The Shrine Building

Pinnacle is Moving Downtown!

2010-10-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

Filling In The Blanks

2010-08-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

Will Pinnacle Airlines move their headquarters to 40 S. Main, the old NBC Bank building? Check out the article in the Commercial Appeal about local investors and their pitch to Pinnacle.

N.A. Williams has signed a lease for the long vacant ground floor space at 88 Union Center on the northwest corner of Union and Main.

Thompson & Co. is currently doing the build out of the southwest corner of Union and Main in the old Smooth Moves space and will be moving in soon.

Slovis and Associates are still negotiating with City Market Groceries & Deli to move into the northeast corner of Union and Main in the Radio Center Flats ground floor space.

We here at the Shrine Building blog would be so thrilled if any of the residents of the building would care to share some information with us. A photo or two would be great. A bit of news about the neighborhood. A review of a restaurant you've visited lately. Some positive thoughts about living or working downtown. So please share any of these things with us by emailing them to poppysit@aol.com

Bass Pro's 20 Year Lease

2010-06-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

Bass Pro signed a 20 year lease with the City today. See the MBJ article. It will be part of a wider redevelopment plan called The Gateway, which includes the entire Pinch District. The retailer plans to be open by November 2011.

Please email any downtown information you'd like to share on the blog to poppysit@aol.com.

4th of July

2010-06-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

While there won't be a fireworks show on the Mississippi River this year (see article: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/jun/23/no-funds-for-river-fireworks/), the Red, White and Blues Celebration will take place on Beale Street on Sunday, July 4. Also, the Redbirds will have a fireworks show on July 3rd.

If anyone has more information or would like to share any downtown news or neighborhood updates, please email it to poppysit@aol.com and we will post it.

The Orpheum Summer Movie Series

2010-06-03T14:13:00.001-07:00

The Orpheum Summer Movie series starts June 11 and runs through September 17.

Memphis Art Park Update

2010-05-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

Visit the Memphis Art Park updated website to view the presentation and business plan of this proposal for the Front Street Promenade. It would encompass the area from the fire station at Union and Front to the Cossitt Library at Monroe and Front.

Smithsonian Article : The Soul of Memphis

2010-05-07T12:14:00.000-07:00

Check out the article about Memphis is this month's Smithsonian magazine: The Soul of Memphis.

New Pedestrian Bridge; Christine; Cockadoos; Bobby Rush Concert; Lidia's Italy; Trolley Stop Grocery

2010-05-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

Some fresh downtown news:

Work continues on the new pedestrian bridge linking Confederate Park with the U of M Law School.

Christine, a new women's clothing store opened by the folks at Shelton Clothiers, is open at 119 S. Main.

A new restaurant called Cockadoos will be open soon in the old Cafe 61 space at 85 S. Second. they plan on serving breakfast and lunch only.

Bobby Rush will be performing at the Center for Southern Folklore this Friday, May 7. This is a benefit concert supporting the CSF.

This week at the Memphis Farmer's Market you can meet Lidia Bastianich, and learn about her new cookbook "Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy" . 10am - 12 noon, May 8.

The Trolley Stop Market at 704 Madison is set to open mid-May. Advertised as a "truly local" grocery& restaurant. The owners are Keith & Jill Forrester of Whitton Farms.

Please email any downtown news or information you'd like to share on the blog to poppysit@aol.com

Panhandling Ordinance

2010-04-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

Click on the link below to see the ordinance that is set to become law in two weeks:
http://files.wmctv.com/2010/panhandling.pdf

The ordinance outlaws the following activities:
Coming closer than three feet
Blocking or impeding passage
Following a person
Threatening a person with physical harm
Verbal abuse
Touching
Solicting in prohibited areas; those particular places are called out in detail in the ordinance.

Please email any neighborhood information, news, or photos you'd like to share to poppysit@aol.com.

Bass Pro: November 2011

2010-04-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

See today's Memphis Daily News article about Bass Pro Shop's November 2011 target date for a grand opening:

http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=49276

The Festivals Are Here: Hotwings, Crawfish, Farmers, Trolley Tour, Beer, Wine, Canoes, Kayaks & Music Fest

2010-04-13T14:02:00.000-07:00

Downtowners shouldn't be bored for the next three weekends as we are set to host some big events. Some of these were mentioned in a post earlier this month, but I have added a few to the list:

This Saturday, April 17th we have the 8th Annual Southern Hotwings Festival on S. Main and G.E. Patterson and it's also the Memphis Farmers Market opening day.

The Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival will be Sunday, April 18 at Wagner and Union.

Africa in April events kick off this Thursday, April 15th and run through Sunday, April 18th in Robert Church Park.

A note from Delphinium Boutique with some information about April's Trolley Tour: "Just a heads up...April's Trolley Night falls on the first night of Memphis in May's Music Fest. A number of stores will be open that night and continue with Trolley Night as usual. However, a nice selection will be having a "Pre-Trolley Night" event the Friday before, April 23rd. We'll have bands and great store give-a-ways! Just like a real Trolley Night. We'll send out reminders... but we hope to see you on the 23rd!"

The 2010 Memphis Brewfest will be Saturday, April 24th from 4pm - 8pm in the plaza area of Autozone Park at Third and Union.

The Beale Street Wine Race is Sunday, April 25th.

Outdoors Inc. 29th Annual Canoe and Kayak Race is Saturday, May 1st. Starts at the boat ramp at north end of Greenbelt Park and ends at Jefferson Davis Park. Party afterwards in the park.

And, of course, Memphis in May Music Fest is April 30, May 1 and May 2.

If you have more information on any of the above events, or on some downtown events that are not listed, please email poppysit@aol.com and we will post it.

Fall in Love With Memphis Again

2010-04-08T07:41:00.000-07:00

Check out the Spirit of Memphis website: http://spiritofmemphis.org/

It is sponsoring and promoting a three-day event described as a : "Pep Rally for the City of Memphis that will turn the tide of the self-esteem of our citizens. The Pep Rally events and movements will help citizens become ambassadors and fall in love with their City again."

City-wide events focus on favorite food, favorite music and what you love about Memphis.

April 8, 9, & 10

If you have any downtown news, photos or information you'd like to share on the blog, please email it to poppysit@aol.com.

The Four Lonely Corners of Main and Union

2010-04-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

Photo from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/exothermic/1957546735/in/set-72157603219695494/

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

Click this link:http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=49070

to see the Memphis Daily News article about developers working on two of the four vacant ground floor spaces on the corners of Main and Union. The pending development of the vacant old Smooth Moves building (on the SW corner) and the new grocery that is going in the Radio Center Flats ground floor commercial space (on the NE corner) are featured in the article.

Urban Gardening

2010-04-05T20:14:00.001-07:00

If you're like me and the Shrine Building is your home 365 days a year you may envy those who are able to do some gardening when spring arrives. Fret not! I ran across a New York Times slideshow about apartment gardens featuring some exotic sounding indoor plants like Zanzibar Gem, Zebra Aloe and Fang:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/03/28/nyregion/20100328-plants-slideshow_index.html

If a few of us got together we might even look into a little rooftop container gardening. Here is a segment from CBS news on the subject:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5127954n

And a little more information...

Top Ten Low to No Maintenance Rooftop Plants

If you are capable of some maintenance (mostly watering) then these are the some of most ornamental and productive plants for rooftops.

