The 26th Annual Memphis in May Triathlon was held May 18, 2008, at Edmund Orgill Park in Millington. More than 1,500 racers participated. The field included racers from as far away as Sydney, Australia, Bermuda and Toronto, Ontario. By my count more than 30 states were represented. The Memphis in May Triathlon is certainly much more than a local event. It now draws racers from all over the world and all parts of the United States. As in past years, it was a huge success.
In the men's pro division Stephen Hacket of Boulder, Colorado won with a time of 1:45:03. The other top performing pros in the men's division were from Indiana, Colorado, Massachusetts and Texas.
In the women's pro division Alicia Kaye of Maynard, Massachusetts won with a time of 1:59:26. The other tops performing pros in the women's division were from Oklahoma, Nevada, Wisconsin and Washington.
Congrats to the folks at Memphis in May for running another world class event.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
St. Jude Named a National Comprehensive Cancer Center
The National Cancer Institute recently named St. Jude one of 41 national comprehensive cancer centers. St, Jude is the only one of the 41 national centers that is a children's facility. To get the designation, St. Jude had to expand its research and document its community outreach efforts.
St. Jude not only saves lives, it is also an economic engine for Memphis and a source of civic and national pride.
St. Jude not only saves lives, it is also an economic engine for Memphis and a source of civic and national pride.
"Lord T" to Head up the Memphis Music Resource Center
If you haven't seen "Lord T & Eloise" in concert, you've missed out. Lord T & Eloise describes their act as "aristocrunk". I'd describe it as two former MUS kids dressed up in powdered wigs, Victorian dress and rapping. I like all kinds of music but probably enjoy rap the least. Despite my lack of a love for rap (I like it, I just don't love it), I have really enjoyed seeing Lord T & Eloise in concert over the last couple of years. Lord T & Eloise will even play Bonaroo this year.
Cameron Mann is "Lord Treadwell". He's recently been tapped to head up the Memphis Music Resource Center. The idea behind the center is to provide a local one stop show that helps local musicians network, learn how to viral market their music, provide pro bono legal advice and otherwise provide resources to musicians to help them succeed. Having a guy like Mann at the helm who is "walking the walk" is a huge plus for the center and a great sign that Memphis' music scene is not only alive but growing.
Cameron Mann is "Lord Treadwell". He's recently been tapped to head up the Memphis Music Resource Center. The idea behind the center is to provide a local one stop show that helps local musicians network, learn how to viral market their music, provide pro bono legal advice and otherwise provide resources to musicians to help them succeed. Having a guy like Mann at the helm who is "walking the walk" is a huge plus for the center and a great sign that Memphis' music scene is not only alive but growing.
Pugh's Names Jane Nason Mother of the Year
Pugh's Flowers held a Memphis Favorite Mom contest this year in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day. Pugh's received hundreds of entries but the grand prize winner really stood out: Jane Nason. Here's the submission that tells the story of just how much Jane Nason means to so many children:
Tell us why your mother should be Memphis' Favorite Mom?: Dear Pugh's Flowers, There is one special lady living here in the Memphis area. She has given love, and a good home to over 63 foster children, not to mention her other 4
children, over the years. Many of those she fostered have been adopted by loving families in the area. She continues to keep up with them, and will often have the children over to spend time on weekends. She can even tell you their
birthdates, how much they weighed at birth, and their measurements too. She's an amazing woman! She continues to have a relationship with many of the women and children who have come through her home. There is one family in the inner
city that she has mentored for many years. She began as the foster parent for this family's triplets, then worked with the young mother to help her raise her triplets and provide for them. She continues to buy clothes, food, school
supplies, and other items to help this young mother get through tough times. There is so much I could share about my favorite Memphis Mom - - she's kind, compassionate, caring, loving, Christ-honoring, hard working. She is a mentor
to many young women, teenagers, minister's wives and others in our community. She is JANE NASON. I hope that you will consider her Memphis' Favorite Mom, as she certainly deserves such title, and would never expect to be given such
Way to go Jane and way to go Pugh's for recognizing the many loving mothers we have here. Memphis has long been known for the generosity of our people. Jane Nason is an excellent example of Memphis generosity.
Tell us why your mother should be Memphis' Favorite Mom?: Dear Pugh's Flowers, There is one special lady living here in the Memphis area. She has given love, and a good home to over 63 foster children, not to mention her other 4
children, over the years. Many of those she fostered have been adopted by loving families in the area. She continues to keep up with them, and will often have the children over to spend time on weekends. She can even tell you their
birthdates, how much they weighed at birth, and their measurements too. She's an amazing woman! She continues to have a relationship with many of the women and children who have come through her home. There is one family in the inner
city that she has mentored for many years. She began as the foster parent for this family's triplets, then worked with the young mother to help her raise her triplets and provide for them. She continues to buy clothes, food, school
supplies, and other items to help this young mother get through tough times. There is so much I could share about my favorite Memphis Mom - - she's kind, compassionate, caring, loving, Christ-honoring, hard working. She is a mentor
to many young women, teenagers, minister's wives and others in our community. She is JANE NASON. I hope that you will consider her Memphis' Favorite Mom, as she certainly deserves such title, and would never expect to be given such
Way to go Jane and way to go Pugh's for recognizing the many loving mothers we have here. Memphis has long been known for the generosity of our people. Jane Nason is an excellent example of Memphis generosity.
Two Memphis Area Doctors Nationally Recognized
Dr. Veronica T. Mallet and Dr. Larry Kun have recently been nationally recognized. Dr. Mallet, who is the Chair of the Obstetrics and Gynocology Depart at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center has been named one of the 140 leading physicians in the United States by Black Enterpise magazine. Dr. Kun, who practices at St. Jude and is the Chair of the Radiological Sciences Department there, received the 2008 Pediatric Oncology award from the American Society of Clinic Oncology.
Memphis is blest to have a number of leading physicians and medical researchers. We're proud of both Dr. Mallet and Dr. Kun.
Memphis is blest to have a number of leading physicians and medical researchers. We're proud of both Dr. Mallet and Dr. Kun.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
One Beale Project Taking Shape
One Beale will forever change the Memphis skyline. One Beale is the real estate development project of the Carlisle Corp. Originally, the project called for two towers at the foot of Beale Street and Riverside Drive. The project originally included one tower of residential units and another tower with mixed use.
According to the May 9, 2008, Memphis Business Journal, the One Beale project has now been changed to build only one tower but the new single tower will be larger than either of the two earlier towers. The new tower will be the tallest building in Memphis. The new single tower will have more floors of penthouse suites because those units were selling so well.
The project will include a luxury Hyatt hotel and a sky deck with a pool that will likely become the coolest and hottest spot in Memphis much like the Sky Bar franchises in New York, Chicago and L.A. I'm not saying that we'll get a sky bar franchise. I am saying that the new sky deck has the potential to be even cooler than the Peabody rooftop, the roof of the Madison or the roof of the Gibson Guitar factory.
One Beale is a really exciting development that will forever change downtown Memphis and give us another signature building for our skyline.
For more information go to www.onebeale.com
According to the May 9, 2008, Memphis Business Journal, the One Beale project has now been changed to build only one tower but the new single tower will be larger than either of the two earlier towers. The new tower will be the tallest building in Memphis. The new single tower will have more floors of penthouse suites because those units were selling so well.
The project will include a luxury Hyatt hotel and a sky deck with a pool that will likely become the coolest and hottest spot in Memphis much like the Sky Bar franchises in New York, Chicago and L.A. I'm not saying that we'll get a sky bar franchise. I am saying that the new sky deck has the potential to be even cooler than the Peabody rooftop, the roof of the Madison or the roof of the Gibson Guitar factory.
One Beale is a really exciting development that will forever change downtown Memphis and give us another signature building for our skyline.
For more information go to www.onebeale.com
New Recombinant Protiens and Cardiac Antigens Will Be Manufactured in Memphis
Meridian Life Sciences recently announced that it's Memphis office will manufacture recombinant protiens and cardiac antigens as part of a technology purchase that Meridian made from Vybion, Inc. These products will be used in the diagnosis of of infectious diseases and in the monitoring of human protein levels in hepatitis, HIV and cardiac disease.
This announcement is another great sign for the growing bioscience industry in Memphis and a sign that with companies like Meridian Life Sciences, Viral Antigens, Gtx and institutions like St. Jude, Memphis is a world leader in bioscience and medical manufacturing.
This announcement is another great sign for the growing bioscience industry in Memphis and a sign that with companies like Meridian Life Sciences, Viral Antigens, Gtx and institutions like St. Jude, Memphis is a world leader in bioscience and medical manufacturing.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Leadership Academy Announces Programs for Summer Interns
The Memphis Leadership Academy recently announced that it will sponsor a program this summer designed to help you recruit those knowledge based workers that you are bringing to town this summer as interns and summer associates. The program is known as MemphisConnect. Whether your recruits are originally from Memphis or from other places, we need to collectively do a better job of showing them all that's right about Memphis. Study after study shows that attracting and retaining knowledge based workers is a huge key to eceonomic development.
So if you know of a knowledge based worker that will be a recruit this summer, please let them know about the Leadership Academy program and let the Leadership Academy know about the recruit. You can do that by e-mailing the recruits name and contact information to Sally Pace, Director of MemphisConnect for the Leadership Academy. Her e-mail address is: sallyp@leadershipacademy.org.
MemphisConnect will include the following events:
Leadership Lenses, May 29, Noon to 1:15 p.m. - Meet your peers who are in Memphis for the summer while getting a chance to sharpen your leadership communication skills.
Social Netwroking at the Memphis Music Foundation, June 27, Evening - A private party in the midst of one of our city's most popular street parties, this is a chance to meet established city leaders and peers during the South Main Trolley Night.
Memphis 101, July 15, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. - Get to really know this town through an interactive program that inspires pride and respect for our city. Candid, compelling, enlightening, Memphis 101 is a crash course in memphis culture, people and politics. Video cameos by Pitt Hyde, Billy Kyles, Maxine Smith, Henry Turley and others.
Exploring My Place in Memphis, August 7, Noon to 1:15 p.m. - We all play a crucial part in advancing Memphis - explore your role in our city, visualize the possibilities. This is also one more opportunity to spend time with your peers before the summer winds down.
For more information about MemphisConnect check our the Leadership Academy at www.leadershipacademy.org or the MemphisConnect portion of their site www.leadershipacademy.org/memphisconnect/
Although it's unrelated the Leadership Academy, another great tool to help put a positive face on Memphis is www.mymemphis.tv.
So if you know of a knowledge based worker that will be a recruit this summer, please let them know about the Leadership Academy program and let the Leadership Academy know about the recruit. You can do that by e-mailing the recruits name and contact information to Sally Pace, Director of MemphisConnect for the Leadership Academy. Her e-mail address is: sallyp@leadershipacademy.org.
MemphisConnect will include the following events:
Leadership Lenses, May 29, Noon to 1:15 p.m. - Meet your peers who are in Memphis for the summer while getting a chance to sharpen your leadership communication skills.
Social Netwroking at the Memphis Music Foundation, June 27, Evening - A private party in the midst of one of our city's most popular street parties, this is a chance to meet established city leaders and peers during the South Main Trolley Night.
Memphis 101, July 15, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. - Get to really know this town through an interactive program that inspires pride and respect for our city. Candid, compelling, enlightening, Memphis 101 is a crash course in memphis culture, people and politics. Video cameos by Pitt Hyde, Billy Kyles, Maxine Smith, Henry Turley and others.
Exploring My Place in Memphis, August 7, Noon to 1:15 p.m. - We all play a crucial part in advancing Memphis - explore your role in our city, visualize the possibilities. This is also one more opportunity to spend time with your peers before the summer winds down.
For more information about MemphisConnect check our the Leadership Academy at www.leadershipacademy.org or the MemphisConnect portion of their site www.leadershipacademy.org/memphisconnect/
Although it's unrelated the Leadership Academy, another great tool to help put a positive face on Memphis is www.mymemphis.tv.
Magna Bank Doing Well
Magna Bank officially opened its newest branch location at the corner of Poplar and Oak Court yesterday. I spoke with bank officials at the opening and they told me that the branch was already doing better than expected and that its branch in Germantown had already beat the budget set for it for the year. In the midst of troubling times for banks, it's great to hear about a local bank doing well. Magna Bank will have another branch opening in the Forrest Hill-Irene area in the next few months.
Spring Creek Ranch is the best course in town
The Memphis Regional Chamber held their annual golf tournament, Monday, May 5 at Spring Creek Ranch. if you haven't been out there yet or had an opportunity to see it, trust me - it's an amazing golf course and is absolutely beautiful. There are water features running throughout the course including creeks that run year round. The new golf house and pro shop are architecturally interesting with lots of glass walls that look out on to the course. Spring Creek Ranch is simply the finest course we have around here and is on par with the finest courses in the country. There is talk that the PGA tour stop will eventually move out there once the outer loop and better road access are completed. Spring Creek Ranch is just one of the many reasons that it's great to live in Memphis.
The Chamber tournament was a great time and even saw a hole-in-one that won one lucky golfer an $80,000 luxury SUV!
The Chamber tournament was a great time and even saw a hole-in-one that won one lucky golfer an $80,000 luxury SUV!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The Orpheum's 2008-09 Schedule is Wicked
To celebrate it's 80th Anniversary, the Orpheum announced its 2008-09 Broadway Series. The schedule includes three musicals that were selected as the Best Musical at the Tony Awards. The line up includes:
Avenue Q - September 30 - October 5, 2008
Mamma Mia - November 18 - 23, 2008
The Pajama Game - December 9 - 14, 2008
Drowsey Chaperone - January 13 - 18, 2009
Riverdance - February 20 - 22, 2009
Legally Blonde - March 3 - 8, 2009
The Color Purple - March 31 - April 5, 2009
Fiddler on the Roof - May 5 - 10, 2009
AND
Wicked - June 24 - July 12, 2009
Of course, favorites like the summer movie series will be back as will a host of other fun events and concerts.
For more information check out the Orpheum's website at www.orpheum-memphis.com
Avenue Q - September 30 - October 5, 2008
Mamma Mia - November 18 - 23, 2008
The Pajama Game - December 9 - 14, 2008
Drowsey Chaperone - January 13 - 18, 2009
Riverdance - February 20 - 22, 2009
Legally Blonde - March 3 - 8, 2009
The Color Purple - March 31 - April 5, 2009
Fiddler on the Roof - May 5 - 10, 2009
AND
Wicked - June 24 - July 12, 2009
Of course, favorites like the summer movie series will be back as will a host of other fun events and concerts.
For more information check out the Orpheum's website at www.orpheum-memphis.com
Wilson Air is No. 1 Again
According to the Wednesday, April 23, 2008, Commercial Appeal, Wilson Air Center was voted by pilots as the No. 1 fixed base operator in the nation. Wilson Air is based here in Memphis but operates fixed base operations (i.e. small private airports for private jets) at locations across the country. It's always nice to see a local company recognized for its excellence.
The entire Wilson extended family of companies is a huge Memphis success story. Kemmons Wilson founded Holiday Inn here in Memphis years ago. The original Holiday Inn was on Summer Avenue not far from the railroad overpass. Kemmons Wilson built Holiday Inn into the first truly national hotel chain. He went on to have a hand in the development of Blockbuster, Perkins, Wilson World Hotels and a host of other companies, most all of which were successful. I believe that Wilson Air is the product of Kemmons' son - a fine businessman in his own right and a great Memphian. Congrats to all the folks at Wilson Air.
