VOL. 127 | NO. 69 | Monday, April 9, 2012
Bankers, financial executives, businessmen and other professionals will gather at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis on Monday, April 9, to hear from Art Laffer, a prominent national economist who has advised multiple presidents and presidential candidates since the 1970s on tax policy.

New and improved Mud Island River Park celebrates 30th anniversary
Leading up to Mud Island River Park’s 30th anniversary celebration, changes have been made everywhere from its logo to its concert series and even upgrades in areas that were damaged during last May’s Mississippi River flood.
Memphis City Schools superintendent Kriner Cash is one of three finalists to be superintendent of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools system.
Stock in Memphis-based Pinnacle Airlines Corp. will be delisted from the NASDAQ stock market starting at the opening on business Wednesday, April 11.
As the nation awaits the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision on the Affordable Care Act, local experts weighed in at The Daily News Health Care Reform Seminar, held Thursday, April 5, at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.
Tina Sullivan is the new executive director of the Overton Park Conservancy effective May 1.
“This time I waited to be sure,” Ian Randolph said just before the Thursday, April 5, deadline for candidates to file in the Aug. 2 elections.
Shelby County Commissioners will consider a $250,000 upgrade of the Shelby County Jury Commission space at 157 Poplar Ave. during their Monday, April 9, meeting.
Reinyah Ballard, 2, died Sunday, April 1, from abuse. Her father has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, after leaving her, along with her young siblings, unattended inside his vehicle with the engine running.
The chairman of the countywide school board, Billy Orgel, has effectively won election to his District 7 school board seat without opposition.
GOVERNMENT AGENDA
The Shelby County Commission will meet Monday, April 9, at 1:30 p.m. in the Shelby County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St. Click on the icon for a full agenda.
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Human resources professionals no doubt groan at the stereotypes of them portrayed in popular culture such as on TV shows like “The Office.”
LOCAL COLUMNISTS
They say those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I believe this idea applies personally and it is true in your business life. If you want to go to the next level in your career, whatever that means for you, it’s a good idea to explore the history of your behavior and look for significant behavior-shaping people and events. Behavior related to people and events that have so far helped you succeed; and behavior that might be limiting your success.
THE MEMPHIS NEWS

Local businesses fall on both sides of the social coupon craze
The anatomy of a deal has become a fascinating study these days among businesspeople, grappling as many of them do with coupons, daily deals, special offers – whatever magic ingredient will bring customers through the door.
It seems as if we were walking between bare trees with our collars up just the other day. And now all is green and growing in our corner of the world.
William Shakespeare bids a fond farewell to the stage in Tennessee Shakespeare Co.’s next production, “The Tempest.”
Philippe Brainos sits at a table at Chez Philippe – yes, he jokes about guests who say, “So this is your restaurant!” – making notes about the wine list. When a reporter approaches for an interview, Brainos stands and slips on his black jacket before extending his hand in greeting. That’s the Old School sort of gentleman, Frenchman and restaurant maitre d’hotel that he is; service is his life.
Wineries often launch what are called “second labels” to provide consumers with less expensive alternatives to their primary wines. The practice originated in Bordeaux, where estates would bottle wines from younger vines that were deemed inappropriate for their Big Deal wines and sell them at a fraction of the price; it’s also a way of keeping the cash flow healthy. Unfortunately, the great wines of Bordeaux have gotten so expensive that for 2009 one of the second labels costs $450 a bottle. Perhaps that’s a bargain in some other universe.
REGIONAL
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) – BancorpSouth will to pay $1.75 million to settle a class action lawsuit related to improper overdraft fees.
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) – A two-year-old feud over who owns the so-called Elvis Bus continues in a Mississippi court.
NATIONAL BUSINESS
WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. job market slowed in March as companies hit the brakes on hiring amid uncertainty about the economy's growth prospects. The unemployment rate dipped, but mostly because more Americans stopped looking for work.
TECHNOLOGY
NEW YORK (AP) – Facebook will list its shares with Nasdaq, according to media reports.