I want to thank all my readers who sent e-mails about the panhandling issue… this is clearly a hot topic Downtown. I also want to apologize to those to whom I did not respond – I got assigned a big web development project due July 31, and may have more work coming my way, so it looks like I’m going to be swamped the rest of the month.
The good news is, I think enough people at all levels – residents, community organizations, business owners – are getting fed up with panhandling to the degree that a tipping point is about to be reached. Once there I think we’ll see major changes which will go a long way to clean up the problem.
I’m having lunch with the Center City Commission’s new security coordinator on Monday. He wants to pick my brain about the kinds of things I’ve seen down here. I’ve had discussions with a couple of people at the CCC and believe me, they’re passionately committed to getting something done about this problem. It’s a good thing to see.
Because of the projects I’m working on, I probably won’t be out much Friday or Saturday night – although, I may make a quick trip to Blues City for a couple of hours Friday to see the Sauce Boss. I read in the Flyer that he’s doing a Sunday performance at the Union Mission, because he thinks it’s important to give back. That makes me respect him even more.
On the other hand, I’m treating tonight as my weekend night, because there’s plenty going on. Tentative plans for today:
- Memphis Flyer 3rd Thursday party at Swig 5-7
- Peabody rooftop with Snozberry. I’ll probably get there about 7 and stay until 8:30, 8:45ish
- The Saucer to see The Dempseys after that. They don’t start until 9:30 but maybe I’ll get a good seat if I get there early.
Looks like my favorite blogger/MILF won’t be coming downtown tonight after all, so I’ll take the week off from EP’s. Oh well… I just remembered that she tends to pretend she’s with Peyton Manning when she has sex, which decreases her attractiveness by 99.9994%. Ewwwww.
The beer tasting at the Flying Saucer last night was OUTSTANDING. Definitely worth the 25 bucks. Dogfish rep Devin Aroloski shared lots of valuable insight about the beers, and Saucer GM Kirk also did a lot to make the crowd feel at home. They had white tablecloths on the benches. My 5 favorite things about the tasting:
- The Midas Touch, a brew based on ancient remnants of a brew found in a 2,700-year-old tomb. Tasted like honey. Otto commented: “It’s not a beer, it’s not a mead, it’s not a wine, it’s something completely different.” Since I finished my plate at the Saucer I rarely pay more than $5 for a beer, but I’d pay a premium for this one. One of the best I’ve ever tasted.
- The Raison D’Etre pork tenderloin. Delicious. The fresh green beans on top were a nice touch.
- The beef stew. This one took me by surprise – when I think of beef stew, I think of the canned Dinty Moore slop that Kroger sells for a buck a can. But the stew served by Dogfish was tasty and in a miniature bread bowl. Really, really good.
- When the people at the next table finished their beers, and the waitress bent over to pick up the empty glasses.
- The 120 IPA. At more than 18% alcohol, how could I not like this beer?
They said that the Midas Touch, 120 IPA, and Peche will be available for sale in this market soon.
If you missed last night’s tasting, there may still be tickets available for tonight’s tasting at the East Bumblefuck Saucer on Germantown Parkway. Four of the five beers are high-alcohol content, so you may want to arrange a designated driver if you go.
That’s all for now. Job hunters: Check back often, I have a post on the way which will be good news for you.