Month: August 2016

The Downtown core will get a new Mexican restaurant around February of next year. After its lease expires October 31, Kooky Canuck will move down the street to 87 S. Second. That will allow a regional Mexican chain, Las Margaritas, to move into the current Kooky location at 97 S. Second. It will offer authentic Mexican cuisine in a hacienda-style atmosphere. I found the website for the West Memphis Las Margaritas if you want to get an idea what the place will be like.

Be sure to check out the featured article in this week’s Memphis Flyer, Downtown Boomtown. It explores the massive amount of development Downtown has seen under Paul Morris who used to run DMC through 2015, and under Terrence Patterson who runs DMC now.

From Forbes: You may have trouble finding pumpkin beer this fall. The problem dates back to the pumpkin shortage of 2015. Breweries that didn’t get their orders for puree in early may have trouble finding it now.

Dutch, the rescue dog I have been blogging about lately, got to leave the Memphis Animal Shelter yesterday and spent his first night in his forever home. I got to meet him briefly, and although he looks emaciated now, once he gets his heartworm treatment taken care of and once he gets about a month of good meals in him, he is going to be quite a dog. Dutch’s new owner reports that he is smart and does well on a leash, although he is shy about eating in front of people and prefers that they leave the room once they put his bowl down. People have really stepped up and have raised more than half the $1100 he will need for his heartworm treatment. You still have time to go to Dutch’s GoFundMe page and pitch in.

Things will be peachy keen at the Memphis Farmers Market this Saturday. It’s National Peach Month, and the Farmers Market has suggestions on picking the perfect peach. They say to look for one that’s golden to yellow with splashes of red sunsets, and they advise using your whole hand as opposed to just your fingers to check for ripeness, because peaches bruise easily. The UT Extension Institute of Agriculture will demonstrate how to make tomato bruschetta at 10, 10:30, and 11. Live music by Bailey Bigger 8:30-10 and Dave Madison 11-12:30. Don’t forget to dine at South of Beale between 7 and 10 tonight; proceeds will go to the Farmers Market. The market is open every Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson.

SAVE THE DATE! Memphis Farmers Market’s Farm Fest comes to Loflin Yard Sunday, September 25 from 5 to 8 PM. Star & Micey will provide the live music, and there will be plenty of amazing local foods as well as local beer and wines. There will be both regular and silent auctions. This should be a lot of fun and I am always looking for an excuse to hang out at Loflin Yard! Tickets are $50 at the gate, but can be purchased in advance for $40 through September 24. Vendors and volunteers can get a discounted $25 ticket, and there’s a no alcohol ticket for $20.

If you’re a runner, check out this list of upcoming races Downtown.

The semifinals of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest happen tonight at the Orpheum at 7 PM. Tickets are $32, a $75-145 two-day pass to the semis and the finals (on Saturday). Tonight 20 of the best Elvis tribute artists in the world will bring hours of his music to the historic theatre.

The first episode of South Main Sounds Live is now on YouTube.

Tin Roof will have samplings of Goose Island IPA every Friday at 5:45 PM through September 2.

While we’re on the subject of geese, I will be out at the Silly Goose after work, although I will be drinking a PBR rather than a Goose Island beer. Could be another post later today.

The Redbirds have designated Thursday, August 25 as “Grit & Grind Night” at AutoZone Park. Two Grizzlies, former Memphis Tiger D.J. Stephens and first-round draft pick Wade Baldwin IV, will be on hand to sign autographs. First 5000 through the gate will receive a special Redbirds/Grizzlies Growl Towel. The Claw Crew, Grizzlies Grannies and Grandpas, and the Blue Bunch will be there as well. The Redbirds will be wearing Grizzlies-themed jerseys, which will be auctioned off throughout the game. There’s a special promo code “GRIZZNATION” you can use for a $16 field box seat, $19 dugout seat, or $23 club level seat, with those using the promo code getting a free Redbirds hat and a voucher that can be redeemed for a hot dog and soda. First pitch is 7:05 vs. the Nashville Sounds, with gate open at 5:30.

The first 5,000 fans on Aug. 25 get this awesome Growl Towel, courtesy of @autozone!

