Daily Helmsman

Yellin starts yellin' for customer service

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Unpopular elevator music playing on the phone combined with a seemingly never-ending wait can ignite fury in many of us at times. A victim of bad customer service, Emily Yellin wrote a book about it.

Yellin, author of Your Call Is (Not That) Important to Us, spoke to faculty and staff members at The U of M Monday.

Grilling at the garden

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Cooking out is all the rage during summertime, and now you can explore new items to put on your grill besides burgers and hot dogs.

Justin Burks, a professional photographer, U of M alum and 20-year vegetarian, will teach a U of M Continuing Education vegetarian grilling class on July 12 from 2 to 5 p.

New meal plan implemented as tuition increases

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

All freshmen and sophomores will be required to buy a $300 meal plan beginning this fall.
Right now there are only two schools in the state of Tennessee that don't have a mandatory meal plan," said Danny Armitage, associate dean of students for Residence Life and Dining.

Former Tigers take the court to slam dunk MS

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

For Tigers fans, the opportunity to see DeAngelo Williams, Joey Dorsey, Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway and Elliot Perry all in one place may seem like a dream. That dream became a reality two weeks ago when each of them, along with several other former Tigers, returned to Memphis to participate in a charity basketball tournament at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

Former Tigers take the court to slam dunk MS

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Women's basketball recruiting class named best in C-USA

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

When Melissa McFerrin became the coach of The University of Memphis women's basketball team April of 2008, she promised that the program would experience a turn-around. Now in her second year, McFerrin has taken a step in that direction after securing one of the top recruiting classes in Conference-USA.

If I were a general manager in the NBA draft...

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The stage is set. The lights are up. The cameras are on.

NBA commissioner David Stern steps up to the podium, clears his throat and reads aloud:

"With the first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select..."

Before any of that is announced, let's rewind.

Murphy rounds out coaching staff

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Tigers basketball coach Josh Pastner finally filled out his coaching staff when he hired Jack Murphy, an advance scout for the NBA's Denver Nuggets for the past three years, to an assistant coach position two weeks ago.

"Jack will bring a lot of energy to the Memphis program," said Pastner.

From the Editor's Desk...

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

It shortens our tempers, for one thing.

It's been shown that more murders occur when the temperature rises. In cities everywhere, the number of homicides increases during summer months. There were six homicides in Memphis just last weekend.

Of course, we are not all likely to commit a crime because of the heat boiling our blood and blinding us.

The Game of Life

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

When you're a kid, playing the board game LIFE is full of happy anticipation - which career card will I draw? Will I get to live in a big house? How many children will I have?

Maybe you'll land on the space that wins you a Noble Prize and $100,000. But even if you land on a bad space like "Tornado Hits House," not to worry - just spin the wheel again and go on to something better.

Growing up delayed for some

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

David Plunk, a 22-year-old spring 2006 graduate of the University of Tennessee, lives at home with his mom and sees no reason to rush out the door to quickly settle down with a career, wife and family.

Plunk is part of a growing trend of millions to marry later in life, go to school longer and generally take longer to "find themselves" in life.

Game over

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

When Jason Radish pledged Kappa Sigma in the fall of his freshman year of college at The University of Memphis, he was well aware of the infamous fraternity lifestyle.

"My brother was already a member," said Radish. "I wanted to be a part of the good times.

It's in the air: Many health problems pollution-related

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Imagine exposing 320 bus loads of children to unhealthy air for an entire summer. Put another way, nearly 27,000 children suffer from some form of respiratory problems due to poor air quality in Memphis, according to environmentaldefense.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to informing the public about environmental hazards.

Preyed Upon

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Imagine one of your earliest memories as a child. Do you have it in mind? Are you thinking of a tender hug from mom or a fun-filled pillow fight with a sibling? Now replace that image with one of an unstable uncle's hand on your under-developed genitalia, while he whispers things in your ear that you've never heard, but instinctively know aren't quite right.

Hide and Seek

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

When students enter the computer labs on campus, they will notice a sign on the door. No, it isn't the "turn off your cell phone" sign. This one is bigger and brighter. This neon sign states in bold letters: "NO MYSPACE, FACEBOOK OR GAMES WHILE OTHER PEOPLE ARE WAITING.

Memphis Kids Play A New Tune

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

It is a Wednesday afternoon, and the sounds of music legends like Isaac Hayes and Booker T. & The MG's can be heard through the halls of the Soulsville Charter School.

Patrick Nolan, a seventh grader at Soulsville Charter School, said his grades have gotten much better since he came to the school in the sixth grade.

Memphis' infant mortality rate highest among US cities

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

People don't usually think of Memphis when they hear the term "third world."

Most probably think of far away places where children are starving and people drink from the same river they bathe in.

But most people probably don't know that in 2002, when the statistics were last made available, 31 babies out of 1,000 didn't see their first birthday in the 38108 ZIP code alone.

Tennessee: hot spot for meth

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

When Sam first tried crystal meth at the age of 26, he was a little worried about getting addicted.

"I'd always heard stories of people getting hooked on it and having a tough time getting off when, and if, they decided to quit," said Sam, who asked not to be identified.

On the map

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Michael Heidingsfield doesn't want job security. Many people would be happy if he didn't have a job, but they're safer because he does.

Heidingsfield, CEO and president of the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, is one of many people who fight violent crime in Memphis, but that mission is becoming tougher.

Rolling the dice too risky for most

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Sometimes having cash in your wallet can be a bad thing, especially when you're alone in the desert and you just want a drink.

From bars to gas stations and even grocery stores, no matter where you go in Reno, it is hard to escape gambling, said Jim Lester, a student at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Drowning memories...

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Things that are considered "normal" while growing up can be anything from bumps and bruises from childhood accidents, making promises to be best friends forever with your kindergarten friends and learning about the world in general.

But what if "normal" includes watching a parent in a drunken stupor?

"I always thought that it was normal for someone to drink," said Bryan, a former U of M student who asked not to be identified.

Hookah's less-dangerous reputation a myth

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

For some college students, a typical weekend activity involves sitting around the coffee table and passing a waterpipe, legally. Hookah smoking among college students has increased in recent years, which has many health officials worried about the health risks and the potential for further tobacco addiction.

Transportation woes plague city

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Judy Ruth clenched her blue jacket a little tighter around her body. Huddled inside the bus stop at Cooper and Union Avenue, she waited for the No. 2 bus to take her to "Mr. Gadd's" barber shop.

"I used to ride the No. 2 and cross the street to see my barber, Lisa, to get my hair cut, but now they (MATA) put that right turn in on Union," said Ruth.

Immigrants to US come with hope

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

For the 1.1 million immigrants who entered the United States legally in 2005, there is the promise of a new life.

Their reasons for immigrating - a needed job skill, joining family or having refugee status - doesn't really matter. What matters most is that they have permission to be here.

College degree, The U of M: not for everyone

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Not all students at The University leave with degrees.
Mick Parrish, a former film theatre major at The U of M, dropped out of school after his first semester.
"I was doing way too many drugs, and I was up all night playing music in clubs," he said. "I don't remember much.

Governor's School is in session

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Some high school students prefer to start the summer earning college credit instead of lounging poolside.
The Governor's School for International Studies accepted 84 high school juniors and seniors from across the state to live and learn at The U of M for five weeks this summer.

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Fri, 04 Feb 2005 05:00:00 GMT

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