Month: April 2021

Random thought to start off this post: The writers of the 1970s hit Good Times should’ve written an episode where Jimmie Walker’s character moved to the great state of Virginia.

Then they could have called him Va. J.J.

Perjorie T. Roll and I got a look at the Silly Goose’s new hummus plate yesterday.

A big bowl of hummus with celery, radishes, several different colors of maters, and pita bread. Easily big enough for 2 or 3 people to share.

The Memphis Bacon & Bourbon Festival is back! It’ll be September 10 at Beale Street Landing. The festival is what the name says it is: Bacon-inspired dishes from top Memphis restaurants, paired with distilled spirits. All COVID regulations will be observed, although hopefully there won’t be any by that time. Proceeds will benefit the Memphis Farmers Market. Festival website

Davidson County (Nashville) has announced it will end all business restrictions May 14. Why can’t we in Shelby have nice things too? Keep the mask mandate for a little while longer if need be, but it is high time to get rid of the 6-foot-distancing rule as a mandate. Let individuals and businesses decide for themselves what is safe.

Interesting: How We Survived COVID-19 in Prison

Over on the Island, Terrace at River Inn has $6 champagne glasses Thursday 5 to 9 PM.

If you drive or walk down G.E. Patterson Avenue this week, be sure to check out the new neon sign outside Max’s Sports Bar! It looks super snazzy and lets people know there’s a place to watch the games.

Couple of schedule updates. First of all, Momma’s posted this to Facebook:

Thanks for your patience while we’ve been working what makes the most sense for our crew right now. This means a few things:

⠀

We’ll be open Wednesday thru Sunday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.

As soon as we open, it’s Happy Hour

$4 Pint Night on Wednesdays

Trivia will move to Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. (starting 5/6)

We’ll still have LIVE music on the patio Fridays & Saturdays at 7

We’re serving our breakfast menu (minus flapjacks) ALL DAY LONG

Sunday Bingo will move to 5 p.m. (starting this weekend 5/2)

Over in Court Square, River Time Market & Deli has reset its hours to 8:00-3:30 Monday through Saturday. Their regulars were missing them on Mondays!

Random thing I learned yesterday: You can order a 40 lb. bucket of duck fat on Amazon.

After beating Portland twice on the road, the Grizzlies lost to the Trail Blazers at home last night. That puts Memphis in a tie with San Antonio for 8th in the West and 1.5 games back of Portland for 7th. Next up: A home game vs. Orlando tomorrow at 7.

Today is National Shrimp Scampi Day. You can get it at the Blind Bear!

Condo for sale on Carolina Avenue – I have been in this condo and it is very nice.

MPD has initiated a Slow Down Memphis program to combat reckless driving and drag racing. They’ve confiscated over 60 cars this year. I’d like to see the program have a permanent weekend night presence at Wagner and Beale.

Max Kaplan & The Magics play Tug’s Courtyard tonight 6 to 9.

Robusto by Havana Mix hosts 3BC Live: Ladies Night Out tonight starting at 6. It’ll feature a DJ set by Big Sue. Can’t make it out? The event will stream live on Facebook.

Tonya Dyson plays Central Station Hotel: Live at the Tracks tonight 6:30-9:30.

In the national news: Feds execute search warrant at Rudy Giuliani’s home. At least partly, it has to do with Giuliani’s dealings in Ukraine.

Here’s a transcript of President Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress last night. Isn’t it refreshing to have a president who can speak in complete sentences?

That’s it for now. Got a rainy walk across the street to work this morning. Then I’ve got a longer rainy walk down the street to Blind Bear. Back tomorrow with more news.

Yesterday Gov. Bill Lee announced that he was ending the public health emergency he had declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With vaccinations available to all adults, Lee said the pandemic is now a “managed public health issue.” Beginning today, the 89 Tennessee counties with state-run health departments won’t be able to issue mask mandates or put restrictions on businesses.

