River Arts Fest coming this weekend + Tues news

There’s a big festival coming up on South Main this weekend: River Arts Fest. Main will be blocked off from Huling to St. Paul and G.E. Patterson blocked off from Front to Mulberry. There will be over 200 artists with booths selling their work. This is a great chance to buy something unique for your home or get some holiday shopping done.

Friday night the festival kicks off with free admission, an artists’ market preview, and live music by the Squirrel Nut Zippers from 6 to 10 PM. Saturday and Sunday admission is $5 per day, and in addition to the art there will be live music on three stages.

Food sold at this festival tends to be well above average, so come hungry. I had a couple of really good dishes from a Cajun vendor in years past. Also, look out for a vendor selling cinnamon pecans. If he is there this year, those are a must-get.

The cover charge means you will have to pay River Arts Fest $5 to have access to some of your favorite bars and restaurants Saturday and Sunday. One note, though: In past years, Max’s Sports Bar has arranged to be outside the rail of the festival area. So people who want to come watch sports at Max’s will not have to pay the festival to be able to do so. With Arkansas-Auburn happening at 5 on Saturday, I expect I will be dividing my time between the festival and my “home away from home on the south side.”

Lifehacker has an excellent article on how to get a bartender’s attention without being a jerk. Good points here. I will add a few things not to do: Don’t snap your fingers at the bartender, don’t interrupt them when they’re talking to another customer, and don’t call female bartenders “honey.” Also, if you’re the type of person who leaves a $1 tip on a $20 tab, you’re probably going to get the level of service you deserve.

I had to make an emergency trip to the AT&T Store this morning after my iPhone 6’s Lightning port stopped working and I couldn’t get the phone to charge. I am now the owner of a new iPhone 6s – I decided against the 7 because the headphone jack is so jacked up. I think all my contacts came over from a backup of the old phone, but if you text me and I reply “Who’s this?”, please forgive me.

Bleu has posted the menu for the spooky food and wine dinner they are hosting Thursday, October 27.

Cafe Keough is accepting applications for kitchen and barista positions.

Have you seen this man?

Two Downtown Elementary students made a fine showing on Shark Tank last Friday night. Their pitch for a line of pre-teen body lotions and sprays received funding.

That’s it for now, off to work. Possibly a second post later today.

OK, back. Saturday update

My PBR koozie finally died. The koozie, brought back by a friend from a Colorado trip, was a brown paper bag, the perfect size to hold a tallboy, with a thin insulated inner lining and the PBR logo on the front. I expected it would last about a month, but it made it 57 days before finally becoming unable to hold another beer at D-RANKS with B-RAD (appropriate, since that’s where I met the friend who gave it to me) this past Sunday. I thought it was the coolest koozie ever.

Until I saw this tweet.

In other beer news, local brewery Wiseacre is holding a 10 day sale on cold weather items like hoodies and socks.

Chili lovers: Come to The Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee’s Chili Cook-off in Overton Square on November 5. Be sure to stop by the Blind Bear team and get some of Colin’s award-winning Prohibition Chili in you.

Topics for the October 19 presidential debate have been announced. “Fitness to be president” is on there. My, my, that will be interesting. It almost sounds like the Commission on Presidential Debates is setting Trump up for a meltdown.

Petra Cafe is said to be eyeing a Downtown location for sometime in 2017.

The Psychedelic Furs play the New Daisy tonight at 7:30.

Chalking in Memphis: On October 28, the day prior to Race for the Cure, you can grab some chalk on Beale Street and write the name of a woman you know who survived breast cancer, or a loved one that you lost to the disease.

Thanks, Obama: The president issued an executive order allowing U.S. citizens to bring Cuban cigars and rum back from the island.

Plan on being in the kitchen this weekend? Food & Wine has 9 killer pumpkin desserts you can make. Don’t forget that the Memphis Farmers Market is open til 1 today if you need a pumpkin or two!

Mollie Fontaine’s has announced their Halloween Party and it’s actually on Halloween, Monday, October 31. Hosted by Doug Osborn, with DJs A.D. and Jordan Rogers. $10 cover.

