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. A New Benchmark - Saturday, September 15, 2018

Shelby Farms Park is gearing up for the second annual Mempho Music Festival and another chance to showcase the country’s largest urban park to a diverse and wide-reaching audience.
Memphis’ newest music festival is expecting a crowd of 20,000 on Oct. 6 and 7, which is impressive for a park two years out from a $70 million renovation embarked upon in 2010 with a distant vision for such an event.
The master plan for the park was designed not only for people to recreate and relax, but as a place to build community, and a music festival can be a big part of that, said Jen Andrews, executive director of Shelby Farms Park. Andrews has always had a larger vision for the park as a place where the community could come together and take ownership and pride in the best that Memphis has to offer.
Enter another visionary, native Memphian Diego Winegardner, founder of Mempho Fest and CEO of Big River Presents, which is putting on the festival. Winegardner grew up in Memphis and now lives outside of New York City where his day job is in finance and investment management. A couple of years ago on a trip home to Memphis he met some old friends for a bike ride at Shelby Farms Park.
“I was completely blown away,” Winegardner said. “The sun was setting on Hyde Lake, and I had this lightning-bolt moment of how special it would be to bring a world-class music festival to this site.
I thought about Memphis’ place in the annals of American music as the birthplace of blues, soul and R&B and the hip hop scene that we have here.
“If you think about the labels … Sun, Stax, Royal…I was exposed to all of that growing up, and seeing B.B. King on Beale Street was just normal,” he said. “I didn’t appreciate it until I was gone. I started to get really nostalgic about my hometown.”
Winegardner is a music enthusiast who has been to most of the notable music festivals in the U.S. and many around the world. He had the resources and connections to realize his dream. Last year, the first Mempho Fest kicked off with great success with 10,000 in attendance for two days of concerts featuring a variety of bands from different music genres.
“I’ve always been a big fan of (Memphis) and its people and a big defender of the city and its history,” Winegardner said. “This music festival was born out of my passion for music and my passion for the city of Memphis.”
When Winegardner first met with Andrews two years ago to pitch his idea, she caught his vision right away.
He approached it cautiously and wanted to understand how to protect the park and still give people a good experience, she said. “We like working with Diego,” she said. “They care about the park, and like us, have a big, bold vision, and they hired a professional team who knew how to put on a safe and fun event.”
This year’s festival will feature two days of multi-genre music headlined by Grammy Award-winning artist and hip-hop superstar Post Malone as well as Beck, Phoenix, NAS and Janelle Monae. Local talent like Lucero and alternative Mac deMarco also will perform, and there will be a special tribute to Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios featuring the label’s past and present stars.
Sunday will feature performances by crowd favorites like George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic and Stones Throw, Chuck Laevell’s Rolling Stones’ backer band.
The festival will not only expand in attendance, but will add a larger culinary and craft beer presence in addition to on-site camping and VIP and super-VIP experiences.
“We’re trying to create more than just music on a stage,” said Winegardner, who also created a nonprofit arm called Mempho Matters that will partner with organizations that line-up with the vision of the festival, such as Oceanic Global Foundation, #BringYourSoul, Learn to Rock and the Memphis Area Women’s Council’s “Memphis Says NO MORE” campaign.
As part of Mempho’s partnership with the Oceanic Global Foundation, the festival has a 100 percent waste-free goal, which will start with its no straw policy.
“A best practice environmental policy is important to help make sure the park is as pristine when we leave as when we showed up,” said Winegardner.
The partnership promoting the Memphis Area Women’s Council’s “NO MORE” campaign is to make sure that Mempho Fest’s female attendees feel safe. Winegardner, who has a teenage daughter, knows stories about the lack of safety for females at other events, prompting him to take up the cause.
“In this day and age, you really have to take a stand and make it an institutional part of our way of doing things,” he said.
Money raised through Mempho Matters will also benefit the Memphis community through contributions to musical education in the form of free tickets for students and teachers to attend the festival as well as instruments and money for music education in local schools.
Last year, Mempho Matters gave away 2,000 tickets to students and teachers.
“We want to build bridges into the community and be as inclusive as possible,” Winegardner said. “We want to educate the children and the youth of tomorrow about the history of Memphis musically and create a sense of pride for its citizens while also attracting new people and adding another chapter to Memphis’ long, rich history.”
Andrews is optimistic about the growth of Mempho Fest this year, projecting double the attendance in its second year as well as adding 400 weekend camping permits. Those include primitive camping, RV hookups and glamping.
“The camping option is an important part of festival culture, and one of the great benefits of the park is its tremendous scale, which can accommodate that,” Andrews said.
But the plan is to grow Mempho Fest slowly, she said.
“We learned a lot the first year, and we’re applying the learning to this year’s festival,” she said. “We have a strong plan for safely managing the crowd. We want this to be a world-class festival.”
Big River Productions and Winegardner have an undisclosed agreement with Shelby Farms Park, and both entities hope to continue the relationship.
“I’m hoping that Mempho Fest will become a long-term asset for the city of Memphis,” Winegardner said.
Music remains a big driver of visitors to Memphis — 56 percent of leisure visitors come to the city for something related to music, said Kevin Kane, president and CEO of Memphis Tourism, formerly called the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We’re supporters of (Mempho Fest),” he said. “We believe in it and want to see it grow. Music festivals have a big impact on the economy. The more events we have based in music the better, and we think it’s great to utilize Shelby Farms in this way.”