As for the other 6 counties with their own health departments (including Shelby), Lee is calling on them to end all restrictions on businesses and mask mandates no later than Memorial Day, which falls on May 31 this year. City COO Doug McGowen said in the noon COVID task force press conference that it’s too early at this stage for Memphis/Shelby County to consider discontinuing the mask mandate, and that we’ll have to see where we stand on the vaccination numbers closer to Memorial Day.

Chief McGowen said the city and county legal teams will investigate whether they have the authority to keep a mandate in place even when it contradicts a governor’s executive order.

We shall see what happens. I personally wouldn’t mind wearing a mask for the remainder of the summer if the other stupid restrictions on businesses could be removed.

Max’s Sports Bar will host its last crawfish boil of the season this Saturday. So, it’s the last time you’ll have to hear me say that Glaze’s crawfish boils are the best in town, with just the right amount of spice and sides of corn, sausage, and taters. The first batch comes out right around noon. The crawfish wash down perfectly with Purple Drank from Max’s frozen slushee machine!

Let’s check out the weather for Saturday… MWN: Increasing high clouds, starting off in the lower 50s rising to the mid 70s. Weatherbug: Low of 51 that morning becoming mostly sunny and 77 during the day. Looks like a South Main kind of day for sure.

The Kentucky Derby is Saturday. Anyone doing any Derby drink specials Downtown?

The Redbirds will partner with Academy Sports + Outdoors for a special Mother’s Day experience at the ballpark Sunday, May 9. All moms get an ice cream treat and get to run the bases with their kids after the game. All moms will also be entered to win giveaways every inning from great local businesses like Academy Sports + Outdoors, Buff City Soap, Buster’s Liquors & Wines, Cupcake Cutie, and Lululemon. The first 1000 moms will receive a carnation. There will also be a special ticket (dugout $39, Budweiser Bowtie Bar $50) that includes a Mother’s Day brunch 11-1. The Bowtie Bar ticket includes bottomless mimosas.

From Vox: Why the iOS update 14.5 is such a big deal. TL;DR: You’ll be able to opt out of apps tracking your data and sharing it with third parties.

From the DM: St. Jude is committing $11.5B to expand research and treatment for children. The hospital will create over 1400 new jobs.

The Grizzlies are back home at FedExForum tonight. They host Portland at 8. If you’re going to the game, you can now eat in your seat. That restriction was quietly relaxed while the team was on the road.

It’s International Noise Awareness Day, which I’m sure plenty of Chargers and Challenger drivers will observe here in Memphis.

A national wing shortage is hurting local businesses. Yes, I have most definitely noticed this in wing prices at restaurants.

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

The Orpheum has announced Alton Brown‘s “Live: Beyond the Eats” tour is coming March 16, 2022. From the theater’s website:

Alton Brown is hitting the road with a new culinary variety show. Audiences can expect more comedy, more music, more highly unusual cooking demos, and more potentially dangerous sciencey stuff. Prepare for an evening unlike any other and if Brown calls for volunteers … think twice.

Hyatt Centric’s Beck & Call rooftop lounge has been open for neighborhood meetings and special events this month… Saturday Beck & Call opens its doors to the public.

Memphis Tigers center Moussa Cisse has entered the transfer portal. Former Memphis Tiger Tyler Harris, who used the transfer portal to go to Iowa State last year, is coming back to Memphis. You win some, you lose some, I guess. These kids are here to audition for the NBA, and you can’t blame them for seeking the grandest stage they can find to do just that.

The L.A. Dodgers are offering a fully-vaccinated zone where you must show a completed vaccination card or (for children) a negative COVID test within the past 72 hours to be admitted. Fans in this zone do not have to comply with social distancing rules, although they are asked to wear their masks when not eating or drinking. Will we see more of this across the U.S.? Will we see more of it specifically at indoor venues, where it would make the biggest difference?

Couple of pieces of news about STIX, the Asian restaurant on Second… first of all, if you’re a fan of their ginger dressing, you can now take it home with you for $7 a bottle.

