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.

2. 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.”

3. CBU Names Sumner-Winter Director of Stewardship - Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Wendy Sumner-Winter has been appointed director of stewardship and donor engagement at Christian Brothers University. In the newly created position, Sumner-Winter will oversee planning, strategy development and implementation of initiatives to increase communication and connections with the CBU community, including donors, alumni and friends.

4. Pinnacle Departure Brings Real Estate Challenge - Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Pinnacle Airlines Corp.’s relocation of its Memphis headquarters to Minneapolis by May should have long-term leasing effects on the Downtown office market.

5. Events - Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Cargo Business News and Memphis World Trade Club will host the third Southeast Freight Conference Wednesday, Nov. 7, and Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd. The 61st annual New Orleans Port Night will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at The Peabody, 149 Union Ave. For registration and a schedule, visit memphisworldtradeclub.com.

6. Events - Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Memphis Botanic Garden will host a food truck garden party featuring Memphis Food Truckers Alliance members Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the garden, 750 Cherry Road. Cost is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Visit memphisbotanicgarden.com.

7. Business Focus - Monday, August 13, 2012

Memphis’ small-business community got a shot in the arm earlier this month.

Tennessee’s three-day sales tax holiday ran from Aug. 3 through Aug. 5, and it drew shoppers to retailers that carry certain clothing items, school supplies and computers.

8. Hard Work, Sincerity Keep Albertine Thriving - Monday, August 06, 2012

When Gary Albertine Sr. got into the real estate business in 1948, an average 1,500-square-foot house sold for about $15,000.

Contracts were one-page long, men dominated the industry and the eastern boundary of Memphis city limits was Goodlett Street. It was a simpler time, when business was based on trust and word of mouth.

9. AIRfair? - Monday, June 11, 2012

Two frequent-flyer businessmen booked side-by-side seats on Delta Air Lines flights from Minneapolis to St. Louis last month, with one of them getting charged a higher price than the other each time they tried booking it.

10. ‘Soul-ed’ Out - Tuesday, April 03, 2012

On Saturday, March 31, as more than 800 guests entered The Peabody hotel’s Grand Ballroom for The MED fundraiser “A Soul Celebration,” the lyrics of “Imagine” hummed through the air. Attendees were soon treated to a video outlining the vision for “Tomorrow’s MED” and setting the theme for the evening.

11. Sullivan Inks Lease For Toyota Ctr. - Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Sullivan Branding has finalized its lease in the Toyota Center, where it will move about two-thirds of its workforce by the end of the week.

About 40 of Sullivan Branding’s 65 Memphis employees will relocate from 400 Union Ave. to occupy approximately half of the sixth floor of the 175,000-square-foot, eight-story Downtown office building at 175 Toyota Center, near the intersection of Third and Union.

12. Sullivan Branding Inks Toyota Center Deal - Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Sullivan Branding has finalized its lease in the Toyota Center, where it will move about two-thirds of its workforce by the end of the week.

About 40 of Sullivan Branding’s 65 Memphis employees will relocate from 400 Union Ave. to occupy approximately half of the sixth floor of the 175,000-square-foot, eight-story Downtown office building at 175 Toyota Center, near the intersection of Third and Union.

13. Four-Star Forecast - Friday, December 16, 2011

Recovery continues in the local hotel market, fueled in part by several Downtown luxury hotels that have experienced healthy business in 2011 and anticipate an even stronger performance next year.

Overall occupancy rate year-to-date for all hotels in the Mid-South is 59.4 percent, up from 57.6 percent last year at this time, according to third-quarter statistics from Smith Travel Research. The market’s average daily rate (ADR) has held steady since last year, hovering near $76, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) has jumped to $45.14, up from $43.81.

14. Travel Industry Counts on Football, Special Events - Tuesday, December 06, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tourism officials in Tennessee are counting on football games and special events to keep the travel business steady during the usually slow month of December.

December is not a key month for Tennessee tourism, a $14 billion-a-year industry. Bad weather restricts some travel, and holiday shopping and parties occupy consumers' time. Youngsters are still in school, which cuts into family travel lasting more than a weekend. And household budgets can get strained at Christmas.

15. Welcome Addition - Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The four-story office building at Court Avenue and Second Street in Downtown Memphis was built in 1903 as the home of The Commercial Appeal and later became the longtime headquarters of the Welcome Wagon Corp.

16. cs2 Finalizes Acquisition Of Thompson - Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Two Memphis advertising agencies are combining forces to become one of the largest full-service firms in the Mid-South.

