Federal grant will spruce up Graceland area

City match increases pot to more than $1.2 million
By Amos Maki (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The City of Memphis got a federal grant Tuesday that will help improve the area around Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Whitehaven, one of the city's top tourist destinations.

More than a million dollars will be used to beautify the Elvis Presley Boulevard Corridor from Shelby Drive to Interstate 55. The funds come from a $975,312 federal grant with a local match of $243,828.

"These enhancements will be seen by millions of tourists who come to our city each year to visit Graceland," said Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery.

The money will be used to improve the street and walkways, and for utility relocation and upgrades.

This is the first phase of the city's efforts to enhance the Elvis Presley Boulevard Corridor.

Future phases of the project will extend north of Winchester Road to I-55 and south of Craft Road to Shelby Drive.

City leaders and economic development officials have targeted the area for clean-up because of the numbers of tourists who visit to tour Graceland.

Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. has been in discussion with city and economic development officials for more than a year about its plans for a $250 million overhaul of Graceland mansion and the surrounding area.

The Graceland plans include razing the cramped visitor center -- located in a former strip mall across the street from the white-columned mansion -- and replacing it with a facility seven times the size of the mansion.

Graceland spokesman Kevin Kern said Tuesday he didn't have specifics about the grant the city received and was unable to comment.

Article Source: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/aug/25/graceland-area-get-makeover/

Excellent Elvis related video and article to check out....

Graceland Style: What's Your Favorite Elvis Fashion?

Emory Magazine took an Elvis fashion book on the road to find out what really are his fans' favorites. Summer 2009

The short clip is a humorous way to explore Elvis’ notorious clothing collection, and you can play along with those interviewed in the video. The link is below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnQ3QY-cqIE



Check out accompanying article -

Long Live the King
From fashion to Facebook, Elvis Presley still leads the way to Graceland
By Mary J. Loftus

http://www.emory.edu/EMORY_MAGAZINE/2009/summer/elvis.html

Feel free to direct any further questions to Nicole Anderson at nicole.anderson@emory.edu.

Weather Causes Damage At Graceland!

Tree down at Graceland

Last night just after 7, the sky over Graceland got very dark, the winds begun to whip, and the rain fell.

Guests visiting Elvis' grave were asked to evacuate the property but refused. EPE employees exclusively told Elvis Unlimited that it took 15 minutes to get guests to leave the property ( for their own safety) due to the weather conditions. Staff also said, " The fans are passionate. They really love Elvis! And despite the weather, they wanted to stay."

And hats off to the Graceland staff for wanting the fans to come down from the hill until the storm ended. The Graceland staff put safety first. And from the picture shown, you can see why they were so concerned for tourists. A tree on the front lawn fell down during the storm. It fell and broke the original white wooden fence which has been at Graceland while Elvis lived there. I am sure Graceland will have this tree cleaned up and the lawn looking as beautiful as ever ASAP! Luckily no one was hurt not even a squirrel!

http://www.elvisunlimited.com/news.asp?page_id=79&news_id=1534

IMPORTANT: 'Elvis On Tour' release on DVD. Need YOUR help!

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU VOTE ON THIS ONE.
& Please pass this on to your Elvis friends.
It has gone up 120 votes since yesterday - but surely Elvis fans can produce a 6,500 votes to get it to number 1?

IMPORTANT: 'Elvis On Tour' release on DVD: With perfect timing for Elvis Week the Turner Classic Movies website has a list of popular films (not available on dvd) that you can vote for to be produced on DVD. Today 'Elvis on Tour' is on the list at only #92.
1958's 'This Angry Age' staring Anthony Perkins is at number one but with only 6448 votes, Bogart's classic 'The African Queen' is at #2.
'Elvis On Tour' has 1206 votes so far.
If everyone who visits this site today CLICKS HERE TO VOTE - we can take 'Elvis On Tour' to the top of the list in one day!
Show MGM that Elvis fans care and really do want to see 'Elvis On Tour' finally released. If we can achieve a stunning set of votes then this will push MGM to release the upgraded 'Elvis On Tour Special Edition' DVD and this will get BMG to finally release the 'Elvis On Tour' CD box-set that Ernst has promised.

To check out the overall MGM movie list click here

or CLICK HERE TO VOTE for 'Elvis On Tour'.

Votes are tallied once a day. Go ahead and vote and let your ELVIS voice be heard!

(News, Source;EIN)

Much Love Animal Rescue Honors Priscilla Presley At Bow Wow WOW Event

On Saturday, August 22, Priscilla Presley will be honored at Much Love Animal Rescue’s third annual Bow Wow Wow event in Hollywood, California.

The event is being being billed as a “star-studded affair” and will include comedy, festive food and drink (VEG, of course) and a silent auction. The rescue organization is giving Presley a special tribute for “her generosity towards animals, rescuing horses, and other charitable efforts.”

We haven’t received the celebrity roster for this year’s event, but last year’s benefit was attended by stars like Denise Richards, Kate Walsh, Tori Spelling, Kevin Nealon, Paula Abdul, Jamie King, Amy Smart and many more. Fancy!

Interested in attending the bash?

Tickets . To learn more visit start at $200.00 and can be purchased through their website MuchLove.org!

Source Article: http://www.ecorazzi.com/2009/07/29/much-love-animal-rescue-honors-priscilla-presley-at-bow-wow-wow-event