Also, this month, STIX is donating $1 from every Downtown Roll and every Collierville Roll sold to the Greater Memphis United Chinese Association. STIX’s owner knows first-hand the value of a diverse workforce, and is disgusted by the recent violence against Asian-Americans. Read more of his thoughts

DNA members: Don’t forget, you have a meeting featuring Congressman Steve Cohen tonight at the Hyatt Centric from 5 to 7.

The U.S. Census results, as pertains to seating in the House of Representatives, are out.

Gaining 2 seats:

• Texas

Gaining 1 seat:

• Colorado
• Montana
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Florida

Losing 1 seat:

• California
• New York
• Michigan
• Pennsylvania
• Ohio
• Illinois
• good ole West Virginny

Just found out something as I went on my morning Mountain Dew run to Walgreens… that $5 Walgreens gift card you get when you complete your COVID vaccination card at their pharmacy? It’s technically not a gift card. It’s $5 in Walgreens cash rewards when you spend at least $1 in store. So you get your $5 off on the subsequent visit, not the one where they scan the card. No big deal, but just make sure you take enough cash to cover your purchase when you get the card scanned.

Watching LAPD stand off with a murder suspect on Facebook Live. Gonna hit Publish and include the remaining news in tomorrow’s post/

Downtown is getting a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Center. According to a Nextdoor post over the weekend, they’re opening at 777 S. Main. Their first day of classes will be Tuesday, May 4 with a women’s self-defense class at 6 PM and a co-ed self-defense class at 7 PM. You can sign up on the website. On your first visit, they ask you to come 15 minutes early to get registered.

777 S. Main is a gray building on the east side of Main between the railroad bridge and Virginia Avenue. It’s a block walk away from the Ghost River taproom.

Also from Nextdoor, gunshots were heard inside South Bluffs in the 9-10 PM hour Sunday. Said to be 4 separate rounds of 5-10 rounds each, with more shots a few hours later.

The Grizzlies got a second win over Portland in 48 hours yesterday. They still hold a 1-game lead over Golden State and San Antonio for 8th in the West, but get this… all that winning over Portland has left Memphis only 0.5 games back from pushing the Trail Blazers out of 7th place. The Grizzlies have one more stop on the road, tonight at Denver at 8, then they’ll be back home Wednesday for another game against Portland.

Fox 13 has photos of yesterday’s protest to end recent police shootings.

WREG has updated info on that car that crashed into a building in the 100 block of Peabody Place. The driver attempted to get away after a traffic stop. Marijuana and guns were found inside the vehicle. Before the stop, the car was seen driving on the wrong side of the road and burning rubber. The driver has been charged with reckless driving, evading arrest, and charges for possession of guns and drugs.

Let’s hear it for the good folks: Calvary Episcopal has long hosted a clothing shop for the underprivileged in the community. Now they’re offering COVID vaccines too.

MLK50 has a story about a new group in our city, Memphis Restaurant Workers United. Not a formal union, the group intends to use public pressure to push for industry reform.

The DM talked with the folks at Walking Pants Curiosities and at Lansky Bros. about the pivot to online sales during the pandemic. Walking Pants experienced a huge surge in the demand for puzzles.

That’s it! Back tomorrow.

WREG reports that a car crashed into a building at Second and Peabody Place around 9:00 last night. It looks like the car crashed into the entrance of the ServiceMaster/Terminix building. A reporter on the scene speculated that the crash may have been the end result of a police chase.

There was also a report of multiple gunshots fired in the “raceway” that is Beale between Front and Riverside a little after midnight. But then, that’s every weekend now, isn’t it?

Jaren Jackson Jr. will sit out today’s game at Portland to rest up, following two big performances in his return last week.

James Aycock’s COVID Week-in-Review is particularly excellent this week. He hit the nail on the head – mass vaccination sites are effective for about 1/3 of the population. For another third, however, we must build relationships and meet people where they are re: getting the vaccine. This is the only way we’re going to get to herd immunity.

