There is a surge these days in Memphis boosterism, but there may be no one else with their pulse more on what is new and exciting and worth celebrating in the city than Rashana Lincoln.

As director of community engagement for the New Memphis Institute (formerly the Leadership Academy), Lincoln is charged with selling her greatest passion: Memphis.

2. Grant Turns Broad Avenue Dock Into Dance Stage - Friday, May 24, 2013

The concrete surface of the loading dock at Power & Tel on Broad Avenue isn’t good for ballet dancing.

So the dancers with Collage Dance Collective went with modern dance instead Wednesday, May 22, as the Broad Avenue Arts District formally announced a $350,000 grant from ArtPlace America that will turn part of the loading dock into a dance performance stage.

3. Love of Public Service Drives Caldwell to Law School Role - Thursday, May 23, 2013

In 2008, the Tennessee Supreme Court laid out a strategic plan to get attorneys more involved in pro bono work.

Though it isn’t required of the state’s professionals, there is an inspirational goal of 50 hours per year of public service that is heavily encouraged by the justices.

4. Talks Underway for Club 152 Reopening - Thursday, May 23, 2013

The owners of Club 152 on Beale Street and prosecutors with the Shelby County District Attorney General’s office have been talking since the club was shut down a week ago as a public nuisance.

Both sides are due back before General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter Thursday, May 21.

5. Strategic Science - Thursday, May 23, 2013

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Memphis high school students guided Frisbee-flinging robots around a large room at Medtronic Spine’s headquarters.

The robots were built to compete in FIRST Robotics – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – an international high school robotics competition designed to inspire and expose young people to careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

6. Apple's Cook Faces Senate Questions on Taxes - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate dragged massively profitable Apple Inc. into the debate over the U.S. tax code Tuesday, grilling CEO Tim Cook over allegations that its Irish subsidiaries help the company avoid billions in U.S. taxes.

7. American Queen Buys Boat for Northwest Cruises - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Memphis-based American Queen Steamboat Co. announced on Tuesday, May 21, that it has bought a second cruise boat from the U.S. Maritime Administration.

8. The 'Sell in May' Story - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The “Sell in May, and Go Away” slogan is common vernacular within the investment sphere. However, for some of our readers who might not be as familiar with this phrase, we will use this week’s writings to review.

9. Club 152 Hearing Delayed to Tuesday - Tuesday, May 21, 2013

A first hearing on the nuisance court order that closed Club 152 on Beale Street last week was postponed Monday, May 20, to Tuesday before General Sessions Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter.

10. UTHSC Professor Receives $2.9 Million Grant - Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Dr. Kafait Malik, a professor of pharmacology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, has received a $2.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study how the nervous system, hormones and immune system interact to regulate cardiovascular and kidney function and the development of high blood pressure.

11. Achievement School District Adds High School - Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The state-run Achievement School District ventures into high school territory in August with the start of its second school year.

Most of the ASD schools for the lowest 5 percent in the state in terms of student achievement are in Memphis. And so far, those schools, either run directly by the district or through charter school operators, are in elementary and middle schools.

12. A Year After IPO, Facebook Aims to be Ad Colossus - Monday, May 20, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – It was supposed to be our IPO, the people's public offering.

Facebook, the brainchild of a young CEO who sauntered into Wall Street meetings in a hoodie, was going to be bigger than Amazon, bigger than McDonald's, bigger than Coca-Cola. And it was all made possible by our friendships, photos and family ties.

13. The Myth of Rationality - Monday, May 20, 2013

Do decisive people base their decisions on rational factors or do they often rely on intuition and emotions? According to Jan Halper’s book “Quite Desperation: The Truth About Successful Men,” if the truth were known, most executives rely more on emotional factors when making important decisions.

14. Club 152 Makes Appearance in Environmental Court - Monday, May 20, 2013

The owners of Club 152 in the Beale Street entertainment district are due in Shelby County General Sessions Environmental Court Monday, May 20, for the first hearing on the injunction that closed the popular nightspot Thursday afternoon as a public nuisance.

15. Capital of ’Cue - Monday, May 20, 2013

Before the sizzle on the grill, the first sounds of the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest heard in Tom Lee Park are hammers and nail guns.

16. RedRover Picks Up Four Communicator Awards - Saturday, May 18, 2013

RedRover Sales & Marketing took home four international awards as part of the 2013 Communicator Awards.

