Happy September everyone! Today is what is known in the region as 9/01 Day, and there are several events going on to celebrate. The one I will be going to is Exposure at 901 Day at AutoZone Park. There is absolutely no way I can sum it up in one paragraph, and I encourage you to click the link to learn more. It’s free to attend and you will be exposed to over 150 organizations: everything from ballet to street ministries to yoga to escape rooms to sports teams to LGBT organizations to local breweries (samples!) and so, so, so much more. There will be free donuts, live music, a celebrity kickball game, and fireworks. This is a must-attend event! By the way I was invited to participate in the celebrity kickball game, but declined because I want to spend the entire three hours walking the park gathering information for my blog on all the fantastic things to do in Memphis. If you’re working a booth and see me walk by, don’t be shy about yelling “Hey Paul!” to get me to come talk.
While we’re talking about AutoZone Park, I will mention that a special ticket has been added to the Triple-A National Championship game to be played there September 20. $20 gets you a field box seat in right field plus a hog roast with sides and drinks.
Just for the Grill of it is the theme at the Memphis Farmers Market this Saturday. Having a Labor Day cookout? Buy top-quality meats from local farms at the Market, along with veggies to put on the grill too. If any of my readers are inviting vegetarians to their cookout, you can buy smoked tofu from Pigasus. Opera Memphis will bring “30 Days of Opera” to the Market at 10, with a performance that may change your mind about exactly what opera is. Kids can learn about bumblebees at the craft table from 9 to 11:30. Market sponsor Subaru will have demo vehicles on hand, and Dogs 2nd Chance will be there doing adoptions. The Market happens every Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM at the corner of Front and G.E. Patterson under the pavilion.
Disappointed to hear that my friend Eric Hughes had his guitars stolen out of the back of his van. They didn’t have a lot of sentimental value but they were the tools of his trade, like a handyman having his hammer and saw stolen. Don’t worry though; Eric won’t be missing his gigs and said he would play a cucumber with strings if he had to.
Great account to follow on Facebook in preparation for tonight’s Appalachian State-Tennessee game: Vol Hater. They recently posted a picture of a roll of toilet paper with the orange “T” logo printed with the comment “I didn’t know you could buy toilet paper with shit already on it.”
Memphis in May reported that its month-long series of events had an $88 million impact on the Memphis economy this year.
Live Downtown and plan to go to the Southern Heritage Classic game at the Liberty Bowl on September 10? There’s a shuttle that will take you there. It will pick people up at Downtown and Poplar corridor hotels.
Our city government now has a Twitter account. Follow @CityOfMemphis.
Yoga is coming to another Memphis craft brewery. Bendy Brewski Yoga starts up at Memphis Made Brewing Co.’s taproom Saturday, September 10 at 12 noon. For those not familiar, there’s a 45-minute all-levels yoga class, followed by a chance to socialize with fellow yogis over great craft beer.
Job seekers: Who’s Hiring Memphis is holding a job fair September 13 at Memphis Botanic Garden from 10 AM to 3 PM.
There’s a Memphis Union Mission men’s underwear and socks wish list on Amazon.
Flying Saucer is experimenting with cocktails on tap. One of their bartenders posted that they are “thinking out of the box” and had a pic of Cosmos, Old Fashioneds, and Gin Fizzes on tap.
Memphis has fallen out of the Top 50 television markets, New Orleans having slipped past us, dropping Memphis to 51. I hope that piece of news doesn’t negatively impact the U of M’s effort to get into the Big 12. By the way, big game at 11 AM Saturday – #3 Oklahoma vs. #15 Houston. Houston is another team knocking on the door of the Big 12, so perhaps we should all root for them to get stomped by the Sooners on Saturday. Where to watch, where to watch? Max’s Sports Bar will be open early, with PBjaRni behind the bar… perhaps I will take a week off from my usual Bardog visit. Heck, I usually do the Farmers Market around 10 anyway, and Max’s will be a much shorter walk.
The Josh Abbott Band plays KIX on Beale tonight at Handy Park. Free to attend, all-ages show. 7:30 PM.
Too much news and not enough time, so check back for a possible second post later. I will do a quick happy hour beer at Silly Goose after work, then over to the Exposure celebration at the ballpark.