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Bus service in UD is frequently criticized, but remains a necessity for many residents, students

10/27/2013

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By Paul Crum

Susan Price steps down to the sidewalk near Central and Patterson from a city bus running 20 minutes behind schedule.

"I happen to be from southern California," she explains on her way to class. "Having grown up in the big city, I'm used to having public transportation. Although I have to admit that when I moved to Memphis about a year ago, I realized that the bus system here was not the best."

Instead of just complaining, Price seized an opportunity to work toward improving service and joined the Memphis Bus Riders Union last year. A fellow passenger told her the route she was using was about to be cut.

"Somebody got on the bus saying they were going to cut out the Five Central, which services the campus from downtown," she said. "They were passing out handbills."The flyer she read that day eventually led her to meetings of the Memphis City Council and the Memphis Area Transit Authority Board of Commissioners.

"They (the Bus Riders Union) raised the consciousness about the bus system here in Memphis," Price claims. "They went to the city council meetings and encouraged them to fund the bus system. They went to the commissioners for MATA and encouraged them use the funds they receive from the city of Memphis to make the bus system better."

Her group did have some success in staving off budget cuts and the elimination of some routes. However, she sees funding as a major hurdle that must be overcome before the system attracts more riders.

"Memphis doesn't have really bad congestion like cities in southern California," Price pointed out. "More people would ride the bus if the system was better, and it used to be much better than it is now. The bus system is not getting the public funds that they have gotten in the past.”

Price, who states her age as "over 50," studies business at the University of Memphis. She talked about recent budget cuts, government sequestration and the effect it has on the population served by public transportation. Some of the stories fellow bus riders told in the public meetings were heart wrenching, she said.

"Some of them were just pouring out their hearts to the commissioners," Price remembered. “Transportation is one of those things like housing and food. In this economy a lot of people are falling to the bottom. The safety net has sprung some leaks. If you don't have a good transportation system in your city, you're going to have a population of people who can't get to those jobs that are marginal at best."

Joyce Martin expresses even harsher criticism of MATA. Waiting at her stop on Park Avenue, her arm bandaged from that morning's plasma donation at the center across the street, she vents her frustration.

"I'm not happy with the services,” Martin said. "They've changed the routes, they've cut some of the bus routes – I'm not satisfied."

The Willet Street resident said she lived on disability payments and that life was even harder without dependable transportation.

"It's hard to get from one place to another because the buses are always late, " she fumed.

On the opposite side of Park Avenue, Misty Gray stared down the street waiting for her eastbound bus. She pulled a wheeled cart that she hoped to fill with items from the shopping trip she had planned.

"The bus is not dependable," she said. "The schedule is not adhered to and they are usually late."

Gray added that it could be particularly aggravating when trying to get groceries back to her home on Stuart Road.

"Sometimes when I've been grocery shopping," she said, "my frozen food and perishables start to thaw while I'm waiting on the bus."

Despite criticism of MATA by some of those it serves, Joy Rogers Stout, Director of Adult Commuter Student Services at the U of M, thinks many commuters could benefit from utilizing public buses.

“I do see bus transportation as a viable alternative for commuters who live in areas where bus stops are convenient,” she said. “This mode of transportation is capable of being a successful alternative because it is an economical way to get to a lot of places in our city if you do not have a car or any other means of transportation.”

She added that even those who owned a car might could save on gas and eliminate the stress that comes with driving in heavy traffic.

Near Stout’s office in the University Center is a rack of schedules and route sheets offered by MATA. Her department also provides information to parents and new students during orientation, and she pointed out that MATA representatives participate in the “Transportation, Car Care and Safety Expo” held during their annual Commuter Student Appreciation Week.”

Still, she recognizes why some might be hesitant to avail themselves of public transportation.

“I think that students would be reluctant to use MATA bus services because of the limited bus stop locations and the amount of time that it takes to get from point A to point B, due to the intermittent stops along the way,” Stout admitted.

She said that predetermined attitudes and cultural behaviors that are associated with riding the bus might dictate some reluctance to using public bus transportation.

The perception that bus riders may not be able to afford a car was echoed by José Meza who, from his vantage point working the desk at the University Information Center near Richardson Towers, has a good view of the bus stop near Central and Patterson.

“My shift is from 7:30 a.m. until about 10 a.m.,” said Meza, a freshman. “ I see a few stops and four to six people get off at a time. I see all ages and ethnicities, but some of the people might not be financially able to have a car, and that’s a big deal I think.”

Meza also speculated that some of the bus riders might not want to deal with parking on campus.

Parking is definitely an issue for freshman Rebekah Davis who commutes from Lakeland.

“I have to leave for classes two hours early if I want to get a spot on Central on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” she said.

