Wednesday update

Memphis 901 FC’s 2021 regular-season schedule is out. The season kicks off on the road at Birmingham May 15, and the club has 5 away games on the road before opening at home June 16. The regular season lasts until October 30.

So, that Tug’s employee who claimed he was robbed and kidnapped, then later admitted he falsified a police report… he’s Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins’ stepson. Updated WREG article | CA article

Holly has lots of good info about this year’s Memphis Farmers Market on the I Love Memphis Blog.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will host a “Plant the Town Red” community beautification event Saturday, April 24 at 10 PM. Both DNA members and the public are invited to participate. Volunteers will plant flowers at the 4 Victorian Village entrance signs.

On this Friday, April 2 which is Good Friday, a Stations of the Cross procession will depart from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and will stop and pray at various historical and religious sites around Downtown. Sites will include the Civil Rights Museum, WLOK Radio, Clayborn Temple, and the Ida B. Wells Memorial. The twelfth site will be the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered. The procession will depart St. Patrick’s (Fourth at MLK) at noon, but participants are asked to be there by 11:45 and to follow all COVID safety protocols. Following the Stations, participants are invited to St. Patrick’s 3 PM Good Friday service.

FiveThirtyEight’s 2021 MLB predictions are up. Bookmark the page if you’re a baseball fan, because it’ll be updated after every game.

Damn… OnlyFans had a 75% profit margin last year, making $300 million in profit on $400 million in revenue. To put that in context, grocery stores typically have a profit margin of 1-2%.

The NFL season will expand to 17 games this fall. Per the collective bargaining agreement, one preseason game will be dropped.

Rep. Matt Gaetz is said to face Justice Dept. investigation over trafficking an underage girl. Gaetz was one of the Trumpster’s most vocal supporters.

That’ll do it for today. Back tomorrow with more news.

Tuesday update

Edible Memphis recently published its updated Farmers Market Guide, and guess what, folks… April will be here by the end of the week. That means that the Memphis Farmers Market season gets underway Saturday. The Market is under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson, behind the Power House movie studio, where it runs 8 AM to 1 PM every Saturday.

Those of you who’ve read this blog for more than 2 years can probably predict what I’m going to say next.

First of all, the Market is so much more than fresh produce. They have meat vendors, dog treats, hot sauces and Bloody Mary mix, pottery, bird houses, flowers, coffee, frozen treats, cheeses, breads… I’m probably forgetting a dozen more categories. They usually have some good food trucks onsite, and once the pandemic restrictions lift, they’ll have live music. This is seriously an unusually good farmers market. I’d rate it one of the best in the country.

“But Paul,” you might be tempted to protest. “I mean, no offense, buddy, but you have a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and a box of Pop-Tarts on your table. In the refrigerator, you have Mountain Dew. How could you possibly know a good farmers market from a bad one?”

Good question.

I tend to be a middle-to-late morning Farmers Market customer. However, one Saturday morning a few years ago I couldn’t sleep. So I walked down there at the ass crack of dawn (the Market opened even earlier, at 7, back then).

Guess who I saw shopping? Chef Michael Patrick (Rizzo’s) and Chef Felicia Willett (Felicia Suzanne Restaurant). If chefs from the best restaurants Downtown shop at the Market, don’t you think you ought to be shopping there too?

Due to pandemic restriction BS I only made it to the Market once in 2020. That’s gonna change. Announcing my plan for this coming Saturday:

  • 10:30: Memphis Farmers Market
  • 11:00: A nearby bar. Candidates are Max’s, Earnestine & Hazel’s, and Slider Inn Downtown.

The highly contagious P.1 variant of COVID, one of two which originated in Brazil, has made its way to Memphis. It ain’t over, folks. I’m not saying, don’t go out, but make a trip to a vaccine site part of your going-out as soon as you can. In the meantime, wear a mask. Parts of Europe are in a fourth lockdown right now because of these variant strains.

From the MBJ: After pandemic delays, the new, super-sized South of Beale is nearly ready to open

The Pet Hospitals’ Downtown location at 660 Jefferson is looking to hire a veterinarian.

Ever Given. That’s the name of the ship that was stuck in the Suez Canal. Just wanted to mention that for the benefit of my readers who will attend a trivia night this week.

Congratulations to Memphis’ AAC rival the Houston Cougars on making the Final Four last night. Unfortunately, my Arkansas Razorbacks did not join them, although they kept me up well past what has been my pandemic bedtime. FiveThirtyEight’s predictions give the Cougs an 18% chance to claim the national title.

Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum on N. Second will reopen next month. It’s right around the corner from Grind City Brewery, so some local history followed by a beer might be a plan you could make for a future Saturday.

