Tue update: Silly Goose, Bravo and SEE Memphis parties and more

I have info about several upcoming parties to share in this lunchtime post.

Tomorrow night, Wednesday July 27, the Silly Goose is throwing a Luau Party. It starts at 9 PM and the flyer reads, “Get laid! Whoever has the most leis at 1 AM wins cash.” DJ Milan will be spinning. The event listing on Facebook recommends bikinis for ladies. Usually I recommend wearing tube tops to parties, but in this case the Goose’s recommendation is even better than mine.

Normally I HATE the color orange, because I associate it with UT. Nonetheless, I have to recommend that you put on orange Friday night. You see, orange is also the color of ArtsMemphis, and if you wear it to the Bravo season kickoff party (506 S. Main at the MPACT Memphis headquarters), you get free beer and wine from 6 to 9 PM. Bravo is the arts group for young professionals 21-45. Join and you get to attend 12 events a year, everything from gallery visits to the symphony to the opera and more. Great way to meet people and experience the arts in Memphis. More info here.

Friday is also the last Friday of the month, which means it will be South Main Trolley Night. Many of the shops and galleries will be open from 6 to 9, and many of them offer free appetizers and wine to entice shoppers to come in. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

SEE Main Street will celebrate 5 years of being Downtown’s only optometry practice with a party on Thursday, August 18 from 5 to 7:30 PM. For a $10 donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, you’ll get all you can eat and drink. There will be live music, and you can drop off your business card for a chance to win a pair of Ray-Bans. Ray-Ban will host a trunk show displaying their new styles, and you can get $25 Trunk Show Bucks good toward a purchase that night. This will be the night of the Third Thursday Block Party, so there will be plenty to see and do in the area.

In other news, fellow blogger Ryne Hancock has posted the essential SEC viewing schedule. This is worth printing out. Some good games coming up this fall. Max’s Sports Bar is going to be hopping. Go Hogs!

Crime is down 20% in Downtown Memphis this year. It’s no coincidence that crime went down the year bike patrols were put on the streets. Great work MPD. 38103 continues to be the safest zip code in the city.

Plans for tonight: Trivia at the Silly Goose, 8:00. It’s week 9 toward their 12-week cumulative prize, and the Rapscallions are closing in on clinching it. I’ll probably hit the Saucer at 6 and pre-game there until about 7:45, then head next door.

Other stuff going on: $5 half-yards of beer at Bar None; pint night at Bardog (all drafts $3) from 7 to 3; trivia night with Kevin Cerrito at Ferraro’s, with $15 all you can eat and drink; trivia night at the Saucer, building toward a cumulative prize of a trip for 4 to the Abita Brewery in Louisiana.

Mon update: Brass Door, Hell’s Kitchen, recycling survey, Elvis pub crawl, weather nerd alert, Haslam video and more

I’m hearing from a couple of sources that the Brass Door, the Irish pub on Madison, will open this weekend. Don’t take that as gospel: I haven’t heard it from the owners themselves, but I saw it on Twitter, posted by someone I consider a credible source. I’ve also been invited to a birthday party there this weekend, and it’s hard to imagine someone would schedule a party there if they weren’t pretty sure it would be open. That said, new restaurants often face last minute hurdles regarding permits and inspections. If I get in there this coming weekend, I’ll try to take photos.

It’s week 2 of Hell’s Kitchen, and the Green Beetle and contestant Jonathon Plumley will host another watch party tonight at 7. Plumley will again serve his Punch Drunk Chicken. More details and news about the Beetle can be found in their week 2 blog post.

The Memphis City Gardens at Central Station would like you to take a brief survey. They’re trying to measure the pulse of Downtowners on adding a recycle bin near the Memphis Farmers Market. You can take the survey here.

The Flying Saucer has announced that their third annual Elvis pub crawl will be the night of Saturday, August 13. List of bars to come, but save the date, and in the meantime, you can prepare by doing some grocery shopping. As always, the pub crawl will benefit the Memphis Food Bank, and they’ll be collecting canned goods. I’m sure Susie, Nikki and others will be relieved to hear that I’m not dyeing my hair black this year.

Weather nerd alert: The new 30-year averages for Memphis for temperature and precipitation, covering the period 1981 to 2010, have been released. MemphisWeather.net has them here. One thing I noticed, looking through them: In previous 10-year averages, the normal highs were out of the 90s by the last week of August. The new averages have the 90s normal highs continuing into the first week of September. Also, in the 1971-2000 averages, the normal low only hit 74 degrees two days out of the year. In the 1981-2010 averages, there are 38 days with a normal low of 74. Summer is getting longer. Also, winter is getting shorter; the normal low never dips below freezing in the new averages, and there are only 12 days when it even reaches 32.

