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.

2. Kramer Given Crystal Award by Carwash Association - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Bruce Kramer, an attorney with Apperson Crump PLC, has been given the Crystal Award by the International Carwash Association for his 20 years of service as the association’s general counsel. The association, which was started in Memphis in 1955, is comprised of 15,000 professional car wash operators, retailers and suppliers in 25 nations.

3. Ford Files Trust Deed for Sycamore View Property - Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Sr. of Memphis has filed a $900,000 loan on the shopping center at 1670 Sycamore View Road in Northeast Memphis that he recently bought.

4. 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.

5. Brimhall Named Bartlett Entrepreneur of Year - Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Terry Brimhall, founder and president of Brimhall Foods Co. Inc., has been named entrepreneur of the year by the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce.

6. Department of Children’s Services Files Outline Abuse - Tuesday, May 14, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – Records released by the state Department of Children's Services showing 42 cases where children died or nearly died after the agency had some type of involvement with them shows that half of the kids were under 1 year old. Some of the records didn't even include the child's age.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Celebrating Rails - Thursday, May 09, 2013

More railroad passengers boarded and stepped off Amtrak trains at Memphis Central Station in 2012 as travelers turned to trains amid higher gas prices and improved rail reliability.

Passengers who embarked and alighted in Memphis gained 11.2 percent to 73,116 travelers in the 2012 fiscal year ended Oct. 31, compared with 65,769 passengers a year earlier.

10. Earles’ Company Helps Homeowners ‘From A to Z’ - Monday, May 06, 2013

Working as a Realtor for the first 19 years of her career, Paige Earles learned the value of home staging.

“Research shows a property spends about 78 percent less time on the market if it is staged versus not staged,” said Earles, owner of Pearle Staging & Design, which recently expanded into Memphis. “The benefits of staging are pretty tremendous.”

11. 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.

12. Tribute Symposium Honors Six Local Women - Wednesday, May 01, 2013

The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis paid tribute to six local women at a sold-out luncheon of more than 1,600 attendees on Friday, April 26.

The Legends Awards honor women whose work embodies the mission of the foundation – to support women and children throughout Shelby County.

13. Cates Named Commercial Broker of Year - Monday, April 29, 2013

The Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council honored its most productive members of 2012 at the 12th annual Pinnacle Awards gala, held Thursday, April 25, at the Memphis Country Club.

14. Magna Intent on Raising Profile, Enhancing Services - Saturday, April 27, 2013

This year is turning out to be a big one for Magna Bank as it rolls out new products and services, adds key personnel and boosts its profile across the Mid-South.

15. 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.

16. Tennessee Lags in Hospital Care Spending - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Hospital care spending in Tennessee averaged $2,160 per person in 2009, a figure that is among the 10 lowest in the nation on a state-by-state comparison.

Tennessee ranked No. 10 in the country for the states with the lowest hospital care spending, including services for outpatient care, operating room fees and the services of physician residents, data from the Kaiser Family Foundation showed. Nationally, hospital spending averaged $2,475 per person in 2009. That’s about 14.6 higher than the average per person hospital spending in Tennessee.

17. Family Safety Center Adds New Partner Organizations - Saturday, April 20, 2013

The Family Safety Center, an organization that provides services to victims of family violence, said it recently added Adoption Counseling Services Inc., Friends for Life Corp., and Memphis Shelby Crime Commission to its list of partner organizations.

18. Family Safety Center Adds New Partner Organizations - Thursday, April 18, 2013

The Family Safety Center, an organization that provides services to victims of family violence, said it recently added Adoption Counseling Services Inc., Friends for Life Corp., and Memphis Shelby Crime Commission to its list of partner organizations.

19. Harold Ford Sr. Buys Sycamore View Property - Tuesday, April 16, 2013

1670 Sycamore View Road Memphis, TN 38134

Sale Amount: $1.8 million

Sale Date: April 8, 2013

20. Marx-Bensdorf Prides Itself on Strong Independent Spirit - Saturday, April 13, 2013

A small, boutique real estate agency sees longevity as its strength rather than its worth to larger companies looking for acquisition targets.

And Marx-Bensdorf Realtors remained strong through the recession by staying out from under other people’s umbrellas.

