Month: March 2022

A big question got answered yesterday.

People from around the region come to Memphis for Memphis in May’s Beale Street Music Fest, staying in Downtown hotels and walking to the festival.

Except this year, they can’t do that. Due to Tom Lee Park construction, the festival has been moved about 5 miles east to Tiger Lane. How are all of those people going to get out there, we all wondered?

There was sort of a precedent for solving this problem, looking back to 2011, the year BBQ Fest got moved to Tiger Lane. Free shuttles picked up people Downtown every 10 minutes at designated stops and dropped them off at the festival and took them back Downtown at the end of the day.

But those shuttles belonged to the casinos, which were closed at the time due to river flooding. The casinos are open this year and recovering from losses they incurred during the pandemic. Their shuttles wouldn’t be available for Memphis in May to rent this year.

So Memphis in May reached out to MATA and arranged a complimentary shuttle available to all Music Fest ticket-holders. It will run every 10 minutes. Its hours will be

Departing Downtown

• Friday 4:00-9:00 PM
• Saturday 12:00-9:00 PM
• Sunday 12:00-7:00 PM

Departing the fairgrounds

• Friday 9:00 PM-1:00 AM
• Saturday 9:00 PM-1:00 AM
• Sunday 8:00 PM-11:30 PM

The Downtown pick up locations will be

• Exchange Avenue, in front of the Sheraton
• Union Avenue, in front of the Peabody

To ride the shuttle, you must register by April 25. You will receive a registration confirmation email which you will need to show in order to board the shuttle.

Live at the Tracks, Central Station Hotel’s live music series, returns this evening. Join them on the upper deck from 6:30-10:00 for Turnstyles.

You can play pop culture trivia, hosted by Velvetina, Tuesday, April 5 at 7:30 PM at the Blind Bear. Velvetina is the organizer of the Friday night burlesque shows at the Bear.

I should have stayed later at the Blind Bear last night. I heard Zach Randolph came by and ordered food.

San Antonio nearly came back from trailing 18 points at home against the Grizzlies last night, but Memphis held on to grab a 112-111 victory. That victory meant two things:

1. The Grizzlies, in 2nd place in the Western Conference, lead 3rd-place Dallas by 6 games – but there are only 5 games left in the regular season. The Mavericks cannot catch up, so the Grizzlies have clinched the 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. They will have home-court advantage in the first two playoff rounds. If they reach the Western Conference finals and their opponent is not Phoenix, they’ll have home-court advantage there too.
2. The Grizzlies also clinched the Southwest Division title last night, the first time they have earned that honor.

Next up: The Grizzlies host Phoenix tomorrow, April 1, at 7:00 in a battle of the NBA’s two best records – but it will be a meaningless game since both teams have clinched their seeds. The game will be broadcast on NBAtv. It will be Autism Awareness Night and the first 5000 fans will get a free Pop-It Stress Reliever.

The DM reports that construction will begin on the 24-story Grand Hyatt, the final piece of the One Beale project, in four to six weeks. One Beale’s first hotel, the Hyatt Centric, has been open for about a year now, and the second hotel, the Canopy, will open in June.

Another business that is part of the One Beale project, Fancy’s Fish House, will open next to The Landing Residences next week. It will offer seafood, a raw bar, and Gulf oysters when in season.

Lansky Bros. at the Peabody is looking for enthusiastic full-time and part-time employees to join their sales staff. Send a resume to sales@lanskybros.com or apply online if you’re interested in joining the team.

The Memphis Flyer reports that Chicken Champagne Caviar, currently a pop-up in 409 S. Main, is going permanent.

The Flyer profiles Josh McLane, master of the sandwich at South Point Grocery.

The Downtown Memphis Commission has a Development Project Manager position open.

A liquor store is for sale in Downtown Memphis. The listing does not indicate the name of the business, but it says it is on a corner lot (which would rule out Quench and Downtown Wines & Spirits) and it was established in 2012 (which would rule out Corkscrew). That leaves Pyramid Wine and Spirits at N. Second and A.W. Willis as the likely business.

It’s National Tater Day and I have a recommendation. Go to the food truck rodeo in Court Square and get you a pulled pork baked potato from Smurfey’s Smokehouse. You will not regret it.

