De-Stress Around the Holidays and Through The Year

Do you want a way to rewind and de-stress?  "Mindfulness" is the new way to do that.  Here are some great tips on how to embrace this philosophy in your home.


Mindfulness is being embraced everywhere these days, from the Kindergarten classroom to the company retreat. What is mindfulness, exactly? Susan Smalley, Ph.D., and Diana Winston, co-authors of Fully Present, say that mindfulness is "an accepting and kind attitude toward yourself and your present moment experience." One that will change your relationship to life.

Sounds enticing, huh? Here are a few tips on how to integrate the practice of mindfulness into your home.

1. Set an intention when you wake up. Before you get out of bed, take a few deep breaths and a minute to give thanks for the day. What do you want to accomplish today beyond your to-do list? What do you want to appreciate, acknowledge, and communicate in your life?

2. Make your bed. Making your bed is a productivity-enhancing and mood-boosting habit that can promote the adoption of other healthy habits. Take three minutes (yep, I timed it) and start your day off right.

3. Do your laundry. Karen Maezen Miller, a Zen Buddhist priest and author of Hand Wash Cold: Care Instructions for an Ordinary Life, says, "A full hamper reminds us that running away from the things we would rather avoid makes our lives feel like an endless chore. Face it. Taking responsibility for your own well-being is the first step in transformation."

4. Practice mindful eating. Eat when you are hungry, not when you are tired, sad, anxious or bored. Take a minute to appreciate your food: Where did it come from? How did it make its way to you? What people might have been involved in getting the food to your plate? How will this food nourish you? (Studies show that when we practice mindful eating, we take in only what is necessary.)

5. Turn off the TV, the computer and any other stimulating devices at least two hours before bed every evening. Our brains need time to build melatonin, which is critical for deep rest. Personally, I find that this technology curfew is one of the best House Rules I have.

6. Slow down; Literally. When we race around at a frenetic pace, our minds operate at the same speed. And who can sleep at night when your head is spinning like a Nutcracker ballerina after too many Red Bulls? When you slow down your physical actions, even just the smallest bit, your shoulders relax, your jaw un-clenches, and your mind can be a bit more at ease.

7. Pause to think about your consumption. Give gratitude to all of the people behind each purchase: The person who delivered your Amazon package, the person who packed it and shipped it, the person who assembled your new book, the person who wrote it, edited it, the list goes on and on. Think also about how your consumption affects the greater world. Do you really need to order another pair of shoes from Zappos? Think of everything that this purchase means; it's not just a new pair of shoes. It's a pair of shoes that requires a box, packaging materials, time and energy to ship, time and energy to store and maintain, time and energy to pass it along once it is no longer serving you. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give yourself is deciding NOT to purchase something.

8. Take a ten minute "mind re-set" break in the middle of the day. We live in a world that is turned on at full-speed, full-blast, full time. The body craves balance and one great way to achieve it is by doing nothing for ten minutes a day. Mindfulness is sometimes called the "seat belt of mental health." The body cultivates what we practice and practice changes the breath. By practicing becoming relaxed and aware, we can actually become more so in our daily life.

Fasten your seat belts, because the holidays are here. This holiday season, consider taking a few minutes each day to cultivate a home that is more mindful, a mind that is more peaceful, and an attitude that keeps you happier at home.

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

Make Your Own Wreath

Do you need a great holiday gift that is from the heart?  You can make your loved ones their own personalized Christmas Wreath.  Here is a great step by step guide to creating a great homemade gift for your friends and family.

Supplies:• An assortment of evergreen clippings (ask for scraps at a tree lot or use clippings from the bottom of your own tree)
• Staple gun
• Garden clippers
• Wire
• Round or octagonal wood frame
• Berry branches, pinecones, ribbon, ornaments or other decorations

Prep Work:
You can purchase basic round frames or build your own. To create your own, miter wood slats to form on octagon. The wood frame is relatively light, yet sturdy enough to hold staples and be reused each year. At the end of the season, simply remove the staples and save the frame for next year.

Cut evergreen branches that are 8"-18" in length. Depending on the size and fullness you're looking for, gather larger or smaller pieces.

Making Your Wreath:
Use the staple gun to attach each branch to the wood frame. For some of the thicker branches, staple from an offshoot instead of the main branch. One staple per branch is usually sufficient.
Overlap the branches as you add them and take a step back to look at your progress every few staples. The wreath will look a little wild and full at first, but that's okay, you will trim it later. As you near the starting point you'll have to slide the branches beneath those you already stapled in order to create a full circle of greenery all the way around.