High Cotton is hosting Pints for Pits tonight in support of this often-misunderstood dog breed.

The Commercial Appeal has an excellent article on the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry. The ministry distributes hundreds of nutritious burritos weekly to those who are hungry. The great thing about this organization, as rider Frank Rouse puts it, is “we do not judge. I’ll put a burrito in someone’s hand if they have a can of beer in the other.”

The Memphis Smoke cigar festival happens today at 1 at the Tinder Box, 346 S. Main. Over 20 confirmed vendors and more still being added.

Rice Drewry and Friends play the Center for Southern Folklore tonight at 8. $10 cover.

The Comedy Get Down Tour comes to FedExForum tonight. Performers include Cedric “The Entertainer,” Eddie Griffin. D.L. Hughley, George Lopez and Charlie Murphy.

Off to the Farmers Market for my weekly visit. After that I’m going to spread a little sunshine! Back tomorrow with more news.

Thur update #2: Farmers Market, acting classes, job opening, and more

Good Gourd! is the theme at the Memphis Farmers Market this Saturday. Come shop pumpkins, winter squash and edible gourds as the Market celebrates this whimsical member of the cucumber family. This is Tennessee Craft week, and Tennessee Craft Southwest will be at the Market 10:00-12:30 to demonstrate fine craft. Everyone is invited to come watch, especially students, gallery owners, guilds, co-ops, schools, and appreciators. From 9 to 11:30 you can make a gourd photo frame ornament to hang on the tree for the upcoming holiday season. You can either insert a photo of your own when you get home, or you can have the Market volunteers take a photo of you and text it to you on the spot. Live music by Bailey and Wyly Bigger 8:30-10 and South Side Supper Club 11:00-12:30. The Market is at the corner of Front and GE Patterson every Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM under the pavilion.

With only six markets left in the season, you better believe I PLAN ON BEING THERE Saturday! :mrgreen: Tandoori truck for lunch again? Or a Soul Burger across the street? Decisions, decisions!

The Halloran Centre has announced its class schedule for the next several months. On Saturday, October 29, students in grades 7-12 are invited to a musical theater dance class from 9 to 11:30 AM. Students will spend the morning learning dance technique and a combination from a Broadway musical.

On Saturday, December 3 (12-5 PM) and Sunday, December 4 (1:30-5 PM), high school students considering a theater major in college are invited to a two-day college prep workshop. Get guidance from professional actors and directors on best practices for a successful audition. Students can go through a mock audition and get feedback. They can also use the Center’s state-of-the-art recording studio to record video submissions, and a photographer will be there to take headshots at a discounted rate.

On Saturday, January 7 from 10 AM to 20 PM guests artists from New York City actor training program Open Jar Institute will be in town to conduct a master class on perfecting audition skills. Afterward, attendees will be invited to participate in an audition for Open Jar’s Summer Intensive in NYC for 2017.

Sache is hiring. They are looking for a part-time receptionist who is available weekends.

An all-vegetarian restaurant called Mama Gaia (“Mother Earth”) will open in Crosstown Concourse. It won’t be a place where you will be likely to run into me, but for the benefit of my vegetarian readers, I wanted to pass along the information.

Freewheel in Memphis has announced its next slow ride for Wednesday, October 19 at 6:00. This slow, all-are-welcomed bike ride will focus on Victorian Village. Explore the area and get to know your neighbors. Meet at 600 Monroe, and if you want, come early to pick up your reserved bike (for those that don’t own one) and enjoy a discounted pint next door at High Cotton.

The CA’s Michael Donahue has a video dining recommendation: The Sunday Sugo and risotto at Felicia Suzanne’s.

The DMC is considering paying buskers, street musicians who perform on the Main Street Mall for tips.

