Tuesday update

Lying in bed early this morning drifting between sleep and wakefulness, I thought about the seven new exoplanets that have been discovered orbiting a star 39 light years away, three of which are in the star’s habitable zone. I thought, well, the three dimensions of space exist on them, but what if they have one or more other dimension(s), unfamiliar to the human race, instead of the dimension of time? I then thought that games similar to baseball, tennis and golf must be more likely to exist on those planets than games like basketball, soccer, hockey, and football that rely on a clock.

Just in case you were wondering what kind of random stuff goes through my mind…

On to the news… Mayor Strickland’s task force wants you to help shape the future of the Memphis Riverfront. Take this brief survey and let them know what you would like to see.

There’s a Mardi Gras carriage parade tonight on Beale Street beginning at 5:00.

Beautiful – the Carole King Musical is at the Orpheum today through Sunday.

The Memphis Beer Bracket has hit the final round, and it’s two Ghost River beers facing off against one another. That Grindhouse cream ale is pretty yummy. I had a couple when I visited their taproom the day after Thanksgiving. Great people-watching at the taproom that day.

Yum Brands has expanded its parental leave fully paid time off to 18 weeks for corporate employees. Those employees also get half-day Fridays. That makes me feel a little better about ordering the Colonel’s original or a Doritos Locos Taco. Nice to see a corporation doing the right thing, even though the government is giving them every opportunity to do the wrong thing.

Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph won a well-deserved NBA Cares Community Assist Award for the month of January. The entire Grizzlies team fed 200 homeless people at the Union Mission on MLK day, but Z-bo went above and beyond, making a personal donation of socks, gloves and hats. He also made a $20,000 donation to MIFA Emergency Services Plus-1 program, keeping the power on for those who find themselves unable to pay their bill. See Zach and the rest of the Grizzlies at FedExForum at 7 tonight as they host the Phoenix Suns.

More awards for Memphis athletes: Tigers kicker Jake Elliott has been chosen as the American Athletic Conference 2016 Football Scholar-Athlete of the year. While being one of the top kickers in the country, he maintains a 3.85 GPA as a marketing management major.

This didn’t happen in Downtown Memphis, but it could have: Kind horse shares its food with pigeons

Everyone pay attention to the weather tonight, because there is a threat of tornadoes after dark. Points north and west of Memphis are under even more of a threat, with St. Louis in particular in the path of bad weather.

The soft opening of Lisa’s Lunchbox is happening right now. 116 South Front.

That’s it for now. I’ll be out celebrating Fat Tuesday somewhere tonight, not sure where yet.

Monday update

The Memphis Police Department has released a surveillance photo of the car involved in the deadly hit-and-run accident at Overton Square last Wednesday. The car is believed to be a silver Ford Mustang with a dark line or decal across the rear bumper. It has damage to the front, windshield and roof. If you know anything about the whereabouts of this car and its driver, please call 901-545-COPS. Many of my friends knew the victim and want to see justice done.

The SMA has a new website: Go South Main

WMC has photos of the renovation process to transform the former Peabody Place Mall into ServiceMaster headquarters.

Next week (March 6-12) is Memphis Black Restaurant Week. Downtown restaurants that are participating include DeJavu, Scoops Parlor, The Office@Uptown, Cafe 7/24, Guilt Free Pastries, and Cupcake Cutie Etc.

The Brass Door is closed today for repairs and will be back open tomorrow.

The Orpheum has announced that Brit Floyd, the world’s greatest Pink Floyd tribute show, will perform at the theater on June 3. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 AM.

Cerrito Trivia is reverting its Thursday trivia night at the Green Beetle to General Trivia. The past few years, trivia nights there have had themes. Down the street at the Arcade, trivia there will continue to be themed to different TV shows, movies, etc. every week.

The Memphis Beer Bracket is down to four.

The Calvary Waffle Shop opens Thursday. It runs Tuesday through Friday during Lent from 11 AM to 1:30 PM and has some really good speakers. Waffle Shop After Dark will be open Wednesdays during Lent starting next Wednesday, March 8.

President Trump orders his steak well done and eats it with ketchup.

