“Older Americans Month’s theme ‘Powered by Connection’ recognizes ‘the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being.’”

“We cannot just wait, though, until students reach our doors as adults. We have to reach them earlier and younger; we cannot, however, do it alone.”

“Track is unique because it is both an individual and a team sport. It is a meritocracy in which the best time wins and the fastest athletes get to perform regardless of the opinions of parents or coaches. But the competition in track is not just between runners, but most importantly within each runner too.”

“Chronic absenteeism has a devastating impact on a child’s achievement and long-term potential. However, we refuse to accept this as fate; instead, we view it as a call to action for our entire community.”

“Each and every one of us has an Elizabeth Lemmonds in our lives. Each and every one of us could be Elizabeth Lemmonds with just a few shifts of circumstance. How long will we wait for our turn at medical bankruptcy?”

“Keeping criminals off our streets and encouraging good parenting are crucial steps in improving public safety in Tennessee,” state Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, writes. “This remains my priority.”

Far too many people, including children, in Memphis continue to end up on the streets, living in cars out of the parking lots of libraries and Walmarts and disappearing into the background of the hustle and bustle of this city.

“Contrary to what activist groups might have you think, Memphians agree about the problems of and solutions to crime. Right now, Memphians need to not only remind ourselves, but also remind our elected leaders that we are united. Memphis stands together.”

“We spent months holding community meetings, conducting door-to-door surveys, taking phone calls and opening the proposed site daily for the Memphis Urban Wood project.”

“By embarking on this ambitious journey, Memphis has the opportunity to pioneer an innovative and inclusive model of community well-being, setting a precedent for cities worldwide.”

Study after study show that 123456 is one of the most common passwords. Others in the top 10 include 12345678, qwerty (the first five letters on a keyboard), ********, 1q2w3e (check your keyboard to see why) and the word “password” itself.

“This bill is not about safety; it is about perpetuating the myth that more guns in more places make us safer.”

The potential negative health consequences and disregard for community voices associated with this project demand national attention, as these unfounded “carbon management” projects are targeting Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities across the country.

“We are focused on making our vision of bringing an academic medical center to Memphis a reality and transforming Memphis and the Mid-South into a healthier, more vibrant place to live and work.”

“Transit is not the ‘poor folks people mover’ – it’s an economic engine that will help power the reemergence of our city and ultimately this region.”

“An intentional focus on our cultural economy from the top can be a gamechanger for our city. Let us finally embrace and profit from this rich natural resource the way other cities have – off of our artists, our creators, our backs – for years.”

“Memphis women earned 82% of what their male counterparts earned. ... But by working together, we can make an impact.”

“Macsovits has taken what she’s been taught in the course of a lifetime, married it with the deeper and broader perspective she has earned in motherhood, and is now passing it on to others.”

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Echols: Stories of hope, joy, learning: Everett beats the odds

“We all know anytime there are gifts being opened, anytime there’s ice cream and field trips and dress up and games, anytime someone is empowered to do something they could not do before, there’s a party going on.”

“Frankly, I don’t worry about the kids we serve within our schools. I worry about the kids we don’t. What happens to them? Where do they go? And most importantly, how can I help them?”

“Rental property owners can reduce crime by utilizing police calls for service information at their properties. This is no untested theory. It is a proven method that has been put into practice in other crime-ridden neighborhoods in Memphis. And it works.”

Even if you’ve determined a business opportunity is legitimate, be sure it’s right for you. Ask what you’d be selling or doing, how shoppers would find you, what your expenses would be and when you could expect to turn a profit.

“You can imagine our disappointment when there is $140 million allocated in the budget by Governor Bill Lee for private school vouchers, but none for state and federally mandated Early Childhood Special Education. How can that possibly be?”

“Sometimes in our race to the finish line, to complete the demands of the day, we forget to stop for a moment to appreciate the folks who spent a lifetime before us trying to make Memphis the place where we want to live.”

In the next several weeks: Ramadan is observed until April 9; Christians celebrate Easter March 31 and Jews will celebrate Passover April 22 - 30. I pray that these holy days where we each believe God loves us in a special way can open our hearts to remember that God loves us all just the same.