The Liberty Bowl, home of Memphis Tigers football, will be renamed Simmons Bank Memorial Stadium. Allowing Simmons to acquire the naming rights will provide money for significant improvements, another move in the right direction for Memphis to get invited to a Power Five conference.
Let’s have a look at college football games of interest to Memphians today:
- Memphis at Temple, 11 AM, ESPNU
- 8 Arkansas at 2 Georgia, 11 AM, ESPN
- Tennessee at Missouri, 11 AM, SEC Network
- 7 Cincinnati at 9 Notre Dame, 1:30 PM, NBC
- 12 Ole Miss at 1 Alabama, 2:30 PM, CBS
- Arkansas State at Georgia Southern, 3 PM, ESPN+
- Mississippi State at 15 Texas A&M, 6 PM, SEC Network
- 21 Baylor at 19 Oklahoma State, 6 PM, ESPN2
- 22 Auburn at LSU, 8 PM, ESPN
I hate it that the Memphis game and the Arkansas game are on at the same time for the second week in a row. The Arkansas-Georgia game is probably the most important college game of the week, because it has CFP implications. However, every game Memphis plays right now is an important one – the better the Tigers’ record, the more likely an invite to a Power Five conference. Memphis deserves to be on the most prominent TV in the bar. I’ll watch Arkansas on the ESPN app if I have to.
Saturday, October 9 is National Chess Day, and the Memphis Chess Club will celebrate by holding tournaments giving away nearly $2000 in prizes.
Deni from the Majestic Grille posted some useful information yesterday: Those of you who work in restaurants and bars who got the Pfizer COVID vaccine are now eligible for a booster shot, due to your high-risk occupational status. It has to be at least 6 months since your last shot. Get your booster free at the Pipkin Building, Tuesday-Friday 9-6, Saturday-Sunday 9-1. You’ll need to bring your vaccination card. No need to make an appointment, just show up.
The New Wing Order food truck has announced their flavor of the month for October: Raspberry Serrano wings. The sauce starts with sauteed onions, garlic, and serrano chiles, and the finish is done with raspberries, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. The truck will be at Memphis Made Brewing Co. on South Cooper today 4-7. I’ll let you know the next time they head Downtown.
Speaking of wings, I tried two flavors of Flying Saucer wings yesterday that I had not had before: Sriracha Gold and Nashville Hot. Both were very good!
Yesterday I posted that Little Bettie, the pizza restaurant inside Wiseacre Downtown, is adding 4 new pies to its menu. Do you want to make those pies? Little Bettie is hiring. Details here
Old Dominick Distillery will host a rooftop workout Thursday, October 21. Here’s the schedule:
- 6:00: Low impact, high-intensity workout with Shred Fitness
- 6:45: Yoga class led by Amy Lenkzus of Sumits Yoga
- 7:30: Cocktail time!
Cost is $23. In case of rain or cold weather the class will be moved indoors.
Let’s have a look at the non-basketball events coming up at FedExForum this month.
- The Lit AF Tour featuring Martin Lawrence along with Rickey Smiley, DeRay Davis, Tommy Davidson, B. Simone, and Benji Brown Friday, October 15
- The Dude Perfect 2021 Tour Saturday, October 16
- Legendz of the Streetz Tour: Rick Ross, Jeezy, Gucci Mane, 2 Chains, Fabolous, Boosie Badazz, with DJ Drama Friday, October 22
- Kane Brown with Jordan Davis and Restless Road Saturday, October 23
- Lil Baby with Gunna, 42 Dugg, and Mooski Friday, October 29
There will be lane closures on the I-55 bridge for routine inspection Monday through Thursday 9 AM-5 PM.
Good news: The rolling 7-day average of new COVID cases in Shelby County fell below 300 yesterday, at 282. It was the first time below 300 since late July.
Anchor Eryn Rogers tried goat for the first time as she ate Panamanian cuisine from Downtown restaurant Curry N Jerk. Check out the Eryn Eats segment on Local 24.
KJ Wild performs at South Main Sounds tonight 6:30-8:00. That’s a duo, although the name sounds like a single performer.
The Memphis Salsa Convention is happening this weekend at Rumba Room.
That’s it for today. I guess I will venture out to Bardog to watch football here in a bit. Back tomorrow with more news.