Cs2 advertising has acquired Thompson & Co. and its subsidiaries – Thompson Advertising, Thompson | Berry Public Relations, BottleRocket | Sponsorship Consulting and Due North Group | Barter Marketing in Memphis, and White | Thompson in Nashville in partnership with Evette White.

17. Events - Friday, July 15, 2011

The Rotary Club of Memphis Central will meet Friday, July 15, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. Frank Gianotti, vice president of Tetra Tech, will speak about the planning and construction of the Memphis Greenline. Cost is $20 for nonmembers. For reservations, call Karen Shea at 683-9099.

18. Travel Officials Optimistic About Summer Season - Monday, May 30, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge has a new ride that park namesake Dolly Parton is "plain scared" to ride.

In Nashville, famed for records and rhinestones, the raucous downtown honkytonks are prepared to serve cold beer and hot songs.

19. Events - Thursday, May 12, 2011

Lipscomb Pitts Breakfast Club will hold a technology lunch and learn with State Systems Inc. Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Old Venice Pizza Co., 368 Perkins Road Extended. The topic is “Impact of Emerging Technology on Cabling Systems.” For reservations, contact Debbie Jones at 531-6564 or djones@statesystemsinc.com.

20. CBRE’s Ridgway Honored as Top Newcomer - Tuesday, April 19, 2011

It’s safe to say that real estate runs in Grant Ridgway’s blood. In the 1890s, his great grandfather moved to Jackson, Miss., bought a farm, sectioned it off in parcels and sold them one by one. Naturally, his grandfather got into the business, developing much of the West Jackson area.

21. MLGW Unveils Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - Thursday, April 07, 2011

Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division officials Wednesday unveiled a set of 69 proposed sites for stations to charge electric vehicles.

The sites across Shelby County include seven Memphis public libraries as well as the Millington public library and seven MLGW facilities that would add the electric charging stations.

22. 'On Fire' - Monday, February 28, 2011

The day after her Feb. 16 concert in Memphis at Minglewood Hall, the frontwoman for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals let her Twitter followers know how much she enjoyed herself.

23. Condy Gives the Inside Dish on a Wine Manager’s Methods - Monday, January 24, 2011

John Condy’s interest in food and wine was piqued years ago when he worked at Captain Bilbo’s, once a mainstay of Downtown dining and dancing but long gone. Readers who remember Bilbo’s will understand that it’s a far cry from that rowdy purveyor of seafood on Wagner Place to the elegance and creativity of Erling Jensen: The Restaurant in East Memphis, yet that’s where Condy, 45, presides as wine manager.

24. Pushing Up and Ahead - Monday, January 17, 2011

Fresh off a year capped by major office deals and new leadership atop the development agency that oversees it, it’s already clear the story of Downtown Memphis in 2011 will be dominated by forward momentum.

25. Moving Forward - Monday, December 27, 2010

As the commercial real estate market remained soft in 2010, a handful of major deals – including some to close the year – indicated light at the end of the tunnel.

The year ended with the top retail investment sale of the year when Loeb Properties Inc. bought Park Place Centre from Belz Enterprises Inc. for $10.3 million.

26. St. Blues Guitar Seeking CCDC Incentives - Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Legendary Gear LLC is planning to open a retail store at 645 Marshall Ave. in the Downtown neighborhood known as The Edge.

27. CCDC Votes to Change Downtown Incentives - Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Center City Development Corporation (CCDC) acted Wednesday to change its incentives for Downtown development.

28. CCDC Votes to Change Downtown Incentives - Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Center City Development Corporation (CCDC) acted Wednesday to change its incentives for Downtown development.

29. Several Incentive Approvals On Tap for CCDC - Wednesday, November 17, 2010

At Wednesday’s meeting, the Center City Development Corp. will consider approving a total of $71,200 in incentives for the development of Red Velvet, a cupcake and wine business coming to the South Main neighborhood.

30. CCDC to Consider Several Grants - Friday, November 12, 2010

Downtown leasing and development activity is continuing at a steady clip, judging from the agenda of next week’s Center City Development Corp. monthly meeting.

31. CCDC to Consider Several Grants - Thursday, November 11, 2010

Downtown leasing and development activity is continuing at a steady clip, judging from the agenda of next week's Center City Development Corp. monthly meeting.

32. Pinnacle a Boon for Downtown Office Market - Monday, November 01, 2010

Downtown occupancy rates have dropped in recent years as more business moved eastward, but many local real estate professionals hope other companies will mirror Pinnacle Airline Corp.’s recent decision to move Downtown.

