Cedar Ridge Owner Files $2.8 Million Loan

The owner of the Cedar Ridge Patio Homes apartment complex at 6957-6977 Amberly Village Drive near Cordova has filed a $2.8 million multifamily deed of trust, assignment of rents and security agreement through Magna Bank. Cedar Ridge LLC, the limited liability company that owns the complex, filed the loan Nov. 13.

Cedar Ridge Patio Homes was built in 1977 and sits on the west side of Raleigh-LaGrange Road south of Macon Road. The complex comprises two parcels, according to the Shelby County Assessor of Property.

The first, an 82-unit, 83,715-square-foot collection of apartment homes that sit on 9.11 acres, is appraised at $3.2 million. The second, a 55-unit, 58,580-square-foot collection of apartments that sit on 6.45 acres, is appraised at $2.2 million.

Robert Fogelman signed the trust deed as chief manager of Cedar Ridge.

Source: The Daily News Online & Chandler Reports

– Eric Smith

MSCAA to Vote On Airport Bonds Today

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) will vote on an initial resolution authorizing airport revenue bonds during its November board of commissioners meeting today at 8 a.m. in the Airport Authority boardroom inside the terminal building at Memphis International Airport.

Other agenda items for this month’s meeting include the approval to authorize the issuance of revenue bonds for airport improvements projects; the approval to execute an adjusted temporary lease agreement with Wilson Air Center; and the approval to execute an adjusted temporary lease agreement with Signature Flight Support.

A full slate of division reports also is scheduled. The next MSCAA board meeting is set for Dec. 17.

– Eric Smith

MLGW Board to Consider Contract Approvals

Several contracts are on tap for approval today by the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division board of directors at its meeting this afternoon.

Among them, the board is scheduled to vote on resolutions awarding a solid waste and trash removal services contract to Waste Connections of Tennessee Inc. for a little more than $636,000; a 60-month contract for maintenance and support of the utility company’s document imaging system to Imaging Solutions and Services Inc. for almost $182,000; and a contract for a Web application security gateway upgrade to Fishnet Security for $106,175.

Today’s MLGW meeting will begin at 3 p.m. in the boardroom of the MLGW Administration Building, 220 S. Main St.

– Andy Meek

Circuit Court Dismisses Complaint Against Joseph Lee

Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Lorrie Ridder has dismissed a complaint filed in 2007 – and later amended – against former Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division president and CEO Joseph Lee.

The lawsuit was brought against Lee by Larry Thompson, the utility company’s former chief operating officer, who alleged that his job was eliminated as payback for cooperating with FBI agents looking into issues at the company several years ago. Thompson also alleged that Lee and former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton conspired to get rid of him.

At the time, the FBI was investigating Herenton’s role in allegedly directing MLGW-related business to certain lawyers and banking interests. A related piece of that investigation involved discussions within the company about possibly selling MLGW and generating hefty fees for attorneys and banks participating in the transaction, according to Thompson’s suit.

“The sale of MLGW, retaining certain lawyers, and the steering of bond business to certain banking interests are not illegal activities,” she wrote in her order, which can be appealed.

– Andy Meek

Health Department Expands Access to H1N1 Vaccine

People from ages 25 to 64 who have chronic medical conditions can now receive free H1N1 flu vaccines from the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department.

The free vaccines already have been made available to pregnant women; people who live with or care for infants, children and young adults; health care workers and emergency personnel.

The restrictions to certain target groups follow the recommendation of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For details about flu vaccine locations and other information, call the Health Department’s flu hotline at 379-4161 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

– Tom Wilemon

Olive Branch Hospital Gets Favorable Analysis

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare’s plan to put a hospital in Olive Branch has received a favorable analysis from the Mississippi Department of Health, in the second go-around.

The reversal is the result of Mississippi changing the criteria by which it awards certificates of need (CON) for hospitals. Methodist Le Bonheur intends to spend $90.8 million to construct and equip the hospital, which is expected to employ 480 people.

The plans call for a four-story hospital with 100 beds at the southeast intersection of U.S. 78 and Bethel Road. It will have six operating rooms and a full range of support services.

– Tom Wilemon

Tsunami Chef Makes Top 40 Under 40 List

Marisa Baggett, 32, a sushi chef at Tsunami Restaurant, is one of the “40 chefs under 40” recognized by the new environmental Web site Mother Nature Network, www.mnn.com.

A Mississippi native, Baggett studied the culinary art at the California Sushi Academy. She is the first African-American female graduate of the school.

In addition to working at Tsunami in Cooper-Young, she has her own Web site, www.marisabaggett.com, where she gives tips from “In the Kitchen with a Southern Sushi Chef.”

– Tom Wilemon

Visible School Achieves Accreditation

The Memphis-based music and worship arts college Visible School has been awarded accreditation as a category II institution by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) Accreditation Commission.

Accreditation is based on peer-reviews of quality instruction, student services and adequate facilities. TRACS is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education.

Visible School was founded in 2000.

– Tom Wilemon

Spots Available For LaunchMemphis Competition

Three walk-on spots will be available to small businesses at the LaunchMemphis Escalator Pitch Competition Saturday at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave.

Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees can register at the Holiday Inn from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and compete for a $10,000 marketing package and a $1,000 cash prize. Registration is $20.

Seven contestants already have been chosen via a YouTube contest.

In the competition, each finalist will ride up an escalator with a judge to deliver a brief and relevant pitch about their company. The grand prize winner will be selected by judges.

Included in the prize package will be marketing research from the Marketing & Research Counsel, logo/identity/print design from Second to Nunn Design, Web design and Internet marketing from Valeo Relations, public relations from Obsidian Public Relations, marketing and sales coaching from RedRover Sales & Marketing, and event planning consultation from Main Events.

For more information, contact Lynda Hobbs at 266-2662 or go to www.launchmemphis.com.

– Taylor Shoptaw

Wharton to Speak At Midtown Security Community

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. is on the agenda for the Dec. 3 meeting of the Midtown Security Community at Hope Works, which is in the basement of the Midtown Church of Christ at 1930 Union Ave.

The meeting will begin with a networking session at 5:30 p.m. Memphis Police Col. Billy Garrett, commander of the Union Station Precinct, will discuss Midtown crime trends at 6 p.m.

– Tom Wilemon