Bad tipper rant + Friday news

Before I get to the news, it’s rant time: Last night I was at the Silly Goose for happy hour. Two women came up to the bar and ordered drinks which were $10 apiece for a total of $20. One of the women handed the bartender a 20, tipping her nothing, and they walked off with their drinks. A half hour later they came up and ordered another round of drinks. This time they paid with a credit card and tipped 50 cents. Bartenders generally make $2.13 an hour and rely on tips for the majority of their income. IF YOU REFUSE TO AT LEAST TIP SOMETHING AT LEAST IN THE RANGE OF 15-20% YOU NEED TO GO TO A LIQUOR STORE AND MIX YOUR OWN DRINKS AT HOME. Absolutely ridiculous. That 50 cent tip won’t even cover the taxes the bartender will have to pay for those two orders. She LOST money by waiting on those women. As I have said on here before, bartending is not volunteer work.

The Memphis Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony is going to be a bigger deal this year than most, because Justin Timberlake will be inducted and there is a lot of buzz around him. The induction is Saturday, October 17 at 7 PM at the Cannon Center for Performing Arts. Other inductees include Alberta Hunter, Al Jackson, Jr., Memphis Slim, Scotty Moore, Charlie Rich, and Sam & Dave. Tickets are $50 and $100 and are available by calling 1-800-745-3000 or going to Ticketmaster.com. Attire is dressy, business, business casual, or Memphis Music glam. There will be an after-party at Hard Rock Cafe.

“Oh, my Squash!” is the theme of the Memphis Farmers Market tomorrow from 7 AM to 1 PM at the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson. It’s the time of the year when summer squashes – yellow-neck, zucchini, and patty-pan – are on their way out, and winter squashes – acorn, butternut, and delicata – are on their way in. UT Extension Agent Sheryl Miller will give cooking demos of Sheryl’s Summer Squash with Pasta at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30. Master gardeners will be on hand from 9 to noon, answering questions on how to protect your garden from the upcoming winter. Live music by JoJo Jeffries 8:30-10 and The Zoo Girls 11-12:30.

From the Flyer: Downtown is getting 62 new wayfinding signs that will help tourists find key attractions in the area.

The Memphis Tigers have an away game at Kansas Saturday, and things are looking good for the Tigers: A Bleacher Report writer is speculating that Kansas is making its case for being the worst major-conference team in college football history. Last week the Jayhawks were getting ready to kick a game-tying field goal in the closing seconds of the game… except they didn’t get to because the quarterback screwed up spiking the ball to stop the clock.

“At least we have basketball to look forward to,” Kansas fans must be saying. Hey, weren’t WE saying that not many years ago?

Tigers fans traveling to Kansas for the game, here’s an article listing some places to go while you are there.

As for the controversy over whether the U of M should honor John Calipari for his induction into the college basketball hall of fame, here’s my opinion: I couldn’t care less whether they do or don’t. Let’s stop talking about John Calipari and start talking about Justin Fuente.

Gizmodo has a good article on the rise of fake holidays like National Tequila Day and International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

There will be an event called Local-Palooza tomorrow at Makeda’s Cookies at 488 S. Second. It will be an opportunity to shop local vendors. According to Makeda’s this is what you will find: “JeMora Jewels… Sacriledge Tees… Peculiar Creative Arts by WOODSTAR…Hearts and Hearts Vintage…Funky Knits and Naturals… Basha Shine Inc… Meekies Munchies…Calmese Quiches will be giving out samples and more”

I’ll close with a solemn remembrance of those who lost their lives 14 years ago today. We will never forget you.

Back tomorrow with more news.