Month: September 2017

Memphis Madness returns to FedExForum on October 12. This public scrimmage by the University of Memphis men’s and women’s basketball teams also includes performances by iHeartMemphis, Gabrielle Nicole, Mighty Sound of the South, and the nationally acclaimed U of M pom and cheer squads. There will be dunk and three-point contests and players will sign autographs up to the beginning of the program. Very happy to see this event back on the fall schedule. Nice work by Coach Smith and his staff.

Big news from Memphis Made Brewing Co.: They are going to start canning year-round, with their first year-round canned product being their Fireside amber ale. Memphis Made has done limited canning before through a mobile canning service, but co-owner and head brewer Drew built a canning machine himself so they have year-round access.

The 15 Film Series tonight at Clayborn Temple will be a special Memphis Music Video Night. With creative visionary Bertram Williams as the expert curator, this event will screen music videos from local artists, with some of the artists performing live as well.

There’s a painting class with Danny Broadway tonight at Ghost River. $30 includes all materials. Class will begin at 6:30 but they recommend getting there at 6 to have time to get settled.

I came up with an idea after my Tuesday night visit to Max’s Sports Bar, an idea that is not exclusive to Max’s but for any bar that is nonsmoking but allows smoking in some kind of outside area. There need to be “This seat is taken, I’m outside smoking” signs that can be hung on bar stools. I came in there Tuesday and it looked like half the seats at the front bar were open. In fact, most of them were taken, but the people sitting there were temporarily away. Has anyone developed a product like this?

Food truck vendor Flying Sobie’s which appears at Ghost River most Sunday Fun Days has a new website.

Best Things Tennessee published a list of the 10 best yoga studios in the state. Downtown studio Your Inner Yogi made the list. YOGA!

Former Grizzly Zach Randolph entered a no-contest plea and was sentenced to 150 hours community service after being arrested on marijuana charges.

Two Grizzlies made the ESPN Top 30 player rankings. Mark Gasol is on the list at 29, and Mike Conley is 23.

Memphis Tigers news:

American Conference announces it is continuing efforts to reschedule the Memphis vs. UCF game. September 30th is possible with buyouts.

— glenn carver (@GCarver_WREG3) September 14, 2017

Georgia State would be the team Memphis would buy out. The Tigers would be replacing a cream puff with a competitive team.

I’ll be at Silly Goose after work, and while that is normal for me on Thursday, this is a special occasion: We are saying goodbye to our friends Justin and Roglly who are moving to Orlando to pursue new opportunities. I wish them well and am grateful to have known them for the past 6 years. That’s it for now, back tomorrow with more news.

The $3.50 Hurricanes and Tornadoes were calling my name last night at the Hurricane Watch Party at Max’s Sports Bar. I even dressed appropriately for the occasion. (photo credit Bjarni)

With winds gusting to a bone-crushing 8 MPH and torrential light mist raging outside, my troll felt the need to take shelter.

Correction to my previous post: Bruno Mars plays FedExForum Sunday, not Saturday.

Live music alert! The Accidentals will play the Hard Rock Cafe Sunday night at 7. In their first three years as a band, The Accidentals released three albums, played on 700 live shows, scored two films, were guest artists on 15 more albums, and had their music licensed for commercials and other projects. All of this happened before they graduated from high school! They were named Billboard’s Breakout Band at SXSW 2015, and Yahoo Music named them one of ten bands to watch in 2017. This is a free show.

In other music news, One Night Band is an iOS app developed by a Memphian that helps musicians find other musicians. If you need to fill a hole in your band for a night, or if you’re a musician visiting a city and want to find other musicians to jam with, One Night Band can get you connected.

If you want a service-industry job without the late-night hours, have a look at this:

We are still looking to hire baristas, come down and apply!! @ilovememphis

— Cafe Keough (@CafeKeough) September 9, 2017

Cafe Keough is a cafe with fresh coffee, a healthy menu, and a full bar. They do mainly breakfast and lunch service and close at 7 PM. They’re located at 12 S. Main in the Number 10 Main building.

Downtown Yoga is hosting another Free Yoga Friday on September 29 (the night of South Main Trolley Night) at which they will be collecting donations for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. YOGA!

