The Downtown Neighborhood Association has scheduled its June monthly meeting, and the guest will be a good one: none other than the mayor of Memphis, Jim Strickland. The mayor will share his administration’s strategy of looking at new ways to solve old problems. The meeting will be held at The Vault, in the former Double J space on G.E. Patterson, on Tuesday, June 27 with a 6 PM social and 6:30 meeting. The Vault has two levels, 26 TVs, Memphis’ only frost bar, and a menu that is a mix of Creole, Italian oysters, jambalaya, and pizza.
Speaking of the City of Memphis: I put in my first ever 311 request this morning. The light at Front and Peabody Place is malfunctioning and never turns green for those trying to turn southbound onto Front from Peabody Place. The pedestrian signal for Front counts down to 0, but then instead of the light turning red, the little walking man reappears and Front gets a new cycle. For the time being I would recommend avoiding that intersection.
Lansky Bros. is now selling a children’s book entitled Come on in, Young Man! by Hal and Julie Lansky. It starts off with that day in 1952 when a teenage Elvis Presley was standing outside the clothing shop, peering through the window. “Come on in, young man!” said Bernard Lansky to Elvis, beginning a life-long friendship that allowed Elvis to dress and perform in his own unique style when he hit it big on the music scene a few years later. The book shows children that hard work and confidence can make dreams come true, and encourages them to “follow that dream.”
Crop Hop 5K, the annual 5K benefiting the Memphis Farmers Market, is this Friday, June 16. $25 registration gets you a run, a T-shirt, and admission to the race after-party under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson where there will be live music, food and beer. Runners have told me they consider this one of the better after-parties on the circuit. If you just want the T-shirt and the after-party without the run, sign up as a Spirit Runner for $25. Just want the after-party? $15 for that. Sign-up goes up to $30 the day of the event. First 200 to sign up are guaranteed a T-shirt.
South Main residents have discovered they have video of the South Main creeper on their security system. This pervert cruises South Main in a white pickup in the mornings before sunrise, Saturdays in particular. When he sees a woman out running or walking her dogs, he parks the truck, gets out, and follows her, touching himself and mumbling obscenities.
You know, I hate reporting negative news about Downtown, but I also think to myself, oh boy, did this creep pick the WRONG neighborhood to target. They are a tight-knit community down in South Main and they are going to get this guy. I betcha there are lots of residents up early this Saturday keeping their eyes open for that white pickup truck. Everyone looks out for their neighbors down there. He’d be better off targeting an area like Cordova, where people know what times the potato skins are half off at Applebee’s but they don’t know their neighbors.
Wiseacre hosts A Midsummer Night’s Beer Dinner on Sunday, June 25 from 6 to 9 PM. The dinner will be in the brewery’s newly tinted Chautauqua Pavilion, pairing four courses from Bounty on Broad with Wiseacre’s summeriest beers. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased here.
Congratulations to three Memphis agencies, DCA, Red Deluxe, and archer > malmo, that were recently honored on a national stage, bringing home Silver ADDY awards. DCA’s award was for a marketing campaign for Loflin Yard, and Red Deluxe’s was for a photo illustration of one of Downtown’s most famous alleys (Rendezvous alley).
It’s dollar hot dog night at the Redbirds, courtesy of King Cotton. First pitch 7:05. Colorado Springs is the opponent.
Space Jam is tonight’s free movie on the big screen at Beale Street Landing. 8:30 start time.
Wine and liquor are back at the Green Beetle effective today.
The Memphis Medical District Collaborative will hand out grants to fund public art, with preference being given to those who live or work within the district.
Your library card will get you free or discounted admission at many Memphis museums and attractions June 1-July 31.
Bloomberg reports that the Russian breach of the 2016 U.S. presidential election was wider than previously thought, hitting 39 of the 50 states.
That’s it for now. I’ll be out somewhere after work. Tuesday is kind of my wild card day, so I kind of play it by ear as to where I go. Back tomorrow with more news.