21. Harold Ford Sr. Buys Sycamore View Property - Friday, April 12, 2013

Former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Sr. of Memphis has paid $1.8 million for a shopping center at 1670 Sycamore View Road in Northeast Memphis.

22. Obama Budget: Cover Uninsured, Trim Medicare, Tax Cigarettes - Thursday, April 11, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama's new budget offers Medicare cuts to entice Republicans into tax negotiations, while plowing ahead to cover the uninsured next year under the health care law the GOP has bitterly fought to repeal.

23. Broadcasters Worry About 'Zero TV' Homes - Tuesday, April 09, 2013

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Some people have had it with TV. They've had enough of the 100-plus channel universe. They don't like timing their lives around network show schedules. They're tired of $100-plus monthly bills.

24. Walgreen Clinics Expand Care Into Chronic Illness - Friday, April 05, 2013

Walgreen Co. has stretched the reach of its drugstore clinics beyond treating ankle sprains and sinus infections to handling chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure.

25. Facebook Unveils 'Home' for Android Phones - Friday, April 05, 2013

MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) – With its new "Home" on Android gadgets, Facebook aims to put its social network at the center of people's mobile experiences.

If users choose to download Facebook's Home software starting on April 12, the social network will become the hub of their Android smartphones. A phone from HTC that comes pre-loaded with Home will also be available starting that day, with AT&T Inc. as the carrier.

26. Pro Bono Hotline Makes Access Inroads - Friday, April 05, 2013

In the first three months of 2013, nearly 800 Tennesseans have called a toll free hotline for pro bono legal assistance, which is only about 100 fewer inquiries than the state’s online pro bono website averaged over the same period.

27. Sammons Outlines Airport Strategic Plan - Thursday, April 04, 2013

The chairman of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority board got a view of just how devastating passenger air service cuts by Delta Air Lines have been to the airport this past Easter as his Delta flight landed in Memphis.

28. Cestaro: Lab Will be First of its Kind - Wednesday, April 03, 2013

TriMetis president Phil Cestaro took a year off after he resigned from Nashville-based SCRI Global Services at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in 2011, where he was president.

“I didn’t know how much time I was going to take off, I just knew I was going to enjoy life and my family,” he said. “It was the best decision I ever made.”

29. Health Care Decisions - Saturday, March 30, 2013

In the past four years, the health care premiums Courtney Liebenrood Ellett has paid for her 12 employees have risen about 70 percent.

Liebenrood Ellett, the founder and principal at Obsidian Public Relations in Memphis, has paid 100 percent of her employees’ premiums since 2009.

30. Scooter Ads Face Scrutiny From Government, Doctors - Friday, March 29, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – TV ads show smiling seniors enjoying an "active" lifestyle on a motorized scooter, taking in the sights at the Grand Canyon, fishing on a pier and high-fiving their grandchildren at a baseball game.

31. Phipps Named Vice President, COO at American Esoteric Laboratories - Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Dr. Amber R. Phipps has joined American Esoteric Laboratories, the Mid-South division of Sonic Healthcare USA, as vice president and chief operations officer. In her new role, Phipps will oversee all operations for AEL, which includes nine laboratories and more than 800 employees in six states. A captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, Phipps most recently served as a medical operations officer stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

32. Study: Health Overhaul to Raise Claims Cost 32 Percent - Wednesday, March 27, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Medical claims costs – the biggest driver of health insurance premiums – will jump an average 32 percent for Americans' individual policies under President Barack Obama's overhaul, according to a study by the nation's leading group of financial risk analysts.

33. Bank of Bartlett Continues Turnaround - Monday, March 25, 2013

The Federal Reserve Board has terminated a so-called “prompt corrective action” order for Bank of Bartlett that was released last year and which at the time asserted the bank was undercapitalized.

Bank of Bartlett president Harold Byrd said at the time the family-run bank was already on the mend and that the Fed’s order was based on outdated information. Without explanation, the Fed announced within the past week its order regarding Bank of Bartlett, dated Jan. 30 has been terminated.

34. Bradley, Burch Porter Recognized for Pro Bono Work in Community - Thursday, March 21, 2013

Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC and probate attorney Beth Bradley have been honored for giving back to the community.

35. Burch Porter Law Firm Honored for Pro Bono Work - Saturday, March 16, 2013

The Memphis law firm of Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC has been recognized for its commitment to providing free legal services.

