If you support the panhandling and single beer ordinances, two important dates/times to remember within the next 24 hours. First of all, there will be a sign-making party at Kooky Canuck at 7 PM. We will make signs for people to hold at the Safety and Security Committee meeting tomorrow, to show our support for the ordinances. Even if you can’t attend tomorrow’s meeting, please come to Kooky tonight and make a sign for someone who can!
The Safety and Security Committee of the City Council meets tomorrow, Tuesday, February 23, at 8:30 AM at City Hall (125 N. Main, Conference Room, 5th floor). Everyone who wants to come out and show support for the ordinance is asked to gather by 8:15. Yes I know that’s early for those of you who don’t have 8-to-5 jobs, but this is very important. Please attend if you can! Activist groups and the beer companies will have people there. Downtowners need to been seen in support, so that outsiders don’t dictate what happens to our neighborhood.
In the news… The Commercial Appeal has endorsed the proposed ordinances, calling them “reasonable starts to get a handle on the situation” of aggressive, abusive, inebriated panhandlers.
Also in panhandling-related news, “Dallas,” one of the aggressive panhandlers I profiled last week, was arrested Friday on felony robbery charges. If convicted, he’ll be gone for a year. It just makes the point that the people these ordinances target are NOT the innocent homeless, as activist groups would lead you to believe. The last time I saw “Dallas” was Wednesday night, when he was panhandling at the Jefferson Avenue trolley stop, directly across the street from one of the conveniece stores that sells single-serve beers.
I actually do have some non-panhandling stuff to report as well. The Grizzlies are having a Grizzlies Academy Scholarship Fund Fundraiser at Boscos Squared in Midtown tonight from 5-9 PM. Grizzlies players, the Grizz Girls, Grizz the mascot and others will serve pizzas and meet fans. There will be a silent auction and drawings throughout the evening. If you can’t make it tonight, you can stop by Boscos anytime during the month of February to help the Academy. $1 from every “Hoopin’ Hawaiian” pizza sold (recipe from an Academy student) will go to the Academy, as weill 25 cents from the sale of each Academy Ale. You can also buy a Grizzlies Academy card from Boscos for $1.
The Majestic Grille’s rescheduled show ‘Student & Teacher: The Art of Blas Blanco Cuenca & Paul C. Clements’ is tonight from 5:30 to 7:30. Cash bar, drink specials, complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.
There’s trivia tonight with Will at Local Gastropub (formerly Sauces), 8 PM. Local is still working on getting their liquor license and currently have beer only, so if you want to bring your own liquor you’re welcome to do so.
Back to work, where I have a fun-filled afternoon typing up documentation to look forward to. After work, I’ll make a brief stop at Pint Nite, then at 7 I’ll be at the sign-making party at Kooky.