The firm got three Awards of Distinction for creative work completed for clients Thomas & Betts Corp., DreamCatcher Hotels and The MED Foundation. The firm also earned an Award of Excellence for its own newly designed website.

17. Local Barbecue World Loses Two Icons - Saturday, May 18, 2013

On the opening day Thursday, May 16, of the Memphis In May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the Memphis barbecue community was mourning the loss of two icons in the business of barbecue.

18. Local Barbecue World Loses Two Icons - Friday, May 17, 2013

On the opening day of the Memphis In May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the Memphis barbecue community was mourning the loss of two icons in the business of barbecue.

John Willingham, a past winner of the contests, restaurant owner and former Shelby County Commissioner died Wednesday.

19. Airport Passes $127.3 Million 2014 Budget - Friday, May 17, 2013

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority on Thursday approved a $127.3 million budget that slightly lowers the overall amount airlines pay at Memphis International Airport even after Delta Air Lines drastically reduced the number of flights it operates.

20. Grizz Claw Into Conference Finals - Thursday, May 16, 2013

His team had just overcome a 17-point first-half deficit and beaten Oklahoma City in overtime to win Game 4 and take a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. So someone asked Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins if he was impressed.

21. Retiring Boomers Driving Sales of Small Businesses - Thursday, May 16, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – Baby boomers preparing for retirement are driving a surge in small business sales, as they find more and more buyers confident enough in the improving economy to expand their own businesses through acquisitions.

22. Henry Discusses Decision Not to Seek Re-Election - Thursday, May 16, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Longtime Sen. Douglas Henry said Wednesday that his health and the high cost of campaigning were factors in his decision not to seek re-election next year, even though he believes he could win if he did run.

23. Events - Thursday, May 16, 2013

The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest will be held Thursday, May 16, through Saturday, May 18, at Tom Lee Park, on Riverside Drive Downtown. Tickets are $9 at the gate. Visit memphisinmay.org.

24. RedRover Picks Up Four Communicator Awards - Wednesday, May 15, 2013

RedRover Sales & Marketing took home four international awards as part of the 2013 Communicator Awards.

The firm got three Awards of Distinction for creative work completed for clients Thomas & Betts Corp., DreamCatcher Hotels and The MED Foundation. The firm also earned an Award of Excellence for its own newly designed website.

25. Events - Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Families of Incarcerated Individuals Inc. will host a rebranding event Wednesday, May 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. The organization will unveil its revamped programs and services. Call 726-6191.

26. Forming the Second Wave - Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Most businesses start with vigor and willpower. Truly breakthrough businesses launch and fly with such an impassioned sense of mission that it changes the market and the communities where their offices are located.

27. Events - Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Association of Women Business Owners Memphis chapter will meet Tuesday, May 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Chickasaw Country Club, 3935 Galloway Ave. Lori Turner-Wilson, co-founder of RedRover Sales & Marketing, will speak. Cost is $25 for NAWBO members, $30 for nonmembers and $35 at the door. Visit nawbomemphis.org.

28. Grocery Gadgetry - Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Kroger’s Memphis-area shoppers might not have noticed, but the supermarket chain is paying more attention to them these days.

The high-tech proof doesn’t necessarily call attention to itself, but that’s not to say it’s not hidden, either. Television screens mounted near the front of its Memphis stores are a product of Kroger making a big investment a few years ago in new infrared camera technology.

29. Strategy for Very Familiar Questions - Monday, May 13, 2013

OK, I was trying to be somewhat nice in the title. This article is really about answering those questions that you have heard hundreds or perhaps thousands of times. Questions that make you think, “If I have to answer that question one more time, I might just go crazy!”

30. Thomas & Betts CEO Sees Growth Post-Acquisition - Monday, May 13, 2013

Dominic Pileggi, the retired CEO of Thomas & Betts Corp., remembers being concerned more than a year ago when the Memphis-based maker of low voltage electrical and utility hardware was in talks with ABB Group of Zurich to buy Thomas & Betts.

31. Events - Saturday, May 11, 2013

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.

32. Inman Keeps Construction Business Running Strong - Saturday, May 11, 2013

Page Inman had no intention of joining the family construction business, but 20 years and a couple $40 million construction jobs later, he has no regrets.