Manicuring Your Wreath:
For the trimming it's best to hang your wreath first. Wrap a thick piece of wire around the frame and form a loop at the top.
Trim around the edges. Don't trim a perfect edge, but rather trim within an inch or two of the adjacent branch. You want the wreath to appear circular, yet natural. Trim the center so that you can see a hole, but not so much that you reveal the frame. Step back every so often to check your work and adjust.

Decorating Your Wreath:
Use found objects to keep costs down and create a natural looking wreath. Borrow ornaments from your tree or get creative with gift wrapping supplies.


For more information see Apartment Therapy.

5 Tips for a Beautiful Tree

Have you decorated the Christmas Tree yet?  Here are some great tips on how make that tree look like it is from a catalog.  Start early and make sure to get all the materials you need to have the tree of your dreams in your home.


1. To create more visual impact, hang larger, bolder ornaments closer to the trunk, and lighter, more simple ornaments closer to the edge.

Bigger ornaments can stand out against the bushiness of a tree's interior, and branches are stronger at the base, so this rule just makes plain good sense to follow. Use Glitter Spiked Burst Ornaments to punctuate the interior branches of your tree. Also consider tucking a few larger ornaments, like Paper Mache Animal Ornaments in spots where branches are sparse to fill up space and give your tree a fuller look.

2. Hang smaller ornaments near the top, and larger ones closer to the bottom.

Remember learning in art history class how the Greeks curved the columns of the Parthenon to make them appear straighter and taller when viewed from the ground? You can used the same forced-perspective technique on your tree! Placing smaller ornaments above eye level will subtly make your tree seem taller. It's also smarter as the smaller, more tender branches near the top are often not strong enough to carry the weight of large ornaments. Of course, the one exception to this rule is your tree-topper. The Capiz Star Tree Topper will seem even brighter and bolder when surrounded by smaller, more delicate ornaments at the top of your tree.

3. Mix up shapes and textures.

Variety is key to a perfectly decorated tree.Though it makes sense to stick with an overall theme when selecting ornaments, try to branch out in terms of texture and type. Knits are a great way to add a new, cozy texture to your collection. Try some Knit Animal Ornaments, or Knit Mitten Ornaments for cute shapes and comfy textures. If your tree has a more modern look, consider trimming with Knit Ball Garlands which add a new texture and shape in a clean, simple manner.

4. Use white lights to show off bright ornaments.

White lights, especially super-brights LEDs, provide the cleanest light for showing off glittering ornaments. When decorating your tree consider the placement of shiny ornaments in relation to strings of light. Shatterproof Blue/Green Ornaments, for example, will shine especially bright when reflecting nearby lights.

5. Estimate 150 lights per vertical foot of tree.

150 lights per foot of tree will provide a very luminous glow. Enough to illuminate ornaments as well as provide a soft light for the room.

Of course, none of these tips are very helpful if you don't have a tree to begin with! Artificial trees have come a long way since the days of bright pink metallic "trees". (Though if you're going for a retro Kitschmas, you could still get away with that one). Target has a wide selection, and we're a fan of the 7.5-ft Pre-lit Balsam Fir from Philips. It comes with a stand and is lit with 500 clear mini-bulbs so it's easy to set up. You can also choose an artificial tree by variety, like this Virginia Fir. Whichever tree you choose this year, follow the tips above for great results!

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

DIY Holiday Decorations

Apartment Therapy has some great suggestions for do it yourself holiday decorations.  Everyone from felt snow balls to a fur wreath with instructions on how to add these pieces to your house.   Do you have any homemade decoration tips that you use at your apartment?

After buying presents, food for the holiday meal, and a tree, there isn't always much left over for extras. This year we're trying to save money in my household - and have some fun - by making a lot of our own ornaments and decorations, but still want a modern look. Here are fifteen DIY ornaments that fit the bill:

1. Winter Wonderland Ornament: Craftberry Bush
2. Felt Ball Garland: My Sparkle
3. DIY 'Confetti System' Ornaments: A Lovely Lark
4. Felt Snow Ball Ornaments: The Purl Bee
5. Pom Pom Ornaments: Design Love Fest
6. Patterned Paint Marker Ornaments: Aesthetic Outburst
7. Faux Bois Vases: Centsational Girl
8. Felt Ogee Ornament: Betz White
9. Twine Snowflake: Fellow Fellow
10. Brass Tack Baubles: Fellow Fellow
11. Doily Star Tree-Topper: Martha Stewart
12. Accordion Paper Trees: Julep
13. Geometric Straw Ornament: Elsie Marley
14. Fur Wreath: Nesting Place
15. Flapper Trees: The House that Lars Built

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Spend some time with your friends and family and remember everything in life that you are thankful for.

