Thursday update

Want to hear what I lay awake thinking about half the night last night? I think I may have figured out the city, and the country, that will determine whether this Russia-Ukraine conflict turns into World War III.

The Russians’ main targets seem to be Kyiv, the capital in the northern part of Ukraine, and Kharkiv, the second-largest city in the northeast near Russia’s border.

Not much has been written about Lviv, Ukraine’s sixth-largest city and the largest in the Western part of the country. But if Russia decides to take Lviv at some future point, that’s where things could start to get nasty.

You see, for most of its history, Lviv was part of Poland, not Ukraine. It didn’t become part of Ukraine – and under Russia’s sphere of influence – until after World War II.

If Russia attacked Lviv, would Poland declare war on Russia, and enter Ukraine in an attempt to defend its former territory?

If so, would Russia respond by invading Poland? Poland is a member of NATO, which means the 29 other member nations would be obligated by treaty to send troops to defend it. And that would be the beginning of WWIII with Americans and Russians shooting at each other.

That’s not the only thing that kept me awake. But first, let’s get to the Downtown news.

From the Memphis Flyer: Tipping is going automatic in many restaurants, but is it here to stay? Many restaurants, including the three I frequent the most, started adding a 20% “autograt” during the pandemic, at least on certain days and times, and continue to do it even though the restrictions on capacity have been lifted.

I fully support the autograt and have no problem with it remaining permanently. Prior to its implementation, I saw situations (particularly Sunday brunch) where servers would bust their ass serving food and drinks to large tables and get tipped nothing at all. Now, if a server busts her ass and rings in $3000 in sales, it’s a guaranteed $600 day for her. It’s a policy necessary to recruit and retain good servers.

“There’s More to Be Proud Of,” the art installation by Cat Pena that shimmers over The Edge District at Monroe and Marshall, is coming down temporarily. Having hung for 5 years over the intersection, it will be taken down to evaluate its structure and re-imagine its future.

Surprisingly, America’s least favorite pizza topping isn’t pineapple. A recent poll found anchovies to be the most hated topping. Pineapple came in second and jalapeno peppers third.

Both our Memphis basketball teams play on national TV tonight. The Grizzlies travel to Boston tonight for a 6:30 game with the Celtics. That one will be broadcast on TNT.

Penny Hardaway’s Tigers also hit the road tonight, traveling to Tampa to play the South Florida Bulls in a must-win game if they want an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. 8 PM, ESPNU. Memphis has moved up slightly in Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology – last week, they were Last Team In. This week, they’re the first of the four teams listed under Last Four In.

Let’s have a look at non-basketball events coming to FedExForum this month:

Max’s Sports Bar has announced that Glaze’s crawfish boil will return this Saturday. Doors open at 11, and the first ‘bugs roll off around 12. They come with sides of corn, taters, and sausage (included in box but do not count toward its weight). Prices: $12.50 for 1 lb. of crawfish (that’s literally HALF what another downtown restaurant is charging) or $21 for 2 lbs. Pounds of hot boiled shrimp will be $16.

Lafayette’s Music Room in Overton Square is looking to hire 2 bartenders, 3 hosts, 4 servers, and 2 line cooks. I don’t normally cover restaurant job listings outside Downtown, but I gave this one an exception because GM Julien is an awesome cook. He makes amazing meals from scratch to fuel up his team prior to big shows. (Put a passcode on your phone when he’s around though; otherwise, you’ll find you posted to Facebook about what a great guy he is.) You’ll get to hear some excellent music while you work; check out the event calendar.

The DM reports that South Point Grocery on Webster Ave. in the South Main district will open to the public at 8 this morning. It will be open 8 to 8 daily and there will be a grand opening on March 10.

Memphis 901 FC hosts an exhibition game against the Memphis Tigers Saturday at 6. $10 tickets

From Craigslist: A Mud Island tennis player seeks someone to play with in the early mornings. This person is about a 3.0-3.5 rating, whatever that means.

Rumba Room is hosting the 1st annual (I just heard Seth Agranov groan) Spring Fling speed dating event Sunday, March 20. $25, 21 and up, music by DJ Swagg and DJD KB, food, bar.

Hilton Garden Inn across Union from the ballpark is hiring a banquet server.

Memphis Black Restaurant Week is next week, March 6-12. It’s a week for Black-owned restaurants to offer deals and attract new customers. Downtown restaurants participating include

  • Sage
  • Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe
  • Slim & Husky’s
  • Flava House Lounge
  • Curry N Jerk
  • Sugashack
  • The Genre
  • Evelyn & Olive
  • Butterific Bakery & Cafe

Insider tip: Sage, which opens at 11 on Sundays, doesn’t take reservations and so people wait in line to get tables. If you want an 11 AM seating, I suggest getting there no later than 10:40. Based on my experiences at Sage and what others have told me, the food absolutely IS worth the wait.

Russian forces took southern Ukraine city Kherson yesterday, and they are said to have another southern city, Mariupol, surrounded, subjecting it to constant shelling aimed at destroying infrastructure.

It’s National Cold Cuts Day!

From ABC 24: Ja Morant’s Monday night performance broke NBA social media records

Bass Pro at the Pyramid is holding a hiring event today.

Here’s the list of trucks participating in today’s Court Square food truck rodeo.

So, the other thing that kept me awake: I had a bad dream last night. I got on the dark web (which I’ve never been on in real life) and found a geographic search engine, a way for criminals to mark easy targets for other criminals.

I tried some addresses, and about 80% of them (including my own) came back with no result. The ones that did had notes like:

  • “Lives in controlled-access high-rise but often forgets to lock apartment front door”
  • “Attractive female, lives alone. Walks dog around 6:30 in the morning weekdays.”
  • “Beware, this home has a very protective German shepherd.”
  • “Man, 30s, traveling sales job, often out of town Monday-Thursday nights.”
  • “Couple, 70s, victims of at least 2 previous phone/Internet scams.”

I was relieved to wake up, but when I did, I thought, something like this could easily exist for real on the dark web. What if it does?

It’s just a concern I’ve had lately, that the progress we’re making with technology is far outpacing progress in human consciousness. If that trend continues, more and more we’re going to use technology to harm one another.

That’s all I have for today. Back tomorrow.