Month: December 2010

Not because it’s Christmas Eve, but because there is possible winter weather headed toward the Bluff City.

MemphisWeather.net has an excellent StormView radar with a whole bunch of settings you can turn on or off. There’s a blog that explains what will likely be happening, and why. Their forecasts are generally more accurate than the ones on TV. You can sign up for weather alerts, and you can keep up with them on Facebook and Twitter.

If you haven’t got the site bookmarked already, tonight would be a good night to do it.

I forgot to mention this earlier and know it’s last minute, but Bar None, the chef’s pub in the former Circa space, is having their weekly poker night tonight at 7:30. It’s run by “Poker Jon” and has real chips, real felt, and increasing blind levels just like the tournaments you see on TV. Win first place and you get a Bar None gift certificate.

This is only the second week, so it might be a good chance to slip in and compete against a thin field before the poker night gets “discovered” and the crowd grows. Good luck to all who compete! I can’t make it this Thursday but maybe the next, I will.

I’ve been asked to blog the following, to help with your last-minute shopping:

“the little gift boutique, Alley Katz, on beale is going out of business…everything is on sale, 50-75% off. GUYS- if you need last minute gifts for sister, mom, girlfriend, wife, ME, etc… GO THERE! GIRLS- if you haven’t been, drive downtown. So much cuteness! Ornaments, wine glasses, picture frames, dish towels, candles, serving dishes, cook books, etc…”

Alley Katz is next door to Miss Polly’s and the King’s Palace patio.

Kooky Canuck is running a “Santa Special” today, December 23 – 99 cent Bud Light draft all day. I believe this would be the 12 ounce cups rather than the big 34s, but still, a great deal. Wish I was there drinking a few.

The Silly Goose’s 2nd annual Christmas Soiree happens tonight. Santa Claus, seasonal cocktails, live music, holiday punch, food specials. Party starts at 9 PM. Hmmmm… tonight is a weekend night for me… very interesting. Very likely I’ll make an appearance. Party starts at 9 PM.

Today’s big news is that the Memphis City Schools board has voted to surrender its charter, pending voter approval via a special election that will be held within 45-60 days. The surrender will effectively force consolidation of the city and county schools. This Daily News article is an excellent summary of how things got to this point.

The school board was in session until 11:30 last night hearing both sides of the argument. For a recap, get on Twitter and search for the #mcs hashtag. Plenty of reporters were tweeting.

Bar None kicks off a new Tuesday night acoustic music series tonight at 8. Kirk Smithhart will be joined by Chris Chew of North Mississippi Allstars fame. There is no cover charge, and $5 half yards of Bud Light. (John D: “Whaaaaaa? Half yards of Bud Light? Paul, I may have to leave trivia tonight after the first hour!”)

The Cardinals Caravan is coming to AutoZone Park Sunday, January 16. Fans will get to partake in a question and answer session with past and current St. Louis Cardinals players, as well as top prospects within the farm system. Afterward there will be a meet and greet autograph session, and there will also be an auction to benefit the Redbirds’ STRIPES and RBI programs. Doors open at 6 with first come first served seating, and the program will start on the park’s club level at 6:30. Hot dogs, soft drinks and nachos will be provided. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up. Also, the ‘birds store will be open 5-7 that evening with a 30% discount storewide.

Census data has determined which state will gain and lose House seats. Texas is the big winner, while New York and Ohio are the big losers. Details here.

Grizzlies play the New Jersey Nets tonight at the FedExForum. I like it when the Grizzlies have home games on Tuesdays. Trivia at the Saucer at 7.

First of all, my condolences to the friends and family of WREG commentator Norm Brewer. Local news lost an important voice today.

Yesterday I mentioned that I tend not to have the best coverage of New Year’s Eve events… well, that’s okay, because this morning Kerry from the I Love Memphis blog published a list of 16 ways to ring in 2011. There are parties for adults, family-friendly events, and restaurants with special menus.

I saw a tweet from Cockadoos this morning saying, “Let us help with your holiday baking!” They can do chocolate cake, strawberry pecan cake, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, muffins and more.

If you missed the showing of It’s a Wonderful Life at the Majestic Grille, you have another chance to see it in Downtown Memphis. First United Methodist Church, at 204 N. Second, will show the movie in a family-friendly environment tonight at 6 PM. Free parking, nursery available, free popcorn and drinks. Free popcorn? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

It’s Monday, and that means I’ll be at Pint Nite at the Saucer around 6:00, knocking off three $3 drafts toward my next plate on the wall.

The Commercial Appeal reviewed Lunchbox Eats this week. I’m pleased to see that they’re now open at night on the nights of Tiger games. People who don’t work Downtown now have a chance to experience their awesome school-themed food.

I’ve received a few e-mails asking what kind of selection City Market, the new grocery at Main and Union, carries. Here, see for yourself. The market uploaded 35 photos on the 14th.

Bar None has announced that it will offer happy hour pricing to those in the service industry who come in after 10:30 PM. The chef’s pub is open until 2:30 AM Tuesday-Saturday.

Recommendations for tonight: Jeffrey and the Pacemakers (60s British Invasion music) at Huey’s, 8:30 PM; the weekly rehearsal of the Memphis Jazz Orchestra at Alfred’s, 6-9 PM; It’s a Wonderful Life with special dinner menu at the Majestic Grille, 7 PM (reservations recommended, 901-522-8555).

I’ve received a couple of e-mails asking if I’m going to do a summary post of what’s happening on New Year’s Eve… probably not. It goes back to the fact that, despite the Downtown following, this is basically a personal blog where I write about what I know and like. And I’m “bah, humbug” when it comes to New Year’s Eve. It’s amateur night when all the people who don’t know how to party come out. Traffic jams, crowded bars, cover charges that are sky high. There’s at least a 50% chance I’ll just stay home, let the amateurs celebrate the agreed-upon arbitrary moment in time, and then enjoy my neighborhood bars when they re-open at 5 the next day. I’ll try to keep my eye out for other blogs with New Year’s listings, and link to them as I see them.

Boring night last night… did three beers toward my plate at the Saucer, hung out with my friends Stevie G and Sarah for a while. By 10:30 I was bored enough to come home and fire up PokerStars. I’m starting a new bankroll challenge, where I’m pretending that I only have $10 in my PokerStars account and am attempting to build it into something substantial at the micro-level cash games. I wrote a new post about it on my poker blog. The micro-limit cash games are just no fun unless there’s at least one fish, or bad player, at the table.

It’s Sunday Fun Day. Not hungry yet, so I’ll probably skip brunch at the Majestic and proceed directly to the Saucer. Think I may take the netbook with me and get some PokerStars time in this afternoon.

One of my favorite sites, Hot Chicks with Douchebags, has handed out the 2010 Douchie Awards. The Douchebag of the Year went to a guy named Stackhouse, who helped his case with some of the most illiterate writing ever seen on the Internet.

There were many other categories, including Orangest Orange, Douchiest Athlete, Jerziest Jerz, Douchebaguette, and many more. Check out the full list of awards here.