Home Travel for the Holidays

You just have to make it through this week of classes, and then you get to go home for Thanksgiving.  No matter how long your drive is, you need to make sure you are prepared for holiday travel.  Keep reading to find out how to prepare for your road trip.

Planning to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with family and friend? You won’t be alone. The AAA forecasts 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, marking a 4-percent increase over last year. Before you embark, consider these tips to help prepare you and your car for whatever challenges might be faced on the road.

1. Fuel up. Don’t head out on a long trip without a full tank of gas. In addition to topping off the tank, also check fluids and tire pressures before you leave.

2. Be prepared. Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Stock your car with an emergency kit—especially a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, and some basic tools. Also, bring water and extra snacks, just in case.

3. Pack smart. Check your vehicle’s load capacity to make sure you aren’t putting too much weight in the car. On most new cars, the total weight you can carry is printed on a placard (sticker) inside the driver’s door jamb. This load rating includes all the passengers and cargo. Also, make sure your gear is packed properly and will not be a hazard if you stop short.

4. Track it. A portable GPS navigation system will help you get where you’re going, making it easy to find gas stations or restaurants along the way. Traffic-enabled devices can warn of roadway congestion, and all units can assist in finding an alternate route. Also, a navigator can help direct emergency services to your location, should something happen. (See "Video: Don't let a GPS navigator steer you wrong.")

5. Kid prep. If you’re driving with kids, make sure you pack enough snacks, water, games, videos/DVDs, and music to keep them occupied during your journey. (See our "10 tips for a stress-free road trip with kids" for more advice.)

6. Traveling with pets. Be sure to secure your pets, either with harnesses and seat belts or by placing them in a crate. Animals can be a dangerous distraction when driving and physical threat in an accident, should they travel about the cabin or escape onto a busy motorway. Bring water, food, toys, leash, and clean-up supplies—you never know.

7. Be patient. During busy travel times, expect to hit traffic. It may make sense to drive late at night or early in the morning to avoid the rush and ensure you get to your destination on time and with minimal stress. A GPS device with traffic information and an exit guide can help you navigate around congestion and help find desired pit stop locations.

8. Don’t be distracted. Cell phones and driving don’t mix, so if you need to send a message or make a call, hand your phone to a passenger or pull over. It’s not worth risking your life or others on the road.

9. Buckle up. Always use your seat belt, make sure children are properly secured in a car seat and are seated in the rear seats if they are under 13.

10. Watch for weather. If you’re driving in wintry weather, make sure you clear off the snow and ice for better visibility, allow for longer braking distances, and reduce your speed. (Check out our winter driving guide if you are headed to a snowy location.)

11. Keep control. There could be a variety of scenarios on the road, but if you stay calm and be prepared you can get through any challenge. Check out our story “Surviving the worst-case scenarios” for more on driving in fog, snow, or if you car has brake failure, overheats, or your tire blows out.

For more information see Consumer Reports.

A New Way To Travel to the Football Game

 This weekend try a new way to get to the football game.  The Tiger tour will feature University of Memphis students making the 2.7 mile bike ride to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for the game.  The riders will be at Southern Avenue at 430pm.  There will be a police escort and someone to watch the bikes while at the game. Keep reading to find out more information.

 

Bicycle riders will be able to join a Tiger “tour” to the University of Memphis football game against Tulane University on Nov. 10.

In the “Tour de Tigre,” bikers will make the 2.7-mile trek from the U of M to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for the 6 p.m. game.

Riders will meet at 4:30 p.m. in the Southern Avenue parking lot by the Student Recreation Center for a warm-up. They will leave at 5 p.m. with a police escort down Southern to Hollywood and the stadium. A bide rack will be provided outside Gate 1; security personnel will be on hand to watch the bikes. Athletics will give any faculty or staff bikers and their family members tickets for admission to the game. Riders will assemble on the football field with Tiger mascot Pouncer for recognition at halftime.

After the game, riders will leave in a group from Gate 1 with a police escort back to the U of M. The U of M Sustainability Committee will provide hot chocolate and treats at the Recreation Center for a post-game warm-up party.

