Calkins: The new mayor offers ‘hope.’ And, yes, that’s a start.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young offered fresh “hope” at his swearing-in ceremony. And while that won’t solve the city’s many problems, it is at least a good start.
Topic: Geoff Calkins
RSSThere are 416 article(s) tagged Geoff Calkins:
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January 2024
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December 2023
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Calkins: A story about best friends, marching bands, W.C. Handy — and the Liberty Bowl
Will Plenk and Christian Carichner were once college roommates. Friday, they’ll be directing the Memphis and Iowa State marching bands at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. It’s a story about life, about friendship — and about tubas.
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Calkins: Ja Morant is back — and the Grizzlies are, too
Ja Morant was back at FedExForum Thursday. But you know what else was back? Fun! It suddenly seems like a whole new season for the Grizzlies. And in this season, the Grizzlies are a perfect 2-0.
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Calkins: Morant says he’s been ‘counting the days’ — just like the rest of us
Ja Morant spoke to the media Friday. It wasn’t some raw apology press conference. But he said all the right things. He said he is learning to “protect his peace.” If the man can do that, good things will surely follow.
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Calkins: Mike Norvell got shafted by the system? Memphis knows how he feels.
“Mike Norvell and Florida State got left out? Memphis fans understand how that feels. The entire system of college sports is based on leaving universities out, no matter how deserving. Fairness has nothing to do with it.”
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November 2023
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Calkins: Wait, why all the fuss about streamers? On a strangely wonderful night for the Grizz.
The Grizzlies won a home game for the first time in 218 days Wednesday. So when the streamers fell, people scrambled to collect them as if they had never seen them before. On a night of joy and relief at FedExForum. Which will just have to do, for now.
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How a young doctor came to love Memphis and St. Jude. And, along the way, changed the world.
Dr. Justin Baker never intended to stay nearly 20 years in Memphis. But he came to love both the city and his work at St. Jude Children’s Research hospital. Now he’s is leaving for Stanford — but not before sharing some lessons he learned along the way.
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October 2023
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Calkins: She’s 107. She still lives alone. The secret? It’s not what you think.
Martha McAnespie celebrated her 107th birthday over the weekend. Yes, her 107th. And she still lives alone. The Daily Memphian got her story and her secret, too. It’s not what you might think.
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Calkins: Yep, the Grizzlies lost another opener. But you should have seen the happy tears.
Sure, the home team lost another opener. But there were actual happy tears at the game. Why? Because the Memphis Grizzlies are back for their 23rd year.
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Calkins: He was held up at gunpoint — and he can’t imagine working anywhere else.
“There is a lot of negative press about this city. But there’s good stuff happening, every day,” says Cody Behles, director of innovation and research support at the University of Memphis.
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Calkins: A new mayor and a new dog, too? Things are looking up!
Paul Young will be the new mayor of Memphis. And you should feel optimistic about that. Yes, optimistic. It may have gone out of fashion. But Young just might bring it back.
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September 2023
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Calkins: Hey, look! The Daily Memphian is 5! (But it wasn’t a piece of cake).
“Who starts up a newspaper these days? What a preposterous thing to do. But in just five years, The Daily Memphian has become one of the things that binds this city together. That’s worth pausing to celebrate.”
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Calkins: Once again — this time on 901 Day — Memphians will Finish Liza’s Run
“In a perfect world, we would have a Memphis where we didn’t have to run scared. But I don’t think that day is here yet. And I don’t think we will get there if we quit.”
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August 2023
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Calkins: Jennifer Biggs was a friend to all Memphis — whether you had met her or not
Jennifer Biggs wrote about food and people and angels and whiskey. When she died Wednesday of complications from cancer, Memphis lost one of its best friends.
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Calkins: Say a prayer for MLGW. Or maybe for those who depend on it?
When Lexie Johnston checked her “Ceaseless Prayer” app Tuesday, she laughed out loud. It suggested she pray for MLGW. Yes, MLGW. It’s been that kind of week in Memphis. Or that kind of week, again.
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Calkins: Meet the most interesting woman in Memphis. (She’s 94 years old and has 19 kids.)
Annie Ruth Taylor, 94, has 19 kids, 54 grandkids and 124 great-grandkids. OK, that’s just a rough count. But take a moment to meet the most interesting woman in Memphis — who lives in a most interesting house.
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July 2023
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Calkins: Is there enough cash for the Grizzlies and the football stadium? Turns out, maybe not.
It could be that there isn’t enough for money both FedExForum and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. And that is — at the very least — worrisome.
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Calkins: I never met Roy Herron. He inspires me, just the same.
I never met Roy Herron. But I’m one of the thousands he touched. Herron — who died Sunday from injuries suffered in a Jet Ski accident earlier this month — left a legacy even more meaningful than his 26 years in public office. It’s a legacy of kindness, of showing up.
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June 2023
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Calkins: Jennifer Biggs brought us together for lunch again. Even though she was stuck in a hospital room.
“Jennifer Biggs missed The Daily Memphian lunch Friday — because she is in the hospital with Stage 4 colon cancer. But it was fitting that 70 people came together, over delicious food, to wish Biggs well. They are a part (a small part!) of the joyous community that Biggs has built with her enthusiasm, her commitment and her words.”
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Calkins: I’ve covered Memphis sports for 27 years. Now it’s time for something else.
“I came to Memphis 27 years ago to cover sports, but, starting today, I’m going to be writing about something else. And I’m going to need your help.”
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Columnist Geoff Calkins wins major writing award
The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins wins the prestigious Gary Lundy Sports Writer of the Year award; John Varlas, Drew Hill also take victories in the annual TSWA state writing contest.
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May 2023
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Calkins: Was Ja Morant saying goodbye to social media? Or was he saying something else?
“To me, it didn’t sound like a farewell to social media. It sounded like someone in pain. ... Maybe the better question isn’t what the NBA will hand down, but how the league will help Morant go forward from here.”
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Calkins: Ja Morant has the chance to cut gun violence in Memphis. Here is the plan.
“Whenever Morant returns, and no matter what sort of discipline he serves, he should consider embracing a new role as a spokesperson against guns and gun violence.”
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Calkins: Ja Morant got a $39 million lesson. And he didn’t learn a thing.
Wait, Ja Morant was on social media with a handgun AGAIN? The man just got a $39 million lesson. And it turns out, he may not have learned a thing.
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Ja Morant suspended from team activities after new social media video flashing apparent handgun
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Daily Memphian sports writers snag honors in AP contest
The 2022 Associated Press Sports Editors competition, marks the first time The Daily Memphian sports department, under the direction of sports editor David Boyd since September 2022, has had a Triple Crown win.
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