After four days and more than a dozen witnesses, the federal trial regrading the ACLU’s lawsuit against the city of Memphis over political surveillance of protesters by police ended Thursday

The testimony of three witnesses wrapped up the proceedings that began Monday, Aug. 20.

2. Testimony on Parameters of Police Surveillance Ends - Tuesday, August 28, 2018

After four days and more than a dozen witnesses, the federal trial regrading the ACLU’s lawsuit against the city of Memphis over political surveillance of protesters by police ended Thursday

The testimony of three witnesses wrapped up the proceedings that began Monday, Aug. 20.

3. Testimony on Parameters of Police Surveillance Ends - Monday, August 27, 2018

After four days and more than a dozen witnesses, the federal trial regrading the ACLU’s lawsuit against the city of Memphis over political surveillance of protesters by police ended Thursday, Aug. 23.

4. Testimony Ends in Federal Case Questioning Memphis Police Surveillance Tactics - Thursday, August 23, 2018

After four days, the federal trial where the ACLU sued the city of Memphis over political surveillance of activists, ended Thursday, leaving the decision in the hands of U.S. District Judge Jon McCalla.

5. Events - Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Creative Aging’s Senior Arts Series continues Wednesday, July 18, at 1:30 p.m. at Theatre Memphis, 630 Perkins Road Extended. The performance features bass-baritone vocalist Laurence Albert and Creative Aging storyteller Elaine Blanchard. Tickets available online or at the door for a minimum donation of $5 (cash or check only). Visit creativeagingmidsouth.org.

6. Events - Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Memphis River Parks Partnership hosts Urban M: Considering the Future of Mud Island with Leslie Koch Tuesday, July 17, at 4 p.m. at Beale Street Landing, 215 Riverside Drive. Koch will discuss her work leading the transformation of Governors Island in New York and lessons that can be applied in Memphis. Visit facebook.com/memriverparks for details.

7. Events - Monday, July 16, 2018

The Whitehaven Farmers Market, hosted by Methodist South Hospital, is open Monday, July 16, 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, except for Sept. 3. For more information, call 901-516-3580.

8. Events - Saturday, July 14, 2018

POTS@TheWorks presents the world premiere of “CRIB” Friday, July 13, through July 29 at TheatreWorks, 2085 Monroe Ave. Visit playhouseonthesquare.org for times and tickets.

Omega Ministries/Omega Healthy Practices and the Healthcare Organizations of Greater Memphis Coalition host the Back to School Family Affair Saturday, July 14, from 8 a.m. to noon at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Student-Alumni Center, 800 Madison Ave. Free and open to the public; free backpacks with supplies will be given to the first 500 people with a parent or guardian present.

9. Events - Tuesday, February 27, 2018

The National Civil Rights Museum and the University of Memphis Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change will present “The Poverty Report: Memphis Since MLK” during a forum and panel discussion Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at NCRM, 450 Mulberry St. The report details how African-Americans and the poor have fared in Memphis and Shelby County over the past 50 years. Cost is free. RSVP at civilrightsmuseum.org.

10. 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.

11. McCalla Keeps Police Surveillance Lawsuit - Friday, July 7, 2017

A Memphis federal judge has dropped four citizens as plaintiffs in a lawsuit alleging the city violated a 1978 federal consent decree barring police from conducting surveillance of protesters, saying the citizens don’t have standing.

12. McCalla Keeps Police Surveillance Lawsuit, Drops Protester Plaintiffs - Thursday, July 6, 2017

A Memphis Federal Judge has dropped four citizens from a lawsuit alleging the city violated a 1978 federal consent decree barring police from conducting surveillance of protesters saying they don’t have standing.

13. Memphis Police Surveillance Suits Remain Separate - Thursday, March 30, 2017

Two Memphis federal court lawsuits accusing the Memphis Police Department of conducting illegal surveillance of protesters will remain separate.

On Monday, March 27, U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman denied a motion by attorneys for the city to transfer the case of Antonio Cathey and the Mid-South Organizing Committee to federal judge Jon P. McCalla.

14. Police Surveillance Lawsuits to Remain Separate - Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Two Memphis federal court lawsuits accusing the Memphis Police Department of conducting illegal surveillance of protesters will remain separate.

U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman ruled Monday, March 27, denying a motion by attorneys for the city to transfer the case of Antonio Cathey and the Mid-South Organizing Committee to federal judge Jon P. McCalla.

