Tue update #2: Pop-up park on the river, DNA meeting, hot dog special at the Redbirds and more

A new pop-up park called RiverPlay is coming to Memphis Park at Front and Jefferson. The new park will have basketball courts, playing fields, a skating rink, and an area for food trucks. Construction will begin on the park April 22 and it will open in early May, remaining open until August 1. The court is made possible by a Civic Commons grant and funding from the Grizzlies.

This month’s Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting will be a Food Fight! Well, not really, but there will be a panel of local chefs and restaurant owners. These will include Patrick Reilly of the Majestic Grille, Michael Patrick of Rizzo’s, Milton Lamb of Cafe Pontotoc, and B.J. Tamayo of Alcenia’s. The meeting will be Tuesday, April 25 at the Majestic Grille, with social at 6:00 and program at 6:30. There will be light appetizers and a cash bar. Free for members, $10 for visitors.

Freewheel, the slow-ride bicycle group that explored The Edge and the Medical District, is coming back for 2017. This spring, however, they are branching out and taking the show on the road, exploring a different neighborhood each ride. The April 19 ride will explore the riverfront and Martyr’s Park. It will depart at 6 PM that day from 603 Monroe in The Edge, the former Kudzu’s. Freewheel’s rides operate at a leisurely pace, so you won’t have to worry about catching up and there will be plenty of time to talk to your fellow riders. If you don’t have a bike, you can reserve one of theirs, and if you show up early you can enjoy discount pints at High Cotton across the street. Freewheel will return for the five Wednesdays after the 19th, exploring a different neighborhood each week.

Bike Night returns to The Dirty Crow Inn tomorrow, Wednesday, April 12, from 7 to 10 PM. Live music by Bobbie and Tasha.

American Commercial Barge Line is stirring up controversy with a plan to build two large silos facing the river in the French Fort neighborhood. Residents feel the silos would ruin the view of the river from the Chickasaw Indian mounds and from the Metal Museum.

From The Daily Beast: Reverse engineering Fireball whisky, how to make your own Fireball at home. Or, if you don’t feel like doing the work, the Silly Goose has done it already. They have a House cinnamon-flavored whiskey that is better than Fireball itself.

Keep this in mind for dinner if you go watch the Redbirds this week:

There will be a special tribute to Memphis wrestling hosts Lance Russell and Dave Brown at Jerry Lawler’s Bar and Grill on Beale Street on Saturday, April 22. At 5 there will be a Q&A with Lance and Dave ($10 to attend) and dinner with Lance and Dave at 6 (also $10). At 7:15 they will be inducted into the Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame with a special tribute from The King. Bill Dundee, Koko B. Ware, and Randy Hales will be among the special guests.

That’ll do it for this update. Have a fantastic day!!!