3. Events - Thursday, September 13, 2018

Memphis Botanic Garden hosts 30 Thursdays: Cocktails and Canvases Sept. 13, at 6 p.m. at 750 Cherry Road. The Plein Air (outdoor) painting class takes place the second Thursday of each month during 30 Thursdays and uses one of MBG’s 31 gardens as a background. Bring your own beverage and painting supplies. Free with garden admission. 

4. Council Approves Conditional Return of Beale Street Cover - Thursday, September 13, 2018

After much debate and consultation with attorneys, the Memphis City Council voted Tuesday, Sept. 11, to allow Memphis Police and the Downtown Memphis Commission to reinstate a cover charge for the Beale Street entertainment district.

5. City Balks at Forrest Descendants’ Proposed $30M Settlement - Wednesday, September 12, 2018

The city of Memphis is balking at a $30 million settlement demand by descendants of Nathan Bedford Forrest and Sons of Confederate Veterans in connection with the removal of the Confederate general’s statue from Health Sciences Park.

6. Council Approves Conditional Return of Beale Cover - Wednesday, September 12, 2018

After much debate and consultation with attorneys, the Memphis City Council voted Tuesday, Sept. 11, to allow Memphis Police and the Downtown Memphis Commission to reinstate a cover charge for the Beale Street entertainment district.

7. Events - Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Memphis Botanic Garden hosts its Food Truck Garden Party: Medieval Merriment on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MBG, 750 Cherry Road. The party features live music, food trucks, cash bar, a pedestal jousting ring and crafts for kids. Cover, which includes one drink ticket, is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers; admission for children 2 and younger is free. Go here for more details.

8. Events - Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Memphis Botanic Garden hosts its Food Truck Garden Party: Medieval Merriment on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MBG, 750 Cherry Road. The party features live music, food trucks, cash bar, a pedestal jousting ring and crafts for kids. Cover, which includes one drink ticket, is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers; admission for children 2 and younger is free. Go here for more details.

9. Events - Monday, September 10, 2018

The Whitehaven Farmers Market, hosted by Methodist South Hospital, is open Monday, Sept. 10, from noon to 5 p.m. in front of Methodist South’s Medical Office Complex, 1300 Wesley Drive. Shop locally grown fruits and vegetables, then visit the University of Tennessee Extension booth, Farmers’ Market Fresh, for children’s activities, food demonstrations, recipes and more. The market continues Mondays through Sept. 24. For more information, call 901-516-3580.

10. Events - Saturday, September 8, 2018

Memphis Botanic Garden hosts its Food Truck Garden Party: Medieval Merriment on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MBG, 750 Cherry Road. The party features live music, food trucks, cash bar, a pedestal jousting ring and crafts for kids. Cover, which includes one drink ticket, is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers; admission for children 2 and younger is free. Visit memphisbotanicgarden.com/foodtruck for details.

11. Solid Foundation - Thursday, September 6, 2018

While sitting at his desk, Fred Jones needs only to take a quick look up and to his right to see the strides made by him and his Southern Heritage Classic. But what does the 70-year-old Jones see when he looks up at the hopeful guy in his early 40s staring back from a newspaper photo accompanying a story prior to the inaugural game in 1990?

12. Enthusiastic Fans Embrace City’s New Soccer Team - Tuesday, September 4, 2018

How’s this for a 9-01 day? At 9:01 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, Memphis’ expansion United Soccer League franchise rolled out its logo and identity as Memphis 901 FC on social media.

By 12:01 p.m., fans were already snatching up gear in the team’s AutoZone Park store – seven months before 901 FC plays its first game in March.

13. The Week Ahead: Sept. 3-9 - Monday, September 3, 2018

Good morning, Memphis. It’s going to be hot today, so take it easy while you are grilling out. Here’s a list of some events going on for this holiday-shortened week. Happy Labor Day!

14. Kick in the Grass - Saturday, September 1, 2018

Mentally, the ownership group bringing a United Soccer League team to share AutoZone Park with the Memphis Redbirds has been flipping the switch for the better part of two years. After the last out of the Redbirds regular-season home finale was recorded Monday, the act got physical. The concept became real.