36. Boyle Celebrates 80 Years, Sponsors Art Exhibit - Monday, March 18, 2013

Boyle Investment Co. turns 80 this year, and has partnered with the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to celebrate.

37. Insurers Warn of Overhaul-Induced Sticker Shock - Thursday, March 14, 2013

Some Americans could see their insurance bills double next year as the health care overhaul law expands coverage to millions of people.

The nation's big health insurers say they expect premiums – or the cost for insurance coverage – to rise from 20 to 100 percent for millions of people due to changes that will occur when key provisions of the Affordable Care Act roll out in January 2014.

38. Purifoy’s Police Aspirations Evolve Into Legal Career - Thursday, March 14, 2013

Shayla Purifoy majored in urban studies – a mixture of history, political science and sociology – at Rhodes College. Her senior seminar was on community policing.

“It was so much fun, it was so exciting,” she said about her time spent shadowing police officers on the job. “They were helping people and they really were impacting that area, which was the Madison Heights area.”

39. Masson Named Senior Director at Caissa - Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Rick Masson has joined Caissa Public Strategy as senior director. Masson, former chief administrative office for the city of Memphis, was also recently named special master to oversee the city-county schools merger. (For details, see the Monday, March 11, edition of The Daily News.) In his new role at Caissa, Masson will provide consultation and leadership on business development and project management.

40. Daily News Seminar Highlights Affordable Care Act - Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Beginning in October, millions of Americans will be able to shop for health insurance through newly created health care exchanges dubbed the Health Insurance Marketplace.

This is also a critical period for businesses of all sizes as they navigate the 2010 Affordable Care Act and their responsibilities under the new law. The law requires employers with more than 50 employees to pay a fee if they don’t provide affordable coverage to their employees, while smaller firms are exempt from the employer responsibility requirements.

41. Burch Porter Law Firm Honored for Pro Bono Work - Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The Memphis law firm of Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC has been recognized for its commitment to providing free legal services.

42. Real Estate Law, Community Work Keep Purdom Busy - Thursday, March 07, 2013

Clay Purdom, director and shareholder with Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston PC, says he comes from a “numbers family.”

His father and sister are both physicists, and his grandfather was one of the first certified public accountants when the formal licensing process first began.

43. Fink Joins Diamond Cos. as Senior Vice President - Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Justin Fink has joined Diamond Cos., an International truck dealership holding company, as senior vice president, truck sales. In the new role, Fink oversees new and used truck sales, and helps develop programs and processes to grow customer relationships, sales and profits.

44. Dorothy Day House Provides Families Hope - Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Last week we discussed BRIDGES, which is an organization working to unite and inspire diverse young people to become confident and courageous leaders committed to community transformation. This week, let us highlight an organization focused on keeping homeless families together by providing free, temporary housing and the means to re-establish their independence: the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality (DDHH).

45. Marston Group Grows Globally, Locally - Saturday, March 02, 2013

A growing accounting and finance firm is going global and local at the same time.

While The Marston Group’s clients branch outward, its members share a wealth of business experience with future business leaders here at home.

46. Waddell’s Ideals Centered on Consistency, Honesty - Saturday, March 02, 2013

At a recent appearance in Nashville before an audience of 100 clients, friends and employees at the Country Music Hall of Fame, David Waddell of Waddell & Associates Inc. gave his company’s annual state of the union address.

47. Keller Named President of Nonprofit Meritan - Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Melanie A. Keller has been named president of Meritan Inc. Keller, who joined the nonprofit social services agency in 2006, previously served as its executive vice president. In her new role, she is responsible for oversight of more than 500 employees and contractors as well as the agency’s $21 million annual budget. Keller also manages its quality improvement and strategic planning efforts.

48. Kroc Center Opens to Big Crowds - Wednesday, February 27, 2013

To cap off Healthy Heart Month, the new 100,000-square-foot Kroc Center held its open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony last weekend.

The state-of-the-art Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center has welcomed more than 10,000 visitors in its first few days.

49. ServiceMaster Posts Operating Loss in 2012 - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The ServiceMaster Co. reported an unaudited operating loss of $532.8 million in 2012 on operating revenue of $3.1 billion.

