“In saving Overton Park for the city, against its wishes at the time, (Citizens to Preserve Overton Park) may have saved Memphis from itself,” he said.

The Penny Hardaway Hall of Fame Building at the University of Memphis on Normal Street will be the site of a lecture featuring its namesake.

Former NBA player Penny Hardaway will join CNN Senior Producer Wayne Drash and Lester Middle School basketball head coach Desmond Merriweather in a lecture and book signing. The event is sponsored by the University of Memphis Bookstore and will take place from 6 to 9 p. m. May 8.

Drash is the author of a book entitled “On These Courts: A Miracle Season that Changed a City, a Once-Future Star, and a Team Forever.” In his book, he discusses how Hardaway took the reigns when his friend, Merriweather, was stricken with cancer, and coached Lester to become a winning team.

Drash said that his experiences working with Merriweather and Hardaway made him feel more than welcomed to be in their presence.

The frequently busy intersection of Highland Street and Walker Avenue was crowded as usual on April 13, but it wasn’t because of the typical hustle and bustle of students rushing to get to class on time.  It was filled with people who wanted to get involved with MemFix.

MemFix was created by the Mayor’s Innovation Delivery Team, which focuses on fixing problems in urban neighborhoods.  The event began last November in an effort to improve Cleveland Street.  Afterwards, the University Neighborhood Development Corp. and University District Business Alliance decided to bring MEMfix to the University area.

By Erica Hartsfield/MicroMemphis reporter

Residents of the University District as well as others throughout the Memphis area have the opportunity to participate in the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society’s Second Annual Mega
Adoptathon at the shelter located at 935 Farm Road, Memphis.

This 36-hour Adoptathon, sponsored by Hollywood Feed, starts today at 8 a.m. and continues through Saturday, April 6.  Adoptions will range anywhere from free to $36.  Other participants in the event include Blue Sky Dog Rescue and Memphis Animal Services.

Katie Pemberton, a volunteer dog walker at the Humane Society, said that the Humane Society  wanted to have a day where shelters and rescue centers could come out and contribute to this event, but what is most important is that the community is in attendance.

East Buntyn residents are preparing to spend a little time in the yard for the upcoming 4th Annual East Buntyn ArtWalk.

Gaye Swan, who is in charge of publicity for the event, is a new member of the ArtWalk committee.  She said one of the best aspects of the event is the camaraderie amongst the neighborhood’s residents.

“The best part of the ArtWalk is the overall vibe -- it is so cool to walk around, visit neighbors, meet new friends and get a look at the amazing art coming from local artists,” she said.

On April 7, local musicians and artists will present their work in the East Buntyn area, which residents say is the heart of Memphis.  There will be an art sale from 2 to 6 p.m. and live music from 2 to 7 p.m.

The University of Memphis’ Park Avenue Campus is getting a long-awaited facelift with Gov. Bill Haslam’s announcement in January of $45 million of a community health building.

The Community Health Building will be the new home of the Loewenberg School of Nursing, which is now housed in the Billy Mac Jones Building.  It will also serve as the location for the Memphis Speech and Hearing Center and the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, which are both currently combined into one facility.

Director of Development at the University Lendon Ellis said this new building will be more convenient for all, as the current setup is causing a divide.

red awning that drapes below the smiling face of a clown and the shop’s logo in big, red letters.