Wednesday update

Thanks for those of you who helped me get through my first Christmas without my mother. I have many wonderful people in my Downtown family.

Rizzo’s is having a New Year’s Eve party from 8 PM to 12:01 AM on Sunday. $20 gets you in the door and includes food, live music by Bobbie Stacks, and a champagne toast at midnight. There will be a cash bar with drink specials. Sounds like a good way to avoid Amateur Night that will be going on in most of the rest of Downtown.

Havana Mix, which is apparently known as Robusto by Havana Mix, is having a New Year’s Eve party as well. Cigar specials, raffles and giveaways, as well as food, live music, and a champagne toast at midnight.

Welcome to Cyclones fans making their way into town for the Liberty Bowl! If you’re looking for something fun to do Friday night, it’s South Main Trolley Night. Many of the shops of South Main and surrounding streets, between MLK Ave. and a couple of blocks south of G.E. Patterson, stay open until 9 in the evening or later. There’s much good shopping and mingling. Insider tip: Check out the live music at 550 S. Main from 7 to 9 that night.

Start Co. is holding a minority business workshop at the main library on Poplar on January 16. Learn about Elevator Pitching, Customer Discovery, and Business Model Canvassing. After the workshop from 1-2, you will be able to sit with mentors to get advice on different aspects of your business. I have gotten to know the people at Start Co. well and they are a fantastic resource. If you own a minority business that you’re looking to grow, this would definitely be worth your time to attend.

Uh oh… MemphisWeather.net’s extended outlook for January 3-9 reads “temperatures below average; precipitation above average.”

Eric Hughes Band plays The Dirty Crow Inn Saturday night from 9 to 12 on their covered, heated patio.

Volunteer opportunity Downtown:

Attending a wake after work, so I’ll be late getting out to the usual spots. Back tomorrow with more news.