The entire Wilson extended family of companies is a huge Memphis success story. Kemmons Wilson founded Holiday Inn here in Memphis years ago. The original Holiday Inn was on Summer Avenue not far from the railroad overpass. Kemmons Wilson built Holiday Inn into the first truly national hotel chain. He went on to have a hand in the development of Blockbuster, Perkins, Wilson World Hotels and a host of other companies, most all of which were successful. I believe that Wilson Air is the product of Kemmons' son - a fine businessman in his own right and a great Memphian. Congrats to all the folks at Wilson Air.
MERI Expands its Facilities
If you haven't heard of the Medical Education and Research Institute ("MERI"), you've missed out on a vitally important economic engine for Memphis' orthopedic industry. Orthopedic companies need to try out their devices to get them FDA approved and need to conduct training on the devices that they develop. MERI gives them the opportunity to do that with bodies that have been donated to science. As the orthopedic industry in Memphis has grown, so has the demand for MERI's educational services. There's an article in the April 18 - 24 Memphis Business Journal that announces that MERI is expanding its local facilities so that it can host more large scale educational programs. This is great news for our local biomedical and orthopedic industries. Non-profits like MERI are vital to the Memphis Biomedical Research Zone initiative.
Wright Medical Expands
According to the April 18 - 24 Memphis Business Journal, Wright Medical will spend between $15 and $20 million dollars to expand its Memphis area campus. The additions will include new offices, more manufacturing space and a cafeteria. In a shrinking economy, it's always great to see local businesses doing well. Wright has been adding employees to fill out the new space and now employs 826 local employees.
Friday, April 11, 2008
A little perspective on crime
Okay, so you'll hear all the time about crime in Memphis. There's no doubt that we have serious challenge there. But we don't have as bad a problem as is being portrayed. Let's try to keep this all in perspective folks.
According to the 2007 Morgan Quinto Press, which compiles and publishes comparative crime statistics the following cities had more significant crime problems:
Detroit, MI
St. Louis, MO
Flint, MI
Oakland, CA
Camden, NJ
Birmingham, AL
Charleston, SC
Cities with comparable crime statistics to Memphis include:
Cleveland, OH
Orlando, FL (yes the home of Disney World is right there with us!)
Little Rock, AR
Cincinati, OH
Atlanta, GA
Jackson, MS
Kansas City, MO
Nashville came in 44th. It's total numbers were comparable but just a little lower than Memphis and the other cities listed.
In terms of one year trends, Memphis was not one of the top ten cities in terms of crime increases or crime improvement. However, Little Rock, AR and Jackson, MS were in the top ten cities in increase in crime.
I bring all of this out to point out that we're not nearly as bad as some portray us to be. Like most urban cities, we have crime. We certainly need to work on it but events like the Lester Street incident give an unduly negative and unsupported view of the true state of crime/safety in Memphis.
I've lived here most of my life and never been mugged. I've never had my home broken into and I've never had my car broken into here. When I lived in Nashville during law school, my car was repeatedly burglaried.
Next time you hear someone say that Memphis isn't a safe city, politely correct them and point out the true facts.
According to the 2007 Morgan Quinto Press, which compiles and publishes comparative crime statistics the following cities had more significant crime problems:
Detroit, MI
St. Louis, MO
Flint, MI
Oakland, CA
Camden, NJ
Birmingham, AL
Charleston, SC
Cities with comparable crime statistics to Memphis include:
Cleveland, OH
Orlando, FL (yes the home of Disney World is right there with us!)
Little Rock, AR
Cincinati, OH
Atlanta, GA
Jackson, MS
Kansas City, MO
Nashville came in 44th. It's total numbers were comparable but just a little lower than Memphis and the other cities listed.
In terms of one year trends, Memphis was not one of the top ten cities in terms of crime increases or crime improvement. However, Little Rock, AR and Jackson, MS were in the top ten cities in increase in crime.
I bring all of this out to point out that we're not nearly as bad as some portray us to be. Like most urban cities, we have crime. We certainly need to work on it but events like the Lester Street incident give an unduly negative and unsupported view of the true state of crime/safety in Memphis.
I've lived here most of my life and never been mugged. I've never had my home broken into and I've never had my car broken into here. When I lived in Nashville during law school, my car was repeatedly burglaried.
Next time you hear someone say that Memphis isn't a safe city, politely correct them and point out the true facts.
Memphis Based CPS buys Rival Division of McKesson
According to the Tuesday, April 8, 2008, Commercial Appeal, Memphis based Comprehensive Pharmacy Services is buying rival McKesson Medication Management. The new combined entity will be one of the largest pharmacy managers in the country. It's always great when our Memphis hometown companies are the ones doing the acquiring rather than being acquired!
Live at the Garden Announces 2008 Shows
One of the realy cool things to do in Memphis every year is the Live at the Garden Concert series. 5 times a year, the Memphis Botanical Gardens turns one of its grand lawns into an outdoor concert space sort of like a mini Central Park. The shows are a ton of fun. You can bring in your own cooler. You can either sit on blankets on the lawn or buy a table down front. If you haven't done this, it's a must!
The 2008 line up includes:
Jewel, June 7
Earth, Wind & Fire, July 19
Crosby, Stills & Nash, August 9
B-52s, September 12
Huey Lewis & the News, September 26
I'm most excited about Earth, Wind & Fire (September is one of my favorite songs) and the B-52s (Rock Lobster, Roam, Channel Z, Love Shack!)
For more information check out www.liveatthegraden.com
The 2008 line up includes:
Jewel, June 7
Earth, Wind & Fire, July 19
Crosby, Stills & Nash, August 9
B-52s, September 12
Huey Lewis & the News, September 26
I'm most excited about Earth, Wind & Fire (September is one of my favorite songs) and the B-52s (Rock Lobster, Roam, Channel Z, Love Shack!)
For more information check out www.liveatthegraden.com
Memphis Zoo fighting for endangered species
We really don't fully appreciate what an amazing zoo we have here. We're still one of a handful of zoos in the United States with a pair of giant pandas. We have the relatively new Northwest Passage exhibit with polar bears and coming soon with be the Yukon Trek exhibit. If you haven't been to the zoo recently you need to do so.
In other great news coming out of the zoo, it was recently announced that folks at the zoo have successfully breeded an endangered frog. Frogs might not be as sexy as eagles or condors or even pandas but they are a trip wire in nature. As an amphibian they are one of the first to show the harmful effects of water pollution. Frogs are vitally important to our ecosystem. So the work being done at the Memphis Zoo is really important.
In other great news coming out of the zoo, it was recently announced that folks at the zoo have successfully breeded an endangered frog. Frogs might not be as sexy as eagles or condors or even pandas but they are a trip wire in nature. As an amphibian they are one of the first to show the harmful effects of water pollution. Frogs are vitally important to our ecosystem. So the work being done at the Memphis Zoo is really important.
UT Memphis Gains Support for Facilities Upgrades
Ever since the Civil War, Memphis has been a health care center. Union forces used Memphis as a hospital zone for wounded combatants on both sides.
The University of Tennessee's medical school is here in Memphis. UT-Memphis is one of four medical schools in Tennessee along with Maherry and Vanderbilt in Nashville and East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. UT Memphis is hugely important to our region not only because of the doctors that it teaches but also because it is a major employer in the region and because of the biomedical research being performed there.
As important as it is to our region, UT Memphis' facilities have fallen behind the curve. The school needs an influx of cash and support. Help looks like it is on the way.
According to the Monday, April 7, 2008 Commercial Appeal, the Governor and key state legislators have recently toured the campus and have all come to the conclusion that capital funding for new buildings and for retrofits/upgrades is needed.
it doesn't look like there will be any help this year but the support of the Governor and key legislators is critical and a great sign that UT-Memphis will soon get what it needs to keep up in the facilities arm race at American medical schools.
The biomedical research park is going to be a key economic engine for Memphis in the years to come and a reinvigorated UT-Memphis will be a big part of that effort.
The University of Tennessee's medical school is here in Memphis. UT-Memphis is one of four medical schools in Tennessee along with Maherry and Vanderbilt in Nashville and East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. UT Memphis is hugely important to our region not only because of the doctors that it teaches but also because it is a major employer in the region and because of the biomedical research being performed there.
As important as it is to our region, UT Memphis' facilities have fallen behind the curve. The school needs an influx of cash and support. Help looks like it is on the way.
According to the Monday, April 7, 2008 Commercial Appeal, the Governor and key state legislators have recently toured the campus and have all come to the conclusion that capital funding for new buildings and for retrofits/upgrades is needed.
it doesn't look like there will be any help this year but the support of the Governor and key legislators is critical and a great sign that UT-Memphis will soon get what it needs to keep up in the facilities arm race at American medical schools.
The biomedical research park is going to be a key economic engine for Memphis in the years to come and a reinvigorated UT-Memphis will be a big part of that effort.
Tigers Finish a Record Breaking Year
Well frankly, it's taken me several days to be able to write about what happened Monday night in the National Championship Game. The Tigers fell short and lost to kansas. They were up by 9 with roughly 2 minutes to play and a perfect storm of Tiger errors and remarkable kansas play allowed Kansas to tie the game and send it to overtime. Kansas pulled away in the overtime.
As hard as that loss was, we should all keep this season in some perspective. The Tigers were the national runner up. Every team in the country save for one would switch places with them. Along the way the Tigers set the record for most wins in a single season (38). They tied the record for most wins over a three year period (103). Chris Douglas Roberts ("CDR") was a first team All-American. Derrick Rose was a third-team All-American. Coach Calipari won the National Naismith Coach of the Year award.
Years from now this game will hurt. Years from now we'll all realize what a great run the Tigers had. Oh by the way, the Tigers look to have a top 10 and possibly top 5 recruiting class coming in next year. Hope springs eternal.
As hard as that loss was, we should all keep this season in some perspective. The Tigers were the national runner up. Every team in the country save for one would switch places with them. Along the way the Tigers set the record for most wins in a single season (38). They tied the record for most wins over a three year period (103). Chris Douglas Roberts ("CDR") was a first team All-American. Derrick Rose was a third-team All-American. Coach Calipari won the National Naismith Coach of the Year award.
Years from now this game will hurt. Years from now we'll all realize what a great run the Tigers had. Oh by the way, the Tigers look to have a top 10 and possibly top 5 recruiting class coming in next year. Hope springs eternal.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Memphis is Buzzing for the Tigers
The Memphis Tigers continued their torrid march to a national championship over the weekend with a drubbing in the national semifinals. Memphis easily beat UCLA and frankly made them look bad. Kansas surprised North Carolina to make it to the Championship Game against Memphis.
Everywhere you go, there are a sea of blue Tiger car flags. People car windows are decorated. People are wearing Tiger gear. On the way to work this morning, people were driving around honking their horns.
The City is just absolutely buzzing with anticipation of a national championship. Kansas will be a really tough opponent but the Tigers are really tough as well.
It's hard to imagine just how crazy this town will be if the Tigers win it all.
Go Tigers! One more game!
Everywhere you go, there are a sea of blue Tiger car flags. People car windows are decorated. People are wearing Tiger gear. On the way to work this morning, people were driving around honking their horns.
The City is just absolutely buzzing with anticipation of a national championship. Kansas will be a really tough opponent but the Tigers are really tough as well.
It's hard to imagine just how crazy this town will be if the Tigers win it all.
Go Tigers! One more game!
Joel Osteen Prays for Memphis
Joel Osteen and the ministry team from Lakewood Church held a prayer service at FedEx Forum last night. There were 10,000 plus that were there. It was beautiful to see the cross section of our city and region come together to worship the Lord and come together as a people of hope. Osteen is the new Billy Graham, at least in my opinion. The whole event was phenomenal. It was special to be in such a large place with blacks and whites, young and old, rich and poor all there together for a common purpose.
In addition to preaching a message of hope through change, Osteen prayed for our city. Every bit helps!
In addition to preaching a message of hope through change, Osteen prayed for our city. Every bit helps!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Here's the Entire Mountaintop Speech
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his death, I thought I'd reprint the entire Mountaintop Speech that Dr. King gave on the night of April 3 - the last speech he ever gave. It was a stormy rainy night that night and a large crowd was gathered at the Mason Temple to hear Dr. King speak. Dr. King was ill and didn't want to go but was encouraged to do so by his advisers. Thank God they did that and thank God he gave this speech:
"Thank you very kindly, my friends. As I listened to Ralph Abernathy in his eloquent and generous introduction and then thought about myself, I wondered who he was talking about. It's always good to have your closest friend and associate say something good about you. And Ralph is the best friend that I have in the world.
I'm delighted to see each of you here tonight in spite of a storm warning. You reveal that you are determined to go on anyhow. Something is happening in Memphis, something is happening in our world.
As you know, if I were standing at the beginning of time, with the possibility of general and panoramic view of the whole human history up to now, and the Almighty said to me, "Martin Luther King, which age would you like to live in?" — I would take my mental flight by Egypt through, or rather across the Red Sea, through the wilderness on toward the promised land. And in spite of its magnificence, I wouldn't stop there. I would move on by Greece, and take my mind to Mount Olympus. And I would see Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Euripides and Aristophanes assembled around the Parthenon as they discussed the great and eternal issues of reality.
But I wouldn't stop there. I would go on, even to the great heyday of the Roman Empire. And I would see developments around there, through various emperors and leaders. But I wouldn't stop there. I would even come up to the day of the Renaissance, and get a quick picture of all that the Renaissance did for the cultural and esthetic life of man. But I wouldn't stop there. I would even go by the way that the man for whom I'm named had his habitat. And I would watch Martin Luther as he tacked his ninety-five theses on the door at the church in Wittenberg.
But I wouldn't stop there. I would come on up even to 1863, and watch a vacillating president by the name of Abraham Lincoln finally come to the conclusion that he had to sign the Emancipation Proclamation. But I wouldn't stop there. I would even come up to the early thirties, and see a man grappling with the problems of the bankruptcy of his nation. And come with an eloquent cry that we have nothing to fear but fear itself.
But I wouldn't stop there. Strangely enough, I would turn to the Almighty, and say, "If you allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the twentieth century, I will be happy." Now that's a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land. Confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a away that men, in some strange way, are responding — something is happening in our world. The masses of people are rising up. And wherever they are assembled today, whether they are in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; New York City; Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; or Memphis, Tennessee — the cry is always the same — "We want to be free."
And another reason that I'm happy to live in this period is that we have been forced to a point where we're going to have to grapple with the problems that men have been trying to grapple with through history, but the demand didn't force them to do it. Survival demands that we grapple with them. Men, for years now, have been talking about war and peace. But now, no longer can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it's nonviolence or nonexistence.
That is where we are today. And also in the human rights revolution, if something isn't done, and in a hurry, to bring the colored peoples of the world out of their long years of poverty, their long years of hurt and neglect, the whole world is doomed. Now, I'm just happy that God has allowed me to live in this period, to see what is unfolding. And I'm happy that He's allowed me to be in Memphis.
I can remember, I can remember when Negroes were just going around as Ralph has said, so often, scratching where they didn't itch, and laughing when they were not tickled. But that day is all over. We mean business now, and we are determined to gain our rightful place in God's world.
And that's all this whole thing is about. We aren't engaged in any negative protest and in any negative arguments with anybody. We are saying that we are determined to be men. We are determined to be people. We are saying that we are God's children. And that we don't have to live like we are forced to live.
