Vaco Logistics Partners With Workforce Center

Vaco Logistics has partnered with the Southeast Transportation Workforce Center to address workforce issues in the Mid-South as well as women-focused issues in transportation nationally. Housed at the University of Memphis, SETWC serves a 12-state region as well as Puerto Rico in encouraging transportation workforce development specifically for women, veterans and the freight industry.

Vaco Logistics was a key sponsor of SETWC’s Choosing Transportation: Attracting Women to the Profession summit held in March, and through that partnership the Memphis-based company recognized the need to collaboratively create pathways to success for women in the transportation workforce.

Therefore, Vaco joined SETWC in the list of 100 key partnerships being developed by the National Network for the Transportation Workforce, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

– Madeline Faber

Zoo Hosting Celebrity Chef Dinner Oct. 8

The Memphis Zoo will host a James Beard Foundation’s Celebrity Chef Tour dinner next month at Teton Trek Lodge, an occasion that marks the first time the foundation has hosted a dinner at a zoo.

Guests will enjoy a five-course meal prepared by two James Beard award-winning chefs, as well as five featured chefs who will be spotlighted during the event. All proceeds benefit the James Beard Foundation. The celebrity chefs include four from Memphis – Kelly English from Restaurant Iris and The Second Line; Michael Hudman and Andrew Ticer from Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen; and Phillip Ashley Rix from Phillip Ashley Chocolates.

Courses will be paired with wines and cocktails mixed by Nick Talarico from Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen. Java4Jobs coffee also will be served.

The Oct. 8 event starts at 6:30 p.m. Tables of eight are on sale now. Call 901-333-6571 for more information.

– Andy Meek

Leadership Memphis, WGU Launch Scholarship Fund

Leadership Memphis and nonprofit online university WGU Tennessee have partnered to launch the Graduate Memphis Scholarship, the two organizations announced Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Through the program, WGU will award up to $300,000 in funds to 100 new students who live in Shelby County and submit an application through Dec. 31.

The Graduate Memphis Scholarship – named for Graduate Memphis, an action initiative of Leadership Memphis and the Memphis Talent Dividend with funding from the Plough Foundation – can be applied to any of WGU Tennessee’s more than 50 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Scholarships of up to $3,000 will be applied at the rate of $600 per six-month term, renewable for up to five terms.

“This partnership is an important step toward our goal of making college completion accessible and affordable for more Memphians,” said Leadership Memphis president and CEO David Williams in a statement. “Shelby County is home to tens of thousands of working adults who have completed some college, but lack a degree or certification. The Graduate Memphis Scholarship will help to close that gap.”

– Daily News staff

Memphis Airport Lands $1.4 Million for Improvements

Memphis International Airport will receive $1.4 million in federal funding to go toward installing newer, more efficient air conditioning units in three jet bridges.

The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Voluntary Airport Low Emission program, which is designed to reduce emissions and improve the air quality in and around the airport..

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen announced the funding Thursday, Sept. 17, saying, “This funding will help ensure the Memphis airport can continue serving travelers comfortably and efficiently while protecting our environment for Memphians who live nearby.”

– Madeline Faber

AAF Memphis Plug-In Set for Sept. 23

AAF Memphis, the local chapter of the American Advertising Federation, is hosting its annual Plug-In event Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Amurica, 410 N. Cleveland St.

The after-work event features a food truck, beverages and live music by “loud, well-intentioned local ad-bands” from Archer Malmo, Red Deluxe, Combustion, Sullivan Branding and more. Also during the event, featured speaker Justin Helton will share work from Status Serigraph, his Knoxville-based full-service graphic design and poster studio specializing in music and entertainment.

The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and tickets are $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Visit aafmemphis.org/events to learn more or register for the luncheon.

– Andy Meek

New Restaurant Flying Into Oak Court Mall

A new eatery has spread its wings and landed at Oak Court Mall.

American Wing Co. is opening this fall in the mall, at 4465 Poplar Ave.

The menu features classic and boneless chicken wings in a variety of flavors, such as lemon pepper, garlic pepper, teriyaki, honey BBQ and honey mustard prepared mild, medium, hot and extra hot.

Burgers, hot dogs, gyros, fried fish and shrimp also will be on the menu.

Other restaurants operating in Oak Court include Chick-fil-A, Charley’s Grilled Subs and Subway.

– Andy Meek