Panhandling / Alcohol Zoning Ordinance: Both Center City Commission-backed measures passed committee votes yesterday but may still be modified before the final vote comes. More from the Commercial Appeal, Fox13, Eyewitness News, the Flyer.

Zippin Pippin: While there is the inevitable controversy in Green Bay, it seems likely the purchase deal will go through. More from Eyewitness News.

Memphis City Council: Some council members are attempting to undo a voter referendum that creates staggered elections for the council. They also discussed the second lawsuit filed by the City schools. And they addressed concerns about demolition work on the Fairgrounds.

Blight: Residents of Memphis Metro Gardens are being evicted because they should never have been rented in such dilapidated condition. A flea market in the Westwood area is drawing negative attention.

The Wharton Administration: Mayor A C Wharton is sending out a letter which outlines the City’s plans for the Fairgrounds.

West Tennessee: In Madison County, the May primary candidate list is finalised. More information on races and candidates. Mayoral candidate Harrel Carter has resigned his position with radio station WNWS for the duration.

Millington: More on the grease buildup in the municipal sewer system.

West Memphis Three: Actor Johnny Depp will appear on a CBS show to promote the release of the three young men convicted of murder.

Bartlett: Officials decline to close Altruria Road to truck deliveries. Earlier engineering report here.

Politics: Republican Eighth Congressional District candidate George Flinn calls his a grassroots campaign. One of his primary rivals, Jackson doctor Ron Kirkland, may have issues with accepting Federal stimulus funds. US Rep. Pete Sessions, chairman of the NRCC, was in the district last Friday to campaign for Republican candidate Stephen Fincher. From the Jackson Sun, a look at the Democratic side of the Eighth District contest.

A Democrat, Brenda Short, has finally been found to run in the Third Congressional District race.

A bill to prevent State and local tax dollars being used to hire lobbyists dies immediately. Lawmakers are moving to make it easier for troops overseas to vote. Tennessee legislators overwhelmingly approved a resolution urging Congressional rejection of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Legislation cleared the Senate improving and updating the State’s trust laws. Apparently, State law forbids aquariums in barber shops, at least for now; more from Eyewitness News. Another bill seeks to give inmate relations coordinators the same gun-carry privileges as corrections officers.

TennCare director Darin Gordon says the State can use new Medicaid changes to lessen over $100 million in State budget cuts.

Survey Says: Memphis has been named number one for “real estate steals”. Consumer confidence plunges in February. US home prices in December rose very slightly.

Germantown: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen moved closer to allowing farmers markets, among other business.

Financial: Assets for the state’s FDIC-insured banks fell by $10 billion in 2009, versus one year ago. More than a third of state banks were unprofitable in the 4Q of 2009.

FedEx: Teamsters Canada, an affiliate of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, is making a bid to represent some Canadian workers.

NEW: Main Street Journal: Shelby County School Board President David Pickler warns of The Washington Agenda for Shelby County Schools.
 

Memphis City Schools: The City Council voted to approve the 30-10-10 plan to pay $50 million to the school system; more from Eyewitness News, WMC. The Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System uses software & databases to track student achievement and peg it to teacher performance. Parents are disgruntled by the amount of personal money they have to pony up for a “public” education. Superintendent Kriner Cash is likening his fight for a public schools police force to the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike; WMC also reports.

The Wharton Administration: Mayor A C Wharton proposed, in a “State of the City” address, that Memphis create its own image to sell to the rest of the country.

Property Tax Appraisals: Almost 30,000 citizens have filed an appeal, and another Eyewitness News story.

ArtsMemphis: They have launched a series of promotional videos, called “Art Is Memphis” to promote local art and fight the negative perceptions of Memphis.

Arkansas: A judge has delayed the trial of Dr Randeep Mann. More from Eyewitness News.

Collierville: They received $164,000 in Federal stimulus money to hire a consultant for a “green energy audit”.

Shelby County Commission: The Flyer’s Jackson Baker opines on the new televised commission meetings.

Black Farmers Settlement: They have rejected the latest settlement offer and now propose taking their case to the International Court of Justice!

Cooper-Young: Although the news has been on closures, plenty of new restaurants are opening as well.

Greater Memphis Chamber: Their Small Business Council had an event to teach businesses about social media and why it’s important.

Business: There were 40 mass layoffs in the state in January. Thomas & Betts acquired cable protection systems manufacturer PMA AG. Good quarterly and year-end rersults for Target and Macy’s. Medtronic reported improved 3Q profits, though some divisions performed poorly; more from the Commercial Appeal. Tenet Healthcare (owners of St Francis hospitals locally) saw earnings rise, but less than expected. Accredo Healthcare Group Inc. is nearing the $10 billion mark in revenue.

From the Daily News, People in Business. From the Commercial Appeal, What to Do and People in Business.

Mississippi: With fewer than a quarter of students voting, it was three-to-one in favor of searching for a new mascot for Ole Miss. (Note: there was no option to keep Colonel Reb.) More on the vote from Fox13, Eyewitness News; WMC. Legislation and bond approval for new road work passes the State Senate.

Harold Ford Jr: The man behind the Tennesseans for Truth ads in Ford’s 2006 senatorial run, Jeff Cassman, is on the run. Just before he’s due to announce his decision, Ford commissions a poll. And he’s calling for clear pro-choice language in the health care reform bill. NationalJournal.com says Ford’s flirtation with a run has actually helped Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. A former campaign advisor for President Obama, David Plouffe, boosted Gillibrand over Ford.

Real Estate: Education Realty Trust saw higher funds from operations for 4Q and 2009. No recovery in commercial real estate until next year, says National Assocation of Realtors; relates story in the Daily News. The future of the Wooddale Condos is uncertain following an Environmental Court order.

From the Rainbows: It’s been a busy week for them, including a party.

Rustmeister’s Alehouse: Your picture joke of the day: Florida biker bar.

polar donkey: Some very sharp criticism of the Center City Commission and its failed Downtown policy.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: An update on the Downtown ordinances.

Meredith Jubilee and Madeleine Jane: Four-year-old Meredith apparently has an inner neat freak already.

Scribblescrawl: She’s now a fully trained Terminix protection plan sales woman.

Suzanne Parker Tagg: Why Germantown needs a Museum of History. (via the Germantown News)

Commercial Appeal: Authorities search for control of domestic violence. Despite its huge unpopularity, health care reform should be pushed one more time.

The English Major Bookstore: A new meditation technique and some of her recent reading.

Speak To Power: Memphis needs to grab control of its image. A look at Nashville’s decision to fight poverty. Legislation ain’t jobs.

The Ominous Comma: Looking for a way to help out in the community? The Volunteer Expo is tomorrow!

theology & geometry: A reminder that the Memphis Zombie Massacre is just three months away!

Thoroughly Modern Medusa: She introduces you to the Lorick website — “your visual talisman against Seasonal Affective Disorder”.

What is a Carbunkle Trumpet? Trying out some new recipes. Then, an illustrated Beef Brisket 101.

What’s Going On Back There: Marvelling at the ability of young boys to memorise vast amounts of useless information.

The Tale of a Southern Belle: She posts her birthday wishlist … hint, hint.