Don’t forget that tonight is National Night Out from 6 to 8, at the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson that houses the Memphis Farmers Market on Saturdays. Food from many local restaurants, beer, wine, music by Ashley McBride, and the chance to connect with your local police officers and firefighters. You can view complete details on the Facebook event listing.
I learned of some awesome news last weekend. I spend a lot of time at Bardog, and I’m used to looking out the window and seeing Jimmy, a homeless guy who lives in the alley next to the bar, walking around. A lot of people call him “Scratchy” because he tends to scratch his beard as he walks. Jimmy is just the nicest guy, who never asks for anything but will thank you for leftover food or cigarettes if offered to him. He’s been known to follow a couple of my female neighbors from the bar to our building’s front door, not in a creepy way but just to make sure they get home safe. The past few weeks, I hadn’t seen Jimmy. That worried me a bit. Did he die? Did he get arrested? Is he sick? All of those thoughts went through my head.
None of those were the reason Jimmy has been missing. This past weekend I found out that with the help of some kind people, Jimmy now has an apartment. That is fantastic news. Jimmy has been wandering the streets ever since I first moved Downtown. Very happy to see him get to a better place in life. I guess we can’t call Center Lane between Monroe and Union “Scratchy’s Alley” anymore.
On August 21, the 18 startup companies participating in Start Co.’s accelerators will hold Demo Day, pitching to investors in the hopes of securing funding. However, one Start Co. company has already secured $250,000. Graph Story is a company that uses logistics information compiled by multiple companies to help avoid problems before they happen and reroute drivers. Graph Story participates in Sparkgap, Start Co.’s logistics accelerator, and has secured funding through the Start Co. Angels Network.
The Downtown Central BBQ is holding a Bluff City Beer Dinner Wednesday, August 20. There will be beer by High Cotton Brewing Co. and Memphis Made Brewing Co. This won’t be a stuffy dinner. There will be snacks and a few reception beers while everyone shows up, and then there will be a four-course dinner, each course paired with local beers. You’ll get to sample six beers total, in a commemorative pint glass you get to take home. The main course will be a whole hog “pig picking.” 901-672-7760 to make your reservation. $35 plus tax and grat. Credit card number required to hold reservations, and cancellations after August 18 will be charged.
The Washburns are the reason the Breakaway-Bardog 5K got started. Their son Ethan had ALL, a type of leukemia. Without treatment, it can be fatal within a few months. The family was referred to St. Jude, where he received treatment at no cost to his family. He received his last planned chemo on August 17, 2012, exactly two years to the day before this year’s Bardog 5K and alley party. In the four years of its existence, the 5K/alley party has raised nearly $100,000 for St. Jude.
I’ll be at National Night Out tonight, then back north to Blind Bear to watch my friends play in the poker league final table. Too bad those 70s temps from last week didn’t stick around for National Night Out but it’s what’s to be expected from August.