Trezevant Manor: This Memphis non-profit, faith-based retirement community is among the nation’s best and elite.

Memphis v. Nashville: Nashville’s public transit, MTA, has signed a deal to provide real time bus tracking/route data for riders. Nashville’s crime rate has dropped to a 20-year low.

Mississippi: The State Senate is considering returning $79 million previously cut from the budget. A proposed tax on sweetened, bottled soft drinks died in the Legislature. Another bill, allowing advertising on school busses, has a very good chance of passing; more in the Commercial Appeal. Legislators’ travel expenses will be curtailed next year.

Downtown: The Center City Development Corporation has approved a retail forgivable loan to help build a new City Market Groceries & Deli; more from the Daily News, the Commercial Appeal. Mayor A C Wharton will speak to the Downtown Neighborhood Association this Tuesday. The Center City Commission hosted a meeting of supporters of restrictions on panhandling and alcohol sales ahead of next week’s City Council meeting.

Employment Scam: The State Attorney General has widened his investigation of Linda McCluskey and her employment/job agencies to include a couple of potentially related businesses.

Industrial Development Board: A report on their most recent actions, including Sandvik and Technicolor. More from the Commercial Appeal.

Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center: WMC looks at the flux facing the center this year.
 

Business: O’Charley’s is switching their advertising push to email channels. General Growth Properties has rejected the Simon Property Group’s (owner of two Memphis malls) bid to acquire, but not their overtures. Mueller Industries is appealing their $683,000 OSHA fine.

From the CA, People in Business and What to Do.

DeSoto County: The county’s first African-American History Symposium is also open to students and starts next weekend. The Hernando Board of Mayor and Aldermen have OK’d a contract for its new recycling program. An amateur radio tower has the City of Olive Branch looking to change its ordinances to force the owner to take it down. (previous stories via the DeSoto Times Tribune) More, from WREG, on the possible cut of 300 employees from County schools, and from the Commercial Appeal. The Ross Road wastewater treatment facility is having microbe problems.

Norfolk Southern: The US Department of Transportation awarded a $105 million grant for their Crescent Corridor Intermodal Freight Program, which includes the upcoming Fayette County yard. More from the Daily News, the Commercial Appeal.

Real Estate: Many questions on commercial real estate’s future at the Commercial Property Forecast Summit. The Commercial Appeal covers this Daily News event.

Germantown: The Chamber Orchestra Kremlin will will perform at GPAC on March 6. (via the Germantown News)

Black Business Association of Memphis: A report on yesterday’s forum on “Black Economic Empowerment in Memphis and the American Dream”.

Toof Commercial Printing: They have been certified and joined an industry initiative to ensure environmentally friendly printing practices.

Harold Ford Jr: He is due to speak to the Stonewall Democrat Club next week, and then he’ll announce his decision on running for Senator in New York. Ford’s one-time newspaper supporters are now backing one of their own — Mort Zuckerman.

The New Republic searches for Ford’s principles. New York governor David Paterson also takes a swipe at him. Ford fires back … at Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

If Rep. Ford was such a potty mouth, why didn’t the reporters who knew report it? The similarities between Evan Bayh and Harold Ford.

Previously Posted: More on the 5.4% increase in enrollment at the University of Memphis.

Red Light Traffic Cameras: Arizona may become the next state to ban them.
 

Arkansas: Standards of police training are wildly variable in some parts of the state.

University of Memphis Law Review: Their annual Spring symposium begins Friday on the subject of “Labor and Employment Law: Evolution or Revolution?”

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 Elections: The Daily News’ Bill Dries says surprises are still possible as the entry deadline arrives. Interim Mayor Joe Ford files his petition to run for a full term. More on the elections from WREG and the Commercial Appeal and again, and the Flyer.

Memphis Police Department: More shock and surprise at the ease of the sergeant’s promotion exam.

Memphis City Schools: Bill Gates’ annual Foundation letter on their planned projects talks about the difficulty of changing public schools.

Tennessee: A big discrepancy is noticed in appointments by Governor Phil Brredesen to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee. The scoring matrices used in the selection of the six TNInvestco capital funds are still being withheld from the public. Lawmakers and the TN Department of Transportation are looking at implementing high-occupancy toll roads around the state. Also, TDOT announced they have committed to projects all of the Federal stimulus money given to them. The TN State Employees Association suggests cutting bonuses to keep more employees on the payroll. But, over 500 employees took a buyout offer from the TN Board of Regents.

