Month: March 2017

Thursday morning update

The Memphis Flyer’s web-exclusive bonus content Beer Bracket Unfiltered continues on. The latest installment of Unfiltered has the Flyer folks interviewing the brewers at Wiseacre. The interview starts off discussing Wiseacre’s interesting beer names. They mention Adjective Animal, a joke at how the beer industry names its beers… but in Memphis, Adjective Animal seems more like how the bar industry names its bars. The Green Beetle. The Dirty Crow. The Blue Monkey. The Silly Goose. The Blind Bear.

If I ever open my own bar, you know what I will call it? The Crazy Troll.

:mrgreen:

Bon Jovi comes to FedExForum tonight at 7:30.

The people who developed Loflin Yard are developing a new concept a couple of blocks to the east on Carolina Avenue. They will put four repurposed grain silos on an empty 15,000 square foot lot in a new bar/restaurant concept. They want to draw pedestrian traffic to an area of Carolina that is currently rarely traveled on foot. The new bar will be at 141 East Carolina, in the area of the Cash & Carry and Wayne’s Candy.

Kooky Canuck is looking for a kitchen manager.

If 15 seed Northern Kentucky beats 2 seed Kentucky tomorrow night, a Cincinnati restaurant will buy a steak for each of Northern Kentucky’s 15,000 students.

Probably back at lunchtime with more news.

Wed update #2

The Riverfront Development Corporation has plans for some upgrades to Mississippi River Park, the former Jefferson Davis Park at Riverside and Jefferson. These include tree houses and other equipment for children to climb on, a meadow, and a booth for food vendors. An additional proposal would temporarily close Riverside Drive and put basketball courts there. The city has received grant money to improve the four blocks of public land along the river including Mississippi River Park. The park sounds good but I am really not sure closing Riverside is a smart move, especially right there near the Bass Pro entrance.

One of my friends who works at St. Jude has posted that they are in desperate need of platelets this week. If you want to donate platelets or blood, call 901-595-2024 and they can pre-screen you over the phone. These donations are vital to saving the lives of children at St. Jude.

The Experience Hendrix Tour comes to the Orpheum tomorrow night. A diverse group of well-known musicians comes together to explore the works of Jimi Hendrix.

Attention wrasslin’ fans: The stars of NXT are coming to Landers Center in Southaven.

Blessing Boxes are popping up all over the country. People leave nonperishable food items and personal hygiene products in boxes. For those in need, the understanding is “take what you need.”

The Memphis Flyer is back with its Beer Bracket Unflitered series, bonus web-exclusive content that didn’t fit in the current issue. In this edition of Unflitered: An interview with two of the founders of High Cotton.

There was a high-speed police chase Downtown yesterday about 5:30. Two police cars crashed into each other and one officer was injured. The chase resulted from a call about suspicious vehicles at Bass Pro.

Jerry “The King” Lawler has started a new podcast called Dinner with The King.

Memphis music legend Don Bryant comes back to his hometown for a show Friday night. Bryant and the Bo-Keys fill play Loflin Yard 9-midnight. Admission is free.

YOGA! Downtown Yoga is offering a discount this week:

That’s it for this news update. Most likely I will do my usual Wednesday happy hour at Silly Goose.

Wednesday morning update

Lots of job news to share with my readers this morning. If you are looking for a one-week, part-time job that pays pretty well, check out the tweet below. Fourth Bluff is hiring surveyors for temporary positions.

Felicia Suzanne’s hiring for management, server, and back of the house positions. Email felicia@feliciasuzanne’s.com if interested.

The airport is hosting a job fair April 5. 15 different operators, vendors and concessionaires will be hiring. Service industry people – check out HMS Host. I know the guy who runs the Memphis operation. Great to work for, and the hours are not as long as most restaurant and bar positions.

There will be a free show at the Wiseacre taproom Friday night to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Jeff the Brotherhood with Yesse Yavis. The brewery is teaming up with MEMpops to make a Shamrock Shake Float.

Tonight is Food Truck Night at Miss Cordelia’s from 5 to 8. Cory from Southern Prohibition Brewing Co. will be on hand to discuss his company’s beers. Fuel Food Truck, Bedrock Eats & Sweets and The Creamery Memphis will be on site.

