Here comes Trader Joe’s with a Friday opening in Germantown after lots of mystery and delays and changes for what is a pretty simple concept. For so many of us, this has been a long-hoped for goal. It’s kind of up there with smuggling in Coors beer from the west in the 70s before it became available everywhere and Coors had a brewery here.

2. Mayor-elect Harris Appoints Chief Administrative Officer - Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Shelby County Mayor-elect Lee Harris announced Tuesday, Aug. 28, Patrice Williamson-Thomas will serve as chief administrative officer – Harris’ first major appointment in his administration.

3. County Mayor-Elect Harris Starts Transition to Office - Saturday, August 18, 2018

Shelby County Mayor-elect Lee Harris told 35 members of his transition team that they will probably continue working through the end of October, two months after he takes office as mayor.

4. County Mayor-Elect Harris Starts Transition to Office - Thursday, August 16, 2018

Shelby County Mayor-elect Lee Harris told 35 members of his transition team that they will probably continue working through the end of October, two months after he takes office as mayor.

5. Last Word: Hotel on the Mall, The Twist in Council Day and Rallings on Surveillance - Wednesday, August 15, 2018

At this point, the second convention center hotel is a bit like the Pyramid was at one point. Before the first dirt was turned on the Pyramid in the late 1980s, there was the discussion about where it should go and there were a lot of ideas on that covering a lot of territory – so much so that then-Shelby County Mayor Bill Morris had a model of a pretty generic looking Pyramid on his desk that had some lego wheels attached to it.

6. County Mayor-Elect Harris Starts Transition with Long- and Short-Term Tasks, List of 142 Positions - Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Shelby County Mayor-elect Lee Harris told 35 members of his transition team that they will probably continue working through the end of October, two months after he takes office as mayor.

7. Harris Expands Transition Team in Preparation for Taking Office - Friday, August 10, 2018

Shelby County Mayor-Elect Lee Harris announced more additions to his transition team Friday morning.

Harris named four additional honorary co-chairs including former county mayor A C Wharton Jr., county commissioner Walter Bailey, philanthropist Gayle Rose, and former city councilwoman Tajuan Stout Mitchell.

8. Last Word: Transition Time, Two Years of Heart and Eads De-Annexation Growth - Thursday, August 9, 2018

Here comes the transition in the county mayor’s office. Shelby County Mayor-elect Lee Harris announced Wednesday that the transition team will be co-chaired by former Downtown Memphis Commission president Paul Morris and former Grizz coach Lionel Hollins. Harris’s campaign manager Danielle Inez will be executive director of the transition team. They are soliciting applications to be on the transition team and the resumes have to be in soon. Harris takes office as outgoing mayor Mark Luttrell leaves at the end of this month.

9. Events - Saturday, May 19, 2018

The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest continues through Saturday, May 19, in Tom Lee Park Downtown. Among the highlights are the Kingsford Tour of Champions, which gives the public a chance to taste and judge barbecue from competing teams; the Cooker Caravan, a free guided tour of some of the best competition teams; live music; and more. Visit memphisinmay.org for tickets and a schedule.

10. Events - Friday, May 18, 2018

The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest continues through Saturday, May 19, in Tom Lee Park Downtown. Among the highlights are the Kingsford Tour of Champions, which gives the public a chance to taste and judge barbecue from competing teams; the Cooker Caravan, a free guided tour of some of the best competition teams; live music; and more. Visit memphisinmay.org for tickets and a daily schedule.

11. Events - Thursday, May 17, 2018

The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest continues through Saturday, May 19, in Tom Lee Park Downtown. Among the highlights are the annual Ms. Piggie Idol Contest; the Kingsford Tour of Champions, which gives the public a chance to taste and judge barbecue from competing teams; the Cooker Caravan, a free guided tour of some of the best competition teams; live music; and more. Visit memphisinmay.org for tickets and a daily schedule.

12. Harris, Lenoir to Battle for County Mayor - Thursday, May 3, 2018

Republican David Lenoir and Democrat Lee Harris will meet in the Aug. 2 county general election to decide who will be the next Shelby County mayor. Lenoir and Harris won their respective primaries easily Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

13. Last Word: Primary Results and Analysis, Bike Launch, Gibson's Bankruptcy - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

The immediate headline of Tuesday’s county primary elections is Lee Harris and David Lenoir battling in the August county general to see who becomes the next county mayor. But there were lots of other stories in the results. Here's the roundup of that and the other countywide primaries.