Cyclical economic changes and the need for competitive diversification are par for the course in an industry that depends on the availability of capital to survive.

33. International Interaction - Saturday, May 11, 2013

Memphians and out-of-towners are gathering Downtown throughout this month to hear the stirring sounds of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, savor the product of competitive barbecue cooking and watch major touring acts rock the stages at Tom Lee Park.

34. Memphis Means Grizzlies – Got It? - Friday, May 10, 2013

It’s funny the things you take for granted when you’re in the middle of them. Like, well, everything connected to this thrilling Grizzlies playoff run, including the characters and the language that have become part of the city’s core.

35. Family’s Values Led Bradshaw to Life’s Mission - Friday, May 10, 2013

Fittingly, Kenya Bradshaw can trace her life’s mission back to her childhood and a family that valued public service.

36. Danish Manufacturer Roxul Brings Facility to Byhalia - Friday, May 10, 2013

Just a few feet beyond the Tennessee-Mississippi state line past the Fayette County line on U.S. 72 is the turn onto Cayce Road in Byhalia and what is soon to be the first U.S. plant of the Danish company Roxul Inc.

37. Memphis Not Alone in Losing Flights - Friday, May 10, 2013

Memphis residents won’t be surprised by the findings of a new study that shows a drastic reduction in air service at small and medium-sized U.S. airports in the last six years.

But the study, by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, shows that Memphis is far from alone in being targeted for flight route cuts.

38. Southwest to Cut More AirTran Flights in Atlanta - Thursday, May 09, 2013

ATLANTA (AP) – Southwest Airlines will soon cut more AirTran routes this fall as it transforms AirTran's hub into a Southwest operation.

Southwest is eliminating routes between Atlanta and Memphis, Tenn.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Buffalo, N.Y., this fall, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

39. Market Myopia: Blame the SWOT - Thursday, May 09, 2013

Why do leaders miss seeing sweeping global trends that are about to broadside them? I put a big part of the blame on the standard SWOT analysis used in strategic planning –Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. It’s time to update this methodology.

40. Path to Law Career Began Early for McLaughlin - Thursday, May 09, 2013

Julie McLaughlin has worked her way up the legal ladder for much her life.

Beginning with a degree in paralegal studies from Hinds Community College in Raymond, Miss., and then a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Memphis, the final rung was earning a law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 2001.

41. Both Sides Win in ‘Battle of the Brains’ - Wednesday, May 08, 2013

If you have ever engaged someone in a discussion about left- and right-brain thinking they almost always take a side. Sometimes it seems that the two sides are incompatible and unbending in their view of how one should see the world. The right-brain people are typically labeled “creative” and “artistic” with a unique ability to see things intuitively and as a whole. The left-brain people are “analytical” and “detail oriented” utilizing linear process and logic to solve problems.

42. Nuclear Protester Trial Gets Underway This Week - Tuesday, May 07, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – An octogenarian nun and two codefendants used bolt cutters to cut through fences and spent about two hours inside a Tennessee national security plant that has had a hand in making, maintaining or dismantling parts of every nuclear weapon in the country's arsenal, federal authorities allege.

43. Barbecue Bible - Monday, May 06, 2013

For 29 years, Corky’s Ribs & Bar-B-Q has been serving up pulled pork and ribs with a side of beans, slaw and innovation.

In 1984, founder Don Pelts, who owned The Public Eye in Midtown at the time, was waiting patiently for the location at 5259 Poplar Ave. in East Memphis to come available. When it finally did, he found himself surrounded by fast food joints, so he added his own drive-thru.

44. One End to the Other - Friday, May 03, 2013

GET IT TOGETHER. Cooper is on fire. From the cougars in the zoo to the cougars in Alchemy, the viewing is best at feeding time. From the lions at the zoo to the lyonnaise salad at 1912, this is a stretch to strut in.

45. National, Local Leaders Discuss Nonprofit Challenges - Friday, May 03, 2013

Nonprofits need multifaceted ways to inform their stakeholders in a world that has grown more volatile, uncertain and complex, Jacob Herold, the president and CEO of GuideStar, told a sold-out audience at the annual Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence conference Wednesday, May 1.

46. Coupé Works to Protect City’s Most Vulnerable - Thursday, May 02, 2013

As supervising attorney over both the Judge’s Action Center and the Office of Advocate for Noncustodial Parents at Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court, Tom Coupé works to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society are being fairly and equally represented.