Even with the early wake-up, Davis will continue to drive herself to the University.

“I do not consider public transportation an option,” she said, “because it’s sketchy.”

Despite its drawbacks, Susan Price will deal with whatever problems public transportation brings.

“That doesn't deter me,” she said. “That just means that I have to make it work for me because I use public transportation. I'm different in that way because most people would try to just save up and get a car. No, I believe public transportation should be good in every city. It's just a matter of time before the people of Memphis realize that they have to invest in that.”

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Ubee's: Deals offered daily on the edge of UM campus

10/27/2013

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By Meagan Nichols

In any business, success is largely dependent on knowing the customer demographic or target audience.

With reasonable prices, constant specials and a large alcohol selection, Ubee’s restaurant located on the Highland Strip definitely understands its University of Memphis neighbor.
Ubee's is one of five restaurants owned by 30-year-old Kendall Robertson and his mother, Sandy Robertson. Dyer’s Burgers, Alfred’s on Beale, Automatic Slim’s and Cafe Ole comprise the other four. Robertson also owns Catering For U.
 With roughly 100 employees to manage and multiple restaurants to maintain, Robertson said a typical day starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 3 a.m. the next morning.

“I’ve been running the restaurants for about six years now, and I’ve been working in them since I was probably two years old with my parents,” Robertson said. “It’s a challenging life. You don’t sleep much and you work 24 hours a day seven days a week, but it’s different and it’s fun and it’s definitely not sitting behind a desk or anything, but I enjoy it.”

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City Council delayed hearing  on McDonald's opposed cite-plan

10/22/2013

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PictureAttorney David Wade
By Hassan Allawi

Memphis City Council delayed the hearing of McDonald’s opposed development on the 
corner of Southern and Highland to Dec. 17.

“We are looking at an alternate plan and we would like to look into it a little bit more accurately and closely and maybe work with the University District and hopefully come to some kind of a compromise,” said Cindy Reeves, McDonald’s representative, to city council members on Tuesday, Oct. 15. 

Attorney David Wade, who represents the neighbors opposing the development, immediately objected. He said that he’d met with the developer and was shown the proposed changes.

“The design that is going to come before you on Dec. 17 will still incorporate the basic objection that all these people are here today to oppose. So we do oppose it because it will be fruitless,” he said.

 Wade told city council members the hearing was postponed two weeks the first time, and people who prepared to attend the hearing were called off on a short notice. 

“A lot of people have taken the time off to come down here today, and we would respectfully urge the city council to move forward with the application today,” he said.


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City council votes to delay McDonalds vote another two months

10/22/2013

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By Kylcye Bolden

University District community citizens walked out of the council chambers on Oct. 15 after city leaders granted McDonalds' representatives a delay to reevaluate plans for their new location.

The community was led out by their attorney, David Wade, who called the delay “fruitless” and a “waste of time.”  Wade and many members of the UD community object to having a drive-thru loop on Highland and Southern Avenue, which completely neglecting the University District Overlay.

Since its adoption, every project has “required some type of variance to meet the overlay,”
said Brian Bacchus from the Office of Planing and Development.

Planners for the new restaurant remain steadfast about having a drive-thru despite it conflicting with the plan meant to maintain the aesthetic of the UD. 

SR Consulting LLC representative, Cindy Reaves, assured the council members that the civil engineering firm would use the extra time to adopt a better plan that will meet “more of the intent of the overlay” but still include a drive-thru.

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McDonald's uncompromising design intends to clog traffic and be an eyesore to the overlay

10/18/2013

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By Erica Holmes

Neighbors from the University District banded together at City Hall Tuesday, Oct. 15, to hold SR consulting firm accountable for stalling the vote and to keep a wrap around drive-thru loop out of the design plans. 

The University Neighborhoods Development Corporation (UNDC) explained to the council that McDonald's has no intention to let go of their design ideas that go against the flow of the overlay. 

Earlier that afternoon a couple of government relations’ workers including community liaison, Leah Dawkins, from the University of Memphis went before Chairman Harold Collins’ Land Use committee.

"Collins told us that he is sending it downstairs to open session because there is a lot of public opposition," Dawkins said. "It is considered a hot-button issue."

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Soldier Priest fought battle to integrate restaurants in UD

10/18/2013

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Picture
Ed Wallin was a campus priest who worked against racial discrimination in the turbulent civil rights era.
By Paul Crum

As he prepared to enter a cab at the airport, the driver stopped him, saying, “I can take the colored gentleman, but you’ll have to wait on a white driver, sir.”

“That was my welcome to Memphis,” Wallin remembered.