This week’s Small Shop Saturday at Ghost River’s taproom will feature Lingotopia. Three artistan/maker/craftsperson’s work will be for sale as you sip craft beer.

On Friday, March 31 from 6 to 9 PM (which is also South Main Trolley Night), South Main Book Juggler will host author Tony Kail. He will sign copies of his book A Secret History of Memphis Hoodoo: Rootwoorkers, Conjurers & Spirituals.

Public input is sought on proposed bike lanes for 10 Memphis streets. One of the streets is Downtown, with lanes proposed for Riverside between Jefferson and Beale. The input session will be Monday, March 27, in Conference Room C in the main library at 3030 Poplar.

OnMilwaukee.com has a look at the Pabst brewery which is returning to Milwaukee.

Back at lunchtime with more news, most likely.

Taco shells made of bacon and more (Tue update #2)

Normally I like to start my posts with a piece of local Downtown news, but this is just too good to wait for later in the post: Make your own taco shells entirely out of bacon

Aldo’s Pizza Downtown location is hosting a Grizzlies watch party tomorrow at 7 PM. Come watch the Grizzlies play the Chicago Bulls. The Grizz Girls will be there, cool gear will be given away, and there will be a chance to win tickets. There will be pizza and longneck specials all night.

901 Jalapeno Popper Throwdown, to be held at High Cotton on March 25, has announced a couple of additions to make the event family-friendly. Fancy Faces by Diane will be there painting kids’ faces, and there will be a game truck as well. The festival is free to attend but there might be a nominal charge for the face painting and games.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association’s March Happy Hour is this Thursday at 6 PM at Belle Tavern. This event is free to attend, whether or not you are a member, and you are welcome to bring a friend. There is no agenda at the DNA’s happy hours, just socializing with your Downtown neighbors. Wells $3, house wine $5, and everything else a dollar off.

High Cotton will have $3.50 ESB and Scottish Ale all evening long in their taproom Friday in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. They will also have special St. Patrick’s themed prizes for trivia winners.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem is coming to the Orpheum April 29 and 30. Tickets are on sale now.

The Majestic Grille will close at 2 today for its annual employee celebration. Regular hours will resume tomorrow.

Complimentary three-gigabit Wi-Fi is coming to FedExForum.

I want to quote a paragraph from last Tuesday’s post when I shared tips for watching this past Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade on Beale.

My personal favorite place to stand? In front of the King’s Palace Tap Room, halfway on Beale between Second and Third. Having been Downtown for 15 years, I already have more beads than I can shake a stick at. I am more interested in easy access to beer, and the Tap Room has PBR on draft. Plus, a lot of my South Main friends hang out there, and they are great people with whom to watch a parade.

Just clearing that up for certain people who thought my parade attendance and choice of spot to stand was a last-minute decision based on information I saw on Facebook. No, I announced where I would be FOUR DAYS IN ADVANCE. And I followed it up Saturday morning with another announcement, and even said I would see if I could have the Tap Room bartender put on the Arkansas game (which I didn’t – he was slammed with people ordering drinks).

That’s all for now, back tomorrow with more.

Tuesday update

Selection Sunday has happened! There are many websites with NCAA tournament brackets, but the one I prefer is FiveThirtyEight’s bracket. Mouse over any team to see the team’s chances of winning each round. The bracket is updated with new probabilities as play happens.

The bracket is of particular interest to Memphis this year, because the semifinals and finals of the South Regional will be held at FedExForum Friday the 24th and Sunday the 26th. The top four seeds are North Carolina, Kentucky, UCLA, and Butler. Yep, most likely we’re going to have Coach Cal back in his old stomping grounds for the weekend.

Also in the South: The Arkansas Razorbacks. The Hogs are an 8 seed, playing 9 Seton Hall at 11:30 AM Friday on TNT. I’m going to be realistic about Arkansas’ chances and not go around saying “IT’S GONN BEE ARRR YEARRR” like fans of a certain football team clad in orange. Arkansas is neither overrated nor underrated right now. “The third best team in a mediocre conference” is an accurate description. I expect the Hogs to beat Seton Hall to make the round of 32. I will be rooting for them to beat North Carolina, but most likely Arkansas is going to get clobbered.

Prediction: The West bracket will be full of upsets. I would not be surprised to see a double-digit seed make it to the Final Four out of the West.