50. La Paloma Treatment Center Opens New Building - Saturday, February 23, 2013

La Paloma Treatment Center, a Memphis treatment resource for substance abuse or co-occurring mental health disorders, has opened a new building for outpatient services at 1083 West Rex Road in East Memphis.

51. La Paloma Treatment Center Opens New Building - Thursday, February 21, 2013

La Paloma Treatment Center, a Memphis treatment resource for substance abuse or co-occurring mental health disorders, has opened a new building for outpatient services at 1083 West Rex Road.

52. Do You Need Life Insurance? - Thursday, February 21, 2013

Ray’s Take For most people, life insurance decisions depend on two things: 1) whether anyone depends on your income to support their standard of living, and 2) whether you have enough other assets that could provide what is needed.

53. Spence Named Vice President at Riverfront Development - Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Dorchelle T. Spence has been promoted to vice president at Riverfront Development Corp. Spence, who formerly served as director of communications, will assume broader organizational responsibilities to focus on providing strategic direction in addition to marketing, public relations, advertising, community relations, programming and government relations.

54. Green Line Marketing Doubles Office - Friday, February 15, 2013

Green Line Marketing Group has outgrown its East Memphis office space due to its expanded staff and client roster.

The boutique agency has signed a 2,000-square-foot lease in Racquet Club Plaza, where it will relocate from its three 350-square-foot executive suites in Clark Tower by the end of the month.

55. Phillips Joins Spirco as Manager, Vice President - Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Mike Phillips has joined Spirco Manufacturing as general manager and vice president of operations. In his new role, Phillips will oversee all divisions of the metal-building manufacturer and direct its organizational needs.

56. Lovette Heads Career Services at Remington College - Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Demetrius “Dee” Lovette has been named director of career services at Remington College’s Memphis campus. In the role, Lovette provides job placement services to students and graduates, and works with local employers to assess their workforce needs and provide qualified applicants.

57. Tennessee Child Agency Head Quits as Deaths Questioned - Wednesday, February 06, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services resigned Tuesday amid scrutiny of how her agency was handling cases of children who died after investigations of abuse and neglect.

58. Grant to Expand Juvenile Screening, Support - Tuesday, February 05, 2013

The state has received a $221,000 federal grant that will be used to expand a juvenile court project that screens youth for mental health, substance abuse and family services.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services said in a news release that the funding will expand the screening process for youth referred to juvenile courts, provide support services to families and increase the use of evidence-based therapeutic practices for the juvenile justice population.

59. Bailey Finds Ideal Job With Community Legal Center - Thursday, January 31, 2013

At the beginning of January, Johnna Bailey began work as immigration attorney for the Community Legal Center, a resource for the working poor.

“It’s defined as those who are just above the poverty line, meaning that legal aid would not serve them, but it’s still too expensive for them to hire a private attorney,” Bailey said.

60. 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.

61. Medtronic Foundation Gives Grants to 11 Nonprofits - Saturday, January 26, 2013

The Medtronic Foundation has awarded $260,000 in grants to 11 nonprofit groups serving people in Memphis and the Mid-South.

A group of Memphis Medtronic Spinal employees review and award the funds. The 11 recipients are Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, Emergency Services Program; Memphis Food Bank, Hunger’s Hope Food Distribution; The Pink Palace Museum; Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, Sound Beginnings Family Training Program; Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, Summer Camp Program; Junior Achievement of Memphis & the Mid-South, BizTown; Porter-Leath Children’s Center, Pre-School/Headstart Program; Craigmont High School, FIRST! Robotics High School Team; Hamilton High School, FIRST! Robotics High School Team; St. Mary’s Episcopal School, FIRST! Robotics High School Team; and Horn Lake High School, FIRST! Robotics High School Team.

62. Medtronic Foundation Awards Grants to 11 Nonprofits - Friday, January 25, 2013

The Medtronic Foundation has awarded $260,000 in grants to 11 nonprofit groups serving people in Memphis and the Mid-South.

