Month: April 2022

In yesterday’s post, I predicted a Grizzlies win for last night if Jaren Jackson Jr. played at least 32 minutes.

JJJ played 34 minutes and 24 seconds.

And the Grizzlies came from behind again in the fourth, 114-106, to end the Minnesota Timberwolves’ playoff run. Memphis comes home to host Golden State in a game at 2:30 tomorrow that will be nationally televised on ABC.

FiveThirtyEight’s NBA predictions give the Grizzlies a 48% chance of beating Golden State and advancing to the Western Conference finals.

Memphis 901 FC hosts Miami for a match at AutoZone Park tonight at 7.

The Redbirds will throw a Cinco de Mayo party as they host the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Thursday. There will be $5 margaritas, $2 tacos, $2 PBR, and $1 hot dogs.

From Fansided: Solutions to the St. Louis Cardinals’ problems can be found in Memphis

Paulette’s is hiring. They require a minimum of 1 year fine dining and wine serving experience. Apply

Chevelle and Lindsey Buckingham have been dropped from Music Fest due to COVID. Soul Asylum has been added to today’s lineup and Third Eye Blind to tomorrow’s. Modest Mouse has been restored to the schedule after negative COVID tests.

From the MBJ: Hard Rock Hotels is in a serious discussion to build a property on Beale Street

There’s a Black Art Walk in The Edge District today from noon to 4.

Lansky Bros. has a Brax Trunk Show today from 11 to 4.

I am just dead tired this morning and if I feel the same way tomorrow I may take the day off from blogging. Back at some point with more news.

Don’t let travel to and from Music Fest stress you out so bad that you lose your wig

The Get Lifted shuttle is offering express rides from a central pickup point in the Downtown core, the Blind Bear speakeasy, to Music Fest and back. Rides are $10 each and will run from 1 hour before the first band to 1 hour after the last band. The Blind Bear is at 119 S. Main, on the Main Street Mall near Gayoso, next door to Muse clothing store.

You can wait on the Blind Bear’s covered patio for the shuttle to pick you up, and grab a drink or a snack if you want. If you ride Get Lifted back Downtown from Music Fest, you’ll be given entry to the Blind Bear without paying a cover charge.

Get Lifted is an outstanding local Black-owned business and the owner is a friend of mine. Let the shuttle be your ride to Music Fest.

For years several of my friends have called for The Wing Guru to come Downtown. Well, they’re about to get their wish… sort of. The Guru is not building a brick-and-mortar location in Downtown’s boundaries. Rather, they will be a part of the Summer Avenue Food Hub at 3237 Summer and the Food Hub delivers to Downtown and Midtown.

Two other businesses are in the Food Hub as well: The Happy Belly, serving comfort food, and The Bougee Noodle, serving Japanese, Korean, and noodles.

It’s South Main Trolley Night, with many of the businesses on and around South Main Street staying open until 9 or later this evening. Some may put out hors d’oeuvres and others may offer discounts or specials. Great opportunity to mingle with your neighbors – and this year you can do it without getting caught up in Music Fest traffic.

The DM reports that The Inkwell, the new cocktail bar in The Edge at 631 Madison, will open next Friday. Its hours will be 5 PM to 1 AM Wednesday through Sunday.

Local 24 has coverage of the big changes coming to The Edge and the Medical District.

From Action News 5: Sunset kayaking kicks off a weekend of events on the riverfront

Tickets for the next Memphis Grizzlies playoff game (the one after tonight’s game) will go on sale Saturday at noon. The game will air nationally at 2:30 PM Sunday and the opponent will depend on the outcome of tonight’s game.

• If Minnesota wins tonight: Game 7 of the first-round playoff series, Minnesota vs. Memphis
• If Memphis wins tonight: Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, Golden State vs. Memphis

Severe weather could impact Music Fest Saturday night going into Sunday.

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has filed a lawsuit against Family Dollar concerning the rodent infestation found in its West Memphis warehouse.

