Electrolux today named WG Yates & Sons Construction as its general contractor for the construction of its new North American Cooking Products manufacturing center in Memphis.  Yates will be responsible for the management of the $80 million construction project.

In addition, the company announced that more than 50 percent of the $80 million construction spend would go to Memphis-area firms, with a minimum of 15 percent going to minority and women-owned area businesses.  Electrolux originally committed to spend $30 million with local firms, and this represents a 50 percent increase in local spending.  The company has already spent $5 million with 10 other local firms.

Wouldn’t it be cool to get a postcard from a scientist in Antarctica?

In early 2012, when Pink Palace Family of Museums manager of education Alex Eilers travels to the frozen, South Pole continent to study Weddell Seals as part of the PolarTREC program, folks at home could be getting postcards in their mailbox marked with the postmark from McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Eilers and the Pink Palace are asking anyone interested to drop off self-addressed, stamped postcards at the Pink Palace before January 1, 2011.  Those postcards will travel with Eilers to Antarctica, postmarked ‘McMurdo Station’ and then mailed back to North America by the US Postal Service.  All postcards must measure at least 3 ½ x 5 inches but no more than 4 ½ x 6 inches, with appropriate postage affixed.

The Memphis Area Transit Authority is once again hoping to lure commuters onto its buses on days when excessive ozone pollution is forecast.  Friday, June 3, was the first of these days in 2011.

MATA cuts its bus fares to just 25 cents on these days.  The usual fare is $1.50.

"It's an incentive to encourage the public to utilize another form of travel instead of their cars," said MATA spokesperson Alison Burton.