Fri update: NBA draft, Trolley Night, MPD considering HQ move, John Wayne movie, learn to fly, mobile LED signs

The NBA draft was last night, and while the Grizzlies didn’t have any first-round picks, they made some moves in the second. The Flyer’s Chris Herrington has an excellent analysis. The biggest move is that we dealt Darrell Arthur to Denver. In return, we got an asset we desperately needed, Kosta Koufos, a true center. Koufos will allow Marc Gasol to get some rest on the bench when he needs it. Koufos started 81 games for Denver last season.

In breaking Grizzlies news, it looks like Jerryd Bayless will be back next year. I bet Meg is jumping up and down with joy right now. Hopefully in a tube top.

Also, D.J. Stephens will play on the Miami Heat’s NBA summer league team. He has not been drafted by any NBA team as of yet.

South Main Trolley Night is tonight, with many galleries and shops open until 9 or later. There are several special events. One is a closing reception for George Hunt’s “Memphis – Still the Blues” show at d’Edge, as well as a celebration of Mr. Hunt’s 73rd birthday. Miss Birdsong’s Sweet Tooth Candy Company will have a booth at Main and Nettleton. There will also be illustrators and silk-screen artists doing demos, and the Amurica photo booth will be in the area. There will also be several shops and galleries with live music.

MPD is considering moving its headquarters out of the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center and into a building the city already owns at 128 Adams. That building served as police HQ from 1911 to 1982. I remember attending a presentation by former MPD director Larry Godwin a few years ago, and he said what a great thing it would be to have all public safety services housed together in one building. Currently those functions are scattered across the city.

The Orpheum will show 1956 John Wayne western The Searchers at 7 tonight. Before the movie at 6:30 there will be a concert by bluegrass band Blue Day.

Want to learn to fly? There’s a Groupon for Downtown Aviation. For $49 you get a 90-minute lesson with both ground school and flight time. Downtown Aviation isn’t actually Downtown, but up the road on North Second a bit. Close enough, though. For those of you who live in suburban hell Olive Branch, there’s an option to take your lesson out there too.

Mobile LED signs may be coming to Downtown. The DMC’s Design Review Board will review the proposal Wednesday, July 3 at 4 PM, and the public is welcome for those who have input.

Plans for tonight: I’ll lead off at the Saucer, where I’ll likely drink Dos Equis Lager while being stared at by a person who has been consumed with bitterness and resentment lately. Then around the corner to celebrate a friend’s birthday at 7. (Mostly) fun times ahead for tonight.