As a former math teacher, I can get into this: RealClearPolitics explains probabilities using real-world examples that can be understood by people who hate math. As of earlier today, the Trumpster had a 13.3% chance to win the presidential election. That’s less than the chance of throwing a six-sided die and rolling a 1. That’s less than the chance of randomly drawing a card from a deck and getting an Ace or a King. That’s just slightly more than the chance of flipping a coin three times and getting heads on all three flips.

The Flyer has an article about The Civil Pour, a civil discussion on controversial topics that are too often argued about on today’s society. The Civil Pour happens once a month at Loflin Yard.

That’ll do it for now, heading out to PBR time at Silly Goose. Back tomorrow.

Thur update: Volunteer for St. Jude Marathon, BBQ coming to The Edge and much more

Want to support St. Jude in its marathon in Memphis the first Saturday in December, but you don’t want to run? No problem! They are plenty of opportunities to volunteer.

If I have any readers who live out in The Edge, good news for you: A new BBQ restaurant is coming to 320 Monroe. The facade of the building will face Floyd Alley in an attempt to make The Edge more walkable.

Whether you’re voting for Hillary or Trump or someone else, you gotta admit this tweet from the Pimp Bill Clinton parody account is kind of funny:

See, sometimes I poke fun at Democrats too.

Bruce V from the Flyer has some advice for animal lovers.

Greensky Bluegrass plays the New Daisy tonight at 8. Tickets $20-23.

Those of you who brew beer will find this interesting: Colorado researchers have found a way to turn waste from the brewing process into battery electrodes.

MIFA still has two job opportunities open, a Strategic Partnership Officer and a Communications Officers. These openings close Friday.

Beale Street blues master Eric Hughes plays The Dirty Crow Inn Saturday night from 9 to midnight.

Watch two kids from Downtown Elementary on ABC’s Shark Tank Friday night!

Loflin Yard is throwing a barn party with Big Barton taking over the Coach House. Cold beer, good food, and country music.

Flocktoberfest continues at Bass Pro at the Pyramid this weekend. There will be a Duck Dash family walk/run at 7:30 AM Saturday. Participants receive a duck hat and T-shirt. Race proceeds will benefit Ducks Unlimited.

Also at Flocktoberfest, there will be a Super Retriever dog jumping competition Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 9-3. The world Moon Pie eating championship will happen at noon Sunday. The national duck calling championship will happen Saturday. There will be kids’ activities all weekend, including a BB shooting range, catch and release pond, archery shooting, and build your own duck call.

WAY too much news to post in a lunchtime break today, so there will be another post after work. Check back this evening for more including Farmers Market news and Halloran Center classes.

Wed update

If you’re looking for something different to do after work, my recommendation would be the Memphis Made tap takeover this evening at Miss Cordelia’s from 5 to 8. Enjoy Memphis Made Brewing Co. beers as well as pork belly sliders by the chef at Miss Cordelia’s, burritos from the Hot Mess food truck, and gelato from The Creamery.

Haunted Happenings: For one evening only on Friday, October 28 starting at 6 PM, the Woodruff-Fontaine House (680 Adams) will be transformed into a haunted mansion. Tour the halls as special docents tell ghost stories at every turn. Live paranormal investigation by Mid-South Paranormal Society. Turn-of-the-century Halloween treats will be seved in the carriage house. Costumes are encouraged. $25 adults, including two drink tickets; children 12 and under $10.

Yesterday I reported that the Broadway Bridge over in Little Rock surprised everyone by refusing to fall after an attempt to implode it. It finally fell into the Arkansas River five hours after detonation, at 3 PM.

This is not cool: A mailman was caught pepper-spraying small dogs barking at him behind a gate. The mailbox was on the other side of the gate and the dogs posed no threat to the mailman. What was cool was the dogs’ owner, who did not want the mailman fired or charges pressed. He just wanted the mailman to learn from his mistake and maybe put in some volunteer time at the SPCA, where one of the dogs was rescued.

The John Lennon beer glass for 2016 goes on sale at the Flying Saucer tonight at 7.