🎟 https://t.co/8f4dpzYalB pic.twitter.com/Ijm0g545pY

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) August 10, 2016

Another big Redbirds theme ticket will happen sooner, this coming Saturday, August 13. A special $25 field box or $28 dugout ticket will get you a bobblehead of Cardinals and former Redbirds pitcher Trevor Rosenthal – and it talks! This is the second to last Fireworks Saturday of the season at the Redbirds.

Belz has acquired the Tri-State Bank property at the northeast corner of Main and Beale. A mixed-use commercial development is planned for that space. Tri-State Bank has already found another building to which it will relocate.

The Peabody Corner Bar is now serving local beer on tap. I counted two High Cotton tap handles, one Ghost River, two Memphis Made, two Wiseacre, and a tap pouring legendary beer of Memphis Goldcrest 51.

Susan Ellis of the Memphis Flyer has a couple of pieces of food news: Sushi Jimmi has confirmed the opening of a restaurant. It will be near the old Senses building on Poplar and will serve the same menu as the food truck. Vegan restaurant Pink Diva Cupcakery has closed its Florida Street location and will focus on catering and its food truck from now on.

Mr. Mister: The misting system on Max’s Sports Bar’s outdoor patio has been installed. (Photo credit: Shane Paris)

The Memphis Made taproom is hosting Paint with Pints Sunday, August 21 from 2 to 4 PM. Angelina Mazzanti and Tyler Robinson will teach the basics of water colors. They’ll have paper and some supplies but participants need to bring their own water colors and brushes. $20 gets you a pint of beer as well as art instruction.

Loflin Yard will have a 901 Day celebration with Choose901 Thursday, September 1. Local vendors, special themed drinks, and a special dinner box that will be available for purchase. The event is free to the public.

That’s it for now, off to work. Possibly another post at lunchtime.

I would be willing to venture a guess that most of my readers have never been to a burlesque show… nor have I. Want to experience burlesque without having to leave Downtown, and while supporting the kids of St. Jude? Come to Kitty Wompas’ Cat House Saturday, August 20 at 9 PM at Bardog Tavern. Kitty is shaving her head for St. Jude at the Bardog alley party (Monroe Fest) on Sunday the 28th. The burlesque show is free to attend, but tips will be accepted and will count toward the $20,000 Kitty’s head shaving is raising for St. Jude. Besides Kitty, performers include Requi Emma, Hustle & Glow, Delilah, Fatima Fox, and Larry Clark.

Memphis in May has announced the dates and honored country for BBQ Fest 2017, and there is a change. The public dates for BBQ Fest are May 17-20… four days rather than the usual three. As I understand it, Wednesday will be Friends & Family as it has been in the past, but it will also be open to the public. Not quite sure how that will work. I hope to find out more in the next few days.

The honored country will be Colombia. That should be a fun one! Our friends over at Porkosaurus have an advantage here, with a Colombian on the team. The Moody Ques don’t have any Colombians but we do have a team member from South America, so perhaps she will have ideas for our 2017 booth. Team members, don’t forget we have a burger tasting Saturday 6-10 at Frank’s, RSVP to moodyques@gmail.com if you plan on coming.

Tin Roof has a few specials to celebrate Elvis Week this week. You can get a peanut butter and banana sandwich, Elvis’ favorite, with chips for $7. With any entree purchase this week, you get a free “Trail of Elvis” appetizer. The bar has a $7 Elvis Week shot: Irish cream, vanilla vodka, and Creme de Banana with a peanut butter rim.

Happy St. Practice Day! On the 17th of every month, The Brass Door will throw a party to “practice” for the big event on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. The first practice will be Wednesday, August 17 and it will also be the grand opening of The Pub at the Brass Door. The Heart Memphis Band will play 8 to midnight. The party will be in the alley as well as the bar and there will be Fireball, Guinness, Jameson and raffles. $10 admission includes two tickets – one raffle ticket and a ticket for a pint of Brass Door Red. Angry Irishmen will be the drink special and there will be fire sales throughout the night.

Food Truck Night at Miss Cordelia’s and Cordelia’s Table will feature three food trucks and two breweries. Sushi Jimmi, Joy Ride, and MemPops will be selling food. Nashville’s Fat Bottom Brewing and Little Rock’s Diamond Bear Brewing will have beers on tap and will have reps there to talk about their beers. Tonight 5-8 PM.

