Wed update: International Blues Challenge app, vote for Pastner/LeBonheur, new Goose furniture, Grizzlies trade analyzed, South Main Trolley Night this Friday

First of all, a programming note: Starting Monday, this blog will be on a different publishing schedule for the next three weeks. I will be in training at work learning some cool new software tools, and the training only allows a 30 minute lunch break. Usually I get an hour for lunch and have time to blog, but with only 30 minutes, I’ll likely need to use the time for other things, for example eating. Not sure when I’ll post. Perhaps I’ll get up early and do the blog before work. Or maybe I’ll take the netbook out with me after work and blog from one of my “branch offices.” All three bars where I’m mayor on Foursquare – Flying Saucer, Blind Bear, and Silly Goose – have free Wi-Fi, so it’s definitely an option.

Are you getting excited about the International Blues Challenge, which happens on and around Beale Street next week? There’s an app for that! Search for “international blues challenge” in your smartphone’s app store. The app will have competition and event information and maps. It will notify you when schedules and results have been posted, so you’re always up to date with the latest info. You’ll also be able to live-tweet from IBC using the official #ibc2013 hashtag, and if you’re in a giving mood you can donate to the Blues Foundation right from your phone. iPhone users: The app requires iOS 6. (Dammit, I guess I can’t put off upgrading any longer.)

Vote for Josh Pastner in the Infinity Coaches’ Charity Challenge. Winning coach will get $100,000 for the charity of his choice. Coach Pastner’s choice is LeBonheur. You can vote once per day. The coaches are in four brackets of 12, and Pastner is in the South bracket. Top four from each region will advance to the semifinals.

As mayor of the Silly Goose, I consider it my duty to keep my readers informed of new happenings there. I came in last night for a PBR or two and found new lounge furniture in the back right corner.

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Comfy wraparound couches, similar to the ones at Blue Fin. Looks like they will make that corner a great spot to chill out, relax, and enjoy a cocktail.

Chris Herrington of the Flyer posted a thorough breakdown of the Grizzlies trade situation. What he wrote makes sense. I liked Marreese Speights a lot, but with Z-Bo and Darrell Arthur healthy, we were simply paying too much money for him to be the #4 option in the frontcourt, even more so if it meant crossing the luxury tax line.

The first South Main Trolley Night of 2013 is this Friday, January 25. Come shop, eat, and check out the art at South Main venues from 6-9. There will be live performances at Grawemeyer’s, the Russian Cultural Center, K’presha, Midtown Bikes, Douglas and Associates, Art Jam’n, and D’Edge.

That’s all for now. Time to go grab lunch while I still can.