VOL. TMN-6 | NO. 6 | Saturday, February 2, 2013
Stakeholders look to redevelop handful of city’s numerous empty eyesores
Last year was a banner year for adaptive reuse projects in Midtown and Downtown.
When The Pyramid reopens as a Bass Pro Shops later this year or early next year, it will be the only adaptive reuse of an arena in the country that is not a church.
Demetrius Fields, a high ranking member of the Craig Petties drug organization, drew the longest jail term yet as those convicted in the largest drug case ever brought in Memphis federal court continue to be sentenced.
Smith & Nephew eliminated nearly 100 jobs in Memphis and Andover, Mass., on Thursday, Jan. 31, as the medical device company cuts expenses in an effort to offset tax hikes included in the Affordable Care Act.
Pinnacle Airlines Corp.’s relocation of its Memphis headquarters to Minneapolis by May should have long-term leasing effects on the Downtown office market.
Haslam maps out path for third year in office
Going into his third year as Tennessee governor, Bill Haslam has redrawn some political lines as he has worked toward an ambitious restructuring of state government and the way it works.
Once countywide school board members finished Tuesday, Jan. 29, posing for a picture with outgoing Memphis City Schools superintendent Kriner Cash, the board quickly got back to the emerging details of the coming schools merger.
Susan Stephenson, CEO and co-founder of Independent Bank, has enjoyed a long and successful career in banking.
In the middle of what might be its most experimental season yet, Opera Memphis is attracting curious on-lookers in companies around the country.
Archer-malmo has inked an additional 3,000 square feet in the Cotton Exchange Building, bringing its total footprint in the historic 12-story Downtown tower to 41,277 square feet across six floors.
Arts orgs, local artist setting up across from Sears Crosstown
By the time Crosstown Arts occupies space in the 1.5 million-square-foot Sears Crosstown building, it will have completed a solid test run of promoting arts-based community and economic development in Midtown.
The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference’s legislative agenda for the new session of the Tennessee General Assembly includes a focus on children, sentencing guidelines and the fight against drugs.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s second annual Healthy Church Challenge 100-day weight loss competition for churches in West Tennessee is set to get under way on Saturday, Feb. 2.
The Baptist College of Health Sciences is gearing up for a series of open houses over the next several months, with the first set for this Saturday and open to all prospective students. The following three open houses on Feb. 7, April 4 and June 6 will be designed specifically for people interested in the college’s RN to BSN (Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program, which is tailored for working adults. Students can complete their baccalaureate degree in 12 months.
Beauty pageant directors, participants work to change public perception
Do not mention the reality TV show “Toddlers & Tiaras” to pageant producer Renee Horvath of Millington.
The relevance of Overton Square is that it’s one of many initiatives the city has in place to make Memphis a better place and a city of choice for the millennial generation.
Memphis Catholic Bishop J. Terry Steib likens the coming changes in two well-known Catholic schools with long histories to a nova.
Shelby County Commissioners approved a $251,958 contract with a Batesville, Ark., bakery that at least for now has a perceived monopoly on baking and distributing large amounts of bread in the region.
Saint Blues Guitar Workshop is launching a new line of affordable, made-in-Memphis guitars.
Lunches, meetups add to growing startup scene
It is a pleasant lunchtime hour on a recent weekday, and a small gathering of technologists has huddled at Panera Bread in the Laurelwood shopping center for their monthly confab.
Kriner Cash says there were big “distractions” that began just before he became Memphis City Schools superintendent four-and-a-half years ago that created a “perfect storm” for his efforts to “transform” the school system.
Al Gore is coming to Memphis next month to promote his new book, “The Future.”
A federal bankruptcy court judge has adopted a settlement on the bankruptcy case involving control of the Beale Street Entertainment District.
Phrases used to describe Cynthia Ham at the Thursday, Jan. 24, American Advertising Federation Memphis meeting included “the Memphis enthusiast,” “the art-aholic,” “the hostess/entertainer,” “a local celebrity” and even “a pushy broad.”
There’s more than one way to reach the big game.
Josh Pastner adores Conference USA. If he were to put this sentiment to music, he would pick up a guitar and sing C-USA-inspired tributes such as “Hard to Love” and “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” As it is, he will send Valentine’s Day roses and chocolates to the league’s administrative offices in Irving, Texas.
MEMPHIS STANDOUT
If Cato Johnson ever decided to leave his position as senior vice president of corporate affairs at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, he could quite possibly become an epic spokesperson for an energy drink. A healthy one, that is.
MEMPHIS LAW TALK
At the beginning of January, Johnna Bailey began work as immigration attorney for the Community Legal Center, a resource for the working poor.
MEMPHIS NEWSMAKERS
Kellyn Gowen has joined Renshaw Property Management as marketing coordinator. In her new role, Gowen manages social media, marketing and communications for the company’s 800 Mid-South rental properties, serves as a liaison for property owners and real estate agents, and spearheads marketing efforts for vacant properties.
6500 Quince Road, Memphis, TN 38119
LOCAL COLUMNISTS
IT’S NOT BUSINESS ANYMORE. IT’S PERSONAL. This is our town, and you’re not welcome here.
Part two of a two-part series Commitment is at the heart of all successful nonprofit fundraising. It needs to be developed and sustained. It starts with the organization’s leadership – the executive director or CEO, board members as well as leadership level employees and volunteers. The purpose and vision for proposed fundraising needs to be carefully discussed by these parties, ideally through one-on-one conversations with time for challenging questions and clear answers.
Ray’s Take Think you have your retirement plan figured out? Here’s a sobering report: Fidelity Investments recently predicted that a 65-year-old couple that retired in 2012 would pay $240,000 for health care over the remainder of their lives. Those are expenses in addition to costs covered by Medicare under existing legislation, which could change.
How could I not read the latest David Rosenfelt novel, “Airtight?” How could I not?! The author’s very publicist himself sent me an advance reading copy, asking that I do so. That, plus the book starts out with the murder of a judge, and I obviously want that case cracked, right?
The victory of the Ravens or the 49ers won’t be all people are talking about after the Super Bowl. After all, there are the commercials, and considering 110 million viewers are anticipated for this year’s football matchup, it’s no wonder advertisers pony up big bucks. Thirty-second spots went for $3.8 million to $4 million this year – an all-time record, up from $3.5 million in 2012.
Capital makes the world go round – or at least it used to before the recession and our new economic reality took hold. Enacting growth strategies is difficult without capital to invest. This is certainly true for early stage companies that need enough runway to get the business off the ground and then gain momentum to cash flow the business.
Last week we discussed DeNeuville Learning Center, which is an organization that is working to assist women of all backgrounds and cultures in learning the skills needed to make positive choices for themselves and their families. This week let us highlight the importance of infusing positive energy into our community and being intentional to share hope-filled and uplifting stories, like those of our everyday heroes, who are leading by example to strengthen the Mid-South.
November’s presidential election clarified a need for bipartisan immigration reform; Republican intransigence on this issue melted away as they watched about 71 percent of Latinos vote in favor of the Democratic candidate.
Lately I’ve talked with several people who were struggling with the question, “What is the goal of life?” Those of you who know me personally might remember that I have a daughter in college. Therefore, you might be thinking I’ve been talking with young students home for the holidays. Nope – most people pondering this question were adults well into their careers.