47. Time Management Secrets for Sales Pros - Wednesday, May 01, 2013

I’ve never met a sales person worth his weight who feels as though he has free time during the workday. Time is definitely a luxury for motivated sales professionals. After all, there are typically infinitely more prospects to call on than we have hours in the day. That’s why the most successful in sales are masters of their schedule, rather than slaves to it.

48. Briglia Joins Archer-Malmo as Web/Broadcast Artist - Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Kristen Briglia has joined archer-malmo as web/broadcast turbo artist. In her new role, Briglia will produce web graphics, HTML and video-editing services for the growing digital and broadcast departments, and will also help on print projects as needed.

49. Papa Murphy’s Considers 25 New Local Stores - Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Papa Murphy’s, one of the largest pizza companies in the U.S., is looking to grow its Memphis presence exponentially.

The Vancouver, Wash.-based chain is looking to add as many as 25 stores in Memphis, where there are currently two existing Papa Murphy’s locations. That’s according to the company’s chief development officer Kevin King, who said the company already has a similarly strong presence in Nashville, with 20 stores there.

50. Dixon Opens Petit Palais Jewelry Exhibition - Tuesday, April 30, 2013

A rare display of French jewelry and designs at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens traces the history of jewelry design from the late 17th century to after World War II.

The exhibition, “Bijoux parisiens: French jewelry from the Petit Palais,” marks the second collaboration in three years between the Petit Palais in Paris and the Dixon Gallery and Gardens.

51. Memphis’ MERI Earns Accreditation Renewal - Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Medical Education and Research Institute, a nonprofit medical training facility in Memphis, said Tuesday it had received renewal of accreditation by the American Association of Tissue Banks.

The voluntary assessment helps ensure that the whole body donation program and anatomic services provided by the medical training facility are consistent with AATB standards, according to Elizabeth Ostric, MERI executive director.

52. Delta Posts Small First-Quarter Profit - Saturday, April 27, 2013

Delta Air Lines said government spending cuts and weak demand from vacationers are hurting revenue this month.

Lower fuel prices should help to offset the decline, the airline said on Tuesday.

53. UWT Logistics to Expand Memphis Facilities - Saturday, April 27, 2013

UWT Logistics said it will expand the company’s facilities on East Holmes Road in Memphis. The expansion represents a $4.8 million investment and will create 81 full-time jobs.

“Tennessee’s global transportation systems provide unsurpassed efficiency and proximity to customers throughout the U.S. and around the world,” said Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, in a statement making the expansion official. “Companies like UWT Logistics understand the competitive edge that our solid infrastructure and pro-business environment offer.”

54. Smartphones Overtake 'Dumb' Phones Worldwide - Monday, April 29, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) – A research firm says that more smartphones than 'dumb' phones are being made this year, a milestone in a shift that's putting computing power and Internet access in millions of hands worldwide.

55. April 26-May 2: This Week in Memphis History - Saturday, April 27, 2013

1993: On the front page of The Daily News is a story looking at the formal opening on the Main Street Trolley, a project eight years in the making that remade what had been the Mid-America Mall. The Memphis Area Transit Authority offered free trolley rides the first two days of operation.

56. Nonprofits Coping With New Challenges - Monday, April 29, 2013

About 74 percent of Mid-South nonprofit organizations reported increased service demands in 2012, compared with 72 percent a year earlier. But many of those organizations cannot fully meet the demand for increased services because of funding constraints.

57. Capital Requirement - Saturday, April 27, 2013

In early April, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., joined a handful of other senators in drafting a letter in part about new rules of the road governing bank capital requirements.

That letter was sent to Federal Reserve Gov. Daniel Tarullo, Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Martin Gruenberg.

58. Basketball Boon - Saturday, April 27, 2013

Before the Grizzlies began their first-round playoff series with the Clippers in Los Angeles, Dennis Flanagan looked ahead to Game 3, which was to be played on Thursday night, April 25, in Memphis.

59. UWT Logistics to Expand Memphis Facilities - Friday, April 26, 2013

UWT Logistics said it will expand the company’s facilities on East Holmes Road. The expansion represents a $4.8 million investment and will create 81 full-time jobs.