Dutch, the beagle/shepherd mix I wrote about the other day, has been successfully rescued from the Memphis Animal Shelter. My friend who is adopting him had to go to what was termed “the kill shelter” where dogs had red and green cards on their cages. A red card means, “Stop, don’t kill this one, adoption in progress” where green means “this one can be put down.” It’s really sad and you have to cover your eyes to avoid making eye contact with the dogs with the green cards. Anyway, my friend who rescued Dutch took a huge financial hit to save him, because the dog has to have surgery to cure him of heartworms. Donations to Dutch’s GoFundMe will be much appreciated and will go directly to the hospital performing the surgery. If donations exceed vet bills, anything extra will go to Streetdog Foundation so that other dogs may be rescued as well.

A plan has been submitted to save the Mid-South Coliseum with Wiseacre Brewing as its anchor tenant. Wiseacre wants to occupy 65,000 square feet of the building. Is this a sign that Wiseacre is looking toward going national and competing with craft breweries like Samuel Adams and Yuengling? That could be good for Memphis. Also, imagine pre-gaming for Tigers games at the Liberty Bowl a short walk away at the Wiseacre taproom!

A second man is now on trial for the 2013 South Main shooting death of popular nurse David “Tucci” Santucci. Mario Patterson is charged with killing Santucci with the intent to commit robbery. A second suspect, Dondre Johnson, was convicted last September.

If you’ve been to Grizzlies games at FedExForum, you have heard the announcer introduce “YOUR… Memphis… GRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrizzlies!” However, for the 2016-17 season you will hear a different voice, because announcer Rick Trotter has been let go by the team. He was also employed by The Downtown Church, which released a statement saying Trotter was terminated May 27 for “moral failures of a sexual nature.” He is accused of taking photos up four women’s skirts at the church. Geoff Calkins’ column on Trotter is a good read.

Mayor Strickland pledged to answer questions asked in response to the July 11 Black Lives Matter protest, and he has done so.

Happy birthday to two of Downtown’s favorite barkeeps, Daniel from the Silly Goose and Paul from the Dirty Crow Inn.

That’s the news for now. I possibly have more coming today, so check back. As usual Silly Goose will be my Wednesday plan for after work.

I would like to thank the people working on The Giant Hole on Monroe for waking me up at 3:45 in the morning. I live around the corner about 3/4 of a block away, and could hear drilling, jackhammering, something of that type. I can only imagine what it was like to try to sleep in The Shrine Building, across the street from the hole. Thankfully I slept through the midnight jackhammering and the 2 AM jackhammering that was reported by others in the neighborhood.

Sad news: Sean’s Smooth Moves Cafe was destroyed by fire last night, closing Union at Belvedere in Midtown for several hours. I ate many a gyro there when I lived in that area years ago. There is said to be nothing left of the cafe.

Last day to vote in the Memphis Flyer Best of Memphis poll.

Good news from MemphisWeather.net:

First time I’ve seen a decent probability of BELOW average temps in the week 2 period in a LONG time! pic.twitter.com/JBTAKw0fBO

— MemphisWeather.net (@memphisweather1) August 8, 2016

Good to see. I have had enough of 100+ heat index days.

The annual Stumbling Elvis pub crawl happens this Saturday beginning at the Flying Saucer at 7 PM. Dress as Elvis or Priscilla and stumble around to Downtown bars. Bring non-perishable items or cash to donate to the Mid-South Food Bank. I don’t have the full list of stops, but it starts and ends at the Saucer. Jeannette from the Blind Bear posted the event flyer and announced $3 moonshine and $3 16 oz. beer for pub crawlers at the Bear, so we know that is one of the stops.

Lanksy Bros., the store that was once “Clothier to the King,” has some events coming up for Elvis Week this week. On Thursday, August 11, at the main stage at Graceland, host Tom Brown will describe what it was like design, dress, and decorate for The King. His guest will be Hal Lansky, owner of Lansky Bros. and son of Bernard Lansky, the founder of the store and the man who clothed Elvis.

On Friday, August 12, Hal will appear on Elvis Radio with George Klein on Sirius XM Radio.

On Monday, August 15, Joe Petruccio will have a poster signing at Lansky Bros. Clothier to the King on Beale Street.