Seth from Best Memphis Burger Fest points out that attending Burger Fest on Saturday, October 7 won’t stop you from missing any Memphis Tigers action – the Tigers have a Friday game that week. Mississippi State has a bye week, as do the Vols and their embarrassing trash can and their embarrassing coach and their embarrassing fans. Arkansas, Alabama, and Ole Miss all have away games. So why not go ahead and buy your ticket in advance?

Laurelwood Shopping Center and Latino Memphis will present Day of the Dead Friday, October 27 at The Columns on Monroe. There is way too much going on at the event for me to describe in a paragraph or two, so click the link for complete info and ticket options. Latin dancing, sugar skull face painting, authentic food bites, hand-making flower station, a photo booth, DJ Moi, Mariachis, Catrinas by Cazateatro Bilingual Theater Group, and more. Latin rhythms will include Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Cumbia for your dancing pleasure. Freeze Models will bring fashion to life. $50 per person in advance, $65 at the door, $100 VIP. Click the link to see what each ticket gets you.

Please note that Day of the Dead is not a Halloween party. Black and white is appropriate dress for this celebration. If you come dressed up as good ol’ Scooby Dooby Doo, well, that’s your call I guess, but you’re going to have a lot of people pointing and staring at you and giving you funny looks.

That’s it for now. I’ll be out at the Silly Goose after work, on a day where the weather is such that I don’t mind being out on the patio with the smokers. Back tomorrow with more news.

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.

Got news on two events coming up hosted by Historical Haunts. This Friday, September 15, a 2 1/2 hour haunted pub crawl will depart from 546 S. Main. You’ll have spirits with the spirits as you explore two Memphis traditions: ghost stories and alcohol. A real paranormal investigator will lead the crawl, with historical tales and current paranormal experiences. There will be three stops on the crawl – the stops are not listed, but I’d be very surprised if one of them was not Earnestine & Hazel’s. The tour is for ages 21 and up and costs $20, drinks not included. Space is limited so please sign up in advance on the Historical Haunts website.

Haunted Happenings will, um, happen at the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum Friday, October 27 from 6 to 10 PM. Spectral docents will lead you through the haunted halls as the dead awaken for one night only. Hear the stories of the past and meet the families that started it all. There will be turn of the century Halloween treats, gypsies reading your fortune, and a live paranormal investigation. Come in costume if you choose, but no full face masks are allowed. $25 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under.

I wonder if the person who designed Denny’s new mascot is the same person who thought of the Tennessee Vols’ trash can.

The Jesus and Mary Chain with Mark Crozer and the Rels are coming to the New Daisy Friday, November 10.

Memphis magazine has a good article about Catherine & Mary’s, the Hudman/Ticer restaurant in the ground floor of the Chisca.

Looking for something different to do in your lunch hour? Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 13, Elmwood Cemetery will present Voices of Yellow Fever: A Performance in the Lord’s Chapel from noon to 1. The Elmwood Players will present a first-person look at what life was like in Memphis in the yellow fever epidemic of 1878. $20 to attend and lunch is served with this event. Registration is required; call 901-774-3212 to register.

WREG Live at 9 interviewed a Memphian who escaped Hurricane Irma, leaving his condo in Fort Myers. You may have heard of the person who was interviewed: Jerry “The King” Lawler.

Tonya Dyson and T.O. Crivens play a free show at The Front Porch Friday 6 to 9.

More news coming at lunchtime, so check back.

Congratulations are in order for two of our local BBQ teams. There was a regional BBQ competition at Goat Days in Millington this past weekend, and our friends Victory Lane BBQ took home the Grand Champion trophy. In addition, our friends Porkosaurus took second place in Sauce. Both teams sell their sauces and rubs to the public. Follow the links to shop online.

Congratulations as well to the Memphis Redbirds, who came back from a 2-1 deficit to win the Pacific Coast League American conference championship. The PCL Championship Series versus the El Paso Chihuahuas, Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, begins at AutoZone Park Tuesday and Wednesday. Field Box, Dugout, and Club Level seats cost $10, and each comes with a hot dog/soda voucher. First 5000 each night will receive a new-logo Redbirds hat. There will be a specialty all-you-can-eat buffet ticket each night and $2 beers throughout the park. First pitch is 7:05 for both games.

Burger King is offering a value-priced mystery burger in France. When I first saw the headline, I thought, le chat, le chien, le cheval… but no, that’s not it. You get a container and you don’t know what sandwich is in it until you’ve paid two euros and you open the container. You could get any one of 10 sandwiches on the menu, including the Whopper, Big King, or chicken sandwich.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Irma will hit the Mid-South Tuesday and Wednesday. MemphisWeather.net has the details.