Westy’s will host a Pinch District Artists’ Market beginning Sunday at 1:30.

The winner of the Downtown Cocktail Contest will be crowned at a special happy hour at Old Dominick Distillery today from 4 to 6. There will be $4 beers, $7 cocktails, and free samples of the winning drinks.

That’s it for today. It’s possible tomorrow’s post could be late. I have a friend’s birthday party to attend tonight and that may throw off my sleep schedule a little.

Severe weather is expected this afternoon!

STAY WEATHER AWARE TODAY
A line of severe storms capable of wind gusts to 70-80 mph & a few tornadoes moves through between 2-5pm. Prior to that, southerly wind increases to 25-30 mph with gusts to 50 mph. High: 79.

Heed all severe warnings as if they were tornado warnings! pic.twitter.com/tPv2JqT0Gl

— MemphisWeather.net (@memphisweather1) March 30, 2022

⚠️ A High Wind Warning has been issued for the Mid-South for today. Expect widespread gusts greater than 50 mph and isolated gusts to 60 mph today. These high winds will occur ahead of a line of thunderstorms that will move across the area this afternoon. #tnwx #mswx #mowx #arwx pic.twitter.com/tZpk8VaMdb

— NWS Memphis (@NWSMemphis) March 30, 2022

Here are the severe weather probabilities as of 6am. High wind and a few tornadoes are the main threats between 2-5pm today. #memstorm pic.twitter.com/gPr7FPxctX

— MemphisWeather.net (@memphisweather1) March 30, 2022

The Foo Fighters announced yesterday that they are canceling upcoming concerts, including their appearance at Memphis in May’s Beale Street Music Fest. The band needs time to grieve and figure out what comes next following the death of drummer Taylor Jenkins.

Loflin Yard has started opening on Tuesdays once again.

Pabst is expanding its capacity to produce cannabis-infused drinks. PBR High Seltzer is one of the most popular cannabis beverages in California. Too bad we can’t get it here.

The Grizzlies play a road game vs. the San Antonio Spurs tonight at 7:30.

The DM reports that Memphis Tigers sophomore Earl Timberlake has entered the transfer portal.

Here’s a map of the area that will be affected by a geofenced scooter curfew 10 PM-5 AM Friday-Sunday nights:

In response to requests from downtown stakeholders, a new “curfew” for shared e-scooters will begin this Friday, 4/1. A geofenced no-ride zone for the core of downtown will be in effect from 10 Pm to 5 Am, Friday nights through Sunday nights. pic.twitter.com/j7cHgxqziz

— Bike Ped Memphis (@BikePedMemphis) March 28, 2022

StyleBlueprint published a local’s guide to Memphis cocktail bars, listing 7 of their favorite places to go. Downtown bars making the list included Bar Hustle inside the ARRIVE Hotel, Blind Bear, and Eight & Sand.

That’s it. Not a whole lot of news today. Back tomorrow.

Jurassic Quest, the nation’s largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit, comes to the Renasant Convention Center Friday-Sunday. Those who plan to attend are advised to buy tickets in advance to guarantee their time slot.

Shuttle service Groove on Demand announced yesterday it was expanding its hours to 6 AM-10 PM (update your website, guys).

Atomic Rose is seeking a salaried chef for a Monday-Friday day position. If interested, send a resume to atomicrosememphis@gmail.com.

The Daily Memphian noted that the Notice of Allegations against the University of Memphis and Penny Hardaway is not new. The university received the notice nearly a year ago and chose not to release it until this past weekend.

The Cadre Building at Second and Monroe has had two dates come open: July 3 and October 1. It’s an ideal place for a wedding reception or party. It’s rare for dates this close to be unbooked, so if you’re interested, grab one fast.

Cordelia’s Market now carries swordfish steaks. Get them for $12.59 a pound.

A product the world didn’t need: Natty Light vodka

Opera Memphis will give a live performance in Health Sciences Park this Friday from noon to 1. Come out and grab lunch from the Millie’s Garden and Barbecue Off the Chainz food trucks.

The city has announced a new curfew for scooter riding in the Downtown core and on Beale Street and Mud Island. The scooters will not operate in those areas Friday and Saturday nights between 10 PM and 5 AM.