Moody Ques teammates: Information about the burger tasting Saturday is on the team website. You should have received an email too. Note that we need you to RSVP so we can get an idea how much meat to buy.

Good news about former Memphis Tiger Shaq Goodwin: He’ll be playing pro ball in Europe.

Former Tiger Shaq Goodwin has signed to play for FIBA Europe Cup team, Petrolina AEK Larnaca in Cyprus! Congrats Shaq!

— Memphis Basketball (@Memphis_MBB) August 9, 2016

If you want to support the Memphis Farmers Market, South of Beale is giving the Market the proceeds of dinner Thursday from 7-10 PM at the restaurant.

Breakaway Running will host a short run beginning and ending tonight at High Cotton’s taproom at 598 Monroe. Run at 6:30, with runners receiving discounted pints afterward.

Auditions will be held for the Blue Bunch dance team Saturday, August 20. That is the Grizzlies’ kids’ dance team. There are clinics where kids can learn the routine early Monday, Wednesday and Friday, August 15, 17 and 19.

That’s it for now. I’ll be out at the Blind Bear after work.

No, this isn’t a post about my adventures at the poker table. Kenny Rogers is coming to the Orpheum Friday, October 7. It’s a stop on his final world tour, titled “The Gambler’s Last Deal.” Special guest Linda Davis will perform as well. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 19.

Yesterday afternoon Mayor Strickland removed the “Interim” tag and appointed Michael Rallings Director of Memphis Police. Excellent choice, Mr. Mayor! Read about the change Rallings promises as Director.

Moody Ques teammates: It looks like we are planning a burger tasting this week as our cook team practices for Best Memphis Burger Fest on the 28th. Keep an eye on your email. I will also get a post on the team website sometime this week.

Burger King has fired the latest shot in the fast food wars: The Tex-Mex themed Whopperito will be rolled out August 15.

SheetRock ‘n’ Roll is a dinner benefiting Memphis Habitat from 6 to 10 PM at Minglewood Hall on Thursday, August 25. The honored guests will be President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, who will be in town to lead a Habitat for Humanity build in Uptown. Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will be special guests as well. Food by some of Memphis’ best chefs, along with live entertainment by the North Mississippi Allstars, William Bell featuring The Hi Rhythm Section, and Gedeon Luke & Evvie McKinney.

Disney on Ice Dare to Dream comes to FedExForum September 23-25 and tickets are now on sale.

Kooky Canuck has announced a Double Your Dollars gift card sale for August 17. It will start at 11 AM and will happen at both the Downtown and Cordova locations.

Have you noticed that office with “Talent Development Center” on the awning in Pembroke Square and wondered what the heck goes on there? Find out tomorrow evening at the monthly South Main Association meeting at the Memphis Music Town office at 119 S. Main (social at 6, presentation at 6:30). The theme is “Music on Main,” and there will be two presentations. David Porter, Founder and President, will speak. He is an internationally renowned songwriter and producer. Also speaking will be George C. Monger, Vice-President and Executive Director, a music entrepreneur and community leader. Appetizers by Rizzo’s courtesy of SMA, and beverages by SMA. Free for members, $10 guests. Learn more about The Consortium at Memphis Music Town here.

A friend of mine has started a GoFundMe to rescue a dog. Dutch is three years old and ready for his forever home. However, he has heartworms that will cost approximately $1100 to treat, money his hopeful future owner does not have to spend. This is probably Dutch’s last chance to avoid being put down at the shelter.

That’s all for now. Possibly another post this evening, so check back.

Back in May, The Majestic Grille celebrated its 10th birthday. Owners Patrick and Deni Reilly threw a huge party to thank the customers who had supported their restaurant the past 10 years.

However, Patrick and Deni recognized that the restaurant would never have stayed open for 10 years if not for the excellent service provided by their employees. They wanted to reward their employees, and not just with a trinket like a gold watch. They wanted to give them something that truly would make a difference.

And they did. 40 hours of paid time off. That is extremely uncommon in a locally owned, mom-and-pop type of restaurant in Memphis. The employees were floored. The time off opened up opportunities they previously hadn’t imagined.