Now, what does all of this mean in this great period of history? It means that we've got to stay together. We've got to stay together and maintain unity. You know, whenever Pharaoh wanted to prolong the period of slavery in Egypt, he had a favorite, favorite formula for doing it. What was that? He kept the salves fighting among themselves. But whenever the slaves get together, something happens in Pharaoh's court, and he cannot hold the slaves in slavery. When the slaves get together, that's the beginning of getting out of slavery. Now let us maintain unity.
Secondly, let us keep the issues where they are. The issue is injustice. The issue is the refusal of Memphis to be fair and honest in its dealings with its public servants, who happen to be sanitation workers. Now, we've got to keep attention on that. That's always the problem with a little violence. You know what happened the other day, and the press dealt only with the window-breaking. I read the articles. They very seldom got around to mentioning the fact that one thousand, three hundred sanitation workers were on strike, and that Memphis is not being fair to them, and that Mayor Loeb is in dire need of a doctor. They didn't get around to that.
Now we're going to march again, and we've got to march again, in order to put the issue where it is supposed to be. And force everybody to see that there are thirteen hundred of God's children here suffering, sometimes going hungry, going through dark and dreary nights wondering how this thing is going to come out. That's the issue. And we've got to say to the nation: we know it's coming out. For when people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.
We aren't going to let any mace stop us. We are masters in our nonviolent movement in disarming police forces; they don't know what to do, I've seen them so often. I remember in Birmingham, Alabama, when we were in that majestic struggle there we would move out of the 16th Street Baptist Church day after day; by the hundreds we would move out. And Bull Connor would tell them to send the dogs forth and they did come; but we just went before the dogs singing, "Ain't gonna let nobody turn me round." Bull Connor next would say, "Turn the fire hoses on." And as I said to you the other night, Bull Connor didn't know history. He knew a kind of physics that somehow didn't relate to the transphysics that we knew about. And that was the fact that there was a certain kind of fire that no water could put out. And we went before the fire hoses; we had known water. If we were Baptist or some other denomination, we had been immersed. If we were Methodist, and some others, we had been sprinkled, but we knew water.
That couldn't stop us. And we just went on before the dogs and we would look at them; and we'd go on before the water hoses and we would look at it, and we'd just go on singing "Over my head I see freedom in the air." And then we would be thrown in the paddy wagons, and sometimes we were stacked in there like sardines in a can. And they would throw us in, and old Bull would say, "Take them off," and they did; and we would just go in the paddy wagon singing, "We Shall Overcome." And every now and then we'd get in the jail, and we'd see the jailers looking through the windows being moved by our prayers, and being moved by our words and our songs. And there was a power there which Bull Connor couldn't adjust to; and so we ended up transforming Bull into a steer, and we won our struggle in Birmingham.
Now we've got to go on to Memphis just like that. I call upon you to be with us Monday. Now about injunctions: We have an injunction and we're going into court tomorrow morning to fight this illegal, unconstitutional injunction. All we say to America is, "Be true to what you said on paper." If I lived in China or even Russia, or any totalitarian country, maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic First Amendment privileges, because they hadn't committed themselves to that over there. But somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of the press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right. And so just as I say, we aren't going to let any injunction turn us around. We are going on.
We need all of you. And you know what's beautiful tome, is to see all of these ministers of the Gospel. It's a marvelous picture. Who is it that is supposed to articulate the longings and aspirations of the people more than the preacher? Somehow the preacher must be an Amos, and say, "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." Somehow, the preacher must say with Jesus, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to deal with the problems of the poor."
And I want to commend the preachers, under the leadership of these noble men: James Lawson, one who has been in this struggle for many years; he's been to jail for struggling; but he's still going on, fighting for the rights of his people. Rev. Ralph Jackson, Billy Kiles; I could just go right on down the list, but time will not permit. But I want to thank them all. And I want you to thank them, because so often, preachers aren't concerned about anything but themselves. And I'm always happy to see a relevant ministry.
It's all right to talk about "long white robes over yonder," in all of its symbolism. But ultimately people want some suits and dresses and shoes to wear down here. It's all right to talk about "streets flowing with milk and honey," but God has commanded us to be concerned about the slums down here, and his children who can't eat three square meals a day. It's all right to talk about the new Jerusalem, but one day, God's preachers must talk about the New York, the new Atlanta, the new Philadelphia, the new Los Angeles, the new Memphis, Tennessee. This is what we have to do.
Now the other thing we'll have to do is this: Always anchor our external direct action with the power of economic withdrawal. Now, we are poor people, individually, we are poor when you compare us with white society in America. We are poor. Never stop and forget that collectively, that means all of us together, collectively we are richer than all the nations in the world, with the exception of nine. Did you ever think about that? After you leave the United States, Soviet Russia, Great Britain, West Germany, France, and I could name the others, the Negro collectively is richer than most nations of the world. We have an annual income of more than thirty billion dollars a year, which is more than all of the exports of the United States, and more than the national budget of Canada. Did you know that? That's power right there, if we know how to pool it.
We don't have to argue with anybody. We don't have to curse and go around acting bad with our words. We don't need any bricks and bottles, we don't need any Molotov cocktails, we just need to go around to these stores, and to these massive industries in our country, and say, "God sent us by here, to say to you that you're not treating his children right. And we've come by here to ask you to make the first item on your agenda fair treatment, where God's children are concerned. Now, if you are not prepared to do that, we do have an agenda that we must follow. And our agenda calls for withdrawing economic support from you."
And so, as a result of this, we are asking you tonight, to go out and tell your neighbors not to buy Coca-Cola in Memphis. Go by and tell them not to buy Sealtest milk. Tell them not to buy—what is the other bread?—Wonder Bread. And what is the other bread company, Jesse? Tell them not to buy Hart's bread. As Jesse Jackson has said, up to now, only the garbage men have been feeling pain; now we must kind of redistribute the pain. We are choosing these companies because they haven't been fair in their hiring policies; and we are choosing them because they can begin the process of saying, they are going to support the needs and the rights of these men who are on strike. And then they can move on downtown and tell Mayor Loeb to do what is right.
But not only that, we've got to strengthen black institutions. I call upon you to take your money out of the banks downtown and deposit your money in Tri-State Bank—we want a "bank-in" movement in Memphis. So go by the savings and loan association. I'm not asking you something we don't do ourselves at SCLC. Judge Hooks and others will tell you that we have an account here in the savings and loan association from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. We're just telling you to follow what we're doing. Put your money there. You have six or seven black insurance companies in Memphis. Take out your insurance there. We want to have an "insurance-in."
Now these are some practical things we can do. We begin the process of building a greater economic base. And at the same time, we are putting pressure where it really hurts. I ask you to follow through here.
Now, let me say as I move to my conclusion that we've got to give ourselves to this struggle until the end. Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point, in Memphis. We've got to see it through. And when we have our march, you need to be there. Be concerned about your brother. You may not be on strike. But either we go up together, or we go down together.
Let us develop a kind of dangerous unselfishness. One day a man came to Jesus; and he wanted to raise some questions about some vital matters in life. At points, he wanted to trick Jesus, and show him that he knew a little more than Jesus knew, and through this, throw him off base. Now that question could have easily ended up in a philosophical and theological debate. But Jesus immediately pulled that question from mid-air, and placed it on a dangerous curve between Jerusalem and Jericho. And he talked about a certain man, who fell among thieves. You remember that a Levite and a priest passed by on the other side. They didn't stop to help him. And finally a man of another race came by. He got down from his beast, decided not to be compassionate by proxy. But with him, administering first aid, and helped the man in need. Jesus ended up saying, this was the good man, this was the great man, because he had the capacity to project the "I" into the "thou," and to be concerned about his brother. Now you know, we use our imagination a great deal to try to determine why the priest and the Levite didn't stop. At times we say they were busy going to church meetings—an ecclesiastical gathering—and they had to get on down to Jerusalem so they wouldn't be late for their meeting. At other times we would speculate that there was a religious law that "One who was engaged in religious ceremonials was not to touch a human body twenty-four hours before the ceremony." And every now and then we begin to wonder whether maybe they were not going down to Jerusalem, or down to Jericho, rather to organize a "Jericho Road Improvement Association." That's a possibility. Maybe they felt that it was better to deal with the problem from the causal root, rather than to get bogged down with an individual effort.
But I'm going to tell you what my imagination tells me. It's possible that these men were afraid. You see, the Jericho road is a dangerous road. I remember when Mrs. King and I were first in Jerusalem. We rented a car and drove from Jerusalem down to Jericho. And as soon as we got on that road, I said to my wife, "I can see why Jesus used this as a setting for his parable." It's a winding, meandering road. It's really conducive for ambushing. You start out in Jerusalem, which is about 1200 miles, or rather 1200 feet above sea level. And by the time you get down to Jericho, fifteen or twenty minutes later, you're about 2200 feet below sea level. That's a dangerous road. In the days of Jesus it came to be known as the "Bloody Pass." And you know, it's possible that the priest and the Levite looked over that man on the ground and wondered if the robbers were still around. Or it's possible that they felt that the man on the ground was merely faking. And he was acting like he had been robbed and hurt, in order to seize them over there, lure them there for quick and easy seizure. And so the first question that the Levite asked was, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But then the Good Samaritan came by. And he reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
That's the question before you tonight. Not, "If I stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to all of the hours that I usually spend in my office every day and every week as a pastor?" The question is not, "If I stop to help this man in need, what will happen to me?" "If I do not stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to them?" That's the question.
Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation. And I want to thank God, once more, for allowing me to be here with you.
You know, several years ago, I was in New York City autographing the first book that I had written. And while sitting there autographing books, a demented black woman came up. The only question I heard from her was, "Are you Martin Luther King?"
And I was looking down writing, and I said yes. And the next minute I felt something beating on my chest. Before I knew it I had been stabbed by this demented woman. I was rushed to Harlem Hospital. It was a dark Saturday afternoon. And that blade had gone through, and the X-rays revealed that the tip of the blade was on the edge of my aorta, the main artery. And once that's punctured, you drown in your own blood—that's the end of you.
It came out in the New York Times the next morning, that if I had sneezed, I would have died. Well, about four days later, they allowed me, after the operation, after my chest had been opened, and the blade had been taken out, to move around in the wheel chair in the hospital. They allowed me to read some of the mail that came in, and from all over the states, and the world, kind letters came in. I read a few, but one of them I will never forget. I had received one from the President and the Vice-President. I've forgotten what those telegrams said. I'd received a visit and a letter from the Governor of New York, but I've forgotten what the letter said. But there was another letter that came from a little girl, a young girl who was a student at the White Plains High School. And I looked at that letter, and I'll never forget it. It said simply, "Dear Dr. King: I am a ninth-grade student at the White Plains High School." She said, "While it should not matter, I would like to mention that I am a white girl. I read in the paper of your misfortune, and of your suffering. And I read that if you had sneezed, you would have died. And I'm simply writing you to say that I'm so happy that you didn't sneeze."
And I want to say tonight, I want to say that I am happy that I didn't sneeze. Because if I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around here in 1960, when students all over the South started sitting-in at lunch counters. And I knew that as they were sitting in, they were really standing up for the best in the American dream. And taking the whole nation back to those great wells of democracy which were dug deep by the Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around in 1962, when Negroes in Albany, Georgia, decided to straighten their backs up. And whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been here in 1963, when the black people of Birmingham, Alabama, aroused the conscience of this nation, and brought into being the Civil Rights Bill. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have had a chance later that year, in August, to try to tell America about a dream that I had had. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been down in Selma, Alabama, been in Memphis to see the community rally around those brothers and sisters who are suffering. I'm so happy that I didn't sneeze.
And they were telling me, now it doesn't matter now. It really doesn't matter what happens now. I left Atlanta this morning, and as we got started on the plane, there were six of us, the pilot said over the public address system, "We are sorry for the delay, but we have Dr. Martin Luther King on the plane. And to be sure that all of the bags were checked, and to be sure that nothing would be wrong with the plane, we had to check out everything carefully. And we've had the plane protected and guarded all night."
And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?
Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."
Amazing speech!
"Thank you very kindly, my friends. As I listened to Ralph Abernathy in his eloquent and generous introduction and then thought about myself, I wondered who he was talking about. It's always good to have your closest friend and associate say something good about you. And Ralph is the best friend that I have in the world.
I'm delighted to see each of you here tonight in spite of a storm warning. You reveal that you are determined to go on anyhow. Something is happening in Memphis, something is happening in our world.
As you know, if I were standing at the beginning of time, with the possibility of general and panoramic view of the whole human history up to now, and the Almighty said to me, "Martin Luther King, which age would you like to live in?" — I would take my mental flight by Egypt through, or rather across the Red Sea, through the wilderness on toward the promised land. And in spite of its magnificence, I wouldn't stop there. I would move on by Greece, and take my mind to Mount Olympus. And I would see Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Euripides and Aristophanes assembled around the Parthenon as they discussed the great and eternal issues of reality.
But I wouldn't stop there. I would go on, even to the great heyday of the Roman Empire. And I would see developments around there, through various emperors and leaders. But I wouldn't stop there. I would even come up to the day of the Renaissance, and get a quick picture of all that the Renaissance did for the cultural and esthetic life of man. But I wouldn't stop there. I would even go by the way that the man for whom I'm named had his habitat. And I would watch Martin Luther as he tacked his ninety-five theses on the door at the church in Wittenberg.
But I wouldn't stop there. I would come on up even to 1863, and watch a vacillating president by the name of Abraham Lincoln finally come to the conclusion that he had to sign the Emancipation Proclamation. But I wouldn't stop there. I would even come up to the early thirties, and see a man grappling with the problems of the bankruptcy of his nation. And come with an eloquent cry that we have nothing to fear but fear itself.
But I wouldn't stop there. Strangely enough, I would turn to the Almighty, and say, "If you allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the twentieth century, I will be happy." Now that's a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land. Confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a away that men, in some strange way, are responding — something is happening in our world. The masses of people are rising up. And wherever they are assembled today, whether they are in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; New York City; Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; or Memphis, Tennessee — the cry is always the same — "We want to be free."
And another reason that I'm happy to live in this period is that we have been forced to a point where we're going to have to grapple with the problems that men have been trying to grapple with through history, but the demand didn't force them to do it. Survival demands that we grapple with them. Men, for years now, have been talking about war and peace. But now, no longer can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it's nonviolence or nonexistence.
That is where we are today. And also in the human rights revolution, if something isn't done, and in a hurry, to bring the colored peoples of the world out of their long years of poverty, their long years of hurt and neglect, the whole world is doomed. Now, I'm just happy that God has allowed me to live in this period, to see what is unfolding. And I'm happy that He's allowed me to be in Memphis.
I can remember, I can remember when Negroes were just going around as Ralph has said, so often, scratching where they didn't itch, and laughing when they were not tickled. But that day is all over. We mean business now, and we are determined to gain our rightful place in God's world.
And that's all this whole thing is about. We aren't engaged in any negative protest and in any negative arguments with anybody. We are saying that we are determined to be men. We are determined to be people. We are saying that we are God's children. And that we don't have to live like we are forced to live.