Remember the Tug’s employee who said he was kidnapped and robbed after a Sunday night shift? Police believe he was lying. He told police he was actually driving around with the men looking to score some drugs. Throw the book at him! As many of my readers know, I’m not a fan of people who falsify police reports.

I’ve seen this a couple of times on social media but it’s worth repeating. It’s the Derek Chauvin trial. It’s the trial for the murder of George Floyd. But it’s not the George Floyd trial. Usually, I’m not one to get nitpicky over words, but in this case, it’s important.

Scrolling through Facebook Events to see if there’s anything worth writing about. Two crawfish festivals have “online” listed as their location. WTF?

That’s it for now. Time to go kick some more ass. Back tomorrow with more news.

Monday update

LET’S GO TIGERS!

Memphis dominated Mississippi State to bring home the NIT championship, and I owe Penny and the team an apology by dismissingly referring to the tournament winner as The Best of the Rest this past weekend.

This has been a season where COVID threw everything off-kilter. Memphis had multiple chances taken away to craft an appealing resume to present to the NCAA tournament committee. Yesterday, the NIT commentators said several times, if Memphis had been invited to March Madness, they could very well be alive in the Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight. Based on the ballgame I saw yesterday, I would completely agree. Those kids have made so much progress from the team I watched play Thanksgiving weekend.

There’s not one senior on this year’s roster, so Memphis could have all of the team, or at least almost all of it (not sure about Deandre Williams’ prospects of entering the draft) next year.

I listened to the police scanner last night to see if they were doing anything to combat violations related to Sunday afternoon cruising Downtown. I did, in fact, hear quite a few calls from the Union and Riverside area. Also, the police helicopter was in the air, flying low over Downtown in the 4 PM hour.

Limited tickets for BBQ Fest go on sale today. Note that you must purchase tickets in advance this year. They won’t be sold at the gate.

There will be a tree tour of Elmwood Cemetery Saturday at noon. There are over 1400 trees on the grounds, some of which pre-date the cemetery’s opening. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and masks are requested. Event will be canceled if rain. $20.

Last Monday I was feeling slight effects from my first COVID vaccine and that kinda threw my entire week off. This Monday morning I am wide awake and ready to kick some ass.

Arkansas vs. Baylor, 8:57 PM, CBS. Go Hogs. Back tomorrow with more news.

Sunday update

In memory of Beverly Cleary, I turned on the dawnzer to write this post. It gives off a lee light.

Turn on ESPN at 11 this morning, because Memphis plays Mississippi State for the NIT championship. Who will claim the title of The Best of the Rest? Memphis defeated Colorado State 90-67 in the semis yesterday.

From Wiseacre:

PRO TIP: If you’re a person who sits at the bar when you go out, and you go outside frequently to smoke, bring a jacket even if it’s 90 outside. The reason why is that bar stools are a precious commodity in this era of two bar seats grouped together, six feet apart from other bar seats. If you don’t leave something on your seat to mark that you’re there, you risk losing it. It’s happened to friends of mine. People are pushy and demanding and will sit in an empty seat even if there’s a full beer, a phone, and keys in front of it.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are in the Elite Eight. They held off Oral Roberts 72-70 yesterday to advance. Next up for the Hogs: Baylor, Monday night at 8:57 on CBS.

I read a great Quora answer this morning that summarizes what it’s like to be targeted by someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Quora is quickly becoming my favorite social network. I may not be able to take a quiz to find out which lunchmeat most closely matches my personality like I can on Facebook, but I learn a lot more.

The Dirty Crow Inn’s pop-up restaurant at the 40et8 in West Memphis will have the Dirty Mac as its special today: Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickle, onion on a non-sesame seed bun.

Foster Village Memphis, a nonprofit that supports foster children and their caregivers, will have a Launch Party at Grind City Brewing Co. this afternoon from 3 to 6. Kids and dogs are welcome and there will be life-sized games. Food trucks will be onsite if you get hungry.

Johnny Maestro plays Carolina Watershed this afternoon from 2 to 6.

I can’t say I’m thrilled about a lot of this week’s forecast. 41 tonight? 50s/30s Wednesday-Thursday? C’mon, man! Please tell us that’s an early April Fool’s prank and the high is going to be 76!

That’s it for now. I have little desire to get out today and will probably stay home and write, and of course take a break at 11 to watch the Tigers. Back tomorrow with more news.

Saturday update

Let’s start off this Saturday post with an edition of “Don’t be THAT person.”

It’s not hard to find restaurant menus these days. Many restaurants have their own websites. Photos of restaurant menus can often be found on Facebook or Yelp. If they partner with UberEats or DoorDash, you may be able to find their menu on there.