That’s all the news for now. Most likely I will be out at Bardog for Melissa Monday after work.

Sunday update: Where to find a Pancho’s cheese dip fountain, Hickman Building to be renovated and more

Got a question for my readers this morning. Why do kids’ activities always involve crafts? This question came to mind after I saw a post by Trolley Stop Market. St. Patrick’s Day is strongly celebrated Downtown, but there isn’t much for kids to do that shields them from the debauchery. Seeing a need they could fill, Trolley Stop stepped in and offered a kids’ night on March 17. For $5 kids get bingo, crafts, music and fun, and there will be pizza specials and dinner specials as well. If you want to participate, call the market and make a reservation, because this will fill up fast.

Let me make it clear, nothing against Trolley Stop, because this sounds like an excellent event for kids. But seriously, think about it, every kids’ event has crafts.

“Kids can build their own birdhouse while learning about the feathered friends in the trees of the Mid-South”

“Make your own turkey out of paper plates and construction paper while learning about traditions of the Pilgrims”

“Save up your empty paper towel rolls to make festive animals from the farm”

I mean, seriously, it’s time someone ran a kids’ event with something other to do than make crafts. You know what I would do if I ran a kids’ event? I would seat them all in a circle, and each kid would get a big bowl of spaghetti with three meatballs. Once every kid had been served, I would yell “FOOD FIGHT!” and get out of the way.

Maybe I can talk to the Farmers Market about doing this at one of their weekly markets this year. If the kids have to learn something while doing their activity, we can make it butternut squash spaghetti and talk about making healthy food fight choices.

Okay… before I announce this next event, let me mentally prepare you.

“Pancho’s cheese dip fountain”

Ready?

Next Saturday, March 4 (isn’t it weird to think we’re only days away from March?), Wiseacre Brewing Co. will host Azazel Tour and Taco Bar from 3 to 6 PM. Learn why the names of Belgian Golden Strong often reference the devil (see, adult events can be educational too!) Wiseacre’s Azazel Belgian Golden Strong was made with limes this year, and they will celebrate with a taco bar and Pancho’s fountain. You’ll get a tour of the brewery and discuss the history and development of the Belgian Golden Strong style. Tickets are $20.

The Memphis Tigers host the Houston Cougars this afternoon at 4 at FedExForum.

Big news for Downtown: A building on Madison that has been vacant for 46 years will soon be occupied again. The nine-story, 100,000 square foot Hickman Building at 240 Madison will be repurposed into retail on the ground floor, 40 apartments on the middle floors, and office space on the upper floors. This project, along with a couple of boutique hotels not far away, will help connect the Downtown core with The Edge. Very excited to hear there will be increased activity and foot traffic in that area.

This time of year is so much fun. Yesterday we had a crew at Bardog consisting of BBQ team treasurer Misty, pitmaster Frank, vice president John D, the public relations director (that’s me!), and deputy director Perjorie T. Roll. Naturally the discussion turned to BBQ – people we would like to have on the team, sponsorship opportunities and the like. Anytime there are 2 or more members of BBQ teams (the same team or different ones) in the same place, these types of discussions are likely to happen. The BBQ Fest experience is a lot more than just a week long.

By the way – if our team treasurer gets out today, I will pay my dues. Having bought a car recently, I was going to hold off paying until April, but John D made an excellent point yesterday – board members need to be leading by example when it comes to paying dues. There are a couple of luxury purchases I had in mind but they will just have to wait a month or two. The team comes first.

My troll asked for a $4000 check for first-class jet fare to Hollywood and luxury accommodations, so she can see if DreamWorks, the creator of the movie Trolls, will sponsor the Moody Ques. This request was unanimously denied by the other team members who were present. “Will you at least mention in your blog that the movie is now out on Blu-Ray and DVD?” she asked. Okay, fine.

After Bardog we headed south to Max’s Sports Bar to check out the second crawfish boil of the season. Max has made some very nice improvements for the comfort of his guests! First of all, if you’ve ever been on the deck out back, you know that there is a large courtyard area. Max put folding tables in that area that provided 50-60 additional seats. People had plenty of room to spread out and enjoy their crawfish without bumping into the person next to them, and without people reaching over them to order drinks. That made the inside considerably less crowded, although still busy. Traffic jams in the aisle weren’t happening the way they did with the first boil. Much more comfortable.