•Regent Serviceberry (Amelanchier 'Regent')
• Ring of Fire Mini-rose (Rosa 'Ring of Fire')
• Basket-of-Gold (Aurinia saxatile)
• Asiatic Lily (Lilium cultivars)
• Columbine (Aqulegia cutlivars)
• Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
• Goblin Flower (Gaillardia 'Frenzy')
• Ornamental Peppers (Capsicum annuum cultivars)
• Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
• Rain Lily (Zephyranthes species and cultivars)

Ten Steps to a Happy Rooftop Container Garden

• Check with developer, condo board, superintendent, and/or inspector to find out if the roof is solid enough to support a garden
• Choose a spot with good light and, if possible, some protection from the worst wind exposure. Remember containers should be placed on decking, never directly on the roofing.
• Select lightweight, ornamental containers (like Southern Patio fiberglass pots) at least 12” in diameter
• Pick tough plants suitable for your area. The Top 10 Container Plants list is a good place to start.
• Add Better-Than-Rocks or other bottom filler for drainage and root growth
• Use a potting mix or make your own with 2 parts compost, 1 part peat moss, and 1 part sand
• Plant or sow seeds in pots
• Water regularly
• Keep the rooftop drain free of debris and dirt, so that water always drains easily

Rooftop Gardening Do's and Dont's

DO
• Select beautiful, productive, tough plants
• Buy ornamental containers like Southern Patio composite pots
• Water often, unless all your plants are low maintenance/drought tolerant
• Fertilizer regularly for annuals and veggies. Follow directions
• Use lightweight, well drained potting mix with a filler on the bottom, like Better-Than-Rocks
• Place in location where the wind will not cause severe damage

DON'T
• Don't choose plants solely based on looks
• Don't buy ugly or unattractive containers
• Don't use garden soil. It is not suitable for containers.
• Don't over fertilize it is bad for the plants and the environment
• Don't place in a wind tunnel or other severely exposed location
• Don't place containers directly on the roofing, instead sit containers on some form of decking.

Happy Planting!

Please email any interesting downtown news, photos or general neighborhood information you'd like to share to poppysit@aol.com and we will post it here.

Spring is Here!

2010-04-02T05:41:00.000-07:00

April brings warmer weather and the season of downtown festivals begins:

The 18th Annual Rajun Cajun Crawfish festival is Sunday, April 18th at Wagner and Union. Visit http://www.porter-leath.org/ for the event details.

The 24th Annual Africa in April festival runs April 15 - April 18. This year's honored country is Nigeria. Go to www.africainapril.org to find out more.

The 8th Annual Southern Hotwing Festival on South Main is Saturday, April 17. See details at the festival website www.southernhotwingfestival.com

Also, the Memphis Farmers Market opens Saturday, April 17! Visit their website at http://www.memphisfarmersmarket.com/ for all the details.

Of course Memphis in May is on the horizon, visit them at http://www.memphisinmay.org/. Tunisia is this year's honored country.

And lastly, the most unusual event, the Zombie Walk, is scheduled for May 28th:

Please email poppysit@aol.com with any other event information or general downtown information and we will get it posted.

South Pacific, Trolley Tour and Victorian Village

2010-03-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

A few upcoming downtown events this week from www.downtownmemphis.com:
Click on each image to enlarge:

I encourage all Shrine building residents to submit any downtown news, information, photos, etc. you would like to share to poppysit@aol.com to be posted on our blog.

Miserable in Memphis?

2010-03-01T14:20:00.000-08:00

A message from the Mayor's Special Assistant for Research and Innovation:

A few weeks ago, Forbes Magazine ranked Memphis the 3rd-most-miserable city in the country. Memphis Mayor AC Wharton has mailed this open letter to Mr. Steve Forbes pointing out why Memphis is instead a city of joy, innovation and resilience. As Special Assistant to Mayor Wharton for Research and Innovation and as a Leadership Academy Fellow, I invite you tell Forbes what you think makes Memphis great, not miserable. Rather than cut and paste Mayor Wharton’s letter, BE UNIQUE and BE PERSONAL, sharing your one-of-a-kind Memphis interests and experiences.

* Email your letter to Steve Forbes Sforbes@forbes.com
* Mail your letter to Forbes Magazine, 60 5th Ave., New York, NY 10011

An Open Letter to Steve Forbes
2010 March 1
by Mayor Wharton

Dear Mr. Forbes,

Last Tuesday, I had the privilege of welcoming home a team of physicians, surgeons, and specialists from Memphis’ Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center who traveled to Haiti to attend to the youngest victims of the devastating earthquake. These are exceptionally brilliant and compassionate lifesavers and caregivers, some of the finest in the world. They selflessly gave up weeks of their own lives, careers, and time with their families to minister to the needs of impoverished strangers on the other side of the planet.

When I stepped out of Le Bonheur, I looked up at their new hospital, currently under construction and slated to open this summer. This $340-million, 610,000-square-foot facility will double their current space for care, research, and teaching. Across the street, FedEx is sponsoring the constructing of a home to provide housing for families of long-term patients.

FedEx House will sit at the corner of a larger mixed-income, mixed-housing development called Legends Park. It’s one of several Hope VI developments that have flourished in Memphis over the past couple of decades. This past summer, HUD Deputy Secretary Ronald Sims called Memphis “one of the bright shining examples in the United States today,” of inner-city revitalization and blight removal.

Down the street from Le Bonheur and Legends Park I could see St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, which provides lifesaving care to children from around the world, regardless of their ability to pay. Around the corner, the new UT Baptist Research Park is under construction, which will make Memphis a global leader in bioscience. Methodist University Hospital, where Apple CEO Steve Jobs came to get a new liver last summer, is a short distance away.

The following night, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated Toronto in a thrilling overtime battle. The Grizz are doing better now than they have in years, and might even secure a post-season berth. Two nights later at FedEx Forum, near historic Beale Street, our beloved University of Memphis Tigers utterly dominated the visiting Southern Methodist University Mustangs. The coach of the Tigers is a young man named Josh Pastner, who may be the least miserable person alive.

This past Saturday, I saw a ballet at the Jeniam Center, our new, $15 million performing arts complex in the heart of our midtown arts district. This facility, modeled after Chicago’s famed Steppenwolf Theatre, was financed completely by private gifts and contributions.

In a few weeks, we’re going to break ground on the Salvation Army Kroc Center, a 100,000 square foot worship, arts, education, and recreation center a few blocks away. We’re one of only 25 cities in the United States that will build a Kroc Center, which required our community to raise $25 million in private funds. Memphis is routinely cited as one of the most charitable cities in the United States.

My point is not about a hospital or a housing complex. It’s not about a basketball team or a ballet. It’s about our people. As their mayor, I simply cannot allow to pass without comment some of the things you have published about our city.

Your magazine mentioned “unemployment, taxes (both sales and income), commute times, violent crime and how its pro sports teams have fared… weather and Superfund pollution sites… [and] corruption based on convictions of public officials,” as the factors for inclusion on your recent list of America’s most miserable cities.

By your own criteria, there are far more cities on your list that have far higher unemployment and far longer commute times than Memphis. Most of them lack professional sports altogether. Violent crime in Memphis is declining steadily. There is a new era of transparency and ethical behavior in City Hall, due to a couple of executive orders that I drafted and signed when I took office last October. The sun shines here 230 days a year.

Memphis is not a miserable city, not by any definition, not by any metric.

Memphis is a city of joy. You can hear it coming up from our high school gymnasiums and football fields every Friday evening. You can hear it rocking on Beale Street late every Saturday night. You can hear it in our churches every Sunday morning.

