Fri update: Puppy pool party, Casablanca, Grizzlies open house, High Cotton’s new website, What a Way to Go tour, watch that tells you when you’re drunk

Lots of good stuff today. Let’s get to it.

There will be a puppy pool party this Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM at The Barking lot, at the corner of Main and Jefferson. It’s a benefit for Mid-South Spay & Neuter Services, and official vendor Memphis Dawgs will accept “Tips for Snips” donations. In addition to the pools, there will be lickable ice sculptures for the doggies as well.

The Orpheum will show classic movie Casablanca tonight at 7 on the big screen. Come early for a talk about the movie by film historian Vincent Astor. Astor’s book about Memphis movie theatres will be out this fall.

The Grizzlies are holding an Open House at the FedExForum tomorrow from 10 to 2. Test-drive seats if you’re thinking about buying season tickets. First 200 through the door get a “Believe Memphis” headband. If you purchase season tickets tomorrow, you’ll get a tour of the Grizzlies locker room. There will be free parking in the Toyota Parking Garage.

Local craft brewery High Cotton Brewing has a website that is worth checking out if you’re a beer lover. Learn about the types of beer they brew and where you can find it. I love good beer almost as much as I love tube tops.

Next Friday, Elmwood Cemetery is hosting a What a Way to Go tour. You’ll hear about Memphians famous not only for the lives they led, but for how they passed away. Tour cost is $20.

From Mashable: This watch will tell you when it’s time to stop drinking.

That’s the news for now. Happy weekend everyone.

Thur update: Bakery news, watch guitars being built, James Lee House party, Belle Diner, Orpheum movie, Peabody rooftop, Rebel on Beale, video job, outflow boundaries

Three great Memphis restaurants have gotten even better this week. Chef Jason Doty of Bluff City Bakery announced he’s now baking for Bardog Tavern, Aldo’s Pizza Pies, and Slider Inn. Follow the Chef on Twitter at @CraveMemphis.

The Memphis Flyer published its list of 10 free things to do this summer yesterday, and a writer uncovered a hidden gem of Downtown that even I didn’t know about. There’s a workshop at 645 Marshall, Saint Blues Guitar Workshop, where you can watch guitars being built. These guitars are used by notables such as Eric Gales and MGMT.

There will be a house party at the James Lee House, 690 Adams, on Monday, July 1 from 4 to 6 PM. The party is to celebrate the renovation of the property into the James Lee House bed and breakfast. Mayor Wharton, councilman Lee Harris, and the house’s new owners will be there. You can park for free one block north at Poplar and Orleans, and there will be entertainment and refreshments. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

The MBJ has a good article on the new Belle Diner in the old Rio Loco space on Union. They’re currently serving Southern lunch dishes from scratch at under $10. They plan to expand to dinner later this month, and possibly Saturday and Sunday brunch. As much as they can, they shop locally for ingredients.

Tonight’s movie in the Orpheum Summer Movie Series is The Philadelphia Story, a 1940 movie starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart. Start time is 7 PM.

The weekly Peabody rooftop party tonight will have The Millionaires with special guest Capitol Cities as entertainment. They’re going with a Mexican theme this week, with a fajita bar on the buffet and chicken and cheese enchiladas, a taco bar, chips and queso fresco on the buffet in VIP. The drink special is Cruzan passion fruit rum ($4) and the Budweiser sampling in VIP will be Woodchuck cider.

Also tonight, the Rebel on Beale concert series starts its season with Emerson Drive.

This is not a Downtown job, but I’ll mention it because I’ve heard it is a great place to work. Running Pony, a video production and post-production company, is hiring a writer/director/producer for commercials and corporate videos. They’re a fun place with annual opportunities to volunteer, annual fun days, opportunities to travel, and free snacks. Free snacks? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will apply.

Thanks to MemphisWeather.net I now know what an outflow boundary is.

I’ll probably lead off at Silly Goose again tonight after work. Last night Jessica had a tube top on as she bartended and that’s definitely the type of attire I want to encourage. I’ll be out about 5:30. Later in the evening I’ll hit the other usual bars.