15. Chamber Seeks Site Improvement Grants for 9 Sites Including Firestone - Tuesday, August 28, 2018

The Greater Memphis Chamber has applied for state improvement grants for nine economic development sites in Memphis as the first step in a “Sites and Buildings Plan.”

The list of Memphis sites includes the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. plant site in North Memphis, which is one of eight applying via the chamber to be part of the Tennessee Site Evaluation Program.

16. The Week Ahead: Aug. 27-Sept. 2 - Monday, August 27, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! When the calendar turns to September on Saturday, it becomes all things 901 for Memphians. Saturday also marks the first professional soccer game to be held in Memphis and the season opener for the University of Memphis Tigers.

17. Bird Finds Uncharted Nest at U of M - Wednesday, August 22, 2018

The University of Memphis is the first college in the country to partner with Santa Monica, California-based electric scooter-sharing company Bird. Ted Townsend, hired as the U of M’s chief economic development and government relations officer in January, confirmed the exclusive partnership Tuesday.

18. Strickland Open to Talks About Idea of City-Only Industrial Development Board - Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland says he is open to discussing the idea of a city-only Industrial Development Board along with other ideas to be explored by a study group approved by the Memphis City Council last week.

19. Crosstown Concourse Leaders Switch Financing - Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Crosstown Concourse now has permanent financing that replaces a complex mosaic of financing from dozens of institutions that allowed the renovation and readaptation of the 1.5-million-square-foot landmark.

20. The Week Ahead: Aug. 20-26 - Monday, August 20, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! Fall is just around the corner and the weather later this week may give a you a more convincing notion of that. Here is a list of events and meetings that may be of interest as you get the week started.

21. Last Word: Suburban Elections, Charter Changes and Aretha Franklin - Friday, August 17, 2018

Almost there for the November ballot with Thursday’s qualifying deadline for the contenders in the five sets of elections in five of the six suburban towns and cities. Three mayor’s races – all contested -- in Germantown, Lakeland and Bartlett. 11 races decided at the deadline with candidates running unopposed. Something of a surprise in one of the Millington alderman races.

22. Firestone Fallout - Saturday, August 18, 2018

The red letters grow fainter as the years pass in North Memphis. The Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. plant’s smokestack, once a symbol of the industrial base that defined North Memphis, has become a different kind of symbol in the 35 years since the tire plant closed.

23. Making a Splash - Thursday, August 9, 2018

Jen Andrews’ office is in the northwest corner of the visitor center at Shelby Farms Park. The office’s huge windows give her an expansive view of the park. But it’s also two-way glass. On the outside of that glass, at a certain height, are smudges where children have pressed their foreheads and dogs have jumped up with their paws.

24. Infill Developments Seek Consideration in September Land Use Control Board Meeting - Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Three proposed infill developments within the Interstate 240 loop would carve out lots for 35 houses, requiring the demolition of one church building, houses sharing ground with another church and the razing of an old commercial building.

25. Colonial Country Club Submits Request for Redevelopment of a Larger Tract - Wednesday, August 8, 2018

The planned redevelopment of Colonial Country Club in Cordova has taken a major turn, including a new, deep-pocketed development partnership planning to add acreage, a mix of retail, restaurants, offices and full-service hotel.

26. MCA Closing On a Dozen Properties Near Park - Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Memphis College of Art has either sold or accepted offers on all 12 of the properties it owns just south of Poplar Avenue and Overton Park where the school is headquartered.

The financially strapped college is disposing of its apartment buildings, single-family homes, office and studio/class space, and dormitories in preparation for closing by spring 2020.

27. Last Word: DEB Comes to Memphis, Collierville's New School and Lamar Avenue - Monday, August 6, 2018

At the end of an eventful week on several fronts, two of those fronts met Saturday evening in Memphis Park. The park, cleared of all remaining Confederate monuments and markers earlier in the week, was the site of the first Le Diner en Blanc in the city. This is an event that takes place in other cities with the Paris DEB 30 years old and still running.

28. The Week Ahead: Aug. 6-12 - Monday, August 6, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! It’s that time of year again when backpacks, books and buses are on the minds of families around the county. Here’s to a prosperous year for the students of Shelby County Schools and a first day that is safe and fun.  

29. College of Art Closing on a Dozen Properties it is Selling Near Overton Park Site - Friday, August 3, 2018

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story indicated the Womack House at 152 N. Tucker was sold. The transaction was for an easement, not the entire property.

Memphis College of Art has either sold or accepted offers on all 12 of the properties it owns just south of Poplar Avenue and Overton Park where the school is headquartered.

30. Bluff Park - Friday, August 3, 2018

Four replicas of Civil War-era cannons placed in then-Confederate Park six years ago were removed from the riverfront site this week, part of the revamping of the property by Memphis Greenspace.

The removal on Wednesday, Aug. 1, by private work crews for the nonprofit owners of the park, symbolizes the ongoing changes to the property, including renaming the parcel Memphis Park. Memphis Greenspace bought the park as well as Health Sciences Park last December – a major step in eliminating Confederate markers from the two parcels.