Prediction: The Grizzlies will win tonight and close out the series in 6 if Jaren Jackson Jr. plays at least 32 minutes. He has got to stay out of foul trouble.

GO GRIZZLIES… back tomorrow with more news.

I got a day ahead of myself on the NFL draft in yesterday’s post. Tonight is the first round. A friend of mine has a cousin (Chris Olave, Ohio State) in the draft, so I will watch this one with interest.

The Peabody’s famous rooftop parties return tonight. Considered THE place to see and be seen in Memphis, the parties happen every Thursday through August. Almost Famous headlines tonight, with special guest Jena Rose. $15 to get in, with hotel guests free before 7 PM. They will not do VIP passes for the parties this year.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association’s free spring movie series returns next Thursday, May 5, in partnership with the Downtown Memphis Commission. Although the series enjoyed great success in Greenbelt Park on Mud Island, this year they are moving it to an even better location – Court Square. The event will start at 7:30 with food trucks, but you can also bring your own food. Next Thursday’s movie will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Disney’s Encanto.

One person was wounded in a shooting that happened around 1:00 this morning at Second and Beale. The victim was transported to Regional One Health.

There is now a time set for tomorrow’s playoff game: Memphis vs. Minnesota, Game 6, 8 PM on ESPN. The game is in Minneapolis. Memphis leads 3-2 and could put it away with a win.

Wonder if the Blind Bear will turn off the TVs for burlesque tomorrow night at 9? They usually do turn them off, but people are going to be very unhappy if the Grizzlies get turned off at halftime.

The Memphis Zoo is now offering VIP wallaby encounters, capitalizing on the fame of the wallaby who escaped from his exhibit earlier this month. You can purchase a VIP encounter for up to 5 people and it includes a one-day pass to the zoo. VIPs will spend time in the wallabies’ habitat and the wallabies will have the option of coming up to sniff the VIPs and possibly eat out of their hand.

I wonder if the zoo’s kangaroos will become jealous that the wallabies are getting all the attention?

The River Series, a fundraiser for Mud Island’s Maria Montessori School, returns to Harbor Town Amphitheater this Saturday. Greg Cartwright’s Whelk Stall and Aquarian Blood will perform from 4:00 to 7:30 PM.

The MBJ has an article on the Fat Tuesday that is scheduled to open on Main near Madison this summer.

The Stax Music Academy plays Spring Soul Fest on Beale tonight at Handy Park 5:00-7:15.

Wiseacre Downtown hosts World Wish Day, a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish, tonight 5:30-7:30.

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

A Ja Morant basket right before the buzzer put the Grizzlies up 3-2 in their series vs. Minnesota last night. The Grizzlies travel to Minneapolis Friday for a chance to close out the series in 6. FiveThirtyEight’s NBA predictions now give the Grizzlies an 85% chance of advancing to the Western Conference semifinals.

I can’t help but think, though, that the 111-109 score might have been more like 116-107 had Jaren Jackson Jr. not fouled out. It is so frustrating not to be able to maximize his playing time.

Brandon Clarke, on the other hand, was a beast out there, as he has been through much of the playoff series.

Memphis 901 FC is at home tonight hosting the Tampa Bay Rowdies. There will be $2 beers at this match.

Sending prayers out to the staff at Lafayette’s Music Room and also its sister restaurants B.B. King’s, Itta Bena, and Moondance. Jody Moyt, executive chef at Lafayette’s, was killed in an apparent road-rage confrontation on Sam Cooper Boulevard Monday night. His accused murderer served time in Florida for second-degree murder in the 1990s.

You can give your mom a fried chicken floral bouquet for Mother’s Day this year, thanks to KFC.

The Blind Bear has announced plans for Siete (Cinco + Dos) de Mayo Saturday, May 7. There will be taco and tequila specials all day. Red Feather (Jessi Dalton and Grant Holt) will play on the patio 3-6 PM. FreeWorld (the entire band!) will play from 8 PM to midnight.

