The Idea Man at Southwest : Weblog

Radioactive Troxler 3430 stolen from Frayser storage shed. ::

This has nothing to do with education (or does it?), but I saw a "Breaking News Report" tonight stating that a potentially dangerous radioactive device (a "Troxler 3430") was stolen from a Frayser backyard storage shed.  "State environment experts say the moisture density guage is radioactive and they don't want it to fall in the wrong hands."

Hmmmmm...

A Gooood Eeev-e-ning ::

The great Sivad is no more . He died last Wednesday in Stuttgart, Arkansas at the age of 92.

I think the Commercial Appeal's John Beifuss hit the spike on the head when he wrote this:

Is it extreme to claim that the late Watson Davis, who portrayed Sivad, the vampiric host of WHBQ-TV's "Fantastic Features" in the 1960s and early '70s, belongs with Sam Phillips, Dewey Phillips, Rufus Thomas, Sputnik Monroe, B.B. King, Larry Finch and Elvis in any pantheon of influential Memphis entertainers and idols? The fans who grew up with Sivad don't think so.

Old bridge sunset ::

Walked my dog in Tom Lee Park this afternoon and got this picture. Winter, at least in Memphis, seems to create the best sunsets.

Hallowe'en o'er. ::

As Halloween drips to a close, I think it's important to again remember Sivad, Memphis' "Monster of Ceremonies" from 1966-1972. Beyond the fact that Sivad used to scare the little britches off of me, he was also a beautiful work and source of imagination. I think he was the best vampire personae outside of Bela Lugosi. And it was all locally created and produced.

Save Our Shell ::

The Overton Park Shell needs funds for necessary maintenance or it could face demolition [registration required]. Here's the Shell's official press release about the subject.

I have confidence that the very dedicated group of volunteers will save the spot where Elvis made his first public performance. However, I've always thought it crazy that a city that prides itself on Elvis thinks very little of demolishing almost every architectural trace of the King outside of Graceland.

Mean Streets? Midtown to Shelby Farms (and Southwest) without a car ::

The idea began when CSX wanted to sell its right-of-way, continued through this CA Editorial and has culminated in these articles, 1, and 2, regarding Jack Sammons' efforts (with the very kind donation of an anonymous source) to make it happen. [reg. required]

Mean streets of Memphis ::

Why is it so dangerous crossing Memphis streets? [reg. required]

Legendary Memphis Bad Guy Dies ::

Charles "Dago" Tiller has died in Nashville. Tiller went to high school and played basketball with my Dad at what was then called CBC, now called CBHS. According to the story, Tiller also went to Memphis State and was accepted to medical school, like my Dad, before his brawling ways took him in a completely different direction.

A Memphis Gem celebrates anniversary ::

The National Ornamental Metal Museum is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary on top of the bluff. This beautiful museum, its wonderful work and its incredible site overlooking the bend in the River, is the best of Memphis, past, present and future.

New Memphis Music Directory. ::

The Commercial Appeal ran this story about this online directory of Memphis music resources. I think it's great. Unfortunately, I think long-term the quality of info coming out of commercially-funded directories is likely to be tainted by the need to generate revenue.

Tobacco Kills the "Tobacco Kills" Guy. ::

Chris Davis of the Memphis Flyer reports on the death of John W. "Jay" Biggert, known affectionately around town as the "Tobacco Kills" guy, or "Dirty Tricks Were Used" man. The Idea Man appreciates the random crankiness and the inspired typesetting of Mr. Biggert's work. As Davis states, "Whether you admired the man's values or cursed his social politics, there can be little doubt that over time Biggert became (and quite accidentally) Memphis' most prolific and visible folk artist." For more info of this one of a kind street-artiste, here's an earlier story by Davis on Biggert.

Goodbye to a Hero. ::

Army Staff Sgt. Morgan D. Kennon, Memphis' first casualty of the Iraq War, is laid to rest. Memphis has surely lost one of its finest.

National YMCA might choose Memphis. ::

The national headquarters of the YMCA is looking to move and Memphis has put in their bid for the relocation site.

Non-profit organizations like the YMCA are excellent economic development catalysts. The merger/acquisition dynamic of for-profit businesses doesn't affect them and therefore they won't disappear suddenly one day (like Holiday Inns or Promus did). Also they'll bring quality permanent staff to Memphis. Let's hope Memphis' bid wins!

No City Left Behind. ::

City Schools Superintendent Carol Johnson has a plan to fix the problems with 22 underperforming schools. It came quick, since she's been in her office only a few months.

Lots of school administrators would report back a year later with their findings, then form a committee after that. Meanwhile, the schools languish. Johnson apparently won't be working in that mode.

I should note that the Commercial Appeal story doesn't actually deal with the solutions part of the plan -- just the problems that prevent achievement. I'm giving the plan the benefit of the doubt that it actually spells out solutions.

University of Memphis and Grizzlies negotiate possible switcheroo in private. ::

Commercial Appeal columnist Geoff Calkins opines against the private negotiations between the University and the Grizzlies over a possible move of the Tigers to FedEx Forum.