31. Civil War Replica Cannons Returned To Sons of Confederate Veterans - Thursday, August 2, 2018

Memphis Greenspace turned over four cannons from Memphis Park to Sons of Confederate Veterans Wednesday, Aug. 1, as the nonprofit continued the process of removing Confederate symbols and markers from the Downtown park.

32. Encore Resort Provides Rare Orlando Relaxation - Thursday, August 2, 2018

“Dad, they have air hockey. And an arcade!”

As we settled into our home at Encore Resort at Reunion in the Orlando area, Colby was busy exploring the large house. And a quick look upstairs revealed our own air hockey table and video arcade machine, complete with dozens of great games from my 1980s youth.

33. Team Name for USL Memphis, First Soccer Match a Month Away - Thursday, August 2, 2018

USL Memphis sporting director Andrew Bell is sworn to secrecy about the team’s logo, name and colors, but this much he will reveal: They’re not going to hurt merchandise sales.

34. First-place Redbirds Return To AutoZone Park Wednesday - Wednesday, August 1, 2018

The Memphis Redbirds dropped the series finale to the Las Vegas 51s 10-8 Monday night in Las Vegas. With the loss, the Redbirds finished 2-2 against the 51s this season, and finished their road trip 4-3.

35. Hale Named Principal Owner At Pickering Firm - Wednesday, August 1, 2018

After 17 years with Pickering Firm Inc., James Hale has been tapped as one of the architecture and engineering firm’s principal owners. As director of finance and administration, Hale is responsible for overseeing all financial operations of the firm and the day-to-day fiscal management of the company. Hale, who is based in Pickering’s Memphis office, also oversees all accounting and administrative staff, including human resources and IT.

36. Police Documents Show Protest Spreadsheet and Fear of 'Radicals' - Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Memphis Police brass kept a spread sheet over the past two years on whether a protest received a city permit – was “lawful” or “unlawful” – while continuing to collect information on some of the protesters from public social media.

37. Last Word: Early Voting's Strong Finish, School Moves and City Hall Crackdown - Monday, July 30, 2018

Most of the major contenders for Tennessee Governor – Democratic and Republican – were in Shelby County over the weekend in which early voting ended and the campaigns now adjust their last minute efforts to the gap between early voting and election day on Thursday.

38. The Week Ahead: July 30-August 5 - Monday, July 30, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! The break from summer humidity has been nice, but it means school is just around the corner. Fortunately, there are plenty of events for you to enjoy as the home stretch of summer appears.

39. Vacancy at Okhissa Lake: Group Hopes to Buy Land From Feds - Monday, July 30, 2018

BUDE, Miss. (AP) — He put in around noon on a Friday.

Nearby, the women sprayed sunscreen and hung floaties on the children, and the boys threw rocks into the duckweed. Onboard, they had grocery bags, a propane grill and not one fishing pole.

40. O’Neill Hits 3 Home Runs In Redbirds Victory - Saturday, July 28, 2018

Outfielder Tyler O’Neill blasted three home runs in the Memphis Redbirds’ 7-4 win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Brewers) Sunday afternoon, July 22, at AutoZone Park. Memphis is 64-37 on the season and in first place in its division in the Pacific Coast League.

41. New Gym Opening In East Memphis - Saturday, July 28, 2018

SHED Fitness has signed a lease to occupy 4,055 square feet at 1215 Ridgeway Road.

Marcus Esposito and Maureen Shorter Esposito, the local franchise owners, are currently building out their Park Place location, which is expected to open in August.

42. Events - Saturday, July 28, 2018

Tennessee’s 2018 Sales Tax Holiday takes place Friday, July 27, at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, July 29, at 11:59 p.m. Shoppers can save nearly 10 percent on clothing, school and art supplies that cost $100 or less per item and computers that cost $1,500 or less. Visit tntaxholiday.com for details and lists of tax-exempt and taxable items.

43. New Gym Opening In East Memphis - Friday, July 27, 2018

SHED Fitness has signed a lease to occupy 4,055 square feet at 1215 Ridgeway Road.

Marcus Esposito and Maureen Shorter Esposito, the local franchise owners, are currently building out their Park Place location, which is expected to open in August.

44. Events - Friday, July 27, 2018

Tennessee’s 2018 Sales Tax Holiday takes place Friday, July 27, at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, July 29, at 11:59 p.m. Shoppers can save nearly 10 percent on clothing, school and art supplies that cost $100 or less per item and computers that cost $1,500 or less. Visit tntaxholiday.com for details and lists of tax-exempt and taxable items.

45. De-Annexation Plan Encounters Council Resistance - Wednesday, July 25, 2018

The Strickland administration’s proposal to de-annex two more parts of the city – Southwind-Windyke and Rocky Point – got bad reviews Tuesday, July 24, in city council committee sessions on their way to the first of three council votes in August.