South Main Sounds will hold a special IBC Week Songwriter Night Friday, May 6 at 7 PM. The event will feature Lydia Warren as well as Terry Bell, Travis Roberson, and Bri Marie Krueger.

Modest Mouse has pulled out of Music Fest due to its lead singer testing positive for COVID. The band was scheduled to perform Sunday.

The Pet Hospitals seeks a veterinarian to join their 660 Jefferson location.

Today is National Prime Rib Day. Kooky Canuck has an excellent prime rib on its menu.

JD Westmoreland plays Downtown Local today 5-8 PM.

You can participate in an Arbor Day Tree Planting at the south end of Mud Island Park 4:30-6:00 PM Friday.

There will be a Pollinator Party at Beale Street Landing Saturday. Volunteers will get to learn all about pollinators and the roles they play in our everyday lives. You’ll help plant Memphis’ newest pollinator-friendly garden, and you’ll get a pollinator giveaway to take home.

Round 1 of the NFL draft is tonight. The Jacksonville Jaguars have the first pick.

That’s all the news for now. Back tomorrow.

Ja Morant won the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year award yesterday. In typical Morant fashion, the first thing he did was give credit to his teammates, his coaches, and everyone who pushed him to be better. He also said he thought his teammate Desmond Bane should have been more seriously considered for the award. Ja becomes the first player ever to win Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player.

Tonight Ja takes the next step to become the first player to win Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, and an NBA championship as the Grizzlies host the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5. The game will be nationally broadcast on TNT at 6:30 tonight.

The Grizzlies are throwing a party two hours before tip-off. The Grizzline drum line will be on Beale Street, and Garry Goin & the Grizzlies House Band will perform on the FedExForum plaza. There will be DJs in the arena’s main lobby and Terrace level. Kameron Whalum will sing the National Anthem. At halftime, trapeze artists Duo Transcend will perform. Also performing during the game: Grizzlies Grannies & Grandpas, Grizz Girls, and the Grizzline.

Here’s a look at tonight’s growl towel:

〽️〽️〽️ @MrMemphisDonnie

🎟 https://t.co/ePbSGVLSnq pic.twitter.com/k3oV8JX3Xg

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) April 25, 2022

I was very happy to see Boston eliminate the Brooklyn Nets in 4 straight. The main reason I don’t like the Nets is the way Kyrie Irving was a little bitch about getting vaccinated. Not a Ben Simmons fan, either. Glad the Grizzlies avoid high-maintenance divas like those two.

Don’t forget that tonight is the Downtown Neighborhood Association monthly meeting, 5:30-7:30, Withers Gallery on Beale. Carolyn Michael Banks with Tour of Possibilities will speak. While it lasts, there will be free wine, beer, and food. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. has announced their annual Hopped festival for Saturday, May 14 at the brewery at 768 S. Cooper. First 100 people get a free glass. There will be special-release beers and live music. The Gourmade and Soi #9 food trucks will be on site. Free admission. This could be something fun to do while the judges are in the booths down the road at BBQ Fest.

Aldo’s Pizza Pies is hiring a pizza cook.

Yesterday I read one of the best posts ever on question-and-answer website Quora. Do you know someone who is a habitual liar? Someone who often claims “I never said that” when you remember them saying it quite clearly? Someone who claims you did things that you know you never did? This post may be an eye-opener for you.

Today is National Pretzel Day. My recommendation would be the two big soft pretzels with your choice of two dipping sauces (queso, cream cheese, or spicy mustard) from the Flying Saucer.

This is gonna be the longest copy-paste from Facebook I’ve ever done here, but I’m doing it because it’s an opportunity to make life better for homeless women and children:

Creating Kindness, One Blanket at a Time!

Cotton Row Uniques has teamed up with Fish and Associates Financial Services to help collect blankets for Hospitality Hub of Memphis.

This Drive has been organized by Fish & Asociates and will go on through May 20th, 2022.  We have brought in several blanket/throw options for this drive.  Also we will be giving a percentage of proceeds from the sells to Hospitality Hub.