If you care about the tournament that no one really cares about, here’s the NIT bracket.

If you want to see the Flying Saucer as we know and love it one last time, get by there this week. It will soon close for $150,000 worth of renovations. Expect a large expansion in the kitchen. I was in there Sunday, and there are a lot of good beers on the Just Landed board that are excellent values. Christina took good care of me as always. She even found a special-sized glass so my troll could enjoy the IPA on Fire Sale.

You don’t see a whole lot of live music Downtown other than Beale Street on Sunday nights, but the Blind Bear is making an exception. On Sunday, March 26, Grace Askew plays the Bear at 9 PM.

Hey look, I got mentioned on Carbunkle Trumpet! It’s a post about panhandlers and the scams they pull off.

Ozzlee plays the alley next to The Brass Door for St. Patrick’s Day Friday night.

Sunday I learned that canned cheeseburgers exist. That sounds disgusting.

More Beer Bracket Unfiltered from the Memphis Flyer: Here’s the interview they did with Andy and Drew from Memphis Made to prepare this week’s cover story.

Blue Beat blues sensation Quinn DeVeaux makes his Downtown debut at the Silly Goose tonight.

Sorry for no post yesterday. Wasn’t feeling well. Possibly back at lunchtime with more news.

Sunday update

The Vault has opened in the old Double J space. I wasn’t aware of its opening but friends told me they went there Friday night and enjoyed their visit. Here’s a link to a Flyer article from last month about The Vault.

Memphis Black Restaurant Week wraps up today with A Soulful Food Truck Sunday from noon to 6 at Clayborn Temple. There will be eight food trucks onsite and live music too.

It’s time to CALL THOSE HOGS!!! Arkansas plays Kentucky for the SEC tournament championship at noon today in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Win or lose (and let’s face it, probably lose), the Hogs are safely in the NCAA tournament field. Following that game is the AAC championship, Cincinnati vs. SMU. The Selection Sunday show will air on CBS at 4:30.

Thanks to our BBQ team pitmaster Frank and his lovely wife Laura for inviting me over for dinner yesterday. With the Atoka regional a mere three weeks away, Frank was in the mood to fire up the grill.

Of course the ribs and the shoulder were delicious, and that’s what matters most because those will be competing in Atoka. When I went back for seconds, though, it was for that yummy pasta salad! Whoever made it, can we please have it one day at BBQ Fest?

It wasn’t an official team function, but nearly the entire board of directors was at Frank’s and it was nice to see everyone. Knowing our team treasurer would be there, I brought money and got my team dues paid for 2017.

Sunset this evening will be 7:04 PM Central Daylight Time. That’ll give me an extra hour of daylight in which to sit in a dark bar and watch basketball and drink PBR and take pictures of a troll. D-RANKS with B-RAD is first on the agenda. It’s going to feel like I’m drinking a beer at 10 in the morning – which actually happens during BBQ Fest, but rarely this time of year. Back tomorrow with more news.

Saturday update

The Big River Block party continues today on South Main. There will be a beer garden, buskers in front of all South Main businesses, and a family variety show. At 7 PM at the Halloran Centre, there will be a show featuring country hit Songwriters Sarah Buxton, Casey Beathard and Barry Dean brought to you by 94.1 The Wolf.

One last reminder that the Beale Street St. Patrick’s Day parade is today at 3. Most likely I will be in front of the King’s Palace Cafe Tap Room. No, I won’t wander down to Wet Willie’s and bring a Call-a-Cab back. Normally that would be a great idea, but it’s the time of year when I have to be a responsible adult and remember that I’m Director of Public Relations of a BBQ team.

Shark Tank is coming to Memphis with auditions at Hatiloo Theater March 24. The show wants to diversify its portfolio with more investments into minority entrepreneurs.

2:00 is the new 3:00 as of 2 AM tomorrow. Don’t forget to spring forward as Daylight Saving Time makes its way in. Sunshine well past 7 AM will be nice!

archimania is unveiling an emerging professional fellowship. This highly respected, award-winning company in Downtown Memphis is reaching out to those starting a career in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and industrial design. They are looking for someone who can think outside the box, someone who will push them and will appreciate being pushed by them.

If you want to hear some excellent live music, check out South Side Supper Club at Loflin Yard tomorrow from 3 to 6 in the afternoon.

