Tue update: Marathon/streets, updated icy weather info, Giving Tuesday, win free PR for your organization, Battle of the Birds, good Pastner article

The first Saturday morning in December is not a great time to drive Downtown. The streets will be clogged with St. Jude Marathon runners. Best advice is to not drive at all that day, but if you must, Action News 5 has a list of what streets will be the most crowded and at what times.

The MemphisWeather.net blog has info on the icy weather that will be headed our way Friday. Temperatures will be in the mid-upper 30s Friday morning, and as they fall below freezing midday precipitation will change to freezing rain or sleet. Models indicate that enough ice may accumulate to warrant a Winter Storm Warning or an Ice Storm Warning. Yikes. I will say it again: If you’re headed to Memphis from out of town for the marathon, taking vacation and getting here Thursday would be a very good idea.

We’ve made it through Black Friday, Shop Local Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Today is Giving Tuesday. Instead of shopping for material goods for yourself or others, why not donate to a local nonprofit or charity? You have plenty of choices: A large charity like St. Jude, MIFA, or the Mid-South Food Bank; or smaller nonprofits like the Memphis Farmers Market or the Center for Southern Folklore. Or, you could give your time to a charity like Memphis Grizzlies TEAM UP that mentors young people.

Obsidian’s PR 180 project has launched for 2014. Your organization could win six months of pro bono PR from the firm, and receive the same focus and resources as Obsidian’s paid clients. Apply here. Nominations will run through December 6. On December 9, voting will begin on Obsidian’s Facebook page, and will run through the 16th. Two winners will be selected.

The Redbirds have announced a special exhibition game against the defending National League champions, the St. Louis Cardinals, for March 28 at AutoZone Park. “The Battle of the Birds” will be the Redbirds’ final pre-season game leading up to Opening Day.

Good article on Josh Pastner on the USA TODAY website today.

That’s it for this Tuesday. As usual I will play the 8 PM poker game at the Blind Bear tonight.