33. One Commerce Investors Want to Raise Tax Freeze to 20 Years - Monday, October 11, 2010

The Memphis investors who are buying One Commerce Square and, with the help of an incentive package from governmental agencies worth several million dollars, bringing Pinnacle Airlines Corp. to the tower want to extend a tax freeze they’ve been awarded for the project.

34. Le Bonheur Community Center Awarded $75,000 Grant - Thursday, August 19, 2010

The Center City Development Corp. has awarded a $75,000 commercial office grant to Le Bonheur Community Health and Well-Being, a subsidiary of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare that is planning to sign a lease Downtown at 50 Peabody Place.

35. CCC Staff Recommend Grant for Le Bonheur Health Center - Friday, August 13, 2010

Center City Commission staff have recommended the CCC’s development corporation award a commercial office grant of $75,000 to Le Bonheur Community Health and Well-Being, a subsidiary of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare planning to sign a lease Downtown.

36. Corner Rebirth - Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Thompson & Co. is about five months away from moving into new digs at the corner of Main Street and Union Avenue.

37. Carlisle Corp. Files Building Permit For Downtown Corporate Headquarters - Tuesday, April 27, 2010

263 Wagner Place
Memphis, TN 38103
Permit Amount: $1.5 Million

Project Cost: $2.7 million
Permit Date: Applied April 2010
Completion: TBA
Owner: Carlisle Corp.
Tenant: Carlisle Corp.
Contractor: N/A
Architect: N/A

38. Thompson & Co. to Fill Vacant Smooth Moves Space - Thursday, April 22, 2010

A Center City Commission-affiliated board on Wednesday approved almost $270,000 in financial incentives to support developing new businesses, jobs and service providers Downtown.

That money will finance a wide range of activity, from South Main Street to the Downtown core. The new business activity includes the renovation of a long-vacant storefront at the intersection of Main Street and Union Avenue as well as the move of a new tenant into that space.

39. Thompson & Co. Plans to Fill Vacant Smooth Moves Space - Wednesday, April 21, 2010

A Center City Commission-affiliated board on Wednesday approved almost $270,000 in financial incentives to support developing new businesses, jobs and service providers Downtown.

That money will finance a wide range of activity, from South Main Street to the Downtown core. The new business activity includes the renovation of a long-vacant storefront at the intersection of Main Street and Union Avenue as well as the move of a new tenant into that space.

40. Annesdale Mansion Listed for $1.2 Million - Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Annesdale, commonly referred to as the Snowden Mansion, is on the market for $1.2 million.

Ed Beasley of Sowell & Co. Realtors has the listing, which includes the Italianate villa built in 1850 and seven acres of landscaped grounds. The mansion at 1325 Lamar Ave. is across the street from the University Club.

41. Lasting Legacy - Wednesday, March 31, 2010

His name is emblazoned on the modest sign identifying 52 S. Second St. as the home of the world-famous barbecue establishment he founded in 1948.

42. Sharpton’s Peabody Tab Grows With Amended Complaint - Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Rev. Al Sharpton’s nonprofit civil rights group has an unpaid tab that’s now six figures long. It stems from an event at The Peabody in 2008.

Almost $20,000 has been added to the original bill for a high-profile national convention Sharpton’s group brought to Memphis, according to court documents the hotel’s attorneys filed this month.

43. Dalai Lama Calls For "Inner Peace" In Accepting NCRM Award - Thursday, September 24, 2009

The Dalai Lama toured the National Civil Rights Museum Wednesday and stood and prayed on the balcony where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

44. Dalai Lama Calls For "Inner Peace" In Accepting NCRM Award - Wednesday, September 23, 2009
 

The Dalai Lama toured the National Civil Rights Museum Wednesday and stood and prayed on the balcony where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

But the Tibetan spiritual leader declined to compare himself to King or other advocates of non violence as he talked with reporters later in the museum.

“I investigate myself. My motivations should be honest, truthful,” he said. “If I were to put my name with others who are famous, it is wrong.”

The Dalai Lama was in Memphis to accept the NCRM’s International Freedom Award before a crowd of 500 at The Peabody.

He spoke with an interpreter who didn’t so much translate his words into English as provide the religious leader with the correct word in English for what he wanted to say.

His Memphis stop was part of an international tour with stops in the U.S. as well as a controversial visit to Taiwan at the end of August that angered the Chinese government.