Now, what does all of this mean in this great period of history? It means that we've got to stay together. We've got to stay together and maintain unity. You know, whenever Pharaoh wanted to prolong the period of slavery in Egypt, he had a favorite, favorite formula for doing it. What was that? He kept the salves fighting among themselves. But whenever the slaves get together, something happens in Pharaoh's court, and he cannot hold the slaves in slavery. When the slaves get together, that's the beginning of getting out of slavery. Now let us maintain unity.
Secondly, let us keep the issues where they are. The issue is injustice. The issue is the refusal of Memphis to be fair and honest in its dealings with its public servants, who happen to be sanitation workers. Now, we've got to keep attention on that. That's always the problem with a little violence. You know what happened the other day, and the press dealt only with the window-breaking. I read the articles. They very seldom got around to mentioning the fact that one thousand, three hundred sanitation workers were on strike, and that Memphis is not being fair to them, and that Mayor Loeb is in dire need of a doctor. They didn't get around to that.
Now we're going to march again, and we've got to march again, in order to put the issue where it is supposed to be. And force everybody to see that there are thirteen hundred of God's children here suffering, sometimes going hungry, going through dark and dreary nights wondering how this thing is going to come out. That's the issue. And we've got to say to the nation: we know it's coming out. For when people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.
We aren't going to let any mace stop us. We are masters in our nonviolent movement in disarming police forces; they don't know what to do, I've seen them so often. I remember in Birmingham, Alabama, when we were in that majestic struggle there we would move out of the 16th Street Baptist Church day after day; by the hundreds we would move out. And Bull Connor would tell them to send the dogs forth and they did come; but we just went before the dogs singing, "Ain't gonna let nobody turn me round." Bull Connor next would say, "Turn the fire hoses on." And as I said to you the other night, Bull Connor didn't know history. He knew a kind of physics that somehow didn't relate to the transphysics that we knew about. And that was the fact that there was a certain kind of fire that no water could put out. And we went before the fire hoses; we had known water. If we were Baptist or some other denomination, we had been immersed. If we were Methodist, and some others, we had been sprinkled, but we knew water.
That couldn't stop us. And we just went on before the dogs and we would look at them; and we'd go on before the water hoses and we would look at it, and we'd just go on singing "Over my head I see freedom in the air." And then we would be thrown in the paddy wagons, and sometimes we were stacked in there like sardines in a can. And they would throw us in, and old Bull would say, "Take them off," and they did; and we would just go in the paddy wagon singing, "We Shall Overcome." And every now and then we'd get in the jail, and we'd see the jailers looking through the windows being moved by our prayers, and being moved by our words and our songs. And there was a power there which Bull Connor couldn't adjust to; and so we ended up transforming Bull into a steer, and we won our struggle in Birmingham.
Now we've got to go on to Memphis just like that. I call upon you to be with us Monday. Now about injunctions: We have an injunction and we're going into court tomorrow morning to fight this illegal, unconstitutional injunction. All we say to America is, "Be true to what you said on paper." If I lived in China or even Russia, or any totalitarian country, maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic First Amendment privileges, because they hadn't committed themselves to that over there. But somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of the press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right. And so just as I say, we aren't going to let any injunction turn us around. We are going on.
We need all of you. And you know what's beautiful tome, is to see all of these ministers of the Gospel. It's a marvelous picture. Who is it that is supposed to articulate the longings and aspirations of the people more than the preacher? Somehow the preacher must be an Amos, and say, "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." Somehow, the preacher must say with Jesus, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to deal with the problems of the poor."
And I want to commend the preachers, under the leadership of these noble men: James Lawson, one who has been in this struggle for many years; he's been to jail for struggling; but he's still going on, fighting for the rights of his people. Rev. Ralph Jackson, Billy Kiles; I could just go right on down the list, but time will not permit. But I want to thank them all. And I want you to thank them, because so often, preachers aren't concerned about anything but themselves. And I'm always happy to see a relevant ministry.
It's all right to talk about "long white robes over yonder," in all of its symbolism. But ultimately people want some suits and dresses and shoes to wear down here. It's all right to talk about "streets flowing with milk and honey," but God has commanded us to be concerned about the slums down here, and his children who can't eat three square meals a day. It's all right to talk about the new Jerusalem, but one day, God's preachers must talk about the New York, the new Atlanta, the new Philadelphia, the new Los Angeles, the new Memphis, Tennessee. This is what we have to do.
Now the other thing we'll have to do is this: Always anchor our external direct action with the power of economic withdrawal. Now, we are poor people, individually, we are poor when you compare us with white society in America. We are poor. Never stop and forget that collectively, that means all of us together, collectively we are richer than all the nations in the world, with the exception of nine. Did you ever think about that? After you leave the United States, Soviet Russia, Great Britain, West Germany, France, and I could name the others, the Negro collectively is richer than most nations of the world. We have an annual income of more than thirty billion dollars a year, which is more than all of the exports of the United States, and more than the national budget of Canada. Did you know that? That's power right there, if we know how to pool it.
We don't have to argue with anybody. We don't have to curse and go around acting bad with our words. We don't need any bricks and bottles, we don't need any Molotov cocktails, we just need to go around to these stores, and to these massive industries in our country, and say, "God sent us by here, to say to you that you're not treating his children right. And we've come by here to ask you to make the first item on your agenda fair treatment, where God's children are concerned. Now, if you are not prepared to do that, we do have an agenda that we must follow. And our agenda calls for withdrawing economic support from you."
And so, as a result of this, we are asking you tonight, to go out and tell your neighbors not to buy Coca-Cola in Memphis. Go by and tell them not to buy Sealtest milk. Tell them not to buy—what is the other bread?—Wonder Bread. And what is the other bread company, Jesse? Tell them not to buy Hart's bread. As Jesse Jackson has said, up to now, only the garbage men have been feeling pain; now we must kind of redistribute the pain. We are choosing these companies because they haven't been fair in their hiring policies; and we are choosing them because they can begin the process of saying, they are going to support the needs and the rights of these men who are on strike. And then they can move on downtown and tell Mayor Loeb to do what is right.
But not only that, we've got to strengthen black institutions. I call upon you to take your money out of the banks downtown and deposit your money in Tri-State Bank—we want a "bank-in" movement in Memphis. So go by the savings and loan association. I'm not asking you something we don't do ourselves at SCLC. Judge Hooks and others will tell you that we have an account here in the savings and loan association from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. We're just telling you to follow what we're doing. Put your money there. You have six or seven black insurance companies in Memphis. Take out your insurance there. We want to have an "insurance-in."
Now these are some practical things we can do. We begin the process of building a greater economic base. And at the same time, we are putting pressure where it really hurts. I ask you to follow through here.
Now, let me say as I move to my conclusion that we've got to give ourselves to this struggle until the end. Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point, in Memphis. We've got to see it through. And when we have our march, you need to be there. Be concerned about your brother. You may not be on strike. But either we go up together, or we go down together.
Let us develop a kind of dangerous unselfishness. One day a man came to Jesus; and he wanted to raise some questions about some vital matters in life. At points, he wanted to trick Jesus, and show him that he knew a little more than Jesus knew, and through this, throw him off base. Now that question could have easily ended up in a philosophical and theological debate. But Jesus immediately pulled that question from mid-air, and placed it on a dangerous curve between Jerusalem and Jericho. And he talked about a certain man, who fell among thieves. You remember that a Levite and a priest passed by on the other side. They didn't stop to help him. And finally a man of another race came by. He got down from his beast, decided not to be compassionate by proxy. But with him, administering first aid, and helped the man in need. Jesus ended up saying, this was the good man, this was the great man, because he had the capacity to project the "I" into the "thou," and to be concerned about his brother. Now you know, we use our imagination a great deal to try to determine why the priest and the Levite didn't stop. At times we say they were busy going to church meetings—an ecclesiastical gathering—and they had to get on down to Jerusalem so they wouldn't be late for their meeting. At other times we would speculate that there was a religious law that "One who was engaged in religious ceremonials was not to touch a human body twenty-four hours before the ceremony." And every now and then we begin to wonder whether maybe they were not going down to Jerusalem, or down to Jericho, rather to organize a "Jericho Road Improvement Association." That's a possibility. Maybe they felt that it was better to deal with the problem from the causal root, rather than to get bogged down with an individual effort.
But I'm going to tell you what my imagination tells me. It's possible that these men were afraid. You see, the Jericho road is a dangerous road. I remember when Mrs. King and I were first in Jerusalem. We rented a car and drove from Jerusalem down to Jericho. And as soon as we got on that road, I said to my wife, "I can see why Jesus used this as a setting for his parable." It's a winding, meandering road. It's really conducive for ambushing. You start out in Jerusalem, which is about 1200 miles, or rather 1200 feet above sea level. And by the time you get down to Jericho, fifteen or twenty minutes later, you're about 2200 feet below sea level. That's a dangerous road. In the days of Jesus it came to be known as the "Bloody Pass." And you know, it's possible that the priest and the Levite looked over that man on the ground and wondered if the robbers were still around. Or it's possible that they felt that the man on the ground was merely faking. And he was acting like he had been robbed and hurt, in order to seize them over there, lure them there for quick and easy seizure. And so the first question that the Levite asked was, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But then the Good Samaritan came by. And he reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
That's the question before you tonight. Not, "If I stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to all of the hours that I usually spend in my office every day and every week as a pastor?" The question is not, "If I stop to help this man in need, what will happen to me?" "If I do not stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to them?" That's the question.
Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation. And I want to thank God, once more, for allowing me to be here with you.
You know, several years ago, I was in New York City autographing the first book that I had written. And while sitting there autographing books, a demented black woman came up. The only question I heard from her was, "Are you Martin Luther King?"
And I was looking down writing, and I said yes. And the next minute I felt something beating on my chest. Before I knew it I had been stabbed by this demented woman. I was rushed to Harlem Hospital. It was a dark Saturday afternoon. And that blade had gone through, and the X-rays revealed that the tip of the blade was on the edge of my aorta, the main artery. And once that's punctured, you drown in your own blood—that's the end of you.
It came out in the New York Times the next morning, that if I had sneezed, I would have died. Well, about four days later, they allowed me, after the operation, after my chest had been opened, and the blade had been taken out, to move around in the wheel chair in the hospital. They allowed me to read some of the mail that came in, and from all over the states, and the world, kind letters came in. I read a few, but one of them I will never forget. I had received one from the President and the Vice-President. I've forgotten what those telegrams said. I'd received a visit and a letter from the Governor of New York, but I've forgotten what the letter said. But there was another letter that came from a little girl, a young girl who was a student at the White Plains High School. And I looked at that letter, and I'll never forget it. It said simply, "Dear Dr. King: I am a ninth-grade student at the White Plains High School." She said, "While it should not matter, I would like to mention that I am a white girl. I read in the paper of your misfortune, and of your suffering. And I read that if you had sneezed, you would have died. And I'm simply writing you to say that I'm so happy that you didn't sneeze."
And I want to say tonight, I want to say that I am happy that I didn't sneeze. Because if I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around here in 1960, when students all over the South started sitting-in at lunch counters. And I knew that as they were sitting in, they were really standing up for the best in the American dream. And taking the whole nation back to those great wells of democracy which were dug deep by the Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around in 1962, when Negroes in Albany, Georgia, decided to straighten their backs up. And whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been here in 1963, when the black people of Birmingham, Alabama, aroused the conscience of this nation, and brought into being the Civil Rights Bill. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have had a chance later that year, in August, to try to tell America about a dream that I had had. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been down in Selma, Alabama, been in Memphis to see the community rally around those brothers and sisters who are suffering. I'm so happy that I didn't sneeze.
And they were telling me, now it doesn't matter now. It really doesn't matter what happens now. I left Atlanta this morning, and as we got started on the plane, there were six of us, the pilot said over the public address system, "We are sorry for the delay, but we have Dr. Martin Luther King on the plane. And to be sure that all of the bags were checked, and to be sure that nothing would be wrong with the plane, we had to check out everything carefully. And we've had the plane protected and guarded all night."
And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?
Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."
Amazing speech!
Pride in the Name of Love
Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King. It was an emotional day here in Memphis. Dignitaries including Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Al Sharpton, Tavis Smiley, Dr. Benjamin Hooks, Rev. Billy Kyles and many many others were here to mark the occassion. All of the major news networks in the country were here with live feeds. There was march from City Hall to the national Civil Rights Museum. It was a somber day. It was a holy day here.
What struck me the most is the realization that Dr. King was just 39 when he was murdered. I'm not that far off being 39. His wife and my wife would have been the same age. His children and my children would have been the same age. The sheer thought of all that he did in 39 years and the profound difference he made in all our lives is amazing. That thought really spurred me to do more. We can always do more.
The Dreamer may be dead but his Dream - our Dream - very much lives on. To me the Dream is like Christianity. We're called to be perfect to be Christlike but we know we'll never quite get there. That doesn't stop us from striving to iprove. it doesn't stop us from recognizing that we've failed or fallen short and getting up and recommitting ourselves to living the Christian life. The Dream is the same way. We may not get there 100% ever but we can keep striving to get there. Where we have fallen, we can recognize that we've fallen short and get back and redouble efforts to achieve the Dream. After all, isn't that what Christ called and calls us to do - to love thy neighbor as ourselves. Isn't that what Dr. King called us to do? The road may be rough. It may be uncomfortable but it's what we're called to do - to form that more perfect union.
In addition to reflecting on Dr. King's life and the impact it's had on me (even though I wasn't even born yet when he was killed), I also reflected on just how far we've come. There is good news.
It would have been absolutely inconceivable in 1968 that the Mayors of Memphis (Dr. Herenton) and Shelby County (AC Wharton) would be African American men. It would not have been possible for the Speaker Pro Tempore of the State House to be a black woman from Memphis (Lois DeBerry). Men like Melvin Burgess would have never been the head of the Memphis police department. The University of Memphis would not have had a woman (Dr. Raines) as its president and there would not have been anywhere near the numbers of African Americans or women who were going to school there. An African American (Larry Finch) would have never been the head basketball coach at the University of Memphis. The heads of the Memphis School Board or the Memphis City School Superintendants would have never been African American. Men like Stanley Cates or Elliot Perry would have never had the kind of money to have an ownership interest in a pro sports team. A majority of the City Council would not have been African American. Many of our judges would not have been African American. Memphis would not have been named one of the best places for black owned businesses as it was recently.
We've come so far in the 40 years since Dr. King's tragic and sad assassination. We can't lose sight of that. We can't forget the remarkable progres that we've made. We also can't lose sight of the fact that the road to true equality and to the Dream is long and steep at times and we've come many miles but we have more to go. Saying we have more to go doesn't denegrate just how far we've come. It's just reality and a recognition of the perfect nature of the Dream.
The night before he was murdered, Dr. King gave his famous Mountaintop speech at the Mason Temple. In it he said, that we as a people would reach the promised land. I sure hope that he's right but until we get there we all have to keep on marching in that direction. The Isrealites were lost in the desert for 40 years before they found the promised land. Maybe the forty years since Dr. King's death have been our time in the wilderness and we'll soon the promised land.
The last thing that I thought about this 40th anniversary is that we are so lucky to have the National Civil Rights Museum here. If you haven't been there, you need to do so. It's truly holy ground and will touch your soul.
What struck me the most is the realization that Dr. King was just 39 when he was murdered. I'm not that far off being 39. His wife and my wife would have been the same age. His children and my children would have been the same age. The sheer thought of all that he did in 39 years and the profound difference he made in all our lives is amazing. That thought really spurred me to do more. We can always do more.
