I got an e-mail a couple of days ago from the chairman of the groundbreaking committee for First Church. He thanked me for mentioning the groundbreaking on October 5, but he wanted to clear up a misconception a lot of people seem to have. There’s a belief that the project is already fully funded, when it’s actually not. The actual costs, the chairman tells me, add up to about $8.3 million, and so far $6 million has been raised. They still need additional donations or lines of credit. The misconception is due to the media erroneously reporting the cost as $5 million.
Old School Pictures, a Memphis-based movie production company, will be filming a movie called Daylight Fades in Downtown, Midtown, and other Memphis locations in early 2009. A press release from the company described the film as “a drama with a horrific twist, a character-driven story that explores love, redemption, sacrifice, and immortality.” Look for them filming around town in the months to come. For more info on the film, you can visit their website or their MySpace page.
I caught very little of the Downtown Alive! Gayoso Alley party last night… I was just dead tired and not up to mingling. I hate it that I missed out on crepes from Crepe Maker, although the restaurant is only about a 4 block walk from my front door so I can actually have one anytime I want. A private party is going to keep me away from next Wednesday’s Downtown Alive! concert, but I’ll still post details about it here as the date gets closer, and I’ll be at the one following that on October 1st.
I did notice one big difference from last year’s concert series – no bums. So instead of “Bands, Beer, and Bums,” this year it’s “Bands, Beer and Bum Patrol.” The Downtown Safety patrol officers passed through while I was there. Good to see them monitoring the action.
Change Memphis will hold its first session to educate the public on proposed changes to the city and county charters from 6-8 PM next Wednesday, September 24, at the Orange Mound Community Center (2572 Park Ave.) Representatives from the Charter Commission and Change Memphis will be on hand to answer questions and concerns, and to explain each amendment in detail.
Let’s see what’s in the Memphis Flyer this week… on page 3 there’s an announcement that Beignets, a wine and dessert lounge at 124 GE Patterson, will open soon. The ad says will have salads, sandwiches, soups and more. It’s being opened by my neighbor Aaron who used to manage Itta Bena – just a super nice guy, am looking forward to giving this place a try.
Get ready for another Warehouse party! Feed the Soul, celebrating MIFA’s 40th birthday, will be a celebration at Kris Kourdouvelis’ Warehouse on Thursday, October 2, from 6 to 10 PM. There will be entertainment by the one and only Raiford. $40 general admission. Visit mifa.org for more information.
Great article on p. 17 by McCain supporter Ken Hall and Obama supporter Darrell Cobbins, saying that it’s time for America to return to being civil in its political debates. I agree 100%. You know, I just can’t jump on the McCain-hating bandwagon. Friends of mine say “he scares me,” and they’re entitled to their opinion, but he doesn’t scare me. He clearly has dedicated his life to public service, and I think he’d make a very competent President. It’s just that I disagree with too many of his positions, especially on social issues, to vote for him. But I don’t have bad things to say about the man. He doesn’t scare me. George Bush scares me because he’s just too stupid to be dogcatcher, much less President. Dick Cheney scares me. If Cheney had 8 years to start World War III and couldn’t get it done, I doubt McCain would be able to either, if so inclined, which I don’t think he is. No matter who wins, I think the country will head in a much better direction after January 20, 2009, but I’ll be pulling the lever for Obama.
p.20: A reminder from Bardog Tavern that the doors will open 7 PM Friday night, September 19. They’ll stay open ’til 3, and will be open 7-3 Saturday night as well, with a full bar, 10 beers on tap, and free food being passed out throughout the night. (John D: “Paul, will they have Bud Light bottles?” I’m sure they will, John.)
p.50: Brother and sister Pomeranians named Buffy and Precious are up for adoption. I don’t know which one is the male, but if I were a male dog and someone named me either Buffy or Precious, I’d bite them really hard. What horrible names. Walter… now that’s a good dog name. Where have I seen that recently?
Back page: Looks like the Cajun restaurant formerly known as Cayenne Moon is now calling itself Orleans on Front.
And that’s the lunchtime update. Time to go to a meeting. Yay meetings.