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow.

Apologies for not making a post yesterday… the main reason was that I was not quite sure what to make of the NCAA’s allegations against Penny Hardaway and the Memphis men’s basketball program. My guess is, what Penny’s really guilty of is upsetting the natural order of things. In the eyes of the powers-that-be, elite-level, 5-star recruits are supposed to go to Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Michigan State, or UCLA. If once in a while, a top recruit falls through the cracks and one of those schools doesn’t get him, it’s acceptable as long as he goes to a Power Five school with a storied reputation – an Ohio State or a Texas or a Florida.

But a school that isn’t even in the Power Five, led by a guy with only 4 years of experience as a coach at the college level? And that guy goes out and gets James Wiseman, Precious Achiuwa, Jalen Duren, and Emoni Bates in the span of just a few years? Totally unacceptable.

If the NCAA doesn’t layeth the smacketh down on Penny and his program, the powers-that-be probably believe, what’s to stop a coach at Tulane or Marshall or Troy from getting uppity and going after 5-stars too? How dare they take food off the table of great men like Cal and Bill Self and Tom Izzo!

So the NCAA is telling Penny, to use a catchphrase from The Rock for the second paragraph in a row, know your role and shut your mouth.

And Penny’s having none of it.

In other news, the Grizzlies have a big game tonight. They host Golden State at FedExForum at 7 in a game that will be nationally televised on NBAtv.  With 9 games left in the regular season, Memphis holds a 4-game lead over Golden State for second place in the Western Conference. A win would bump that lead to a nearly insurmountable 5 games with only 8 left. Let’s go Grizzlies!

One more piece of sports news: Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin had the honor of throwing the first pitch in Ole Miss’ baseball team’s game against the Tennessee Vols. He threw a golf ball rather than a baseball. It was a nod to Tennessee’s losing effort to Ole Miss in the 2021 football season, where horrible Vol fans responded by raining debris down onto the field, including golf balls and mustard bottles.

I had a yummy brunch yesterday!

This is the Blind Bear’s salmon hash, blackened salmon over a bed of the Bear’s breakfast fries, topped with a sunny side up egg and a balsamic reduction. So tasty!

By the way, I couldn’t find a way to get the troll in the picture without getting balsamic on her, but trust me, she was there!

Three teens have been charged in a shooting that killed a 15-year-old boy and injured a 16-year-old girl earlier in March near Riverside and Beale. The boy and girl were not believed to be the intended targets.

The CA reports that CIMAS, the restaurant inside Hyatt Centric, has a new menu to help you start early on your way to Broadway shows at the Orpheum. The dishes are tailored to each show – for example, fish for the recently-concluded Cats run because street cats would eat fish.

From ABC 24: After 5 years of work, Equality Trailblazers monument opens in Downtown Memphis

A man was arrested for a car break-in Downtown Saturday night, WREG reports.

Today is a holiday I’m sure many will celebrate, Weed Appreciation Day.

Saturday is opening day for the Memphis Farmers Market. The market operates every Saturday from April to October in the pavilion behind the Power House movie theater at Front and G.E. Patterson. This is an especially good farmers market because, besides fresh produce and flowers, you’ll also find

• Meats
• Seafood
• Hot sauces
• Dog treats
• Breads
• Pottery
• Bird houses
• Cheese dip
• Pastries
• Live music
• Food trucks
• Coffee
• and lots more

MATA has begun testing of a heated, air-conditioned light rail trolley car on the Madison Avenue line.

That’s all the news. Back tomorrow!

Yesterday I got a chance to try one of the items added to the new brunch menu at the Blind Bear. They now have two kinds of quiches. One has bacon, tomato, spinach, and cheddar; the other has cheddar and pepper jack. The former is pictured below.

The Bear has gotten super popular for brunch and they needed to simplify their menu in order to keep up with demand. Quiche is perfect because it can be prepared in advance. It’s also versatile – there are a limitless number of ingredients you can add to the egg custard base.

Know what else I like about quiche? It’s a dish that will make women want to come there for brunch. Anytime a bar can bring in more women, without resorting to promotions that run off their existing base of regulars, it’s an easy win.