14. Lenoir and Harris Advance in County Mayor's Race - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Republican David Lenoir and Democrat Lee Harris will meet in the Aug. 2 county general election to decide who will be the next Shelby County Mayor. Lenoir and Harris won their respective primaries easily Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

15. Heritage Trail Loops Open Amidst MLK50 Preparations - Monday, April 2, 2018

As city crews were moving the Mountaintop sculpture into place at the new MLK Reflection Park and the nearby I Am A Man Plaza was getting one last patch of cement Friday, March 30, a tour bus came through as preparations were being made for the city’s MLK50 observances.

16. Events - Saturday, February 24, 2018

Hattiloo Theatre will perform “Selma: A Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” Friday, Feb. 23, through March 18 at Hattiloo, 37 S. Cooper St. The dramatic musical captures prominent moments such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Visit hattiloo.org for showtimes and tickets.

17. Four County Commissioners Unopposed As May Ballot Filing Deadline Approaches - Thursday, February 15, 2018

With a noon deadline Thursday, Feb. 15, to make the May 1 Shelby County primary ballot, four incumbent county commissioners had no opposition filed in their re-election bids.

Five Republican primary races on the ballot for 23 county offices, including the 13 commission seats, were one-candidate affairs with two or more Democrats running in the competing primaries as of Tuesday. Two Democratic primary races were also one-candidate races against a field of multiple Republican contenders in the companion primary.

18. Akbari Pulls Petition To Run for State Senate - Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Democratic state Rep. Raumesh Akbari has decided to run for the District 29 state Senate seat being vacated by Lee Harris in the Shelby County legislative delegation.

19. Looks Like Another 8-4 Season for Tennessee - Friday, August 25, 2017

Oops. I goofed last year. So did lots of other people who thought Tennessee’s football team would win the SEC East Division and go to the league championship game for the first time since 2007.

20. Unhealthy Motives - Friday, May 19, 2017

WE DON’T CARE ABOUT HEALTH CARE. WE CARE ABOUT INSURANCE. Like casinos, the insurance business is a bet, you know, like a roll of the dice. And like casinos, the house always wins. An army of actuaries hedges every bet. If you buy life insurance, they’re going to charge you enough to make money before you die. They win. If you buy health insurance, they’re going to charge you enough to make money if you get sick. They win.

21. Final Goodbye: Roll Call of Some of Those Who Died in 2016 - Monday, January 2, 2017

Death claimed transcendent political figures in 2016, including Cuba's revolutionary leader and Thailand's longtime king, but also took away royals of a different sort: kings of pop music, from Prince and David Bowie to George Michael.

22. What’s Worse Than Dating A Gator? Another Loss - Friday, September 23, 2016

If you’re a Tennessee fan hurting from the 11-game losing streak against Florida, put yourself in Corey Vereen’s shoes.

UT’s senior defensive end is from Winter Garden, Florida, and he’s 0-for-3 against his buddies back home. That’s not the worst part for Vereen.

23. Events - Tuesday, March 1, 2016

University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music will host Jazz Week 2016 with nightly concerts Tuesday through Saturday, March 1-5, at 7:30 p.m. in Harris Concert Hall, 3775 Central Ave. Most concerts are free. Visit memphis.edu/music for a schedule.

24. Events - Thursday, October 15, 2015

AARP Cordova Chapter will meet Thursday, Oct. 15, at 11:30 a.m. at the Cordova branch library, 8457 Trinity Road. Walgreens representatives will speak about immunizations, Medicare, other pharmacy-related topics and services for seniors. Guests are welcome. Email fmyers912@yahoo.com for details.

25. Five City Council Races Destined for Runoffs - Friday, October 9, 2015

The identity of the Memphis City Council that will take office in January with six new members was still in flux at the end of a very long and frustrating Oct. 8 election night.

The races for four of those six open seats and the seat now held by an appointee to the council are going to a Nov. 19 runoff election – one week before Thanksgiving.

26. Events - Saturday, October 10, 2015

Phillip Ashley Chocolates will host a Spectrum tasting event Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Jay Etkin Gallery, 942 S. Cooper St. The tasting will feature seven flights of chocolate paired with seven varieties of whiskey, plus live music and hors d’oeuvres. Cost is $60. Visit phillipashleychocolates.com/spectrum for tickets.

27. Sports Shorts - Saturday, August 1, 2015

Five Memphis Tigers Claim Scholar-Athlete Awards: Five University of Memphis student-athletes claimed Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Awards for their efforts on the field and in the classroom during the 2014-15 season, the American Athletic Conference has announced.