I also want to inform you about a big fundraiser coming up at Loflin Yard April 1: Memphis Cares: A Bowling Green Victims Massacre Concert. This concert, starting at 8 PM, will be a tribute to some things that didn’t happen in Atlanta, Sweden, and of course, Bowling Green, Kentucky (actually it will benefit the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center). Easy D’s Low-Life Leakers and guests will perform songs of resistance. INSIDE TIP: It hasn’t been announced yet, but there is usually a Ninja Parade up the street on South Main at 6 every year on that date. You will be able to catch both in one evening!

The Grizzlies host the Atlanta Hawks at FedExForum tonight at 7. Marc Gasol grill set for the first 4000 fans.

Coffee drinkers: You could soon be drinking an alcoholic cold-brew coffee that is 6% alcohol by volume, more alcoholic than the average beer.

My Razorbacks play Vanderbilt in the SEC semifinals today at 2. Hmmm, not an ideal game time. I’ll see if I can get the Tap Room to put Arkansas on the TV near the door. As for now, it’s time to get things started at Bardog. Don’t forget, $2 Fireball at Bardog when it’s snowing. Today could be our lucky day!

Friday update #2

Craw So Hard! That Fish Cray! The third edition of Max’s Sports Bar 2017 crawfish boils is this weekend. Usually they are every other Saturday, but due to the crappy weather predicted and the conflict with the Beale Street St. Patrick’s Parade, they are moving the boil to Sunday, March 12. Max’s will be open at noon and the bugs will be ready by 12:30. You get a box filled with 2 pounds of crawfish, plus sausage, taters and corn cooked in the boil for $10. $3.50 Bloody Marys and mimosas til 2. I will say it again, as an expert on dealing with cray Downtown… the crawfish at Max’s are better than at any of the crawfish festivals I have been to around this city.

Also… I have to get more details about this… but Max’s tweeted that there will be trivia hosted by Will Askew on Monday.

The Memphis Flyer has more information on the Big River Block Party that I mentioned in this morning’s post.

Bonus Beer Week material on the Flyer’s website: An interview with Ben Pugh of Meddlesome Brewing, which will open in Cordova sometime this spring or summer.

From the CA: Bon Jovi finds renewed purpose in ‘This House is Not for Sale.” They will play FedExForum next Thursday, March 16.

The Land Use Control Board voted unanimously against a request to close Pontotoc between Turley and Danny Thomas. Board members thought closing streets would set a bad precedent. They were also concerned that building a big development and putting a fence around it would cut off Foote Homes from Downtown.

Beers for Bears will happen Thursday, March 30 at Loflin Yard from 6 to 9 PM. Memphis AAZK, an organization of zoo keepers and others interested in professional animal care in conservation, is hosting this event to raise money for Appalachian Bear Rescue and Polar Bear International. Silent auction, merchandise table, donation bucket, karaoke, and of course, food and drink.

Happy birthday to the Nuh-Uh Girl! I hope there’s plenty of free food for her out in the Bay Area this weekend. Also, thoughts to the Lansky family as “The Clothier to the King” Bernard J. Lansky would have been 90 today. I had the honor of being helped by Mr. Lansky on some of my first visits to the store in the Peabody.

Goldcrest Premium Bock is being canned now. It’s the same beer that was brewed in the Tennessee Brewery in the 1940s.

Only another month or two and it’ll be pool season! Here’s how much pee is in that swimming pool.

Event at the New Daisy tonight:

Erica Bodine Pottery will host the first of a 3-part pottery class at the cafe in Miss Cordelia’s on March 15. The class that day will be about succulent pots and ring dishes.

This is my second post of the day, so if you’re just checking this blog for the first time today, keep scrolling with more news. I will probably start off at Silly Goose happy hour then figure out where I want to watch the Hogs at 8.

Friday update: Max’s opening early for Tigers watch party

The Memphis Tigers play UCF in the AAC conference tourney today at noon, and Max’s Sports Bar will open at noon for a Tigers Watch Party. As an added bonus, Georgia plays Kentucky at the same time, so you can root for an upset and an early trip home for Coach Cal.

I have to work today so I won’t be at Max’s for the Tigers. However, my Hogs step into SEC tournament play tonight at 8, facing Ole Miss. That might be worth a walk down to the south side.