The great thing about technology is that you don’t have to guess which of the websites just named you’ll find the restaurant menu. Just pull up Google and type in “(restaurant name) menu”.

The point is, there’s really no excuse these days for calling a restaurant and telling whoever answers, “I haven’t been there before. What chall got on the menu?”

Don’t be THAT person.

Interesting:

Dixie Carter is more famous than Penny Hardaway? That’s a judgment call I might have to disagree with. I bet if Penny wasn’t the head coach at his own alma mater, he might have been given the nod here.

And yeah, Jerry Jones… owner of the Dallas Cowboys, but also a member of the undefeated Arkansas 1964 football team that should have been the national champions that year.

Huey’s is hiring, as are most restaurants.

Huey’s is hiring! We’re looking for cooks, managers, servers, hosts, food runners and expeditors (expo). Full-time and part-time positions are available at all nine of our locations. We offer competitive pay, flexible hours in a variety of shifts, a free meal during each shift and more.
Visit hueyburger.com/jobs to apply today!

I’ve known many people who work/worked for Huey’s. It’s corporate enough to have the advantages of being corporate, yet not so corporate that it isn’t any fun.

There will be a bicycle tour of historic Elmwood Cemetery at 2 PM next Saturday, April 3.

Breaking: COVID vaccine appointments at sites run by the city are canceled today due to the possibility of severe weather.

Beverly Cleary, the children’s author who gave the world Henry Huggins, Ribsy, Beezus, and Ramona, has died at 104.

That’s the news for today. This has been a weird week but overall there’s been more good weird in my life than bad weird. I really should stay home and write today but I think I’ll celebrate the end of the week at Bardog. Back tomorrow with more news.

Friday update

Cheers to Jaren Jackson Jr. for being a leader. He’s the first Grizzly to say he’s stepped up and received the COVID-19 vaccine. The sooner we get to herd immunity, the sooner we can kiss these stupid restrictions goodbye altogether.

David Sweat, deputy director of the health department, announced in yesterday’s press conference that for the first time in calendar 2021, the virus’ reproductive rate is above 1. That means it’s growing exponentially again, although at 1.04 the growth is slow. He said it’s not near the point of concern yet, but if the trend continues, the stupid restrictions could be tightened. If you look at COVID Act Now and scroll down a bit, though, you’ll see Shelby County is doing considerably better limiting the virus than Tennessee’s 5 other largest counties.

City COO Doug McGowen advised that appointments for 16+ to get the vaccine should open up between noon and 2 PM.

Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers beat Boise State last night to move on to the semifinals of the NIT. They’ll face fellow #1 seed Colorado State Saturday at 11 AM, with the game televised on ESPN.

Gorgui Dieng was mentioned in trade talks but the NBA trade deadline passed yesterday without the Grizzlies making a deal for their backup center.

The Orchestra Unplugged: Getting into American Music featuring the Memphis Symphony Orchestra is tonight at the Halloran Centre.

Memphis Chess Club has been posting some yummy looking photos of pizzas to their Facebook page lately. I left a comment asking if you had to be a club member to order food there, and they replied no, the public has the same access to their cafe as the members. I will have to stop by and take a pizza home soon.

The Commercial Appeal has a look at what will be different about BBQ Fest this year. My team The Moody Ques are taking the year off and I am 100% happy with that decision.

Out in The Edge, Grind City Brewing will hold a beer tasting at Craft Axe Throwing, 344 Floyd Alley, 2 to 4 PM tomorrow. Come sample 3-5 beers and vote for Beer of the Month. The Facebook event listing shows this as a free event.

Soul food restaurant Alcenia’s is profiled by The Tennessean as part of how 5 restaurants in the South survived the pandemic.

The U of M Law School is looking for a Visiting Assistant Professor for a nine-month appointment. A J.D. is required and teaching experience is a plus.

There’s an Easter egg hunt at Elmwood Cemetery tomorrow.

Carolina Watershed will host a DJ event tonight. DudeCalledRob, Tree, Mylon Webb.

That’s it for today. Whatever problem was wrong with my web hosting appears to have been fixed. I published a Thursday Update post late in the afternoon yesterday with a lot of good stuff. Keep scrolling if you haven’t seen it. Back tomorrow with more.

Thursday update

If you have ever dreamed about living on the Main Street Mall, my friends just put their condo on the market. It’s a 1 BR/1 BA in the One One O’Six Lofts at 92 S. Main. Here’s the listing. The condo comes with secure underground parking and you’d have a block walk or less to City Market, Local, Aldo’s Pizza Pies, DGX, and Blind Bear. The sellers are awesome people – they’re the couple who brought me blackeyed peas and  collard greens on New Year’s.