Patrick and Deni treat their employees well, and in turn the employees treat their customers well – in fact, the application process at the Majestic includes a screening process to determine “are you nice?” In turn, the customers treat the employees well, and treat the restaurant well by coming back and telling others. It’s a closed loop where everyone benefits. Well done Patrick and Deni, and thank you for proving that such closed loops are possible. We need more of them.

Best Memphis Burger Fest is a mere three weeks away. Sunday, August 28 at Tiger Lane, teams will compete in categories such as Veggie Burger, Bloody Mary, Anything But Beef, and Best Memphis Burger. Yesterday at Memphis Barbecue Supply there was a class to give cooks some tips on preparing the ultimate burger. The Moody Ques sent our cook team Frank and Erik.

People ask who I got good at writing, and I tell them, “I read a lot.” So, how do you get good at cooking burgers? You eat a lot of burgers.

Erik must have had photography duty because all the pictures were of Frank.

Frank getting cooking tips from Burger Fest organizer Seth Agranov

What did Seth think about the Moody Ques’ performance in the cooking class?

Great #burger class at @mbbqsupply! Looks like the moodyques ain’t playing! #inittowinit… https://t.co/FrVevn2cNF

— Best Memphis Burger (@BestMemBurger) August 6, 2016

There are classes to prepare teams for not only Burger Fest, but the grandaddy of them all, BBQ Fest. My friend Heath Riles will be teaching such a class September 16 and 17, also at Memphis Barbecue Supply. Here’s the flyer. Heath is pitmaster for his team Victory Lane BBQ, with over 40 Grand and Reserve Championships. His team has been a World Food Championship finalist. He has wins in ribs, shoulder, and whole hog. Heath is a certified MBN and KCBS judge, a BBQ restaurant consultant, and the creator and owner of award-winning Victory Lane sauces, rubs, injections and marinades. In addition, Heath is a really nice guy. Last fall, when the regionals the Moody Ques were set to compete in got canceled, Heath reached out to us and offered his services if we needed to get our meat in front of experienced judges for feedback.

What will you learn from Heath? Meat selection, trimming, injections, marinades, rubs, sauces, all four KCBS meats, MBN shoulders, ribs, KCBS and MBN box building, cooking timeline and temps, how to win, and flavor profiles. Have a look at the flyer linked above, which you can fill out and send in to register. $500 per person, and you can bring a spouse for $100 more.

Friday night sign board at the Green Beetle:

Victorian Village is having a home tour today from 10 to 2. For $30 you can get a look at the stately 1800s mansions on the 600 block of Jefferson.

That’s it for now. D-RANKS with B-RAD at the Blind Bear is my brunch plan.

 

The Memphis Farmers Market has announced that due to the excessive heat, they will close their pet-sitting area at 11 AM today. They encourage pet owners to keep your pets inside in the air conditioning.

The Flying Saucer has announced its Elvis pint glass night for next Wednesday, August 10. Elvis glasses are always popular, so my recommendation is to get there a few minutes before they go on sale at 7 PM. Let your bartender or server know in advance that you want to order one as soon as they are officially on sale. The Saucer always sends UFO Club members an email with a link to a video which is a clue to the theme of the glass. This video had Elvis in his Army uniform, in a convertible with a woman in a lei. Blue Hawaii I’m guessing?

The video is always followed by a beer quiz where UFO members can get a certificate for $5 off their bar tab if they pass with at least 7 out of 10 questions. The exact wording from the video:

“Take the Capt. Keith’s beer quiz
Past and get $5 off your tab”

Oh, Saucer. Spell check really isn’t your friend at any level of your corporate operation, is it?

The Grizzlies Caravan is getting ready to go on tour to promote the 2016-17 season. Memphians, the Grizzlies will appear at the Redbirds vs. Nashville game at AutoZone Park on Thursday, August 25. My faves the Grizzlies Grannies and Grandpas will appear, along with guard Wade Baldwin IV, the Grizz Girls, Claw Crew, and the Grizzline drummers.

For my readers in Little Rock, head to the Arkansas Travelers vs. Northwest Arkansas game at Dickey-Stephens park on Saturday, August 27, with gates opening at 6:10 PM. JayMychal Green will appear, as will the Grizz Girls and Claw Crew. Earlier in the day the same entourage will appear at Thrasher Boys & Girls Club on S. State Street from 2-3 PM.