28. Memphis Mayoral Field Set at 10 - Friday, July 24, 2015

Shelby County Election Commissioners have certified the Memphis election ballot for Oct. 8.

These are the names to appear on that ballot for the 15 elected offices.

The commission met hours after the noon Thursday, July 23, deadline for candidates to withdraw from the ballot if they wished.

29. Ben’s Beginnings in Philly - Thursday, July 23, 2015

Two weeks ago we left the 17-year-old Ben Franklin in the process of fleeing Boston. That was where he and his employer/brother, James, had literally come to blows. At issue were the stated and unstated job requirements of assistant publisher of the New England Courant.

30. Phillip Rogers Joins Wunderlich Wealth Management - Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Phillip Rogers recently joined the Wunderlich Wealth Management office in Memphis as a managing director and financial adviser. Rogers’ financial services practice is focused on the needs of high net worth individuals, as well as endowments and foundations. He applies his background in and knowledge of the fixed income capital markets to extend an institutional level of expertise to individual investors.

31. Council Vacancy Draws Eight Applicants - Friday, May 15, 2015

Eight citizens have applied for a vacancy on the Memphis City Council, some with no intention of serving beyond the end of 2015 and others with plans to seek a full, four-year term in the October elections.

32. Council Begins Hearings on Operating Budget - Tuesday, May 5, 2015

The Memphis City Council is down a member as its budget committee begins hearings Tuesday, May 5, on the $656.5 million operating budget proposal of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.

Council member Shea Flinn resigned Thursday effective immediately to take a position as vice president at the Greater Memphis Chamber in charge of the Chairman’s Circle.

33. Cohen Prevails, Incumbents Dominate - Friday, August 8, 2014

Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen held off Thursday, Aug. 7, the most serious electoral challenge he’s faced since winning the Congressional seat in 2006, in the form of attorney Ricky E. Wilkins.

34. Budget Changes Include Cooper-Young Garage - Thursday, June 5, 2014

A Cooper-Young parking garage and a pool of capital funding divided equally among the seven Memphis City Council districts are the two biggest ticket items in the way of still-tentative budget amendments proposed by council members.

35. Council Begins Decisions on City Financial Changes - Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Memphis City Council members took the first steps Tuesday, June 3, toward major changes in pension benefits for city employees and began delving into the details of even broader changes in health insurance coverage for city employees and retirees.

36. US Finally Regains the Jobs Lost in the Recession - Monday, April 7, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. economy has reached a milestone: It has finally regained all the private-sector jobs it lost during the Great Recession.

Yet it took a painfully slow six years, and unemployment remains stubbornly high at 6.7 percent.

37. 2014 Campaigns Hit the Streets - Monday, April 7, 2014

With the April filing deadline behind them and early voting for the county primaries a week and a half ahead, those running for elected office in Shelby County this year kept a full weekend schedule.

38. Harris Files Ford Challenge at Deadline - Thursday, April 3, 2014

Memphis City Council member Lee Harris is challenging Democratic state Sen. Ophelia Ford in the August primary for District 29, the Senate seat held by a member of the Ford family since 1975.

39. Filing Frenzy - Thursday, April 3, 2014

Until Tuesday, no one was running for the District 7 seat on the Shelby County Schools board. No one had pulled a qualifying petition from the Shelby County Election Commission until just two days before the filing deadline for candidates on the August election ballot.

40. Methodist University Hospital Names Liebman New CEO - Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Jeff Liebman has joined Methodist University Hospital as chief executive officer. In his new role, Liebman said, he will ensure the hospital continues to be a community resource providing the highest possible quality of care to the community while following the guidelines of the Methodist LeBonheur mission.

41. Election Filing Pace Quickens as Deadline Nears - Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The May 6 Shelby County primary races began to move toward their final form Monday, Feb. 17, just ahead of the noon Thursday filing deadline for candidates.

Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy brought the Democratic primary race for county mayor to four as he filed his qualifying petition Monday afternoon.

42. Events - Saturday, February 8, 2014

Memphis Botanic Garden will host the Green Your Home Winter Plant Sale Friday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the garden, 750 Cherry Road. The sale will feature house plants, custom potting, terrariums and garden gift items. Admission is free. Visit memphisbotanicgarden.com.

43. Fields Begin to Gel for May and August Ballots - Friday, February 7, 2014

With two weeks to the filing deadline for candidates in the May Shelby County primary elections and two months to the deadline for those in the August state and federal primaries and county nonpartisan elections, the fields have solidified enough that some political players are weighing their prospects for a late entry before the filing deadlines.