The cold weather did not keep people away. There were as many people as the first boil, when it was 74 degrees outside.

Another thing that helped is that there was a second bar on the back deck. Mike was selling bottled beer, buckets of beers, and shots. Unfortunately he did not have PBR since they sell it on draft at Max’s, and he didn’t have draft lines so I had to go inside. There’s a shot that is the new big thing at Max’s – chocolate salty balls. People order rounds and rounds of them all day long.

Glaze the cook saw me and waved, letting me know that he had crawfish if I wanted a box. I’ve been one of his best customers, but I just wasn’t hungry enough yesterday to put away three pounds of crawfish plus all the trimmings! If they continue to do the boils every other week, it will probably be April before I get my crawfish on again. March 11 is the day of the Beale Street St. Patrick’s Day parade, and March 25 is the day of the 901 Jalapeno Popper Throwdown and possibly a BBQ team meeting next door (still trying to confirm availability of the space).

Hmmm… the next one after that would be Saturday, April 8, the day of the Overton Square Crawfish Fest. That could be a conflict for some people, but as I have said before, the crawfish being put out at Max’s are superior to any crawfish festival I have been to in years. There is no such thing as too spicy at crawfish boils. If you like your seafood not spicy, drive through McD’s and get a Filet-O-Fish combo.

Although I couldn’t handle three pounds of crawfish, I did need to eat something, so I went around the corner to visit Clarence at Earnestine & Hazel’s. I had him cook me a Soul Burger.

Love those grilled onions! I don’t get to sit at Clarence’s bar too often in the winter. Looking forward to April 1 when Memphis Farmers Market opens for the season. Once that happens I will make a regular E&H appearance every Saturday morning once again.

The burger and chips were pretty salty, and by the time I arrived back in the Downtown core I needed something sweet to take the edge off. “Do you have any desserts, Jeannette?” I asked at the Blind Bear.

“We have the bread pudding,” she replied, so I ordered that.

About 6:30 I decided to go home for a “halftime” nap. I knew I would wake up about midnight, perfect timing to go back out and enjoy the late hours at the Bear. However, when I did wake up I looked at the clock and thought, “screw this, I’m staying in bed.” I fell back asleep, waking up a little after 4 AM. I felt fantastic, better than I have felt in a long, long time! Sometimes skipping the late-night can be worth it.

After I got up, I turned the heat on. As I did, I thought to myself how unusual it is to be turning the heat on this time of year. Then I thought how unusual it is to be thinking turning on the heat in February is unusual. Climate change at its finest. Thanks, Trump!

Almost time for D-RANKS with B-RAD, Sunday brunch at the Blind Bear. Busy week coming up, so I better make the most of this day! Back tomorrow.

Saturday update: Flying Saucer to undergo renovations and more

A question I’ve been pondering for quite some time is, “What’s going to happen to the Flying Saucer in 2017?” They opened at the corner of Second and Peabody Place in 1997, and I knew they signed a 20-year lease. 1997 + 20 = 2017. Would they renew, given that business has been declining the past few years? The answer is in: Yes, they are renewing, and they are undergoing a $150,000 renovation that will expand the kitchen and freshen up the place. Following the renovation there will be an entirely new menu. I know a few things Shannon didn’t tell the MBJ in the interview, but I’ll keep the secret for now. Glad to see the Saucer sticking around as a Downtown cornerstone, and I wish them luck. With ServiceMaster going in across the street, though, luck has already smiled upon the Saucer.

eighty3 is offering a build-your-own gumbo for $8 from now until Fat Tuesday, February 28. You can choose up to three of andouille, tasso, chicken, shrimp, crawfish, and collards. For $3 each more you can add oysters, lobster, duck confit, or smoked red fish. They also have a cornmeal-fried oyster po’boy through Tuesday.

Half Pints for Half Pints, a fundraiser benefiting the Peabody Elementary PTA, happens tonight at Memphis Made from 7 to 10 PM. There will be food from Central BBQ, Sweet Grass, Aldo’s Pizza Pies, Mulan, and Celtic Crossing. Of course, there will be great Memphis Made beer too. DJ Zac Ives from Goner Records will supply the music. There will be a silent auction with items from local businesses.