Another 2005 tape has come back to haunt the Trumpster. Donald Trump was a guest on the Howard Stern show on April 11 of that year. He bragged to Stern that as owner of the Miss USA pageant, he had the special perk of going into the contestants’ dressing room. He would walk in as the women were getting dressed for the bikini competition, when many of them were naked or topless. They were encouraged, even in their undressed and vulnerable state, to go up and greet the pageant’s owner. A former Miss Arizona confirmed that for once in his life, Trump wasn’t lying; it really happened. “And so I sort of get away with things like that,” Trump told Stern. Sense of entitlement much? Yesterday Trump encouraged his supporters to go vote on November 28 and I encourage them to do so as well.

That’s it for now. Time to get through an afternoon of work then it will be Silly Goose time (unless they run out of PBR, then it won’t).

Tuesday update #2

The Grizzlies play their final pre-season home game at FedExForum tonight at 7. The Philadelphia 76ers will be the opponent.

Fourth Bluff Fridays return to Memphis Park this Friday, October 14 from 4:30 to 9:00. The event is free to attend and you are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets. The MD’s (formerly Maitre’Ds) will perform. There TapBox will be selling craft beers, and the Central BBQ and Joy Ride food trucks will be on hand. There will be plenty of games for children and families.

Felicia Suzanne’s hiring for Bartender, Busser, Dishwasher, and Prep Cook. Email your resume to felicia@feliciasuzanne.com or stop by between 2-5 PM Tuesday-Friday to apply.

Memphis Grizzlies debit cards are now available.

Over in my home town of Little Rock, today was to be the day that they imploded the Broadway Bridge connecting the city to North Little Rock, making way for a new bridge to be completed within six months. However, the Broadway Bridge wasn’t having it.

Article I found that my fellow Memphis Farmers Market patrons might be interested in: 12 ingredients that add flavor to any vegetable dish

Thanks to Bruce V of the Flyer for tweeting this: Quick, handy chart of positions on various issues by Clinton, Johnson, Trump

This FiveThirtyEight chat about the Donald Trump video tape makes a very interesting and valid point. Billy Bush indulged Donald Trump in his “locker room” banter about women for several minutes, going right along with his “grab them by the pussy” comment, validating it by not giving any indication that it was offensive or inappropriate. Then after the conversation, Billy Bush introduced The Donald to an attractive woman and encouraged them to make physical contact on two occasions. The Billy Bushes of the world are the people with the power to prevent sexual assault. Guys, if you are told something like the “grab” comment and react like it’s just a part of normal conversation and don’t take a stand against it, you are part of the problem even if you yourself would never assault.

That’s it for now. Off to the Blind Bear for happy hour.

PBR scores a win at Great American Beer Festival + Tuesday morning news

This Friday and Saturday, October 14 and 15, Wayne’s Candy will have a special pop-up shop at 101 S. Main. The hours will be 10 to 4 Friday and 10 to 2 Saturday. Wayne’s permanent location, on East Carolina in the south end, has over 2000 different candies in a 30,000 square foot warehouse. Great place to take care of your Halloween needs.

Two friends of mine had a birthday dinner at Catherine & Mary’s last night. They said the service was mind-blowingly good, and the service impeccable. “They do the little things, like pull the chair out for you as you stand up. You don’t see that much anymore. They’re old-school.”

Next week, October 17-21, is Memphis Seafood Week. Restaurants will encourage a healthy lifestyle by offering their patrons healthy seafood dishes. Participating Downtown restaurants include Dejavu, Flying Fish, and Pearl’s Oyster House. All Captain D’s are participating, so I guess the Crump location counts as a participating Downtown restaurant too.

Downtown Huey’s 20th birthday party is this Sunday, October 16. Live music includes The Joe Restivo 4 2-4 PM, Deering & Down 4:30-7:30, and Gary Escoe’s Atomic Dance Machine 8-midnight. There will be drink specials. A portion of the proceeds will go to Urban Bicycle Food Ministry, a nonprofit that feeds 300 people a day.

Make Memphis’s Trep Talk is a feature in which they talk to some of the city’s most compelling entrepreneurs. Recently they talked to Ed Cabigao of South of Beale and Zaka Bowl.