44. Gold Strike Promotes Slade to PR Manager - Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Elizabeth Slade has been promoted to public relations manager at Gold Strike Casino Resort. In her new role at the MGM Resorts International property, Slade will lead in developing and executing integrated marketing communication plans with components such as media relations, social media strategy, community partnerships and brand management.

45. Hollywood Poised for Best-Ever Box-Office Year - Monday, December 30, 2013

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Despite a string of summertime flops, Hollywood is expected to have a banner year at the domestic box office, coming in just shy of $11 billion, the largest annual take ever. But because of higher ticket prices, actual attendance at North American theaters remained flat after a decade of decline.

46. Supreme Court Term Begins Amid Government Shutdown - Tuesday, October 8, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court began its new term Monday by turning away hundreds of appeals, including Virginia's bid to revive its anti-sodomy law.

The justices took the bench just past 10 o'clock on the first Monday in October, even as much of the rest of the government was coping with a partial shutdown.

47. Test Drive - Friday, May 3, 2013

When car sharing meets the parking and driving practices of Memphians on the streets of Downtown, the encounter could go so many ways between bad and good.

So when Zipcar parked four cars in four on-street parking spaces Downtown last month, there were a lot of questions first about how car sharing works but also about whether the national trend would apply to a city with a unique driving culture.

48. 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.

49. Ticket Rush: Film Fans Hand Hollywood Record Cash - Thursday, December 27, 2012

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The big deal for Hollywood is not the record $10.8 billion that studios took in domestically in 2012. It's the fact that the number of tickets sold went up for the first time in three years.

50. Cooper-Young Featured in America’s Top 10 Great Neighborhoods List - Thursday, October 4, 2012

Cooper-Young has been named one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2012 under the American Planning Association’s Great Places in America program, noted for its revitalization, character and historic architecture.

51. Cooper-Young Featured in Top 10 'Great Neighborhoods' List - Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Cooper-Young has been named as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2012 under the American Planning Association’s Great Places in America program, noted for its revitalization, character and historic architecture.

52. Clearing Blockage - Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The block of Madison Avenue between Main and Second streets hasn’t been easy for quite a while.

It’s where the Main Street Trolley makes the turn to its Madison Avenue leg. It’s also where the trolleys sit idle for long periods of time seemingly unaware that they coexist with auto traffic. Residents of the Exchange Building who don’t have paid parking routinely park there instead, sometimes despite numerous tickets.

53. YMCA Announces Board Members - Monday, February 6, 2012

YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South has installed its 2012 metropolitan board of directors.

Sandra Bailey of Methodist Extended Care Hospital will serve as board chair; Ted Ferris of the Greater Memphis Chamber will serve as secretary; and Perry Green of Waddell and Associates Inc. will serve as treasurer.

54. Economists: Obama's Policies 'Fair' or 'Poor' - Thursday, December 29, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama gets mediocre marks for his handling of the U.S. economy, and Mitt Romney easily outpolls his Republican rivals in an Associated Press survey of economists.

55. Calvary Series Welcomes Boychoir’s Angelic Voices - Wednesday, November 30, 2011

After returning from a tour of the nation’s capital that included performances at the National Cathedral, Basilica of the Immaculate Shrine, and the Canadian and Singapore embassies, the Memphis Boychoir celebrates the holy season of Advent with a hometown performance at Calvary Episcopal Church.

56. Despite Low Turnout, Incumbents See Big Wins - Monday, October 10, 2011

Memphis voters kept the turnout in last week’s city elections at less than 20 percent. About 18 percent of the city’s 426,580 or so voters showed up for the Thursday, Oct. 6, elections.

Some politicos doubted turnout would move into double digits until the relatively healthy 7.6 percent turnout for early voters made it clear.

57. Wharton, Fullilove & Conrad Re-Elected -- Harris-Ford to Runoff - Friday, October 7, 2011
Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. won a full four-year term of office as mayor Thursday, Oct. 6, two years after he claimed the mayor’s office in a special election.

And all 12 of the Memphis City Council members seeking re-election won new four year terms in the city election cycle, marking the largest return of incumbents to the 13-member council in the 43-year history of the mayor-council form of government.

58. Get Out the Vote - Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The overall numbers through the first two weeks of early voting seem to indicate a low overall turnout including Election Day in the set of city elections to be decided Oct. 6.

But within the early vote numbers are some indications of voter hotspots.

