News - Monday, June 21, 2010

The Main Street Journal Website

News - Monday, June 21, 2010

Beale Street: Closing the Plush Club and banning guns doesn’t seem to have slowed the violence on Beale. More in the Commercial Appeal.
 
 
 
 


West Memphis Shootings: Crittenden County Chief Deputy William Wren is out of the hospital and will now enter rehab.


Shelby County Elections: Interim Mayor Joe Ford has trust issues that challenger and Republican Mark Luttrell doesn’t. Fox 13’s Les Smith profiles sheriff’s candidates Randy Wade (Democrat) and Bill Oldham (Republican).


Memphis City Council: Will the citizens of Memphis get to vote on continuing to pay money to the Memphis City Schools? More reports from Fox13. Councilman Shea Flinn is angry that he can’t get a reliable number on City school enrollment.


Downtown/Midtown: A Commercial Appeal report on the first public meeting for the proposed “Midtown overlay” zoning regulations. A report from the Flyer, with a map of the overlay district. More reports from the Business Journal, WMC.


“Youth to Youth”: This basketball program aims to teach teens to stay away from gangs.


Heat Wave: Heat safety. Remember that fans don’t prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke! More on the County-issued AC units; more from WREG.


Metro Charter Commission: All their meetings in July will be “on the road”.


Tennessee: A court in Middle Tennesse will set precedents on third-party testimony in a case on elder abuse. The TVA has placed a moratorium on any more new home solar power generation programs, because it’s too successful. Conflicting evidence and agendas on teen driving. The deadline for applying for various FEMA disaster assistance is July 6.


Politics: The Daily News’ Bill Dries has a short report on several campaign events. More on the unhappiness of progressive Democrats in the state with the leadership of the TN Democratic Party. From the Associated Press, a surprisingly even-handed report on the tea party movement. Control of the State House is at stake in this Fall’s election.

In the US Eighth Congressional District race, Republican Dr Ron Kirkland is releasing his tax returns and urging his opponents to do the same. The Jackson Sun talks with Republican candidate Randy Smith about last week’s debate. Former US Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott is claiming Dr George Flinn is tipped to win the primary?


Arkansas: Operators of homeless shelters say a government study seriously underestimates the number of homeless in the state. The state’s unemployment rate has fallen to 7.7%. Homeowners are concerned about an update to FEMA flood maps. No State employees will receive raises next year.


Governor’s Race: Republican Ron Ramsey has opened a campaign HQ in Memphis. The Commercial Appeal fact-checks an ad from Republican Zach Wamp and the Tennessean does the same for a Ron Ramsey ad. Wamp continues to press Bill Haslam on his connections (however loose) to gambling via Pilot Oil. The Tennessean profiles Knoxville mayor and Republican candidate Bill Haslam. And Bill Haslam releases his job plan. The Commercial Appeal on the Haslam poll numbers. Confusion in the Mike McWherter Democratic campaign. Does McWherter have the electoral oomph to overcome his poll numbers? The TN Education Association applauded a speech by McWherter.


Veterans: The “little known” Aid and Attendance Improved Pension for veterans of wars back to Korea is available to tens of millions.


Financial: Memphis-area banks have repaid $70 million in TARP funds. The Consumer Bankers Association spent almost $400,000 on lobbying.


DeSoto County: More on the “pink trash can” breast cancer awareness campaign in Southaven; and yet more from WMC. County school officials will host a public meeting on next year’s school budget this afternoon. Enrollment at Northwest Mississippi Community College is up 27%. Students at Mississippi State University are inventorying the trees in local forests. More on the citizen protest drive against the new County jail site that Hernando will have to annex; more from the DeSoto Times Tribune. Hernando hopes to become Tree City USA.


Main Street Journal May 2010 Issue: Chuck Bates’ On The Money column can be read here. Jonathan Devin on the gender-swapped production of Julius Caesar from the Tennessee Shakespeare Company. Table of Contents is here. Editor and publisher Jonathan Lindberg hopes you remembered: On Voting.


Shelby County Commission: They are slated to decide the members of the Prevailing Wage Commission at today’s meeting.


Regional Medical Center: CEO Dr Reginald Coopwood presented his first, optimistic, budget. Governor Phil Bredesen also talked about The MED’s future.


Memphis City Schools: A questionable program for online tutorials, with spotty results, is up for renewal at today’s school board meeting. A report on ESL Camp. Bus driver Kimberly Moore says she lost her job over a case of mistaken identity.


Memphis Police Department: The reality show Police Women of Memphis is worrying some with its depiction of Memphis.


Shelby County Government: The Shelby County Women’s Economic Empowerment Think Tank, started by Interim Mayor Joe Ford, is off to a slow start. The Neighborhood Stabilisation Program bought its first home.


Cohen v. Herenton: Ninth Congressional District Rep. Steve Cohen opened a new campaign HQ in Whitehaven. The Flyer’s Jackson Baker has the videos. The Commercial Appeal’s Zach McMillin floats an idea of anti-Herenton backlash because of his friendships with a few Republicans. Fox13 wonders which candidate has the best moves?