The caravan has stops planned for Nashville, both Jacksons (MS & TN) and St. Louis as well.

Follow @ghostriverbrewing on Instagram for updates on construction of their brewery taproom. This week they installed large windows that will provide brewery visitors with scenic views of beautiful E.H. Crump Boulevard.

In other brewery taproom news, Memphis Made Brewing Co. has announced the latest addition to its taproom: Air conditioning. I’m sure that is much appreciated by patrons of the brewery this time of year!

Big catch for Downtown Memphis’s business scene: A global New York-based advertising agency is opening an office Downtown. Young and Rubicon (often abbreviated Y&R) will bring 50 jobs down here, transferring 25 from other offices and hiring 25 locally. They were able to make the move into Memphis after securing a five-year, $457 million contract with the U.S. Navy. (Wow, the Navy pays even better than the NBA!) Their office will be located at 80 Monroe. If any of those transferring employees are reading this, you have two awesome lunch spots across the street – Bardog Tavern (it’s behind the plow digging the giant hole) and Little Tea Shop (next door to Bardog).

The event listing for Memphis Music & Heritage Festival is now on Facebook. Let your friends know if you’re going to this fantastic festival highlighting regional music, art, and food. It is on the Main Street Mall between Union and Peabody Place Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

Great article on The Daily Beast about the masterpiece that re-wrote the rules of rock: The Beatles’ Revolver turns 50

theFunction is an arts series with sublime experiences including the hottest soul musicians, seasonal craft cocktails, local craft beer, and art openings. theFunction will have its Summer Arts Premiere Sunday, August 14 from 7 to 11 PM at Rizzo’s Diner, with a special menu by Chef Michael Patrick.

Last night I led off at my “home away from home on the south side,” Max’s Sports Bar. Max now has the TVs installed on his covered patio, which is cigarette and cigar friendly and will continue to be after the inside goes nonsmoking on August 15. A misting machine will be added next week.

Although I am a nonsmoker, I will probably get a good bit of patio time at Max’s during football season in the fall. I have already spent some time on the patio this summer and I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed it. All kinds of wonderful things can happen there.

Farmers Market is my first stop this morning. Maybe I’ll have another duffin, although I’m pretty hungry and may go for something more substantial from a food truck. Bardog after that, rest of the day TBD.

 

Plans are being made to activate the parks around the Fourth Chickasaw Bluff, the greenspace around the area behind the University of Memphis Law School, the fourth of four high bluffs of Memphis bordering the Mississippi River. The first event in these plans is a pop-up beer garden called Fourth Bluff Fridays in Memphis Park, the former Confederate Park at Front and Jefferson. Fourth Bluff Fridays will kick off on August 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, with live music from the Mighty Souls Brass Band. The Downtown Memphis Commission’s mobile beer garden The Tapbox will be on hand selling beers from Memphis’ four craft breweries. Food trucks Monkey Train Grazing Co., Stick’em, and Say Cheese will be selling food. Fourth Bluff Fridays will return on September 9 and August 14.

If you had not realized Comcast is Satan by now, here is further proof: Comcast sent a letter to the FCC arguing they should have the right to charge users for privacy. In other words, they want you to pay a fee if you don’t want your Internet browsing history shared with Comcast’s partners. Hey, I wonder if anyone still uses fuckbook.com? If they do I bet they are reaching for their wallets right about now.

From Good Housekeeping: Food and cocktail obsessions every year of the last 46 years. Yep, I sure do remember a few of them. For example: fondue (1973), wine coolers (1986), sushi (1988), Starbucks (1992), Cosmopolitans (1999), Red Bull and vodka (2001), food truck eats (2010), kale (2012). A staple on nearly every bar menu in America, buffalo wings, was 1977’s obsession.

We’ve got two big nights coming up at the Redbirds. Tonight the Redbirds play the Omaha Storm Chasers at 7:05, but if you like cheap beer come early. The gates will open at 6 and there will be a block party with live music and $2 domestic drafts. The Owner’s Seats with in-seat service will once again be discounted to $60 for tonight’s game. Cheer for the ‘birds to score at least 6, because if they do you’ll get a coupon for a 50% discount on a Papa John’s online order on the way out.