The Greater Memphis Chamber is hiring an Online Marketing Specialist.

Jamila Naturals is the featured vendor at Small Shop Saturday at the Ghost River taproom today from noon to 4. Enjoy craft beer while exploring products like their Peppermint + Thyme Sugar Scrub and Whipped Shea Body Butter. Jamila Naturals will offer a complimentary hand spa experience to patrons at this event.

The Urevbus are planning exciting things for 412 S. Main, the former Onix space next door to Art Village Gallery. They plan to use the space to raise awareness of art in all of its diverse forms, including the celebration of food as art. Not only will that space be a restaurant, set to open around May, but there will be once-a-month dinners by guest chefs. Jimmy Ishii has been brought on board as a consultant. The space will also be used for art business instruction and community conversations.

For those who are fans of classical music, Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 will be performed tonight at the Cannon Center at 7:30. There will also be pieces from Wagner and Prokofiev.

As usual, I’m starting off my Saturday at Bardog Tavern this morning… but this is a special Saturday at Bardog… it’s Panda’s birthday! Come up and see her and wish her a happy day. I’m outta here for now. Back tomorrow with more news and maybe some troll pictures.

Friday update including lots of restaurant news

Last night I got to talk to Matt, one of the people opening Lisa’s Lunchbox at Front and Gayoso in the old Tuscan Italian Eatery space. Lisa’s Lunchbox will be open next week, he told me, with a soft opening Tuesday and a grand opening Wednesday. He told me about one thing he thinks is going to be a big hit Downtown: casseroles that you can take home and heat up. “For $9 you’ll get a lot more food than you would if you ordered to-go from a restaurant,” Matt told me. “The casseroles will be perfect for single people. You’ll get a good dinner and have enough left over for lunch for the next day or two. If you call ahead and tell us what time you’ll be picking it up, we’ll put it in the oven and have it hot and ready for you.”

He said that Lisa’s Lunchbox will eventually serve beer, and when they do they will extend their hours a bit. They do not plan to serve liquor or wine, because they don’t intend to compete with bars in the neighborhood.

Susan Ellis from the Memphis Flyer has news about three new restaurants planned for South Main Street, at the southeast corner of Pontotoc. An all-day breakfast bar will go in at 300 S. Main. It will offer pancakes, omelettes, waffles and more, as well as an extensive collection of mimosas. Also, I don’t know if I have any readers who are into juicing, but if I do, the new restaurant will offer juices for those who want a healthier choice.

The resurrected Evergreen Grill, formerly on Overton Park Avenue in Midtown, will open in the former Dr. Ray’z space at 302 S. Main. The lobster burger will be back and some inventive takes on desserts will be promised.

At 304 S. Main there will be a wine loft offering 15 different self-service wines and a light menu.

The operator of these three restaurants also operates Cajun Grill in the old DejaVu space at 959 Florida just south of Downtown.

If you haven’t checked out Belle Tavern yet, here’s a reason:

Best Memphis Burger Fest is making a change this year. Instead of holding the festival the last Sunday in August, this year it will be Saturday, October 7. That means it (probably) won’t be sweltering hot this year. More importantly for Downtowners, the date change means that the burger fest won’t be the same day as the Bardog alley party! Great news.

The CA has a good article on Chris Hill who has played venues all over Downtown. For my West Memphis readers, check him out at the Double J on Saturday.

Trolleys should return by the end of the year, MATA officials said.

Mayor Strickland released an update on the average 911 call response time for January – due to a flaw in the data, it was not 8.6 seconds as earlier reported, but instead 13.2 seconds. That’s still very good though, with under 20 seconds being the goal most large cities aim for.

Round 2 of the Memphis Beer Bracket is happening now. Damn, one of the local breweries got completely wiped out in the first round! Don’t forget that you can order flights of the competing beers at the Downtown Aldo’s location.

That’s it for now. Looks like a rainy drive home this afternoon.