The Buddhist holy figure fled Tibet at a young age 50 years ago following the Chinese’s government’s invasion of Tibet and an uprising crushed by the Chinese army. The Tibet government that was overthrown in the invasion exists as a government in exile in India and a growing community of 150,000 people with democratically elected officials. The Chinese government does not recognize the government in exile and portrayed the Dalai Lama’s visit to Taiwan as an attempt to promote independence of the island nation which the Communist government also considers to be part of China. The Lama said his visit was not political but a visit to pray for victims of a recent typhoon.

In Memphis, he said totalitarian regimes are out of step.

“Totaliarian regimes themselves are always changing. The free world has a moral responsibility to remind them that totalitarian is not a practical way – is outdated,” he said.

The spiritual leader has also criticized the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that began during the administration of President George W. Bush.

“It is no secret, I love President Bush. He is very straight forward. But some of his policies I had great reservations about,” the Dalai Lama said. “I told him friendly the U.S. motivation is good to spread democracy. But its methods are wrong.”

The Dalai Lama said nothing about the fist bump he got Wednesday in Tom Lee Park from Memphis Mayor Pro Tempore Myron Lowery. No one asked during a press conference although the greeting made national news. But he displayed a sense of humor about other things. At one point, he told the crowd at The Peabody that he recently had surgery to remove his gall bladder. “It scientifically proved that I had no healing powers,” he joked.

“We all have the same potential to create inner peace,” he said after accepting the award from philanthropist and award sponsor J.R. “Pitt” Hyde and civil rights veteran Rev. Benjamin Hooks. The award comes with an honorarium from the Hyde Foundation. But he donated the money back to the museum.

He called for “more effort for the promotion of human compassion.” And the Dalai Lama called for women to take a more active role citing the feminist movement.

“Women have more potential to alter the biological pattern,” he said.

45. Big Names, Big Plans For TBA Convention - Thursday, June 18, 2009

Attorneys and judges from throughout the state will convene this weekend at The Peabody hotel for the 2009 annual Tennessee Bar Association convention, where big-name speakers such as former Democratic U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. will speak – and where current TBA president, George “Buck” Lewis, will pass the gavel to the new TBA president for 2010-2011.

46. Peabody Sues Sharpton Group for $88K - Friday, June 12, 2009

The South’s Grand Hotel is trying to collect a grand sum of money it claims is owed by the Rev. Al Sharpton’s nonprofit civil rights group.

The Peabody hotel has filed a lawsuit in Shelby County Circuit Court against Sharpton’s National Action Network seeking payment of almost $70,300, plus more than $17,000 in attorney’s fees and other costs. The lawsuit, which puts the total close to $88,000, was filed Tuesday, according to The Daily News Online, www.memphisdailynews.com.

47. CCC Could Table Cars On Main Street Mall - Friday, May 22, 2009

Center City Commission members meeting today could put to rest, at least for now, one idea for revitalizing the Main Street Mall.

The CCC board is scheduled to vote today on a recommendation from a task force to take a pass on the idea of reopening the mall to automobile traffic.

48. Task Force Defers Return of Cars to Main Street - Friday, May 15, 2009

There may be cars once again on the stretch of Main Street between Exchange Avenue and Peabody Place. But now is not the time, according to a Center City Commission task force on the future of the Main Street Mall.

49. Fred Cook, Memphis Broadcasting Legend, Dies - Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Memphis broadcasting legend Fred Cook died Monday of heart failure. He was 83.

Cook was best known for a 50-year career in Memphis radio, mainly at WREC-AM. He was also the first newscaster at WREG TV when Channel 3 went on the air in the 1950s.

At the time, the radio and television stations were owned by the same company and had the same call letters. The television industry was so new that Cook’s TV duties were considered part time to his full-time radio job.

A 1962 fire at The Peabody hotel led to the creation of “The Zero Hour,” a WREC radio program that paired Cook with fellow announcer John Powell.

The two were teamed up to continue broadcasting from the radio studio in the basement of The Peabody during a fire at the hotel. As everyone else was evacuated from the Downtown landmark, the two filled time by talking back and forth and playing an occasional record. Reaction was so favorable it later became a regular feature named “The Zero Hour.”

Cook was also the public address announcer for University of Memphis Tigers basketball home games for two decades spanning the team’s time at the Mid-South Coliseum and its move to The Pyramid in the early 1990s. Cook’s voice is also the recorded announcement for the daily march of the ducks at The Peabody.