Here is the link to purchase on line and just mark “local deliver” and we will deliver directly to Fish & Associates and we will take care of everything else.

https://www.shopcottonrow.com/product/cotton-throw-with-braided-pom-poms/7290

The Hospitality Hub has served as the region’s single point of entry for homeless individuals since 2007. The Hub meets people “where they are” and assesses their individual needs, connecting them with stabilizing resources. We leverage our extensive community partnerships and internal programs – such as Outreach, Work Local (jobs) – to provide shelter, benefits, identification and case management.

The Hub is thrilled to be opening our Hub Campus at 590 Washington Ave later this year. This new development will allow us to greatly expand Hub services, provide a Day Plaza for the community and open the region’s first barrier-free, trauma-informed women’s shelter.

With women comprising 37% of the city’s homeless population, and only 6% of the available beds open to women, our team has struggled for years to find shelter for women. Our new shelter is designed to facilitate healing from trauma and introduce immediate stability to unsheltered lives. Barrier-free shelters operate on the premise that homelessness is not an individual choice or attributed to personal disposition. Rather, the HUB recognizes homelessness as the result of a mix of economic, structural and societal factors that affect society’s most vulnerable. In order to promote safety and healing, the shelter will have a Quiet Room, Family Room, Salon, a large outdoor space and several places to be alone.

We will allow each woman, or child, to choose a throw blanket upon entry, immediately giving them something warm and cozy to call their own. To gather 150 blankets before opening, Fish and Associates have graciously offered to hold a blanket drive now through May 20th.

And, two local boutiques, Cotton Row Uniques, located at 4615 Poplar Ave, Unit 3, Memphis, 38117, and Diane’s Art Gift & Home, at 1581 Overton Park Ave, Memphis, 38112 have stocked blankets especially for this drive.

Donations can be dropped off at Fish and Associates, 633 Oakleaf Office LaneMemphis, TN 38117 between April 20th- May 20th, 2022 or the retailer can drop off for you. They are open Monday-Thursday, 8 am – 5pm and Friday 8am – 2:30 pm.

Reading speculation on POLITICO Playbook this morning on what will happen if the Trumpster returns to Twitter, soon to be owned by free-speech advocate Elon Musk. Many Republicans think it would be the worst thing possible for their chances to take the House and the Senate in the midterm elections in November.

From Axios: Everything Elon Musk wants to change about Twitter

A New York judge has held the Trumpster in contempt of court for not handing over requested documents. He’ll be fined $10,000 a day until he does.

Back tomorrow. GO GRIZZLIES!!!

Time for a quick rant: That light at Front and Union during Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest was one of the worst traffic engineering decisions I’ve ever seen.

Union west of Front was closed due to the festival. But instead of keeping the light at that intersection the usual cycles of green, yellow, red, they made the light flashing yellow for north- and southbound Front and red for westbound Union. So it was basically a stop sign for Union, or it legally should have been treated as such.

It made the intersection more dangerous and inconvenient than it needed to be. Traffic was so heavy on Front that pedestrians like me couldn’t cross – I ended up walking an extra 3 blocks to Beale to get into the festival. People wanting to turn left from Union onto Front were royally screwed, having to wait for all four lanes of non-stopping traffic on Front to be clear.

Of course, this being Memphis, nobody knows how to obey a traffic signal. Some people on Front were stopping at the flashing yellow while the car in the next lane zipped right on through (as they are supposed to do). Some people on Union weren’t stopping for the flashing red. What a mess.

As for the festival itself, it was a reminder of how bad inflation is. A corn dog was $8. A sleddog (not sure how that differs from a corn dog; I didn’t see anyone selling Pronto Pups) was $10. A 16-ounce can of Coors Light was $7. Crawfish were $25.

The Grizzlies return to Memphis Tuesday for a 6:30 tip-off vs. Minnesota in Game 5 of the playoff series. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT and locally on Bally Sports Southeast.