I had burgers and fries from the Flying Saucer for dinner both Saturday and yesterday. Sunday I had a good conversation with one of the Saucer managers about plans for Burger Fest, the local craft breweries (except Meddlesome which is too new for me to have an opinion), Harvey donations, lots of good stuff. Never in my life did I think I’d be saying the Saucer has the best fries Downtown, but here I am saying it. The managers there have really done an excellent job bringing the place back since the renovation.

Testing will soon begin of the Memphis trolleys. After two fires in 2013-14, MATA wants to do months of testing to ensure passenger safety. The trolleys will not be available to the public during this testing phase.

My job helped my friends complete a crossword this weekend. They were doing the New York Times crossword at Blind Bear and one commented, “Common bridge opening bid. I have no clue.” I reminded them that I work for the organization that promotes and sanctions bridge in North America. “Five letters, begins with O-N,” my friend said.

“O-N-E-N-T. One notrump,” I replied. Happy to be helpful!

Thank you to all firefighters, police officers, and other first responders out there, on the 16th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

All my Monday bartenders are leaving me! First Melissa left Bardog, so no more Melissa Monday there. Now today and tomorrow are Hanin’s last shifts at the Silly Goose. So I guess I will lead off there this evening. Probably over to the Flying Saucer for Pint Nite afterward to see if they have that keg of Meddlesome Blonde tapped yet. Back tomorrow with more news.

Tumble weave! Anyone lose some hair extensions on Monroe near Bardog yesterday?

Irma made landfall on the Florida Keys about 6 this morning. Its projected path has moved westward and guess where that bitch will be Wednesday morning… right over Memphis as a tropical depression. Ugh not that again. I guess all these major hurricanes want to visit the home of The King in their dying days. Thoughts and prayers to all my Florida friends, especially those on the west coast.

A common thought among many Downtowners is “yeah, I’ve heard of that restaurant, it sounds great, but I’ve never been there because it would involve driving a car east of Danny Thomas for something other than work or groceries.” That’s why I’ve never been to Ono Poke, a new restaurant at 3145 Poplar. It serves healthy Hawaiian bowls. In the bowls are fresh fish, salmon or tuna with your choice of vegetables over rice. It sounds really yummy.

This Friday from noon to 3, however, you won’t have to drive east of Danny Thomas to get an Ono Poke bowl – and in fact, you’ll be able to have a great craft beer with your lunch. That day Ono Poke will have a pop-up restaurant at the Ghost River taproom. Gai Klaimongkoi, owner of Ono Poke, will be there and will help you customize your bowl however you desire. Pair it up with a Ghost River beer and you have a delicious lunch.

Also this Friday, there will be a Dance Party at Fourth Bluff behind the law school. Look for a LED lit-up dance floor behind the law school at 1 N. Front. The music will be curated by c’beyohn, a polished emcee, singer-songwriter, performer and producer. He’s a Hip Hop Artist of the Year and he and his group The Bill Killahs have performed at halftime at Grizzlies games and at festivals around the Southeast. This party is free and it is family-friendly.

Every month there is a Wolf River Conservancy happy hour with a portion of drink sales going to the conservancy. This month, on Tuesday, September 19, the conservancy and Memphis Green Drinks have picked a good location for their happy hour: The Silly Goose. At this event you’ll get to learn about the Great Streets project and how it benefits Downtown. Come try one of the Goose’s hand-crafted cocktails. In fact, many of the cocktail ingredients are made from scratch as well. Need a pick-me-up? Try a Joe shot, made with espresso. Like Fireball or cinnamon toast? Try the Goose’s house-made cinnamon whiskey.

Friday, September 29 from 6 to 9 PM, on South Main Trolley Night, Walking Pants Curiosities at 109 G.E. Patterson will throw a 1-Year Half-Block Party. Live music, food, artists including Lindy Tate of Taterbuggin’ and Kenneth Jackson. September Trolley Night tends to have the best weather of the year, and I plan on being there!

I never made it to Max’s Sports Bar to watch football yesterday. Just didn’t have the desire to leave the Downtown core. I watched a disappointing game by my Hogs at Blind Bear. With Alabama, Auburn, and LSU on the schedule, Arkansas is probably looking at an 8-4 year at best and 7-5 is more likely.