46. O’Neill Hits 3 Home Runs In Redbirds Victory - Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Outfielder Tyler O’Neill blasted three home runs in the Memphis Redbirds’ 7-4 win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Brewers) Sunday afternoon, July 22, at AutoZone Park. Memphis is 64-37 on the season and in first place in its division in the Pacific Coast League.

47. Council Gets First Look at Sanitation Overhaul - Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Memphis City Council members offer their first thoughts Tuesday, July 23, on the reconfiguration of city sanitation services outlined last week by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland.

48. Memphis Football Fan Events on Aug. 11, Aug. 24 - Monday, July 23, 2018

The University of Memphis Athletic Department announced a pair of fan-oriented events around the 2018 fall camp. On Saturday, Aug. 11, the Tigers will host Football Fan Fest on the Park Avenue Campus. The open practice will feature an equipment sale, an open scrimmage and an autograph session.

49. Last Word: MemFix 4's Big Weekend, Early Voting Six Days In and Grizz Moves - Friday, July 20, 2018

A big weekend to avoid the interstate with a rare closing of I-240 between the 385 split and the I-40 split and Poplar over I-240 also closed in both directions. This kicks in Friday evening and runs up to Monday morning’s rush hour as TDOT crews work to replace four bridges in East Memphis using a relatively new process in which parts of the bridges are assembled in advance and then moved into place. The bridges are both Poplar bridges, the Park Avenue bridge and the Norfolk Southern rail bridge. And this will happen all over again in about a week’s time using the same schedule, weather permitting. Weekenders on the interstate already have some experience with a milder version of this with the interstate projects on the south leg

50. USL Memphis Team Name To be Announced Sept. 1 - Saturday, July 21, 2018

USL Memphis will soon have a team name. The new professional soccer franchise will unveil its team name and logo Sept. 1. Also part of the day: an exhibition match at AutoZone Park between Tim Howard’s Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer against Tulsa Roughnecks FC of the United Soccer League at 7 p.m.

51. USL Memphis Team Name To be Announced Sept. 1 - Thursday, July 19, 2018

USL Memphis will soon have a team name. The new professional soccer franchise will unveil its team name and logo Sept. 1. Also part of the day: an exhibition match at AutoZone Park between Tim Howard’s Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer against Tulsa Roughnecks FC of the United Soccer League at 7 p.m.

52. Big Attraction Not Key to Remaking Mud Island River Park, N.Y. Expert Tells Memphis Group - Thursday, July 19, 2018

Mud Island River Park doesn’t need a master plan or a new big attraction, the former director of Governors Island in New York City told a Memphis group this week.

Leslie Koch said she had neither during her tenure as president and chief executive of the Trust for Governors Island, the organization created to manage the former military base that was turned over to the city of New York as park land.

53. The Week Ahead: July 16-22 - Monday, July 16, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! The popular Roundhouse Revival at the Mid-South Coliseum returns this weekend, along with a retro skate night against the scenic backdrop of the Mississippi River at sunset. Check out those events and more happenings you need to know about in The Week Ahead...

54. City Council Approves $1.2M for Hampline - Saturday, July 14, 2018

Memphis City Council members approved $1.2 million in funding for the Hampline bikeway linking the eastern end of Shelby Farms Greenline to Overton Park’s eastern border.

The resolution approved Tuesday, July 10, on a unanimous vote funds the upgrade of the existing Hampline with $1 million in Tennessee Department of Transportation pass-through funding of federal grant money along with $269,635 in city capital funding through general obligation bonds.

55. Heat Wave - Saturday, July 14, 2018

After what was a banner year in many ways for Memphis commercial real estate in 2017, projections for this year were bullish. But at the halfway point of 2018, have expectations in the area risen with the temperatures or have they begun to dry out under the sweltering summer heat? 

56. City Council Approves $1.2M Funding for Hampline - Thursday, July 12, 2018

Memphis City Council members approved $1.2 million in funding for the Hampline bikeway linking the eastern end of Shelby Farms Greenline to Overton Park’s eastern border.

The resolution approved Tuesday, July 10, on a unanimous vote funds the upgrade of the existing Hampline with $1 million in Tennessee Department of Transportation pass-through funding of federal grant money along with $269,635 in city capital funding through general obligation bonds.

57. Council Discusses Doing Away With Elected City Court Clerk - Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Memphis City Council members discuss a proposal Tuesday, July 10, that would abolish the office of City Court clerk and divert its functions to the city treasurer’s office.

The change would require approval by city voters in a referendum proposed for the Nov. 6 ballot. If the referendum ordinance is approved on three readings, it would be the fourth ballot question changing the city charter to go to city voters on the November ballot.

