Tuesday update #2

Soggy Tuesday outside. The post-tropical remnants of Hurricane Irma are passing through and one bar is having a party tonight to celebrate. There will be a Hurricane Watch Party all night at Max’s Sports Bar (opens 4:30). It’s not really a hurricane any more and hasn’t been for two days, but if Bjarni wants to pretend it is and pour $3.50 Hurricane and Tornado drink specials, I say we let him.

Game 1 of the PCL Championship Series, scheduled for tonight at AutoZone Park, has been postponed due to weather. Game 1 will be at 7:05 PM tomorrow, and Game 2 at 12:05 PM Thursday. Tickets for tonight’s game are automatically good for the Thursday game (901-721-6000 if you want to move a Tuesday ticket to Wednesday). For both games, the special buffet ticket promotion is still on. $10 gets you a ticket, hot dog, Coke, and hat for Wednesday’s game. $5 gets you the same on Thursday.

This Saturday is the annual Cooper-Young Fest, a massive block party centered at the intersection of Cooper and Young and extending for half a mile. Over 400 vendors, food, beer, live music on several stages. Of course, the restaurants and bars on the festival route will be having specials and live music as well. If you are new to town, you must see this spectacle at least once.

Cooper-Young Fest has gotten so big that it can be a bit overwhelming. However, I’d like to recommend a festival nearby, Cooper-York Fest, in the Memphis Made Brewing Co. parking lot and taproom at the corner of Cooper and York. Come by for a cold beer and live bands all day starting at 11:30. Arepa 901, Hot N Heavy Dogs, Sushi Jimmi and MEMPopS will be on site selling food. They’ll even have their own festival vendors including AMBeerings and Memphis Gaelic Athletic Association.

There will be a Rooftop Workout on the roof of Old Dominick Distillery tomorrow from 6 to 8:30 in the evening. Check in from 5:30 to 6, then kick it off with a HIIT workout with Lauren Phelps. At 6:45, YOGA! Amy of Sumits Yoga will lead the class. Cool down with a cocktail at 7:30. Pre-registration is required, and the cost is $15 for both classes and an Old Dominick cocktail. Additional spirits will be available at the bar. Bring a yoga mat, water, a towel, and whatever else you feel you need.

Bruno Mars comes to FedExForum Sunday night as part of his 24K Magic World Tour.

The Grindfather is gone. Former Memphis Grizzly Tony Allen has signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. Grizzly Bear Blues has a tribute.

Earle Randle will play a free concert at Madison Avenue Park Friday from 5 to 6. Mr. Randle was born in Indianola, MS and after traveling the country, took a gig at Willie Mitchell’s Hi Records. There he wrote hit songs for artists including Bonnie Raitt, Al Green, and Etta James. These days Mr. Randle plays at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Memphis on Sunday mornings.

Starting this Thursday, The Rusty Pieces will play the Silly Goose 10 PM to 1 AM the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.

“The State of the Blues” will be the topic of the Downtown Neighborhood Association on Tuesday, September 26. The venue will be The Blues Foundation, 421 S. Main, and Joe Whitmer, COO of the Foundation, will speak about all that the Foundation does to promote the blues. Appetizers will be catered, and DNA will provide a beer and wine bar. Social at 6, program at 6:30. Free for members, $10 non-members.

Here’s a glimpse into what goes on in my mind after I’ve had a few PBRs. Last night I got an idea for a Burger Registry smartphone app. I could use the app to set my preferences – that I like my burger cooked medium, topped with the usual toppings minus ketchup and tomato, and that I prefer a side of ranch with my fries instead of ketchup. Then the app could generate a bar code or QR code that I could give to the cashier or server when ordering a burger, and my preferences would be automatically scanned into the system. It would save time and reduce the chance that the order would come out wrong. I’m trying to figure out if this is the stupidest idea ever, or if I should start raising venture capital and setting up interviews with smartphone app developers. I’ll run the idea by Seth when I see him at Burger Fest.

Lawyers of current and former aides of President Trump are advising them not to lie to protect the president. Trump values loyalty above all else, but it is a one-way street. It’s not worth a charge of perjury or giving false statements or obstructing justice. Some people get away with perjury but I wouldn’t advise taking the chance.

That’s it for now. Rare day when I have no particular plans for after work. Back tomorrow with more news.