The Dreamer may be dead but his Dream - our Dream - very much lives on. To me the Dream is like Christianity. We're called to be perfect to be Christlike but we know we'll never quite get there. That doesn't stop us from striving to iprove. it doesn't stop us from recognizing that we've failed or fallen short and getting up and recommitting ourselves to living the Christian life. The Dream is the same way. We may not get there 100% ever but we can keep striving to get there. Where we have fallen, we can recognize that we've fallen short and get back and redouble efforts to achieve the Dream. After all, isn't that what Christ called and calls us to do - to love thy neighbor as ourselves. Isn't that what Dr. King called us to do? The road may be rough. It may be uncomfortable but it's what we're called to do - to form that more perfect union.
In addition to reflecting on Dr. King's life and the impact it's had on me (even though I wasn't even born yet when he was killed), I also reflected on just how far we've come. There is good news.
It would have been absolutely inconceivable in 1968 that the Mayors of Memphis (Dr. Herenton) and Shelby County (AC Wharton) would be African American men. It would not have been possible for the Speaker Pro Tempore of the State House to be a black woman from Memphis (Lois DeBerry). Men like Melvin Burgess would have never been the head of the Memphis police department. The University of Memphis would not have had a woman (Dr. Raines) as its president and there would not have been anywhere near the numbers of African Americans or women who were going to school there. An African American (Larry Finch) would have never been the head basketball coach at the University of Memphis. The heads of the Memphis School Board or the Memphis City School Superintendants would have never been African American. Men like Stanley Cates or Elliot Perry would have never had the kind of money to have an ownership interest in a pro sports team. A majority of the City Council would not have been African American. Many of our judges would not have been African American. Memphis would not have been named one of the best places for black owned businesses as it was recently.
We've come so far in the 40 years since Dr. King's tragic and sad assassination. We can't lose sight of that. We can't forget the remarkable progres that we've made. We also can't lose sight of the fact that the road to true equality and to the Dream is long and steep at times and we've come many miles but we have more to go. Saying we have more to go doesn't denegrate just how far we've come. It's just reality and a recognition of the perfect nature of the Dream.
The night before he was murdered, Dr. King gave his famous Mountaintop speech at the Mason Temple. In it he said, that we as a people would reach the promised land. I sure hope that he's right but until we get there we all have to keep on marching in that direction. The Isrealites were lost in the desert for 40 years before they found the promised land. Maybe the forty years since Dr. King's death have been our time in the wilderness and we'll soon the promised land.
The last thing that I thought about this 40th anniversary is that we are so lucky to have the National Civil Rights Museum here. If you haven't been there, you need to do so. It's truly holy ground and will touch your soul.
Greg Davis Wins Republican Primary
When Trent Lott announced his retirement, it set off a chain reaction of events that might just wind up benefiting Memphis. Lott retired. Roger Wicker, the Congressman from the First Congressional District of Memphis was appointed to fill Lott's vacant seat. That meant that Wicker's First Congressional District seat came open. The First Congressional District is a solidly Republican district. In a recent series of elections Southaven Mayor Greg Davis won the Republican nomination over former Tupelo Mayor and Chairman of the TVA Glenn McCullough. Now I don't think Greg Davis has any special warm spot in his heart for Memphis. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that he probably doesn't like Memphi all that much. However, having the First Congressional seat in our Metro area has got to be a positive thing for the whole area. Glenn McCullough would undoubtedly have focused more of his time, attention and pork on Tupelo and Northeast Mississippi. Greg Davis will certainly do his best to help that part of the state but he'll always be looking out for his home base, DeSoto County. If we can work with him to help him see that the best way to protect DeSoto County and the First Congressional District is to help Memphis solve its problems here before they get exported there, then he might just be an ally and an asset to our city and to our region. Having another Congressman here in the memphis area should also help insure that we maintain great air service out of Memphis International. So Greg Davis potentially winning that seat is a good thing for the First Congressional District and for Memphis.
Davis will face Travis Childers in the elction in the fall. Childers actually obtained more votes than Davis in the primaries but some of that might have been the Barak Obama effect. It's possible that Childers could win in the fall if a simial phenomenon happened but I doubt it. Things look good for Greg Davis.
Between then and now there will be another election to fill the vacancy in the seat until the election in the fall. That particular election might jut be interesting because there has to be voter fatigue in the first district with there just having been two special elections in the span of 45 days.
Best wishes to Greg Davis. I hope that you get elected and that you'll keep an open mind and ear to ways that you can help the first district by helping Memphis.
Davis will face Travis Childers in the elction in the fall. Childers actually obtained more votes than Davis in the primaries but some of that might have been the Barak Obama effect. It's possible that Childers could win in the fall if a simial phenomenon happened but I doubt it. Things look good for Greg Davis.
Between then and now there will be another election to fill the vacancy in the seat until the election in the fall. That particular election might jut be interesting because there has to be voter fatigue in the first district with there just having been two special elections in the span of 45 days.
Best wishes to Greg Davis. I hope that you get elected and that you'll keep an open mind and ear to ways that you can help the first district by helping Memphis.
21 Memphians Make the Business TN Power 100
Business TN magazine recently published its fifth annual list of the 100 most powerful and influential people in Tennessee. 21 Memphians made that list including:
97. William B. Dunavant, President & CEO of Dunavant Enterprises
94. Arnold Perl, Chairman Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
90. Bishop William H. Graves, Senier Bishop CME Church & TVA Board
88. Brad Martin, Chairman RBM Venture Co.
87. John Moses, CEO ALSAC
74. William C. Rhodes, President & CEO AutoZone
72. O. Mason Hawkins, Chairman & CEO Southeastern Asset Management
65. Gary Shorb, President & CEO Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare
63. Michael Rose, Chairman, First Horizon Corp. (First Tennessee)
62. G. Stanley Cates, President Southeastern Asset Management
61. William E. Evans, Director & CEO St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
56. Steve Reynolds, President & CEO Baptist Hospital
53. Barbara Hyde, Philanthropist
52. Lois DeBerry, House Speaker Pro Tempore
51. Phil Trenary, President & CEO Pinnacle Airlines Corp.
37. Dr. Shirley Raines, President University of Memphis
30. AC Wharton, Mayor of Shelby County
27. John Faraci, Chairman & CEO International Paper
8. Dr. Willie Herenton, Mayor (for now) of Memphis
3. Fred Smith, Founder, Chairman & CEO Federal Express
2. Pitt Hyde, Chairman & CEO Hyde Family Foundations
It's hard to argue with the list and we certainly are proud of all of the Memphians for the difference they are making in our city, our region and our state on a daily basis. Some of these people even have national and global influence (Fred Smith and the St. Jude people for example).
Business TN is a fantastic business publication. For the full list and many great articles about business and the business community in Tennessee check out Business TN.
97. William B. Dunavant, President & CEO of Dunavant Enterprises
94. Arnold Perl, Chairman Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
90. Bishop William H. Graves, Senier Bishop CME Church & TVA Board
88. Brad Martin, Chairman RBM Venture Co.
87. John Moses, CEO ALSAC
74. William C. Rhodes, President & CEO AutoZone
72. O. Mason Hawkins, Chairman & CEO Southeastern Asset Management
65. Gary Shorb, President & CEO Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare
63. Michael Rose, Chairman, First Horizon Corp. (First Tennessee)
62. G. Stanley Cates, President Southeastern Asset Management
61. William E. Evans, Director & CEO St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
56. Steve Reynolds, President & CEO Baptist Hospital
53. Barbara Hyde, Philanthropist
52. Lois DeBerry, House Speaker Pro Tempore
51. Phil Trenary, President & CEO Pinnacle Airlines Corp.
37. Dr. Shirley Raines, President University of Memphis
30. AC Wharton, Mayor of Shelby County
27. John Faraci, Chairman & CEO International Paper
8. Dr. Willie Herenton, Mayor (for now) of Memphis
3. Fred Smith, Founder, Chairman & CEO Federal Express
2. Pitt Hyde, Chairman & CEO Hyde Family Foundations
It's hard to argue with the list and we certainly are proud of all of the Memphians for the difference they are making in our city, our region and our state on a daily basis. Some of these people even have national and global influence (Fred Smith and the St. Jude people for example).
Business TN is a fantastic business publication. For the full list and many great articles about business and the business community in Tennessee check out Business TN.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Memphis Madness!
The Memphis Tigers beat Texas in Houston yesterday to advance to the Final Four. This city is going nuts over the Tigers. You can see blue everywhere here right now. The car flags and wind socks are in full force. Several thousand folks showed up at Wilson Air last night to welcome the team back. A few hundred more were at the Finch Center to welcome the team back. The Bank of Bartlett took two charter planes to Houston for the South Regional to see the Tigers absolutely blow out Michigan State and Texas.
Right now, the Tigers and North Carolina are playing the best basketball. In addition to those two teams, UCLA and Kansas are also in the final four. Anyone of the four could win the whole thing but the Tigers have as good a shot as anyone.
The Tigers will play UCLA this weekend for the right to play in the National Championship Game. UCLA and Memphis played two or three years ago for the right to go the final four and that game was as ugly as any I've seen in a long time. I expect UCLA to try to make this game an ugly, defensive low scoring game as well. Beating UCLA will be tough but the Tigers can do it.
Derrick Rose, the Tigers freshman point guard, played amazingly well for a freshman or a senior or any other class. He's a big time NBA talent. Chris Douglas-Roberts (a/k/a "CDR") is a big time NBA talent. Antonio Anderson is a great defensive stopper and can score when needed. Then you have Joey Dorsey and Robert Dozier as the starting big men.
Memphis has been to the final four now three times in school history. This town is already going crazy with pride over the Tigers. If they beat UCLA and make it to the championship game, this might just wind up being the greatest Tiger team ever.
Good luck to the Tigers and Go Tigers Go!
Right now, the Tigers and North Carolina are playing the best basketball. In addition to those two teams, UCLA and Kansas are also in the final four. Anyone of the four could win the whole thing but the Tigers have as good a shot as anyone.
The Tigers will play UCLA this weekend for the right to play in the National Championship Game. UCLA and Memphis played two or three years ago for the right to go the final four and that game was as ugly as any I've seen in a long time. I expect UCLA to try to make this game an ugly, defensive low scoring game as well. Beating UCLA will be tough but the Tigers can do it.
Derrick Rose, the Tigers freshman point guard, played amazingly well for a freshman or a senior or any other class. He's a big time NBA talent. Chris Douglas-Roberts (a/k/a "CDR") is a big time NBA talent. Antonio Anderson is a great defensive stopper and can score when needed. Then you have Joey Dorsey and Robert Dozier as the starting big men.
Memphis has been to the final four now three times in school history. This town is already going crazy with pride over the Tigers. If they beat UCLA and make it to the championship game, this might just wind up being the greatest Tiger team ever.
Good luck to the Tigers and Go Tigers Go!
The trees are in bloom!
It's spring in Memphis and that means the flowering trees are in bloom. First came the tulip trees.
Now the cherry trees are in full blossom. People spend a lot of money to fly to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry Blossoms. We have an excellent collection of Japanese/Asian cherry trees right here in Memphis, on aptly named Cherry Road. These beautiful trees will only be in full blossom for another few days. If you want to see them just drive down that section of Cherry Road that runs between Park Avenue and Southern right next to the botanical gardens. Another spot for cherry tree viewing is Memorial Park on Poplar in East Memphis. They have several cherry trees right up next to Poplar - nothing like Cherry Road but still a nice collection. You don't have to drive or fly to Washington to admire the cherry trees. You've got them right here.
Next up will be the dogwood trees. They are just starting to bloom out and will be really pretty for the next month or so. Enjoy spring in Memphis!
Now the cherry trees are in full blossom. People spend a lot of money to fly to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry Blossoms. We have an excellent collection of Japanese/Asian cherry trees right here in Memphis, on aptly named Cherry Road. These beautiful trees will only be in full blossom for another few days. If you want to see them just drive down that section of Cherry Road that runs between Park Avenue and Southern right next to the botanical gardens. Another spot for cherry tree viewing is Memorial Park on Poplar in East Memphis. They have several cherry trees right up next to Poplar - nothing like Cherry Road but still a nice collection. You don't have to drive or fly to Washington to admire the cherry trees. You've got them right here.
Next up will be the dogwood trees. They are just starting to bloom out and will be really pretty for the next month or so. Enjoy spring in Memphis!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
2007 Saw More than $422 Million in Investment
The Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce recently announced some of the results of its economic development efforts for 2007. In 2007, the Chamber saw more than $422 million in investment in the region with more than 3,000 net jobs created.
2007 saw Nucor Steel make significant investments. Nike expanded their local operations by more than one million square feet. Riviana Foods consolidated their southern operations here in Memphis at their facility off Mallory. Belgium company, Tigenix, located in Memphis. American Medical Depot company selected Millington for their new location. The Depot is expected to create 500 new jobs and have a $12 million investment. These are just a few of the great economic development successes that occurred in our region in 2007.
2007 saw Nucor Steel make significant investments. Nike expanded their local operations by more than one million square feet. Riviana Foods consolidated their southern operations here in Memphis at their facility off Mallory. Belgium company, Tigenix, located in Memphis. American Medical Depot company selected Millington for their new location. The Depot is expected to create 500 new jobs and have a $12 million investment. These are just a few of the great economic development successes that occurred in our region in 2007.
Memphis Top 10% in International Exports
Charles Blatteis, Chair of the Regional Chamber's International Council, recently announced that the US Department of Commerce released its export rankings and Memphis ranked 28 out of 326 cities. This represents more than $7 billion in exports - $2 billion more than Nashville. You might not think of it, but Memphis is a serious player in international business. We'll never be New York or Los Angeles but we're already more significant than 90% of the cities who even made the list. With the aerotropolis concept being developed here, those number are sure to rise in the near future.
Memphis Based International Paper Expands
Memphis based International Paper recently announced that it is buying the corrugated box and paper division from Weyerhousaer. The purchase price of the transaction is reportedly $6 billion dollars.
International Paper has recently been selling significant pieces of its business including forest lands and lumber mills. Those were sold to West Frazier, a Canadian company, who promptly established their United States headquarters in Memphis. After the sell off of significant divisions at IP, it's nice to see them purchasing new businesses.
International Paper has recently been selling significant pieces of its business including forest lands and lumber mills. Those were sold to West Frazier, a Canadian company, who promptly established their United States headquarters in Memphis. After the sell off of significant divisions at IP, it's nice to see them purchasing new businesses.
Memphis Chosen to Participate in the Emerge 200 Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced that it will launch the Emerge 200 program in eleven cities. Memphis is one of those eleven cities. The Emerge 200 Program is designed to act as a business incubator for small businesses to help them find capital and to partner them with the consulting resources need to grow the businesses and cities selected. Memphis' inclusion in the Emerge 200 program is good for Memphis and for our local small and medium-sized businesses.
Memphis International #1 Again
For the 16th straight year Memphis International Airport was named by Airports Council International as the world's busiest air cargo airport. Memphis again beat out Hong Kong. In 2007, 3,840,574 tons of cargo moved through Memphis International.
Now before you say, so what - consider the economic impact of all that air cargo. Between Fed Ex and all of the companies that either service Fed Ex or are here because of Fed Ex and our airport, the majority of people in our region have jobs tied to that airport. So being number one again is a huge sign for our regional economy.
