By Charles Gray

A group of students have joined together to better the environment at the University of Memphis. 

Common Cents is a student organization that has events and functions to raise money for a variety of causes ranging from campus beautification to supplying the school with computers. 

Common Cents President Rachel Brandon along with member Eudarius Jones and U of M director of annual giving, Elisa Campbell Shaw, spoke with the UDistrict about Wieners for Seniors—a pop up event where Common Cents gave away free hotdogs in hopes of donations that would go to adding a tree and a bench to the campus landscape. 

By Dee Reneé

The UDistrict has many great eating places from wings and pizza to Mediterranean food. Restaurants such as Brother Juniper's and CK's coffee shop are great places to eat breakfast and to start the day off right. Many restaurants like RP Tracks are trying to find a way to satisfy all types of customers. That's why recently they have added barbecue tofu to their menu to attract vegan and vegetarian customers. 

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By: Dee Reneé

Juicy Jim’s Pizzeria on South Highland Street is the go-to place for open mic on Tuesday nights.

Jim Matson, owner of Juicy Jim’s Pizzeria, is originally from New Jersey, but moved to Memphis in 1992 and opened Juicy Jim’s in 2003.

Matson got the name Juicy Jim when he was 16 and working at a place called Greasy Tony’s, where he impressed two young ladies with his “juicy” burgers.

Toke Up Tuesday is the formal name for the open mic event hosted every Tuesday night, which started two years ago.

It started when University of Memphis student Kenneth Hall asked Matson for the opportunity to make some money and get the restaurant exposure though the open mic night.

Every Tuesday, Jim expects anywhere from 100 to 150 people to crowd his vintage bar for performances. 

“I love coming to Juicy Jim’s on Tuesdays. I love to hear the good and bad performers. Some of the bad ones come back every Tuesday to try and redeem themselves,” Jamon Harvell said a junior engineering major at the university

Throughout the night there are countless acts--some good, some bad. 

Some participants perform spoken word and others perform stand-up comedy.

“I’m here every Tuesday getting on stage showing off  my comedic talents,"said Darius Wilder, a junior at the U of M. "The first couple of times I was pretty nervous but now I’m something like a pro,”

By Jamesa Y. Alston

Memphis' favorite doughnut spot Gibson's Donuts
is now offering late night discounted prices. 

Every night starting at 11  p.m., Gibson’s offers a dozen doughnuts for $3 or a half dozen for $1.50. The discounted prices only last until the doughnuts sell out.

Gibson’s, located at 760 Mt. Moriah Road, has been serving the Memphis area since 1967. It is currently located in the Sea Isle community, near the University of Memphis and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“When I get off work late and I know I would be up until the early morning studying, I would stop by Gibson’s on the way home and grab a dozen of maple bacon donuts and orange
juice,” said Ashley McKinney, a sophomore business major. “Although the doughnuts are made hours early, they are still just as good as the fresh donuts.  I am winning with the discounted price.”

By Dee Reneé

A four-year public college costs an estimated $18,391 per year for in-state students and an organization has found a way to help students get some relief from their increasing tuition and living expenses.

Walking into the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) on Free Food Friday, there's laughing and pool balls scraping against billiard tables.
 
Located just across the street from the University of Memphis at 469 Patterson St., the BCM has served food to college students for the past 10 years.

"I come to get free because I’m a broke student and I need food and I always ask my friends if they want free food to come with me on Fridays," said Rianna Sarmiento, a senior biology major.

Churches from the city come and serve students different meals and deliver a message. The event lasts from noon to 1 p.m. 

 Students must show their college IDs and non-students pay $2.

The $2 goes to the mission's foundation where students go on mission trips.Students go on varies mission trips in hopes of sharing the gospel and the love of Christ with people.

"I love being a part of this organization where I help serve my peers and just fellowshipping and getting to know other students," said Anna Joy Batchelor, a sophomore journalism major

This past Friday Whitehaven Baptist served hot dogs, chips and cookies.

"I haven’t brought anyone but people have brought me and this is my third time here," said Morgan Bell, a freshman music composition major.

