Mon update: Grizz news, Damon Stoudamire, Justin Timberlake to play FedExForum, shoe trunk show, open jobs, Beale Street Mess Around

I’d like to start off this post by thanking the Blind Bear for providing such an excellent environment for game-watching yesterday. They had brunch specials, Cinco de Mayo specials, and basketball specials all happening at once – it was a “special” place to watch the game! I drink a margarita to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, possibly the first time in the 17 months that the Bear has been open that I have had a drink there that was not a PBR or a Fireball. After yesterday, my issue of “where to watch the game?” has been settled for the rest of the 2013 playoff season. Except for games that happen during BBQ Fest, I will be at the Blind Bear.

About those remaining games: The NBA has released the complete schedule for the Western Conference semis. Game 2 will be in Oklahoma City Tuesday night at 8:30 (TNT); Game 3 in Memphis Saturday afternoon at 4 (ESPN); Game 4 in Memphis Monday 5/13 at 8:30; Game 5 (if needed) in OKC Wed 5/15; Game 6 (if needed) in Memphis Fri 5/17; Game 7 (if needed) in OKC Sun 5/19. Time TBD for games 5-7, TV TBD for games 4-7. Game 3 and 4 tickets are now on sale here.

If you want some free Grizzlies swag, head down to the FedExForum today between 11 AM and 6 PM. They’re handing out sunglasses, headbands, and posters.

Official watch parties have been announced for Tuesday night’s Grizzlies game. Downtown, the party will be at Aldo’s Pizza Pies. Great choice for a watch location – yummy pizza, great beer selection, plenty of alternatives on the menu if you don’t want pizza. There will also be two parties in Midtown, at Celtic Crossing and Local on the Square, and one in the U of M area at Buffalo Wild Wings on Poplar.

In other basketball news, Tigers assistant coach Damon Stoudamire has left the organization to return to his alma mater, Arizona. He was with the Tigers for two years, and his status as a former NBA All-Star was a help with recruiting. Before that he was an assistant for the Grizzlies. Best wishes to Coach Stoudamire, who looks to have a promising coaching career ahead of him.

Justin Timberlake has announced that he will play the FedExForum on Monday, November 18. That happens to be my birthday. I have little interest in attending, but lots of interest in people-watching that night. Tickets go on sale a week from Friday.

If you love fine Italian shoes, there will be a trunk show at Lansky at the Peabody from 11-4 Saturday for Donald J. Pliner shoes. Sales rep Jimmy Richmond will be on hand to showcase the spring line and preview the fall line for these shoes that stand out for fashion and comfort. 20% off all Donald J. Pliner shoes during this event.

A Facebook friend of mine who works at Lokion posted that there are jobs open: Bookkeeper, ATG developer, Java developer, account exec, entry-level C# developer, C# developer. I have heard that this is an excellent place to work.

The second annual Beale Street Mess Around benefitting the Blues Foundation is this Friday, May 10 at 7 PM at the Rum Boogie Cafe on Beale. Fundraiser presented by Brandon Santini for The Blues Foundation’s Raise the Roof! campaign, features performances by Mud Morganfield, John Nameth, Bryan Lee, Terry Hanck, Sugar Ray Radford, Dennis Gruenling, Little G. Weevil, Brandon Santini, Jeff Jensen, Greg Nagy, Redd Velvet and more. $10 at the door.

That’ll wrap it up for now. After-work plans: Pint Nite at the Saucer for some $3 drafts.