AccuWeather forecasts a high of 76 and a low of 60 for today. Did I move to Miami? Both the high and low are 26 degrees above normal for this date in Memphis. 76 is a normal high for April 28. 15 of the 23 days so far in December have seen high temperatures of 60 or higher.
Going to the Grizzlies vs. LA Lakers game on Sunday? You can take the CA Paperboy Challenge for the chance to win an iPad Mini 2 and a 2-year subscription to the Commercial Appeal.
I’m not by any means saying I think Beale Street is the best option for New Year’s Eve, but if you must do it, there is a $100 Fast Pass that lets you bypass the long line to get on the street and gets you in about a dozen Beale bars and nightclubs without paying cover. There is also a free concert by country act Gloriana in Handy Park.
I’m not a New Year’s Eve fan in general, but here is an option I can strongly recommend: New Year’s Eve dinner at Rizzo’s Diner. The chef, Michael Patrick, has been a friend of mine for over a decade. His food is amazing and his restaurant attracts a crowd that knows how to behave in public, even on NYE. Here’s the menu:
First course:
Smoked Shrimp Picadillo (fried potato cake) or
2 Sweet Potato Edamame Pot Stickers
Second Course:
Quinoa Roasted Vegetable Salad or
Crisp Lamb Belly & Wild Mushroom Bisque
Third Course:
Hemp & Pumpkin Seed Encrusted Andouille-Stuffed Rack of Lamb with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus or
Pan-Seared Ahi #1 Tuna with pickled butternut squash cucumber slaw and Southern style fried rice or
Crisp Roasted Duck with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus or
Vegetarian Plate of a spinach zucchini enchilada, Cotija cheese herbed Napoleon, and Asian chili glazed brussels sprouts
Fourth course:
Peanut Butter Mousse Chocolate Cup or
Raspberry Chocolate Bread Pudding
$75 for the dinner, plus $15 more for an optional wine pairing. Call 901-304-6985 for reservations.
Paging my friend group: Anyone have interest in doing this dinner? I plan on going out on New Year’s Eve for the first time in several years. For midnight I’m leaning toward being at the Silly Goose, where my friends have tables reserved; although, I haven’t totally ruled out Max’s Sports Bar, the least likely of my “Big Five” bars to turn into Amateur Night.
Memphis in May is seeking a Director of Programming. This person would coordinate international cultural performances, educational outreach programs, dignitary events, artistic displays, and a variety of festival events. You won’t have much of a life outside of work during April and May holding this job, but it’s such exciting work that you might not care.
I learned something from the GM of the Flying Fish that I was not aware of: The Fish has quite the beer selection, with 85 different beers in their cooler. One of those 85 is the Cadillac of beers, PBR.
Last night I learned why the mac & cheese served as a side with Silly Goose sliders is so good: It’s made with brie as well as cheddar.
Even if you can’t have a dog in your home, even for a short period of time, you can help the Streetdog Foundation: They are looking for volunteers to walk dogs that haven’t found a permanent or foster home yet.
For those of you who think Donald Trump is unelectable, you might want to read this FiveThirtyEight article. Another flamboyant non-politician, former pro wrestler, Navy SEAL and Rolling Stones bodyguard Jesse “The Body” Ventura was once elected Governor of Minnesota.
Time to check the weather and make a decision whether to travel today. Getting over to Little Rock today would not be a problem, but getting back tomorrow looks like it could be. Rain and thunderstorms, some heavy are predicted for Christmas Day, and the hourly forecast indicates it could rain all day. Driving in torrential rain terrifies me – I’ve hit pooling water with an 18-wheeler tailgating me a few times, and it is no fun. All the road construction between Forrest City and here makes it even worse. Gonna give it another hour then make a decision. In any case, I do expect to be back tomorrow with a post.