Watch this YouTube video to hear what Governor Bill Haslam had to say about Downtown Memphis when he spoke last week at the annual DMC (formerly CCC) luncheon.

A very fun Sunday Fun Day yesterday afternoon. Throughout the afternoon, nearly 20 members of our extended group of friends stopped by the Saucer, drinking, laughing, having a good time. Clearly the Saucer is still the place to be on Sunday afternoon, and once again people commented how much easier it was to breathe without the cigarette smoke. The group was still going strong at nearly 6, and as much as I would have liked to stay longer, I had to stop by Bardog to see Brooke at her last Sunday shift. Fun times there too. Took home the Dog of the Day; my health guru probably won’t be happy to hear that it was my combined breakfast, lunch and dinner. I took some photos, including one of Christy chowing down on chicken fingers, but the camera isn’t here with me so I’ll have to post later.

It’s Monday, so the usual stuff is going on today. The watch party at the Beetle; trivia night at Bar None, 7:30; poker night at the Silly Goose, 9:00; happy hour with Melissa at Bardog, 5 to 7; Salty Dogs runners’ group meets at Bardog for a 7 PM run; Pint Nite at the Saucer all day, with most draft pints $3; half price pizza and wine at Spindini.

Sausage and pepper sandwich @ Green Beetle

Last night about 8 I wandered south to Max’s Sports Bar. Josh and Mark were sitting out front of the Green Beetle. They invited me in. I told them I couldn’t stop right then, because I told people I’d be at Max’s, but I’d catch them on the way back. “Well, come on by,” they told me. “We’ll have the kitchen open late and cold beer.”

A couple of hours later, I stopped by. I ordered the sandwich I’d been wanting to try since I first saw the menu: The sandwich pictured above, with sausage covered in onions and red and green peppers. It came with a huge bowl of marinara for dipping, and my choice of fries and potato salad. I went with potato salad, and let me tell you, it’s right up there with Bardog’s as the best potato salad Downtown. Sandwich was tasty too. At $7, a very good value.

Fun day yesterday. Did a little afternoon beer drinking with friends at the Saucer, then returned at 6:30 for a double plate party. My friend Bicycle Bobby completed his 10th time around the Ring of Honor. In addition to the plate party, the Saucer will send him and a friend to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, and for future plate parties the amount he gets to spend goes up to $200. Meanwhile, Cap’n Sparkles got his third plate, earning him a “3PEAT” T-shirt, and when he gets his 4th plate done, his plate party amount will go up to $125. Congrats to both, and thanks for letting me be a part of your combined party. Prospective members: Even if you never drink any beers toward the plate, joining the UFO Club is a good deal because it lets you beat the $3 cover for bands. Do that six times and you’ve recovered the cost of membership. Just tell your server or bartender that you want to join, and they’ll make it happen.

After the Saucer I went to Max’s, where I resisted the temptation to get a blue crack box and play poker, and actually TALKED TO PEOPLE instead. Proud of myself for that. Lately I’ve had tunnel vision for poker there, since I can’t play online anymore.

Plans for today: Well, it’s almost 11, and I haven’t even showered yet, so brunch at the Majestic is looking like a no-go this week. However, I will be at the Saucer for Sunday Fun Day at noon. Later in the afternoon I’ll have to make a trip to Bardog… it’s Brooke’s last shift before she moves to the Slider Inn. Time to get this party started. Sending “put something good on fire sale” positive vibes the Saucer’s direction…

Twitter users: Beware of “Someone said this real bad thing about you in a blog” direct messages

There’s a new phishing scam going around Twitter today. If you get a DM saying “Someone said this real bad thing about you in a blog,” do not click on the link. It will take you to what appears to be the Twitter homepage and ask you to log in… but if you look at the URL, it’s NOT the Twitter home page and it’s not a secure connection. If you type the username and password, hackers will have it. Anytime you log into Twitter, make sure the twitter.com URL appears in the address bar.

Sat update: Redbirds Organ Donor Night, food links, New York Suit Exchange, Beavis and Butt-head and more

Fun night hanging out at the Saucer last night. A friend of ours who returned for a visit was told that none of our group hangs out at the Saucer anymore, now that they’ve gone non-smoking. Apparently the 8 or 9 of us who were there didn’t get that memo (or, did and recognized it for the manipulative BS it was). I was there until almost midnight and got three beers done for my 6th plate. After that I stopped by Huey’s for Paul’s Drunkass Food, which last night was a West Coast burger.

Yahoo! Sports did a story on the Redbirds recently. August 13 is Organ Donor Night at AutoZone Park. The ‘birds will wear special uniforms for the game, and you can see pictures here. Wow. Livers and kidneys on baseball uniforms. That’s… um, different, to say the least.