Another reason to go to South Main tonight is the kickoff of the Big River Block Party this weekend, featuring The Accidentals at the 5 Spot this evening. After that Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils play The Dirty Crow Inn tonight at 9.

Garrison Keillor takes his radio show A Prarie Home Companion on the road and to the Orpheum tonight. 7 PM showtime. Tickets $52.50-$152.50.

The Vintage 901 opening toast and Perfect Pairings is tonight at the Halloran Centre. Tickets $225.

There will be a march of unity and resistance in support of Standing Rock Downtown tonight.

I do plan on being at the Beale Street St. Patrick’s Day parade tomorrow, if the weather is at all agreeable. However, I have decided it’s probably best to leave my little green-haired troll at home. It’s a shame because at this point, people are asking about Perjorie T. Roll nearly every day, but if I accidentally drop her, some kid will think she was thrown from a float and run off with her.

By the way, even though the official parade is not until tomorrow, they are going to go ahead with The Raising of the Goat in front of Silky’s tonight at 5 (time listed; actual time probably more like 6).

The city of Memphis is looking to hire a business development lending coordinator.

The city is also searching for a Downtown hotel consultant.

Poplar from Front to Second will be closed today through Sunday, so that a new chiller can be installed at a building at Poplar and Main.

Off to work, possibly back midday with more.

Thursday update

Tuesday, March 14 is Pi Day and Wiseacre will celebrate with a brewery tour that is all about numbers. It will end with a paired pie trio (3 pies paired with beers). Tickets for the tour and tasting are $20 and can be ordered here. There will be a Pi Day celebration in the taproom as well. Order a pizza pie delivered from Aldo’s to enjoy. At 8 PM there will be a Pie in the Face contest with the winner getting a model Wiseacre semi truck filled with goodies.

I don’t know if I have any vegetarians who enjoy hanging out at brewery taprooms who read this blog, but on the off-chance that I do, I will mention another Wiseacre event that may be of interest. Saturday, April 22 from 11 AM to 2 PM will be Memphis Veg Fest, the fresh food event of the year. There will be vegan and vegetarian demos, speakers, and foods.

The plan to redevelop the Pinch District has been released. There has been a moratorium on development in that neighborhood for two years. The planners want to retain the Pinch’s history and character. They want to connect the anchors: Bass Pro, St. Jude, the Convention Center, and the Uptown District. They want to area to be mixed-use, and they desire to create a walkable neighborhood.

In The 9:01, Chris Herrington has a great look at the new art installation in The Edge (with video) and current and future plans for the neighborhood.

Decades Rewind is tonight at the Orpheum, a medley of over 60 songs from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s “from Aretha to Zeppelin.” There will be over 100 costume changes. Tickets are $40-48.

Today’s National Meatball Day. If you’ve never had spaghetti with Aldo’s grandmother’s famous meatballs at Bardog Tavern, why not let today be the day you treat yourself? Grandma’s balls are also available by themselves or in sandwich format, if you prefer. Or, you can get them on a pizza down the street at Aldo’s Pizza Pies.

First United Methodist at Second and Poplar is asking for the adjacent alley to be closed. Construction is set to begin on the church’s sanctuary, destroyed by fire in 2006, and the church needs to find a place for its ministry to the homeless.

This week’s Memphis Flyer cover story: BEER! Toby Sells dives deep into the beer produced by Memphis’ four craft breweries.

President Trump decided he didn’t have time to meet with the leaders of organizations representing about 6 million veterans yesterday. But don’t worry, vets, he sent veterans’ affairs Omarosa in his place.

BREAD AND MILK AND MILK AND BREAD AND BREAD AND MILK AND… the forecast for the weekend is turning colder. The MemphisWeather.net forecast now has Saturday as a high of 45 with temps falling through the day to a low around 30. The CA tweeted that snow is expected, but no accumulation. The good news… the extended MWN forecast is for temperatures “well above average” expected for March 16-22. “Well above average” for that time of year would put us near 80.

My new T-shirt arrived yesterday!

In case you can’t read it, it’s a quote from George Orwell. “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” This spring I will bring the revolution to Downtown Memphis.

As for tonight, I will bring the revolution to the Silly Goose for happy hour. Blind Bear after that and maybe I’ll squeeze in a Belle Tavern visit if I have time to beat the rain home. Back tomorrow with more.