As the new chaplain at the Memphis State Catholic Student Center, known then as the Neuman Center, the Paulist priest soon learned that campus life was not easy for the small, but increasing number of African-American students enrolled there.


“The cafeteria was the only place black students could eat,” Wallin said. “None of the local restaurants would let them in the door.”

It had been only three years prior that African-Americans had been admitted to the university. When the institution was founded in 1912 as the West Tennessee State Normal School, only three requirements had to be met for admission: students had to be 16-years-old, an elementary school graduate and white.


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Pink Palace Crafts Fair creates business for local artists

10/18/2013

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By Natalie Cole

Generating business and gaining a following can be a daunting task when starting a business from the ground up, but making the right connections can make all the difference.

The 41st Annual Crafts Fair offered the platform for many who are trying to give their business a boost as well as those who are established but also value additional exposure.

No different than years past, “one of the city's most popular fall gatherings,” according to The Commercial Appeal, brought out “many, many thousands,” stated John Morrison, a volunteer for the weekend event.

The fair offered something for everyone hosting over 250 vendors creating and selling jewelry, wood crafts, T-shirts, painting and clay sculpting as well as activities for kids, live music, a petting area,and multiple food options.

The Pink Palace, who sponsors the event, has a mission statement to “inspire people to learn...,” which is exactly what people had the opportunity to do at the event as well as get in a little shopping.

“This event is important because the museum likes to educate people, and so we had the first two tents just demonstrating the craftsmen that teach the old arts of weaving, pottery, glass-throwing, and stuff like that,” said Claudia Stenberg.

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Pink Palace crafts fair offers free art and food

10/18/2013

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By Margot Pera

For Mary Michael Ryan, perusing the booths and noshing on succulent treats at the Pink Palace crafts fair is a part of family tradition.

“When I was in elementary school we went every year; all I really remember are the corn dog stands and the homemade biscuits,” Ryan said, laughing. “I always got to buy something too so that was fun.”

This is the Pink Palace’s 41st year to put on the event at Audubon Park. Most of the staff that works at the fair are volunteers from an organization called Friends of the Pink Palace.

“I think this fair is a great fundraiser for the museum because it gives artisans and craftsmen an opportunity to showcase their work, and it is also very family friendly,” said Sally Coleman, the fair’s treasurer. “On average, we raise about $100,000.”

Ryan, a 25-year-old graduate student at Memphis College of Art., attends the fair for more than just a weekend festivity. For her, it is a place to get inspiration for her portfolio.

“I love seeing the dedication of the people that work for themselves, selling their own art and being successful at it,” Ryan said. “I love seeing the different techniques used and meeting local artists.”

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New dance studio combines various aspects of African culture

10/18/2013

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The mission statement of fellow dance company Zombi Commonidade Capoeira Angola pledges to spread the knowledge of Capoeira.
Clockwise from left: The mission statement of fellow dance company Zombi Commonidade Capoeira Angola pledges to spread the knowledge of Capoeira. The official logo of the same company depicts two lions standing on their hind legs on either side of a circle with a male silhouette holding a spear. The berimbau (pictured here) is a bow-like instrument commonly used in Capoeira sessions. A rectangular wooden counter displays various pieces of jewelry and lotions. 
By Melissa Wray

Sah Ankh Sa Maat always knew she wanted to study dancing. When she was 19 years old and first encountered the art of African dance at Hampton University, she knew that it was best suited for her.

After graduating from Hampton, she admitted that her move to Memphis in 2003 merely started out as something new to do.

That later evolved into the opening of a dance studio under the Abule Fan Music and Dance company located on 644 S. Highland St., dedicated to teaching people the different aspects of traditional African dance and other topics.

“Aside from African dance, what we will be teaching people includes meditation classes on Saturday mornings, classes in Capoeira Angola, an Afro fitness class, and several holistic health services,"  Sa Maat said.

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City council votes for a delay of McDonald's on Highland

10/17/2013

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By Kelsey Gilliam

Opposition to plans for a new restaurant in the University District continue to complicate McDonald's Corporation from constructing their new building on the Highland Strip.

On Tuesday night, the city council debated whether to delay the vote on the application for the build of a new McDonald's on the southeast corner of Highland and Southern.

President Cindy Reeves, from the SR Consulting firm, asked the council for a delay on proceeding forward until Dec. 17, in order for the design team to create an alternate plan to accommodate the wishes of the neighbors of the University District.

Attorney David Wade advised the council to move forward on the vote since the issue has been on hold for five months. He argued that the proposed plans would not address the basic objection that the neighbors had with the original plan.

The issue surrounding the vote on the application is the proposed loop-around drive-thru that will not comply with the University District Overlay. The overlay standards have been an issue with many developments in the University District.

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