Riders must provide their own bicycle and are required to wear a helmet and have a working light on the front of the bike, flasher on the back, working brakes, and a bike lock.

The event is sponsored by Memphis Healthy U, Athletics, Tiger Blue Goes Green, and the Sustainability Committee.

For more information, or to register for the ride, contact Jacqueline De Fouw at jdefouw@memphis.edu or 901-678-4745. 

Also see Memphis.edu for more information.
Stratum on Highland

Trick or Treat Safety Tips

Halloween is a fun holiday for all ages.  Make sure to go over these Trick or Treat tips with your family before you head out door to door on Wednesday.  For more information see Halloween.

Stay Connected

The University of Memphis now has an app, so you can stay connected to the University at all times.  This app is free and includes grades, email, maps, and other important campus information.  Make sure to download it today!
 

Stay connected to the University of Memphis any time, any place, through the University’s free mobile app.

There’s something for everyone," said Allecia Powell, U of M webmaster. "Included are class schedules, a campus map, campus events, directory, grades, class rosters, campus card balances, athletic news, feedback, library information, Blue Line map and coming attractions."

Access to account-sensitive information requires a valid University UUID and password, but most components are available to the public. Users may download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play for free — just search for "UofMemphis."

The interactive map of campus has four tabs: dining halls and parking lots, buildings, emergency phone locations and handicap-accessible entrances to buildings. The new map can also use GPS to provide straight-line directions for the user to a selected location.

The campus directory of faculty, staff and students is located under the top search bar. Below the bar is a list of important campus phone numbers, such as Police Services or the U of M operator. Tapping the department or name automatically dials the number.

Both official and unofficial student grades are viewable under the grades tab, and the class roster lists each class a particular faculty member teaches in a given semester. Users can view account balances for Tiger Funds and Dining Dollars. These components require login.

The library tab has everything the U of M Libraries site offers in one simple list, such as Ask a Librarian, catalog search, and hours and locations.

The Blue Line component has a map with the route and real-time bus locations for the new bus transportation system. 

For more information see the University of Memphis.

Prepare Now for the Holidays

 Starting now there will be many occasions that gift wrapping will occur.  Kids birthday parties to Christmas there is always something to wrap a present for.  Here are some great tips on creating an easy present wrapping station in your house.  This will prepare you for the whole year, including the hectic holiday season.

Yeah, we went there. Consider this the first salvo of the holiday season, for we are here to talk about organizing gift wrapping supplies. Of course, there are many occasions that could arise between now and the end of the year which would necessitate wrapping a gift, so if it makes it any easier to swallow, let's pretend we are posting this to make packaging your Aunt Tilly's birthday gift a little bit easier. But the reality is the sales and shopping will begin more sooner than later, and this project puts all of your wrapping needs at your fingertips.

Open up a random closet in your domicile and see what is hanging on the back of the door--some ties, a few belts or possibly a handbag or two. Jen at I Heart Organizing recently featured an impressive use of that often wasted space, an uber-organized gift wrapping storage station, courtesy of Cassie from Hi Sugarplum. It has it all--tags, tape, scissors, ribbon, bags and anything else you could possibly need. Using a modular rack system and a series of baskets allows for large and small items to live harmoniously side by side and doesn't allow an inch to go unwasted.

The metal magnet strip is a great addition, as is the birthday reminder sheet. While we may never achieve organizational prowess to this degree, we figure anything beats our current system of...well, no system at all.

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

University of Memphis is a Certified Wildlife Habitat

 The University of Memphis has been recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.  The campus is a wildlife friendly landscape for animals and birds.  The 300 acre urban campus has plenty of space for animals to live with the campus life style.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has recognized the University of Memphis as an official Certified Wildlife Habitat. The designation recognizes the campus for providing a wildlife-friendly landscape for birds and other animals.

The University is an urban campus of 300 acres. There are large open lawns, a wide variety of shrubs, and more than 4,000 trees that provide food and shelter for wildlife. The campus has an amazing diversity of wildlife, including birds, grey squirrels, flying squirrels, chipmunks and snakes. Falcons, raccoons, red foxes, and coyotes also have been seen on the campus. 

“It is amazing that here in the middle of an urban setting we have an abundance of wildlife,” said Joellen Dimond, U of M horticulturist. “The Campus Landscape section of Physical Plant provides good stewardship of the land and has nurtured a diverse environment that sustains the four elements needed to attract and maintain wildlife – water, food, shelter and a place to raise young. The most outstanding wildlife are the Red-tailed Hawks. They are fascinating to watch majestically flying between buildings and catching and eating prey.”