That’s it for now. I will be doing “office hours” at Blind Bear from 11 until at least 3 today. Back tomorrow with more news.

If you’re a fan of the food truck rodeos in Court Square on Thursdays, put this coming Monday, September 11 on your calendar. There will be a special Make Your Meal Matter food truck event in Court Square 11 AM to 1:30 PM that day. Proceeds from each food truck will go to Hurricane Harvey relief through the foundation organized by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. Food trucks will include Central BBQ, El Mero Taco, Fish from Heaven, MEMPopS, Memphis MoJo Cafe, Say Cheese and Yippie Trippie & The Porkstars. FRESH GULF SHRIMP wont be able to attend but will be donating to the cause. Music by DJ Chromatic Change.

Coming soon to the Ghost River taproom is ULFBERHT. You may not be able to pronounce it, but you can have this 7.6% ABV Strong Ale that has been aged in Bourbon barrels for about half a year.

High Ground News has a good article about South City redevelopment that will happen in the area formerly occupied by Foote Homes.

Good to hear: Best Buy has decided to stop selling Kaspersky software after possible ties between that company and the Kremlin were uncovered. I’ll say it again: If you have Kaspersky software on your computer, you need to uninstall it immediately.

Almost Elton John (Jerred Price) performs at the Hard Rock tonight at 9.

The Kebob food truck and MEMPopS will be at Miss Cordelia’s Monday 5 to 8. Dollar off draft beers.

Shout-out to the Atlanta Braves for offering free tickets to Florida hurricane evacuees. I’m a Cardinals fan but that was a very cool thing for the Braves to do. Two of my friends took them up on the offer last night.

Note about tomorrow: My burger team does not have a practice cook this week, so I plan to be at the Blind Bear for D-RANKS with SOME-BODY (not sure if B-RAD will be back this week) if anybody needs to talk to me about anything. I should be there from 11 AM to at least 3 PM. And don’t worry, it’s fine that we’re not cooking tomorrow. We’re not entering any other festivals between now and Burger Fest, so we have plenty of time to practice.

College football time! Back tomorrow with more news.

Memphis Tigers fans, you don’t have a game to watch at 5:30 today after all. The Memphis-UCF game scheduled for Orlando tonight has been canceled. Florida Governor Rick Scott closed all college campuses on Thursday, causing the cancellation. Excellent decision by the governor in my opinion. People in the state need to be focused on preparing for an emergency and considering an evacuation plan, not watching football.

The Tigers, as a result, flew back home just hours after arriving in Orlando. The two teams do not have a shared bye week so scheduling a make-up game is going to be tricky. That could lead to some “what if” arguments come end of the regular season, if a 6-1 team could have beaten a 7-1 team and qualified for the championship game. Still, though, people’s lives are more important.

Irma’s currently on a track to go straight up the Florida peninsula, which obviously is bad for everyone who lives there, but there’s something else I noticed that no one seems to be talking about… current track has Irma, at that point a tropical storm, to make a direct or near-direct hit on Atlanta. Think about what a mess that will be.

Oh my squash, only 8 markets left! is the theme of the Memphis Farmers Market tomorrow. Late summer produce, apples, and early winter squash are in season at the Market right now, so come by and get you some. Girl Scout Troop 10404 will be there from 8 to noon. They are working on a Silver Award project showing the importance of bees to humanity. They’ve created informational coloring books teaching kids how to act around bees but also how not to harm them. They’ll bring the coloring books and the crayons. You bring the kids. The Market runs every Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson.

If any of you have a daughter who is considering coding for a career, here’s some encouragement for her:

I’m blown away by this photo. pic.twitter.com/kJk0PpePSv

— History In Pictures (@HistoryInPix) September 8, 2017

The Memphis Business Journal has a good article on Big River Crossing Half-Marathon and 5K, which will happen on Saturday, October 21, one day before the one-year anniversary of the opening of the pedestrian crossing over the Mississippi. Proceeds from the race will benefit Peer Power, an organization that recruits high school and college students to tutor younger public-school students. The idea is that if Peer Power can help an at-risk kid get better grades, he might graduate high school and then community college and be on a career path, rather than drop out of high school and end up at 201 Poplar. The program has potential to be an economic swing for Memphis.