Black Lives Matter Memphis is holding a Protest for All Black Lives today at the National Civil Rights Museum at 1 PM. It is an event to stand in solidarity with Columbus, Knoxville, and other communities terrorized by police action.

Memphis Modern Market happens at Loflin Yard beginning at 11. Art, goods, and vintage products by local artists and makers. Also, Grassfire Bluegrass Band plays there at noon.

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

I want to start off with a tweet from independent COVID data analyst James Aycock. This tweet makes me sad, and it should make everyone who cares about the Memphis community sad.

The number of new people vaccinated has fallen off a cliff. We’re looking at our lowest numbers since February. This is a huge problem. pic.twitter.com/jOJeulYjk5

— James Aycock 📢 (@firstresponses) April 23, 2021

How do you solve this problem? I’m going to suggest a solution, and sadly it’s going to sound like I’m kidding, but I’m not.

“Free $5 Chalupa Combo Box with vaccine card dated today or yesterday”

From my days teaching at the University of Memphis, it’s my observation that a certain percentage of this community – I’d put the number at around 35% – JUST… DOESN’T… CARE. They’re not going to go get the shot, not because they’re anti-vacc but because they’re anti-turn off the TV, get off the couch, and go do something. They’re not going to read anything about COVID safety. If it doesn’t entertain them in some way, they’re not going to pay attention. They’re the portion of the community that thinks mediocrity is good enough, an attitude I despised as a teacher.

Unfortunately, we don’t get to herd immunity without them.

So we have to step into their shoes, think like they think, and address “what’s in it for me.”

On to the news…

Earlier this week I posted a tweet by Grizzlies TV announcer by Pete Pranica. It was about a GoFundMe for LaVelt Hill, a longtime usher for sections 103 and 104 at Grizzlies games who needs a kidney transplant. This morning the fundraising drive made The Daily Memphian. Team owner Robert Pera chipped in 10 grand, Marc Gasol contributed $5000, and JaMychal Green put in $2000.

Sign of the times: The Silly Goose has DJs this weekend for the first time in over a year. If you’re fully vaccinated, get out there and dance, dance, dance. If you’re not fully vaccinated, go get vaccinated then get out there and dance, dance, dance.

Oh by the way… a little birdie told me that the Goose is about to redo its menu for the 3768th time since they opened, and that the hummus is coming back.

The point guard of the future, Ja Morant, held off the man many consider the current best point guard in the NBA, Damian Lillard, for a 130-128 Grizzlies victory over Portland last night. Ja scored 33 and Jaren Jackson, Jr. added 23 in his second game back. The Grizzlies continue to hold a narrow 1-game edge over Golden State and San Antonio for 8th in the West. Memphis and Portland meet again in Portland at 3 PM Central Time Sunday.

Good to hear: Memphis hotels are seeing increased bookings as the pandemic subsides

One last reminder: Earth Day Riverfront Market today 1-6 PM

Piper Down Music plays Carolina Watershed today 2-6 PM.

Turnstyles plays Momma’s tonight at 7.

I’ll skip the “Buy me a PBR” button today because I’d rather you donate to LaVelt Hill’s GoFundMe. Back tomorrow with more news.

The big news of the past 24 hours is that the two youngest Lawson brothers have committed to the Memphis Tigers. Chandler, a sophomore transfer from Oregon, and Johnathon, a highly-touted high school senior, are the younger brothers of K.J. and Dedric who played under Pastner and Tubby. Chandler is a power forward/center and Johnathon is a wing.

It’s all up to you now, Penny. Sweet Sixteen (or farther) or bust. No excuses. Get it done.

From the DM: Older brother K.J. played a big role in convincing the younger brothers to represent their hometown.

There will be a Ribbon Cutting for the new Craft Axe Throwing location at 344 Floyd Alley out in The Edge District from 11:30 AM to 1 PM today.