Mexican-style beers scored surprisingly well at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. The competition is open to US breweries over, so Corona and Dos Equis did not compete, but American breweries entered beers in the Mexican style.

By the way, the gold medal for “American-style lager or ice lager or malt liquor” went to none other than Pabst Blue Ribbon. Nice for America’s largest beer festival to validate that PBR is better than the Miller Lite or Bud Light that many of my friends drink.

Possibly back later with a second post.

Downtown Dining Week, Cohen to speak to DNA, and Monday news

Can we fast-forward to the second Wednesday in November PLEASE?

In 1968, a minor political party nominated a pig named Pigasus for president. It was a joke at the time, but if Pigasus ran today, I think he would get a lot of votes. That debate last night was horrible. I am SICK of both candidates.

You know what makes me really sick? On school buses across the US today, 8th-grade girls will have their vaginas grabbed at because Donald Trump gave 8th-grade boys the idea.

If you’re a fan of psychology, here are a couple of links that are worth checking out. First up is Donald Trump’s apology and patterns of abusers. Perhaps Trump’s candidacy and the ton of media attention he receives will teach all of us how to better spot psychopaths in our personal lives.

Here’s another one, written after the first debate: Ten emotional abuse tactics Trump used in that debate. Lying, denying things that were previously said or done, projection, exaggeration, yelling and shouting over, just to name a few… again, useful to keep in mind as you go about your everyday interactions.

The Commercial Appeal endorsed Hillary Clinton yesterday, calling Trump “ill-prepared and ill-suited” for the job of president.

I was told that Saturday night, there was a frat-boy type prowling around Blind Bear, thinking he was all Mr. Studly McMuffin. He saw an attractive woman he wanted to meet. His opening line? It was not a line at all. He walked up to her, took a condom out of his pocket, and handed it to her. “Well, I guess we now know what was taught at Trump University,” I commented when I heard about it the next day.

Okay, on to the news… Downtown Dining Week has been announced for November 7-13. During this week, Downtown restaurants offer special dinner menus for $20.16 and some offer lunch menus for $10.16. In many cases, these are incredible values. Here’s a list of participating restaurants for 2016.

A couple of pro tips about Downtown Dining Week. First of all, reservations will fill up fast at the most popular places. If you know you want to have dinner at, say, Felicia Suzanne’s or Chez Philippe or McEwen’s that week, I would suggest going ahead and calling and making reservations now. Don’t even wait for the menus to be published; the most popular dates and times will be filled already. If the restaurant ends up publishing a menu you don’t like, just call them back and cancel.

Secondly, when you go in for dinner, please remember that it is the busiest week of the year for the people serving you. Allow a little extra time for your food to come out, be nice to them, and when you leave a tip keep in mind that you may be eating a meal that would normally be valued at more like $30 or $35 than $20.16.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association’s October meeting on Tuesday the 25th is going to be a good one. The speaker will be Congressman Steve Cohen. He will give DNA members an update about what is happening around the Ninth District. The meeting will be at the Arcade at Main and G.E. Patterson with social at 6:00 and presentation at 6:30.

Steve, if you’re reading this (and I know you do check in from time to time), THANK YOU for being a role model of how a politician should conduct himself or herself. There are plenty of people in elected office or running for office that could stand to learn from your example.

West Memphis will build a 5-mile long river walkway that will meet up with Big River Crossing, the new pedestrian walkway over the Mississippi scheduled to open on the 22nd.

High Ground News reports that South City development should get underway by year’s end. The last 20 percent of Foote Homes residents are being relocated, and the plan is to demolish Memphis’ last housing project in December.

The sixth edition of Drafts and Laughs has been set for the Memphis Made taproom on Thursday, October 20. Entry is $20 and the show is put on by Comma Comedians.

If you have Nestle Drumsticks ice cream cones in your freezer, you should probably throw them out. Drumsticks have been recalled because of listeria concerns.

That’s it for now. I’ll be out for happy hour at Melissa Monday at Bardog after work.