The Redbirds were shut out by the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in Game 2 of the playoffs. The series now shifts back to Colorado Springs.

Let’s see what the Tennessee Vols’ trash can is up to today.

It’s Gameday Eve! Rumor has it I’m getting new stickers today!! I’d jump up and down with excitement, but I don’t have any legs.

— Trash Can (@TrashCanTeam121) September 8, 2017

Undies for Everyone is a nonprofit that provides underwear to disadvantaged school children. However, after Harvey, there is a call for underwear of ALL sizes. Ghost River is answering that call. Through September 14th they will be accepting underwear, NEW and still in package, in all sizes including XXL, for men, women, boys, and girls. Today Ghost River will donate $1 to Undies for Everyone for every pint sold in their taproom. If you can’t make it to Ghost River to donate, you can still help out by donating through this Amazon registry.

If you roll by Ghost River today for some of those pints that lead to $1 donations, the Gourmade food truck will be on site after 2 PM.

That’s it for now. I will probably stop by Silly Goose happy hour after work then figure out a plan for the rest of the evening. Back tomorrow with more news.

Madison Avenue Park’s Fall Concert Series kicks off today with The Candy Company performing 4-6 PM. The new park is across the street from The Brass Door on Madison. The concert is free to the public, and beer will be available for sale.

Courtney Little performs on the lawn of the National Civil Rights Museum tonight from 6 to 8 as part of the MLK 50 concert series. Free to attend and you can bring your blanket or lawn chair. There will be food truck fare and MLK 50 merchandise for sale. In addition to the live music there will be MLK speeches, spoken word artists, and DJ Swagg.

Like beer? There’s some good stuff being released tonight at the Memphis Made taproom:

Friday night we launch this year’s Gonerfest Session IPA. Grab a six pack from @3810Pour and kick it with DJ Zac from 5-8. #Cheers pic.twitter.com/Y3M1OFK4cB

— Memphis Made Brewing (@MemphisMadeBrew) September 7, 2017

Memphis Made will also have Cerrito Bingo tonight at 8, and Links and Drinks will be their food truck.

Best Memphis Burger Fest has announced that there will be a cornhole tournament at the festival this year. $25 advance/$30 at the door per team to compete and top finishes pay out $200 for first place, $125 for second, $75 for third. Nice prize structure! I’m tempted to compete in this but since I am supposed to be taking pictures for my burger team I don’t know if I can afford two hours away. The festival is presented by Jack Pirtle’s Chicken (that may seem weird, a chicken joint sponsoring a burger fest, but Pirtle’s makes a damn fine burger) and is 10:30-6:00 Saturday, October 7 at Tiger Lane. In addition to the cornhole and burger competitions, there’s charity bobbing for burgers, a slider eating competition, burger sampling to the public by the competing burger teams, access to the Jack Pirtle’s Kidzone ($5 entry/$10 all day), DJ Superbrad, Hiway HiFi, Star & Micey, and the 1st Annual SCA Steak competition at Best Memphis Burger Fest. Only $10 to get in. Why would you be anywhere else that day?

But wait, there’s even more cornhole. Every Thursday, Ghost River Brewing Co. and Down and Back Cornhole Co. will organize a cornhole tournament every Thursday 6-9 PM at Ghost River. There’s a “%70 payout,” whatever that means, with number of teams paid and payout amounts based on number of entries. Each team is guaranteed at least 2 games.

Loflin Yard will be hosting Corks not Forks this Sunday, October 10, 6-8 PM on the Safe House patio. Four pairings of wine and finger food. Tickets are $50 per person and you can email info@loflinyard.com to sign up. Here’s the menu:

Bruschetta
brisket, charred tomato, goat cheese
paired with Chardonnay – Central Coast, California

Cheese Board
olives, fruit, jam
paired with Red Blend – Central Coast, California

The Gayoso
hot barbecue shrimp on French bread
paired with Brut Rosé – Marlborough, New Zealand

Grilled Vegetable Platter
chimichurri tzatziki sauce, fine herb aioli
paired with Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, New Zealand

Bardog has a deal going on for Childhood Awareness Month, the month of September. Stop by and donate $25 to St. Jude, and you will receive a Breakaway-Bardog 5K and Monroe Avenue Fest commemorative mug and T-shirt.

Off to work. I may do a second post at lunchtime, so check back.