58. Last Word: Kyle Anderson's Apartment Search, Tate vs. Robinson and Finding Capital - Monday, July 9, 2018

Keedran Franklin, an activist who has been a visible part of the rise in local protests and other actions over the last two years or so is free on bond pending a first court appearance Monday morning after being arrested by Memphis Police on a variety of misdemeanor and felony charges Friday night.

59. The Week Ahead: July 9-15 - Monday, July 9, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! This week delivers a blast with some entertainment straight out of the '80s, plus your chance to tour a midcentury property in the midst of a restoration. Plus, we share what you need to know about early voting, I-240 closures, and plenty of other local happenings in The Week Ahead...

60. Last Word: River Museum Review, Tigers' Blended Family and Oxford Crackdown - Friday, July 6, 2018

It’s not the Gulf. It’s Lake Pontchartrain that draws the crowds on Mud Island. The Riverwalk replica of the Gulf of Mexico’s neighbor that is. A few adjustments is all it took to return authorized wading to the area at the end of the scale model of the Mississippi River. The river park is changing as it continues to make its way through the annual season from the summer and into the fall.

61. Review of Mud Island Museum Begins as River Museum Closes Early for Season - Friday, July 6, 2018

The former director of Governors Island in New York and the head of a Colorado company that helps develop outdoor adventure businesses are coming to Memphis this month as part of the process of rethinking the 36-year-old Mud Island Mississippi River Museum.

62. Events - Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Germantown’s Fourth of July celebration kicks off Wednesday, July 4, with a 9 a.m. fishing rodeo at Municipal Park Lake, 1900 S. Germantown Road. Municipal Park is also the setting for live entertainment, concessions, games, rides and crafts starting at 5 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:10 p.m. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/cityofgermantown for details.

63. Events - Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Collierville’s Independence Day Celebration is Tuesday, July 3, starting at 6 p.m. at Cox Park, 440 W. Powell Road. Food vendors open at 6 p.m. and live entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m., all leading up to fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/townofcollierville for details.

64. Events - Monday, July 2, 2018

Community LIFT will host three Empowerment Fund grant information sessions to discuss the microgrants available to fund community-support projects in under-resourced Memphis neighborhoods. Individuals and groups interested in apply must attend a session:

65. The Week Ahead: July 2-8, 2018 - Monday, July 2, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! The Fourth of July hits on Wednesday this year, delivering plenty of fireworks and fun in the middle of the week. Check out our roundup of Independence Day events and more you need to know about in The Week Ahead...

66. Events - Saturday, June 30, 2018

Mud Island River Park’s Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular is Wednesday, July 4, on Mud Island, 125 N. Front St. Rides, games, live music by 5th Kind and family-friendly activities begin at 6 p.m., and the fireworks display launches at 9:15 p.m. Admission is free; food and beverages available for purchase. Visit downtownmemphis.com for details.

67. Editorial: Multifamily Development About More Than Numbers - Saturday, June 30, 2018

Finding a place for multifamily development across Memphis and into the suburbs is essential not only to the growth of Memphis and Shelby County by population.

It is essential to how we manage and shape the growth of Memphis and Shelby County.

68. Events - Thursday, June 28, 2018

HDR and the Greater Memphis Chamber host a ribbon cutting and open house Thursday, June 28, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at HDR’s new Memphis office, 6745 Lenox Center Court, suite 117. HDR, which offers engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services, operates 200 locations around the world. The company has two other Tennessee offices in Chattanooga and Nashville. Visit hdrinc.com.

69. Events - Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Vaco Memphis holds its June continuing professional education seminar Wednesday, June 27, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Chickasaw Country Club, 3395 Galloway Ave. The seminar will cover digital finance trends, cybersecurity, a tax update and details on accounting standards updates. Admission is $75. Visit vacojune2018cpe.eventbrite.com for details.

70. Bike Share, Greenway and Bike Lane Efforts Point Toward Common Goal - Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Four years after it made its tentative debut with the opening of the Overton Park Bike Gate, the Hampline, across East Parkway from the eastern end of Overton Park, is about to become permanent.

“The Hampline that exists today is about to be changed,” city bikeway and pedestrian program manager Nicholas Oyler said on WKNO-TV’s “Behind The Headlines.”

71. Events - Saturday, June 23, 2018

The Mid-South Transplant Foundation Ride for Life is Sunday, June 24, at 7 a.m. starting at Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. The ride is a 25-mile noncompetitive bike tour through East Memphis and Midtown designed to promote awareness about organ and tissue donation. Kids can also participate in a 1-mile fun ride. Visit midsouthtransplantrfl.racesonline.com for details and registration.

72. Looney Ricks Kiss: Memphis-Grown Urbanism Spurs World-Class Design - Saturday, June 23, 2018

Crosstown Concourse, a gem of mixed-use urbanism and historic redevelopment, has recently been honored with a spate of awards for its design and innovation. These include the grand prize at the Congress for the New Urbanism’s Charter Awards, and the 2018 TN Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award. Additionally, Crosstown received the 2018 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, the highest level of LEED certification available.