Memphis is a city of innovation. The accomplishments of our past are outshone only by the brilliance of what’s happening right now in our arts and business sectors. I’m sure at some point in your life you’ve enjoyed the music of Otis Redding or Al Green or B.B. King or Johnny Cash. Those artists and countless other achieved lasting, worldwide fame after getting started in Memphis. Brands like FedEx and AutoZone were born here and keep their world headquarters here; companies like International Paper and ServiceMaster have both relocated here in the past five years.

Memphis is a city of resilience. Floods, fire, pestilence, and poverty may have tested us, but they have never broken us. We are a city built on a bluff, positioned to withstand storms that other cities cannot. If the rates of unemployment, high school drop outs, and crime are to be our new battlegrounds, then we will join those fights, and we will prevail. For all of the problems you might show me, I can point to a legion of government agencies, non-profit organizations, churches, volunteer groups, and grassroots activists working together as one Memphis to find the solutions.

Maybe it’s something in our water. Maybe it’s something in our soil. I think it’s something in our souls that makes us Memphians. We know who we are – and miserable is not part of the definition.

We know too that our city’s song is not complete. It is being written every day, and it is sung by a chorus of hopeful, energetic voices that will resonate for generations.

Memphis is actually not my hometown. I was born and raised in a small town, about 240 miles east of Memphis. My wife and I made a deliberate choice to put our roots down here, make our careers here, and raise our children here about 40 years ago. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Memphis, but please accept this letter as my formal invitation to come visit us at your earliest convenience.

You’ll have the time of your life, I promise you.

Best wishes,

A C Wharton, Jr.

"Little" Cafe Eclectic in Harbor Town

2010-02-27T09:38:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to let you know that a little Cafe Eclectic is now open in Harbor Town! This one is the "little" one because their original and much larger store is in midtown at McLean and Faxon. They serve Illy coffee, a wide variety of teas, sandwiches and fresh baked goods including pastries, cupcakes, doughnuts and breads.

Downtown Tidbits and the River City Brewers Festival

2010-02-26T13:38:00.000-08:00

Spindini at 383 South Main is now serving Sunday Brunch. They have a buffet table that offers Potato and Lobster Hash, Roasted Garlic Egg Strata and Creamy Polenta with Smoked Mozzarella as well as a la carte selections.

Delphinium Boutique at 107 G.E. Patterson now carries fresh cut flowers. Very handy, especially during the Farmers Market off season. Be aware that they only sell them by the stem, there are no vases and they do not offer delivery. Though the shop owner wraps them up nicely in butcher paper and raffia straw.

This month's South Main Trolley Tour is tonight.

Showcasing more than 75 different craft beers, the upcoming River City Brewers Festival is touting itself as THE premier celebration of craft beer. Admission includes samples from the best local, regional, national, and import breweries in the world. You can even taste beer that's not typically available in the Memphis Market. All in a souvenir mug sponsored by River City Brewers Festival.

Brew Fest Details
Date: Saturday March 13, 2010
Time: SESSION A: 12N – 4PM, SESSION B: 6PM – 10PM
Location: Handy Park Beale Street
Benefiting St. Jude Children's Hospital

If you have any downtown/neighborhood information or news to share, email it to poppysit@aol.com and we will post.

City Market on the Horizon; Petition to Eradicate Panhandling

2010-02-18T07:58:00.000-08:00

According to an article in the Memphis Daily News, a small grocery is coming to our neighborhood! City Market Grocery & Deli is negotiating a lease for the 2,880 square foot ground floor commercial space in Radio Center Flats at Union and Main. The store design goes before the CCC review board in April. Read the article here:
http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=47948

Downtown needs your support of two ordinances that will go a long way in preventing aggressive panhandling and drunken, disorderly street behavior. The ordinances will:
Ban the sale of single beers within the Downtown Core.
Restrict panhandling to selected designated sites.

How Can You Support These Ordinances? Contact your city council representative. City council members listen to their constituents. Send a letter, an email or call your city council member to voice your support of these ordinance. Click here to contact your representative!

Attend upcoming council meetings. The ordinances will be introduced to city council committee on Tuesday, February 23. It is anticipated that the ordinances will then go before full council for three readings. The final meeting on March 30 is the most important meeting for your attendance. Meeting times will be posted on the Center City Commission website when available.

Please visit the Center City Commission website at http://www.downtownmemphis.com/legislation.asp to read about the ordinances and sign the petition if you support of these measures.

If you have any downtown or neighborhood information or news you'd like to share, please email it to poppysit@aol.com and we will post it here.

Thoughts of Warmer Days...

2010-02-17T15:15:00.000-08:00

Memphis In May has unveiled its 2010 fine art print and will announce the lineup for the Beale Street Music Fest on March 4th. Music Fest is Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 2 this year.

New Market; Dogs on Film; Car Inspection Service

2010-02-15T14:20:00.000-08:00

A new market will be opening soon in the Edge neighborhood at 704 Madison called the Trolley Stop Market. The farmers of Whitton Farms, whom you may know from the Memphis Farmer's Market, are opening this all local market and deli serving breakfast and lunch. Some information from their blog states: "In addition to the food, TSM will also have a hip, floral & gift shop stocked with the finest, locally & organically grown cut flowers around. You're going to have to see it to believe it!We will be open Monday - Friday, year round!!! Smoothie & juice bar coming soon, in addition to private meeting/party room, and a stage ready for local musicians to perform on! Plenty of wall space to display local art, and dinner club parties to begin this summer! If you've got a suggestion or interest in becoming a vendor you can contact us at trolleystopmarket@live.com. Website coming soon!"

Shrine Building dog owners may be interested to know that Berclair Animal Hospital at 668 S. Main has added a live "doggie cam" to their website so you can check in on Fido anytime if you board him there - or send him to their daycare.

Last year I posted about the chore of taking my car through inspection on my now defunct Notes from Memphis blog: http://www.memphistanista.com/2009/03/inspection-passed.html

Lo and behold, there is a service out there for Memphis drivers that will take your car through inspection for you for a fee: http://www.public-iproductions.com/ . I haven't used them or heard anything about them but it's nice to know you could pay someone to do this for you if you are short of time, patience or both.

Have You Ever Noticed...

2010-02-10T07:06:00.000-08:00

I have lived in the Shrine Building for several years and have seen the shriners enblem in the frosted glass above the front door many times. In fact, the CCC marker in the sidewalk in front of the building mentions this very symbol. But I just recently noticed that in the five pointed star of the emblem the word ALLAH is spelled out. You can only really see it from inside as the photo above shows. I don't know much about the Shriner's history but found some interesting facts and information about Shriners Hospitals at: http://www.shrinershq.org/files/shrine/PDF/SONA_Short_History_Booklet.pdf.

In anything recent I've read about the emblem, there is no mention of Allah being spelled out in the star, only that there is a star. But at some point in history, Allah was spelled out, as we know from our plate glass window, and as you can see in this antique Shriners pin:

Now about the words "Al Chymia" on the scimitar. Alchymia is the Latin form of the word alchemy, which is the art of changing something common into something priceless. Alchymia has been defined as "manipulating...consciousness into matter, to help it evolve,...to solve problems..."

I wonder what other interesting details are in the building that I have yet to notice...

As always, please email poppysit@aol.com if you have any downtown neighborhood information to share.

Doctors, Pizza and Valentine's Day

2010-02-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

There is no shortage of doctors downtown as doctor's offices Rentrop & Geater at 95 S. Main St., Suite 102 and the Frix-Jennings Clinic at 59 S. Main St. are both now open.

Bardog owner, Aldo Demartino, has plans on opening Aldo's Pizza Pies at 64 S. Main by late spring.

Downtown restaurant success stories have been in the news lately.

The Center City Commission website has compiled a list of Valentine's Day dining options downtown.