Cook continued doing voice work through 2007 until health problems persisted.

Originally from Waterbury, Conn., Cook settled in Memphis after his service in World War II.

He died at Baptist Memorial Hospital.

Read more about Cook’s broadcasting career in Wednesday’s edition of The Daily News.

50. Memphis Broadcaster Fred Cook Dies - Monday, December 08, 2008
Memphis broadcasting legend Fred Cook died this morning of heart failure. He was 83.

Cook was best known for a 50-year career in Memphis radio, mainly at WREC-AM. He was also the first newscaster at WREG TV when Channel 3 went on the air in the 1950s.

At the time, the radio and television stations were owned by the same company and had the same call letters. The television industry was so new that Cook’s TV duties were considered part time to his full-time radio job.

A 1962 fire at The Peabody hotel led to the creation of “The Zero Hour,” a WREC radio program that paired Cook with fellow announcer John Powell.

The two were teamed up to continue broadcasting from the radio studio in the basement of The Peabody during a fire at the hotel. As everyone else was evacuated from the Downtown landmark, the two filled time by talking back and forth and playing an occasional record. Reaction was so favorable the pair returned to the air later on the regular basis and the show was called “The Zero Hour.”

Cook was also the public address announcer for University of Memphis Tigers basketball home games for two decades spanning the team’s time at the Mid-South Coliseum and its move to The Pyramid in the early 1990s. Cook’s voice is also the recorded announcement for the daily march of the ducks at The Peabody.

Cook continued doing voice work through 2007 until health problems persisted.

Originally from Waterbury, Conn., Cook settled in Memphis after his service in World War II.

He died this morning at Baptist Memorial Hospital.

Read more about Cook’s broadcasting career in Wednesday’s edition of The Daily News.

51. Events - Friday, September 12, 2008

The Memphis Chapter of the Project Management Institute will hold its 8th Annual Professional Development Day today from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in The Peabody hotel Ballroom, 149 Union Ave. Speakers will include Dr. William Moylan, John Mangleri and Aaron Davis. Live jazz will be performed throughout the day. A jazz soiree and mixer will be held on The Peabody Rooftop immediately following the event. Cost is $225 for nonmembers, $205 for members and $120 for students. For more information, e-mail vp_special_events@pmimemphis.org.

52. Trolley Lambasted During Main Street Mall Meeting - Thursday, July 24, 2008

The idea of allowing car traffic on the Main Street Mall Downtown was panned at the first public hearing held by the Center City Commission this week.

But most in the crowd of 50 who attended were far more emotional as they trashed the operation of the Memphis Area Transit Authority’s Main Street Trolley that runs along the mall.

53. Events - Thursday, May 29, 2008

The Memphis Regional Chamber will host a breakfast forum today from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at The Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd. Jerry Collins, president and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division, will speak about “EmPowering the City.” The event is $20 for chamber members and $30 for nonmembers. R.S.V.P. to Ericka Milford at emilford@memphischamber.com.

54. Edwards, Others to Be Honored at Peabody Tonight - Friday, February 29, 2008

At age 25, just two years after she graduated from the University of Memphis with a bachelor's degree in journalism, Johanna Edwards signed a six-figure book deal with New York-based Berkley Books, a division of the Penguin Group.

55. Events - Wednesday, July 11, 2007

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Mid-South meeting will be held today at 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. Rick Zurburg will present "Tips and Tricks for Handling, Storing and Working with E-Mail." Cost is $20 for members and $35 for nonmembers. Call 508-0527 or e-mail HSMAIMemphis@comcast.net to RSVP.

56. Presidential Hopeful McCain to Speak In Memphis - Friday, April 13, 2007

When Republican presidential candidate John McCain addresses the Economic Club of Memphis next week, he'll bring to Memphis a campaign that already boasts several connections to the city.

For one thing, McCain - the Arizona senator who's one of a handful of contenders for the GOP's 2008 nomination - has enjoyed a long friendship with FedEx founder and CEO Frederick W. Smith. McCain's presidential exploratory committee was co-chaired by none other than Smith, a Vietnam veteran like McCain.

57. Old Butler Street Bazaar Building Bulldozed Even Though Nearby Brewery a No-Go - Again - Thursday, April 05, 2007

It used to be a distribution and bottling plant for its neighbor across the street, the Tennessee Brewery. Several years ago, the roughly 50,000-square-foot warehouse also served as the home of the Butler Street Bazaar, a quasi farmer's market that doled out food and various trinkets in the shadow of six-figure condominiums.