Wed update: Let Southwest know they’re wanted here, WineAfterWork Wednesday, TUG’s donating to the HUB today, National Martini Day

All right folks, we have ourselves a slow news day here. I’ll post what I’ve got but this won’t be long.

If you live in Memphis and fly at all, you should consider signing up for Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards program. Southwest is considering a big move into the Memphis market, and one of the ways they gauge interest is by how many people in zip codes around the airport sign up for Rapid Rewards. Let’s let Southwest know they are wanted here, and maybe we’ll finally get reasonably-priced flights out of Memphis International. If you post about Rapid Rewards on social media, use the #MEMLUV hashtag which is another way for Southwest to track.

The Corked Carrot, the cupcake and wine bar at 314 S. Main, has announced WineAfterWork Wednesday. They will have half-price Conundrum wines from 5 to 7 PM, with radio’s Steve Conley as your host.

Don’t forget that TUG’s on Mud Island is donating 10% of recepits to the Hospitality HUB today. Grab you a good meal and help an organization that gives a hand up to those in need.

The Brass Door has $5 well martinis all day in celebration of National Martini Day.

That’s all I’ve got. I’ll probably change things up today after work and lead off at the Silly Goose in hopes of seeing some tube tops on the patio. Over and out, and maybe I’ll do a second post if the rest of the day proves more newsy.

Tue update: New poker night @ Mad Earl, Brass Door news, juice truck, Muck Sticky show, Shelton turns 8, revised Memphis to Moore total, and more

There’s a new Monday night poker game at The Mad Earl, the new sports/dive bar next to the Brass Door. I didn’t find out about it until very last minute yesterday, so I was unable to attend. However, my friend Dennis did, and these are the details he gave me.

  • Free to play
  • Two games at 6:30 and 8:30
  • $40 Harrah’s credit to the winner of each game plus other prizes. There was a pic of the 8:30 winner holding an Amazon gift card on the bar’s Facebook page.
  • Dennis got a $10 bar tab for coming in second at the 6:30 game
  • Three people from the River Rat Rounders run the game: One to keep time, one to run the first table, one to run a second table if needed. The River Rat Rounders are the same people who run the game at Jack Magoo’s.
  • 15-minute blind structure
  • Latecomers allowed in the first hour of the game only
  • Two decks are used to keep things moving fast
  • Players earn points in a 12-week league; league grand prize is a buy-in for a poker tournament in Tunica

(Mad Earl: If I have any of this incorrect let me know)

Sounds good. If they can get games done in two hours, that will be very well-received among a lot of the Downtown poker players. A lot of the existing bar games let latecomers in for nearly two hours and it makes the games take too damn long. I don’t know if I’ll play at Mad Earl much since Monday is Pint Nite at the Saucer, but I may show up there occasionally.

I commented on Facebook last night that if I ran a poker night, I’d give 5000 in extra starting chips to females in tube tops.

Next door at the Brass Door, they will be showing the USA vs. Honduras soccer match tonight at 8. Thursday they will have jazz saxophonist Carl Wolfe and The Little Big Band, and they will have jazz alternating Thursdays after that.

Food truck alert: The Memphis Business Journal reports that a mobile juice bar will soon be on the streets of Memphis. It will sell smoothies and juices.

Muck Sticky is having a pajama party at the New Daisy this Saturday starting at 7. He is celebrating his 4000th consecutive day in pajama pants (not the same pair the entire 4000 days though). He will play an extra long set, and Taco and the Mofos and the Flaming Death Fearies will also perform.

Also on Saturday, Shelton Clothiers will celebrate its 8th birthday with a fundraiser. A $5 donation to Mended Little Hearts of Memphis gets you BBQ, beer/wine, and live music. Mended Little Hearts is a nonprofit that helps families of children with congenital heart disease.

Revised total is in for the Memphis to Moore fundraiser: $34,000 raised for the Moore, Oklahoma Public Schools in cash and in-kind donations. That’s not bad for a fundraiser put together in only 17 days. It’s still not too late to donate, and you can do it here.