“Tennessee’s global transportation systems provide unsurpassed efficiency and proximity to customers throughout the U.S. and around the world,” said Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, in a statement making the expansion official. “Companies like UWT Logistics understand the competitive edge that our solid infrastructure and pro-business environment offer.”

60. I Know a Place - Friday, April 26, 2013

I’LL TAKE YOU THERE. “Oh, mmm, I know a place… When Mavis Staples sang those words, everybody in the audience was moved to move. The kind of primal itch you got to scratch, the kind of muscle over mind that makes toes tap, fingers snap, and hands clap.

61. Commitment to Memphis Shows in Wolowicz’s Work - Friday, April 26, 2013

Melissa Wolowicz is up with the chickens every morning, working to make Memphis a better place.

The new vice president of development for BRIDGES has been raising chickens in her backyard since she, husband Shawn and son Grayson moved into Midtown and a house shaded by a canopy of trees.

62. New Venture Empowers Mentoring Programs - Friday, April 26, 2013

Brittany Fitzpatrick recently left her job as communications coordinator for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis because she wants to devote herself full time to the venture she’s founded and to the problem she wants to help solve.

63. House GOP Gears Up for Debt Showdown This Summer - Thursday, April 25, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Get ready for another debt showdown this summer. House Republicans are preparing for one.

The House Ways and Means Committee passed a bill Wednesday to protect Social Security recipients and investors in Treasury bonds if the government hits the limit of its borrowing authority.

64. Haslams Try to Halt Fallout From FBI Raid on Pilot - Thursday, April 25, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee's Haslam family is furiously trying to control the damage following a federal investigation into the family business that could threaten to unravel decades of growing wealth and influence that spans business, sports and politics in the state and beyond.

65. Rotten Golden Apples in a Can - Thursday, April 25, 2013

It has been a particularly tough stretch for sage taxicab investors. My recent taxi tips have centered on three clear winners. Gold, Apple and Cash. Let’s evaluate.

Cab Tip #1: Central Bank Money Printing = Gold Prices Rising

66. Georgia-Pacific Pays $1.5 Billion for Buckeye Technologies - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Memphis-based Buckeye Technologies Inc. is being bought by Georgia-Pacific LLC, the two companies announced Wednesday, April 24.

The deal, valued at approximately $1.5 billion, including debt, still faces regulatory approval. But the boards of both companies have signed off on terms that include Buckeye stockholders getting $37.50 per share.

67. MERI Earns Accreditation Renewal - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Medical Education and Research Institute, a nonprofit medical training facility in Memphis, said Tuesday it had received renewal of accreditation by the American Association of Tissue Banks.

The voluntary assessment helps ensure that the whole body donation program and anatomic services provided by the medical training facility are consistent with AATB standards, according to Elizabeth Ostric, MERI executive director.

68. Delta Posts Small First-Quarter Profit - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Delta Air Lines said government spending cuts and weak demand from vacationers are hurting revenue this month.

Lower fuel prices should help to offset the decline, the airline said on Tuesday.

69. If You Can’t Win, Change the Game - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

In today’s dynamic world it is imperative for companies to continually realize growth through a sustainable competitive advantage. The trouble is that every innovation is just one new innovation away from becoming obsolete. How do proactive companies stay one step ahead?

70. World Finance Leaders Say Growth Still Weak - Tuesday, April 23, 2013

While world finance leaders say the global economy has improved slightly this year, they said the outlook for the future was uneven with growth and job creation still too weak.

The policy-setting committee for the 188-nation International Monetary Fund said governments need to act decisively to nurture a lasting recovery and restore the resiliency of the global economy.

71. Steady Groove - Tuesday, April 23, 2013

This year’s Record Store Day, an international celebration held the third Saturday in April, brought casual music fans along with diehards and vinyl evangelists into music shops around the country, including Goner Records and Shangri-La Records in Memphis.

72. Mitsubishi Plant Opens in Southwest Memphis - Saturday, April 20, 2013

A group of 200 dignitaries marked the formal opening Friday, April 19, of the Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. plant in Southwest Memphis.

73. Oil Drops on Demand Concerns - Saturday, April 20, 2013

More signs of weak demand for fuel in the U.S. sank the price of oil by nearly 3 percent.

The Energy Department said Wednesday that demand for gasoline over the four weeks ended April 12 was 3.3 percent less than a year earlier, averaging 8.4 million barrels a day. The weekly report indicated that use of distillates like heating oil and diesel was light as well.