59. Wharton Makes Choices In Council Races - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. has a ballot for the Memphis City Council races on the Oct. 6 ballot.

The ballot hit the streets this weekend, as the last full week of early voting began, with a set of Wharton endorsements in some but not all of the 13 council races on the ballot.

60. Sneed Promoted At Humane Society - Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Kerry Sneed has been promoted to community outreach and humane education coordinator at the Humane Society of Memphis.

61. Vote for Me - Monday, September 12, 2011

Four years after the biggest turnover on the Memphis City Council, the Oct. 6 city elections could see the biggest return of incumbents ever on the council. Early voting begins Friday, Sept. 16.

Twelve of the 13 incumbents are seeking re-election. It would have been 13 had Barbara Swearengen Ware not taken a plea deal on an official misconduct charge.

62. Bernanke Proposes no New Steps to Boost Economy - Monday, August 29, 2011

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. (AP) — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke leaned on Congress on Friday to do more to promote hiring and growth, or risk delaying the economy's return to full health.

63. Local Democrats Take City Election Straw Poll - Tuesday, August 23, 2011

It was more fundraiser than legitimate poll.

The Shelby County Democratic Party raised more than $2,000 with a straw poll in which party regulars paid $25 a ballot to show their preferences in races in the Oct. 6 city of Memphis elections with a separate ballot for the mayor’s race.

64. Solver Feedback - Thursday, August 18, 2011

“Ask and ye shall receive.” I’ve heard that for years. May even have read it somewhere. But I certainly have proved it to be true. Repeatedly, over time.

For instance, five years ago I started writing a monthly crossword for the Rotarian, the magazine of Rotary International. Rotary is the service club started by Paul Harris in 1905. I bet you’ve heard of it.

65. Cifuentes New HR Manager At ServiceMaster - Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Viviana Cifuentes has joined ServiceMaster by Stratos as human resources manager. Hometown: I was born in Bogota, Colombia, and raised in New York City.

Education: I received my bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baruch College in New York City.

66. 4 Council Members - All 3 City Court Judges To Run Unopposed In Oct. Elections - Friday, July 22, 2011

Four incumbent Memphis City Council members and all three incumbent City Court Judges were effectively re-elected at the Thursday, July 21, noon deadline for candidates to file their qualifying petitions for the Oct. 6 Memphis ballot.

67. For Real Estate, a Giant Spring Clearance Sale - Monday, March 28, 2011

In suburban Chicago, it's paradise to be a homebuyer.

At the Millbrook Pointe development in quaint and pristine Wheeling, a $269,000, brick-and-stone townhouse comes with $25,000 in free upgrades, including wood-burning fireplaces, all-stainless steel kitchens and marbled bathrooms tricked out with double-bowl vanities and whirlpool soaker tubs.

68. Understanding Chinese Law Key to Biz There, Panel Says - Thursday, January 27, 2011

Memphis companies and entrepreneurs hungry to enter new markets have a vast opportunity waiting for them in China, a land of more than one billion people who increasingly have money to burn.

The Greater Memphis Chamber’s International Business Council hosted a panel discussion this week with local and international experts to help Memphis businesspeople figure out how to grab a piece of that pie. Success in doing so, they said, includes familiarity with Chinese and international law, something that might sound like a no-brainer but might easily trip up the unaware.

69. Shelby County Court Filings See Sharp Dropoff From Q2 - Monday, October 18, 2010

Court filings in Circuit, Chancery and Probate Courts for the third quarter of 2010 were relatively unchanged from the same quarter of 2009 and down significantly from the second quarter of this year

70. Events - Tuesday, June 1, 2010

The Memphis Rotary Club will meet Tuesday at noon at the University Club of Memphis, 1346 Central Ave. The meeting will include the awarding of Paul Harris Fellows and Rotarian of the Year. For reservations, e-mail Taylor Hughes at taylor@memphisrotary.org.

71. Events - Friday, May 28, 2010

The Memphis Potters’ Guild will hold its Spring Show & Sale today through Monday at the Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road. The opening reception will be held May 28 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The show is free. For more information, call Agnes Stark at 458-2354 or visit www.thememphispottersguild.com.