StyleBlueprint has updated its guide to The Edge with the latest information. Nice to see that neighborhood getting some love.

Even more news from The Edge: The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will make a stop at the Edge Motor Museum, 645 Marshall, Saturday from 11 to 2.

From the Memphis Flyer: Booze to-go could remain legal through July 1, 2023. Legislators recognize the drinks as a valuable revenue stream as restaurants recover from COVID. The drinks would still have to be sold in closed containers and alongside food.

Riverside Drive will be closed to vehicles beginning at 9 AM tomorrow. This isn’t a permanent closure, but rather for the one-day Earth Day Riverfront Market. Note that if there’s rain, the market will be postponed until May 1. MWN has the rain mostly ending by midday, so we’ll see.

Someone cut down trees along 200 yards of public land along the river below the edge of Martyrs Park on March 10. No permit had been issued to cut the trees.

The DM’s Jennifer Biggs gave Sugar Grits a try in her latest New Eats column. Oh, YUM. Those Charleson cheese grits topped with blackened shrimp and Andouille sausage look amazing. I have got to get in there soon. Why don’t I ever think to go there for lunch after I get off work? Gonna stick a post-it note on my work monitor to remind me next week.

The Grizzlies play Portland on the road tonight at 9, one of three times they’ll see the Trail Blazers in the next 7 days.

The Old Daisy on Beale was hit with a $7K MLGW bill for January and February. The time span covered includes the winter storm when there were numerous water leaks around town.

There will be a Cars on Main event tomorrow at Court Square 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. If you are more of a night owl, there will be a Cars on Riverside event featuring drivers drag racing, shooting guns and doing donuts 10:30 PM to 2:30 AM.

Not a Downtown thing but worth a mention based solely on name value: Return of Shitfest: Worst Musicals Ever at Black Lodge in Crosstown tomorrow.

Time to go kick some ass at work, then it’ll be the weekend. I’ll start off in the Downtown core then possibly make my way to Max’s Sports Bar when it opens. Back tomorrow with more news.

Leading off with a donation request from Grizzlies TV announcer Pete Pranica:

LaVelt has been the usher by the Grizzlies bench for years and has become a good and trusted friend. He needs our help right now. #GodBlessLaVelt https://t.co/Vzo6tfLrYW

— Pete Pranica (@PetePranica) April 21, 2021

Edible Memphis posted a new coffee shop alert yesterday: Good Morning Gorgeous, open inside Court Square Recordings at 123 South Court. The recording studio in that building will up and running by May, and the idea is that the artists will be given opportunities to be baristas in the coffee shop to pay for their studio time. They feature Sey Coffee from Brooklyn, straightforward espresso-based offerings, tea, and vegan chocolates according to the folks at Edible. Follow the new coffee shop on Instagram.

The new coffee shop is right down the square from my friends at River Time Market & Deli, so you could easily visit both in a morning or afternoon.

Downtown’s Irish pub The Brass Door is the latest public house to announce that they will re-open soon. I will post more details as I get them.

Shooting for a May 1 opening: South Main Nutrition. They’ll be in the same building as The Arcade, Broom Closet, South Main Book Juggler, Walking Pants, Cheesecake Corner, and Max’s. From their About description on Facebook: “We are your local Nutrition Club for Loaded Teas, Meal replacement shakes, vitamins, probiotics, energy boosts and more.”

There’s a lot for sale fronting Vance, and with a narrow strip of land fronting both Abel and Allen Streets east of B.B. King Blvd. 10-15 years ago this block was Crackhead HQ, but now with the South of Forum/South City development going on, this is one of Downtown Memphis’ prime parcels. It’s currently a car lot but the owner will clear it all off upon sale.

From Fast Company: These architects popularized the open office. Now they say the open office is dead. Fuck the open office. And especially fuck every office design firm that’s ever sold a CEO on the idea of open offices.

The Memphis Flyer has an update on Good Fortune Co., set to open in the former South of Beale space in July. Ramen and dumplings will be the main focus.