The Memphis Area Regional Chamber of Commerce is busy moving forward with an aerotropolis plan that would treat the airport as the economic engine that it is rather than something to be pushed outside of town and ignored. The Brooks Road Redevelopment Plan is just the first part of that idea. The overall concept is to help foster all kinds of business development around the airport. Being number one and seeing the dollars roll into the region is certainly a great thing.
One of the many reasons Memphis International is doing so well is Richard White. Richard White is the head of properties and business development. He was recently honored by Air Cargo World magazine for excellence in airport management and operations and for helping Memphis International be recognized as a top airport. Richard White, Larry Cox and all of the management team at Memphis International should be congratulated.
Now before you say, so what - consider the economic impact of all that air cargo. Between Fed Ex and all of the companies that either service Fed Ex or are here because of Fed Ex and our airport, the majority of people in our region have jobs tied to that airport. So being number one again is a huge sign for our regional economy.
The Memphis Area Regional Chamber of Commerce is busy moving forward with an aerotropolis plan that would treat the airport as the economic engine that it is rather than something to be pushed outside of town and ignored. The Brooks Road Redevelopment Plan is just the first part of that idea. The overall concept is to help foster all kinds of business development around the airport. Being number one and seeing the dollars roll into the region is certainly a great thing.
One of the many reasons Memphis International is doing so well is Richard White. Richard White is the head of properties and business development. He was recently honored by Air Cargo World magazine for excellence in airport management and operations and for helping Memphis International be recognized as a top airport. Richard White, Larry Cox and all of the management team at Memphis International should be congratulated.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Herenton Announces Intent to Resign!
In a total and complete shocker, Mayor Willie Herenton announced today that he intends to resign July 31, 2008. This is hugely positive and important to the future of Memphis.
Now before you accuse me of being a "hater", I actually voted for Herenton on several occasions and think that he was a great mayor for the first 10 - 12 years he was in office. In recent years, however, he's been a major problem that has hindered further development and progression. His most recent election speech is the best example of the real obstacle that he poses to our progress as a city. I sat watching that speech and for the first time in my life had a brief urge to immediately move from the city that I love. Mayor Herenton is sort of like the crazy uncle that you see at Christmas, weddings and funerals. He's an enormously talented individual. When he wants to he can accomplish so many positive things for the City. Unfortunately, he's also prone to say unbelievable divisive things and to pursue things that are distracting and wildly unpopular (i.e. the sale of MLG&W and a new football stadium). His New Year's Day speeches have always kicked off firestorms that just didn't need to exist.
When he ran for re-election four years ago, he hinted that the next four year term (2003-08) would be his last. Then he announced another run for a fifth term and there was a lot of unrest. There was even a draft AC campaign, designed to get AC Wharton to run for city mayor against Herenton. AC Wharton ultimately decided not to run and many speculated that a deal had been cut between Herenton and AC. The deal allegedly had Herenton agreeing to step down as city mayor at some point in his next four years so that AC could run for city mayor.
I don't know if Herenton's announcement is proof that just such a deal really did exist or not. To some degree it doesn't matter.
What really matters is who runs for city mayor now. AC Wharton would win going away if he runs. He would be a great mayor and undoubtedly many will begin the full court press to get him into the race. He still has at least two more years as county mayor. The question has arisen as to whether he would have to resign his position as county mayor if he were elected city mayor. Could he serve in both positions at the same time? I've heard rumors that a formal legal opinion has been sought or obtained on that very issue. I don't know if that's true or not. If true, I don't know the answer.
If AC runs for and is elected city mayor, then who is our next county mayor? Undoubtedly, Carol Chumney is out there right now planting yard signs somewhere. As fine a person as she is, I actually fear her being either city mayor or county mayor. She plays the part of contrarian and watch dog very well. She's a great honest check against corruption and stupidity. I don't believe though that she's a consensus builder and a leader. I could be wrong.
Folks like Rickey Wilkins would make a great mayor. There are others. Herman Morris? There are several people out there right now who could do a great job. We just have to make sure they step up and serve. Herenton stepping aside, whether AC runs or not, opens up a huge opportunity for growth and advancement in our city. the time is now. We just have to step up and make the most of the opportunity.
Rumors are that Herenton may seek the Superintendent's position or may run for congress. He's already been superintendent 17 plus years ago. he was a pretty good superintendent from what I can remember. That might not be a bad position for him. No matter what you think about him, he cares about Memphis. I'm not sure how I feel about him being in congress. I think he could pretty easily beat Steve Cohen. Who knows. The prospect of being in Congress just might intrigue him.
We are now at a time of change. Change isn't a bad thing. We just have to take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us.
Now before you accuse me of being a "hater", I actually voted for Herenton on several occasions and think that he was a great mayor for the first 10 - 12 years he was in office. In recent years, however, he's been a major problem that has hindered further development and progression. His most recent election speech is the best example of the real obstacle that he poses to our progress as a city. I sat watching that speech and for the first time in my life had a brief urge to immediately move from the city that I love. Mayor Herenton is sort of like the crazy uncle that you see at Christmas, weddings and funerals. He's an enormously talented individual. When he wants to he can accomplish so many positive things for the City. Unfortunately, he's also prone to say unbelievable divisive things and to pursue things that are distracting and wildly unpopular (i.e. the sale of MLG&W and a new football stadium). His New Year's Day speeches have always kicked off firestorms that just didn't need to exist.
When he ran for re-election four years ago, he hinted that the next four year term (2003-08) would be his last. Then he announced another run for a fifth term and there was a lot of unrest. There was even a draft AC campaign, designed to get AC Wharton to run for city mayor against Herenton. AC Wharton ultimately decided not to run and many speculated that a deal had been cut between Herenton and AC. The deal allegedly had Herenton agreeing to step down as city mayor at some point in his next four years so that AC could run for city mayor.
I don't know if Herenton's announcement is proof that just such a deal really did exist or not. To some degree it doesn't matter.
What really matters is who runs for city mayor now. AC Wharton would win going away if he runs. He would be a great mayor and undoubtedly many will begin the full court press to get him into the race. He still has at least two more years as county mayor. The question has arisen as to whether he would have to resign his position as county mayor if he were elected city mayor. Could he serve in both positions at the same time? I've heard rumors that a formal legal opinion has been sought or obtained on that very issue. I don't know if that's true or not. If true, I don't know the answer.
If AC runs for and is elected city mayor, then who is our next county mayor? Undoubtedly, Carol Chumney is out there right now planting yard signs somewhere. As fine a person as she is, I actually fear her being either city mayor or county mayor. She plays the part of contrarian and watch dog very well. She's a great honest check against corruption and stupidity. I don't believe though that she's a consensus builder and a leader. I could be wrong.
Folks like Rickey Wilkins would make a great mayor. There are others. Herman Morris? There are several people out there right now who could do a great job. We just have to make sure they step up and serve. Herenton stepping aside, whether AC runs or not, opens up a huge opportunity for growth and advancement in our city. the time is now. We just have to step up and make the most of the opportunity.
Rumors are that Herenton may seek the Superintendent's position or may run for congress. He's already been superintendent 17 plus years ago. he was a pretty good superintendent from what I can remember. That might not be a bad position for him. No matter what you think about him, he cares about Memphis. I'm not sure how I feel about him being in congress. I think he could pretty easily beat Steve Cohen. Who knows. The prospect of being in Congress just might intrigue him.
We are now at a time of change. Change isn't a bad thing. We just have to take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Dirty Rotten = a Great Date Night
Instead of dinner and a movie, you really ought to consider dinner and a show. The Orpheum has a great series of shows throughout the year. It's a local and national treasure. Have a great time and take advantage of what we have here.
My wife and I did that Tuesday night. We did dinner and a show - having dinner at Itta Bena and seeing Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Orpheum. More about Itta Bena in a minute.
You absolutely have to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. This is a really funny, bawdy, entertaining, laugh out loud, sexy, fun musical. Guys, you'll have a good time. You won't lose "man points" by seeing this show. In fact, I promise that you'll like this one. Ladies, get your man off the couch. Tivo American Idol or Lost and get out to see this. If your man won't go see it with you and you're about to become a basketball widow (the NCAA tournament is this weekend) then get a group of your girlfriends together and make it a girls night out.
The only downside to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is that it's only here in town through March 24. So don't wait!
This musical is an adaptation of the movie by the same name that starred Michael Cane and Steve Martin. That ought to be credentials enough to show how funny this show is. It's the story of two con artists who get conned themselves.
The older more suave con artist is played by Jamie Jackson. He's fairly tall and bald. Maybe because of that, his performance kind of reminded me of Jim Carey in the Mask when Jim Carey turns into the green night club singer. I hope Mr. Jackson would take that as a compliment because it's meant in that light. He did a great job of being smooth and suave and funny and intelligent.
The younger con artist is played by Doug Thompson. His performance reminded me of Jack Black. Again, I hope that comes across as a compliment because it's certainly meant that way. He did a great job of being a physical comedian while still projecting that con artist front. He had some of the funniest lines in the show.
Jenny Gulley played the role of Christine Colgate. I won't ruin the ending for you by explaining her role but let's just say that she did a masterful job of pulling off her really important role in the show.
Jeff Essex played the police chief. His role was as the straight man and he pulled it off beautifully. He too had a bunch of funny lines because he was the straight man.
Suzanne Sole and Jen Jenkins played love interests and were really funny throughout the show.
The ensemble was excellent. The singing was clear and on pitch. The cast as whole did a really great job. This is one very entertaining show. Make a point of trying to catch this before they sail out of town next week.
Back to dinner . . . we ate at Itta Bena. Itta Bena is above BB Kings. The entrance is on Second. There's a blue awning and stairs that go up. That's the entrance. You can valet. The interior is funky cool. The windows are covered in blue shades and the rest of the interior is kind of rustic with a refined touch. The menu gives you plenty of great choices. We had the wedge salad. I'm a big snob when it comes to the wedge. Itta Bena did it right with lots of chunk blue cheese, crisp lettuce and bacon. My wife had the fillet and I had the jumbo scallops. Fantastic meal. Itta Bena is named after the town in Mississippi where BB King was born. If you haven't eaten there yet, you need to do so.
Image a Tuesday night in Memphis where you can have a great meal and catch an extremely entertaining show. Now that's just one of the many reasons it's great to live here. I highly encourage you to check out Itta Bena and to make sure you see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels!
My wife and I did that Tuesday night. We did dinner and a show - having dinner at Itta Bena and seeing Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Orpheum. More about Itta Bena in a minute.
You absolutely have to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. This is a really funny, bawdy, entertaining, laugh out loud, sexy, fun musical. Guys, you'll have a good time. You won't lose "man points" by seeing this show. In fact, I promise that you'll like this one. Ladies, get your man off the couch. Tivo American Idol or Lost and get out to see this. If your man won't go see it with you and you're about to become a basketball widow (the NCAA tournament is this weekend) then get a group of your girlfriends together and make it a girls night out.
The only downside to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is that it's only here in town through March 24. So don't wait!
This musical is an adaptation of the movie by the same name that starred Michael Cane and Steve Martin. That ought to be credentials enough to show how funny this show is. It's the story of two con artists who get conned themselves.
The older more suave con artist is played by Jamie Jackson. He's fairly tall and bald. Maybe because of that, his performance kind of reminded me of Jim Carey in the Mask when Jim Carey turns into the green night club singer. I hope Mr. Jackson would take that as a compliment because it's meant in that light. He did a great job of being smooth and suave and funny and intelligent.
The younger con artist is played by Doug Thompson. His performance reminded me of Jack Black. Again, I hope that comes across as a compliment because it's certainly meant that way. He did a great job of being a physical comedian while still projecting that con artist front. He had some of the funniest lines in the show.
Jenny Gulley played the role of Christine Colgate. I won't ruin the ending for you by explaining her role but let's just say that she did a masterful job of pulling off her really important role in the show.
Jeff Essex played the police chief. His role was as the straight man and he pulled it off beautifully. He too had a bunch of funny lines because he was the straight man.
Suzanne Sole and Jen Jenkins played love interests and were really funny throughout the show.
The ensemble was excellent. The singing was clear and on pitch. The cast as whole did a really great job. This is one very entertaining show. Make a point of trying to catch this before they sail out of town next week.
Back to dinner . . . we ate at Itta Bena. Itta Bena is above BB Kings. The entrance is on Second. There's a blue awning and stairs that go up. That's the entrance. You can valet. The interior is funky cool. The windows are covered in blue shades and the rest of the interior is kind of rustic with a refined touch. The menu gives you plenty of great choices. We had the wedge salad. I'm a big snob when it comes to the wedge. Itta Bena did it right with lots of chunk blue cheese, crisp lettuce and bacon. My wife had the fillet and I had the jumbo scallops. Fantastic meal. Itta Bena is named after the town in Mississippi where BB King was born. If you haven't eaten there yet, you need to do so.
Image a Tuesday night in Memphis where you can have a great meal and catch an extremely entertaining show. Now that's just one of the many reasons it's great to live here. I highly encourage you to check out Itta Bena and to make sure you see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels!
Memphis, Tennessee is the College Basketball Mecca
The NCAA men's field was announced Sunday night. 5 teams from Tennessee made the field. No other state, other than California, has more teams in the field than Tennessee. The University of Memphis is a number one seed in the South Region. Tennessee is a two seed in the East Region. Vanderbilt is a 4 seed in the Midwest. Belmont (Nashville) and Austin Peay (Clarksville) also made the field.
Both Memphis and Tennessee have excellent shots at advancing deep into the tournament and even possibly winning it all. Both have tough draws though. Memphis has Texas as its number two seed and the regional finals would be played in Houston. Tennessee is in the same region as number one overall North Carolina and if they make it that far would have to beat North Carolina in Charlotte.
We're also proud of local area teams Mississippi State and Arkansas for making the tournament. There certainly is a lot of great college basketball in and around Memphis.
Go Tigers! and Go Vols!
Both Memphis and Tennessee have excellent shots at advancing deep into the tournament and even possibly winning it all. Both have tough draws though. Memphis has Texas as its number two seed and the regional finals would be played in Houston. Tennessee is in the same region as number one overall North Carolina and if they make it that far would have to beat North Carolina in Charlotte.
We're also proud of local area teams Mississippi State and Arkansas for making the tournament. There certainly is a lot of great college basketball in and around Memphis.
Go Tigers! and Go Vols!
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Beale Street Music Fest Line Up Is Out!
The Beale Street Music Fest line up has been announced and it's got a lot of great names on it. For the full line up go to the link below.
Some of the bigger names include: Sheryl Crow, The Roots, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (okay they're not a big name but they are to my kids!), Santana, Blind Mississippi Morris, Buddy Guy (BUDDY GUY!), Arrested Development, Al Kapone, preston Shannon, The Black Crowes, Aretha Franklin (who grew up in the Soulsville neighborhood before her parents moved to Detriot), Michael MacDonald, Finger Eleven, Gavin DeGraw and Jerry Lee Lewis.
One act that you might not heard of that you should check out is Lord T & Eloise. Lord T and Eloise is a two man act of two seriously upper class white dudes who went to MUS. Don't sound that interesting yet does it? The two guys dress up in French Victorian (think powder wigs and white makeup) costumnes and rap. As shocking as this all sounds, they're really good. I think they might be the next group that makes it out of Memphis to a regional or national appeal.