58. Memphis Recognizes Stax Legacy With Year Of Celebration - Monday, March 05, 2007

When asked recently about his visit to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in November, British newspaper reporter Adam Gretton recalled his visceral reaction upon getting an up-close look at the Memphis music landmark.

59. Top of the Heap - Thursday, February 15, 2007

When it opened with a bang in 1935, the parade of dignitaries, airplanes overhead and boats drifting along the Mississippi River no doubt made for quite a spectacle.

Today, something similar is occurring along Riverside Drive, which remains an upscale, well-maintained "front door" of the city some 70 years after its unveiling. Several real estate projects are bringing new townhomes, condominiums and streetscape improvements to the area.

60. Events - Tuesday, December 26, 2006

The Daddy Mack Blues Band performs Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Center for Southern Folklore Store, 123 S. Main St. The Memphis blues band will perform songs from its latest album, "Bluestones." For more information, call 525-3655.

61. Events - Wednesday, November 22, 2006

The Daily News will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving. The office reopens at 8:30 a.m. Monday and will remain open during normal business hours.

The Peabody Hotel holds its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Friday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Lobby at 149 Union Ave. The event will include the march of the Peabody ducks, followed immediately by the arrival of Santa Claus and the tree-lighting ceremony. Also, the Overton High School Chamber Singers, Whitehaven Orchestra and the Central Children's Choir will perform. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Call 529-4000 for more information.

62. Casting Director Scopes Local Talent Pool - Monday, October 30, 2006
     Los Angeles casting director Monica Cooper soon will be arriving in Memphis to audition local actors for roles in the new film "Let's Ride."
     Cooper, of Monica Cooper Casting, will be se

63. Events - Wednesday, September 20, 2006

The Center City Commission presents P-Smoov, Lex G., Tom Skeemask & The Memphis Movement as part of the second annual Court Square Concert Series today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Court Square in Downtown Memphis. The concert series will feature local bands every Wednesday through Oct. 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Other featured performers this year include the The Billy Gibson Band and The Memphis Allstars. The concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, call CCC special events manager Stephanie Ziemba at 575-0546.

64. Hot Water: Illinois Central slapped with more asbestos claims - Friday, September 15, 2006

Five months after almost 50 employees of the Illinois Central Railroad Co. in Memphis sued the railroad for alleged asbestos exposure, another 24 Illinois Central workers are making the same claim.

65. Wassmer Captures Account Exec Spot at Thompson & Berry - Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Katie Wassmer has been promoted to account executive at Thompson & Berry Public Relations, a division of Thompson & Co. Wassmer has been with Thompson & Berry for two years. She joined the company as an intern. Wassmer graduated from the University of Memphis in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in journalism/public relations.

66. First Merchants Acquires Crockett Banks for $7.4 Million - Monday, May 22, 2006
First Merchants & Farmers Bank has acquired Crockett County Bancshares Inc. and its subsidiary Bells Banking Co. in a $7.4 million cash deal.

First M&F Corp. first announced its intention to purchase the bank in October 2005. Crocket County

67. Crime Victims Center to Hold 'Strength in Unity' Event Tuesday - Monday, April 24, 2006

April 25

The Shelby County Crime Victims Center holds its 12th annual Crime Victims Week awards dinner at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd. Keynote speakers include Shelby County Mayor
A C Wharton Jr., U. S. Attorney David Kustoff, District Attorney General Bill Gibbons and Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell. The dinner's theme is "Victims' Rights: Strength in Unity." Tickets are $30 or $300 for a table of 10. Call 545-4357 for more information.

68. Legion of Former and Current Employees Sues Illinois Central for Alleged Asbestos Exposure - Thursday, April 13, 2006

Almost 50 employees of the Illinois Central Railroad Co. in Memphis are each seeking up to $750,000 from the railroad in a series of lawsuits claiming the workers were exposed to asbestos on the job.

69. Events - Monday, February 27, 2006

The Mid-South Small Business Chamber and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) present the Cellular South Small Business Workshop "Business Plan Writing and Review" today from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the boardroom at Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road. Contact Mark Ruleman at 680-8229 or visit www.smallbusinesschamber.com for reservations.