Hello everyone! I have picked up a significant number of new readers this week, due to my Friday night post about the fallen horse, so I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Paul and I have lived in the Downtown core, near the intersection of Main and Madison, for 15 years. For most of those years I have been writing about the places I go, the people I know, events I attend, and upcoming events that I think my readers would want to know about. I am an independent blogger, not funded by any company and not making any income from this. I do it because Downtown Memphis is my passion.

It’s good to be able to walk to amenities like the Redbirds and the Orpheum and the Grizzlies and nice restaurants, but that is not the number-one thing I love about Downtown. First and foremost are the people. Never in my life before I moved down here, did I have a large group of friends who hang out with each other, laugh with each other, and support each other. My mom passed away in January, my last close living relative – and while I miss her, I take comfort in knowing that I will always have a family in my Downtown friends.

As for the horse, I did not witness his fall, or the attempts to get him back on his feet. I walked by about two and a half hours after the fall, and at that time the horse was lying in the road, not moving. I assumed he was dead and posted as such. When I found out the horse was not dead at the time I walked home, I changed the post’s title to be accurate. He was later euthanized at the recommendation of a vet. There were bystanders, including some of my neighbors, who witnessed attempts to stand the horse back up and were badly shaken by what they saw. If you witnessed the attempt to revive the horse and were troubled by it, my suggestion is that you call or email your City Council representative.

The Grizzlies will hold their training camp at FedExForum Tuesday-Friday, September 26-29. Preceding the camp will be Media Day Monday, September 25, and following the camp there will be a practice open to the public on Saturday, September 30 at the Landers Center in Southaven, home of the Grizzlies’ G-League affiliate the Memphis Hustle. Fans who attend the open practice will receive a voucher for a ticket to a Grizzlies preseason game and a Hustle regular season game.

3000 seasonal jobs are up for grabs at an eCommerce company called Radial at 5461 Davidson Road. Given that I’m posting this at lunchtime on the 7th, you probably won’t have time to get to today’s job fair, but there will be another one on Saturday, September 16.

The Classic Concert, part of the Southern Heritage Classic celebration, happens tonight at the Orpheum at 8. It features Jeffrey Osborne, Stephanie Mills and Jammin Jay Lamont.

The Redbirds used home runs to get a playoff Game 1 victory last night. Game 2 is tonight at AutoZone Park. Get tickets here, including a special ticket that gets you an all-you-can eat buffet of wings, hot dogs, sides, and a Coca-Cola product or bottled water. First 5000 fans in the gate get a free new-logo hat. First pitch is 7:05.

Black Diamonds Blue City is the featured film in the 15 Film Series at Clayborn Temple tonight at 7 PM. The Negro Leagues formed as a response to Major League Baseball denying opportunity to African-Americans for more than 50 years. They were an important institution that brought communities together in the South and particularly in Memphis. The film tells the story of the Memphis Red Sox and the Negro Leagues.

Analysts are saying the Saturday 2:30 PM game pitting 23 TCU vs. Arkansas could be the sleeper game of the week. Although not ranked, the Razorbacks’ home field advantage and history of beating up on Big 12 teams make them a slight favorite. I see a trip to Max’s Sports Bar in my future for this game. For my new readers, it is a little sports bar at 115 G.E. Patterson at the far eastern end of the Arcade building. Every seat in the house has a good view of several TVs and Max tapes the schedules so you can know what game will be on what TV so you can grab a good seat for your game of interest. It is nonsmoking inside but there is a large smoker-friendly patio with even more TVs outside.

Part of my reason for wanting to go to Max’s is that 30 minutes after Arkansas kicks off, the laughingstock of college football, the Tennessee Vols, kick off. I want to be there to ask Vol fans, “Are you REALLY going to root for that stupid trash can?” Let’s see what the trash can has been up to lately:

My handler just accidentally dropped me near Ayres Hall, and I rolled all the way down The Hill and onto Cumberland. Do it again!

— Trash Can (@TrashCanTeam121) September 7, 2017

Absolutely loving this plan by the Trumpster for a 3-month debt ceiling increase. Yes I actually said something nice about Trump. Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan, here’s a song lyric just for you: “Bow down before the one you serve. You’re going to get what you deserve.”

That’s it for now. Time to finish out the workday then I will be off to the Silly Goose for happy hour. Back tomorrow with more news.