Tue update: Beale Street Landing, Yellow Cab, Hocus Pocus, trolley line, stuff happening on Madison

I wanted most of my lunchtime post to be about my experience at Mad Earl poker, so I held some stuff back. Let’s get the rest of the news out in this second Tuesday post.

The RDC has removed fencing at Beale Street Landing. This will give walkers and joggers access to the sidewalk running along Riverside Drive.

One of my readers emailed in response to my negative experience with Yellow Cab Sunday. You can call them in advance and schedule a pickup time. So I could have called at 8 AM when I got up to request a 10:30 pickup. Did not know that. She says they’re usually on time if not 5 minutes early. Maybe I’ll give that a try, but the cab company is definitely at two strikes with me.

AutoZone Park will screen Hocus Pocus on its big screen Saturday, October 26 at 6:00. The 1993 movie is about three modern-day witches in Salem, Mass. and is rated PG but is said to be family-friendly. Kids can dress in Halloween costumes, and there will be trick-or-treating and a limited number of hayrides along the ballpark’s warning track. Tickets are $6 in advance or $20 for a Family Four Pack in advance; $10 individual tickets at the gate. Go to www.memphisredbirds.com to get tickets.

MATA has received a $2.2 million grant to improve the Main Street trolley line, as reported by the MBJ.

A few things I learned about the block of Madison between Second and Third while playing poker at the Mad Earl last night:

1) A new wing place is close to opening in the old Thai Bistro space. Wing joints traditionally haven’t done well on that block, but now it’s reaching critical mass where there are enough active businesses for them all to do well.

2) Havana’s Pilon will soon expand into the building next door, eliminating the issue of limited seating.

3) Something is about to happen with the old Burger King restaurant at Second and Maggie H. Isabel. I’m not 100% sure I am cleared to blog what will be going in there, but it will be the first time that location has had much going on since 1993.

And that’s the rest of the news. On my way out to the Saucer for happy hour, then over to the Blind Bear for poker.