The Pier Restaurant on Wagner closed in January after 33 years in business.

If you have any downtown news to share, please email it to poppysit@aol.com and we will post it.

Mud Island River Park Land Use Plan

2010-01-19T09:01:00.000-08:00

The final public input reports are available for the Mud Island River Park Land Use Plan at this link: http://www.memphisriverfront.com/projects/mud-island-land-use-study

The next step will be a proposed land use plan which will ultimately create an improved Mud Island River Park.

Happy New Year! 2010 Brings Lots of Changes

2010-01-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Shrine Building Residents!

2010 brings the following to our neighborhood:

The University of Memphis Law School opens this month in the beautifully restored and renovated old post office.

The Frix-Jennings Clinic and Besso's coffee and gelato bar at 59 S. Main will presumably open soon, though that process seems to be taking a really looooooong time. There is no website for either, so it's been difficult to find out what's happening and report any updates.

Rentrop and Geater doctor's office plans to open this month at 95 S. Main, Suite 102. See the MBJ article: http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2009/10/19/daily5.html

The Washburn Apartments at 60 S. Main are scheduled to be complete in February. See the CA article about the apartments at http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/dec/30/views-to-history/

The Confederate Park Renovations and Pedestrian Bridge work is underway, http://www.memphisriverfront.com/projects/confederate-park-renovations

The Beale Street Landing project is expected to be complete in the Fall of 2010.

The new Courtyard by Marriott hotel at 75 Jefferson opened this month.

Barbaro Alley Flats at Main and Gayoso will be complete this Spring.

A new restaurant or rather, "gastropub" called LOCAL has opened in the old Sauces space at 95 S. Main. They have a outdoor heated patio.

The Visible School purchased the old C&I Building at 200 Madison and plans to be open for the 2010-2011 school year.

Please email any information you'd like to share about our neighborhood or downtown in general to poppysit@aol.com and we will be happy to post it.

Trolley Night is Tonight; Update on Beale Street Landing

2009-12-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

Photo of Lincoln American Tower's wreath and clock at Court Square Center

As many of you know the South Main Trolley Tours are on the last Friday each month. However, since Christmas falls on the last Friday of this month, the Trolley Tour is on for tonight, December 18th, 6 - 9pm.

The following information regarding the Beale Street Landing project is from the RDC's December 17, 2009 newletter:

"When a civic project costs more than expected, it’s natural to wonder what happened. It is also important to remember why it was proposed to begin with. This highly anticipated riverfront destination is underway and will be a wonderful new amenity when completed. Here is the truth about Beale Street Landing.
Construction Timeline:
The design contract for Beale Street Landing was awarded in 2004 and the original schedule anticipated construction beginning in late 2006 with completion in late 2008. However, due to a number of delays the current schedule calls for completion in Summer 2011. What has caused the construction delays?
Two year delay awaiting Section 106 clearance from the State Historic Preservation Office; Hurricane Katrina and the extreme increases in the cost of gas and steel caused redesign of some project elements of the project;
City’s budget constraints delayed project funding; and
High water conditions extend work schedule for projects on the Mississippi River.
Construction delays result in project cost increase while Congressional holdbacks caused project funding decrease; Cost of Inflation on Construction during these five years increased 25%, adding $6.9 million to the project; Approximately $1.3 million was spent as part of the Section 106 Clearance process and in value-engineering for redesign, project management and specialty consultants; and due to Congressional holdbacks, the expected federal funding dropped $1.4 million. When construction cost increases and funding decreases are combined, the shortfall for Beale Street Landing is approximately $9 million..."

To see the entire article, visit the RDC's website at this link: www.memphisriverfront.com
_______________________________________

The following information regarding the Beale Street Landing project was taken from the Friends For Our Riverfront website:

"The cost of Beale Street Landing was up - to $33M, the City Council was told in May. Memphis's share would be $22M. Now, 6 months later, the cost has gone up again. The Commercial Appeal reports that the federal share is down, cost is up, and the City is being asked for another $9M to pay for Beale Street Landing."The economic downturn has reined in a lot of ... big dreams and has also led to questions about whether ambitious building projects from Buffalo to Berkeley ever made sense to begin with," according to a New York Times article. Expensive projects all over the world, including the waterfront islands in Dubai now gone belly-up, Xanadu in the NJ wetlands now boarded up, and right here at home Beale Street Landing now weighing in at a cost to Memphians of $30M, are being hit...."

To read the entire post, visit the Friends For Our Riverfront website at this link: http://www.friendsforourriverfront.org/

As always, if you have any information you'd like to share about our neighborhood or downtown in general, please email it to poppysit@aol.com and we will post it. Hope you are all having a great a holiday season!

Photo of one of the angels in Court Square

City's New Program to Transition Homeless into Housing; U of M Law School Grand Opening

2009-12-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

See the article about the City's program for the homeless at this link:
http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11650499

The U of M Law School Grand Opening is slated for January 16. Click on the graphic below to enlarge it and see the event details:

Please email any information you'd like to share about our neighborhood or downtown in general to poppysit@aol.com

Festivities on South Main

2009-12-03T01:26:00.000-08:00

The Memphis Holiday Parade, Rock 'n Romp and a special winter Farmers Market event are all coming up this Saturday, December 5th. Click each graphic below to enlarge and see the details or go to http://www.downtownmemphis.com/

If you have information you'd like to share related to our neighborhood or downtown generally, please email it to poppysit@aol.com and we will post it!

Downtown Dining Week

2009-11-10T13:58:00.000-08:00

It's Downtown Dining Week. Several downtown restaurants are participating by offering three course dinners for $20.09. Click here for all the details and a listing of participating restaurants: DOWNTOWN DINING WEEK - MEMPHIS

If you have information about the neighborhood or downtown in general you'd like to share, please email it to poppysit@aol.com and we will get it posted for you.

River Arts Fest

2009-10-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

The River Arts Fest is this Saturday, October 24th and Sunday, October 25th on South Main from 10am - 6pm each day. Visit www.riverartsfestmemphis.org for all the details on this fabulous event.

MBJ Article: Doctor's Office at 95 S. Main

2009-10-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

From the Memphis Business Journal:
Monday, October 19, 2009, 2:49pm CDT Modified: Monday, October 19, 2009, 3:13pm

Doctor’s office headed Downtown, will make ‘office calls’
Memphis Business Journal - by Andy Ashby

Rentrop and Geater PLLC plans to open a second location at 95 South Main Street, Suite 102, by January, bringing the doctor directly to the Downtown executive.
The family and occupational medicine practice will make office visits in addition to standard facility appointments. Normally, people have to take off a few hours for a doctor’s visit. “If we can come to you, it’s more likely to be 15-20 minutes out of your day,” Barbara Geater said.

The practice purchased the 2,013-square-foot bay for $250,000 under Lauderdale Building LLC, then signed a five-year lease in order to keep the business and property entities separate. Eric Northern at Northern Reality represented the tenant in the purchase, while First Community Bank financed it. Rentrop and Geater was originally founded by James Shelton and Walter Rentrop in 1947. The practice is located at 2245 South Lauderdale.

Geater said the practice looked at Midtown but couldn’t find a property in good condition for the right price. Then, one of the practice’s nurse practitioners, Tamara Howard-Fain, brought up executive medicine, where doctors or nurses can go to a business person’s office. Rentrop and Geater PLLC will be open for walk-in visits and also will offer classes that have an emphasis on preventative medicine, lifestyle modification and disease management. The practice is setting up in the middle of the Center City Commission’s “Demonstration Block,” which runs along Main from Union to Gayoso.