The U of M also has many sustainability initiatives, including recycling, energy-saving, and a community garden.

NWF began the Wildlife Habitat certification program in 1973 and has since certified more than 126,000 habitats nationwide. The majority of these sites represent the work of individuals and families providing habitat near their homes, but NWF has also certified more than 3,000 schools and hundreds of business and community sites. The average habitat is less than an acre, but certified sites range from urban balconies to thousand-acre tracts.

“Students come here for academics, but the University of Memphis also delivers experiences in nature that will stay with them and all who visit for many years,” Dimond said.

For more information see Memphis.edu

Healthy Meals in Ten MInutes or Less

Running from school to soccer practice to piano lessons can make it very hard to cook a meal fast.  However, there are ways for your family to eat healthy in as little as ten minutes.  Here are ten great recipes that you can make in ten minutes or less.

1. Quick and Easy Fried Rice: Fried rice can come together even faster than 10 minutes if you happen to have a good selection of leftovers floating around. It's the end-all recipe to using up leftover rice and is tasty enough to eat for any meal of the day — yes even breakfast.
2. Apple-Arugula Salad Wraps: Although wraps seem more like a lunch food, for a quick dinner they can contain actual food groups and even do away with dishes if needs be. Perfect, no clean up!
3. Thai Crab Salad with Chili, Ginger, and Coconut: Since this meal merely needs to be chopped and tossed, it's quick to throw together and has big bold flavors that will satisfy without a laundry list of ingredients.
4. Miso Soup: Miso soup is perfect for those worried about over cooking tofu as it simply warms in this rich broth and suddenly, dinner is served! Check out this version with a poached egg — extra tasty!
5.The BEST Pancakes Ever: Pancakes might traditionally be breakfast food, but they're perfect for any meal in fact... we want some right now!
6. Egyptian Tomato Soup: This recipe just barely passes the 10 minute mark, but it can be made entirely from your pantry so there's minimal chopping or prep — making it a winner in our book!
7. Friday Night Slow-Cooked Brisket and Onions: So technically speaking this meal takes 5-8 hours to make, but there's really only 10 minutes of prep work involved. Make it before you head out the door to work and when you return dinner is already done for you!
8. Spicy Grilled Shrimp: These shrimp get a quick brine before hitting the grill, but since they cook up so quick, we're willing to overlook the extra brining time (only 30 minutes). Just make sure to drop them in the brine the second you come home from work or possibly lessen the salt and brine them while you're away (so they don't get too salty) to make things extra easy.
9. Thai-Style Omelet (Kai Jeow): This recipe comes together in less than 10 minutes which might even leave you time to walk the dog or check your email before dinner!
10. Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Corn, Goat Cheese, and Oven-Roasted Tomatoes: This meal is labeled as a 10 minute dish and mixes up with many things that you probably already have on hand.

For more recipe ideas see theKitchn.com

University of Memphis Job and Internship Expo

 University of Memphis's Career Expo connects students and alumni with potenial employers.  This is a great opportunity for networking for students and alumni in this tough job market.  The expo will be tomorrow from 10am-3pm.  Students should bring resumes and dress in professional attire.
 
This year’s University of Memphis Career and Internship Expo will again offer current students and alumni an opportunity to find jobs and internships with prospective employers. 

It will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom

More than 60 companies and organizations, including FedEx, Cummins, AutoZone, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Volkswagen, International Paper, Medtronic, CBRE and others will recruit for internships as well as entry-level and advanced positions.U of M students and alumni can network, obtain career information, and gain experience talking to employers.

The expo is free and open to students and alumni.

Attendees should dress professionally and bring their resumes.

More information is available at www.memphis.edu/careerservices or by phone at 901-678-2239.

The Expo is sponsored by the U of M Career Services Office and the Academic Internship Office.

For more information see the University of Memphis.

Billy Elliot Comes to Memphis

Starting tomorrow you can see the award winning Billy Elliot the musical at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis.  The show opens tomorrow and runs until Sunday.  The show was a hit on Broadway, and had been a hit as it tours around the country.

Based on the internationally acclaimed film, BILLY ELLIOT, the Musical is brought to life by a phenomenal cast of 45 performers and the Tony Award-winning creative team including legend Elton John, whose score is called "show-stopping and electric" by The New York Times. 