#1 seed Memphis takes on #2 seed Boise State in the quarterfinals of the NIT tonight. The game will be broadcast on ESPN at 8 PM from Denton, Texas.

NCAA tournament game times for the games Memphians are interested in for the Sweet Sixteen Saturday evening:

  • #15 Oral Roberts vs. #3 Arkansas, 6:25, TBS
  • #11 Syracuse vs. #2 Houston, 8:55, TBS

The DM’s Jennifer Biggs has the scoop on the upcoming reopening of the Majestic Grille.

From WREG: An employee of Tug’s Casual Grill on Mud Island was kidnapped and robbed as he got in his car following his shift Sunday night.

Live comedy returns to Local on Thursday, April 1. 8:00-9:30 PM.

WALRUS plays The 5 Spot, the back bar behind Earnestine & Hazel’s, Friday night. 8:00 showtime, $10 cover.

Memphis is in a 4/5 risk zone for severe weather today and points to the east and south are in a 5/5. Storms are rolling through this morning, but the biggest threat is a squall line expected to move through between 4 and 6 this afternoon. @memphisweather1 on Twitter is a good way to keep up with the latest weather info.

Eric Hughes Band plays Momma’s tomorrow at 6:30.

Wiseacre Downtown will have a drive-in movie showing of 50 First Dates tomorrow at 7. $35 ticket includes up to 6 people per car, 2 Coke products, 2 packs of theater candy, and 1 pack of Rendezvous popcorn.

Sunday is Superhero Night at Craft Axe Throwing at 344 Floyd Alley out in The Edge. Dress up as your favorite superhero and receive 15% off.

From the Memphis Flyer: Reactions are divided on Riverside Drive’s reopening. Many including DNA president Jerred Price support the move, but an SMA poll shows that the majority of residents were concerned about the reopening. What we really need is increased police presence Downtown, especially on Front and Riverside, and especially on Sunday afternoons and evenings. In particular the noise ordinance needs to be enforced with regard to loud modified exhaust systems.

Also from the Flyer: Memphis 901 FC’s home opener is set for June 16

There’s a Facebook group you can join called Memphis Community Against the Pipeline (MCAP) if you oppose the environmentally racist Byhalia Pipeline. For those of you who feel like there’s not much little guys like you and me can do to fight the system, remember that I-40 would run through Overton Park if not for little guys putting up a good fight.

Memphis Photography Club will host a Beginners’ Photography Class Saturday from 9 to noon. This class is a Downtown photo walk that will be very hands-on and that will show you how to transform ordinary-looking photos into professional shots. Advance registration for the class is essential.

The perks for being fully vaccinated are piling up. A dispensary in Michigan will give a free joint to those over 21 showing a completed vaccine card. Hey, now!

Today is Pecan Day, a good day to visit The Peanut Shoppe.

President Biden will hold his first formal news conference of his term at 12:15 today.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

Quick update

Having some trouble with the backend part of my blog this week. So there may be a post this morning (got plenty of news) or there may not be one until this weekend when I get some time to sort things out.

Sorry y’all. It’s been a weird week. But then, for the past 12 months, every week has been a weird week.

Tuesday update

Great news: If you’re 16 and up and a resident of Memphis, you are eligible for a COVID vaccine beginning Friday.

Other than feeling like someone punched me in the arm, I had no additional side effects from Sunday’s COVID vaccine yesterday. I had plenty of energy and the workday seemed to fly by.

I stepped out to the Silly Goose for some drankity dranks after work and snapped a photo of their new spring/summer cocktail menu:

A new Henry Turley development, Orleans Station, will bring residential and retail space to an area bordered by Victorian Village to the north, The Edge District to the south, and the medical/university district to the east. Their goal is 372 units to live in and 16,000 square feet of retail in an under-used area that is part of the gateway to Downtown.

I’m now getting ads from Family Dollar saying “come see us at 831 Thomas Street.” I guess they’re trying to retain their Downtown customers. Not much chance they’ll see me at the Thomas St. store, but I guarantee you one thing, if I do get down there I’ll swing by the Pirtle’s on that block for some chicken.

ESPN has an article re-seeding the remaining 16 NCAA tournament teams. Houston comes in at number 9 and Arkansas at 10. Houston’s next opponent, Syracuse, is ranked number 8 in the re-seeding, while Arkansas’s got-next Oral Roberts is number 11.

The folks at FiveThirtyEight think the slipper fits perfectly for Oral Roberts. As a Razorbacks fan, I hope they’re wrong.