The area, which the CCC has focused on for economic development, has lured neighborhood services such as SEE Main Street Memphis Family Vision Practice and Main Street Dental. Rentrop and Geater PLLC is applying for a $7,500 grant from the Center City Development Corp. which can be used to help defray start-up costs such as remodeling.

aashby@bizjournals.com 259-1732

Final Mud Island River Park Survey

2009-10-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

From RDC's website:

Final survey on Mud Island River Park now thru Friday, October 30.
After months of public input, your comments have now been captured in three alternatives for defining land uses at Mud Island River Park.

Take the final online survey to help finalize these use scenarios and guide future improvements at Mud Island River Park.

To show our appreciation for your time, we invite you to enter a drawing to win a Season Pass to Mud Island River Park (camping, boating, and more) once you complete the survey.

Also, if you haven't seen the results from the first or second rounds of public input, you can

download two comprehensive reports, one with findings from all meetings and survey responses, and another with detail from the survey questions.
Thank you in advance for your time and input.

If you have any downtown/neighborhood related information you would like to share on this blog, please email it to : poppysit@aol.com

Shelby County Courthouse Centennial

2009-10-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

The Shelby County Courthouse is celebrating 100 years today!

Memphis Historian Jimmy Ogle's announcement : The SHELBY COUNTY COURTHOUSE takes center stage with its Centennial Celebration from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Free food and beverages plus tours of special areas of the Courthouse like the courtrooms, law library, south hallway (marble and Andrew Jackson bust) along with a few speeches. This is one time that you may bring a camera into the Courthouse!

Go to the Memphis Bar Associatioon website to see all the details and the program: www.memphisbar.org

Midtown Yoga is Downtown

2009-10-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

Midtown Yoga has opened a new studio at 91 S. Front Street. This is only a block away from our doorstep! Click this link to see their schedule:
http://midtownyoga.com/schedule/downtown

Thanks to Laurel for forwarding this information to share. If you would like to post any downtown/neighborhood news, please email it to poppysit@aol.com.

History Day at the Cotton Museum

2009-10-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

History Day October 10th

Discover the History of Your Hometown Cotton Museum to Host All-Day History Event on Saturday, October 10th.

Enjoy a day of history with guided walking tours, presentations by local history experts, and a tour of the museum and for an additional $3, the audio Walking Tour of Front Street. Tickets are $6 (adults); $5.50 (seniors); $5 (students) $4 (children 6-12) and free for children under 6. (No two-for-one coupons, please). Ticket prices include discount coupons for lunch at Front Street Deli and Mesquite Chop House on Union.

Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Special presentations begin at 10 a.m., as follows:
10:00 AM Before There Was Memphis: 1776 – 1827 —Jimmy Ogle, Renowned expert on downtown Memphis
10:45 AM The Fire Museum and Its Place in Memphis History — Brier Smith Turner, Executive Director, Fire Museum of Memphis
11:30 AM Guided Walking Tour of Front Street —Jimmy Ogle
12:45 PM The New Music Spawned by The New Deal —Chuck Porter, Well-known Memphis music buff and storyteller
1:30 PM Guided Walking Tour of Cotton Row —Bob Acree, Retired Memphis Cotton Broker
2:15 PM The Center for Southern Folklore —Judy Peiser, Executive Director of Center for Southern Folklore

Please email poppysit@aol.com if you have any downtown/neighborhood information you would like to share on this blog.

Jimmy Ogle's Talks and Tours Fall Schedule

2009-09-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

Click on the graphic above to enlarge it and see all the dates and times of Jimmy Ogle's FREE tours around downtown. If for any reason that doesn't work for you, go to the Center City Commission website and they should have these tours posted www.downtownmemphis.com.

Thanks to Joey Martin for sending this to me to post.

Send anything downtown/neighborhood related you'd like posted to poppysit@aol.com.

Mud Island Land Use Study Final Public Meetings

2009-09-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

From the RDC website, information about the final public meeting on the important Mud Island Land Use Study:
Final public meetings for the Mud Island Land Use Study - September 29th and October 1st.
Input from hundreds of citizens have guided architectural consultants Looney Ricks Kiss in developing three potential scenarios for future improvements of Mud Island River Park (MIRP).

Next week, LRK will present these scenarios for a final round of public input.Come participate in the last round of public meetings - September 29th at the Botanic Gardens and October 1st at MIRP Harbor Landing - to share your thoughts on the progress made to date on the Mud Island Land Use Plan.

An online survey will be posted in early October providing yet another opportunity for input on the final scenarios. Sign up for the RDC e-newsletter so we can let you know when the survey is live.

Upcoming meetings Tuesday, 9/29, 5:45 - 7:30 pm - Memphis Botanic Gardens, 750 Cherry Road and Thursday, 10/1, 5:45 - 7:30 pm - Mud Island River Park Harbor Landing, 101 Island Drive (gate security will give directions)

Save the Date: Shelby County Courthouse Centennial

2009-09-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

From the Memphis Bar Association website:
On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, the Memphis Bar Association, Shelby County Government, Memphis Heritage and AIA Memphis will host the Shelby County Courthouse Centennial Celebration from 4:30-7 pm. The event will be held on the south lawn of the Courthouse off Adams Avenue with historical displays and guided tours within the building. Tennessee State Historian Walter Durham will address the guests, and WKNO's Jim Eikner will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Other special guests on hand will include Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton and Memphis Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery as well as many local civic and business leaders. Guests will also enjoy hors d'oeuvres by Felicia Suzanne's, beverages, and live music by the Christian Brothers High School band dressed in antique uniforms.

Guests at the event will be given tours of the building and learn everything from the fascinating architecture and construction of the building to the notable trials that have taken place within its walls and the grand figures who have walked its halls. Historian Jimmy Ogle is working with the Memphis Bar Association and the Memphis Bar Auxiliary to script the tours and train guides. Jimmy is very well known throughout the community for his knowledge of the city and his downtown tours. If you or someone you know is interested in serving as a tour guide or would like more information, please contact Dottie McCallen at dmccallen@memphisbar.org or 901.527.3573.

Volunteers are needed for the evening of the Centennial Celebration to not only serve as tour guides but also as bartenders, program attendants and to assist with setup and clean up. If you are interested in being a part of the celebration, please contact Dottie McCallen at dmccallen@memphisbar.org or 901.527.3573.

Contribute to the Courthouse Centennial:
Commemorative casts of the doorknobs of the Shelby County Courthouse, adorned with the Shelby County Seal, are being offered for sale. The brass casts were created from an original Courthouse doorknob by Bob Rogers at the National Ornamental Metal Museum. The casts were then mounted on wooden plaques inscribed with "Shelby County Courthouse Centennial, October 15, 2009." A limited quantity of these are available at the MBA office. Each handcrafted cast is $300, and all proceeds benefit the Centennial Celebration and its corresponding educational programs.

Additionally, the MBA office has copies of the book "Shelby County Courthouse: Renovation & Restoration, 1980-1992" written by Janette C. Russell. The book is $25 and available for purchase at the MBA office located at 80 Monroe Avenue, Suite 220. All proceeds go to the Centennial Celebration and its corresponding educational programs.

Other sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Dottie McCallen at 901.527.3573 or dmccallen@memphisbar.org.

As always, please email poppysit@aol.com with any downtown/neighborhood information you would like to share on the blog.

The Dalai Lama at the International Freedom Award Luncheon

2009-09-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

Click on the image below to enlarge it:

The National Civil Rights Museum International Freedom Award Luncheon will be Wednesday, September 23. The Peabody Hotel. 149 Union. 529-4154. 11am.