A group of Memphis Medtronic Spinal employees review and award the funds. The 11 recipients are Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, Emergency Services Program; Memphis Food Bank, Hunger’s Hope Food Distribution; The Pink Palace Museum; Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, Sound Beginnings Family Training Program; Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, Summer Camp Program; Junior Achievement of Memphis & the Mid-South, BizTown; Porter-Leath Children’s Center, Pre-School/Headstart Program; Craigmont High School, FIRST! Robotics High School Team; Hamilton High School, FIRST! Robotics High School Team; St. Mary’s Episcopal School, FIRST! Robotics High School Team; and Horn Lake High School, FIRST! Robotics High School Team.

63. Guscette Named Sales Representative at P.O.P. Solutions - Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Ally Guscette has been promoted to sales representative at Germantown-based brand-marketing firm P.O.P. Solutions Group LLC. In her new role, Guscette will help businesses develop brand awareness through promotional products, press kits, print materials and point-of-purchase displays. She joined the company in 2011 as part of a sales team and begins Germantown Leadership training this month.

64. Atlantic Track Grows Local Operations - Friday, January 11, 2013

Bloomfield, N.J.-based Atlantic Track & Turnout Co. is expanding its Memphis operations with a 12,900-square-foot pre-engineered metal building addition with a bridge crane at 363 E. Bodley Ave.

65. Diversified Trust Hires Associate Counsel - Thursday, January 10, 2013

In the financial services world, the compliance work overseen by legal counsel has grown in prominence and importance.

Banks and investment firms have been dealt a slew of new regulations – so much so that some small banks in Memphis and beyond say they’re now at the limit of the compliance costs they’re able to pay for. For other firms, expanding the company infrastructure to include new compliance and legal capabilities is a natural byproduct of business growth and staff additions.

66. Media, State Lawyers Argue Over Children’s Services Disclosures - Wednesday, January 09, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Tennessean newspaper and a group of Tennessee news organizations have asked a judge to open records from the Department of Children's Services, arguing that the public needs information that would reveal how the state handled cases where children they had investigated died or nearly died.

67. McLain Joins Counterpart in Copywriting Role - Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Rebekah McLain has joined Counterpart Communication Design as copywriter. In her new role, McLain will write copy for print and websites, with areas of expertise including higher education, security and disability law, neuropsychology and hospitality.

68. Tennessee Fights Transparency for Child Welfare Agency - Tuesday, January 08, 2013

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Tennessee Department of Children's Service has been reporting to a federal court for more than a decade on how it is handling foster care, yet it faces no such scrutiny of its handling of children suffering from abuse or neglect.

69. Countdown to Reform - Saturday, January 05, 2013

The Obama administration recently took the next step in implementing the new health care reform by laying out more specific guidelines regarding the health insurance market reforms. The Department of Health and Human Services published the new regulations on Nov. 20.

70. McLaughlin Joins Inferno as Senior Copywriter - Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Trish McLaughlin has joined inferno as senior copywriter. In her new role, McLaughlin supervises the copywriting department, pairing up writers with art directors and project teams, and reviewing copy for message, voice and strategic focus. In addition, she coaches young writers in strategic thinking, concepting, editing and presenting.

71. Get More Out of Your Corporate Retreat - Thursday, December 27, 2012

Have you ever asked yourself why you are taking a corporate retreat? Is it because the company has always had one and it is just an event on autopilot? Is it intended to reinforce the company line? What do you as a leader really get out of it? What does everyone else get out of it? If it is designed to be a “morale builder” and a session to “build consensus” you may be wasting your time and money. There is nothing worse for morale than having a lockdown then hotboxing people who work over 50 hour weeks. These people likely feel that they are getting behind on their work treadmill and worse, they resent the time away from home and family.

72. Payne Joins Fulton CPAs as Senior Accountant - Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Tarasha Payne has joined Fulton CPAs PLLC as a senior accountant in the areas of taxation, compilation and reviews, and client services. Payne has more than 15 years’ experience in the field and is working toward CPA certification. The announcement comes on the heels of big changes at the accounting firm, including new ownership and a name change from Polsgrove & Fulton. (See The Daily News’ Monday, Dec. 17, edition for more information.)

73. Brentwood Funeral Services Buys Clarksdale Cemetery - Saturday, December 22, 2012

Brentwood Funeral Services LLC has acquired Memorial Gardens Cemetery of Clarksdale, Miss., the second acquisition by Brentwood this year in North Mississippi.

