Thursday update

Downtown Memphis experienced thundersleet about 2:30 Wednesday afternoon

Russian president Vladimir “I.B.” Putin appeared on TV Thursday morning and said that an invasion of Ukraine had begun. Minutes later, explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv as well as other cities including major seaport Odessa.

Ukraine’s response on Twitter:

U.S. sanctions on Russia are expected today. However, U.S. troops are not expected to be sent into Ukraine. Putin has promised “consequences as you have never before experienced” to any country that interferes with the invasion. Russia claimed that within hours, it wiped out Ukraine’s entire air defenses.

If the war goes beyond the borders of Ukraine into a neighboring country that is a member of NATO, the U.S. will be obligated by treaty to come to that country’s defense.

President Biden will address the nation about the situation in Ukraine at 11 this morning.

Here’s a Foreign Policy article explaining how Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus share a history dating back to the Middle Ages.

The Grizzlies are back on the court tonight, on a road trip to play the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at 7. Local coverage will be on Bally Sports Southeast.

The Memphis Tigers are at home tonight, hosting Temple at FedExForum at 6. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2. It’s Coaching for Literacy Night and fans are asked to donate. $10 provides two books for local children.

The CA has photos of last Saturday’s crawfish boil at Max’s Sports Bar. There won’t be a boil this Saturday because the weather is expected to be cold.

Civil Axe Throwing on South Main has its grand opening party tonight. Book a throwing session and you’ll be entered into a raffle for a pair of Grizzlies tickets. DJ Mylon Webb will provide the tunes and there will be food and drink specials.

Steak, Whiskey, and Poker Night returns to the Blind Bear tonight. I got to try a sample of tonight’s sirloin steak special, and it is even tastier than the one they had last week. Get a steak, a buttered baked potato, and a salad for $19.99. There will be local Old Dominick whiskey specials. Try your hand at Texas Hold’em poker at 7:30. It’s free to play and you could win some Bear Bucks. Poker has been going well since its return, stretching to 3 tables last week.

Yesterday the Bear’s manager speculated why the previous Thursday entertainment, weekly drag shows, didn’t work out. “They ran all the regulars off.” By jove, I think he’s got it!!!!!

You can custom order Marshmallow Peeps this spring. You can choose the color, dips, and toppings, and the Peeps will be delivered to your door.

You’ve probably heard of Taco Bell’s subscription program where you get 1 free taco a day for a monthly fee… but did you know Insomnia Cookies has a subscription program too? When you pay $9.99 a month to be a CookieMagic member, you get one free cookie a day. You also get free local delivery on your cookie orders, 20% off nationwide shipping, and exclusive deals on cookies every week.

Memphis magazine spotlights The Genre as one of the city’s best new restaurants. The restaurant sits directly across Poplar from 201, which the owner says is an advantage because diners feel safe with all the police around. The 201 Sauce is the most popular of their 15 chicken tender sauces. The restaurant is also known for its catfish, including catfish and grits for brunch.

Memphis magazine also profiled Good Fortune Co. on South Main as one of Memphis’ best new restaurants. The Asian restaurant, known for its noodles and dumplings, opened last year in the former South of Beale space.

AutoZone Park, home of the Memphis Redbirds and Memphis 901 FC, will host job fairs at the following dates and times:

  • Today 5-7 PM
  • Saturday 11 AM-1 PM
  • Tuesday, March 1, 5-7 PM
  • Thursday, March 3, 5-7 PM

The park will be looking to hire for the following positions:

  • Guest services representative
  • Promotional team member
  • Grounds crew member
  • Team attendant (bat boy/bat girl)
  • Team store associate
  • Camera operator

New hires must be at least 18 and must pass a background check and drug screening.

The Flying Fish posted on their national Facebook account that they have a deal today. Buy a pound of their hot boiled shrimp and they’ll match it with another pound, free.

Today is World Bartender Day. It’s also National Chili Day and National Tortilla Chip Day.

Cat’s Ballroom at 45 N. B.B. King holds the first of six Waltz Out of Winter classes tonight.

There’s a free Reiki share tonight at the Broom Closet.

That’s the news for today. Back tomorrow with more.