Memphis’ Next Mayor: Mayor Pro-tem Myron Lowery issues a one-month report card on his tenure in office. The Daily News says the frontrunners are beginning to emerge. The Commercial Appeal’s Otis Sanford is hosting a live webchat about the mayoral race. There are 17 official candidates for mayor; that’s the list as of Monday.

Shelby County Commissioner James Harvey has now dropped out of the mayoral race. Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton has unveiled his first campaign ad and gotten endorsements from Edmund Ford pere et fils.

Cordova Leadership Council Memphis Mayoral Debate: The CLC is hosting its Memphis mayoral debate at the Memphis Area Home Builders Association on September 22. The list of candidates participating has not been announced.

H1N1 Flu: “Almost all” of the flu cases in Memphis are H1N1 “novel” virus, say Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center doctors; more in the Daily News. Local colleges are girding themselves; more on that in the Commercial Appeal. Some information on the H1N1 flu.

Mississippi River Bridge: The TN Department of Transportation is in contract negotiations with a firm to do an environmental impact assessment study of a new, third bridge across the River.

MPACT: Their toastmasters are meeting tonight.

Blight: With a push from City Council Chairman Harold Collins, the City will begin pushing via lawsuits for property owners to repair or demolish dilapidated sites. More on WMC, Eyewitness News, WREG and the Commercial Appeal. Along with blight and dilapidation, come the rats.

Business: Pacific Rail Services will close its Memphis office. Post merger, Merck will keep the Schering-Plough consumer health products division, which is based in Memphis.

The Small Business Advocate warns that product and company branding is a two-edged sword.

People in business, from the CA.

Medtronic: The medical company is consolidating its businesses into two operating groups under the banner of “One Medtronic”. More in the Daily News.

Home Buying: The Federal first-time home buyers tax credit eligibility will expire on November 30.

“Tear Down the Walls”: The Rabbi Micah Greenstein’s interfaith concert — this Thursday night at the Levitt Shell — is bringing together denominations, religions and congregations across the city, and drawing national interest as well.

Rotary Run for Parks and Greenways: The Rotary Club is hosting a 5K run and a fun run on September 26 to benefit the upcoming Greenline walking / running trail. Downloadable registration form is here.

Domestic Violence Court: When General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Lee Wilson enters the courtroom today, he is opening the new Domestic Violence Court for Shelby County. The Commercial Appeal has more.

Second Amendment: Today is the first day of legal gun carry in public parks, unless you live in one of the communities that banned it.

DeSoto County: US Rep. Travis Childers met with the Horn Lake Marine Corps Junior ROTC program to recruit volunteers for an oral history project regarding America’s veterans. The Hernando Fall Fest will present classic cars as a fundraiser for the YMCA Community Action Program.

Memphis City Schools: The Arabic-language class at Whitehaven High School rated a visit from the US Secretary of Education. More from the Commercial Appeal.

National Civil Rights Museum: The State of Tennessee will help fund operations to the tune of $250,000.

Politics: Former governor Winfield Dunn is “completely neutral” in the Republican 2010 governor’s race. The State Democratic Party is counting on outside-the-state money to target 12 “opportunities”.

The resignation of Judge D’Army Bailey will be the inaugural outing for the new Judicial Nominating Commission.

Tea Party Express: This cross-country protest rally is coming through Memphis on Friday, September 4, at 10 PM on its way to Washington, DC.

Memphis Police: False alarm calls are costing the City millions.

Center for Southern Folklore: Their Memphis Music and Heritage Festival kicks off this Saturday. CSF website here.

Tennessee: Officials at the Wildlife Resources Agency are asking small-game hunters to send in the frozen heads of squirrels and rabbits they catch, for survey/study purposes.

Ghost River Brewing: They are undertaking a fundraising initiative in cooperation with local restuarants to benefit the Wolf River Conservancy. Company website here.

First Tennessee Bank: They are naming five new regional banking marekt presidents.

Local Media: The Memphis television viewing market has slipped two places to number 50, and the total market size has also declined.

Arkansas: Budget deficits have forced the Fayetteville Police Department to turn to twelve hour shifts to keep officers on the beat. An increase in the City alcohol tax has raised money for the City of Jonesboro. West Memphis police have resumed patrols in all parts of the city; more from WREG. Soybean rust has been confirmed in six counties.

Survey Says: Around eighty percent of adults support a ban on texting while driving. Online job postings rose in August.

joelarkins: Thoughts on mid- and small-market television news and what’s really important.

MemphisConnect: Katie Jacobs-Stanton, the Obama administration’s Director of Citizen Participation, will be speaking in Memphis later this month. She is a Rhodes College alumnus. Cool places to take kids.

Midtown Stomp: Good friends, good wines and Cafe 1912.

Memphis Daily News Blog: A terse report on the mayoral debate.

MAKE IT HAPPEN: An update on the abandoned dog, Shelby Angel.

Lean Left: No, no. Don’t hold back. Tell us what you really think about conservatives.

I’ll be the one in heels: She returns to her Mississippi Gulf Coast hometown four years after Hurricane Katrina. On the occasion of his 16th birthday, the story of the birth of Elijah.

Moments in Time: Baby Natalie is now three months old.

Commercial Appeal: Praise for the hard work of undercover police officers. Opponents of the Riverfront Development Corporation’s plan for the riverfront cobblestones need to compromise.

My Memphis Attorney: A busy week and someone else who went to Cafe 1912.

Pretty in Pink Megan: These are a few of her favorite things.

Blue Collar Republican: A report from inside Rep. Cohen’s private meeting with local doctors last week. A connection between Sarah Palin and Rep. Marsha Blackburn.

Born Again Hippies He really was at the Miami Pop Festival in 1968.

Cliff Heegel, PhD: Sleeping cat blogging.

Commontaries: Thoughts on Sara Lewis.

Confessions of a West Tennessee Liberal: If you long for serious issues to be discussed in this mayoral campaign, then you need to read Brad’s blog regularly for more on ISSUES FIRST.

Ashley La Rouge: A plateua or just life?

BEEB: Melissa provides some local color.

Bigger Than Your Head: The wine of the week!

Fertile Ground: She won an award for her blog. A photo-report from the most recent, and very successful, Rock-n-Romp. (Next show in November.)

Doug Johnson at Work: The Beatles, Malcolm McDowell, Star Trek and Joe Larkins in one post! And an update on the weight loss program.

Dining With Monkeys: It’s off to the Huey’s on Poplar where the monkeys discover the ceiling.