Volunteering: While you are waiting for your next job, use the time wisely and volunteer around the community!

Chili’s: All profits from September 28 sales will go to St Jude Chldren’s Research Hospital, the “culmination of Chili’s Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign”.

Dalai Lama: While making remarks during his receiving the International Freedom Award from the National Civil Rights Museum, he said he was a “feminist”. A local reporter’s appearance amuses him. The Flyer’s Jackson Bakerlikes the fist-bump moment. And, of course, there were reactions, reactions. More reporting from WMC, Eyewitness News. The Commerical Appeal highlights his giving back of his award money to the NCRM.

The Dalai Lama also toured the National Civil Right Museum and also left a scarf and a prayer on the spot of Dr Martin Luther King’s assassination. Also, reports on the Freedom Award he received, from Fox13. More from WMC, Eyewitness News, the Daily News.

Business: Aerospace Products International has signed a deal for handling aftermarket services with Cirrus Aircraft. More on this from WREG and the Commercial Appeal.

People in business, from the CA.

AutoZone: Net income was down though net sales were up slightly. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Memphis Bar Association: Their Leadership Forum held a retreat last weekend to foster networking and civility.

Mississippi: The state’s jobless rate fell in August, to 9.5%. The State’s Medicaid director and Attorney General are feuding over who isn’t pursuing which fraud cases. Delaying the start of the school year could save the State money.

FedEx: CEO Fred Smith spoke in Washington, DC, on “a tax on carbon, a reduction in the payroll tax and expensing of capital equipment”.

The MED: The State of Arkansas has come through with funding and now all eyes turn to Mississippi.

E. W. Scripps: The Vice-President for Content, Rusty Coats, talked about the future of journalism and social media. Scripps owns the Commercial Appeal.

Bass Pro Shops: Memphis CAO Jack Sammons is hinting very clearly that a definitve deal might be close. More on the story, as Mayor Pro-tem Myron Lowery agrees; more in the Commercial Appeal.

Real Estate: The Broadstone REIT has purchased the DSI Renal Care building. More on the new Austin Park Place housing units and the end of public housing in Memphis, from the Daily News.

Tennessee: The politics and political fighting behind the Haywood County megasite. All this wet weather the past month has an upside, reports the National Weather Service. (via NWTN Today)

Millington allows pot-bellied pigs; Collierville allows goats. But Nashville will not allow chickens.

UPDATED! Single Source School Funding: Read Commissioner Mike Carpenter’s press release and study the proposal itself. (DOC document) County Commissioner Mike Carpenter has released a plan for City / County school funding he says would raise County taxes a little and create a County source to fund both schools systems. He’s already being criticised by other commissioners for “upstaging”. Related reports from WREG, the Daily News and the Commercial Appeal.

Blight: County Mayor A C Wharton and the County Commission want to create a maintenance fee and greatly increase County involvement in yard and lot maintenance across Shelby County, mostly against absentee owners. The Commercial Appeal has more.

Memphis City Schools: More on the White Station High student whose assault was not originally reported to the police.

Politics: The new Judicial Nominating Commission, which will control nominations to the State’s high courts, has elected officers. WREG’s Mike Matthews talks with Sidney Chism, a close ally and supporter of Ninth Congressional District candidate Willie Herenton about race and politics.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has sent out a warning to Tennesseans that they do not consider the State’s new “state sovreignty” law to trump their authority to control guns inside the state.

Millington: A progress report on the farmers market. The International Goat Days Festival made sure to honor “Babe” Howard. Citizens will meet later this month to lobby for a new library and science lab for Millington Central High School. (all stories via the Millington Star)

DeSoto County: More on Southaven’s effort to ban non-English language signs. More on the idea of a late start to school, to save funds. An economic grant will extend a railroad line spur near Horn Lake.

Arkansas: The Jericho fire chief who was shot in court now faces felony battery charges from that incident. Arrest warrants out.

Collierville: More on the new NIXLE police alert system. A newly approved ditch under Winchester Road is drawing questions about a right-angle turn along its length. (both stories via the Collierville Independent)

University of Memphis: Banned Books Week will be celebrated next week. A report on the cluster of robberies near the campus. Career Services helps students transition successfully from college to work. The university now has a Campus Freethought Association. (all stories via the Daily Helmsman) Professor Richard Bausch has received the 2009 Dayton Literary Peace Prize for his novel Peace.

Orpheum Theatre: They begin their Broadway season with A Chorus Line, running through this weekend. Orpheum website.

Survey Says: Tennessee is the nation’s 22nd friendliest business state, according to the Tax Foundation. August was the lowest month this year for mass layoff events. CFOs plan to invest in IT systems when the economy recovers. Construction spending is expected to fall into next year.

THE INTERSECTION OF MADNESS AND REALITY: He finds himself less and less of a fan of “Negro greetings” and even considers it disrespectful.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: He still wonders if anyone will ask Mayor A C Wharton about his membership in an anti-gun mayors’ group.

Reginald Milton’s A Fresh Look: A reminder about the ShelbyCo Democrats’ picnic this weekend. Do you think Mayor Lowery went too far?

quite swimmingly: After a longish hiatus, she’s back with a recap of August and September, so far. Includes heckling a heckler and still being out-heckled!

Persian Pit Bull: This Saturday is Woofstock Memphis. Yes, that’s spelled correctly.

Only in Memphis: Myron, the Dalai Lama is not your homeboy.

Midtown Stomp: Celebrating a birthday with dinner at Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen and some good wines.

MemphisConnect: An incredible pair of images of the Dalai Lama outside the infamous hotel room at the National Civil Rights Museum. It’s a shame there aren’t larger versions of these.

Author of Y’all’s Destruction: Tuesday was a major milestone! And some fascinating background on that milestone.

Memphis Lagniappe: This was an image we likely didn’t need….

I’ll be the one in heels: Thoughts on Fall fashions.

Doug Johnson at Work: Did Myron Lowery steal something from him? (And a shout out to a former coworker.)

Commontaries: Kudos to the Memphis Police Association, and mayors Wharton and Lowery.

Brain Release Valve: Zach discovers the Quebecois national dish, poutine. (Mild language alert.)

Boys in the ‘Hood: Walt “milks the baby” for his first time. Your “Awwww….” video for the day.

Bless the Printing Press: Thoughts on sin taxes and sodas.

BEEB: Magic wands and failed gnocchi.

Commercial Appeal: Encouraging communications would antagonise “linguistic minorities” in Mid-South. In this particular issue, government should stay off private property.

Wendi C. Thomas: Going to hear the Dalai Lama speak, and parts of his message. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Because I Said So: A hugging, snuggling mom takes what she can get, while she can still get it. (via the Commercial Appeal)