The quiche was delicious, as were the fried breakfast potatoes that came on the side. Would definitely get again, and probably will when I return to brunch there. The Blind Bear has its Hungover Like a Bear Brunch menu available 11 AM-3 PM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The Memphis Tigers baseball team hosts Mississippi State at AutoZone Park Tuesday night at 6.

Food & Wine reports that many British pubs will be allowed to stay open two extra hours for the Queen’s platinum jubilee – pushing back closing time to 1 AM. WTF? Pubs across the pond normally close at 11? People in Memphis are pre-gaming, getting ready to go out at 11.

The Daily Memphian has the recipe for Rizzo’s bread pudding in this week’s Recipe Exchange.

Today is the Memphis Tequila and Taco Fest in Court Square. 2-6 PM. $25 to attend and sample.

The CA’s Jennifer Chandler has a look at Feast & Graze, its grand opening at 55 S. Main this week, and its charcuterie offerings. Stop by today, Saturday, March 26 for samples from Feast & Graze at 11, Hackberry Tea at 2, and Disbalef Tequila at 4.

Congratulations to the Saint Peter’s Peacocks, who defeated Purdue last night 67-64. They become the first 15 seed ever to reach the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.

Today’s Elite Eight action:

• 5 Houston vs. 2 Villanova, 5:09 PM, TBS. If the Cougs go all the way, Memphians will be able to say our team beat the national champions twice.
• 4 Arkansas vs. 2 Duke, 7:49 PM, TBS. Can the Hogs make the record books as Coach K’s final opponent?

The Grizzlies host Milwaukee tonight at 7. Free Grizzlies shoelaces to the first 5000 fans to celebrate Grizz’s birthday. Dammit I wish the Grizzlies weren’t playing tonight… that’s gonna make it very hard for me to get the Arkansas game put on the TV at the bar.

Action News 5 reports that Beale Street businesses are thrilled that the Grizzlies have clinched a playoff spot.

Today is National Spinach Day… look no further than the quiche at the top of this post for a way to celebrate.

Taylor Hawkins, the drummer of the Foo Fighters, has died at age 50. The band was on a tour of South America when he was found dead.

Gonna camp out at the Blind Bear today for some brunch and some PBR and some people-watching. Back tomorrow with more news.

How ’bout those HOGS!!!! Arkansas defeated Gonzaga last night, 74-68, to advance to the Elite Eight. Gonzaga was the top seed in the entire tournament. Arkansas advances to the regional finals of the West bracket, where they will play Duke in a rematch of the 1994 championship game.

Gonzaga was not the only 1 seed to fall last night. The Houston Cougars took down Arizona last night, 72-60. The Cougs advance to a regional final game vs. Villanova Saturday.

FiveThirtyEight’s NCAA predictions have been updated following last night’s games. Despite being the lower seed, Arkansas is a 51/49 favorite to beat Duke and has a 12% chance of winning a second national title.

Today’s games:

• 15 St. Peter’s vs. 3 Purdue, 6:09 PM, CBS
• 4 Providence vs. 1 Kansas, 6:29 PM, TBS
• 8 North Carolina vs. 4 UCLA, 8:39 PM, CBS
• 11 Iowa State vs. 10 Miami, 8:59 PM, TBS

Desmond Bane dropped in 30 as the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Indiana Pacers, 133-103, last night. That earned the Grizzlies an “x” next to their team name in the NBA standings, indicating that they have clinched a spot in the playoffs. Memphis is now 2.5 games ahead of Golden State in the race for the 2 seed in the West.

It’s South Main Trolley Night! Many of the shops in South Main will stay open until 9 or later and some will have beer and/or wine and/or hors d’oeuvres and/or discounts. Fabulous opportunity to get out and mingle with your neighbors. I’m excited about all the people I’ll see tonight at Trolley Night. Also excited about the person I won’t see! IYKYK!

JD Westmoreland, Paul Crum, Drew Sherrod, and Leo DiSanto play Songwriters Night at South Main Sounds tonight at 7. 550 S. Main.

The stage map for Music Fest ’22, relocated to Tiger Lane, is out.

Tigers freshman Josh Minott has declared for the NCAA draft. He’ll be able to hear what scouts have to say and will have the option of withdrawing before June 1 to maintain his college eligibility.