73. Month-old Bike-Share Program Exceeding Expectations in Memphis - Friday, June 22, 2018

And we’re rollin’! The new bicycle-sharing system introduced a month ago is exceeding expectations and fueling hopes that Memphis is on a revolutionary pathway to improve health and community connectivity.

74. Methodist Kicks Off Centennial Celebration - Friday, June 22, 2018

This weekend Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare begins its next 100 years helping people in the Mid-South with their healthcare needs. The hospital is celebrating with events like a book launch on Friday and “The Party of the Century” with special guest Magic Johnson on Saturday.

75. Testing a New Line - Friday, June 22, 2018

Beale Street will be trying out new security measures this month as a task force reviewing the entertainment district continues to work on a better plan for the spring and summer weekend peak nights.

76. Events - Thursday, June 21, 2018

The Shelby County Real Estate Road Show, co-sponsored by the Shelby County Trustee’s Office and Chandler Reports, is Thursday, June 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (registration 5 p.m.) at Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road. Learn about the county’s tax sale process and anti-blight initiative, plus how to buy properties through Shelby County Land Bank. Cost is free. Register at rersmemphis621.eventbrite.com.

77. The Week Ahead: June 18-24 - Monday, June 18, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! Summer officially arrives Thursday with the solstice (aka the longest day of the year). Celebrate by taking in an evening Redbirds game or outdoor movie – or head indoors for one of nearly a dozen chamber music concerts. Here’s what else you need to know about in The Week Ahead...

78. Events - Saturday, June 16, 2018

The Memphis Juneteenth Urban Music Festival returns Friday through Sunday, June 15-17, in Robert R. Church Park, 345 Beale St. The annual event features live music, vendors, senior activities, kids zone and more. Admission is free. Visit memphisjuneteenth.com.

79. Editorial: Memphis’ Sports Heritage Tells Enduring Story - Saturday, June 16, 2018

How many Memphis sports franchises can you name? How many tickets to NFL exhibition games did you buy up to the city’s last push for an NFL team more than 20 years ago?

To some, the answers to those questions are a roadmap to a single pro franchise in an enduring league.

80. Dream Redux - Saturday, June 16, 2018

On a recent afternoon at AutoZone Park, manager Stubby Clapp’s team had a two-run lead going into the ninth inning. Assigned the task of getting the last three outs: veteran big league closer Greg Holland, he of 186 career saves and three All-Star appearances, and on this day pitching for the Memphis Redbirds on a rehab assignment.

81. UT’s Holdsclaw Finds Joy in Finding Herself - Friday, June 15, 2018

Identity is the fundamental premise of the human condition. Who are you? Until that’s comfortably resolved, nothing else is able to fall into place.

It’s a harsh lesson Chamique Holdsclaw has had to wrestle with during a major portion of what has been a somewhat turbulent four decades of her life.

82. Events - Friday, June 15, 2018

The Memphis Juneteenth Urban Music Festival returns Friday through Sunday, June 15-17, in Robert R. Church Park, 345 Beale St. The annual event features live music, vendors, senior activities, kids zone and more. Admission is free. Visit memphisjuneteenth.com.

83. Food Truck Evolution: Owners Strategize as Novelty Wears Off - Thursday, June 14, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Starting a food truck to sell tacos or barbecue on downtown streets may seem easy or fun, but owners are finding they need more sophisticated plans now that the novelty has worn off.

84. Events - Thursday, June 14, 2018

Memphis Botanic Garden hosts 30 Thursdays: Cocktails and Canvases June 14, at 6 p.m. at 750 Cherry Road. The plein air (outdoor) painting class takes place the second Thursday of each month during 30 Thursdays and uses one of MBG’s 31 gardens as a background. Bring your own beverage and painting supplies. Free with garden admission. Visit memphisbotanicgarden.com/30thursdays for details.

85. The Week Ahead: June 11-17 - Monday, June 11, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! Father’s Day is this weekend – and no matter whether yours is a rocker, a runner or a reader, there’s something to do with dear ol’ dad. Plus, check out where to see Gov. Bill Haslam, former VP Joe Biden and the “winningest woman in racing” in The Week Ahead.

86. Council Drops Referendum From November Ballot - Saturday, June 9, 2018

There will be no referendum question on the Nov. 6 election ballot that would change a basic structural feature of city government.

The Memphis City Council rejected on third and final reading Tuesday, June 5, a referendum question that, if approved by city voters, would have required council approval of city contracts.

87. Events - Saturday, June 9, 2018

Hattiloo Theatre performs “Raisin,” a musical adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” Friday, June 8, through July 1 at 37 S. Cooper St. Visit hattiloo.org for showtimes and tickets.