Help wanted identifying hit-and-run driver and more Thursday news

If anyone saw a silver Ford Mustang that looked like it could have been in an accident last night, please call 901-545-COPS and tell them what you saw. A pedestrian was hit around 9:00 PM yesterday in the 2000 block of Madison near Overton Square. The victim was taken to the hospital where he died. I didn’t know the victim but he was someone many of my friends cared about. My prayers are with all who knew him, and particularly with my two friends who rushed out of the Blind Bear to go be by his side.

I just saw an update: One witness is not sure it was a Mustang. Could be a silver or white sedan. It would have had broken glass. It was seen going east from the scene of the accident. Any information you can provide the police would be helpful.

Volunteer Odyssey has released a great new tool, Volunteer Compass, to help you find your perfect volunteer opportunity in Memphis. Put in a zip code and you will be taken to a map of volunteer opportunities near you. Are you part of an organization that needs volunteers? You can fill out a form to get your pin placed on the map.

CMT’s new series Sun Studios, filmed here in Memphis, has its premiere tonight. Hard Rock Cafe is hosting a CMT Sun Studios Watch Party tonight starting at 6:30. There will be live music by Savanna Long and food and drink specials all night. At 9:00 the premiere will be shown on Hard Rock’s big screen. There will be prizes by Hard Rock Cafe and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. This event is all ages, there’s no cover charge, and valet parking is available.

Service industry folks: The Majestic Grille tweeted that they are hiring. Just about no one treats their employees better than Patrick and Deni. Apply in person at the restaurant between 2 and 4 PM Monday through Thursday.

A Canadian TV show is filming at Kooky Canuck today from 3-5 and they have some empty seats if anyone would like to make a cameo appearance.

Knowing that I’m a huge fan of fresh produce and farmers markets, I have had people ask me, what is going on with the Memphis Farmers Market this year? Its space is all cluttered up with construction. Will it have to move to 2017? Yesterday the Market sent out an email answering that question. The clutter will be gone on opening day April 1, and the Market will remain under the Central Station pavilion at Front and GE Patterson for the season. The Market will happen 7 AM to 1 PM every Saturday from April 1 to October 28. I can’t wait to be back at the Market eating lunch from the tandoori truck, and I can’t wait to sit at Clarence’s bar at Earnestine & Hazel’s post-Market! I already have songs picked out for the jukebox!

The city of Memphis plans to build an “I AM A MAN” plaza in front of Clayborn Temple, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech as part of the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, to be completed in time for the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s death.

You can now order a Donald Trump troll doll and it’s anatomically correct. This needed to happen.

South Main Trolley Night happens this Friday, with the shops and galleries of South Main staying opening late and many offering appetizers, beer, wine, or discounts. Songwriter Night #49 will happen at 550 S. Main as part of the festivities. Also, as we get ready for International Women’s Month in March, Art Village Gallery at 410 S. Main will host an exhibit called “Breaking Barriers” with an all-female art show.

The Flying Saucer is holding a Mardi Gras party Tuesday, February 28 from 7 to midnight. There will be Nitro Draft Hurricanes, Cherry Bomb Shots, Hand Grenades, and King Cake.

Snoop Dogg and Widespread Panic both play Friday night of Beale Street Music Fest? Man… that’s going to be a profitable night for weed dealers.

New apartments are being planned for the northwest corner of Madison and Manassas.

That’s all for now. I’ve got more good stuff in the pipeline, so check back. I’ll be out at Silly Goose happy hour as is usual for a Thursday.

Wed update #2

Do I have any readers who have social media experience, or who would like to gain social media experience to put on their resume? A local project to improve the community could use some help. A team of volunteers is working to bring recycling back to South Main. They are looking for someone to help administer their website and their Facebook page. The goal is to raise both money and awareness. If you would be interested in helping, email angela@copelandcoaching.com. Please send a resume, LinkedIn profile, or something that can be shared with the team.

Clarification – South Side Supper Club will not be at Belle Tavern every Tuesday, although they played last night and hope to be there again soon. I stayed for the first two sets and really enjoyed the music played with a violin, accordion, banjo, bass and clarinet. I have never heard Hall & Oates’ “Maneater” played as an instrumental before. Also, it was the first cover of “Hey Ya” I have heard that was good. Q had us well taken care of with drinks, and Perjorie T. Roll got to meet Q for the first time.