Warning: Be prepared to be hungry if you click this link. Thomas from the Eat Local Memphis blog went to Felicia Suzanne’s for lunch yesterday, and got the grilled cheese sandwich. OMG that looks good. I need to take a Friday off soon and eat at Felicia’s.

Speaking of food: Now and then I’ll spotlight a dish at a Downtown restaurant. Recently I went back through about March and categorized all my food posts. You can find them here in Paul’s Food Find. Now, keep in mind that I don’t claim to be a food blogger; I just write about what I like. Still, I think my posts are a good sampling of Downtown dining. If you’re new to town and are looking for Memphis dining info, I recommend you bookmark these blogs:

Probably a bad political move to be linking to a bunch of other blogs while the Best of Memphis voting is going on, but who cares.

In the news: UT self-imposes two years’ probation, in response to a bunch of NCAA violations, most of which were due to the fact that its former basketball coach was a huge douchebag. They’re hoping that with the probation in place, and having fired Douchey Brucey and spineless wussy AD Mike Hamilton, the NCAA will think they’ve been punished enough.

Great news: One of the best TV shows ever is returning this fall, after being off the air 14 years. Yep, Beavis and Butt-head are coming back. Can’t wait.

The Memphis Business Journal reports that New York Suit Exchange is outgrowing its current spot at Union and Danny Thomas. They’re considering a new location, either Downtown or elsewhere. I hope they stick around. I do most of my clothes shopping at Shelton, but they’re good to have around when I need an inexpensive dress shirt that I’ll only wear a few times a year.

Great editorial by Internet poker coach Chris Wilcox about the downfall of online poker and the innocent people who are now out of jobs. He gets to the root of why the government targeted online poker, and Tennessee’s very own ex-Senator Bill Frist was mentioned. Interesting read.

Playing around with Spotify this morning. Listening to Rush’s early albums and remembering how good they were. Pretty cool, to listen to music for free. I was going to buy and install OS X Lion, but I’m worried it will take a while and interfere with my afternoon beer drinking. Speaking of which, it’s time to hit Publish, then hit the bar…

Fri update: Stuff going on this weekend, Gus’s in USA Today, Duckmaster plank, and more

WEVL’s Blues on the Bluff is tomorrow night at the National Ornamental Metal Museum from 6 to 11 PM. Music by Lightin’ Malcolm with Junior Kimbrough’s grandson Cameron, the Bo-Keys, and Blind Mississippi Morris and the Pocket Rockets. There will BBQ (including vegetarian BBQ) from Central BBQ, and there will be alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for sale. The evening will end with a silent auction, which will include themed packages from WEVL volunteer DJs, and merchandise and gift certificates from Memphis restaurants and shops. Free guarded parking across from the event will be available. Tickets are $20 at the gate, but you can purchase them in advance here for the discounted price of $15 until 11:59 tonight.

Fire dance/belly dance troupe The Dancing Fire has a show at the Rumba Room tomorrow night at 7:30. It will be called “Ignite Your Night” and is the fifth in their series “The Hidden Art.” Dancers will perform as close to your table as safely possible. $10 admission, with half-price of admission for groups of two or more. Admission includes salsa night afterward. More info here.

Couple of events happening tonight that I’ve mentioned before, but just want to remind everyone:

  • Memphis Heat plays at the Orpheum at 7:15. It’s the story of Memphis wrasslin’ from the Sputnik Monroe days to the era of Jerry “The King” Lawler. Memphis wrestling dignitaries will be on hand, including Jerry Jarrett, Lance Russell and Dave Brown.
  • V3 Fights presents 10 fights tonight at the FedExForum, with a portion of proceeds going to the Officer Timothy Warren Fund. (Edit: Oops that’s tomorrow, had the date wrong, sorry.)

The Peabody Duckmaster did a little planking this morning. Nice!

Congratulations to Gus’s, which was mentioned on USA Today’s Great American Bites today.

Saw a rant on Twitter today about women taking their shoes off in public. My 2 cents worth: Leave your shoes on, and take your tube tops off instead.

My plans for tonight are TBD at this point. Still want to park myself at the Green Beetle and see what the crowd is like on a weekend night, but not sure if tonight will be the night I do that. I’ll start at happy hour at the Saucer around 6, then figure it out from there.

Thur update: Harry’s Detour to close soon, traffic signal out, CCC is now DMC, Thursday night parties

If you want to eat at Harry’s Detour in the South Main district, you better make your reservations soon. It will close on Friday, July 29, ending on a high note with Trolley Night. The restaurant’s staff will move to the Midtown location. Fellow blogger Ryne Hancock has more details about the closing on his blog Southern Times, Girls and Sports.

