If I have any readers in Childhood Development, Early Childhood Education, or a similar field, mind sticking around ’til the end of this post? I have a question that kept me awake as I lay in bed last night.
Nominations are open for the 2021 Memphis Flyer Best of Memphis poll. For those new to Memphis: There are several media “Best”/”Most” polls but the Flyer one is the most legit.
Commissioner Tami Sawyer, after 3 days, finally has an arrest warrant for the racist construction worker who has been harassing her and threatening to “beat her ass” this week.
A few of my Facebook friends in the service industry – very few, but a few – have posted comments like “that’s what she deserves” for her stance on closing restaurants at the height of the COVID pandemic.
I didn’t agree with Comm. Sawyer’s opinion on closing the restaurants either, and it’s something I will keep in mind if she runs in a city- or county-wide election in the future. But if you think she deserves to be bullied, physically threatened, and have racist epithets hurled at her – SHAME ON YOU. She does not deserve any of those things. I’m happy to have my bar stool back but there’s no way I would have ever stood with a bigot in order to obtain it. Best wishes to Comm. Sawyer on obtaining the justice she deserves.
The South Main Association is teasing a big announcement at its monthly South Main Social, Ghost River taproom, Tuesday, June 8 6 PM. Bob Keskey from Ghost River will speak, as will Matt. Marquis, and Kidd from Odds Atelier. Free for SMA members (join here), $20 for non-members.
From Deadspin: Grizzlies are closer than you think to being a part of the NBA’s upper echelon
There’s a valet parking job available Downtown with $14/hour potential.
From Insomnia Cookies:
✨it’s happening. BOGO 12-packs are going down all weekend!✨ take your summer up a notch & make one of those BOGOs an ice cream-inspired 12-pack full of new dreamy, creamy, limited-edition cookies – Rocky Road, Cookies ‘n’ Cream & Orange Creamsicle. http://bit.ly/37AV6jZ~available in-stores & for local delivery. no code needed. exp. EOD 6/6. not available for nationwide shipping~
If you’re a manager who makes decisions on when to bring employees back to the office, read the Sidekick newsletter’s article on how employees really feel about returning to the office. There is a whole lot of truth here. Subscribe to Sidekick
Cardinals fans, you have a big reason to go see the Redbirds tonight at AutoZone Park: All-Star shortstop Paul DeJong will be in Memphis on a rehab assignment. There’s an $11 field box ticket special to welcome him back (buy tickets) and as always on Saturdays, fireworks following the game. First pitch is 6:35 and the Toledo Mud Hens are the opponent.
Pop quiz: The Mud Hens are the favorite baseball team of which fictional character? Hint: He once sang the following:
Some people like the Army
I think that it’s a mess
If it’s so damn terrific
How come I wear a dress
Answer: Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger
Management of The Chisca Apartments recently purchased brunch at Catherine & Mary’s for all residents.
From Government Deal Funding: A history of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge/the I-40 bridge/”the new bridge”/and now the closed, cracked bridge
Kooky Canuck is closing at 10 PM, even though it can legally stay open until 3 AM, due to recent “chaotic” events Downtown.
P.J. Morton and opening act Marcella & Her Lovers headline the opening Get Loud! concert in Handy Park. The performance is free and begins at 6 PM. The 10 future Get Loud! concerts will be held on Thursdays.
Facebook has suspended the Trumpster’s account for 2 years, so you’ll have to look elsewhere for his tirades about the midterm elections.
Okay. On to my question for childhood development experts.
When I was in kindergarten, a lady named Mrs. Knutson would occasionally stop by our classroom. She wasn’t our regular teacher, but sort of a special projects teacher.
One day, she came by and passed out lumps of clay to each of us. “Today we’re finding monsters in our clay,” she said, and she told us we had 25 minutes.
I squeezed and twisted my clay this way and that, and couldn’t find any monsters. 15 minutes into the project, I was disappointed and frustrated. I’d been given some defective clay and wasn’t going to be able to do my work.
I looked around at the other kids nearby. They were sculpting their clay into monsters.
“Well, that’s not what Mrs. Knutson said to do,” I thought. But she was clearly observing the other kids, not telling them they were wrong, and in fact even giving them words of encouragement and approval.
So I built a Triceratops-looking critter out of my clay and received a gold star or a graham cracker or whatever the reward was for completing the project. In other words, I didn’t fail, although the concept of pass-fail really doesn’t exist as early as kindergarten.
My question to childhood development experts: Was that a test to see who in the class was neurotypical and who was neurodivergent? In my case, I took the instructions too literally (which could be a sign of neurodivergence) but I was able to observe the other kids and correct my impression of the project’s expectation. I wonder if that assessment would come close to what Mrs. Knutson wrote about me. Hit me up at paul@paulryburn.com if you have thoughts.
That’s it for now. Dealing with some digestive issues (Flamin’ Hot Lay’s chips and a pizza with fresh jalapenos the same day may not have been the wisest decision) but I’m going to try to make it out today. Back tomorrow with more news.