The lineup for Memphis in May’s Beale Street Music Fest has been announced. I doubt I’ll go (Music Fest is kind of a speed bump on the road to BBQ Fest for me) but I think the lineup is pretty good. Snoop Dogg, Ziggy Marley, Soundgarden, Midnight Oil… those are some bands and artists I would be interested in hearing live.

The Memphis Beer Bracket Challenge is underway on the Memphis Flyer website. Not familiar with the beers? Try them in special flights at Aldo’s Pizza Pies Downtown.

From Lifehacker: The science of why food tastes so damn good when you’re drunk. The CEO of Krystal should print this article out, frame it, and hang it on his wall.

Downtown Yoga will host a Spring Detox Workshop with Stephanie Congo on Sunday, March 5. There will be simple exercises and yoga poses to help integrate Spring into the body. Learn about different energies and exercises that can be integrated to keep the body healthy and vibrant. YOGA!

For my fellow wrestling fans: Cerrito Live has announced a new partnership with the Rec Room to bring wrestling pay-per-view events beginning with WWE Fastlane on March 5. Kevin Owens will defend the WWE Universal Championship against Goldberg. Yes, THAT Goldberg who dominated WCW in the late 1990s.

That’s it for now. Out at Silly Goose happy hour after work probably.

Wednesday morning update

Looking to pick up some temp work? Fourth Bluff is hiring a Data Entry Operator that would be about 80 hours total.

Zoey Goto is a London-based fashion writer and author of a new book, Elvis Style: From Zoot Suits to Jumpsuits. She will be coming to Memphis Wednesday, April 12 to host a book launch event at Lansky at the Peabody from 5 to 6 PM. The full-color book will highlight not only his musical influence, but his influence in contemporary design culture. Elvis signed his first contract with RCA at the Peabody, and Bernard Lansky was the clothier who dressed the King. Hal Lansky, Bernard’s son, wrote the foreword to the book.

Jack Pirtle’s is collecting children’s books at all locations. They will be donated to Books from Birth, a program that gets books in the hands of children 1-5 for free. Pirtle’s already has 1500 books but needs more. A book in a child’s hands provides the promise of a better future. As someone who learned to read at age 3 because my grandmother sat me in her lap and made sure I could see the words as she read, I can see lots of value in this program. I remember having a big advantage in elementary school because I learned to read early.

Starting Friday at 9 AM and lasting for three days, Poplar will be closed between Front and Second, so plan accordingly. The closure is to allow setup of a cooling tower at 170 N. Main.

As of January, the average time for a 911 call to be answered in Memphis is down to 8.6 seconds. Congratulations to Mayor Strickland and his team on this badly needed improvement to city services!

The MemphisWeather.net blog tackles the question, is winter over? For Memphis, probably it is. Except for Saturday, we are looking at highs above 60 for the rest of February. The first half of March’s outlook is for above normal temps. The latter half of March may see temps slightly below normal, but a high of 60 is slightly below normal at that point in the year. This was close to a perfect winter – we got a snow day on a Friday, where it snowed overnight so drivers weren’t already at work, and then it was warm most of the rest of the season. I love it!

How did Old Dominick Distillery find room to put in grain silos that would store up to 100,000 pounds? Find out here.

I will probably be back at lunchtime with a second post. Off to work for now.

Tuesday update #2

The Orpheum has announced its 2017-18 Broadway schedule. Season subscription includes The King and I, An American in Paris, Finding Neverland, The Color Purple, and Something Rotten. Season options include return engagements of The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. You can call 901-525-3000 or visit the Orpheum’s website to order season tickets.

In addition, one offering for the 2018-19 season, Hamilton, has already been announced. This is the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and the first Secretary of the Treasury. Subscribers for 2017-18 will be first in line to get tickets for Hamilton the following season.

Good editorial in the CA: Memphis should set high goals for public transportation.

Songwriter Night #49 at South Main Sounds, 550 S. Main, happens 7-9 PM this Friday. Rebecca Almond, Brett Ross, Katharine Hedlund, and Brandon McGovern will perform.

