Saturday update

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 25. This month the venue will be Old Dominick Distillery. Chris Canale, Jr., president of D. Canale & Co., will talk about the story of the iconic Canale family in Memphis, and how they decided Downtown was the right place to open a micro-distillery. Social at 6, program at 6:30. free distillery tours 5-6. Appetizers by Old Dominick. Spirits will include one wine, one bourbon, DNA beer, and cash bar. Free for members, visitors $10.

National Night Out returns to the Farmers Market pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson the following Tuesday, August 1. Celebrate community/police partnerships and thank MPD for their service. There will be complimentary food, beverages, and live entertainment. 6-8 PM. Let me give my usual piece of advice: This is an event where you want to get there right at the beginning. Why? Jack Pirtle’s Chicken. There will be boxes full of two-pieces with a side and a biscuit and Pirtle’s famous gravy. These things run out fast. If you get there at 6:15 you risk not getting one. Get there at 6:00. Get there at 5:55. Get in line early, but if a Memphis police officer gets in line behind you, say thank you and let him cut in front of you.

By the way, anyone who thinks the Pirtles save the little pieces of chicken for public events like this one is dead wrong. I got a white meat two piece at last year’s NNO and the size of the breast made me wonder if I was eating a chicken or an ostrich.

I don’t think any reality show could be as big of a shitshow as the show called “America” that premiered January 20, but we have a contender. E! Network is bringing back the cast of Jersey Shore for a Reunion Road Trip docu-series. Why????????

There will be a hearing Monday to determine if Purple Haze should continue to be able to stay open until 5 AM. It is part of the Beale Street Entertainment District yet not on Beale Street itself. Police have responded to many incidents there. I used to go over there with my service industry friends after they got off at 3, but the last few times I have been late late night, I have felt unsafe there. Too bad because they do have great pizza.

No interesting news to report from Friday night. I spent part of it paying bills.

Leading off at Bardog to catch up with my “DAWG” John D about recent BBQ team transactions. After that will probably spend the entire afternoon at the Blind Bear. With the heat index going over 100, being outside as little as possible seems like the way to go these hot summer weekends. Back tomorrow with more news.