74. Groups: $12 Million Mystery Donation was Crime - Friday, December 21, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Two election watchdog organizations on Thursday urged the Justice Department and Federal Election Commission to investigate more than $12 million in campaign contributions that were mysteriously funneled through two little-known companies in Tennessee to a prominent tea party group. The origin of the money, the largest anonymous political donations in a campaign year filled with them, remains a secret.

75. Thank You, Memphis and West Tennessee! - Friday, December 21, 2012

As the year comes to a close we want you to know how much we appreciate you, our readers. We appreciate your work to make this world a better place. Your efforts in neighborhoods, universities, hospitals, schools and in communities across the world are making a difference.

76. Consider a Revocable Living Trust - Thursday, December 20, 2012

Ray’s Take The main advantage touted for having a Revocable Living Trust (RLT) is to avoid probate, but its strengths go far beyond that.

An RLT is a legal document created by an individual to hold all or part of his or her assets. Typically the owner of these assets is also the Trustee, retaining complete control over how these assets are handled and along with the having ability to make changes to the Trust as needed. Trust directives can even extend beyond the grave.

77. Brentwood Funeral Services Buys Clarksdale Cemetery - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Brentwood Funeral Services LLC has acquired Memorial Gardens Cemetery of Clarksdale, Miss., the second acquisition by Brentwood this year in North Mississippi.

78. Towns Named to Southern College of Optometry Board - Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Leticia “Tish” Towns, senior vice president of external relations for the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, has been named to the Southern College of Optometry board of trustees. Among her duties at The MED, Towns oversees the development of the hospital’s strategic plan and manages marketing and communications, community engagement, the Traumatic Brain Injury program, government relations and pastoral care.

79. Makowsky Ringel Greenberg Beefs Up Commercial Team - Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Makowsky Ringel Greenberg LLC is sharpening the focus of its commercial real estate division to stabilize its existing portfolio as well as build its third-party brokerage in the Memphis market.

80. David Alexander Named President of TruGreen - Saturday, December 15, 2012

David Alexander, the former CEO of Citi Trends, is the new president of TruGreen lawn care company, leaders of The ServiceMaster Co. announced Tuesday, Dec. 11.

81. Alexander Named TruGreen President - Thursday, December 13, 2012

David Alexander, the former CEO of Citi Trends, is the new president of TruGreen lawn care company, leaders of The ServiceMaster Co. announced Tuesday, Dec. 11.

82. Alexander Named TruGreen President - Wednesday, December 12, 2012

David Alexander, the former CEO of Citi Trends, is the new president of TruGreen lawn care company, leaders of The ServiceMaster Co. announced Tuesday, Dec. 11.

83. Writer Andria Brown Joins Doug Carpenter - Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Andria Brown has joined doug carpenter & associates llc as copywriter, responsible for creating concepts and copy for online, print, broadcast, direct mail and other forms of communication for client communication. Brown has more than 15 years’ experience as a professional writer and editor.

84. MED Rehabs Downtown Campus - Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Regional Medical Center at Memphis is in the midst of extensive rehabbing of its Downtown campus at 877 Jefferson Ave., providing a much-needed face-lift for many of its dilapidated buildings.

85. Serving Warriors - Wednesday, December 12, 2012

In November 2006, then-U.S. Army Spc. Susan Downes was serving as a military police officer in Afghanistan’s Logar Province when her Humvee drove over an improvised explosive device.

“The truck jerked and that’s really all I remember,” said the Tazewell, Tenn., veteran. “The next thing I knew, doctors in Germany were waking me up from a medically induced coma to tell me I had lost both my legs.”

86. Shadowy Tennessee Donor Behind Record Campaign Contributions - Monday, December 10, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – A lawyer in Tennessee who is mysteriously linked to millions of dollars in campaign contributions steered to congressional candidates doubled his investments in the weeks before Election Day and quietly funneled $6.8 million more to a prominent Tea Party group, according to new financial statements filed with the government.

87. Wells Fargo Funds Start Homebuyer Program - Monday, December 10, 2012

A major effort to help people buy and keep homes in Memphis and Shelby County has launched, thanks to funding received by Memphis and Shelby County from Wells Fargo.

The Memphis-Shelby County Helping Homebuyers program is providing down payment assistance of up to $15,000 to qualifying borrowers who buy and live in a home in the city or county. The funds also can be used for renovation.