An R-rated magic show comes to the Halloran Centre on June 3.

Paul Young who runs DMC spoke about Downtown development on Behind the Headlines.

Did you know that today was New Year’s Day up until about 1600? This was the day Jesus was believed to be conceived, 9 months before Christmas.

It’s also International Waffle Day. Why not celebrate by ordering the chicken & waffles at…

… oh, wait, never mind.

Ja Morant will miss 7 of the Grizzlies’ last 9 games with a knee injury. He’s expected to be good for the playoffs though.

Maxwell comes to FedExForum tonight.

Pro wrestling fans: Evil Uno of The Dark Order will perform in Memphis this Sunday. So will Scotty 2 Hotty, Brian Christopher’s former tag team partner. I wonder if Scotty will do The Worm?

That’s the news for this Friday. Going out to brunch here in a bit and later in the day I might stop by Trolley Night. Back tomorrow with more news.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant came to town last night and the Memphis Grizzlies WHOOPED DAT ASS on national TV, picking up a victory over the Brooklyn Nets 132-120. Desmond Bane broke the Grizzlies’ all-time record for 3-point shots made.

Golden State won last night, so the Grizzlies remain 2 games ahead of them for 2nd place in the West with 9 games remaining.

The Grizzlies return to the home court tonight, hosting the Indiana Pacers at 7:00.

Sweet Sixten action tonight:

• Arkansas vs. Gonzaga, 6:09 PM, CBS. Arkansas is the last SEC team standing. Can they knock off the Zags?
• Michigan vs. Villanova, 6:29 PM, TBS. Can Michigan continue its unlikely run and make the Elite Eight?
• Texas Tech vs. Duke, 8:39 PM. CBS. Will the Red Raiders be the team that throws a retirement party for Coach K?
• Houston vs. Arizona, 8:59 PM, TBS. Although only a 5 seed, a lot of people have the Cougars as a dark horse candidate to win the tournament.

One of the dishes at a recent Enjoy AM wine dinner at Catherine & Mary’s proved so popular that it made it onto the main menu – the tuna with maitake conserva, bresalo, beet and black garlic.

Cupcake Cutie at Main and Pontotoc has added cake cones to the menu.

Pro tip: If you go to Atomic Rose this Friday, you might want to not sit close to the stage. One of the competitors in their War of the Roses drag competition that night is named Angel Fartz. Might be a good idea to give her some space in case she lives up to her name.

Have you wanted to check out the Memphis Chess Club at Madison and B.B. King, but you aren’t a chess player? Friday night is your chance. They will hold trivia night Friday at 6:30. Be sure to try one of their pizzas!

Bar Rescue host Jon Taffer has written a book called The Power of Conflict: Speak Your Mind and Get the Results You Want. It’ll be out May 3 but you can pre-order it on Jon’s website and get a special gift from him. I cannot wait to read this book! Those who know me know that I’m not afraid of conflict in situations where I’m dealing with someone who’s full of shit.

Edible Memphis posted that Black Sheep Meats chef Meredith Garner Clinton will host a pop-up restaurant in the basement of 409 S. Main (the former Puck Food Hall) the next three Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 5 to 10 PM. The theme is Chicken, Champagne, and Caviar. They’ll also have house-made chips and a few specialty cocktails.

The CCCD approved a new patio for Soul & Spirits brewery on N. Main.

ALCO Management seeks a Senior Community Manager for Uptown.

It’s a good day to visit Lenny’s: National Cheesesteak Day

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

ESPN is in town today! Their show NBA Today will be broadcast live from FedExForum at 2:00. NBA Countdown will be broadcast from the arena at 6:00, followed by the Brooklyn Nets vs. the Memphis Grizzlies at 6:30.

Unfortunately Memphis will be without the player basketball fans want to see the most. The Grizzlies announced yesterday afternoon that Ja Morant will be held out of the game because of knee soreness.

In better news, the Golden State Warriors are on a 3-game losing streak. That has caused the Grizzlies to gain a 2-game advantage over the Warriors for 2nd place in the Western Conference with only 10 games remaining in the regular season.

One other note – Memphis is 7.5 games ahead of the 7th-place Minnesota TImberwolves. So the Grizzlies are getting close to clinching a playoff spot without having to be in a play-in scenario.

