Saturday update

The Trauma and Coping Research Group at the University of Memphis is conducting a study and is interested in talking to active military and veterans, deployed after 9/11, who have some symptoms of PTSD. You do not need to have a prior diagnosis of PTSD. Full participation in the study can result in compensation of up to $350. This important study will hopefully improve understanding and care of veterans suffering from PTSD symptoms. If interested, you can go to www.memphisveterans.org to learn more or sign up, or you can call 901-678-5966.

If you don’t qualify for the study but know someone who would, please pass along this information. I know this seems like a rather odd item to show up in my blog, but I’ve been told the doctor conducting the study reads this blog regularly. Also, I have known people (although they weren’t military) who have had forms of PTSD and I have witnessed first-hand the suffering it inflicts upon them.

1 North Carolina defeated 4 Butler 92-80 and 2 Kentucky defeated 3 UCLA 86-75 in the NCAA South Regional yesterday. North Carolina and Kentucky will play for the right to cut down the nets at 4:05 PM Sunday at FedExForum, probably the biggest NCAA game ever played here that did not involve the Memphis Tigers. Coach Cal is one game away from having another Final Four appearance to vacate.

Bring your dog to Dog Days at Bass Pro at the Pyramid today between 11 and 4. Free dog toy to the first 100 dogs, free photo download noon to 4, free dog treat with purchase, and there will be a dog costume contest at 1 with the winner receiving a $20 gift card. Can’t make it today? Dog Days will happen next Saturday, April 1, as well.

The Big Red Machine, The Devil’s Favorite Demon, The Undertaker’s storyline brother, Kane is planning to run for mayor of Knox County, Tennessee in 2018. Qualifications include setting play-by-play announcer Jim Ross on fire on national TV, and adopting the persona of Dr. Isaac Yankem and impersonating a dentist. Given that Knox County residents are stupid enough to root for the Tennessee Vols, they’ll probably be stupid enough to elect Kane mayor.

Signage is up at ServiceMaster’s future HQ:

North Carolina fans and Kentucky fans: If you want advice from a local on what to do in Memphis on your Saturday between games, I invite you to come talk to me today. I plan on being at Bardog Tavern (73 Monroe) from 11 AM to 1 PM and Blind Bear (119 S. Main) from 1 PM to 3 PM (times approximate). I have lived blocks away from FedExForum for 15 years and love talking about my neighborhood, helping out-of-towners find the good places that aren’t touristy. I will have on a purple T-shirt with a quote on it, and there will probably be a little troll figure with green hair standing on the bar next to my beer (it’s a girl troll and her name’s Perjorie). I’m very approachable, so ask me anything you want about Memphis. I will most likely have friends with me who are good sources of information too.

Time to climb aboard the PBR train… happy Saturday everyone, and stay dry.