Everyone is always welcomed to get seconds.

The meals vary on what the participating church brings to serve the students, which can differ from home cooked meals to barbecue and even pizza.

Late Night appetite is another free meal opportunity hosted by the BCM every third Monday of the month from 9 p.m. till midnight, and they serve breakfast food.

By Kirby Cheers

It takes a village to raise a child and it take hot wings to raise a college student.  

At least that's what one will find when they visit Ching's Hot Wings located at 1264 Getwell Road, one block away from South Campus on the corner of Park.  

On any given weekday, the hot wing restaurant is filled to capacity with standing room only. Placing an order for carry-out over the phone leaves the customer waiting for about 45 minutes on "Scandal Thursdays" and a solid hour for a night of March Madness. Yet, the various, mouth-watering flavors keep Ching's customers coming back and waiting for more each week.  

"It's a good problem to have," Stacey Jackson, one of the co-owners of the popular hot wing restaurant, said. "We talk about the parking. Even with our employees, they will call me and say, 'I'm here, but I can't find a parking space.' It's exciting to see the growth and see where the next level will take us."  

By Dee Reneé

In the past, students have been only able to use their Tiger Funds to purchase things on campus. But recently, the University of Memphis expanded its dining system.

Students can now use their Tiger Funds at Garibaldi’s Pizza, Domino’s Pizza and Ubee’s for dine-in use only.

The program will branch out to other business once the University examines how well the initial launch works out for business because of the cost to the business for implementing a card reader.

“I think it will also help bring new businesses into the district. If businesses knew that students have the ability to use Tiger Funds at their location, they will have an opportunity to get more student money then they will be more inclined to open business in the district,” said Leah Dawkins, a community redevelopment liaison at the U of M.

By L. Taylor Smith

For Americans, the typical Italian meal looks like pizzas piled high with toppings, pasta with thick alfredo sauce and hearty meatballs and never-ending garlic breadsticks.

The reality, though, is that the Italian stereotype is all-American.

When U of M student Faith Roane left the U.S. for a semester abroad in Florence, Italy, she knew that her diet would change dramatically, but said it's primarily been a positive experience. 

“I am always full after eating a decent meal in Italy, but I am never full of regret,” Roane said. “It’s a healthy full, and most of the foods aren’t so heavy that they’ll make you sick." 

Although Italian foods like pasta and pizza are high in carbohydrates, almost all the vegetables and fruits are fresh. At restaurants, menu items that have been frozen are marked. 

"Processed foods are few and far between in Italy," Roane said.

By Dee Reneé

Frederick Plummer “Mr. P” and his family ran a small grocery store together in the late 80s and early 90s. In the back of the store, they sold hot plates ranging from chili cheese smoked sausage to barbeque shoulder.

“Mr. P” came up with a recipe for Buffalo wings. Before they knew it, the wings had become the most requested item on the menu. April Crowder, Plummer’s daughter and one owner of the family franchise, remembers their customers kept saying they should open a restaurant and sell the wings.

And that’s how Mr. P’s was born. The first Mr. P’s was located on 7267 Winchester Road near old Germantown Road.

April said that her father is still the big man in charge, but she and her husband, Alex Crowder, are blessed to own our piece of the pie.

“Now that we have opened near the University of Memphis we are excited about getting to feed the students, as well as all of our new neighbors,” April said.

By Dee Reneé

Many University of Memphis students have yet to notice the price increase by 10 cents at the Subway on campus.

Subway brands their products as low-cost but nutritious meals and promotes their fresh vegetables served daily by their motto "Eat Fresh."

However, two weeks ago the Subway on campus increased their prices on all items excluding the value meals.

“I get the value meal so it not that bad but if I was getting something more expensive, I would be upset,” said Victoria Law, a junior business major with a minor in Japanese.

The $5 foot long deals have not increased in price but there is a 10 cent difference in price with all other items.

Patrick Cook, the retail manager for the Tiger Den, also said that the Chick-fil-A on campus will also have a price increase in the upcoming semester.

Aramark, the University of Memphis's dining services provider, is not responsible for the price increase.