spirits will feature more than 50 premium brands of bourbon, gin, rum, tequila, vodka and whiskey from several distributors, including Memphis’ Southwestern Beverage Distributing.

82. Payne-Johnson Joins Arlington’s Baptist Memorial Medical - Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Dr. Ann Payne-Johnson, a family medicine physician at Baptist Memorial Medical Group, recently began practicing medicine at Baptist Memorial Medical Group Arlington Family Medicine.

Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Education: Residency, University of Tennessee Department of Family Medicine, Jackson, Tenn.; Spartan Health Sciences University School of Medicine; master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Southern Mississippi
Work Experience: Family medicine physician at BMMG, clinician at Saint Francis Hospital, aerobics instructor/fitness instructor (stopped when I was 5 months pregnant with my son)
Family: Married. Five-year-old son, Donovan, in kindergarten at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School; daughter, Ashley, 2.
Last book read: “Llama Llama Mad at Mama”
Music: Disco. Favorite song: “I Will Survive.”
Favorite movie: “Scarface” (“Avatar” is a close second)
Sports team: New Orleans Saints (Who Dat!!!)
Activities you enjoy outside of work: Farmville on Facebook, gadgets, spending time with the kids
Who has had the greatest influence on you? My father, who was a musician and scientist.
Why did you pursue a career in medicine? I have always wanted to practice medicine.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishments? Becoming board certified.
What do you most enjoy about your work? The people I work with every day are phenomenal. Baptist is growing to continue to meet the community’s needs for primary care.

83. Noisy Dining Can Hurt Your Bottom Line - Monday, May 24, 2010

“Oh, yes, we love this place! What? Uh, yes, the apricot-glazed Brussels sprouts are delicious! I said DELICIOUS! What? WHAT??? I CAN’T HEAR YOU! IT’S TOO LOUD IN HERE!!!”

The issue of restaurants that are so loud meals become secondary to the decibel level is really a matter of two factors: acoustics and music.

84. Committees Not Needed For Creativity - Friday, May 14, 2010

Creativity goes to committee meetings to die.

“In all the towns and all the cities there are no statues to committees.”

Unknown, probably someone shot down by a committee.

“So,” he said to the committee, “I’ll buy a bunch of jets, fill them with cardboard envelopes, and guarantee overnight delivery … and all I need to get started is, oh, about a zillion dollars.” The committee would have absolutely, positively said no to Fred Smith. They would have told Clarence Saunders that schlepping your own groceries would never work. They would have told Kemmons Wilson where to park his motel idea. They would have told Charlie Vergos that nobody is going to get fired up about ribs from a basement off an alley next to a dumpster.

85. Swankys Expands On Successful Formula - Monday, May 03, 2010

“We don’t think of Swankys as Mexican,” said Matt Wilson, “and not even Tex-Mex. Around the store we call it Tenn-Mex.”

That’s an appropriate, if wholly original, term for the restaurant that Wilson opened in Germantown in July 2005. As swanky as its name, the establishment facing Poplar Avenue in the Carrefour shopping center seemed less Mexican than a hipster’s rendition of a Southwestern diner with a retro gleam.

86. Races Open For Two County School Board Seats - Friday, April 02, 2010

The Aug. 5 elections will feature two races for open seats on the Shelby County school board.

At the noon Thursday filing deadline for the four odd-numbered district seats as well as the state and federal primaries, board member Anne Edmiston did not file for another four-year term. Board member Teresa Price had announced earlier that she would not be running either.

87. UPDATE: Two Open County School Board Seats At Filing Deadline - Thursday, April 01, 2010

The Aug. 5 elections will feature two races for open seats on the Shelby County school board.

At the noon Thursday filing deadline for the four odd-numbered district seats as well as the state and federal primaries, board member Anne Edmiston did not file for another four-year term. Board member Teresa Price had announced earlier that she would not be running either.

