Tuesday update

The Liberty Bowl kicks off in Memphis at 5:45 this evening. The Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-5) are 9.5-point favorites, according to Caesars Sportsbook, over the Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-6).

Earnestine & Hazel’s will open early at 4 today to accommodate those who want to pre-game with a Soul Burger.

There were long lines to get tested for COVID across the county yesterday. Good news for Downtowners, though: A look at the list of Shelby County testing sites reveals that there is FINALLY a site in the 38103 zip code: Harbor Town Pharmacy on Mud Island can test you.

Due to safety protocols and staffing issues, Rizzo’s will be doing carry-out and pick-up orders for the next few days. The menu will be limited but most of your favorites will be on there.

Yup that exists: A ham bar. The restaurant in Brooklyn has a rotating menu of 10 hams.

The American Athletic Conference has updated its COVID policy for conference basketball games. If a team does not have enough players to play a game, that game will now be considered a no contest rather than a forfeit.

The Grizzlies defeated the Phoenix Suns 114-113 last night to end their road trip out West.

Memphis Magazine: Vance Lauderdale answered a question about the elevator in the D.T. Porter building at 10 N. Main, the first elevator in Memphis. It was rumored to once have been pulled by mules. Lauderdale goes on to discuss D.T. Porter himself, a well-known Memphis businessman during the Gilded Age and the period post-yellow fever when Memphis was a taxing district of the state.

Weather alert for tomorrow:

5498 new COVID cases were reported in Shelby County since last Friday. To quote the words of the great Ron Simmons, DAMN. Here’s what that does for the 7-day rolling average:

There’s currently no mask mandate in Shelby County, but I’ve started wearing my mask in my building’s elevator and when I visit Walgreens or DGX. It just seems like a considerate thing to do.

The lights on the I-40 bridge will have a special display Friday night into Saturday morning as we ring in the new year.

Yesterday there were plumbers at the Silly Goose repairing a water leak not far from where I was sitting at the bar. “Does that guy work here?” they asked the bartender at one point.

“No, he’s just a regular here, why?” she replied.

“He’s kinda nosy,” the plumbers said. LOL!!!!!

Reading a little true crime this morning thanks to a most fascinating conversation I had with a delivery driver yesterday. Later I may get out and mingle with some Texas Tech and Mississippi State fans before they head to the Liberty Bowl. Back tomorrow with more news.