It’s Tiger basketball time! Penny’s team hosts the LeMoyne-Owen Magicians, with head coach Bonzi Wells and assistant coach Lionel Hollins, at FedExForum at 4. If you go to the game, be sure to read the arena’s health screening policies.
The Grizzlies improved to 2-0 in league play last night with a 120-114 victory over the L.A. Clippers on the road. They’ll remain in Los Angeles for an 8:30 game against the Lakers tonight.
The matchup you really want to mark down on your calendar, though, is Wednesday’s 9 PM game at Portland, nationally televised on ESPN. Ja vs. Dame. This is a chance for Ja to make an early-season statement that he is All-Star level this year.
Memphis 901 FC lost to Louisville last night on the road. They’ll be back home Wednesday in an important match vs. FC Tulsa that will determine who is the USL Central Division 3 seed and 4 seed in the playoffs.
That Alabama-Tennessee game was absolutely delightful. The Vols looked competitive in the first half, and I had to remind myself, “This is Tennessee. They’ll screw it up. They always do.” Sure enough, the Vols’ defense apparently thought college football games only last 45 minutes, and Bama rolled to a 52-24 victory, its 15th consecutive in the series.
This Friday is the 2021 South Main Trolley Night grand finale. I’ve never known Trolley Night to take months off before, not counting during the pandemic of course. Anyway, there will be a lot going on that night. Trolley Night will coincide with the first-ever Music on Main festival, with one stage by the Arcade and another by the Orpheum. North Mississippi All-Stars, Al Kapone, Southern Avenue, and The PRVLG will all perform and it’s absolutely free to attend. Also that night:
- Civil Axe Throwing will have the grand opening of its South Main location, and you can book a reservation and be entered in a chance to win Grizzlies tickets.
- Black Sheep Meats and Memphis Modern Market will have a night of shopping, music, and drinks in 409 S. Main
- South Main Hemp will have a night of live music by Raneem
- Halloween parties at Central Station Hotel and Odds Atelier
What will the weather be like Friday? The MemphisWeather.net forecast says it will be near 60 for a high and near 50 for the low, with a 40% chance of showers. Sounds like perfect PBR hoodie and shorts weather for me.
Here’s a link to James Aycock’s COVID Week-in-Review for Shelby County. Good news: Our rolling average of cases/day/100K and our positivity rate are among the lowest at any point of the pandemic. Vaccinations are low, though, and I agree with James’ frustration that it’s taking so long for the FDA to approve vaccinations for kids 5-11.
Loflin Yard will become Loflin Grave Yard next weekend. On Saturday the 30th they’ll have a DJ in the Coach House and an adult costume contest at 9 PM, with prizes for individual, couple, and group winners. On Sunday the 31st they’ll have candy for trick-or-treaters, and at 8 there will be a costume contest for dogs.
Today is Food Day. Well, that’s about as generic as holidays get. It’s also National Crazy Day and that’s a holiday I hope leaves me alone.
The Daily Memphian has a look at day 1 of RiverArtsFest. I’m heading down there for Day 2 in a little while. Back tomorrow or Tuesday with more news.