THE MISSING PEACE PRESENTS THE DALAI LAMA
September 23, 2009, Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. 255 N Main. 525-1515. 1:30 pm. $35-$85.
A public talk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and special guests on developing peace and harmony. Plus a performance by Tibetan musicians, Nawang Khechog, Lotennamling, and Gideon Bendile.

Natalie Cole performs Wednesday, September 23. Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. 255 N Main. 525-1515. 7:30pm. $35-$65.

What's New in the Neighborhood?; Bardog's 1 Year Anniversary Celebration

2009-09-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

Demo work has begun at 60 Front Street! I understand that the original plans for the Grade Hotel, a small boutique hotel, are not going forward but that a pizza restaurant may be going in part of the space instead.

The Frix-Jennings Clinic, at 59 S. Main, plans on opening in October. It will be a full spectrum health care clinic that takes walk-in and same day appointments . They plan on also opening a coffee shop/gelateria called Besso's in the near future.

Bardog will be celebrating their 1 year anniversary this Sunday, September 20th in the alley (and in the bar, of course) starting around 1pm. The band Jeffrey James and the Haul will perform.

If you have any information about other downtown projects, neighborhood news, new businesses, events, interesting stories, etc. you would like to post on the blog, please email it to poppysit@aol.com

Flight Restaurant Review; Nettleton Condos Auction; Wakeboarding

2009-09-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Read today's Commercial Appeal review of Flight:
http://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/sep/11/flight-is-dining-made-sample/

30 condos at The Nettleton, 435 S. Front, are being auctioned tomorrow, September 12th. The auction is being held in the Venetian Ballroom at the Peabody Hotel at 11am. See the article in the CA: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/sep/10/condo-confidence/

There is a wakeboarding contest tomorrow, September 12th at Mud Island sponsored by Memphis Wake, www.memphiswake.com. The following details are from their website:

"M-Town Throwdown Sept. 12, 2009 @ 10am Mud Island RiverPark, Memphis, TN
MemphisWake.com is having our first contest. Come check out the action in downtown Memphis at Mud Island River Park. There will be wakeboarding from beginner to pro divisions. Beginner- Outlaw will be judged based on INT format and the Pro division will be based on a scale of 1-10 in amplitude, composition, technicality, and execution. Admission is free, so bring your family and friends to enjoy a relaxing day on the riverfront. "

If you have any downtown neighborhood information for the blog, please email all the information to poppysit@aol.com and we'll get it posted for you.

Memphis Music & Heritage Festival This Weekend

2009-09-04T12:47:00.000-07:00

From the Center for Southern Folklore website, http://www.southernfolklore.com/:
The best free festival in Memphis returns Labor Day weekend as the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival celebrates its 22nd consecutive year of presenting the unique cultural treasures the Memphis/Mid-South region has to offer. South Main Street will be filled with the sounds of soul, blues, jazz, bluegrass, classic and alt-rock, klezmer, funk, country, folk, bluegrass and more that made ‑ and continues to make ‑ Memphis the great melting pot of American music.

In addition, there will be special entertainment for children, cooking demonstrations, dancers, artists, craftspeople, heritage talkers and storytellers galore.Sponsored by the Center for Southern Folklore, the festival runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, September 5 and 6, on South Main Street between Peabody Place and Gayoso. This year the Center is proud to honor three prominent Memphis saxophone players and dear friends - Fred Ford, Evelyn Young and Sonny Williams - with a special commemorative poster and t-shirt. And, as always, admission to the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival is FREE!

If you have anything you'd like to post on the blog, please email the information to poppysit@aol.com.

Island Queen Sightseeing Tour

2009-08-27T16:13:00.000-07:00

Local historian Jimmy Ogle will be giving the commentary on the Island Queen riverboat sightseeing cruise this Sunday, August 30th at 2:30 pm. The cruise lasts about an hour and a half and Jimmy will be pointing out all the interesting and little known facts about the Mississippi River. Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $17 for children ages 13 -17, $10 for children ages 4-12 and free for ages 3 and under. Purchase tickets online at http://www.memphisriverboats.net/cruises.html or call 1-800-221-6197.

This won't be your last chance to hear Jimmy's commentary as he will be giving the commentary every Sunday for the next three months (except Sept. 6 and Oct. 18). For those of us who rarely get a chance to get on the river, this is a great way to see our skyline and shoreline from the cobblestones, view the three lower bridges from underneath, see the Arkansas shoreline from a different perspective and learn a whole host of interesting things along the way.

Thanks to Joey Martin for prompting me to blog about this!
As always, please email me at poppysit@aol.com if you have information you'd like to share on the blog.

The Cobblestones

2009-08-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

Read about the Riverfront Development Corporation (RDC) $6 million "Historic Cobblestone Landing and Walkway Restoration Project" on their website at http://www.memphisriverfront.com/projects/historic-cobblestone-landing-restoration-and-walkway-project

The Memphis Daily News has a short piece about this project as well : http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=44247

See what Friends for Our Riverfront has to say on the issue: http://www.friendsforourriverfront.org/

The alley that runs east-west between Front and Wagner just south of Union will be named Jack Tucker Alley, in honor of the late Jack Tucker. As many of you know, he was an architect who among many other things, fought to have the cobblestones remain intact during the Cotton Row redevelopment in the 1970's. At that time the plan called for removal of the cobblestones from Riverside to Front between Union and Beale. Nevertheless, the cobblestones in the alley behind his residence were not disturbed.

If anyone attended the public meeting regarding the cobblestones and you have some information you'd like to share, or if you have any other information to pass along, please email me at poppysit@aol.com

Powerboat Racing on the River This Weekend; Trolley Tour; Mud Island Concert

2009-07-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

It looks like the neighborhood will be bustling this weekend. The premier of the Memphis Riverfront International Championship Regatta, part of the national Powerboat Superleague 2009 tour, is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the Mississippi River. The races will be watched from Tom Lee Park.
Racers are competing for the Canadian-American Championship Cup.
On Friday and Saturday events begin at 10am and run through 7pm or 8pm. On Sunday events begin at 11am and trophies will be presented at 4 pm. The event is free all three days. Visit www.memphisregatta.com for more information.
NOTE: RIVERSIDE DRIVE WILL BE CLOSED OFF for this event.

The South Main Trolley tour is happening this Friday from 6 pm - 9 pm and this Saturday night there is a Pat Benatar and Blondie concert on Mud Island.

If you have any information you'd like posted, please email me at poppysit@aol.com

Center City Commission Vision Awards

2009-07-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Center City Commission's Vision Award recipients that were recognized at the CCC annual luncheon in the Peabody yesterday:

Jack R. Tucker - Architect
Suhair Lauck - Little Tea Shop
CGI Partners (Willie Chandler, John Basek and Yorke Lawson) - Court Square Center
George Hunt - Artist
Tommie Henderson - Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering

One Commerce Square Makeover

2009-07-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

There's an article in today's Commercial Appeal about Looney Ricks Kiss Architects and general contractor Grinder Taber & Grinder teaming up to renovate One Commerce Square. The 31-story building is 55.7% unoccupied and in need of improvements that will hopefully attract new tenants and keep the existing ones.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jul/22/polish-it-back-up/

WEVL's 21st Annual Blues on the Bluff

2009-07-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

Information from WEVL's website about this Saturday's Blues on the Bluff event:

Bring your chairs and blankets and celebrate 21 years of fun on the bluffs of the Mississippi River in a beautiful park-like setting. Giant shady oaks, cool river breeze, fantastic music, the smell of BBQ, and absolutely the best view of the Mississippi in the entire mid-south!
Blues on the Bluff® promo video

Listen to the bands!
The Bo-Keys 7/07: MPG
The Bo-Keys 7/07: MOV
Burnside Exploration : MPG
Burnside Exploration : MPG
Robert "Wolfman" Belfour: MPG
Robert "Wolfman" Belfour: MPG
Robert "Wolfman" Belfour: MPG

Central BBQ is our Official Food Vendor. All food sales profits generously donated to WEVL! Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Drinks Sold. No pets or outside food or beverages permitted.
Kids welcome when accompanied by watchful parents

$8 admission under age 12
Free Guarded Parking!