Beale Street Music Fest has been around since 1977. Like it's name suggests it started out on Beale Street. I can remember in the early 1980s that the festival was held on Beale Street and up and down Main Street. I remember seeing Survivor play in front of One Commerce Square and sitting on the steps there. I don't know when it moved to Tom Lee Park, but it had to because it just got too big.
There are several big music festivals now. Jazz Fest in New Orleans is huge and a lot of fun. Bonaroo over in Middle Tennessee is certainly a huge festival now and is also a lot of fun. I'm not taking anything away from either of those festivals. The fact is though that no other festival will have the variety of music that you can here at the Beale Street Festival. Just look at the acts. They cover the spectrum of musical styles. The crowds are a lot of fun as well because you'll get the Al Kapone fans mixing with fans of other generes. Now some will tell you that's why they don't like the festival. If you don't like variety, we may not be for you. if you like the chance to see different kinds of music, being able to hit Beale Street before or after you go to the festival and just appreciate good music, then Beale Street Music Fest is for you.
The dates this year are May 2 - 4. You can buy one days tickets or three day passes. The festival has sold out several times over the last few years. If nothing else, buy a Sunday ticket and go check out the gospel tent. The sounds coming from there will lift your soul and you'll absolutely see the connection between rock and gospel!
Beale Street Music Fest and the great music that we have here in Memphis are just a few of the reasons its great to live here.
Some of the bigger names include: Sheryl Crow, The Roots, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (okay they're not a big name but they are to my kids!), Santana, Blind Mississippi Morris, Buddy Guy (BUDDY GUY!), Arrested Development, Al Kapone, preston Shannon, The Black Crowes, Aretha Franklin (who grew up in the Soulsville neighborhood before her parents moved to Detriot), Michael MacDonald, Finger Eleven, Gavin DeGraw and Jerry Lee Lewis.
One act that you might not heard of that you should check out is Lord T & Eloise. Lord T and Eloise is a two man act of two seriously upper class white dudes who went to MUS. Don't sound that interesting yet does it? The two guys dress up in French Victorian (think powder wigs and white makeup) costumnes and rap. As shocking as this all sounds, they're really good. I think they might be the next group that makes it out of Memphis to a regional or national appeal.
Beale Street Music Fest has been around since 1977. Like it's name suggests it started out on Beale Street. I can remember in the early 1980s that the festival was held on Beale Street and up and down Main Street. I remember seeing Survivor play in front of One Commerce Square and sitting on the steps there. I don't know when it moved to Tom Lee Park, but it had to because it just got too big.
There are several big music festivals now. Jazz Fest in New Orleans is huge and a lot of fun. Bonaroo over in Middle Tennessee is certainly a huge festival now and is also a lot of fun. I'm not taking anything away from either of those festivals. The fact is though that no other festival will have the variety of music that you can here at the Beale Street Festival. Just look at the acts. They cover the spectrum of musical styles. The crowds are a lot of fun as well because you'll get the Al Kapone fans mixing with fans of other generes. Now some will tell you that's why they don't like the festival. If you don't like variety, we may not be for you. if you like the chance to see different kinds of music, being able to hit Beale Street before or after you go to the festival and just appreciate good music, then Beale Street Music Fest is for you.
The dates this year are May 2 - 4. You can buy one days tickets or three day passes. The festival has sold out several times over the last few years. If nothing else, buy a Sunday ticket and go check out the gospel tent. The sounds coming from there will lift your soul and you'll absolutely see the connection between rock and gospel!
Beale Street Music Fest and the great music that we have here in Memphis are just a few of the reasons its great to live here.
Yes Virginia, It Really Does Snow Here (Occasionally)
Two weekends ago, it was 70 degrees and sunny with not a cloud in the sky. It was a great weekend to be out and about on the town. This last weekend we had 5 inches of snow on the ground on Saturday. As rare as snow is here, it was still a great time to be in Memphis. The snow was a wet heavy snow. It was great for sledding and building snowmen and snow forts. It was the perfect snow to make snowballs and start a fight.
Many think of Memphis as being flat. We're relaly not flat. There are some great sledding hills. The Sunday, March 9, Commercial Appeal, had a great picture of a sled hill in Bartlett. The bluffs downtown are great sled hills. The 8th hole at Audubon actually has some great sled hills. To put it mildly, Saturday was a kid's (and some big kids') dream day.
The best part about the snow was that it melted off the street pretty quickly. You could get anywhere you wanted to go and yet it was fun to play in. Even better yet, by Sunday it was in the low 50s and sunny and most of the snow was already gone. We do get snow here (on a rare occasion) but when we get it it, it's here and gone. We don't have to put up with the black and brown snow slush that the northeast has for most of March. We get a little blast of snow (just enough to have fun with) and then we're right back to spring and warm weather!
Many think of Memphis as being flat. We're relaly not flat. There are some great sledding hills. The Sunday, March 9, Commercial Appeal, had a great picture of a sled hill in Bartlett. The bluffs downtown are great sled hills. The 8th hole at Audubon actually has some great sled hills. To put it mildly, Saturday was a kid's (and some big kids') dream day.
The best part about the snow was that it melted off the street pretty quickly. You could get anywhere you wanted to go and yet it was fun to play in. Even better yet, by Sunday it was in the low 50s and sunny and most of the snow was already gone. We do get snow here (on a rare occasion) but when we get it it, it's here and gone. We don't have to put up with the black and brown snow slush that the northeast has for most of March. We get a little blast of snow (just enough to have fun with) and then we're right back to spring and warm weather!
Alley Parties Are Coming Back!
According to the Feb. 20 edition of The Memphis Business Journal, downtown alley parties are on their way back. When I first moved back to memphis in 1997, there was an alley party at least once a month from April through October. The alley parties were a blast. The alley in question is the one that runs between Monroe and Union and sits between Front and Main. If you remember Sleep Out Louie's, it's the alley that came out right next to it. I think the actual name of the alley is Center Alley.
Alley parties were fun because a band would set up, there would be kegs or bars set up and the young professionals of downtown would come out and party on a Thursday or Friday afternoon and then go out in downtown after that. The party being located in the alley kind of seemed to fit. As a city, we've always had a sort of gritty appeal. Our favorite food, BBQ is messy but it sure tastes good and it has a smoky soul to it. Alley parties were like that.
At present it looks like there are two alley parties planned: April 24 and October 2 each time from 5 to 6:30 p.m. If you're in town those dates, be sure to catch the alley parties downtown.
Alley parties were fun because a band would set up, there would be kegs or bars set up and the young professionals of downtown would come out and party on a Thursday or Friday afternoon and then go out in downtown after that. The party being located in the alley kind of seemed to fit. As a city, we've always had a sort of gritty appeal. Our favorite food, BBQ is messy but it sure tastes good and it has a smoky soul to it. Alley parties were like that.
At present it looks like there are two alley parties planned: April 24 and October 2 each time from 5 to 6:30 p.m. If you're in town those dates, be sure to catch the alley parties downtown.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Shelby Farms is a Treasure!
It may have started out as a prison farm, but it's now an amazing public space. My family and I took our dog out to the park yesterday. It was the first of March, the skies were sunny and blue and it was in the low 70s. Now how many places in America would kill for that weather on March 1? There were several guys flying their model airplanes. My kids liked that and I have to admit it was fun to watch the model planes go through their rolls and dives. There were literally thousands of people out running or walking many with their kids and a bunch of them with their dogs. Despite all of those people, the park didn't feel crowded because it's got a lot of space to spread out in and the biking and jogging trails are plentiful. We discovered an 18 hole frisbie golf course that we didn't know about. They were having some sort of tournament yesterday and folks were here from all over the place. People were riding horses. Mountain bikes were out in full force. Kids were having a blast on the paddle boats. Lots of families were having picnics. A few were fishing in Patriot Lake. The playgrounds were packed with kids. It was a great afternoon to be out and about in Memphis and especially out at Shelby Farms.
I've posted about the dog park at Shelby Farms before and I have to brag on it again. There were hundreds of dogs out running off leash, as is allowed in that part of the park. New four legged friends were made. The ponds were full of dogs swimming around and all kinds of objects were flying. If you like watching really good frisbie dogs, the dog park is for you. Our dog loves to run and the wide open prairie grassland rolling hills is like heaven on earth for him.
If you haven't been out to Shelby Farms lately, get out there the next nice day (which should be most days between now and mid June!) -- and take your dog with you!
I've posted about the dog park at Shelby Farms before and I have to brag on it again. There were hundreds of dogs out running off leash, as is allowed in that part of the park. New four legged friends were made. The ponds were full of dogs swimming around and all kinds of objects were flying. If you like watching really good frisbie dogs, the dog park is for you. Our dog loves to run and the wide open prairie grassland rolling hills is like heaven on earth for him.
If you haven't been out to Shelby Farms lately, get out there the next nice day (which should be most days between now and mid June!) -- and take your dog with you!
The Tennis Tournament is Big Leauge
Outside of the tennis majors, Memphis is one of the very few cities in the world that hosts a dual stop on the women's and men's pro tennis tours. The tournament is held at the Raquet Club of Memphis and has for many years been a favorite of the best men's players in the world (We only recently obtained a women's tournamnt as well). Over the years the biggest names in pro tennis have all played here. Because of this tournament, we've been able to see Lendle, McEnroe, Connors, Sampras, Aggasi, Borg, Roddick, Haas, Phillopousis, Chang (not sure if I spelled all of those correctly but you get the idea!) and many many others play some thrilling tennis. Like many things in our town, Memphians may not truly appreciate how great we have it here. Cities all over the world are vying for stops on the pro tennis tours and we have them here. Lyndsey Davenport won the women's tournament yesterday. Congrats to her, to the folks at the Raquet Club who put on a great tournament and to all the kids at St. Jude who also benefit from the tournament. The men's finals are today and I'm sure will be compelling. If you missed this year's tournament, make sure to check it out next year. Just pay attention to the action on the court because you're right on top of it and those serves will come at you in a hurry!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Memphis Based Mid-America Apartment Communities 07Q4 Earnings Jump Up 475%
According to the February 15, Memphis Business Journal, Memphis based REIT, Mid-America Apartment Communities reported fourth quarter earnings for 2007 as $3.8 million. The earnings in the fourth quarter of 2006 were $807,000. That's a 475% increase year over year. That's how we do business in Memphis! We're all proud of our friends over at Mid-America Apartment Communities. Way to go guys.
Memphis Based Comprehensive Pharmacy Lands an 80 Million Dollar Deal
According to the February 15 Memphis Business Journal, Memphis Based Comprehensive Pharmacy landed an 80 million dollar deal with the state of Massachusetts to manage a number of pharmacies there. The deal with the state of Massachusetts is apparently a seven year deal. With this contract, Comprehensive Pharmacy now becomes the second largest pharmacy management company in the United States. Congrats to all the people at Comprehensive. Keep on growing!
Smith & Nephew Settles Patent Suit
Smith & Nephew, which has extensive operations in Memphis, recently settled its patent suit against Synthes, Inc. over patents related to surgical nails. The terms of the settlement are not known. However, we do know that Smith & Nephew obtained a ruling from a federal district judge that Synthes had violated Smith & Nephew's patents. So it would seem logical that Smith & Nephew settled with Synthes whereby Smith & Nephew gets royalty payments of some type and Synthes gets a license to continue selling its product. This appears to be great for Smith & Nephew. What's good for them is good for Memphis.
Education Realty Trust Shows a Profit
Memphis based education REIT, Education Realty Trust turned a profit in the the fourth quarter in 2008 according to the Thursday, February 28, 2008, Commercial Appeal. The company reported earnings of $683,000 for the forth quarter - as opposed to a $762,000 loss in the same period in 2006. That's a 1.3 million dollar turn around year to year. Way to go guys. Always great to see local companies doing well.
Friday, February 22, 2008
THE GAME
The eyes of the college basketball world are already on Memphis. The University of Memphis is ranked #1. This Saturday, the #2 ranked University of Tennessee Vols will play Memphis at Fed Ex Forum. Both teams are mirror images of each other and the buzz about this game is absolutely electric.
I've lived in Memphis most of my life and cannot remember this town more fired up for anything ever. Being a Tennessee fan, I'm definitely in the minority around here. Most of the city is solidly behind the Tigers. It's a lot of fun to see the City come together like it has.
ESPN College Gameday will be live from the Fed Ex Forum Saturday morning. There have been a lot of huge games in Memphis sports history, but none bigger than this one.
Bragging rights are on the line. The number one ranking in the polls is on the line. Recruiting is on the line.
Memphis has always been a big basketball town. Maybe never more so than now.
Beale Street and downtown will be absolutely electric tonight, all day tomorrow and certainly tomorrow night. It's always great to live here but especially so right now.
I've lived in Memphis most of my life and cannot remember this town more fired up for anything ever. Being a Tennessee fan, I'm definitely in the minority around here. Most of the city is solidly behind the Tigers. It's a lot of fun to see the City come together like it has.
ESPN College Gameday will be live from the Fed Ex Forum Saturday morning. There have been a lot of huge games in Memphis sports history, but none bigger than this one.
Bragging rights are on the line. The number one ranking in the polls is on the line. Recruiting is on the line.
Memphis has always been a big basketball town. Maybe never more so than now.
Beale Street and downtown will be absolutely electric tonight, all day tomorrow and certainly tomorrow night. It's always great to live here but especially so right now.
BusinessTN Magazine Hosts a Great Reception in Memphis for the Hot 100
Drew Ruble and his team at BusinessTN magazine hosted a reception last night for Memphis area businesses and to provide greater publicity for their publication's Hot 100 list of Tennessee based companies that are growing rapidly and doing great things for our state.
BusinessTN is the only statewide publication dedicated to providing business news. Certainly there are a number of great business oriented publications across the state but none of them are statewide other than BusinessTN. Subscription is free and they have a fantastic weekly e-mail that highlights the latest business news from across the state. That e-mail comes out every Wednesday and is a treasure trove of information for anyone serious about business.
Drew and his team are dedicated to developing more relationships here in Memphis and to covering the entire state, including Memphis. They made a huge sacrifice to drive from Nashville to Memphis and back in the same day. Their reception was great. It was held at Folks Folly and if you know anything about Memphis you know what great food they have there. It was well attended and there were plenty of people that you'd want to meet who were in attendance.
If you're interested in learning more about BusinessTN check them out at www.businesstn.com
BusinessTN is the only statewide publication dedicated to providing business news. Certainly there are a number of great business oriented publications across the state but none of them are statewide other than BusinessTN. Subscription is free and they have a fantastic weekly e-mail that highlights the latest business news from across the state. That e-mail comes out every Wednesday and is a treasure trove of information for anyone serious about business.
Drew and his team are dedicated to developing more relationships here in Memphis and to covering the entire state, including Memphis. They made a huge sacrifice to drive from Nashville to Memphis and back in the same day. Their reception was great. It was held at Folks Folly and if you know anything about Memphis you know what great food they have there. It was well attended and there were plenty of people that you'd want to meet who were in attendance.
If you're interested in learning more about BusinessTN check them out at www.businesstn.com
Monday, February 4, 2008
Federal Judge Dismissed the Mississippi Water Lawsuit!
U.S. Federal District Court Judge Howard Davidson dismissed the State of Mississippi's lawsuit against the City of Memphis and MLG&W. If you haven't been following this lawsuit, your're not alone. As someone who has been following the suit though, this is HUGE for Memphis. A judgment against the City would have been financially crippling.
