The name Hungry Fire Workshop sounds intriguing, and that is Gino Barzizza’s goal.  A native Memphian, who now lives in the Normal Station neighborhood, is the founder of Hungry Fire, a self-owned art company. 

Barzizza got his undergraduate degree in Texas before traveling to the Big Apple, New York City, to pursue a graduate degree in visual arts. After graduating he stayed in the big city to pursue his career as an artist, but he says Memphis was always on his mind. 

“I was living in New York as an artist but always found myself drawing pictures related to Memphis,” Barzizza said. He started Hungry Fire Workshop in 2006 while he was still living in New York before moving back to Memphis in 2009. 

By Caray Oldham/MicroMemphis Reporter

Memphis based business, Café Eclectic, will bring its fresh baked pastries and one of a kind espresso drinks to the University District by mid-May. The newest café will open underneath the Stratum at the corner of Highland and Mynders, 510 S. Highland St.

It’s a family business owned by the Bouldens. Rachel Boulden says the first café opened in 2008, but she has been in the coffee business for almost 10 years. When her mother got the idea of opening the first location in Midtown she didn’t expect it would ever get this big.

MemFix at Walker-Highland on April 13he event brought Memphians from all over the city to enjoy the vendors, beautiful weather and live music. Here are some photos from the festivities. 

Perfect weather on April 6 made for a great first Blue Tom Fest at the University of Memphis, and due to the success organizers hope to continue the tradition every spring.

More than 100 people were in attendance for the sunny skies, warm weather and good music for the outdoor event. It attracted students, faculty and residents of the University District.

 “I loved this event. Literally my friends and I were talking about sitting outside listening to music that day because it was so beautiful, then I remembered the festival” said Junior Journalism major, Christina Vanelli.

Organizer, Trey Hamilton said it was everything he expected.

“The crowd was diverse and the bands put on great shows.”

The University District is gearing up for the first ever BlueTOM Fest on April 6 at Memorial Field on the University of Memphis campus.

The festival is named after Blue Tom Records, which is the U of M’s student run record label.

The line up will include Star and Micey, Fast Planet, The Chinese Connection Dub Embassy, Lightaho, Alex Inman and Absentease.

Tevin McInnis, a junior at the University of Memphis will be DJ-ing the event.  

“I’m excited to see the musical diversity, and excited to reach out to a different crowd as far a DJ-ing goes,” said McGinnis.

Below are photos from Second Presbyterian Church's weekly collegiate Bible Study called "901". The atmosphere is full of energetic students happy to see each other and worship together. For more information on "901" see previous article written by Caray Oldham.

The area code for Memphis is 901, but to many University of Memphis Students it's more than an area code. It is a time, a place, and a religious safe haven for more than 200 college students every Tuesday night.

Less than a mile from the University of Memphis, nestled between Poplar and Central avenues is the Second Presbyterian Church. Second Pres, as many call it for short, is home to a collegiate outreach ministry called "901."

On any Tuesday night around 9:01 p.m. you can see hundreds of students flooding through the doors of the church for a Bible study led by students where they can share their personal stories, play games and have friendly competitions all while growing their faith.

The St.Anne Catholic Church located on the corner of Highland and Kearney has been a staple of the University District for 75 years. The year 2013 marks St. Anne's 75th anniversary, and the church is in the middle of a huge celebration.             

In September the church kicked off the festivities with a banquet directly following mass. The church's rich history and long standing prestige within the community have allowed it to expand and be one of the top Catholic schools in Memphis. 

Cristy Perry, principal of the St. Anne Catholic School, says the school has great students and alumni support. The school has actually been a part of the University District longer than the church. When the property was purchased on Highland it was turned into a school house. Shortly after, the church was built just north of the school and was dedicated in 1937.