74. PR in the Not-For-Profit World - Monday, April 22, 2013

One of the things we take a lot of pride in is the number of not-for-profit clients we work with. I currently handle five not-for-profit accounts, and each is unique and exciting in its own way. If you can’t intern at an agency, one of the best ways to get your “PR feet” wet is to do an internship at a not-for-profit in college.

75. Severance Pay Ups Ante in Auto Inspections Stand-Off - Monday, April 22, 2013

Some on the Memphis City Council weren’t certain Tuesday, April 16, about going ahead with a severance package for the city employees who now work at city-run auto inspection stations.

The council entered the budget season for the new fiscal year that begins July 1 just minutes earlier with Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.’s budget address.

76. The New Beale - Saturday, April 20, 2013

Over the last four years, the next chapter in the development of Beale Street has been a stop-and-go affair. First would come announcements followed by silence from official channels.

Along with that silence, though, was quiet activity on the side, a movement that culminated with the March announcement of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.’s strategic planning committee’s report, “A Framework for Beale Street.”

77. Charter School Authorizer Bill Advances - Friday, April 19, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The sponsor of a proposal that seeks to change the way certain charter schools are authorized said Wednesday the measure is needed to continue education reform in Tennessee.

78. Hazlett Touts City’s Positives to World - Friday, April 19, 2013

Bob Hazlett, director of online marketing at the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, is a proudly converted Memphian who promotes the city as a travel destination.

“I feel that if we can get someone to come to Memphis, they fall in love with the city,” Hazlett said. “I’ve lived in a couple of different places, and I think that for all of the bad things that are said about Memphis, there are so many positive things that are going on. It’s not a rhinestone, but it is a diamond in the rough. If you seek things out, the city will reveal itself to you.”

79. Passenger Numbers Continue Drop at Memphis International Airport - Friday, April 19, 2013

Memphis International Airport continued in March to feel the impact of earlier Delta Air Lines Inc. cuts, as both passenger traffic and the total number of flights fell.

80. Sammons Determined to Bring New Service to MEM - Friday, April 19, 2013

While he’s well aware of the hurdles, Jack Sammons told the members of the Memphis World Trade Club he’s determined to “relentlessly” solicit new air service providers to fly in and out of Memphis International Airport.

81. Bryce to Keep 318 Workers in Memphis - Friday, April 19, 2013

A packaging maker for retail brands like Frito-Lay and General Mills is getting a tax incentive worth $3 million to keep 318 workers in Memphis and add 95 new employees as part of a $21 million expansion here.

82. Oil Drops on Demand Concerns - Thursday, April 18, 2013

More signs of weak demand for fuel in the U.S. sank the price of oil by nearly 3 percent.

The Energy Department said Wednesday that demand for gasoline over the four weeks ended April 12 was 3.3 percent less than a year earlier, averaging 8.4 million barrels a day. The weekly report indicated that use of distillates like heating oil and diesel was light as well.

83. Riding the Rails - Thursday, April 18, 2013

By some estimates, America’s railroad companies are in the midst of the largest investment boom since the Gilded Age – when America’s railroad track mileage tripled between 1860 and 1880.

This year, North American’s freight railroads plan to invest $24.5 billion in intermodal terminals, new track, bridges and tunnels, safety equipment and rail cars, according to the Association of American Railroads.

84. Events - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Sales and Marketing Society of the Mid-South will meet Wednesday, April 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Racquet Club of Memphis, 5111 Sanderlin Ave. Mignonne Wright, president of Macadvantage, will present “Think Big. Make Love.” Cost in advance is free for members and $25 for nonmembers; cost at the door is $30. Visit sms-midsouth.org.

85. Sometimes You Need to Shift Things Around - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

When leading a series of innovation workshops for Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.’s Innovation Delivery Team with division leaders at City Hall, our task was steep: change long-standing behavior patterns. Turn doers into innovators. Have proven professionals who are deeply embedded in their roles get out of their current paradigm and empathize with the community and citizens they serve. Break the cognitive lock created by doing the same thing every day and see the city with fresh eyes.

86. You Have a Nice Personality, But Does Your Brand? - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

We naturally navigate to those with interesting personalities in real life, and so it stands to reason that the same holds true in the digital world. Why, then, do so many brands come across as cold and completely void of personality when communicating through social media?

