To kick off the new year, Mayor Strickland’s office has issued a Call to Action. No matter how many police we hire, we will never solve generational problems like crime and poverty unless we all come together as a community. Here are three things Strickland challenged citizens to do to improve the community:
1) Mentor a younger person. A younger person staying off the wrong path in life is often the result of the guidance of an older person. Strickland is challenging citizens to spend one hour a week, in a program in which the Grizzlies Foundation is a partner, which provides mentors.
2) Read to a second grader. Studies have found that when a child arrives in third grade still not knowing how to read, they quickly start to fall farther and farther behind. It becomes nearly impossible for those to catch up. Strickland challenges citizens to spend an hour a week helping children learn how to read, so they will have this most important skill that they need.
3) Adopt a block. Although the city has come a long way in eradicating blight and keeping lots clear of grass, they need the community to come forward and assist in this effort. The Adopt-a-Block program will be getting underway in full gear once spring weather arrives.
A couple of days ago I posted about Grizzlies Timeout for Yoga, a special ticket which includes a yoga class at FedExForum, a yoga mat, and a ticket to a Grizzlies game. Well, yesterday Verno tweeted a photo of the mat – it will have Chandler Parsons on it,
This is the @ChandlerParsons Yoga Mat being given away the 21st vs HOU. 😂 pic.twitter.com/PuMlBuyIOP
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) January 9, 2017
South of Beale has made a popular item a permanent part of the menu:
back by demand, we’ve got our bar pie permanently on the menu! served w/ roasted tomatoes, homemade mozzarella, garlic oil, & fresh basil! pic.twitter.com/UH6kS9PuVc
— South of Beale (@southofbeale) January 9, 2017
A man was found dead near Loflin Yard at Carolina and Florida Friday, the day it was bitterly cold and snowed for a good part of the day. A lot of the South Mainers are worried that it could be a homeless man in his early 60s who has become kind of the mascot of that neighborhood. I sure hope that it is not.
The CA gets even more corporate, telling its freelance writers this week that they no longer have jobs. Some of these freelancers had decades of experience. The Flyer and the Daily News ought to be giving some of those folks a call.
Memphis Made will be the featured brewery at Miss Cordelia’s Food Truck Wednesday tomorrow from 5 to 8 PM. The Creamery and Stanley’s Sweet Treats will have their trucks there.
I have a work thing at lunchtime, so probably no post then. Possibly back with more news after work.