88. Lekhy Brings Fresh Perspective to Convention Center Role - Friday, December 07, 2012

When Nikki Lekhy talks about Memphis, she speaks with the pride and knowledge usually heard in the voices of older residents who have been around for years and witnessed decades of changes.

But the newly promoted sales manager for the Memphis Cook Convention Center is only 25, just kicking off her career and looking at the city through fresh young eyes – a perspective many community leaders believe is crucial to the city’s future growth.

89. Gammon Joins Methodist in Business Development - Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Myra Gammon has joined Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare as a business development account manager for Community Care Associates. In her new role, Gammon is responsible for the development and management of the Occupational Health and Wellness Services program.

90. Family Dollar Teams Up With Mid-South Food Bank - Friday, November 30, 2012

Family Dollar is teaming up with the Mid-South Food Bank for a four-week holiday fundraising initiative that will be held at Memphis-area Family Dollar stores through Dec. 19.

91. Brentwood Funeral Services Buys Kimbro Funeral Home - Thursday, November 29, 2012

Brentwood Funeral Services, a Memphis-based holding company with funeral homes and cemeteries in Mississippi and Tennessee, has bought Kimbro Funeral Home of Marks, Miss.

The acquisition announced Tuesday, Nov. 27, makes Brentwood the fourth-largest funeral provider in the Mid-South.

92. Endocrinologist Detti Joins UT Medical Group - Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Laura Detti has joined the Germantown office of UT Medical Group Inc., where she specializes in male and female infertility. Detti provides genetic diagnosis and counseling; management of conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, recurrent miscarriages and premature menopause; and pre- and post-cancer care for fertility issues.

93. Local Organizations Help Homeless Community - Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Baptist Operation Outreach and Soles4Souls offered assistance to those less fortunate, providing health care services, food and clothing to the homeless, at annual events held during the Thanksgiving holiday.

94. Christmas Spirit - Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Through Friday, Nov. 30, Memphians will be dropping off toys and cash donations at Bud Davis Cadillac in East Memphis for a special purpose.

It’s part of the 2012 WRVR Toy Truck, presented by BancorpSouth Inc., and it’s one of the largest events and fundraisers each year benefiting Porter-Leath, an organization that focuses on at-risk children and families.

95. More Ideas for Holiday Givebacks - Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Last week we spotlighted The Exchange Club Family Center, which is an organization focused on helping families and breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect. Before we announce the topic for this week’s column, let us thank the hundreds of volunteers that came out on Saturday, Nov. 17, for the McKellar Lake Cleanup. More than 5,000 pounds of trash was removed from the area with 2,750 pounds being recycled. Now it is time to explore a few ways we can give back using holiday cards, honorariums and unwrapped toys.

96. Scharff Elected to Legal Roles at Buckman, Bulab Holdings - Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Jonathan Scharff has been elected vice president, legal and general counsel for Buckman and corporate secretary for Bulab Holdings Inc., Buckman’s parent company. Scharff has more than 22 years’ experience in the legal industry, including positions at Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale PC in St. Louis and Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh PLLC in Memphis. In his new position, he will oversee legal needs in U.S. and global operating companies and work with associates in preventing and managing legal risks.

97. Jones Center Fulfills Dream at First Assembly Christian School - Wednesday, November 21, 2012

If the walls could talk in the log cabin on the campus of First Assembly Christian School in Cordova, they might tell stories of home life in 1836 or of the visiting missionaries who used to stay there.

98. Exchanging Violence for Hope - Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Last week we shared four volunteer opportunities with the McKellar Lake Cleanup, Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park, Memphis Athletic Ministries and their after-school program, and the Memphis Crisis Center. This week let us discuss an organization that is focused on breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect by replacing abusive and violent behavior with effective parenting skills: The Exchange Club Family Center.

99. Funeral Services Set for Lansky - Friday, November 16, 2012

Funeral services for Downtown clothing store owner Bernard J. Lansky will be Friday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. at Baron Hirsch Synagogue, 400 S. Yates Road.

100. Commercial Advisors Hires Ewen as Controller - Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Erika Ewen has joined Cushman & Wakefield/Commercial Advisors Asset Services LLC as controller. Ewen will direct the accounting department in all accounting functions and financial reporting of Commercial Advisors Asset Services as well as all property management clients.