Tuesday update

Dear readers, I owe you an apology. I have been derelict reporting important Downtown news and events. Last night I got to the Blind Bear about 7, and learned there had been a book signing there in the afternoon. It was a signing by Howard Hines III, author of

If you enjoy books that frequently employ the word “nut” as both a verb and a noun, you will like these literary delights. Mr. Hines was kind enough to leave samples of his work behind (to be clear, by samples I mean his writing, not his “nut”), much to the enjoyment of the Blind Bear’s staff and customers.

The Daily Memphian reports that the building at S. Front and MLK Ave., formerly cast as the law offices of Strait & Associates on NBC’s Bluff City Law, will see new life as a restaurant, sandwich shop, and speakeasy. The restaurant will be called The Paramount and Derk Meitzler, chef at The Vault, will be CEO and executive chef. The speakeasy will be small, seating only about 20, and it will only be open at night.

The winners of Soup Sunday have been announced. Holly Springs, MS-based Marshall Steakhouse brought their crawfish and crab bisque to score a win in Best Soup. Nothing Bundt Cakes took Best Dessert, and Ciao Bella took the Best Overall award.

Vendors and live music will be the highlight of 420 Reggae Fest at Loflin Yard Saturday, April 18. Chinese Connection Dub Embassy will headline. There will be CBD vendors on site, and for those who get the munchies, food and drink specials.

The Frito Pie which has been a weekend special at Longshot the past several weekends has been so well received that it is now on the regular menu. It comes with Berber chili, Fritos, Greek yogurt, chili oil, mint oil, and micro celery.

South Main Sounds Songwriter Night Season 6, Episode 3 will happen this Friday from 7 to 9 at 550 S. Main. There will be live music by Ellisa Sun, Ken Michienzi, Rose Ragsdale, Will Hilliard and Jon Dillard. Join them, won’t you?

Downtown Neighborhood Association members, here’s a reminder that tonight is the monthly DNA meeting, at which you’ll vote on a slate of proposed 2020 board members. The meeting will be at Comeback Coffee at 358 N. Main. The owners will speak on their journey to Memphis, and City Councilwoman Michalyn Easter-Thomas will speak as well. Meeting time is 6:00-7:30 PM.

If you don’t follow Edible Memphis on Facebook, you are missing a lot of valuable pointers on food you can get here in Memphis. Recently they talked to Chef Cole Jeanes of Comeback Coffee about his latest breakfast bowl, the Yogurt + Granola, with poached pear, maple, butternut caramel, cherry, streusel, sage, and chocolate bark.

The Memphis Tigers travel to Dallas tonight to play SMU in a game with an 8 PM tip. Broadcast will be on CBS Sports Network. A first-round bye in the AAC tournament could be on the line in tonight’s game.

I finally got around to early voting yesterday. About 2:30 I walked up to the Shelby County Election Commission. There was no line. They scanned my driver’s license, and then I asked for a Democratic ballot, signed the sign-in sheet, voted at the machine, in and out in 2 minutes. It could not have been easier. Today is the last day to early vote, and you can vote at any early voting location. If you wait until Super Tuesday, March 3, you have to vote at your assigned polling place.

And yes, I stuck with my choice of Elizabeth Warren. It’s true she is unlikely to win a majority or even a plurality of delegates, but in this year it’s still not a wasted vote. If there’s a contested convention, the more delegates she has, the more leverage she will have there.

Off to work. Back tomorrow with more news.