Month: October 2021

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.

Broadway returns to the Orpheum next week as the hit musical Come From Away will run 8 shows Tuesday through the following Sunday. Down the street, the Majestic Grille will have a Broadway’s Back on the Bluff celebration on opening night, Tuesday, October 5. From 5 to 7 that night, the Majestic will hold a Red Carpet Happy Hour on the patio. They’ll have Old Dominick drink specials, live music, and a pre-theater menu. Call 901-522-8555 to reserve your spot on the patio for that evening.

Grind City Brewing Co. hosts its Oktoberfest, also its first-anniversary celebration, tomorrow. Here’s a summary of what will happen there:

• Custom Grind City beer steins for sale
• Vendors: Viva La Plant, Queen Styles Boutique, My Cup of Tea
• Food trucks: Diamond Dave’s, Flying Saucer, Arbo’s, Wolf River Popcorn
• Mighty Souls Brass Band 3-5
• Elevation Memphis 6:30-9:30
• Axe throwing 2-5; axe throwing competition at 4
• Inflatable slide
• Cornhole
• Giant Jenga
• Hook and ring game
• Bratwurst toss competition 1 PM
• Bratwurst eating competition 2 PM
• Stein holding competition 6 PM

Riverside Drive between Beale and Union will be closed tomorrow for Wine on the River (sold out).

The annual Memphis holiday parade is set for Saturday, December 11 at 3 PM on Beale Street. Thank you Memphis for not scheduling the parade for the first Saturday in December. There is too much that goes on that day (St. Jude Marathon, AAC and SEC championship games, Stumbling Santa).

I went in the Blind Bear yesterday evening and I noticed the bartenders glancing at each other like, “Who’s going to tell Paul his puppy got run over?” After a minute, Maddie gave me the news: “We’re out of PBR.” That turned out to be okay, though, because I got to try something new and delicious:

Memphis Made FUN is a crisp, refreshing lime seltzer. I could drink this all day long. I wish I had discovered this a few weeks ago when the feels-like temperature outside was 106. I felt like I should be on the patio drinking this, but it was raining and Perjorie T. Roll didn’t want to get her hair wet.

As for the PBR situation at the Bear, never fear… the GM told me they have 3 cases coming in today.

Little Bettie, the pizza restaurant inside Wiseacre Downtown, has announced some new pies on its menu:

• Yabba Dabba Nduja – Corn, nduja, cheesy mayo, mozzarella, shaved garlic (Wondering WTF nduja is? Wikipedia to the rescue)
• Luca Changretta – Tomato sauce, shrimp, lemon conserva, capers, Calabrian chiles, bread crumbs
• Cosmic Trigger – Tomato sauce, mushroom conserva, garlic, thyme, black pepper honey, cheese
• The Mountain – Beer-braised Mississippi pot roast, banana peppers, pickled cabbage, cheese, ricotta cream

The CHF Race for Hope 5K and 10K are tomorrow in Court Square. Proceeds benefit the Chris Hope Foundation, a nonprofit that assists families battling childhood illness.

The McRib returns on November 1.

Tonight is Cosplay and Cocktails at Jerry Lee Lewis’ Cafe on Beale. $15 at the door. Must be 21.

That’ll do it for today. Back tomorrow with more news.