Set in a small town, the story follow Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent that inspires his family and his whole community and changes his life forever. 

The show is at The Orpheum Theatre in Memphis.  For tickets and information you can call 901-525-3000.  You can also get tickets through any Ticketmaster center.

 Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 20, 2012 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 21, 2012 - 8 p.m.
Saturday, September 22, 2012 - 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, September 23, 2012 - 1:30 and 7 p.m.

For more information see Memphis travel.

Memphis Punter Awarded

 Congratulations punter Tom Hornsey!  He was named punter of the week in the college football performance awards.  He is a junior at Tom Hornsey, and he averages 46.8 yards per punt.  Make sure to watch Hornsey at your next University of Memphis game.

University of Memphis junior Tom Hornsey has been named the National Punter of the Week by the 

College Football Performance Awards after an outing at Arkansas State in which he averaged 46.8 yards per punt.

Hornsey had seven of his eight punts downed inside A-State's 20 including four downed inside the 10.

Through the first two weeks of the season, the native of Geelong, Victoria, Australia, ranks 14th nationally with a 45.92 yards per punt average.

No player ranked ahead of Hornsey in the national rankings has had more punts downed inside the 20. Through two games he has placed 10 of his punts inside opponents' 20-yard line and seven of those 10 have been downed inside the 10.

The Tigers are back at home on Saturday when they play host to Middle Tennessee. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. 

For more information see Go Tigers!.

Trolley Night in Memphis

Ten dollars and a free Friday can get you burgers, beer, wine, and hot dogs.  The last Friday of every month is Art Trolley Tour in downtown Memphis.  Shops, restaurants and galleries all open their doors for Memphis residents to explore while enjoying food and entertainment provided on the streets.

Grill out – Members are free and guests are $10.  It’s the last Friday of every month starting at 6 p.m.  Come find us for burgers, beer, wine, and hot dogs located in the open outdoor space next to Bluff City Coffee.


Art Trolley Tour – We invite you to join us for Trolley Night and see what wonders the South Main Historic District has to offer. The last Friday of every month all year long, this is a special time in the South Main Historic District. The ring of the trolley sounds as the shops, restaurants and galleries in the area open their doors to the throngs of Memphians’ and visitors who make Trolley Night on Main an event not to be missed. There’s no better time to browse the stores and galleries for that unique piece of art, clothing or jewelry while sipping a glass of wine and partaking of the wide array of tasty party foods. Slip onto the trolley for a free ride to the next stop and more shops. End the evening with dinner at one of the district’s fine restaurants. We invite you to join us for Trolley Night and see what wonders the South Main District has to offer.

What are the hours of Trolley Night?
6 pm to 9 pm the last Friday of every month all year, come rain or shine.

For more information see South Main Memphis.

University Convocation

Today at 2:15 freshman and transfer students at the University of Memphis will participate in the time honored tradition of convocation today.  There will be entertainment by the Pep Band and the favorite Tiger Mascot Pouncer.  Students will learn about the time honored traditions of the University, while also getting advice on their new lives as a college student.

New students at the University of Memphis will start their college adventure this year with music, school spirit, encouragement, and information. It’s all part of New Student Convocation, set for Monday, Aug. 27, at 2:15 p.m. in the Michael D. Rose Theatre.

Freshmen and transfer students will learn about U of M traditions and get advice on how to be successful in college. Alumni and current students will offer their strategies on how students can achieve their ultimate goal – earning a degree.

Speakers will include University officials such as President Shirley Raines, Provost Ralph Faudree, and Vice President for Student Affairs Rosie Phillips Bingham, as well as Tiger head football coach Justin

Fuente.

Entertainment will be provided by the U of M Pep Band and Tiger mascot Pouncer.

 

 A Student Information Fair on the Student Plaza will follow Convocation. The fair will offer information about University departments and student organizations.

The event will be streamed live over the Internet at www.memphis.edu/newstudentconvocation.

For more information see Memphis.edu

Welcome Back Memphis Students

Welcome back to all of our residents returning for the fall semester at the University of Memphis. Good luck with classes!

Ultimate in Student Housing

The Stratum on Highland is the ultimate in student housing! Located 2 blocks from campus, our residents enjoy the ease and convenience of the location with the independence they desire. We appreciate our residents and the staff takes pride in creating an atmosphere that will give residents the most out of their college experience. We know that you will find that The Stratum is the perfect place to call home.

