Friday update

The Grizzlies have released their 2021-2022 promotional schedule. Here’s a look at some of the giveaway highlights:

  • October 20 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (opening night): Free Beale Street Blue T-shirt to first 10,000
  • October 30 vs. Miami Heat: Free Grizzlies face masks to first 10,000
  • November 12 vs. Phoenix Suns: Free Brandon Clarke mini-hoop to first 5000
  • November 26 vs. Atlanta Hawks: Free Jaren Jackson Jr. slides to first 3000
  • December 11 vs. Houston Rockets: Zach Randoph jersey retirement ceremony. Commemorative vinyl record to first 5000
  • December 31 vs. San Antonio Spurs: Free Dillon Brooks sunglasses to first 5000
  • January 11 vs. Golden State Warriors: Free Grizzlies Tech Suit hoodie to first 3000
  • January 17 vs. Chicago Bulls: MLK Day Game
  • January 28 vs. Utah Jazz: Tony Allen jersey retirement night. Commemorative vinyl record to first 5000
  • January 29 vs. Washington Wizards: Free Grizzlies Tech Suit pants to first 3000
  • March 5 vs. Orlando Magic: Free Grizzlies fanny pack to first 5000
  • March 26 vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Free Grizzlies shoelaces to first 5000

It’s South Main Trolley Night, with galleries and shops in the district staying open until 9 or later. Many of them will put out wine or beer and hors d’oeuvres for their patrons, and some may offer specials. There will be live music throughout the arts district. The weather will be beautiful (forecast 80/58 with southwest wind and no chance of rain), so come on out.

Sky King, Kayce Russell, Justin Williams, and Kyndle Wilde will perform at South Main Sounds, 550 S. Main, for Trolley Night from 7 to 9 PM.

Save the date! Thursday, December 23 is the Blind Bear’s 10th birthday. Needless to say, there will be a big party. Blackjack with prizes for the winners, live music, and a photo booth are among the plans for the evening.

Guided kayak tours return to the Wolf River Harbor tonight.

Maggie Miles comes to the Tin Roof on Beale Saturday at 7 as part of the Nashville Hits the Roof Tour.

If you have good handwriting and attention to detail, MIFA could use your help. They’re putting together a team of volunteers to write handwritten messages in their holiday cards. Contact vbc@mifa.org if interested.

Texas band Vandoliers plays a free show at Carolina Watershed tonight at 7. Chris Hamlett opens.

Worth a Lyft or an Uber: Wiseacre’s Oktoberfest happens at its Broad Avenue location tomorrow. Mighty Souls Brass Band, the Grizzline, Oktoberfest beer pairing classes. Food trucks on hand will include Hot N Heavy Dogs, Yippie Trippie, and Gourmade.

It’s an honor and a privilege to play a service academy in football, yet the Tennessee Vols athletic department chose to drop a 2022 contest with Army to pick up the much less highly regarded Akron Zips the same day. The move cost UT $100,000 and ESPN radio host Paul Finebaum torched the university for its decision. Why did Tennessee do it? Probably because loading up their nonconference schedule with cream puffs is their only chance to reach 6-6 and become bowl-eligible.

I don’t have much to say about the Collierville mass shootings other than to send prayers to those affected and their families. It’s a shame it is not as easy to get access to mental health care as it is to get access to a gun.

The website Sorry Anti-Vaxxer tells the stories of people who were fervently against the COVID vaccines and ended up dying or becoming severely ill with the virus.

A very happy birthday to my friend Mary Pat! I hope you have a wonderful day.

That’s it. Back tomorrow.