70. Vesta To Visit Arts District Soon - Tuesday, February 14, 2006
The Memphis Area Home Builders Association's Vesta Home Show will be coming to Downtown's South Main Arts District between April 15 and 30. The organization will hold a groundbreaking party from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m Feb. 27 at the future site of M&F Bank,

71. Events - Friday, October 28, 2005

The Mid-South chapter of the American Liver Foundation presents the "Liv'r of the Pack Howl-o-ween Walk for Research" at 9 a.m. Saturday at Overton Park. Cost is $15 per person; $20 for an individual with a dog; and $50 for a family of up to six. Visit www.midsouthliverfoundation.org.

72. Archived Article: Lead - Friday, May 06, 2005
Downtown Investment Comes in Different Shape

Nonprofit Group Invests in Downtown

Youth ministry plans $4.2 million center near FedExForum

LANCE ALLAN

The Daily News

Thanks to two anonymous donations totaling $2 million, an 18-year-old...

73. Archived Article: Events - Wednesday, March 16, 2005
The Kiwanis Club of Memphis meets at noon today in the Grand Salon A at The Peabody, 149 Union Ave

The Kiwanis Club of Memphis meets at noon today in Grand Salon A at The Peabody, 149 Union Ave. Marler Stone, director of communications with Youth...

74. Archived Article: Daily Digest - Friday, January 07, 2005
Belz-Wilson Properties

Belz-Wilson Properties

Sells Tract for $1.9 Million

6161 Shelby Oaks LLC has purchased 7.52 acres at 6161 Shelby Oaks Drive near Interstate 40 from Belz-Wilson Properties for $1.9 million, according to The Daily News ...

75. Archived Article: Lead - Tuesday, December 28, 2004
By Andy Meek

Transplant Institute Project Pushes Ahead

Group seeks to become Top 20 facility within five years

ANDY MEEK

The Daily News

Once its permanent space is finished in early 2005, the transplant center at Methodist University ...

76. Archived Article: Downtown (lead) - Monday, July 26, 2004
Downtown Growth

Downtown Readies for Business Growth

More amenities, businesses move in as population rises

LANCE ALLAN

The Daily News

Many factors have led to the rebirth of Downtown Memphis, from development of Peabody Place, AutoZo...

77. Archived Article: Daily Digest - Friday, June 25, 2004
Hickory Hill Apartments

Hickory Hill Apartments

Financed for $12.2 Million

Hickory Gardens Associates LLC has financed Waterstone Landing Apartments at 6101 Hickory Ridge Trail near Ridgeway and Winchester roads for $12.2 million, according...

78. Archived Article: Daily Digest - Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Peabody Place Centre

FedEx Subsidiary

Moves to Hybrid Trucks

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., has introduced its first hybrid electric-powered delivery vehicles in California. The vehicles decrease emissions and travel 50 percent...

79. Archived Article: Daily Digest - Friday, February 06, 2004
Thomas & Betts

YMCA to Build

Olive Branch Facility

YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South signed an agreement Wednesday to build a $5.8 million facility, including property costs, in Olive Branch, Miss. The facility, which will offer two ind...

80. Archived Article: Law Focus - Thursday, September 04, 2003
Law

Labor Law Conference Focuses on Growing Section

LANCE ALLAN

The Daily News

With cases involving issues such as employee discrimination gaining national attention, the field of labor and employment law has risen increasingly to the fo...

81. Archived Article: Tech Briefs - Wednesday, August 20, 2003
The Memphis Business Council holds a seminar on small business administration loans from 10 a

U.S. Small Business Administration disaster recovery workshops are being offered this week at Whitehaven Community Center, 4318 Graceland Drive, and Gai...

82. Archived Article: Standout - Friday, July 11, 2003
Original Downtown developer corners Wendys market

Original Downtown developer corners Wendys market

By LANCE ALLAN

The Daily News

It wasnt much, but considering where Downtown Memphis was at the time, it was something.

In the late 70s...

83. Archived Article: Law Focus - Thursday, June 12, 2003
TLAW removes obstacles, unites women lawyers

TLAW removes obstacles, unites women lawyers

By LANCE ALLAN

The Daily News

In a profession that at one time was dominated by men, many women have looked to associations and organizations for h...

84. Archived Article: Daily Digest - Monday, March 03, 2003
Thompson & Baker adds

Thompson & Baker adds

Berry to the letterhead

One of the Mid-Souths leading public relations firms has added Germantown resident Ralph J. Berry to its name becoming Thompson, Baker & Berry Public ...

85. Archived Article: Shelter (lead) - Friday, February 21, 2003
Shelter marks second successful year

Shelter marks second successful year

By BRYAN MASSEY

The Daily News

When supporters of the Memphis Family Shelter gather Sunday for its second anniversary, executive director Donna Fortson expects an ...