The intersection of Danny Thomas and Vance should be avoided for the next few days. Workers will be replacing a signal pole, and as they’re working, the traffic signal there will be a four-way stop. We all know how well Memphians understand four-way stops at flashing red lights (they don’t at all), so my best advice is to stay away from this intersection if you can help it.

The Center City Commission has officially been rebranded the Downtown Memphis Commission. Paul Morris can now say he runs DMC.

It’s Thursday party night. Four big outdoor parties will be going on. The Third Thursday party is tonight at Main and Peabody Place. Tonya Dyson & Green Onions, Soul Survivors, and Vic Reid Quartet will perform, with discounts and specials at restaurants and shops in the area. Free to the public, starts at 5:30.

Free Sol with Black Rock Revival and Matt Nathanson are the featured entertainment atop the Peabody tonight. Buffet theme is Pan-Asian tonight, with egg rolls, Pad Thai, and pork fried rice. In VIP the buffet will have spicy cashew chicken, spring rolls and fried dumplings. $10 to get in includes first drink, ladies free until 7.

If you have a VIP pass to the Peabody rooftop parties, there’s a pre-party for you in the Corner Bar from 5 to 6, with featured beer Michelob Ultra. You have to show your VIP card to get in.

There’s also an after-party, open to the public, in the Corner Bar from 10 to 12, with music by Eric “Scrappie” Hughes and Guy Jr. VIP card-holders get two-for-one drinks at this party.

Over at the Madison, rooftop party guests will enjoy funky rhythm & blues with Elmo & the Shades. Sophisticated drinks and distinctive tapas available. $7 to get in. Doors open at 5:30, sunset at 8:11.

Meanwhile, at Handy Park on Beale, Kix on Beale will have its final week of the year. Brantley Gilbert and Gloriana will perform, starting at 7:30. There will be a couple of after-parties, with Hollywood Disco hosting a beer bust and hottest cowgirl contest, and Rum Boogie having a Barenjager tasting at 10.

That’s all for now. I’ll be out somewhere tonight. Where, I’m not sure yet.

Near-record crowd shows up for Wednesday night poker at Bardog

Tonight I started at Blue Fin for their sushi happy hour, which lasts until 6:30. $3, $5, and $7 rolls, all of which cost significantly more if ordered off the menu.

With my stomach happy, I made a brief trip by the Saucer, then on to Bardog for their 7:30 Texas Hold’em game in the Underdog. It’s free to play, just show up by 7:30 and grab a seat. This was one of their busiest nights ever.

There were four tables going, and when I say full, I mean overfull, meaning tables that were meant to handle 6 were seating 8. Futhermore, people were coming and going Tournament director Poker Jon estimated there were nearly 40 people there.

I had a good run and made it to the 7-person final table. Unfortunately I was the first one out. Poker Jon took my seat and dealt for the remainder of the tournament.

Thoroughly enjoyed playing with everyone tonight. Although I busted out one seat before points for Poker Jon’s 10-week final table, I still had a lot of fun.

Poker Jon’s league also plays at Bayou Bar & Grill (Sunday), Silly Goose (Monday), and Old Zinnie’s (Tuesday). Individual nightly prizes, plus points toward the league championship.

Wed update: OS X Lion, work for the Church Health Center, free stuff to do, douchey colleges, Snuggie Pub Crawl

Sad news to start this Wednesday blog post. Mike Lenegar of Neola Farms passed away last night. Mike raised cattle on his farm in Tipton County, and did a lot to get the local farm-to-table movement going. Neola Farms beef has been sold at the Memphis Farmers Market, and is served at Trolley Stop Market and many other Memphis restaurants. Condolences to the Lenegar family. Dining in Memphis would not be the same without Mike’s many contributions.

Mac owners: OS X Lion hit the App Store this morning. Here’s a list of new features in Lion, and here’s a guide on preparing your Mac for Lion. If you use Parallels Desktop to run Windows on your Mac, you’ll need to upgrade to Parallels Desktop 6 in order for it to work with Lion. Here’s a LifeHacker article explaining the pros and cons of upgrading to Lion for those who are perfectly happy with Snow Leopard.

Want to work for one of Memphis’ best nonprofits? The Church Health Center has several positions open.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau published a list of free things to do in Memphis. It’s quite a long list!

GQ named the 10 douchiest colleges in America. UK should have made the list solely based on their head basketball coach.

The date has been announced for this year’s Beale Street Snuggie Pub Crawl: 11/11/11. Well that will be easy to remember.

“Memphis City Schools” is a trending topic on Twitter. Can’t we ever trend for anything positive? I thought we were done being the laughingstock of the nation now that Herenton is gone, but I guess not.

Time to grab some KFC, then back for an exciting afternoon of cubicle sitting.