88. Filing Deadline Hits for August Primaries - Thursday, April 01, 2010

The stage is set for the county’s most anticipated political showdown in the Aug. 5 state and federal primary elections.

Noon today is the deadline for candidates in the primaries, as well as those vying for nonpartisan seats on the Shelby County school board and the three judicial positions, to file their qualifying petitions for the ballot.

89. Rainey Kizer Names Waddell Partner - Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Amanda C. Waddell has been named a partner at Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell PLC. Waddell’s practice is concentrated in the areas of medical malpractice, auto liability and insurance coverage.

90. Growth in Mind - Monday, March 22, 2010

SunTrust is poised to move forward this year with an expansion of its 37-branch network in the Memphis area.

That’s according to Johnny B. Moore Jr., the president and CEO of SunTrust Bank-Memphis, who said the bank wants to round out its Memphis presence with a few more inner-city and suburban locations.

91. Hurd To Circuit Court - Monday, March 08, 2010

Collierville attorney Rhynette Northcross Hurd is the new division eight Circuit Court judge.

Gov. Phil Bredesen announced her appointment Friday afternoon from Nashville.

Hurd was one of three finalists recommended by the Judicial Nominating Commission for the vacancy created by the September retirement of Judge D’Army Bailey.

92. UPDATE: Hurd Appointed To Circuit Court - Friday, March 05, 2010

Collierville attorney Rhynette Northcross Hurd is the new division eight Circuit Court judge.

Gov. Phil Bredesen announced her appointment Friday afternoon from Nashville.

Hurd was one of three finalists recommended by the Judicial Nominating Commission for the vacancy created by the September retirement of Judge D’Army Bailey.

93. Ledbetter Joins UT Medical Group’s Dept. of Urology - Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Dr. Christopher K. Ledbetter has joined the Department of Urology at UT Medical Group Inc.

Ledbetter will care for patients at UTMG’s urology clinic at Methodist South Hospital and at Methodist University Hospital, where he focuses on minimally invasive robotic urological surgery.

94. Customer Always Right Doesn't Necessarily Apply Here - Monday, February 08, 2010

At the bottom of the menu at Bari Ristorante e Enoteca is printed this sentence: “Every ingredient in every dish makes the dish complete, so we will not make substitutions or exclusions to any dish.”

95. Steady Clip for Court Cases in ’09 - Monday, January 18, 2010

Civil court filings for 2009 were higher than the previous two years, according to data from The Daily News Online.

The year-end data for Circuit, Chancery and Probate courts showed 10,794 cases were filed in 2009 compared to 9,766 in 2008 and 10,045 in 2007.

96. Visible School Names Ellis To Modern Music Ministry Faculty - Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Bill Ellis has been hired to the Visible School faculty in the Modern Music Ministry program.

Ellis will teach guitar, the history of pop music and hands-on courses in world music and ethnomusicology.

97. 2009 Year In Review - Monday, December 28, 2009

2009 was a year without a script – and plenty of improvising on the political stage.

It was supposed to be an off-election year except in Arlington and Lakeland.

2008 ended with voters in the city and county approving a series of changes to the charters of Memphis and Shelby County governments. Those changes were supposed to set a new direction for both entities, kicking into high gear in 2010 and ultimately culminating two years later.

98. Customer Service Undergirds Holiday Inn Performance - Monday, December 14, 2009

For the seventh year in a row, the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis has received the InterContinental Hotels Group Torchbearer Award for meeting “the highest levels of excellence in all aspects of customer satisfaction and operations.”

99. MEC Looks for Solutions in Tough Economic Times - Thursday, December 03, 2009

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - It's no secret, times are tough all over and Mississippi is no exception. Unemployment is up, tax revenue is down. Some believe the state budget process is broken and education isn't up to par.

100. Out of Bounds - Monday, November 16, 2009

The August report from the NCAA calls him “student-athlete 1.” Everyone but the NCAA and the University of Memphis calls him Derrick Rose.