Downtown: Businesses and developers are lobbying for funds for sidewalk repair, which may result in changes to the Center City Commissions’ funds. A reminder that jaywalking is illegal. The Center City Commission is also pitching hard on the panhandling and alcohol sales ordinances.

Memphis Police Department: Fox13 calls the promotions test for officers a “joke”.

Memphis City Schools: Local ministers are urging Mayor A C Wharton to accept the MCS police force — now called a “Peace Force” — idea; more from WMC, WREG. Parents of students at Caldwell Elementary are upset by the planned closing; more from WREG. The teacher’s union overwhelmingly approved a new contract with small raises over the next two years.

Willie Herenton: Weeks after he began waving around his “What’s wrong with this picture” claim, the media finally notices there are problems with it, thanks to an unidentified “Herenton critic”. More in the Commercial Appeal.

Mirimichi Golf Course: They are now building a Performance & Learning Center for teaching.

Politics: Memphis legislator John DeBerry has introduced legislation to have administrative law judges rather than the political parties have final say in contested State primaries. Another bill would require positive affirmation of citizenship to register to vote.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Wamp warns that government must be made smaller before Federal stimulus funds run out. Wamp calls fellow candidate Bill Haslam “no Bob Corker”. The Daily News’ Bill Dries reports on Wamp’s Memphis campaign appearance; so does the Daily Helmsman at the U of M. The Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce is holding a luncheon forum for the Republican candidates tomorrow. From the Knoxville News-Sentinel, a quick review of gubernatorial finances.

Independent, “tea party” Eighth Congressional District candidate Donn Janes (website here) has created a clever ad jumping off Sarah Palin’s “hand notes”. In that district the National Republican Congressional Committee is running an anti-Roy Herron ad.

The TN Republican Party is expecting a big boost from the tea party movemnet.

Shelby County Trustee: They have announced new payment centers around the county.

Social Media: New media consultant Chris Brogan will speak here on May 16, in a appearance co-sponsored by ehe Daily News, Howell Marketing and Mickey McLellan.

DeSoto County: Thanks to the State budget, the County prepares to cut 300 jobs in the schools. The Southaven Board of Mayor and Aldermen added $9 million to their budget. A report on the Olive Branch Board’s actions. A crackdown on zoning violations may force Horn Lake’s Cajun Crawdad’s to move.

Victorian Village: Plans are afoot to secure financing and sales revitalise the historic neighborhood and nearby Morris Park.

Harold Ford Jr: His advice to national Democrats: Simply your agenda and be more statemanlike. New York gays and lesbians have a “rude awakening” for Ford at an upcoming meeting.

Tennessee: Governor Phil Bredesen says he will not give monthly furloughs State employees. Plenty of State university employees are taking buyouts.

NEW: Main Street Journal January 2010 Issue: Senior writer Michael Roy Hollihan delves into his past to answer What is Harold Ford Jr Up To?

Shelby County Schools: The Department of Education gave them a $1 million grant for arts education.

University of Memphis: Spring enrollment is up 5.5%, to just under 20,000 students! (The following stories via the Daily Helmsman.) It’s Celebrate Engineers Week at the Herff College of Engineering. Petty crime arrives at the downtown Humphreys School of Law.

Metro Charter Commission: Consolidation backers are turning to the media to get suburban mayors to particiapte.

Shelby County Mayor’s Race: Interim Mayor Joe Ford has finally picked up a petition.
 
 

Agriculture: The wet weather has farmers wondering what to plant in case this year is a repeat.

Germantown: Next Monday’s Planning Commission meeting may see changes to the City code to allow farmers markets.

Oakland: Tomorrow is the deadline if you hope to be a candidate for mayor in the repeat election.

Mississippi: Lawmakers are working on two State budgets simultaneously; similar story in the Commercial Appeal.

Business: Via the Daily News, a number of local companies have announced closures or layoffs. More layoff news from the Business Journal. Home Depot will bring about 100 jobs to the Mid-South.

Whole Foods’ numbers are spectacular for Q1; more from the Commercial Appeal. Monogram Food Solutions has entered into a distribution agreement with DNA Beverage Corporation.

People in business, from the Daily News. And, from the CA, What to Do.

Memphis Chemical & Janitorial Supply Company: They received the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce’s Quality Cup Award.

Small Business Chamber: Keynote membership luncheon speaker Ed Burch spoke on keeping employees and customers first in lean economic times.

Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority: President and CEO Larry Cox is very excited about the airport retaining its “world’s busiest cargo airport” label for the 18th year! More, on on-time performance, from the Commercial Appeal.

Real Estate: The Sherwood Forest / 38111 ZIP code area is working to turn around their foreclosure problem. The Simon Property Group, which owns two major Memphis malls, has made an offer to acquire General Growth Properties; further reporting in the Commercial Appeal. More on the Exchange Building falling into foreclosure; and again. Roughly one-third of residential properties in Memphis have had at least one price reduction.

Mid-South Community College: The West Memphis school is receiving $3.3 million from the Department of Labor for health care and other high-growth industry training.

Industrial Development Board: Technicolor Incorporated is seeking to amend their PILOT because of expected growth and new employment.

Just A Girl in the World: Things with Mr Risky Business reach takeoff speed.

Jen-sized: The sadness of the citizen news-vigilante.

I’ll be the one in heels: Kalisa went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras and all she got was big Saints tattoo. Wait … what?

artbutcher: For Chicago, a quick thank you and a quick no thanks. And, a groaningly bad joke involving female Canadian curlers.

Barefoot in Memphis: Thoughts on reconciling Christianity and Islam to each other.

at home she feels like a tourist: As far as the downtown anti-panhandling ordinance goes, 2010 is 2007 all over again.

Commercial Appeal: A warm welcome to new MSO director, Mei-Ann Chen. Once again, comparing Memphis to Nashville negatively, this time over light rail projects.

Christopher Johnson: Everyone — from families to government to various agencies — must come together to fight childhood obesity. (via the Commercial Appeal)

Smart City Memphis: Some posts on consolidation / new government charters. Why the suburban mayors are fearfi;. Yours, mine and ours. Also, Memphis demonstrates leadership in a crisis.

What is a Carbunkle Trumpet? Happy Mardi Gras y’all.

The Tale of a Southern Belle: A Valentine’s Day report.

Speak to Power: Thoughts on the Rosalind Kurita Memorial Bill.

Reginald Milton’s A Fresh Look: Want to meet other political junkies in a non-partisan discussion space? Then you want Politics: Shaken and Stirred this Thursday.

polar donkey: Some cogent thoughts on the Herenton/Cohen clash.

Memphis Matters: Memphis vignettes.

The Morgan Update: Harper is one!