BREAKING NEWS: Multiple, credible sources on Twitter are saying that the University of Memphis will join the Big East in all sports in 2013. Of course, these rumors have appeared several times before, but this time there seems to be some meat to them.
So, I was reading Kerry’s blog post about Cochon 555, and I noticed this very interesting line near the end:
“If you missed Cochon555, don’t worry. The team that hosted it will be back in Memphis over Labor Day weekend to hold their first annual heritage pork barbecue festival.”
Hmmm really? How interesting! The greater Memphis area is becoming a mecca for BBQ festivals. Besides the big one Memphis in May throws every year, we have Smokin’ Aces in Tunica in late September, the Liberty Bowl BBQ fest in December, and now this. The new team I’m on is just getting organized, so it’s too early for us to think ahead to the heritage pork festival. Wonder if my friends over at Squeal Street BBQ will take a shot at it.
The Daily News reports that there’s a new Russian Cultural Center open in South Main. They want it to be a place where Americans and Russians can interact, and Russian cooking classes, lectures, language classes, and film screenings are in the plans. Downtown just keeps getting more diverse. Love it!
Star & Micey play the Silly Goose tonight. It’s their regular monthly gig, first Tuesday of every month.
The first Memphis Gives tweetup happens tonight at Cortona Restaurant in Cooper-Young from 6 to 8. Attendees are asked to bring at least $5 to support Manna House. Cortona has agreed to extend happy hour pricing to 8 PM for the tweetup.
In the news: The last known World War I veteran has died. Florence Green joined the Women’s Royal Air Force in the UK seven months before the end of the war. She died in her sleep Saturday night at age 110.
Twitter users: Here’s an infographic to help you decide whether to use Twitter’s official “Retweet” button. Personally, I hate the official button. Hand-crafted RTs are much better. I don’t care if Twitter deems it “correct” or not.
Thursday at the Metal Museum, there will be a gallery talk and lecture by Dr. Daniel Mato, curator of the exhibition Weighed in the Balance: Akan Gold Weights from the Canadian Museum of Making. It’s hsoted by Memphis Urban League Young Professionals and times are 6:00 to 8:30 PM. Refreshments will be provided. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.
Also, the Museum will have a free day Saturday from 10 to 5. Spend $100 in the gift shop and get a free heart pendant.
Congrats to local food blogger Shannon R. Little, whose blog Memphis Foodie turns one year old today. She’s doing a giveaway on her blog to celebrate.
Today is the 200th anniversary of the 1812 New Madrid earthquake.
Wikipedia’s featured article today is about “Cartman Gets an Anal Probe,” an episode of South Park. Wasn’t Human Centipede a featured article a few months ago? Do the folks at Wikipedia have some kind of anal fetish?
I came very close to a poker win at the Silly Goose last night. It came down to a 20-minute heads-up battle between host Poker Jon and myself, a fight that dragged on so long that it delayed the start of the 10:00 game. Finally, I shoved all-in pre-flop with A-2, and Jon called with Q-8, suited I think. It looked like my Ace high would hold up, but Jon hit a Queen on the river to win the tournament. I didn’t realize Jon could win the $50 gift certificate in his own game. I got the points in the poker league though, and the satisfaction of knowing I can hang with a very talented player for an extended period of time.
I’m playing more poker tonight, Jamie’s game at the Blind Bear at 8:00. Before that I’ll pre-game at the Flying Saucer’s happy hour.