Outdoors Inc. comes Downtown and more Saturday news

Sometimes just the right store opens at just the right time.

Outdoors Inc. has opened in the Peabody Place office tower facing Main Street, in the location that used to be Life Is Good. It looks like Music Fest attendees will get by without needing rain jackets and rain boots this year, but keep them in mind for BBQ Fest.

I wonder what the last year was that we got through both Music Fest and BBQ Fest without any rain? I wonder if it’s ever happened?

For those not going to Music Fest today, or not going until later on today, here’s my suggestion: Buy a Big Ass Beer on Beale Street and go sit on the concrete blocks in front of Silky’s and watch the freak show go by. Good, cheap entertainment. Of course, as I said a couple of posts ago, you’re welcome to join me at Earnestine & Hazel’s this morning (opens 10 AM).

Discover the Dinosaurs: Unleashed comes to the Cook Convention Center tomorrow 9 AM to 7 PM. Twenty life-like dinosaurs will come to life in an exhibit for kids age 2 to 12.

Watch out for kids standing on street corners with buckets saying they are raising money for Memphis Streets Ministries. This is a scam and the executive director of the nonprofit says they do not raise money that way. The kids will usually tell you they are raising money for their basketball team, AAU team, or something similar.

The all-new Blue Suede Brigade is on the streets of Downtown. Although they will still be friendly guides who provide information to visitors, they are also licensed security guards who will patrol the streets on foot and on bike. They have been trained how to keep situations from escalating. This comes after a contracted third-party security force was disbanded late last month.

Next Friday, May 12, will be Armed Forces Night at AutoZone Park. “The Leap Frogs,” the U.S. Navy parachute team, will parachute into the park before the game. First pitch is set for 7:05 and fans are encouraged to be seated by 6:45 to witness the Leap Frogs’ entry into the park. The Navy Brass Quintet will perform in the plaza outside the park beginning at 5:30 PM, and there will be displays and interactive exhibits. Active duty and retired military personnel can receive a discount on two tickets to Redbirds games not just on Armed Forces Night, but for any game. A valid military ID is required.

I have some possibly useful information for my readers in the nonprofit sector: You can integrate Google Custom Search into your website for free without any ads if you are recognized as exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3). You must be able to prove that you qualify. It’s very easy to set up Google Custom Search – you tell Google what domains to crawl and index, and it gives you a code snippet to add to your website that produces the search box. Google search on your site is much, much better than the search that comes with content management systems such as WordPress.

Time to spread a little sunshine in South Main! Farmers Market is first up, then Earnestine & Hazel’s. Mid-afternoon you might see me on the very concrete blocks mentioned in this post. I wonder if the Jesus freak from Tulsa carrying the big sign will be there this year. He’s gotten to know me and hopes one of these years I will see the error of my ways… and every year he sees me with the big ol’ cup of sin known as a Call-a-Cab. One day I will be burning in everlasting Hell, or so says the pamphlets handed out by his minions. Guess I better enjoy the cool weather while I can!