Good morning, Memphis, and thanks for joining us to shoot the freeze. 

Today is Thursday, Feb. 11, and it’s a cold day for those originally scheduled to get their coronavirus vaccination shot; the county health department postponed vaccinations at four area locations today, with appointments rescheduled for next week. All six suburban school districts and the University of Memphis have also canceled classes due to the inclement weather. 

And, if a freeze falls in the forest but all the meetings are virtual, does it make a difference? I don’t know the answer right now, only that the Land Use Control Board was scheduled to take up a proposal today to build six townhomes on the former Brookhaven Circle site of the Windjammer Restaurant (and several legendary karaoke performances by my family and friends). Land Use is also scheduled to vote on a new retail center near TPC Southwind and an amendment to build 260 apartments along U.S. 64 in Eads. 

THE NEED TO KNOW

Could City of Memphis' chief operating officer Doug McGowen, shown here speaking to an activist during a July 2020 protest outside City Hall, or someone like him be selected as the area’s vaccine czar? (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)

Czar turn: While local citizens are looking for vaccines, area leaders are looking for more places to give them out. Seven Memphis City Council members have signed a letter calling for area clergy to offer their “congregational spaces and/or parking areas” for vaccinations, especially in the community’s more vulnerable areas. And with the Germantown/Collierville area already getting its own vaccination site, Bartlett wants one, too. And maybe, as evidenced by those disparate efforts, Shelby County has a problem. The Daily Memphian’s executive editor, Ronnie Ramos, says we need to expand and simplify our local vaccination process, improve communication to the public and appoint a vaccination distribution czar, someone like Memphis COO Doug McGowen, to lead a coordinated effort.

COVID claims young surgeon? In a terrible tragedy, a local orthopedic surgeon in his 30s — and a newlywed, at that — may be the nation’s first case of an adult who died from a delayed immune response to COVID. Dr. J. Barton Williams, with OrthoSouth, passed away Monday. Though an official cause of death has not been determined, doctors believe he suffered from MIS, in which the body’s own immune system causes significant damage to organs. It’s thought Williams had the coronavirus at least a few weeks ago, but he never knew he was infected. 

The $41 million Herff STEM Research building was designed by A2H, a Memphis engineering/design firm, with help from Detroit, Michigan-based SmithGroup. (Submitted)

Research opportunity: The University of Memphis’ engineering facilities were all built 50 or more years ago and, at the time, the school wasn’t doing much research. In the intervening half a century, however, much has changed, and the school plans to begin on a new, $41 million STEM research and classroom building next year. And it’s a big deal. Says the dean of the Herff College of Engineering: “This is the first opportunity we have had, really in the history of the college, to design space specifically for research.”

MEET MEMPHIS

Realtor Cassandra Bell-Warren shows a home virtually in Southaven. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

More than 15 years ago, Cassandra Bell-Warren was working for International Paper and about to be laid off. So, the South Memphis native turned her part-time job, as a realtor, into her full-time career, opening her own real estate office shortly thereafter. Her business now includes property management and, this year, she is the Memphis Area Association of Realtors president.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Ellen and Frank Grisanti have been married for 51 years and opened their first Memphis restaurant in 1973. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Heating things up: If you want to believe in the power (and humor) of love, read Jennifer Biggs’ story today on restaurant couples. They say too many cooks in the kitchen can spoil the broth, but it works for these successful restaurateurs. Of course, you may need to date his brother first. Or, move to California without even a word of goodbye. 

Three’s company: With a win over the Charlotte Hornets last night, the Grizz ended a short losing streak and set a franchise 3-point record. Grayson Allen, Kyle Anderson, Dillon Brooks, Tyus Jones and rookie Desmond Bane all made multiple 3’s, Anderson hitting four of his (yes, there were more than four) from the exact same spot within two minutes. “It’s just a lot of fun,” Anderson said afterwards. “It’s a dream, playing in this league.” In other, less fun news, some of the league’s biggest stars aren’t excited about the prospect of an All-Star Game during this year’s condensed season, and the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant is following suit.

Students run through experiments in a chemistry lab at LeMoyne-Owen College in 2009. (AP file Photo/Greg Campbell)

FedEx ‘LOCs’ in on college students: In an effort to “keep more students in school,” Memphis-based FedEx is pledging $5 million for a new initiative at four historically Black colleges and universities. And, naturally, South Memphis’ own LeMoyne-Owen College is one, alongside Tennessee State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University. 

Back to schools: Local parents, Chris Herrington feels your pain. Herrington writes today of his reluctance to opine on the issue of schools again, given that who we really “need to hear from most on this issue are probably the parents of kids — as advocates for the kids themselves — in Shelby County Schools.” He qualifies, but with a district with this many charter schools, there are many caveats. That said, he presents an idea that many, if not most, can probably get behind. 

WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

The 27th anniversary of the 1994 ice storm. Our current ice storm warning — in effect until noon today — had some people remembering what happened back then. 

But, also, maybe enough is enough? 

MLGW is reporting about 1,800 customers without power as of right at 6 a.m. this morning, which is not too bad in the grand scheme of things ... except for the people without power. 

Thanks for waking up with us on this cold day; we’ll see you tomorrow! 

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