Congrats Summer Graduates

Congratulations to all the University of Memphis summer graduates. Enjoy your commencement Sunday!

Back-to-School Shopping List for College Students from GoodHouseKeeping.com

With classes starting just over 3 weeks from now, iit is almost time to start to get ready for the fall semester. GoodHouseKeeping.com has some ideas to get you ready for your move-in!

From GoodHouseKeeping.com

Academic Supplies

• Three-ring binder
• Three-hole-punch (fits in binder)
• Loose-leaf paper or spiral notebooks
• Subject dividers
• Blue or black ball-point pens
• Mechanical pencils
• Permanent markers
• Highlighters
• Post-Its

• White-Out
• Flash drive
• Flash drive case with lanyard
• Thesaurus
• Dictionary
• Personal organizer/calendar
• Calculator
• Combination lock
• Book bag
• Computer
• Printer
• Computer paper

• Ink cartridges

 

Cleaning Supplies

• Swiffer
• Collapsible laundry basket or bag
• Laundry detergent & fabric softener
• Clorox disinfectant wipes

Read more: Back to School Shopping List for College Students - Good Housekeeping

2012-13 Memphis Basketball Schedule Released

From GoTigersGo.com

The 2012-13 hoops campaign is just over four months from tipping off, but Tiger Nation can fill in its calendar now, as the University of Memphis released its entire schedule Friday. Game times and television selections are to be announced at a later date.

The following is the 2012-13 Memphis Tigers hoops schedule:

Date Opponent Site

NOVEMBER

7/8 CHRISTIAN BROTHERS (Exhibition) FEDEXFORUM

12 NORTH FLORIDA FEDEXFORUM

 Battle 4 Atlantis Opening Game

17 SAMFORD FEDEXFORUM

22-24 Battle 4 Atlantis Paradise Island, The Bahamas

 (Participating Teams: Duke, Louisville, Memphis, Minnesota, Missouri,
 Northern Iowa, Stanford, VCU)

29 TENNESSEE MARTIN FEDEXFORUM

DECEMBER

5 OHIO FEDEXFORUM

8 AUSTIN PEAY FEDEXFORUM

15 LOUISVILLE FEDEXFORUM

20 LIPSCOMB FEDEXFORUM

28 ORAL ROBERTS FEDEXFORUM

30 LOYOLA, MD. FEDEXFORUM



JANUARY

4 at Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn.

8/9 EAST CAROLINA* FEDEXFORUM

12 at UAB* Birmingham, Ala.

16 at Rice* Houston, Texas

19 HARVARD FEDEXFORUM

22 TULANE* FEDEXFORUM

26 MARSHALL* FEDEXFORUM

30 at East Carolina* Greenville, N.C.



FEBRUARY

2 TULSA* FEDEXFORUM

6 at SMU* Dallas, Texas

9 at Southern Miss* Hattiesburg, Miss.

13 UCF* FEDEXFORUM

16 at Marshall* Huntington, W.Va.

20 HOUSTON* FEDEXFORUM

23 SOUTHERN MISS* FEDEXFORUM

26 at Xavier Cincinnati, Ohio



MARCH

2 at UCF* Orlando, Fla.

6 at UTEP* El Paso, Texas

9 UAB* FEDEXFORUM

13-16 Conference USA Tournament Tulsa, Okla. (BOK Center)

Community Amenities

History of Friday the 13th

Today is Friday the 13th, a day that is supposed to be perpetually unlucky. Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13, and friggatriskaidekaphobia, more specifically is the fear of Friday the 13th. Check out this History.com channel to learn the history of Friday the 13th!

Ultimate in Student Housing

The Stratum on Highland is the ultimate in student housing! Located 2 blocks from campus, our residents enjoy the ease and convenience of the location with the independence they desire. We appreciate our residents and the staff takes pride in creating an atmosphere that will give residents the most out of their college experience. We know that you will find that The Stratum is the perfect place to call home.

Happy Fourth of July!