6-11 PM Admission at Gate: $15 adults

National Ornamental Metal Museum Grounds374 Metal Museum Drive, Memphis901.528.0560 or 528.0561 / wevl@wevl.org

Click to see 2009 promo video
Click to see Commercial Appeal Video
Click to see Blues on the Bluff® Slide Show
Click here for Driving Directions

Have any more news or information for the blog? Email me at poppysit@aol.com and I will get it posted.

Memphis Farmers Market, Midnight Matinees, Mud Island Land Use Survey Update

2009-07-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

The drop in temperature and humidity is promising to make this weekend very nice for outdoor activities. High on the list is tomorrow's Memphis Farmers Market. Read about what they have lined up and what's fresh at the market this week: Favorite Tomato Contest, Historic Bike Ride, Shop with R.D., Pet Adoption

Indie Memphis is hosting Midnight Matinees on Friday nights through July at the Power House at 45 G.E. Patterson. Show time is actually 11:15pm. Tonight they are showing the movie "Teeth" .

The RDC has posted it's survey results from the second round of public input regarding the Mud Island Land Use Study. So far, the majority of people who have been part of the public meeting want to see features from three broad categories: Streetscape Amenities (dining, shops, performing arts and public art), Recreation (walking/jogging trails, skating, biking and playgrounds), and Natural Areas (picnicing, viewing and botanical gardens).

If you have some downtown news, event details, photos or other information you'd like to share, please send the information to poppysit@aol.com and I will post it.

In the News

2009-07-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

Read the Commercial Appeal article about Capital One's purchase of the Horizon on Riverside Drive.

See MBJ's article about Visible School's contract to buy the former C&I Bank building on Madison.

4th of July on the Roof

2009-06-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

No doubt about it, Shrine residents have THE best view of the 4th of July fireworks from the rooftop. Many of us will be up there celebrating with guests, so here are a few things to keep in mind:

Fireworks usually start sometime after 9 pm

Please either let your guests in personally or by front door phone access

If you're looking for an easy dinner or some appetizers, consider ordering “Dinner On The Roof” from Bardog, 275-8752. You can have a look at their menu at www.bardogtavern.com.

There will be extra security on duty Saturday night

If anyone has anything to add, please email me at poppysit@aol.com and I will get it posted.

Herenton Resigns; Cossitt Library Landscaping: Trolley Tour Tonight

2009-06-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

Check out the Commercial Appeal article about the Mayor's most recent and presumably definite resignation:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jun/25/memphis-mayor-willie-herenton-will-resign-his-post/

The Cossitt Library installed sod and a few rose bushes in its courtyard this week. What a huge improvement it has made in converting what was an unsightly hole in the ground to a simple, clean green space. I am unsure if they are totally finished with improvements.

There is a South Main Trolley Tour tonight. If you can brave the heat, stop by the community garden that an area business owner planted along a grassy strip on Huling (between Front and Main) of all places.

Pedestrian Bridge Across Court

2009-06-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

From the Urban Art Commission website:

Court Avenue Pedestrian Bridge RFQ

UrbanArt and The Riverfront Development Corporation (RDC) are seeking an artist with experience with lighting to enhance a pedestrian bridge that will span Court Avenue, connecting the new University of Memphis Law School to Confederate Park. The bridge will be a 200’-long box truss constructed of steel, concrete and an ipe deck that will be lit with bollard lights on the east side of the bridge at 40’ intervals. The bridge will be visible from a distance from the west, as far away as the I-40 Bridge over the Mississippi River (Hernando DeSoto Bridge), and Mud Island River Park.

Three finalists will be selected and asked to develop a general concept, each receiving an honorarium and travel reimbursement. Technical capabilities to design and install a lighting project are preferred, as well as experience with “green” lighting products, such as those with lower energy consumption and longer lifespan.
The deadline for this project is 4:00 PM, Friday, June 26. The budget is $140,000, and it is open to US artists. For the full RFQ, click the link above. Contact Elizabeth Alley, Director of Public Art, with any questions: 901-454-0474, ealley@urbanartcommission.org.

Metro 67 To Open This Summer

2009-06-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

Our neighbor to the north, Metro 67 luxury apartments (formerly Union Planters Bank), is getting geared up to open next month or in August. See today's Memphis Business Journal article about this 157 unit property as well as a bit about the Horizon, currently in foreclosure:

http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2009/06/22/story1.html?b=1245643200^1847374

Link to the Metro 67 website: http://www.metro67.com/

Neighbors; Block Party

2009-06-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

Our neighbors in the Mid-South Cotton Growers building across the street on Monroe are having some heavy demolition done on their roof. It appears all the old roof deck, planters and plants have been taken out and workers have been up there everyday hard at it. I don't have any information but assume they are installing a new roof. If anyone knows more, send me an email - poppysit@aol.com

Tonight is the last in the series of the Spring Block Parties on Main Street. Click on the poster below to read about the details and specials:

No Cars on Main Street for Now

2009-06-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

The Center City Commission Task Force finalized it's report on opening the Main Street Mall to auto traffic and concluded now is not the right time citing that neither the $1 million price tag for a demo block nor the $10 million needed to complete the entire project are feasible at this time. Work on the trolley line at Main and Madison is scheduled to be done sometime in the next two years. The traffic issue may be revisited at that time by putting in place a demo block while the trolley line is temporarily closed for that work.

Click here for the full article from the Daily News:
http://www.downtownmemphis.com/downtownmemphis/documents/cars.pdf

Some Neighborhood Updates

2009-06-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

MLGW repair work continues at Monroe and Second. The street has been blocked off during day time hours from Main to Second.

Beale Street Caravan recently moved out of the Shrine's west-end ground floor commercial space and Ricky Wilkins' Law Firm is expanding into it. Beale Street Caravan moved to 88 Union Center.

Bardog has installed a yellow neon sign but it has not yet been lit. They also recently procured a small vehicle to use for deliveries, though that's moot for us!

The Memphis Farmers Market is hosting summer dinner tours. The next MFM dinner is at Tsunami ,928 S. Cooper Street, 901-274-2556. Make reservations to experience Chef Ben Smith's delightful creations using local ingredients.

Also the Memphis Farmer's Market cookbook is at press and you can pre-order your copy : Pre-order your cookbook today

The former Lolo's space at 128 Monroe has a application to sell alcohol sign in the window. Does anyone know what restaurant/bar this will be? There is a small sign in the window that looks like either the name of the place or the name of the company that plans to open the new place - "Off Beale Street".

Hound Dogs hot dog cart is set up Monday - Friday from 11am - 3 pm at the corner of Union and Main selling beef or turkey hot dogs, chips, limeade and other drinks. Call Christopher on his cell and he'll have your order ready for you when you get there - 596-7941.