15. Events - Saturday, February 25, 2017

Hands of Hope Auction Party, the largest annual fundraiser for the Exchange Club Family Center, will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. at the Halloran Centre, 225 S. Main St. The party will include silent and live auctions, live music provided by Earnestine and Hazel’s Band and Otis Faithful, dancing and gourmet food. Visit exchangeclub.net/handsofhope to buy tickets.

16. Events - Friday, February 24, 2017

Stax Music Academy will perform a Black History Month tribute to the 1967 Stax/Volt European Tour Friday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. at Minglewood Hall, 1555 Madison Ave. The concert will feature the music of Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T. & the MGs, Eddie Floyd, Carla Thomas, and Arthur Conley. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door; call 901-946-2513, ext. 250, to buy advance tickets.

17. Escort List Lawsuit Revives Old Court Order - Friday, February 24, 2017

Nearly 40 years after U.S. District Judge Robert McRae signed a federal consent decree barring the Memphis Police Department from ever gathering and keeping information from “political intelligence” surveillance of Memphis citizens, the court order has come back to life.

18. Lawsuit Seeks End To City Hall List and Police Surveillance - Thursday, February 23, 2017

Four of the 81 citizens on the City Hall escort list filed suit against the city of Memphis Wednesday, Feb. 22, in federal court alleging the city has violated a 1978 consent decree “preventing domestic surveillance of lawful and peaceful protests and exercise of First Amendment rights.”

19. Strickland Calls For Review of City Hall Escort List - Monday, February 20, 2017

Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings is reviewing a list of 81 citizens who cannot come to City Hall without a police escort to wherever they are going in the building after Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland requested the review Saturday, Feb. 18.

20. Strickland Calls For Review of City Hall Escort List - Saturday, February 18, 2017

Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings is reviewing a list of 81 citizens who cannot come to City Hall without a police escort to wherever they are going in the building after Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland requested the review Saturday, Feb. 18.

21. Strickland Calls For Review of City Hall Escort List - Saturday, February 18, 2017

Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings is reviewing a list of 81 citizens who cannot come to City Hall without a police escort to wherever they are going in the building after Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland requested the review Saturday, Feb. 18.

22. Events - Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Creative Aging continues its Senior Arts Series on Wednesday, July 13, at 1 p.m. at Theatre Memphis, 630 Perkins Road Extended. This performance for seniors and their guests will feature Creative Aging storyteller Elaine Blanchard, along with vocalist Laurence Albert and pianist Jill Brookoff. Tickets are $5 cash or check at the door. Visit creativeagingmidsouth.org or call 901-272-3434.

23. Events - Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Ghost River Brewing Co. and Wolf River Conservancy will host Drink a Beer, Save a River on Tuesday, July 12, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Miss Cordelia’s, 737 Harbor Bend Road. A dollar from every Ghost River Beer sold will flow directly to the conservancy. Visit wolfriver.org.

24. Events - Monday, July 11, 2016

West Tennessee Historical Society will meet Monday, July 11, in Memphis University School’s Wunderlich Auditorium, 6191 Park Ave. Nora Tucker, manager and curator of the Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame, is the guest speaker. Visit wths-tn.org for details.

25. Events - Saturday, July 9, 2016

BRIDGES president and CEO Cynthia Ham will host a lunch and learn discussion about the importance of youth-led social change in Memphis on Thursday, July 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bridges, 477 N. Fifth St. Free, secure parking at Fifth and A.W. Willis Avenue. RSVP to cconway@bridgesusa.org or 901-260-3724 by Tuesday, July 12.

26. MCA Students Present ‘Art of Storytelling’ - Saturday, April 26, 2014

Eleven students from Memphis College of Art instructor Elaine Blanchard’s Storytelling class will present “The Art of Storytelling” Saturday, April 26, at 8 p.m. at Theatre South, 1000 S. Cooper St.

27. Memphis College of Art Students Present ‘Art of Storytelling’ - Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Eleven students from Memphis College of Art instructor Elaine Blanchard’s Storytelling class will present “The Art of Storytelling” Saturday, April 26, at 8 p.m. at Theatre South, 1000 S. Cooper St.

28. Prison Stories Lends Ear to Women Behind Bars - Friday, November 11, 2011

Elaine Blanchard has a reputation in the Memphis community as a gifted storyteller, but her greatest gift seems to lie in her willingness to listen, particularly to those who are listened to least.

29. Storyteller Brings Heartrending Tale to Stage - Monday, June 28, 2010

Elaine Blanchard knows all too well that sometimes child’s play turns unexpectedly into nightmares. As a professional storyteller she hopes her personal narrative of a 5-year-old’s game that turned into tragedy will lead to healing as well.