The Inaugural: He got his ticket even before the election! Obama’s election was a powerful and complex moment for most black men. For those who can or couldn’t make the trip, finding a way to watch here in Memphis. The woman from Walls is going. Many Memphis and Shelby County churches will begin celebrating the Obama inaugural with special Sunday services.

Mayor Herenton: Two City Council members — Myron Lowery and Jim Strickland — are seeking legal opinion on whether the Council has any responsibility or duty to investigate the Mayor. Related story from WREG. More reporting, from Eyewitness News, on the mayor’s $90,000 land deal and his Rotary Club address Tuesday. WMC examines the mayor’s letter in the Commercial Appeal.

City of Memphis: Local groups are drawing up this lists of potential spending projects, if Federal grants come though.

Memphis Daily News: The paper had some layoffs, including Executive Director David Yawn. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Cold Weather: With icebox cold coming today, how to stay safe and warm, from Eyewitness News. More on the expected cold. (Watch your car as well.) WMC also warns about the cold. ‘Arctic chill’ says the Commercial Appeal.

Habitat for Humanity: Annual fundraiser, Home Team Huddle, is coming up this Super Bowl Sunday. Registration deadline is February 1.

IRS: They have expanded their free tax filing program to cover almost 70% of taxpayers!

Booker T. Washington High School: Shelby County inmates head out to the neighborhood to clean up blight.

U.S. Census Bureau: They will begin hiring and training as many as 500 workers for the 2010 census in Shelby County.

Tennessee Air National Guard: They are testing a new synthetic-fueled jet at Memphis International Airport and Millington Jetport that runs off coal-derived fuel.

Bartlett: Despite the over economy, city attracted $111 million in capital investment and over 700 jobs.

DeSoto County: School systems are preparing for funding cuts.

Previously Posted: More, via the Business Journal, on variable tuition rates at TN colleges and universities.

Barboro Alley Flats: Work begins on Main St. property.

The Commercial Appeal: Four new members to the citizens board that advises on editorial discussions.

Cordova: Resident seeks to ban sex offenders from his subdivision.

TENNESSEE: Governor Bredesen says as many as 2000 could lose State jobs. The University of Tennessee is predicting 700 job cuts; more from the Daily News. Governor fears Board of Regents flexible tuition plan will cause ‘massive tuition increase’.

MIFA: They are set to receive $10,000 UPS Foundation grant for software improvements.

Cocaine and Alcohol Awareness Project: Local recovery effort receives $1.5 million grant to provide outpatient counseling.

The General Washburn Project: Developers take out $5.7 million building permit to renovate building into apartments.

MISSISSIPPI: Governor Barbour proposes $158 million in cuts to $5 billion budget. This includes cuts to education. The Voter ID bill is introduced into the Legislature and the cigarette tax is passed right away.

BUSINESS: The Fed’s Beige Book is full of bad news for the Mid-South economy through 2009; more from the CA. Jobs that are recession beaters. Memphis mortgage bankers are very happy with the refinancing boom.

Business profile, via the CA, of Superior Smiles dental office.

Ave Maria: Bartlett assisted living facility raises $6 million toward new construction. Work set to begin after February.

Unions: Attorneys for local hospitals involved in wage dispute claim it’s really a union organising effort.

Survey Says: Retail sales plummet 2.7% in December; sixth month of losses. The number of lawsuits in Federal courts grew 9%. Non-residential contruction spending expected to fall 11% in 2009, but so will construction materials costs. Retail sales dropped 2.7% in November and December. Resale of foreclosed properties was up 7% in 2008, though not in Q4. Nationally, expert predicts recovery to get underway in second half of 2009. Business inventories are cut by most in 7 years.

My Midtown Memphis: An Orpheum Theater performance occasions some thoughts on theater and theaters.

Notes from Memphis: Got 3, 4 or more habits? This might be the store for you.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: Downtown booster boosts Downtown. MIFA’s March for Meals and where to watch the Obama inauguration downtown.

Running With Dice: A tale of two births.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Surprising revelations from the Army War College.

John Branston: A tale of two media men: Willie Herenton and Tre Hargett. Did Hargett get a huge pass from the Commercial Appeal and other media?

Stacey Greenberg: Letting boys test their limits and be … well, boys.

Smart City Memphis: The New Year’s wishes continue with developer Henry Turley, Ballet Memphis’ Dorothy Gunther Pugh, and Teach For America’s Brad Leon.

Wendi C. Thomas: She plugs the Continuing Education courses at the University of Memphis.

Pretty in Pink Megan: A recipe for Cajun red beans and rice for the cold days ahead.
 

Dr. Scott Morris: He’s tired of the negative talk and wants to hear about the good things in Memphis.

Commercial Appeal: After publishing the mayor’s letter yesterday, they now critique and counter it.

LeftWing Cracker: A thumbs-up and a link, for House Speaker Williams.

Fore Left! On Obama and Osama and Bush and Barack.

Complacencies of the Peignoir: Encounters with random men.

Bigger Than Your Head: The wine of the week is … Sexto 2006.

a field guide to urban memphis: Praise for Niall Ferguson’s documentary, The Ascent of Money.

Author of Y’all’s Destruction: It’s a miracle; he’s been accepted for publication … twice!