Tonight is Adoptable Pet Night and the first 5000 fans receive a Grizzlies leash.

This Friday will be South Point Grocery’s first-ever South Main Trolley Night, and they will be celebrating with

• Home Point Pastures, a farm in Como, MS that raises grain-fed beef and pasture-raised pork, is hauling their smoker up to South Main and will be handing out samples
• A “Trolley Night Special” sandwich for $5
• South Point Grocery merchandise giveaways

They invite everyone to make the grocery their starting point for Trolley Night – hang out on their front porch from 5 to 7 then go hit South Main!

This Saturday, March 26, Wiseacre will have a German beer pairing featuring Sweet LaLa’s Bakery and Little Bettie at their Downtown location. The end of March marks the end of Bavarian brewing season, and this will be a celebration with delicious German beers. The beer pairing includes some history and a tour of the Downtown brewing facility. Tickets are $30 and space is limited.

YOGA! Yoga on the River with Yoga Kickback returns April 19 and will happen every Tuesday through October (weather permitting) at River Garden, 51 N. Riverside, from 6 to 7 PM. Bring a mat or towel and water to participate in these free classes led by Candace of Yoga Kickback.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

Opportunity to get your business mentioned in this blog! Tonight I will attend my first Downtown Memphis Association meeting in 15 years. This meeting will be different from a typical one – rather than a formal program, it’s a Downtown Business Expo. Area businesses that are DNA members will exhibit and share information about what they have to offer. It’s at The Avenue Downtown, 10 N. Second St. Suite 104, from 5-7 PM tonight. Free food & beverages while they last.

If you’re one of the exhibitors, and you’d like me to write about you on this blog, feel free to call me over. Just call out, “Hey, Paul!” I have blonde hair down to my shoulders and plan to have on a black V-neck and khaki slacks tonight. I’d be happy to talk to you tonight and write about you later this week.

Not a DNA member, but this business expo sounds like something you want to attend? You still have time to join DNA in time for the meeting. Memberships are only $25/year for individuals and $40/year for families. In addition to free access to the monthly meetings, you get a member discount at select area businesses.

Dangit I forgot to tell Rachel’s Salon I was a member when I got my hair cut last month! That would’ve saved me $3.80. Not a huge amount but it’s enough to buy a PBR at my favorite spots. Well, most of them.

On to the rest of the news…

Blue Note Bourbon will conduct a takeover at Eight & Sand this Thursday from 6 to 9 PM. A special cocktail list, curated by the bar’s staff, will be available for one night only. Reservations not required.

Elmwood Cemetery’s Easter egg hunt returns Saturday, April 2. It’s for kids 2 to 9 years old. The cost per kid is $5 (parents are free) and they should bring an Easter basket or bag to collect candy-filled eggs. This is an all-outdoor event and in the event of rain it will be moved to April 9. Register

The 3rd annual Craft Food & Wine Festival is set for Sunday, June 5 at The Columns at One Commerce Square, 40 S. Main (entrance is on Monroe). Sample a variety of artisan products made locally – including coffee, smoked tuna, dips, dips, meats, breads, beer, tequila, cookies, jams, granola, chocolates, hot sauce, tea, and lots more. Proceeds raised by the festival benefit Church Health Center.

Memphis Chess Club at B.B. King and Madison will host the Bluff City Open April 15 and 16. A total of $2520 in prize money will be awarded, and there will be “longer time controls,” whatever that means. Register online before March 26 to get your early bird discount. Memphis Chess Club members, you’ll want to register in person to get your member discount.

From Memphis magazine: Michael Donahue breakfasts at the Arcade for his latest Classic Dining column.

Dr. Jill Biden, the FIrst Lady, will visit St. Jude this week. Welcome to Memphis, Dr. Biden!

DJ SuperBrad plays the Blind Bear Saturday 10 PM-2 AM.

You and your dogs can enjoy Yappy Hour in The Edge District today beginning at 5:30.

Loflin Yard hosts Marketplace in Motion Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM.

Velvet Mood plays a free live show at Loflin Yard Sunday noon to 3.

Grape. plays the Ghost River taproom on Beale at 7:30 this Saturday.