87. Taste of Jubilee to Benefit Underprivileged Students - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Founded in 1947, St. John Catholic School at 2717 Lamar Ave. was once the largest Catholic school in Memphis.

88. Oil Drops To Four-Month Low - Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The price of oil dropped to a four-month low, as a slowdown in China’s growth added to doubts about the strength of the world economy and global demand for crude.

China’s slowdown, weak economic reports from the U.S. and Europe’s malaise suggest demand for crude and refined fuels won’t be strong enough to absorb the ample supplies on the world market.

89. FedEx Volunteers to Restore Wolf River Watershed - Tuesday, April 16, 2013

More than 100 volunteers from FedEx Corp., The Wolf River Conservancy, and local schools will restore properties along the Wolf River watershed Wednesday.

90. Bryce Corp. Seeks Tax Freeze for Memphis Expansion - Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Bryce Corp. is seeking a tax incentive to help it retain 318 employees in Memphis and add 95 new workers.

The company will go before the city-county EDGE board on Wednesday, April 17, to apply for a 10-year tax freeze to help the package material printer invest $21 million across its three Memphis facilities. The project will create almost $18 million in new revenue for the city and county, and Bryce plans to also invest in new equipment at its three facilities – 5405 Hickory Hill Road, 4505 Old Lamar Ave. and 3825 Delp St.

91. The Heart and Soul in Sports - Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Last week we spotlighted St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is a world leader in the fight against childhood cancer and other deadly diseases. This week let us discuss an organization that is making a positive, and eternal, impact in the arena of athletics: the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

92. International Paper Takes on Forest Protection - Saturday, April 13, 2013

International Paper Co. and a forest conservation group announced a plan Wednesday to protect endangered forests in key paper-producing areas of the South.

93. Events - Saturday, April 13, 2013

New Ballet Ensemble will present Springloaded Friday, April 12, through Sunday, April 14, at Playhouse on the Square, 66 S. Cooper St. The annual event fuses ballet, contemporary and urban dance with works by local and guest choreographers. Visit nbespringloaded13.eventbrite.com for times and tickets.

94. Selling Homes Becomes ‘Forever Job’ for Dacus - Saturday, April 13, 2013

Ashley Dacus got started as a Realtor in the worst possible economic climate, but with residential sales beginning to show signs of life, her optimism has been renewed.

95. Events - Monday, April 15, 2013

Greater Memphis Chamber will host a Lunch in the Know titled “Website Design Strategy & Analytics to Measure Success” Tuesday, April 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Baptist Memorial Hospital campus, 6027 Walnut Grove Road. Lou Powell and Leigh Pegram of Vanick Digital will speak. Cost is free for member and prospective members; lunch is provided. R.S.V.P. to tlee@memphischamber.com.

96. Greenleaf on Servant Leadership - Monday, April 15, 2013

This weekend I took the time to reread Robert K. Greenleaf’s essay titled “The Servant as a Leader.” I thought some of the ideas in the essay were worth sharing with you.

After spending 40 years researching management development, Greenleaf came to the conclusion that the command and control authoritarian leadership style so prevalent in American institutions and organizations was an ineffective way to lead people. He then spent the next 26 years of his life helping people understand the basics of what he referred to as servant leadership. In a nutshell, great leaders are servants first. In fact, being a servant and being seen as a servant by those you lead are keys to greatness.

97. The Ultimate Gift: Family Raises Donor Awareness - Monday, April 15, 2013

On Rachel Escue’s 16th birthday, she went with friends to take her driver’s license test. She also signed up to become an organ donor.

98. I’m Lucky to Know Bea - Friday, April 12, 2013

REMARKABLE CONNECTIONS. After last week’s column, Bea dropped me a thoughtful email note as she often does about whatever I’m writing about. My story about Linda Courtney and her son Bill struck a common chord, and Bea wanted to share.

99. Elmwood’s McCollum Honored to be Part of City’s History - Friday, April 12, 2013

Kim McCollum is at home in the company of Confederate generals, musicians, politicians, murderers and civil rights leaders.

100. International Paper Takes on Forest Protection - Thursday, April 11, 2013

International Paper Co. and a forest conservation group announced a plan Wednesday to protect endangered forests in key paper-producing areas of the South.