Politics: TN Republican Party Executive Director Charles Schneider has resigned. State Senator Diane Black talks about the special education reform session. All the States face a $1 trillion pension problem.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Gibbons videod at his recent book signing. Republicans Ron Ramsey and Zach Wamp quarrel over earmarks.

Eighth Congressional District Democratic candidate Roy Herron got an endorsement from Bob Tuke. And more on the NRCC ad against Herron. Fierce battles are expected for US House seats across the South. More campaign news from the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

More bills working through the Assembly: Gun carry for bow-and-arrow hunters during season. The TN Health Care Freedom Act passes with bi-partisan support in the Senate; more from the Tennessean, WMC. Lowering the requirements for a president or chancellor of a State college or university, for certain, specific people. Allowing prescription marijuana. Giving senior drivers an insurance break. Jail time for scam home improvement contractors. Amending the State Constitution to prohibit a State income tax. Modifying the process of weapons confiscation. Allowing State troopers retiring after 20 years to keep their service weapons. The DUI interlock for drunk drivers advances. Applying motorcycle laws to bicycles.

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Through their Thanks & Giving Campaign, Domino’s raise $2 million.

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare: Their 30-bed hospice facility on Quince Road is ready for groundbreaking.

Oakland: The City has decided not to appeal the chancellor’s denial of their “defendant” motion. With a new mayoral election set, the next question is who will pay the costs? (stories via the Oakland News)

Memphis Animal Shelter: Former director Ernest Alexander has been released from a New Mexican jail but is awaiting extradition to Memphis.

Survey Says: Health activists have released a report on the “overall health” of all 95 TN counties; Shelby comes in 57th. More from the Business Journal and the Commercial Appeal. A different but similar “Well Being Index” finds finds TN ranked 42nd. There’s a reason organic food has an upscale image: it costs around one-third more! Memphis was ranked 23rd by Forbes magazine for worst commuter experience.

West Tennessee: The City of Covington is offering a $1000 reward for information on the burning down of the public playground. (via the Covington Leader) More on the fire from Fox 13, WMC, WREG. Dyer County Commissioners worry at spending $350,000 for consultants in school construction. Republican Bill Sanderson plans to run against incumbent Democrat State Rep. Judy Barker this Fall. (both stories via the Dyersburg State Gazette) County and State elected officials are reviewing their legislative plans for Weakley County. (via NWTN Today)

Oval Soul Journey: Trinity is back from haitus, but it’s depressing news about a cobbled-together exercise and workout routine.

Paul Ryburn’s Journal: He introduces you to the aggressive Downtown panhandlers he’s hoping to eradicate. A petition you can sign. The burglary potential of the foursquare social media tool.

Persian Pit Bull: The BBQ tour continues with Southaven’s Boss Hogg.

Speak to Power: A sad number about Tennesse, which I suspect may be higher in Memphis. Gordon Bonnyman on Commissioner Mike Ritz’ civil rights complaint, re: The MED.

Commercial Appeal: Republicans are weakening President Obama’s resolve on trying the 9/11 terrorists in civilian trials. Their new contract signals a push for education reform from Memphis City teachers?

Because I Said So: On Career Day, the teacher’s job is the only one most kids will understand! (via the Commercial Appeal)

John Branston: A new book about Ken Starr’s efforts to investigate former president has a local angle — Hickman Ewing! (via the Flyer)

Shaun Fossett: Some very commonsense advice on not abusing your Twitter account.

The Soundcheck and the Fury: You can get programmable LED crawlers for your car?

The Intersection of Madness and Reality: A black man picks on the wrong old white guy and learns an embarrassing lesson. (Mild language and violence alert.) A scathing indictment of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The Conservative Zone: Why can’t Memphis try this solution to our failing schools? Also, he’s got a new, swanky Crack-berry!

The Chubby Vegetarian: It’s never too early to begin planning your new popsicle flavors!

Student: Revisted: Chocolate and good news, but I repeat myself.

Smart City Memphis: A clever description of the Downtown as an unfunded mandate of the Center City Commission. Calling for yet another Memphis growth plan.

theology & geometry: A gal and her house, with pictures and bonus squeeee!

The Tale of a Southern Belle: A new Catholic is looking forward to Lent … sorta.

Doug Johnson at Work: Thoughts on Harold Ford Jr and the New York Senate race.

Confessions of a West Tennessee Liberal: Pointing out some of the flaws of the Center City Commission’s approach to panhandlers and non-Beale Street drunks.