Wednesday morning update

Yesterday the City Council voted to name Kimball Avenue between Huguenot and Lamar “Robert Raiford Blvd.” in honor of the DJ of popular Downtown club Paula & Raiford’s Disco. Congratulations and happy birthday, Mr. Raiford.

In other Council news, they voted to let WISEACRE lease the Mid-South Coliseum. The brewery plans on expanding its capacity and will increase number of employees from 27 to 80-100. WISEACRE will rent out the space it does not use in the Coliseum to other businesses. Restaurants and a climbing wall are planned.

So the Coliseum is saved. That’s great news. I never would have guessed a brewery would save it.

Friday is the last Friday of August, which means it will be time for South Main Trolley Night. It’s also National Dog Day, so bring the pups to South Main and mingle with your neighbors as many of the shops and galleries stay open until 9 PM or later. Weather permitting, the SMA will be grilling burgers and hot dogs and providing beverages for their members (guests $10) next to Bluff City Coffee. Over at 550 S. Main from 7 to 9 there will be a Songwriter Night with Frank McLallen Sr., Jesse James Davis, Frank McLallen, Jr. and Stephen Sciara.

I did not realize Tuscany Italian Kitchen & Eatery has a grab and go section. Good to know.

Rizzo’s is having a Ghost River beer dinner Tuesday, September 6 at 7 PM. Here’s the menu:

First course: Lost Hive Honey Wheat Ale paired with poached sole, fruit salsa, citrus pesto.

Second course: River Bank Red Ale paired with smoked pumpkin seed encrusted foix gras, malt vinaigrette, arugula micro greens.

Third course: 1887 India Pale Ale paired with brisket, caramelized onion, grilled cheese.

Fourth course: Crystal Method Hefeweizen paired with banana sorbet, ginger spiked lemon chocolate truffle.

Sounds yummy! Call the restaurant at 901-304-6985 to make reservations.

One of my readers asked me a question yesterday, and I thought the answer might be of interest to others: As fall weather approaches, the Downtown patios will get a lot of business. Where, he asked, can I find a patio where I can take my dog and get a meal and a beer? Well, most of the Downtown patios are dog-friendly, but I will suggest two in particular: Aldo’s Pizza Pies and the Blind Bear. I know those are patios that have been enjoyed by some of my readers.

Habitat volunteers working with the Carter Project this week: Life Is Good, the clothing store on Main, is offering 10% off to you this week.

The Psychedelic Furs play the New Daisy Saturday, October 15.

Here’s the Burger Fest post on my team’s website. It has a few more details than I blogged yesterday.

Off to work. Possibly another post later today.