Two upsets in the tournament yesterday:

  • #7 Oregon 95, #2 Iowa 80
  • #6 USC 85, #3 Kansas 51

Daaaayum. What happened to the Jayhawks?

The CA’s Jennifer Chandler has a look at what to expect at By the Brewery, a new cafe that is literally by the brewery at 496 Tennessee Street. The owner has over 30 years of catering experience and this is her first brick-and-mortar restaurant. The menu is heavy on biscuit sandwiches for breakfast, and sandwiches and salads for lunch.

There’s a unit for sale in the Goodwyn Building at Second and Madison. Nice views, good investment, and a very short walk to Paula & Raiford’s.

It’s National Chip and Dip Day. My recommendation would be the chorizo queso at Maciel’s.

From FOX 13: Downtown residents ask for stronger police presence on Riverside Drive. Agree one million percent.

Richard Janikowski has passed away. That’s a name most of you probably don’t recognize but an important one in Memphis history. He was a criminologist and data scientist at the University of Memphis who was one of the architects of the Memphis Police Department’s Blue C.R.U.S.H. data-driven method of fighting crime.

If you’ve ever thought about signing up for NBC’s Peacock Network, here’s a sign-up link where you can get your first 4 months for $2.50 a month, which is 50% off. The reason they’re offering this deal is that they just signed a deal with WWE to carry all the WWE Network’s content. Even if you hate wrestling, this is a great way to stream movies, TV shows, and sports for a bargain price.

That’s it for now. Wet morning, windy afternoon. Despite temps in the 60s it looks like a PBR hoodie kind of day. At least that way, I can simply point when the bartender asks my order. Not that she doesn’t know by now anyway. Back tomorrow with more news.

Monday update

First dose of COVID-19 is done! I made an appointment on Walgreens’ website Saturday. Then yesterday I made the easy 30-minute walk to Med Center Walgreens at 987 Union next to the Arby’s. I had to fill out two forms which took no more than 5 minutes. I had to state on one of the forms what my high-risk condition was (the vaccine will probably open up to all adults this week but hadn’t yesterday).

Then the pharmacist took me to a room and administered the shot while discussing Arkansas basketball with me. I barely felt it go in my arm and it was over before I knew it.

I was prepared to call a Lyft to get back home if needed, but I felt fine and the 30-minute walk back Downtown was not a problem at all. I tried to go out to the Blind Bear to celebrate (I asked the pharmacist if that was OK and she said yes) but every bar seat and table in the bar area was taken. No problem, I thought, I’d delay my celebration until today. Mainly I’m just happy to see them doing so well after months of being screwed by COVID regulations.

I turned on the Arkansas game, but not long after it started I began to feel really tired. By 6:45, about 10 minutes left in game time, I decided I needed to go on to bed.

I lay in bed until 5:15 this morning. I tossed and turned all night. I don’t think I ever fell into deep sleep and didn’t start dreaming until the last 30 minutes (and it was a weird dream). Despite having the air turned on, I felt a bit warm at times. This morning my energy is somewhat back but as others have advised me, it feels like I was punched in the shoulder.

I have my appointment for Pfizer dose 2 Sunday, April 18 and I am happy to sacrifice a second Sunday Fun Day to get this done. Despite the minor reaction last night and this morning, I am so relieved to have dose 1 in me. Also, I am so happy to be part of the push to get us to herd immunity. I would encourage all my readers to go get your shot as soon as you are legally able. Let’s make Health Directive 19 our final one and usher in the Roaring 2020s!

I may not have stayed awake to see the ending, but the Arkansas Razorbacks made the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1996. I am starting to see more and more comparisons between this team and the mid-1990s Nolan Richardson teams. The Hogs defeated Texas Tech 68-66. FiveThirtyEight’s prediction tracker now has Arkansas at a 24% chance to make the Final Four and a 3% chance to win the title. Next up: #15 Oral Roberts. Winner of that game plays the winner of Baylor-Villanova for a trip to the Final Four.

Memphis’ conference rival Houston remains in the dance as well, having defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 63-60. Houston has a 45% chance of making it to the Final Four and a 9% chance of winning it all. They have Syracuse next, the winner advancing to play the winner of Loyola-Chicago and Oregon State for a Final Four appearance.

Upset watch yesterday:

  • #8 Loyola-Chicago 71. #1 Illinois 58
  • #11 Syracuse 75, #3 good ole West Virginny 72
  • #15 Oral Roberts 81, #7 Florida 78
  • #12 Oregon State 80, #4 Oklahoma State 70

That’s it for this morning. Back tomorrow with more news.