72. French Quarter Suites Hotel Bought Back by Original Owner - Tuesday, December 8, 2009

2144 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
Sale Amounts: $1 Million; $300,000; $200,000

Sale Dates:Nov. 20, Nov. 5 and Nov. 12, 2009
Buyer:FQI LLC
Sellers:Lodgian Memphis Property Owner LLC, Horace and Ann Proctor, and Martha D. Sutton
Loan Amount:$1.3 million
Loan Date:Nov. 30, 2009
Maturity Date:Nov. 20, 2010
Lender:Triumph Bank

73. Beale Street Report Overshadowed by Wilkins Flap - Thursday, September 10, 2009
The handing over of the case files is still being worked out. So is a motion for a change of counsel. And the final invoice from attorney Ricky E. Wilkins for his work on the Chancery Court case involving the Beale Street Entertainment District is yet to come.

The decision by Memphis Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery to replace Wilkins comes at a crucial time in the long-running case.

Special Chancellor Don Harris is about to unseal a report on the entertainment district that has already been partially leaked. The report from Philadelphia accounting firm Parente Randolph was being prepared for release late last week as Wilkins and Lowery began a testy e-mail exchange that ended with Lowery firing Wilkins earlier this week.

For the past year or so of former Mayor Willie Herenton’s tenure, the city, represented by Wilkins, was zealously pursuing an accounting of money from Beale Street since 2002.

Money pit

The money is supposed to flow from the nightclubs on Beale Street to management company Performa Entertainment to the Beale Street Development Corp. and finally to the city. The money hasn’t flowed to the city at all, even though the city owns the district. On that, all sides agree.

The BSDC is the nonprofit board that holds the lease from the city, and Performa has a contract to run, manage and develop Beale Street with the BSDC.

Performa CEO John Elkington contends the district wasn’t profitable for a long time after its dedication in late 1983. Elkington said he and Performa put their own money into it. Under his contract, Elkington said he can and should recoup the money when the district turns a profit.

Wilkins contended in court that Performa mingled the Beale Street money with Performa ventures in other cities. It’s an allegation Elkington has adamantly denied.

“That’s nowhere in the report,” Elkington said in his only positive reference to the Parente Randolph findings.

Advocacy wars

The report by Paul Pocalyko, a principal of the accounting and consulting firm, concluded Performa owed the city of Memphis more than $6 million in profits from the district.

Press reports of Pocalyko’s multimillion-dollar bottom line had the political effect of stalling plans by Lowery to settle the lawsuit and fire City Attorney Elbert Jefferson.

“My overall goal is to save the taxpayers money,” Lowery said this week, denying that he is trying to “squash” the accounting of profits from the district. “If this case can be settled, I want it settled. If it must go to court, then it will go to court. But the overall goal is to improve the efficiency of this city.”

Elkington has been Beale Street’s developer since the district between Second and Fourth streets reopened 25 years ago.

“They spent $500,000 on an audit that is not an audit,” he said.

Elkington recently hired attorney John C. Speer, a member of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, to represent Performa.

Speer wouldn’t comment on the content of the Pocalyko report.

But he said, in general, the report mistakenly counted revenue, to the tune of millions of dollars, as due the city.

“That document is not an audit. It’s an opinion,” Speer said. “We are disappointed that it wasn’t an audit because we think an audit would have a credibility that would have supported the conclusion we have that there’s not any money owed to the city.”

Earlier this week, Speer was awaiting his own full copy of the report and both sides were still arguing about what would be redacted from it.

“The conclusions and opinions in there are not supported by fact,” Speer said. “They are opinions that are designed to support the position taken by the city’s attorney.”

That included approximately $2 million merchants made from selling wristbands over the seven-year period starting in 2002. The wristband sales allow patrons to get in several clubs for one cover charge.

“That money never goes to us. That’s $2.1 million,” Elkington told The Daily News. “So a third of what they are alleging went to the merchants.”

Another $900,000 was disallowed because it was a credit some tenants were given on their rent after they made property improvements. But Performa claims it has a 1991 letter with then-city chief administrative officer Greg Duckett approving the credit arrangement.

“What they’re trying to do is rewrite the lease,” Elkington said. “We’ve always said, ‘If we owe some money, we’ll pay it.’ … Right now, this is stuff that is conjecture.”

‘Black hole’

Lowery has said one of his first actions on taking office was to direct city Chief Administrative Officer Jack Sammons to find a way to settle the Beale Street lawsuit.

A settlement had been one of three priorities – along with a Mid-South Fairgrounds redevelopment contract and an agreement for Bass Pro Shops to develop The Pyramid – Herenton had set for his final weeks in office but never achieved.

Lowery had the same goal for his tenure, which lasts until the special election on Oct. 15 if he doesn’t win the right to fill out Herenton’s term.