The attorney for former mayor Willie Herenton, Robert Spence, has returned over $7000 in legal fees to the City. More from Fox13, Eyewitness News.


Real Estate: The Memphis Area Association of Realtors reports a sharp rise in local home sales and prices.


Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital: Reporting on the new building continues. The artwork on the walls and floors. They hope to obtain LEED certification. Beware of scam fundraisers.


Previously Posted: More on the Memphis Zoo hoping to hit one million visitors this week. From the Daily News, more on the groundbreaking for Tiger Lane.


Business: Catfish farmers are struggling to compete with cheaper Asian imports. CVS Caremark and Walgreen’s have settled their pharmacy dispute. Mark Holland, CEO of BenefitHelp, has acquired and merged the assets of his former company, BenCom.

A business profile of Summerfield Packaging, in the Commercial Appeal. In the Daily News, a business profile of Lamination Services Inc.

The Small Business Advocate with more on getting small business loans from banks.

From the Commecial Appeal, What to Do for Saturday, Sunday and Monday; People in Business for Sunday and Monday. And Today’s Events in the Daily News.


Toyota: The restarted plant in NE MS will begin hiring in a few weeks.


Global Ministries Fellowship: They have bought the Goodwill Village apartment complex, their second Memphis property in two years.


St Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Built by Southern Serenity Homes the fundraiser for St Jude Dream Home can be visited any day this week. Also, Target is working with St Jude’s to provide a pleasant classroom space for the children.


Survey Says: SurveyMemphis for May shows declining confidence in the economy.


Mississippi: From the Associated Press, a political profile of Governor Haley Barbour. Northeast Mississippi is happy to see the new Toyota plant get restarted, but the UAW is unhappy. The state’s unemployment rate is at a worrying 11.4%. A domestic violence help line has been set up. After a successful trial run, the State will implement more self-service drivers license kiosks.

From the Commercial Appeal, Mississippi Outdoors — the hunting, fishing and wildlife news.



Picture of the Day

A couple of turn-of-the-last-century printing presses at Toof Commercial Printing, by J. Ward Moorehouse. © 2010. Used with permission.


Opinion and Blogs

The MakeShift Revolution: Her family is down on the Florida Gulf beaches and the oil is just beginning to hit. She wonders how her childen will remember this event. Also, a “lost and found” adventure.


I’ll be the one in heels: Is teen hookah-smoking OK? When monitoring your teenager’s friends leads you to some uncomfortable things. “Lorelei and Rory” only works when Rory is a girl.


Speak to Power: More unhappiness with Chip Forrester and the TN Democratic Party, from supporters.


From the Rainbows: As of this weekend, they are officially homeless, so to speak.


Fertile Ground: A pointer to Junkyard Camp led by Donald (Mr Junkyard) Knaack.


Egotistical Whining: When the angelic suffering girl becomes a mere disabled woman.


Barefoot in Memphis: A typical quick Summer update kind of post.


Blue Collar Republican: He reports on the blog of an Islamic convert here in Memphis.


Cute Stew: A challenge to readers to shop local and blog about it. She’s got a blog button and everything. Drunk and funky makes for some silly text messages.


La Vie Quotidienne: Sylvie really likes Henry. She loves her Daddy, too.


Notes from Memphis: She’s back in Memphis.


The Conservative Zone: A busman’s vacation.


Them’s The Rules: “Carl Sagan” gets a boundary and “TBD” moves up a notch, it looks like. And then, “Carl” reconsidered!


The Chubby Vegetarian: A visit to the Cucina Bread bakery.


sharp stick in the eye: From cucumbers to pickles — a photo journey.


dminmem: A rather unsettling tour through the list of ingredients in a partcular brand of wet dog food. Ick.
 
 
 


a field guide to urban memphis: A suggestion for a new button Facebook can add to comments.


Gail Kerr: What Tennesseans want from their next governor. (via the Tennessean)


Bill Dries: The Daily News’ senior political reporter with thoughts on the relationship between his fellow reporters and former mayor Willie Herenton.


Tom Pease: Create a demand in customers and stand ready to fill the repeat demand. (via the Daily News)


Fredric Koeppel: Some tips for restaurants from a man who knows. (via the Memphis News)


Wendi C. Thomas: She admits she won’t change her oil-glutton habits until the government makes her. (via the Commercial Appeal)


Richard Locker: He argues that the rise of the Republicans in the State Legislature has also meant the rise of the “fringe”, too. (via the Commercial Appeal)


Lee Harris: He suggests oil companies should all be expected to chip in on Gulf oil cleanup costs. (via the Commercial Appeal)


Chris Peck: Strange stereotypes of Southen men and some counter-examples. (via the Commercial Appeal)


Otis L. Sanford: Even a stereotyped role is welcomed by this Dad. (via the Commercial Appeal)


Commercial Appeal: Acknowledging the heroism of Michael Neal. “Generous incentives” for jobs is welcome. Diversity of opinion is apparently not a good thing in the State Legislature. Some crimes can’t wait for court justice? After years of arguing for more City programs and spending, they seem to have (at least temporarily) found the “fiscal responsibility” religion.


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