Have any other information or news for the blog? Email me at poppysit@aol.com

Please Be Aware

2009-06-11T09:12:00.001-07:00

A link to a sad and disturbing story in the Commercial Appeal today about a panhandler charged with raping a woman downtown:

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jun/11/panhandler-charged-with-rape/

Cossitt Library Renovations

2009-06-10T13:22:00.000-07:00

No doubt you've noticed over the past couple of months the renovations at the Cossitt Library. On the exterior the "reflecting pool" has been filled in, trees on the corner have been trimmed, and a side entrance has been made handicap accessible. New landscaping is soon to be installed. The interior has received a fresh coat of paint and new carpet as well. The Cossitt library has a meeting room available by reservation that seats 100 people, 10 computers available for public use, hosts temporary art exhibits, special events and book sales.

3/50 Project: The Equation for Saving Downtown's Brick and Mortars

2009-06-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

While scanning through this month's issue of Downtowner Magazine, I ran across some interesting information about something called the 3/50 Project. This organization seeks to provide information and resources on how patronizing independently owned businesses can generate revenue and save local economies. The idea is simple: frequent three local brick and mortar businesses you don’t want to see go out of business, and spend $50 per month (total) in those businesses. The website is www.the350project.net

Gibson 5K

2009-06-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

The Gibson 5k is this SATURDAY, June 13th, 7pm. The run has always been on a Friday night but they changed the day this year as there was a parking conflict due to a concert on Friday night at FedEx Forum. This is a really great run benefiting St. Patrick's Learning Center. Even if you're not a runner it's fun to watch and attend the party after the race on Gibson's roof.

Race Information:

RACE PACKET PICK UP ALL DAY FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2009 AT BOTH BREAKAWAY LOCATIONS
Breakaway Athletics (1708 Union Ave, 10am to 7pm)
Breakaway Athletics (552 S. Mendenhall, East Memphis, 10am to 7pm)
The pre-registration rate of $20 ($19 for MRTC members) applies all day! VISA and MASTERCARD accepted
Packets can also be picked up on Saturday, June 13th at the race site. VISA and MASTERCARD accepted here also

Go to www.gibsonguitar5k.com for all the details.

Downtown Memories Needed

2009-05-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

If you've ever had the opportunity to see any of the Memphis Memoirs documentaries on WKNO you know how great they are. Now, WKNO is planning a new Memphis Memoirs show and needs photos, films and stories of Downtown Memphis from the 1900s to the 1970s. You can help them collect these memories of Downtown Memphis and be a part of what is sure to be another great show; how could it not be considering the subject matter?!

To submit your memorabilia, call (901) 325-6525 or e-mail wknopi@wkno.org.

Memphis Art Park

2009-05-18T12:50:00.001-07:00

See the most up to date information regarding the proposed Memphis Art Park at: http://memphisartpark.org/

Ultra Lounge

2009-05-15T12:29:00.001-07:00

The first time I heard the term "ultra lounge" was about 2 years ago. I thought it was a cute phrase for what I generally do on Sundays but it turns out it's something else.

Here is Wikipedia's definition:
"An ultra lounge is a self-designation for nightclubs, used particularly in the early 2000s. Among the design details, ultra lounge-style nightclubs may have subtly changing neon and vivid-coloured lights, and seating groupings for people to socialize. The music is often more subdued white-room or ambient house type music instead of loud dance music or techno. Unlike most nightclubs, ultra lounges rarely have a specific dance floor, unless they are having a DJ event.
Ultra lounge-style clubs sometimes create privacy around the seating areas with room dividers, sheets or curtains. Some clubs have semi-private room with a large mattress on the floor for patrons to lounge on and socialize. These clubs offer a range of cocktails and drinks and food such as tapas-style finger food."

Automatic Slims recently starting morphing from a restaurant to an ultra lounge at 11pm on weekends. Their advertising says they are the only ultra lounge in Memphis.

What's New and What's On the Horizon

2009-05-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

Art Under a Hot Tin Roof art gallery and gift shop has opened at 117 S. Main Street next to Circa. See the article in today's Commercial Appeal about the gallery and the Center City Commission's forgivable loan program that helped draw the owner to downtown Memphis: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/may/12/right-overhead/

Art Under a Hot Tin Roof website:
http://artunderahottinroof.com/history.asp

A new lunch spot called Hot Diggity Dog looks close to opening on Madison between Second and Third. They are advertising gourmet hot dogs.

A new business called Smokers Outlet opened at Madison and Main.

The mixed use building at 59 S. Main will be completed this summer according to a Memphis News article that ran in April. The building will house the Frix-Jennings clinic, apartments, a coffee shop and a gelato shop.

The final building in the Court Square Center development, ultra-sleek mixed-use Court Annex 2, is nearing it's targeted August 2009 completion date.

Shrine Building Walk Score

2009-05-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

We have scored a "Walker's Paradise" score of 91 according to Walk Score, a website that measures the walkability of an address based on the distance to the closest amenities in several categories.

Click here to see our Walk Score profile : http://www.walkscore.com/get-score.php?street=66+Monroe%2C+Memphis%2C+TN++38103&go=Go

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The Orpheum Summer Movie Series

2009-05-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Our beautiful rooftop affords us the best river and city views in town but on those summer nights when the heat is unbearable the Orpheum offers a cool refuge. The Orpheum Summer Movie Series starts later this month and runs through September 4th. Their line up this year includes Breakfast at Tiffany's, Easy Rider, Sex and the City and Animal House. Click the link above to see the entire listing, dates and times. Don't particularly like their selections? They want to hear your suggestions. To suggest a movie for next year's season at The Orpheum, click here, to fill out and submit a short form.

Mud Island Land Use Study

2009-05-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

The Riverfront Development Corporation circulated the following information last week regarding the Mud Island Land Use Study:

"The RDC has compiled the results of the first round of public input in two comprehensive reports, one with findings from all meetings and survey responses, and another with detail from the survey questions. The next step is to get public reaction to possible concepts for Mud Island River Park based on the first round of public input. Please make your voices heard at the next round of public meetings.
Tuesday, 5/12, 5:45 - 7:30 pm -- Memphis Botanic Gardens, 750 Cherry Road
Thursday, 5/14, 5:45 - 7:30 pm -- Mud Island River Park Harbor Landing, 101 Island Drive (gate security will give directions)."

The surveys showed some interesting ideas coming out of the first round meetings and some ideas were favored by a majority of respondents such as:

Live musical performances - 64.9%
Restaurants - 54.1%
Waterside cafes- 66.6%
River promenades - 68.5%'
Pinic areas - 54.9%

Both reports are worth looking through and you still have a chance to make your voice heard by attending the next meeting on Thursday, May 14th (details noted above).

Mother's Day

2009-05-05T17:39:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 10th and if you've waited (or forgot!) until the last minute to pull something together, never fear there are plenty of options downtown to buy her something special. Here are a few:

Super-luxurious Lollia Bath & Body products at Lucky Duck in the Peabody Hotel. They also have a large selection of Vera Bradley and Brighton Jewelry.

The Center for Southern Folklore Store has an array of whimsical pottery, sculpture, mixed media art, music and more.

Delphinium has a great selection of hip jewelry, bags, scarves, cosmetics and more at prices that won't break your budget.

Memphis Farmers Market
A bouquet of fresh cut flowers (A MUST!)
Hand made goat milk soap
Rustic bird houses
Fine wooden salad bowls
Herbs or vegetable plants for her kitchen garden

For very unique gifts, try the National Ornamental Metal Museum gift shop for interesting and beautiful jewelry and items for the home.

stainless steel and cultured pearl ring from the National Ornamental Metal Museum gift shop by Wilberham, Massachusetts artist, Barbara Silverstein