Trying to catch up on two days’ worth of news. This post may be long.
The big news yesterday is that Southwest Airlines announced that it is expanding to Memphis. They already have the gates at Memphis International Airport, having bought AirTran last year. First flights are scheduled for August. Memphis air travelers will finally get to fly on an airline that has good customer service and whose planes arrive on time. I bet R.C. Johnson will be doing a lot of bragging about this.
The Brass Door will open early tomorrow, Sunday, January 22, for two important soccer matches. At 7:30 AM, Manchester City will take on Tottenham. Following that, at 9:30 Arsenal faces Manchester United. No better place Downtown to watch soccer while enjoying breakfast and drinks.
Here’s something I saw in the Flyer: On Tuesday, January 24, “The Black Diamond Experience” will be at Memphis Sounds Lounge, at 22 N. Third next door to A&R Bar-b-q. No, that’s not a tribute to the recently-closed late-night bar on Beale. Rather, it is a Neil Diamond tribute. As far as I know, this will be the first time Neil Diamond songs have ever been sung properly in Downtown Memphis. Clay and Robo butchering them at the crappyoke night the Monkey used to have on Saturdays doesn’t count.
If you’re in the mood to hear some good music tonight, check out “Seeing Stars with Star & Micey” tonight at the Center for Southern Folklore. The folk singing, guitar playing trio will take the stage at 8 PM. More info here.
The Green Beetle is starting a new special on Tuesdays. They will have a regular sized portion of spaghetti and meatballs for only $5. Want wine to go with your dinner? They’ll have $12 bottles of Canyon Road merlot and pinot grigio. A night out with an Italian meal and a bottle of wine for under twenty bucks? Not bad at all.
The 6th annual chili cook-off and 13th annual Polar Bear Plunge will happen on Mud Island Saturday, February 4, in support of Special Olympics of Memphis. For $50 you can participate in the Plunge and take a dip into the frigid Wolf River. You get a T-shirt and a free lunch. More details on the Plunge here. Divisions for the chili cook-off are red chili, salsa, and People’s Choice. There will also be prizes for showmanship. More details on the cook-off here.
Bardog Tavern has announced their Super Bowl watch party. They will have 25 cent wings, $2 Bud and Bud Light longnecks, $2 Fireball shots, and 4 HDTVs including the debut of a new 60″ TV in the Underdog Room.
The Memphis Flyer has more info on the Union Mission expansion. The new, larger building will ensure that all their guests have beds to sleep on, and that no one will be given a mat for the floor. Guests get four nights free a month and it’s $6 thereafter. You can purchase vouchers good for free nights here to hand out to the homeless. This is a much better way to help them than giving them money.
Thursday night I met some friends for the Silly Goose’s third anniversary party. We got there right as it started and there were cups full of prizes laid out along the bar.
Joe and Chad found “DUDE” headbands in their cups. These were souvenirs from Three Olives Vodka, makers of “The Dude” vodka that tastes just like Mountain Dew.
I found a Fireball shot glass in my goodie cup. I also got an E&J money clip.
Looking forward to my lunch today. I stopped by City Market on my way home last night, and found some Nawabi Gosh (spicy Indian beef with rice) in their pre-packaged to-go food section. I had their Vegetable Korma last night as a bedtime snack. I love Indian food and am pleased to see they’re doing more of it at the market.
Tigers play SMU at the FedExForum at 12. I’ll be at either Bardog or Saucer watching the game. Haven’t decided which yet. Fun times ahead for tonight – may be pics on the blog tomorrow.