By the Brewery will have a wine & cheese tasting Thursday 6-8 PM. There will be three types of rosé paired with three types of cheese from Grey’s Fine Cheese and Entertaining. Ross Larson, wine buyer at Joe’s WInes and Liquors, will lead the discussion of the wines.

Today is going to be an interesting and fun day! Getting work done at home until 5 then over to the DNA event. After that I have a birthday party to attend. There will be blackjack & craps tables (playing for prizes, not money, of course) so I may spend some time today studying strategy for those games.

I will probably be out late tonight, so tomorrow’s post may go up a little later than usual.

“Pauly Boy Rules.”

That’s the name under which the new bartender at the Blind Bear enters my tab.

I approve.

I am astonished by how popular Sunday brunch in the Downtown core has become, not just among people who live in the area, but people from all over the city.

In 2015, my usual place for Sunday brunch would be staffed with 1 bartender and 1 barback. The same bar staffed Sunday brunch with 3 bartenders (although I think one of them may have been training), 3 servers, and a food runner, plus two managers got called in to help.

Sundays are my day to sit back and observe people. And I have a theory as to why brunch has become so popular down here.

When I was 9 years old, I’d come to school Monday morning, and one of the other kids would ask me, “So, what did you do this past weekend, Paul?”

The best possible answer was, “I went camping.” That was the answer that would impress the other 9-year-olds the most, that would convey social status upon me, that would indicate I do the right activities with the right people.

Fast-forward to age 13. I board the bus for the ride across town to junior high, and my seatmate asks, “So, what did you do this past weekend, Paul?”

The best possible answer was, “I went to the arcade.” With that answer, I conveyed social status upon myself. If my seatmate didn’t make it to the arcade, he’d be jealous that I was living a better life than he was.

I seriously think that the reason a lot of people come Downtown for brunch on Sunday is that on Monday morning, they want their friends’ conversation to go something like this:

“Did you hear about (insert name)? (He/she) went to brunch at (insert swanky Downtown restaurant or lounge) yesterday. (He/she) FaceTimed me and posted selfies on Facebook and Snap. Dang, (he/she) is LIVIN’ THE LIFE!”

On to the news…

If you’re a record collector, this would be a good week to roll by River City Records. They need to make room for some exciting new collections and have just slapped 20% off stickers on a number of their offerings. Also, they have some “golden eggs,” some incredible values, hidden in the racks. One guy recently bought a rare Beatles record, a $65 value, for $15.88.

Ghost Town Blues Band plays Loflin Yard Thursday from 7 to 10. Songs will include hits from their number-one Billboard album. Tickets are $10.

The Grizzlies defeated the Houston Rockets yesterday, 122-98. That grows their lead for 2nd in the Western Conference to 1.5 games over the Golden State Warriors. Utah is still a potential threat at 3.5 games behind. Let’s keep the foot on the accelerator, guys. Big home game vs. Brooklyn Wednesday with a lot of national exposure.

Arkansas vs. Gonzaga has a 6:09 PM tip time this Thursday on CBS.

It’s National Crunchy Taco Day. The fried tacos at Maciel’s would be my top recommendation, although driving through Taco Bell at Crump and B.B. King for some Doritos Locos Tacos is not a bad idea either.

Andrew Lloyd Webber hit musical Cats starts a week run at the Orpheum tomorrow.

Heavy rain is expected tomorrow although the severe threat should remain to our south. Dammit I have a lot of walking to do tomorrow. Got a DNA meeting and a birthday party.

Incubus plays Graceland Live tonight at 8.

The Broom Closet hosts a Spring Equinox Sound Bath tonight at 6.

That’s it for the news. I’m heading out in a little bit for the 6th and final day of the long weekend of celebration I have named The Perjorie T. Roll Victory Tour. In December 2016 I brought the troll to Memphis to ward off evil. Earlier this year she completed her assignment.

Perjorie T. Roll

I’ve spent the weekend contemplating Perjorie’s next assignment. I decided I wanted her to do something for Memphis. And instead of driving something out of our city, I want her to use her spiritual influence to attract something that Memphis needs.

You know what Memphis needs?

An NBA championship.

So the troll will be sending good vibes from afar to help the Grizzlies win games and playoff series. That’s her new mission.

Back tomorrow with more news.