Sad news to report today. Bobby Durango has passed away. I met Bobby in 2005 when he was waiting tables at Sleep Out Louie’s. However, he is better known as one of the founders of the Rock City Angels, a band that was very influential in the South Florida rock scene in the early-mid 1980s. The band’s lineup included Johnny Depp at one point. By the time I met Bobby, his musical career was on the back-burner for the time being. However, he did perform at Sleep Out’s a couple of times with Crash Kole and Bobby’s guitar protege Smokin’ Lemon. There have been hoaxes concerning his death in the past, but yesterday afternoon the band released a statement confirming his death. R.I.P. Bobby, it was a pleasure being your friend.
By the way, Bobby was around the first couple of years I did Tube Top Month, and was a big supporter of the cause. So ladies, why not honor Bobby’s memory by wearing a tube top the next time you go out!
This weekend when the gang was hanging out at Bardog, Aldo told us to save the date: Bardog’s fourth birthday party will be Sunday, August 19. These alley parties are always a lot of fun with a dunk tank, meatball eating contest, grilled food, and other surprises. Last year, the party along with the Bardog 5K earlier in the day raised $20,000 for St. Jude. Aldo says his goal is $30,000 this year.
Speaking of St. Jude, First Tennessee is matching donations made through its Online Bill Pay service. Details here.
Spaghetti Warehouse begins its 40th anniversary celebration by giving customers 40% off on their choice of two dishes today. You can choose the 15-layer lasagne or the spaghetti & meatballs. No coupon is needed.
Last night Double J Smokehouse and Saloon tweeted that they’ve revised their menu and added some new items. I don’t think the menu has been revised on their website yet, so stop by and see what they’ve got. Hopefully the new menu items will receive similar high praise to their steaks, ribs, and sandwiches.
Memphis Sounds Lounge, next to A&R Bar-b-Que on North Third, is doing “Jazz for a Cause” tomorrow night, June 6. The concert’s flyer notes that 18 U.S. veterans commit suicide every day, mostly due to psychiatric drugs. Jazz and blues piano legend Junior Mance will perform. Two shows, 7:30 and 9:30. Buy tickets at LiveJazzFromFamousVenues.com.
The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation’s TEAM UP program is looking for 50 new mentors. The program pairs 3 adult mentors with 9 students in select public charter middle schools. Mentor teams meet with students once per week during the school year to help students develop strong social and academic skills and prepare for college and career. Mentors get lots of support from the Foundation. If you want to throw your name in the hat for the Foundation’s mentor draft, visit this page. There are also 1-to-1 and other types of mentoring opportunities available.
There will be a transit of Venus across the Sun today and tomorrow. This happens when Venus passes between the Earth and the Sun. It will be the last transit to happen this century. The same precautions used when viewing a solar eclips should be used to view the transit. Find out how to watch the transit online.
Plans for tonight: I haven’t been in a poker playing mood much lately, but I guess I’ll show up for the weekly poker game at the Blind Bear at 8. Might as well get my point for showing up toward league standings if nothing else. Will pre-game at the Saucer beforehand.