Tonight AutoZone Park turns into Hogwarts as the Redbirds celebrate Harry Potter Night. Prior to the game there will be a parade for those dressed up in costumes. There will also be a photo booth, Butterbeer (alcoholic/non-alcoholic), and fireworks after the game. The Redbirds will be wearing special Harry Potter jerseys, which will be auctioned after the game to benefit the Redbirds Community Fund. There will be a Handmade Wand Specialty Ticket entitling the holder to their choice of handmade wand. Opponent is Omaha and first pitch is 6:35.
The Redbirds’ Patrick Wisdom has been selected to compete in the upcoming Triple-A Home Run Derby.
Carolina Watershed is having a Second Sunday in July: Luau at Brunch tomorrow from 10 to 3. Come dressed up in your best luau attire, whether that means leis, a hula skirt, or however you want to play it. Best dressed gets a bottle of champagne to share with their table.
City Market Downtown is hiring full or part time. They need people 6 AM to 2 PM full time, 9 AM to 9 PM part time, and 2 PM to 11 PM part time. They are looking for reliable, experienced cashiers. Must be available to work weekends. Pay is $9 to $12 per hour. Email info@citymarketmemphis.com if interested.
Very sad to hear of the passing of my college classmate, actor and educator Greg Krosnes. Where many choose only to wade ankle-deep in the pool of life, Greg was the type of guy to jump full in with gusto… and who inspired others to do the same. The Flyer’s Chris Davis shares memories of Greg.
There’s an open mic with comedy, poetry and music at Regina’s Cajun Kitchen, 60 N. Main, today at 4.
The Rusty Pieces play the Blind Bear tonight at 10.
There’s a ghost tour at the Woodruff-Fontaine House tonight at 7:30.
The Brass Door will be open for the Sweden vs. England World Cup quarterfinal today at 9.
For the first time in my life, I had Filipino food yesterday. I drove out to 670 North Germantown Parkway to Estelle’s Philippine Cuisine (entrance is actually around the corner on Trinity). While they had items like Pork Blood Stew on the menu that I have heard are delicacies, I decided to pick something that sounded a little less gory. I decided on the Kare-Kare, an oxtail stew in a rich peanut sauce.
The dish came with a side of rice. There were chunks of meat as well as a full ox tail in there, along with Filipino veggies. The server brought me shrimp paste which I was not quite sure what to do with. Later a Filipino friend of mine told me that the paste is like a condiment – you add a little to every bite of ox and rice. The stew was quite delicious, a flavor that is recognizable as Southeast Asian but different from any other ethnicity of that region. The server was very helpful and friendly. I was her only table! I was like, are you kidding me, people are eating the hell out of some crappy corporate food at Rafferty’s down the street and missing out on this fantastic authentic Filipino cuisine? Fine, I’ll just have the place all to myself. I will be back, although maybe not too often given that Estelle’s is just about the outer boundary of how far I can drive to lunch from work.
Senator Tim Kaine had the best response to the news that Donald Trump send Kim Jong-un a CD, an Elton John compilation that included “Rocket Man,” a nickname that Trump used for Kim in the past. Kaine replied that he bet Kim sent Trump a CD back: American Idiot by Green Day.
Farmers Market then Bardog this morning. I’ll squeeze in a quick Earnestine & Hazel’s stop if time permits.