Tin Roof hosts “Locals, Vocals, & Brews” this Sunday, February 26, starting at 5 PM. Local Memphis musicians will perform, and local Memphis clothing lines IWWD and Sache will be featured. There will be $4 Ghost River, Memphis Made, High Cotton, and Wiseacre beers. They’ll have a Creole shrimp stir fry for $14, and a pulled poutry sammy for $10.

High Cotton has made the official announcement for its Cookies on Tap event on Thursday, March 23. This event benefits Girl Scouts Heart of the South. Four High Cotton beers are expertly chosen to bring out the flavor of the Girl Scout cookies with which they are paired. This event sold out in 2016, so if you want to go, purchase tickets in advance. New to this year is a growler paired with a box of cookies for $20, for those who want to enjoy the pairing at home over the weekend.

Miss Cordelia’s is seeking a full-time prep cook. They offer a stress-free environment, flexible hours, vacation and health insurance. They are looking for someone with a ton of energy and commitment. Apply at the store.

The University of Washington is offering a new course which is badly needed in this age we live in: How to sniff out, and refute, “bullshit.” The classes filled up within minutes of being offered, but for those who want to check them out, the syllabus is online and the 12 class sessions will be recorded and the videos posted for the public to see.

That’s it for now. Tonight I am headed to Belle Tavern to catch South Side Supper Club. They take the stage at 7. Join me, won’t you?

Tue morning update: Mix-Odyssey, crawfish and more

Details have been announced for Mix-Odyssey, where you can sample some of the best cocktails in Memphis while supporting Volunteer Odyssey. It will happen Saturday, March 4 from 7 to 10 PM at BRIDGES. Seven of the city’s top mixologists will compete to see who makes the best cocktails. Each ticket ($65 regular, $100 VIP) comes with a token to vote for which cocktail you liked best.

There will be more than just cocktails at the event, though. There will be hors d’oeuvres, Wiseacre beer, and a selfie station. Fortune tellers will predict where you will volunteer. DJ Justin Baker of the Memphis Grizzlies will supply the tunes. VIPs will have their own area with servers. Early bird tickets are on sale now for $55. This event always sells out and tickets will not be available at the door.

Two Saturdays ago, Max’s Sports Bar held a crawfish boil that was a smashing success. The weather was beautiful, the crawfish spicy, the beer cold. The only thing wrong with it was that SO damn many people showed up. When I finished a beer while outside with friends, I knew I would have to push my way through the crowd to get to the bar, and then it would take 10 minutes to get another beer. Also, although it was supposed to be an all-afternoon event, the crawfish were in such demand that they were sold out not long after 2 PM.

Well, the crawfish are back at Max’s this Saturday, and Max is taking steps to address the issues that came up at the last boil. This time he’s ordering twice as much food, which should extend the sale of crawfish later into the afternoon and give people who are really hungry time to go back for seconds. In addition, they will have a cash bar on the patio, so if you’re taking in the nice weather you won’t have to go back inside to get another beer. Awesome plan to keep your customers happy, Max!

How much are the crawfish, you ask? You get a styrofoam box holding about 2.5 to 3 pounds for $10. Each box also comes with smoked sausage, taters, and corn. Sorry, troll not included in the purchase price.

The Memphis Flyer and Aldo’s Pizza Pies will do a Memphis Beer Bracket starting this Wednesday, February 22, through next Tuesday, August 28. Vote for your favorite Ghost River, High Cotton, Memphis Made, and Wiseacre beers. More details to come.

High Cotton is adding something new to its lineup of events: A monthly book club. It’s open to everyone who enjoys a brew and a good book. The first book, to be discussed Sunday, March 12, is Summer Sisters by Judy Blume. They are asking those who are interested to email taproom@highcottonbrewing.com to RSVP and to get more information. Here’s the Facebook listing for the March 12 book event.

Good article: Why Memphis is every music nerd’s dream

Cynthia Daniels, founder of Memphis Black Restaurant Week, has a guest post on High Ground News on five ways to support black-owned businesses.

That’s it for now. I’ll probably be back at lunchtime with another post.