Lowery’s immediate concern was millions of dollars the city was paying outside attorneys to pursue litigation. That concern was why Lowery tried to fire Jefferson within minutes of taking the oath of office on July 31. He held Jefferson responsible for what he termed a “black hole” of legal expenses approved on Jefferson’s watch as city attorney.

Lowery mentioned prominently the $35,000 a month to Wilkins and his law firm for work on the Beale Street case.

74. Fentress Joins Harris Shelton - Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Susan Fentress has joined the Downtown offices of Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh PLLC. Fentress concentrates her practice in the areas of intellectual property and biosciences.

75. Influence 1 Foundation Names Hartsfield COO - Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Felicia Hartsfield has been named chief operating officer of Influence 1 Foundation.

Hartsfield will oversee the continued stability and growth of the foundation’s fiscal, strategic, organizational and operational functions. Her duties also will include building and maintaining relationships with community leaders, as well as creating collaborations, which will enhance the foundation’s strategic model.

76. As Unemployment Rises, Uncle Sam Has Jobs - Tuesday, February 3, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - The economic downturn has forced private industry and state and local government to shed jobs, but one major employer in the country is hiring: The federal government.

While the nation's 11 million unemployed and the millions more who fear losing their jobs may feel Washington should streamline too, economists say a strong federal work force is key to economic recovery. Were President Barack Obama to put any of the nearly 2 million federal civil servants out in the street in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the consequences could be dire.

77. Rock Star vs. Maverick - Thursday, September 4, 2008

Newsweek magazine senior editor and columnist Jonathan Alter came to Memphis in November 2006 to plug his new book on the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “The Defining Moment: FDR’s Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope.”

78. Blockman Joins Keller Williams - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Harold Blockman has been named the new vice president & principal broker of the Memphis Central Market Center for Keller Williams Realty.

Blockman serves as director of the board of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors and was selected for the 2007 Community Service Award by MAAR. Blockman is also president of the Tennessee GRI Association and a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Club.

79. Crye-Leike's Cohn Earns GRI Designation - Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Earlier this year, Cohn received the Senior Real Estate Specialist designation from the National Association of Realtors

Jerry Feinstone, president and founder of Bosco's, has been named the Tennessee Restaurant Association's 2007 E. Carlton Scruggs Tennessee Restaurateur of the Year. Feinstone is an active member on the Tennessee Restaurant Association board and was instrumental in rallying TRA support for the state's non-smoking ordinances.

80. Perrin to Oversee Orpheum's Fundraising Efforts, Special Events - Wednesday, August 22, 2007

The Orpheum Theatre announced Jim Perrin has been named vice president of development. Perrin previously served as the president of Junior Achievement of Memphis & the Mid-South Inc. In his new position, he will oversee the Orpheum's fundraising efforts, special events and other projects.

81. Don't Miss This Visit - Friday, February 23, 2007

Betty Williams enjoys dressmaking and gardening, walking her dog, reading, swimming and writing, according to her curriculum vitae at www.nobelprize.org.

She attended Catholic schools growing up - St. Teresa's Primary School and St. Dominic's Grammar School in Northern Ireland. Her father worked as a butcher and her mother was a housewife. Williams had two children with her first husband, Ralph: a son, Paul, and a daughter, Deborah. While she was raising her kids, she worked as a receptionist.

82. Gerard Appointed Administrator at Methodist Cancer Center - Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Dr. Dava F. Gerard has been appointed administrator for the Methodist Healthcare Cancer Center. She previously was the founding vice president and chief operating officer of the Nevada Cancer Institute in Las Vegas.

83. Reynolds Named Head Baseball Coach at STCC - Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Alan "Bo" Reynolds has been named the new head baseball coach at Southwest Tennessee Community College. He previously worked at Olive Branch High School, where he was head baseball coach in 2005-2006 after serving as assistant coach from 2003 to 2005. He also coached at Rhodes College from 1990 to 2003, where he was both an assistant coach and head coach and the University of Memphis from 1987 to 1990. There, he was an assistant under head coach Bobby Kilpatrick.

84. Square Foods Bids Farewell to Overton Square - Thursday, March 30, 2006

Jeanice Blancett's Midtown health food store is not your typical grocery, where super-sizes, square footage and self-service checkout lines reign supreme.

Along the way, Blancett's Square Foods Natural Market at 2094 Madison Ave. has become a popular gathering spot. At the center of the 7,200-square-foot store she opened in 2002, customers park on bar stools to chat, unwind and enjoy selections from a specially prepared deli menu.

