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.
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