88. Council Drops Referendum From November Ballot - Thursday, June 7, 2018

There will be no referendum question on the Nov. 6 election ballot that would change a basic structural feature of city government.

The Memphis City Council rejected on third and final reading Tuesday, June 5, a referendum question that, if approved by city voters, would have required council approval of city contracts.

89. City Council Approves $685M City Budget, Takes City Tax Rate to $3.19 - Wednesday, June 6, 2018

The Memphis City Council gave final approval Tuesday, June 5, to a $685 million city operating budget, an $87 million capital budget and a $3.19 city property tax rate.

The votes ended City Hall’s budget season with few changes by the council to the budget proposed by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

90. Dustin Johnson Heads FESJC Field - Wednesday, June 6, 2018

The last FedEx St. Jude Classic will not be without star power. In the tournament’s final year under the current format before converting to the World Golf Championships - FedEx St. Jude Invitational in 2019, the field will feature World No. 2 Dustin Johnson, No. 9 Brooks Koepka and No. 15 Henrik Stenson (rankings through June 3).

91. The Week Ahead: June 4-10 - Monday, June 4, 2018

Good morning, Memphis. Or should we say, “Hush, y’all.” It’s time again for the annual FedEx St. Jude Classic golf tournament, a Memphis tradition that spans 60 years and has been funneling millions of dollars into the doors at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

92. Malco Sues Overton Square Landlord Over Lack of Parking - Saturday, June 2, 2018

Memphis-based Malco Theatres Inc. is suing Overton Square landlord Loeb Properties over the dwindling number of parking spaces surrounding Studio on the Square.

The movie theater chain alleges net profits from Studio on the Square have been reduced as a result of insufficient free parking, which Malco claims is in violation of a long-standing lease agreement, according to documents filed in Shelby County Chancery Court.

93. Events - Thursday, May 31, 2018

The Memphis Italian Festival, benefiting Holy Rosary Parish, returns Thursday through Saturday, May 31-June 2, in Marquette Park, 4946 Alrose Ave. The celebration of all things Italian features a variety of food, vendors, bocce and cornhole tournaments, grape stomping, nightly concerts and more. Visit memphisitalianfestival.com for details and a schedule.

94. Events - Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Remington College Memphis Campus will celebrate the launch of several new programs with an open house Wednesday, May 30, from noon to 4 p.m. on campus, 2710 Nonconnah Blvd. The public can tour the campus, meet instructors and learn about the new programs. Visit remingtoncollege.edu.

95. Council Delays Ordinances To De-Annex 2 Areas - Saturday, May 26, 2018

The Memphis City Council on Tuesday, May 22, again delayed votes on third and final reading of two de-annexation ordinances. One would de-annex uninhabited flood plain land in southwest Memphis, while the other would de-annex the part of Eads within the Memphis city limits.

96. Events - Tuesday, May 29, 2018

The Beethoven Club Music Series, featuring a performance by some of Memphis’ brightest young college classical musicians, continues Tuesday, May 29, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. The Beethoven Club of Memphis hosts the series on the last Tuesday of every month. Admission is free; light refreshments will be served. Visit beethovenclubmemphis.org.

97. Events - Monday, May 28, 2018

Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s School hosts its third Summer Dance Intensive Tuesday, May 29, through Friday, June 1, at Buckman, 60 Perkins Road Extended. The four-day program is designed for musical theater students and dancers ages 8 and older who are looking to explore new genres. Tuition is $150. Visit buckmanartscenter.com for details and registration.

98. Events - Saturday, May 26, 2018

Project ChildSafe Memphis will give away free gun locks at all 30 of Memphis’ community and senior centers starting Memorial Day weekend, May 26-28. Project ChildSafe Memphis and its partners have distributed more than 9,000 gun locks since the program launched in October. Visit projectchildsafe.org for details and memphistn.gov for a list of community and senior centers.

99. TDZ Expansion Seen As Catalyst for 'Public Realm' Work - Friday, May 25, 2018

In the five weeks since the Riverfront Development Corporation became the Memphis River Parks Partnership, Greenbelt Park on Mud Island and Martyr’s Park on the Memphis mainland have gotten some rehabbed park benches. The bench work includes the Bluffwalk as well as work on the RiverLine trail that runs behind the flood walls on the other side from the Pyramid.

100. Events - Friday, May 25, 2018

Southern College of Optometry, the Memphis Medical District Collaborative and the Memphis Business Group on Health will host a preview screening of “To Err is Human” and panel discussion on reducing medical errors Friday, May 25, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in SCO’s East/West classroom, 1245 Madison Ave. The film, set to be released in November, explores the United States’ third-leading cause of death, medical mistakes. Afterward, representatives from Baptist Memorial Health Care, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Saint Francis Health Care and Regional One Health will discuss preventable medical mistakes and how their systems can work together to reduce errors. Cost is free; registration is required. Visit eventbrite.com for tickets.