Massey Lane Release Party this Friday at Carolina Watershed featuring Avon Parks 7-11 PM. Free show.

I don’t know if I have any readers from Olive Branch, but if I do, get ready, you’re in for a treat. RAWK’n Grub food is coming to the Valero gas station at 4949 Bethel Road. Favorites from the old food truck and some new creations will be served, including the Blue Suede Shoestring Fries, the Patty LaMelte, the Don’t Go Bacon My Heart, and ZZ Tapas.

The Patty LaMelte with smoked Gouda pimiento cheese

Memphis made it into UK newspaper The Guardian: Pipeline tells Black Memphis landowners: Sell us the rights to your land or get sued

Jaren Jackson Jr. made his return last night. It wasn’t a pretty game, and that’s totally okay! Memphis wasn’t expected to beat the Clippers on the road. The Grizzlies drop to 29-28 (.509) and continue to hold a one-game lead over Golden State and San Antonio for 8th in the West.

In the news: French wine tasters fear for their livelihood after COVID dulled their sense of taste and smell

Sheyna Gee performs at tonight’s edition of Central Station Hotel’s Live at the Tracks 6:30-9:30. The concert series is free to the public. Sheyna will be at South Main Sounds and then Momma’s tomorrow if that works better for you.

That’s it for today’s post. Another day of crap weather. I don’t feel much desire to get out. Back tomorrow with more news.

Derek Chauvin was held accountable yesterday. He was found guilty on all three counts in the death of George Floyd: second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Following the verdict, the prosecution moved that Chauvin’s bail be revoked. With the presumption of innocence gone, the judge granted that request and Chauvin was remanded into state custody. He’ll spend several weeks in prison before he returns for a sentencing hearing. The most serious charge could earn him 40 years.

The Blue Wall of Silence has come down. Cops can no longer do whatever they want and expect to get away with it.

Want to make some serious money? The Peabody posted this to Facebook yesterday:

In the coveted position of Lobby Bar bartender at the historic Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis, you will be taking orders, preparing and serving beverages and light meals to guests in a courteous and efficient manner according to hotel specifications.

Here’s the full Facebook job listing.

The Memphis Flyer reports that The Paramount is scheduled to open in May. The new restaurant at 265 S. Front is slated to open the weekend of BBQ Fest. It will feature Derk Meitzler’s Highway 61-themed menu, 24 local beers on tap, and local restaurant legend Mac Edwards as hospitality director. The meats will be locally sourced. Sounds like a sure winner.

From Insomnia Cookies:

limited-edition Cookie Nachos just dropped for 4/20!

18 Chocolate Chunk Minis drizzled in Chocolate Cookie Butter, caramel or chocolate sauce + candy toppings of your choice. available in-stores & for local delivery for 1 week only starting today. http://bit.ly/37AV6jZ

happy 4/20, Insomniacs!

Get your Cookie Nachos at the Downtown location at 200 Beale.

I had a slice of my favorite Silly Goose pizza yesterday, the Louisiana Saturday Night:

Good stuff like tasso ham and Andouille sausage in a Cajun cream sauce with a little heat. By the way, if you were in the Goose last week, you may have noticed a few products were out of inventory; that situation has been completely resolved, so come get your drank on!

Grizzlies on National TV Alert (but you’ll have to stay up late): Memphis continues on its Road Trip From Hell with a visit to the L.A. Clippers tonight. The game will be broadcast on NBATV. Tip-off is 9 PM. Jaren Jackson Jr.’s status has again been upgraded from doubtful to questionable. This would be a perfect game for JJJ to find his footing on the court. The Grizzlies aren’t expected to upset the 41-19 Clippers at home, so a less-than-optimal performance from Jackson wouldn’t harm Memphis’ record.

New in Action News 5’s 5-Star Stories: The history of Memphis Railroad and Trolley Museum

Venmo users: You will soon be able to buy, sell, and store popular cryptocurrencies through the app

Good day to visit The Peanut Shoppe on Main… it’s National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day.