86. Archived Article: Comm Briefs - Friday, December 06, 2002
From loft apartments to riverfront estates, the Downtown Home Tour is a chance for design buffs to get an inside peek at extra

From loft apartments to riverfront estates, the Downtown Home Tour is a chance for design buffs to get an inside peek a...

87. Archived Article: Real Focus - Tuesday, June 18, 2002
By JENNIFER MURLEY Old library site now vacant but not for long By JENNIFER MURLEY The Daily News Friends and families have gathered at the old main library at the corner of Peabody and McLean for almost 50 years. Now, its gone. As structural demoli...

88. Archived Article: Real Focus - Tuesday, May 07, 2002
By JENNIFER MURLEY Preservation Week gives Memphis past a future By JENNIFER MURLEY The Daily News Its hard to imagine Downtown Memphis with no Peabody Hotel, South Memphis sans Elmwood Cemetery or Midtown minus its eclectic historic housing stock. ...

89. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, April 15, 2002
Calendar of events Jan Calendar of events: April 15-April 21 April 15 Mississippi Museum of Art, 201 E. Pascagoula St. in Jackson, Miss., presents Ms. Booths Garden: Photographs by Jack Kotz, a collection of photographs by Santa Fe-based photographe...

90. Archived Article: Real Review - Tuesday, April 09, 2002
NAR offers way for associations NAR offers way for associations to add value to member Web sites The National Association of Realtors now offers state and local Realtor associations the opportunity to provide Realtor VIP Risk Management Publications...

91. Archived Article: Tech Focus - Wednesday, March 13, 2002
When computers fade away, recycling fills in When computers crash, recycling reboots life By SUE PEASE The Daily News Computers, by their very nature, are designed to be replaced frequently. Business owners trying to keep up with technology are face...

92. Archived Article: Naacp P - Friday, February 15, 2002
Vernon Jordan to speak at gala Vernon Jordan to speak at gala Vernon E. Jordan Jr., managing director of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC, will be the keynote speaker for this years NAACP Freedom Fund Gala March 21 at the Peabody, Johnnie R. Turner, exec...

93. Archived Article: Law Briefs - Thursday, August 16, 2001
Five Memphis law firms were included in Corporate Board Member magazines inaugural survey of the best corporate law firms and Five Memphis law firms were included in Corporate Board Member magazines inaugural survey of the best corporate law firms a...

94. Archived Article: Peabody P.2 - Monday, July 23, 2001
Peabody gains ownership of Orlando hotel Peabody gains ownership of Orlando hotel Peabody Hotel Group, based in Memphis, announced the company's acquisition of 100 percent ownership of The Peabody Orlando. The 891-room hotel has 57,000 square feet o...

95. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, June 25, 2001
Calendar of events: June 5 11 Calendar of events: June 25-July 1 June 25 Starlit Nights, the Sharpe Planetariums summer program, continues through Sept. 16. Designed to help attendees find their way around the night sky and answer stargazing questio...

96. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, June 18, 2001
Calendar of events: June 5 11 Calendar of events: June 18-June 24 June 18 Starlit Nights, the Sharpe Planetariums summer program, continues through Sept. 16. Designed to help attendees find their way around the night sky and answer stargazing questi...

97. Archived Article: Real Focus - Tuesday, June 05, 2001
By: JENNIFER MURLEY City, county consider altering setback requirements By JENNIFER MURLEY The Daily News Officials at Memphis and Shelby County Office of Planning and Development have proposed two changes to the current city and county joint zoning...

98. Archived Article: Real Briefs - Tuesday, April 10, 2001
The National Association of Women in Construction will meet at 6:30 p The National Association of Women in Construction will meet at 6:30 p.m. April 17 at Andertons restaurant, 1901 Madison Ave. Dinner is $15. For reservations or information, call B...

99. Archived Article: Market Briefs - Monday, February 05, 2001
New officers and directors for Executive Women International, Memphis Chapter, are: Peggy Quinn, president; Miriam Leffler, vi New officers and directors for Executive Women International, Memphis Chapter, are: Peggy Quinn, president; Miriam Leffler...

100. Archived Article: Real Briefs - Monday, January 15, 2001
During 2001, the State of Tennessee enjoyed more than $6 billion in announced private capital investments from new and expandi During 2001, the State of Tennessee enjoyed more than $6 billion in announced private capital investments from new and exp...