85. Archived Article - Tuesday, August 9, 2005

2670 Frayser Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38127
Cost: $2.5 million

Buyer: J. Paul McNamara and Donna Lynch Ayers, trustees
Seller: CP Rad Tonj LLC
Property: Property at 2670 Frayser Blvd. near Range Line Road.

86. Baptist Names College of Health Sciences President - Wednesday, August 3, 2005

Baptist Memorial Health Care named Betty Sue McGarvey president of the Baptist College of Health Sciences. McGarvey recently served the college as provost and is a graduate of the Baptist School of Nursing. She was a nursing instructor for two years and was among the 10 founders of the Baptist College of Health Sciences.

87. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Flintco Companies Names New Senior Vice President

Flintco Names New Senior Vice President

Kevin Moyes was appointed senior vice president of The Flintco Cos. Inc. Moyes has worked with Flintco for 18 years. He earned a bachelors degree from Ok...

88. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, December 29, 2004
BOMA Inducts 2005 Officers

Gibbons Named to Chair National Committee

Judge Julia Gibbons of Memphis was named by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist as chair of the Budget Committee of the Judicial Conference. Gibbons has bee...

89. Archived Article: Real Estate Recap - Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Porter Farms Brings New Homes, Condos to Collierville

Porter Farms Brings New Homes to Collierville

22.6 acres near

Bailey Station

Cost: $3 million

Borrower: Porter Farms Area 1 LLC

Lender: BancorpSouth Bank

Trustee: David J. Ha...

90. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, February 4, 2004
Area Fire Fighters, Police Awarded for Bravery

Firefighters, Officers Awarded for Bravery The 100 Club of Memphis presented Valor Awards, the highest honor for bravery in Memphis and Shelby County, to Collierville police officer Michael Riley and...

91. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, November 5, 2003
Peace & Justice Center Awards Local Peacemakers

Peace & Justice Center Presents Annual Honors The Mid-South Peace & Justice Center will present the following Peacemaker 2003 awards Thursday at its annual banquet: Diamond Printing, soc...

92. Archived Article: Real Briefs - Tuesday, August 26, 2003
Dr

The Kroger Delta Marketing Area is helping restock the Food Bank after Julys storm by asking customers to buy pre-packaged bags of food for donation. The bags are located near checkout stands and can be purchased with other groceries.

Bags ...

93. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, February 5, 2003
Maurice Wexler, a shareholder in Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwells Memphis office, was elected to the board of governors o

Maurice Wexler, a shareholder in Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwells Memphis office, was elected to the board o...

94. Archived Article: Events - Wednesday, February 5, 2003
The Association of Fundraising Professionals holds a luncheon from 11:30

The Association of Fundraising Professionals hosts a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today in the Thomas Center East Lounge at Christian Brothers University. Speakers are...

95. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, February 3, 2003
Calendar of events Feb. 3-9

Calendar of events Feb. 3-9

Feb. 3

The University of Memphis presents the Suzuki String program at 6 p.m. in Harris Concert Hall in the music building. Admission is free. Call 678-2541 for more information. Missi...

96. Archived Article: Jobs P2 - Friday, August 23, 2002
Jobless Claims Edged Down

U.S. jobless claims head down

The number of Americans seeking initial jobless benefits eased a slight 2,000 last week, the government said Thursday.

Claims have hovered in a narrow range the past 4 weeks reflecting...

97. Archived Article: Benchmark - Thursday, May 30, 2002
High court unbending High court unbending on death row appeals Indications the Supreme Court might crack down on substandard death row lawyers fizzled Tuesday when the court settled another inmate complaint with a familiar ruling: The lawyering wasn...

98. Archived Article: Comm Focus - Friday, April 26, 2002
By JENNIFER MURLEY Festival showcases South Main arts district By JENNIFER MURLEY The Daily News The banners were hung on the buildings with care, in hopes that the people soon would be there. OK, so its not the original verse. But, it is the South ...

99. Archived Article: Law Briefs - Thursday, February 14, 2002
Burch Porter & Johnson has a new management structure Burch Porter & Johnson has a new management structure. Joel Porter assumed the position of chairman. David J. Harris will serve as the firms financial manager. Susan M. Clark will serve a...

100. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, December 19, 2001
KyRic J KyRic J. Tucker joined Bean & Ison, CPAs and Consultants as a staff accountant. He earned a degree from Westminster College in Salt Lake City. Prior to joining the firm, he worked for a Salt Lake City certified public accounting firm, wh...