The really big night at AutoZone Park, though, is tomorrow night, Saturday, August 6. Once again Memphis plays Omaha, with 6:35 first pitch, 5:00 gates, and another block party with live music and cheap beer. If you’re one of the first 1500 through the turnstile, you will receive a free Redbirds adult pullover with three-quarter zip. There will be fireworks after the game, and as you exit you’ll get a coupon for Papa John’s (no score requirement this time), getting you a free medium one-topping pizza when you order a large.

There is also a special theme ticket tomorrow night. It’s Superhero Night, and fans will be able to mingle with superheroes and comic book characters throughout the game. There’s a special $17 field box/$20 ticket that gets you a superhero cape like the one team mascot Rockey Redbird wears.

The Peabody will host a wine dinner with Brutocao Cellars next Thursday, August 11 at 6:30 PM. The winery combines the Old World heritage of Venice with New World traditions to produce award-winning hand-crafted wines in Mendocino, California. The dinner will be five courses, each paired with Brutocao Cellars wines, hosted by winemaker Hoss Milone. $75 plus tax and gratuity. Here’s the menu. 901-529-4000 to make reservations.

Don’t forget the Choose901 pop-up back-to-school shop today and tomorrow. 477 S. Main, 3-7 today, 10-3 tomorrow. Note that payment will be cash-free, so bring a credit or debit card.

That’s it for now! Back tomorrow with more.

Capriccio Grill in the Peabody Hotel will be hosting a 150th anniversary dinner and tasting for Jack Daniel’s Whiskey on Thursday, September 22 at 6 PM. The dinner will be hosted by Lynn Tolley, a Brand Ambassador and Master Taster for Jack Daniel’s, the the great-great-grandniece of Jack Daniel himself. In the spirit of Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House in Lynchburg, Tennessee, the dinner will be served family style. $85 plus tax and grat. Call 901-529-4000 to make reservations.

Segway rides are coming to South Main beginning Saturday, August 20. You may have seen Real2Reel Photography owner David Bunk riding around on his Segway, and now you can ride on one too! Two hour rides will be offered Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. If you become a member of the club for $50 a year, rides are only $25 each. If you purchase a year membership no later than today, Thursday, August 4, you will get a 50% discount (901-497-5200 to purchase). Bunk says that a guide will be provided for your safety, but these are not the historical tours being offered elsewhere Downtown.

It’s National Farmers Market Week this Saturday at the Memphis Farmers Market, and they’re participating in the Farmers Market Coalition’s #LoveMyMarket challenge. Pick up a “I FARMERS MARKET” temporary tattoo at the Market on Saturday, and then get creative and take a photo of the tat on yourself or whomever or whatever you want. Post your photo to Instagram with the tag #LoveMyMarket. Contest deadline is August 31, and winning photographers and markets (this is a national contest) will be announced by September 16.

Also at the Farmers Market on Saturday, there will be an All About Farms coloring page from 9-11 AM for kids to color and present to their favorite vendor. The UT Extension Institute of Agriculture will demo how to prepare corn relish at 10, 10:30, and 11. Live music by “MFM Surprise” 8-10:30, and Jaclyn Monroe 11-12:30. The Market happens every Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM under the pavilion at the corner of Front and G.E. Patterson.

A new craft brewery is getting close to opening in Memphis. Crosstown Brewing will open next door to Crosstown Concourse on N. Cleveland Street. That will make five breweries total in the city, with the others being Ghost River, Wiseacre, High Cotton, and Memphis Made.

A dog owner who is a fan of Pokemon GO dyed her Pomeranian to look like a Pikachu. Can we please stop the madness?

There’s an all-you-can-eat fish fry at AutoZone Park tonight that comes with a special Redbirds ticket ($17 field box, $20 dugout). College students with valid ID can get a $5 bluff seating ticket, with $2 domestic draft available in the left field bar. Opponent is the Omaha Storm Chasers with first pitch at 7:05 and gates open at 6. Want to beat the line and maximize your fish-eating time? Buy your ticket in advance here.

A couple of weeks ago I posted a photo of a menu for a new restaurant going into the ground floor of the Lincoln-American Tower, The Lighthouse. The Daily News has an article about the new restaurant and its owner, Tamra Eddy. The restaurant will open Monday, August 15 and hours will be 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday.