The Majestic Grille will be closed 4 to 6 this afternoon for a memorial service. The restaurant will re-open for normal business at 6:30.

Plans for tonight: I’ll most likely play the Blind Bear’s 8 PM poker game tonight, with a few pre-poker beers at Flying Saucer beforehand. Just a typical Tuesday.

Mon update: Friends for Life fundraiser, Redbirds brawl, funds for riverfront pulled, SOB repairs, orchestra job, Jerry Lawler museum and more

On Sunday, June 23, the Green Beetle will host a fundraiser for Friends for Life from 3 to 7 PM. The party will be called the Red Party. A $10 donation gets you a well drink, a red velvet cupcake, and a chance to win a door prize. The Chris Hill Band will provide the live music, and the Amurica photo booth will be there. Friends for Life supports Memphians suffering from AIDS and their caregivers. Suggested attire for the event is anything red (FFL’s suggestion) and in particular red tube tops (my suggestion).

The Redbirds got into a brawl over the weekend at Albuquerque, with multiple players on both sides ejected.

The state has pulled money meant for a bike and pedestrian trail on the riverfront, due to a lack of progress being made on the project. That’s a shame.

South of Beale will be closed until Wednesday for kitchen repairs.

Job hunters with a background in music: The Memphis Symphony Orchestra is seeking an orchestra personnel manager.

Jerry “The King” Lawler has announced his museum is moving to Tunica.

We had a celebrity Downtown yesterday. South Jersey celeb Splitty the Maul, pictured at center below, is vacationing in Memphis. Splitty is a frequent guest on Air Traffic Mike’s blog. Splitty visited the Majestic Grille, the Silly Goose, and the Flying Saucer.

splitty

We played several games of pool at the Saucer, and our friend Pete continued his tradition of losing to me multiple times. It’s the first time we’ve done pool at the Saucer in several months, and it was a lot of fun. Later in the day I played poker at the Blind Bear, where the final two were kitchen manager Michael Bean and the Nuh-Uh Girl. Bean won, but since he is an employee he’s not eligible for the prize and the Nuh-Uh Girl won it. I’m sure she’s thinking about all the food she plans to buy with that gift card.

I’ll be back at the Saucer about 5:45 for Pint Nite, most drafts on the tap wall $3. Stops after that TBD.

Memphis to Moore recap

Last night was the Memphis to Moore fundraiser put on by Moore, Oklahoma native Angela Copeland, Red Rover, and the Westin Hotel. The party was in the Westin Ballroom on the second floor. First time I’ve ever been in the ballroom and it was a fun, fun time. There was music and dancing, and I got to hang out with my friends and see some friends I hadn’t seen in years. Several of the ladies in attendance took my tube top/tube top dress suggestion for attire.

There was also a silent auction, with my BBQ teammate AnnMarie overseeing the room. I bid on a Blind Bear gift card (talk about an item I know I can use!) and a Grizzlies backpack, but got outbid for both.

Food from Bleu was served at several stations. One station had turkey, pork tenderloin, and trimmings. Another station was a build-your-own pasta bar, similar to the one Shorty used to have at the Silly Goose. There was also a dessert station. The Nuh-Uh Girl was all over the pasta bar and I got a few pics.

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Toward the end of the party there was a check presentation. It was estimated that Memphis to Moore had raised $25,000 to help rebuild the Moore, Oklahoma public schools that were damaged/destroyed by tornadoes. Congratulations to Angie and all involved on a job well done. If you missed the party but still want to donate, you can do so on the Memphis to Moore website.

Fri update #2: Double J parking lot party, a second Downtown Dishcrawl, Grizzlies hiring for Street Team, 5-cent coin story a hoax, ozone alert

There will be a parking lot party tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, June 15, in the parking lot next to Double J Smokehouse and Saloon. The party will benefit the Streetdog Foundation. Live music and a cornhole tournament. Roser from the Chris Vernon Show on 92.9 ESPN will be the emcee. This is one of those “tube topportunities” that I talk about from time to time.