Redbirds tickets for the month of May go on sale today.

Congratulations to the Memphis Tigers women’s soccer team, who scored an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. They kick off against Utah Valley State on the 28th.

Loflin Yard hosts Memphis Modern Market Saturday from 11 to 5. From their FB listing: “Come by and shop art, goods, vintage, and more created and sourced by local artists and makers!”

No need to squeal your tires as you drive down the street to this Bananas Foster Pie cooking class, because it’s online. Maybe BBQ Fest will make Bananas Foster an ancillary category in 2022.

Tyler Booth will perform live at Tin Roof tonight for Bikes on Beale. Show begins at 6:30.

That’s it for today. Time for a 39-degree caffeine run to Walgreens. I’ll probably stay home after work at least today and tomorrow and avoid these chilly temperatures. Back tomorrow with more news.

From Action News 5: Safety concerns arise as police investigate deadly carjacking. You know, as bizarre as it sounds, when I first heard of the shooting, I hoped it was gang members shooting at each other, and it just happened to take place Downtown. But no, it was thugs with guns out on the street, preying on an innocent victim who happened to be stuck in heavy traffic.

A couple of comments here. First of all, the time of this carjacking illustrates how badly we need FedExForum and Orpheum events back at full capacity. If we had them, there likely would have been cops at the intersection of Main and Peabody Place directing traffic at 10 PM Saturday.

Second, the police have let thugs get away with speeding, reckless driving, and noise pollution for the past year. By not cracking down hard on those crimes, cops might as well have hung a “crime committed here” sign in the heart of Downtown. They’re tempting the criminals, saying, go ahead, see what more you can get away with.

This is the least safe I’ve felt Downtown since 2006. Now that pandemic restrictions are starting to go away, I’d like to spend some nights in South Main at Max’s, Earnestine & Hazel’s, and (once it reopens next week) Longshot, but I question whether I’m going to feel comfortable walking home at 11, 12, 1. Never before did I ever give that a second thought.

The Commerical Appeal has an article on Acer Edge, the folks behind the knife-sharpening booth at the Farmers Market. Local restaurants like The Bar-B-Que Shop and Dory avail themselves of the service on a regular basis.

Posted by the Downtown Memphis Commission yesterday:

Calling all cocktail lovers 🥃

Are you an Enjoy AM cocktail connoisseur?

This Wednesday, April 21, @thegraycanary will host their monthly cocktail dinner. Enjoy a welcoming cocktail from 6:00 pm-6:30 pm followed by a four-course dinner with cocktail pairings for $75/person.

Call (901)249-2932 or visit the link below to reserve your spot!

https://resy.com/cities/mem/the-gray-canary?date=2021-04-21&seats=2

Holly from the I Love Memphis Blog took a breakfast trip to CIMAS, the new restaurant in the Hyatt Centric. They’ll expand to lunch, dinner, and bar service this Friday.

ESPN has a detailed description of how the NBA play-in tournament works. Long story short: Memphis will stand a much better chance of advancing to the playoffs if they finish 7th or 8th in the Western Conference than if they finish 9th or 10th. Following their double-overtime loss to Denver last night, the Grizzlies hold a one-game lead for 8th over Golden State and San Antonio.

The Memphis Flyer profiles JoBeth Graves of Grecian Gourmet Taverna.

Random thing I learned yesterday: Gruntled is a word. As in, the opposite of disgruntled. It means “pleased, satisfied, and contented.”

Memphis is about to have its first Black female police chief. Cerelyn “CJ” Davis, currently the chief of police in Durham, NC and a veteran of the Atlanta police department, will take the top role pending the approval of the City Council next month. I have to say that while she sounds like a fine pick, I agree with City Councilman J.B. Smiley that the selection process could have been more inclusive of the public.

That’s it for today’s post. Back tomorrow with more.