Memphis has a great number of Independence Day and Firework Celebrations in the area next week.  Check out the list below to see where all of them are and the details of the event.  Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

• Fireworks in the Park
  Head to Latimer Lakes Park for Horn Lake's Fourth of July fireworks display. Festivities begin at 6:00 with fireworks starting at 9:00 p.m.
• Germantown Fireworks Extravaganza
  This family friendly celebration includes food, fireworks, and music. The fun starts at 5:00 p.m. at Municipal Park and fireworks will begin at 9:10pm.
• Independence Day in Olive Branch
  The annual July 4th "Celebrate Your Independence" event at the Olive Branch City Park will begin at 7:00 p.m. and fireworks will start at 9:15. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy food, games, and fun!
• Mud Island Independence Day Celebration
  Head down to Mud Island for a day of food, rides, games, live music, and of course, fireworks. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at sundown.
• Redbirds Home Game
  Celebrate your independence at a Memphis Redbirds game. The Redbirds will take on the Nashville Sounds followed by a fireworks show and patriotic music. The game begins at 6:05 p.m.
• Southaven July 4th Celebration
  This year's celebration will be held at Snowden Grove Park. There will be live music, a fabulous fireworks display, and fun for the entire family! The fun starts at 7:00 and the fireworks display will begin around 9:00.

LuvMud Race Tomorrow

LUVMUD is a benefit 5k mud race with obstacles and a mud pit. The race in Memphis supports a local charity Habitat for Hope. Habitat for Hope is a committed group of volunteers and staff who work to form community around families who have traveled to the mid-south to receive medical care for a child that is critically or chronically ill.

Simple and Meaningful Father's Day Ideas

Father's Day is this Sunday, and if you haven't had time to shop for a gift it is getting late. Thanks to PowerOfMoms.com for these simple and meaningful gift ideas that you can pull off last minute!

WORDS OF AFFIRMATION: Have each child write a top-five (or ten) list of things they love about dad

ACTS OF SERVICE: Make him his favorite meals (but don’t stress yourself out by doing lots of complex things – a grumpy, stressed wife on Father’s Day won’t be a great present!); work with the kids to secretly clean out the garage or basement or do some other act of service you know he’ll be excited about.

QUALITY TIME: Create some great new fatherhood memories. Plan a family excursion involving some of Dad’s favorite activities (a bike ride and picnic with some favorite treats, a night out at the movies seeing HIS kind of movie, a hike, bowling, etc.); make coupons for a few activities he’d love that he can “cash in” throughout the year.

GIFTS: Buy him something he’ll really enjoy doing with the kids and wrap it up pretty (a board game if he likes games, tickets to a game if he loves sports, a new ball if he loves playing catch.

 

Stratum on Highland Location

The Stratum on Highland has a great location for University of Memphis students!

Tonight is Freese Night w/ the Memphis Redbirds

Even the weather agrees with our Freese Out tonight! High of 75 degrees, Block Party in the plaza from 5-7pm with $2 Coors Lights & live music by A-440, free ice cream to the first 1,000 fans, and a David Freese t-shirt to the first 3,000 fans courtesy of Prestone Anti-Freeze!

Memorial Day Weekend in Memphis

The Memphis Zoo is just one place that is having Memorial Day weekend events. Follow this link for more things to do in Memphis this weekend!

Stratum on Highland Overview

E-Recycling Days Next Week

As they’ve done twice in the past, the University of Memphis and Apple Inc. will co-host a community-wide e-recycling event May 18-19 on the U of M campus.

This year’s public event will be Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Southern Avenue parking lot. Professional movers will be on hand to unload e-recyclable materials from vehicles. The process is as easy as driving up to a drive-through window. There is no limit to the number of items a person can drop off.

Congrats to Memphis Grads

Congratulations to University of Memphis students participating in this weekend's commencement ceremonies!

Stratum on Highland: The Ultimate in Student Housing

The Stratum on Highland is the ultimate in student housing! Located 2 blocks from the University of Memphis campus, our residents enjoy the ease and convenience of the location with the independence they desire. We appreciate our residents and the staff takes pride in creating an atmosphere that will give residents the most out of their college experience. We know you will find the The Stratum is the perfect place to call home.

Earth Day in Memphis

 

Thanks to the Downtown Neighborhood Association for Tips for Earth Day!

 

Earth Day 2012

Sunday, Apr 22, 2012

There will be Earth Day fun and educational activities all over Memphis this weekend. Check out the happenings in your neighborhood or go visit friends in theirs!

This year's focus is on water conservation - while Memphis is blessed with our aquifers, nothing is forever and conservation is the best means we have to secure the supply for our future. Consider having swapping out your shower head and faucets for those that use less water per minute. Better yet, swap out your old toilet for a modern one with less than a 1.6 gpf usage rating. Have any drips or leaks repaired. If a population of a million people each saved one gallon of water per day, that is ...well, that is a great start.

www.earthday.org for more information and strategies.