It’s National IPA Day and if you’re a fan of that style of beer, Flying Saucer will tap some rare IPAs tonight beginning at 6 PM.

In other Saucer news, FreeWorld will perform there next Friday, August 12, from 9:30 PM to 1:30 AM as part of the Dead Covers Project. They will record the music of the Grateful Dead and record it to submit to the Grateful Dead’s website. The Dead is one of FreeWorld’s biggest influences, and it will be a night of improvisation and reinterpretation.

A Nashville-based group wants to build a 155-apartment unit on North Main called Uptown Flats at Main and Looney. Looney is 5 blocks north of A.W. Willis Avenue.

That’s it for now. Back later with more.

The finale of MIFA’s Feed the Soul event happens at The Warehouse (green building at Front and G.E. Patterson) Thursday, October 6. This is a gala event with lots of food, beer and wine, rum and bourbon tastings, a oxygen bar, and a raffle. Live music by Tim “Big Baby” Goodman and The Soul Therapy Band, singer/songwriter Scott Southworth, and DJ Stan “The Bellringer” Bell. It’s a casual gathering of fun, friends and music. This will be the final year of an 8-year run for Feed the Soul. Next year they will take the year off to plan MIFA’s 50-year anniversary. I have been to this party in past years and it is a good time, and a “who’s who” of Memphis among the guests.

Want to really step up your game for the last Feed the Soul? Find out how to become a Feed the Soul host.

Big news about one of Downtown’s most loved bars:

After MUCH thought, deliberation and conversation with our customers we have decided to make the move to go non smoking August 15th.

— Max’s Sports Bar (@MaxsSportsBar) August 3, 2016

Although the majority of Max’s customers (including me) are in favor of the smoking ban, Max realizes that some will not be too keen on the idea. To that end, Max has added a roof to his back patio, which is completely cigarette and cigar friendly. Three permanent TVs have been installed out there for year-round sports watching, and a misting system will be added next week. Max is trying to do everything he can to accommodate ALL of his customers, smoking and non.

The Redbirds are back in town for a 6:35 game tonight vs. the Omaha Storm Chasers. There are two discounted tickets: A $40 club level ticket that includes air conditioning and a buffet, and $60 Owner’s Seats that include in-seat service. The team will be in town through Saturday and there are some good specials this homestand.

It’s Day 12 of Son of Giant Hole outside of Bardog Tavern on Monroe. It is an eyesore and it impedes traffic. One of the bartenders wondered publicly if the hole will be fixed by August 28, when businesses on the block host Monroe Fest to get neighbors together and try to raise $100,000 for St. Jude. The hole would be a safety hazard if it is still there the day of the festival.

The South Side Supper Club plays Earnestine & Hazel’s tomorrow night, Thursday, August 4, starting at 9 PM. These guys are friends of mine and it’s a good show.

Berdock Eats & Sweets is hiring and here is something to take note of – they’re willing to hire people with no kitchen experience, provided they are willing to do anything that needs to be done. Email brandi@bedrockeatsandsweets.com for more information. Bedrock is in the former Frank’s space at Main and Vance, next door to the Green Beetle.

Live music at the Green Beetle: Andrew Cabigao plays 7-10 Saturday.

You can use the promo code FRANKIE through 10 PM Thursday to go to Ticketmaster and pre-order tickets to The Jersey Boys before they go on sale to the public.

Congratulations to First Tennessee on doing the right thing: The company has extended parental benefits, giving new mothers 8 weeks of paid leave and dads/adoptive fathers/domestic partners 4 weeks paid leave.

Downtowners said thank you to our police officers last night at National Night Out. There was food, drink and live music under the Farmers Market pavilion. I stalked the Jack Pirtle’s booth as they got the chicken boxes out, thinking, “I don’t want to be the first person who’s not a police officer to go up and get chicken, but I’ll definitely be the second.” That was the hugest chicken breast I had ever seen in my life! Thanks to Pirtle’s and to everyone else who provided food for this wonderful (although scorching hot) event.

The city of Memphis is having a career fair Friday at the Memphis Botanic Gardens.

If this is your first visit to my blog today, keep scrolling… I did a morning post with info about a trivia fundraiser for the Humane Society and lots more good stuff. After I drive home from Horn Lake this afternoon, I will be out at the Silly Goose for happy hour.