Memphis is world renowned for its great water. There is a reason Coors established a plant here. Coors did a national search for locations outside of Golden, Colorado which had water that met their high quality standards. Memphis was one of two or three locations that met Coors hight standards.
The great water comes from the Memphis Acquifer and a geological phenominon known as the Memphis Sands. The Memphis Sands is a deep layer of sand and clay that filters ground water in an increadibly thorough and pure way. Once the water reaches the acquifer several thousand feet down, it's pure, clean water.
The Memphis Acquifer is a pool of water that lies underneath Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. it has been a source of contention in recent years because there are recharge zones in Tennessee and Mississippi where the acquifer comes closer to the surface. it's these recharge zones that feed a lot of the water into the system. Development in North Mississippi and areas to the east of Memphis has threatened these zones.
The lawsuit that got dismissed today was a dispute of a different kind. The State of Mississippi argued that Memphis and MLG&W's water wells were taking a disproportionate amount of the water in the Memphis Acquifer. The theory is akin to oil rights. The law is completely untested. In the United States, we have traditionally had completely seperate water rights schemes. The western states follows water rights law that is much more protective over water rights. The eastern states have traditionally followed water rights law that is much more generous in permitting the use and consumption of water resources. That split in the law has been driven by the scarcity of water out west. Until recently, water was not scare in the east. The droughts of 2007 (recall how low Lake Lanier in Georgia got) have made some reconsider the approach followed in the east. The Mississippi suit essentially argued that Memphis was stealling water from Mississippi and that the western approach should be followed here.
What was so scary about this lawsuit was that Mississippi sought $1 billion dollars in damages for water allegedly improperly taken from the Acquifer. The suit also sought an order moving forward that would have required Memphis to get more water from the Mississippi River. Memphis simply could not afford to pay a $1 billion dollar judgment. Even if we appealed, the fact of a judgment would further destroy our bond rating. If we lost an appeal, the City would like go bankrupt. There just wouldn't be a way around it.
It's hard to understand what motivated Mississippi to really file that suit. We all know that there is some animosity between North Mississippi and Memphis but like it or not, we rely on each other. If Memphis went under, it would hurt North Mississippi. What is more torubling is that the attorneys doing the lion share of the work for Mississippi allegedly took the case on a contingent fee. They thought they were going to make a killing off of Memphis. We don't need that kind of thinking here in this region.
The lawyers for Memphis won dismissal by arguing that this case is really one between the states (Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas). The U.S. Consitution says that cases between the states must be brought in the U.S. Supreme Court - not in state court and not in federal district court. Suits between states is one of the rare occassions when the U.S. Supreme has original jurisdiction - meanindg the actual trial is held before them without a jury. Mississippi will undoubtedly appeal the dismissal to the Fifth Circuit. This case may ultimately get tried in the U.S. Supreme Court. At least for today, this is a huge day of the City and for all MLG&W ratepayers.
Here's to hoping that Mississippi will fire it's contingency fee lawyers who have their own interests in mind and that Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Memphis and MLG&W will get together and reach a resolution of the dispute that's best for all the people of this region.
Memphis is world renowned for its great water. There is a reason Coors established a plant here. Coors did a national search for locations outside of Golden, Colorado which had water that met their high quality standards. Memphis was one of two or three locations that met Coors hight standards.
The great water comes from the Memphis Acquifer and a geological phenominon known as the Memphis Sands. The Memphis Sands is a deep layer of sand and clay that filters ground water in an increadibly thorough and pure way. Once the water reaches the acquifer several thousand feet down, it's pure, clean water.
The Memphis Acquifer is a pool of water that lies underneath Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. it has been a source of contention in recent years because there are recharge zones in Tennessee and Mississippi where the acquifer comes closer to the surface. it's these recharge zones that feed a lot of the water into the system. Development in North Mississippi and areas to the east of Memphis has threatened these zones.
The lawsuit that got dismissed today was a dispute of a different kind. The State of Mississippi argued that Memphis and MLG&W's water wells were taking a disproportionate amount of the water in the Memphis Acquifer. The theory is akin to oil rights. The law is completely untested. In the United States, we have traditionally had completely seperate water rights schemes. The western states follows water rights law that is much more protective over water rights. The eastern states have traditionally followed water rights law that is much more generous in permitting the use and consumption of water resources. That split in the law has been driven by the scarcity of water out west. Until recently, water was not scare in the east. The droughts of 2007 (recall how low Lake Lanier in Georgia got) have made some reconsider the approach followed in the east. The Mississippi suit essentially argued that Memphis was stealling water from Mississippi and that the western approach should be followed here.
What was so scary about this lawsuit was that Mississippi sought $1 billion dollars in damages for water allegedly improperly taken from the Acquifer. The suit also sought an order moving forward that would have required Memphis to get more water from the Mississippi River. Memphis simply could not afford to pay a $1 billion dollar judgment. Even if we appealed, the fact of a judgment would further destroy our bond rating. If we lost an appeal, the City would like go bankrupt. There just wouldn't be a way around it.
It's hard to understand what motivated Mississippi to really file that suit. We all know that there is some animosity between North Mississippi and Memphis but like it or not, we rely on each other. If Memphis went under, it would hurt North Mississippi. What is more torubling is that the attorneys doing the lion share of the work for Mississippi allegedly took the case on a contingent fee. They thought they were going to make a killing off of Memphis. We don't need that kind of thinking here in this region.
The lawyers for Memphis won dismissal by arguing that this case is really one between the states (Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas). The U.S. Consitution says that cases between the states must be brought in the U.S. Supreme Court - not in state court and not in federal district court. Suits between states is one of the rare occassions when the U.S. Supreme has original jurisdiction - meanindg the actual trial is held before them without a jury. Mississippi will undoubtedly appeal the dismissal to the Fifth Circuit. This case may ultimately get tried in the U.S. Supreme Court. At least for today, this is a huge day of the City and for all MLG&W ratepayers.
Here's to hoping that Mississippi will fire it's contingency fee lawyers who have their own interests in mind and that Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Memphis and MLG&W will get together and reach a resolution of the dispute that's best for all the people of this region.
The Pau Deal Is a Lot Better than it Otherwise Appears
Okay, so it's taken a few days to reflect on the Pau Gasol trade to the Lakers. My first reaction was to think of the Native Americans trading Manhattan for beads and trinkets. The national media has decried the trade as a fire sale. Geoff Caulkins of The Commercial Appeal ripped Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace for the trade. Wallace talked about building something for the future and having a good team two or three years down the road. TWO OR THREE YEARS? You have got to be kidding us right?
Well not so fast. First, most Memphians have grown tired of Pau Gasol. We didn't win a playoff game with him. We only won something like 4% or 5% more games with Pau than without him. Pau is a great player and will be a great role player on the Lakers but he's not a superstar. We couldn't rely on him and we were never going to be able to rely on him. We have 13 wins this year to date. We weren't going to get any better this year. Now we'll likely stink for the next couple of years. So where's the silver lining in this dark cloud?
In the NBA it's difficult to make a lot of moves because you have to match salaries in trades. The rules make it easier for teams to resign the players that they have. Thus, there is rarely a lot of free agent movement in the NBA. In order to build a team, you have to draft well and you have to have cap room to sign those free agents that do come available.
In this trade, we pick up the Laker's first round picks in 2008 and 2010. The Lakers will likely be good and therefore, those picks will be near the end of the first round. Guys like Michael Redd have been late first round picks. We'll also have our own first round pick which will be a top 4 or 5 pick. The Laker's pick also helps protect us when we have to give the Wizards our first round pick that we dealt away in the trade for Juan Carlos Navarro.
There are two big examples of teams who really turned it around by using this same salary dump strategy: Toronto and Phoenix. Toronto traded away Vince Carter for two first round picks and beads and trinkets. Toronto cleared cap room and has in two years built a strong contender with guys like Chris Bosch. Phoenix is the other example. Phoenix traded away Stephan Marberry (spelling?) for draft picks ans beads and trinkets. Phoenix used that cap room to sign Steve Nash. They used the picks to get guys like Amare Stoudamire and Shawn Merrion. Speaking of Shawn Merrion, he's a free agent at the end of this year. Phoenix will have to make some tough choices. Merrion has said that he wants out of Phoenix. He's originally from Clarksville, TN. We might have a shot at him. Add him to Rudy Gay, Darko Milicic (spelling?), Mike MIller, Mike Conley, Javarus Crittenden and whomever we pick up with our draft picks and that's a pretty strong line up.
Things look a little bleak right now for the Grizzlies but this move gives them the chance to build a much stronger team in a fairly short period of time. We need to wait and see what moves are made and who the Grizzlies draft. This trade just might turn out to be a bold move that propels us back to the playoffs.
Well not so fast. First, most Memphians have grown tired of Pau Gasol. We didn't win a playoff game with him. We only won something like 4% or 5% more games with Pau than without him. Pau is a great player and will be a great role player on the Lakers but he's not a superstar. We couldn't rely on him and we were never going to be able to rely on him. We have 13 wins this year to date. We weren't going to get any better this year. Now we'll likely stink for the next couple of years. So where's the silver lining in this dark cloud?
In the NBA it's difficult to make a lot of moves because you have to match salaries in trades. The rules make it easier for teams to resign the players that they have. Thus, there is rarely a lot of free agent movement in the NBA. In order to build a team, you have to draft well and you have to have cap room to sign those free agents that do come available.
In this trade, we pick up the Laker's first round picks in 2008 and 2010. The Lakers will likely be good and therefore, those picks will be near the end of the first round. Guys like Michael Redd have been late first round picks. We'll also have our own first round pick which will be a top 4 or 5 pick. The Laker's pick also helps protect us when we have to give the Wizards our first round pick that we dealt away in the trade for Juan Carlos Navarro.
There are two big examples of teams who really turned it around by using this same salary dump strategy: Toronto and Phoenix. Toronto traded away Vince Carter for two first round picks and beads and trinkets. Toronto cleared cap room and has in two years built a strong contender with guys like Chris Bosch. Phoenix is the other example. Phoenix traded away Stephan Marberry (spelling?) for draft picks ans beads and trinkets. Phoenix used that cap room to sign Steve Nash. They used the picks to get guys like Amare Stoudamire and Shawn Merrion. Speaking of Shawn Merrion, he's a free agent at the end of this year. Phoenix will have to make some tough choices. Merrion has said that he wants out of Phoenix. He's originally from Clarksville, TN. We might have a shot at him. Add him to Rudy Gay, Darko Milicic (spelling?), Mike MIller, Mike Conley, Javarus Crittenden and whomever we pick up with our draft picks and that's a pretty strong line up.
Things look a little bleak right now for the Grizzlies but this move gives them the chance to build a much stronger team in a fairly short period of time. We need to wait and see what moves are made and who the Grizzlies draft. This trade just might turn out to be a bold move that propels us back to the playoffs.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Liberty Bowl Sets New Records
According to the Tuesday, January 29, 2008, Commercial Appeal, the 2007 Liberty Bowl set a new attendance record. 63,816 people attended the game between Central Florida and Mississippi State. That was a hard sell out. Those folks filled our hotels, ate and drank at our restaurants and had a blast on Beale Street.
Perhaps more importantly, the game drew fantastic television ratings. The game drew a 4.14 rating which was better than all but three of the non-BCS bowls. Only the Holiday, Peach and Citrus bowls had better TV ratings among the non-BCS group. The Liberty beat such long standing bowls as the Cotton, Sun, Outback and Gator. Fifteen to twenty million people watched the game. That's fantastic exposure to Memphis for 15 to 20 million people.
Great job Liberty Bowl! Thanks for all that you do.
Perhaps more importantly, the game drew fantastic television ratings. The game drew a 4.14 rating which was better than all but three of the non-BCS bowls. Only the Holiday, Peach and Citrus bowls had better TV ratings among the non-BCS group. The Liberty beat such long standing bowls as the Cotton, Sun, Outback and Gator. Fifteen to twenty million people watched the game. That's fantastic exposure to Memphis for 15 to 20 million people.
Great job Liberty Bowl! Thanks for all that you do.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Foo Fighter Show Rocked!
The Foo Fighters rocked the Fed Ex Forum last Friday night. It was a great show. Some friends had drinks and dinner at the Westin across from the Forum. They said that the bar there was packed and that the beautiful people were out in full force. The show was great. Having been a college student in the early 1990s and a big fan of Nirvana, it was not a stretch to really like the Foo Fighters as well. The attendance was great. The after parties were a blast as well. The Beale Street bars were packed. The Flying Saucer was packed and Earnestine & Hazel's was hopping unusually early. All in all, it was a great night in Memphis.
The Grizzlies Civil Rights Game is a Treasure
As they have done for several years now, the Grizzlies held a game on Martin Luther King Day. The game is preceded by all kinds of forums, symposiums and events designed to remind us how far we've come in the struggle for civil rights and just how far we have to go. This year's honorees were Kareem Abdul-Jabar and Bob Lanier. Just seeing those guys here and hearing their stories was amazing. Memphians may not fully appreciate the National Civil Rights Museum which is here but we should. Because of it, we have an amazing educational tool to raise awareness. Because of it, we have holy ground in the struggle for human rights. Perhaps much less importantly, we have events like the civil rights game. Of course, huge thanks also goes to the Grizzlies for doing such a great job with this celebration each and every year.
The Tigers are Number 1
A quick disclaimer, I am an avid Tennessee fan. I will root for all things Univerisyt of Tennessee over all things University of Memphis. BUT, I also love my city and thus root for the University of Memphis as long as they don't play my Vols. All that being said . . .
THE TIGERS ARE NUMBER ONE!
For the first time since they lost at Virginia Tech twenty years ago, the Tigers are now ranked number one. They are a fun team to watch. They play in your shorts defense and run and gun like the "Showtime" Laker years. Coach Cal is a big time personality and a constant promoter for his program, his school and our city.
Fed Ex Forum is a great place to watch a game whether it's for the Grizzlies or the Tigers. It's especially electric for Tiger games. Beale Street is packed with people both before and after games. It's just a great thing for our city and for the University of Memphis.
Congrats to the Tigers at being the best team in the land -- at least until Feb. 23 ;)
THE TIGERS ARE NUMBER ONE!
For the first time since they lost at Virginia Tech twenty years ago, the Tigers are now ranked number one. They are a fun team to watch. They play in your shorts defense and run and gun like the "Showtime" Laker years. Coach Cal is a big time personality and a constant promoter for his program, his school and our city.
Fed Ex Forum is a great place to watch a game whether it's for the Grizzlies or the Tigers. It's especially electric for Tiger games. Beale Street is packed with people both before and after games. It's just a great thing for our city and for the University of Memphis.
Congrats to the Tigers at being the best team in the land -- at least until Feb. 23 ;)
Memphis High School Grad Rates Rise and Equal Nashville's
According to the Wednesday, January 16, 2008 edition of The Commerial Appeal, Memphis city school high school graduation rates rose by 2.4 percent in the 2006-07 school year. The graduation rate rose to 69.9 percent. While that rate needs to be higher, it is great news that the graduation rate is higher. Some perspective is also important. Nashville's high school graduation rate for the same year was 70 percent. Thus, Memphis and Nashville public schools are graduating seniors at almost the exact same rate. Public education here isn't what it can be but it isn't as bad as some would make it appear. The city school system still has high performing schools such as Grahamwood Elementary, White Station Optional and Central High School. There are also great optional programs at a number of other city schools. The good news is that we're getting better and when put in perspective with our peer cities we're doing just fine.
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