The Downtown Memphis Dishcrawl scheduled for June 26 sold out in only 10 days. Due to demand, a second Downtown Dishcrawl has been planned for July 10. Dishcrawlers get to experience food from four unique Downtown dining spots. The planners won’t reveal the restaurants in advance, but the wording of the announcement suggests that all four restaurants are in the Downtown core. Paticipants will get an email 48 hours in advance notifying them of the meeting spot. Follow @dishcrawlmem for hints about the restaurants and news on future Dishcrawls.

The Grizzlies are hiring for their street team. This team promotes the Grizzlies at events and festivals around town, handing out Grizzlies swag and often working with Grizz the mascot and the Grizz Girls dance team. If you’re looking for an entry-level marketing gig, this would be a lot of fun. Must be able to work evenings and weekends. This is part-time gig.

The Samsung/Apple story I reported in my lunchtime post is false. Thanks to Otto for sending me the Snopes.com link debunking this.

A Code Orange Ozone Alert has been issued for Saturday. That means trolley and MATA bus rides will be 25 cents.

From Gizmodo: How to make layered drinks

Heading out for a couple of pre-party beers, then on to Memphis to Moore. Hope to see you this evening!

Fri update: Memphis to Moore TONIGHT, Gone with the Wind, canoe and kayak race, Samsung pays Apple

memphistomooreTonight is the big night… Memphis to Moore in the Westin Hotel ballroom from 7 to 10 PM. It’s a fundraiser organized by Memphis resident and Moore native Angela Copeland, to raise money for the tornado-damaged Moore, Oklahoma public schools. Grace Askew, The Super 5, open bar, food from Bleu. Here’s the Facebook event listing. $50 in advance, $60 at the door. You don’t want to miss this! It’s going to be one of the best parties of the summer. Here’s a WMC-TV video about Memphis to Moore.

Classic movie Gone with the Wind plays at The Orpheum tonight at 7. It’s part of the theater’s summer movie series.

The 32nd annual Outdoors Inc. canoe and kayak race happens tomorrow in the Wolf River harbor.

This is kind of funny… Samsung owes Apple $1 billion in a lawsuit settlement. However, the settlement did not specify method of payment, so Samsung delivered the $1 billion to Apple in 5 cent coins. Well played!

I hope to see lots of festive tube tops and tube top dresses at Memphis to Moore tonight! Let’s party and raise a ton of money for the kids in Oklahoma!

Thur update: Nightclub equipment for sale, Tebow, DMC incentives, Peabody party, Memphis to Moore, Mission needs underwear

Need some nightclub equipment? There’s some for sale Downtown this weekend. The owner of the former Sky Grille/Quetzal space on Union will be in town this weekend and is interested in talking to anyone looking to buy. More info here.

Tim Tebow will speak at the FedExForum Saturday. His mission is to raise awareness of homelessness, orphan care, and other under-resourced communities in the city. Event is at 7 PM. That’s the same time and proximity as the Gibson 5K, so if you’re going to either event, better allow extra time for traffic and parking.

The Downtown Memphis Commission is considering incentives for commercial real estate brokers whose clients sign long-term leases on Downtown office space. Sounds like a pretty good program to get the mix of businesses we need down here.

Almost Famous headlines the Thursday night Peabody rooftop party tonight. There will be egg rolls and pork fried rice on the food buffet. In VIP, the buffet will have spring rolls, fried dumplings, California rolls, Chinese-style BBQ ribs. The drink special will be Cruzan key lime rum for $4. It’s most definitely tube top weather on the Peabody roof.

A WREG story on tomorrow’s Memphis to Moore fundraiser is online. Yes, I’m going to mention Memphis to Moore every day this week, because I hope to see you there!

Memphis Union Mission is running short on men’s underwear if anyone feels like donating some. You can drop it off at their building at 383 Poplar.

That’ll do it for now. I’ll hit the Flying Saucer after work. It seems to be an unusually good week at the Saucer.