Stats site FiveThirtyEight has the Grizzlies at 71% to win the series and go on to the Western Conference semis. In my opinion, it all hinges on Jaren staying out of foul trouble and being a major contributor in Games 5 and 6 (and 7, if there is one).

STIX Express, the hibachi/sushi place on Second, is now doing 2-for-1 beers and cocktails every Saturday.

Interesting fact I learned this weekend: The ’90s R&B channel is maybe not a safe choice if you want nice, relaxing background music for your restaurant’s weekend brunch. The reason why is that Three 6’s “Slob on My Knob” was released in 1999 and therefore qualifies for the playlist.

The Broom Closet has moldavite back in stock, having received a fresh shipment from the Czech Republic. The gemstone starts at $20. Moldavite is believed to have properties that allow you to transcend time and is therefore useful in exploring past lives or future probable lives.

Joe Austin & The Tallahatchies return to the Blind Bear this Saturday from 8 to midnight.

Today is World Penguin Day. Maybe today will be the day my friend Drew fulfills his dream of owning a penguin.

A passenger in a Ford Mustang allegedly fired shots at a Memphis police officer yesterday on Beale (not within the entertainment district).

Broadway hit Mean Girls comes to the Orpheum Tuesday through Sunday.

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

Friday night on Beale Street

It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Living Downtown, there are so many options to go out and party during the day Saturday, especially this time of year. If we burn out our daily supply of fuel early and crash into bed before 9 PM, no problem, there’s another Saturday in 7 days.

That mindset won’t cut it today, though. The Grizzlies tip off vs. Minnesota in Game 4 at 9:00 on ESPN. We’re all going to be up until 11:30. Midnight if the game goes into overtime.

I have a good feeling about this one. This series is winnable in 5. The T’wolves are a “just happy to be in the playoffs at all” kind of team and I think their low ceiling is going to be evident tonight and Tuesday.

Elsewhere around the Western Conference:

• 3 seed Golden State has a 3-0 lead against 6 seed Denver. So Memphis will almost certainly play Steph, Klay, Dray, and former Memphis Grizzly (snicker) Andre Iguodala in the second round if they win the series vs. Minnesota.
• 1 seed Phoenix has a 2-1 lead against the 8 seed New Orleans Pelicans. It’s fun to hate on NOLA because of the Zion/Ja thing, but we need to pull for the Pels in this series. Phoenix is the one team in the entire NBA that would hold a home-court advantage over Memphis. We don’t want to face the Suns in the Western Conference Finals.

The Memphis Tigers basketball team has added a quality opponent to their schedule. The university announced a home-and-home vs. Texas A&M for the next two seasons. The Aggies will play at FedExForum in the coming season and Memphis will travel to College Station in 2023-24.

Cynthia Plaster Caster, an artist and member of the ’60s-’70s rock scene, died Thursday. She was known for making casts of the erect penises of rock stars.

Yesterday on Earth Day, the first of the 1000 trees Valero has promised to plant in and around Tom Lee Park were installed. Specifically, they were planted on the section of the bluff walk between Union Avenue and Vance Park.

Action News 5 reports that the renovations of Tom Lee Park are moving very quickly.

Muggin Coffeehouse, which has enjoyed success in Whitehaven for the past two years, will open a second location in Uptown. It will be in the Malone Park Commons complex.

Fox 13 has a list of places to take the best selfies in Memphis, and not surprisingly, many of them are Downtown.

An encore performance of Married to a Cheater, In Love with a Husband happens tonight at the Halloran Centre. This show was rescheduled from April 9 and all tickets for that date will be honored.

Memphis comedian Oscar P puts on a show at the Orpheum tonight with special guest Poundcake.

South Main Sounds is ramping up its music schedule and the Memphis Flyer sat down for a talk with venue manager/booker Mark Parsell. Tonight at South Main Sounds: The Glass Half-Full Tour with Paige Renee Berry, Creekbed Carter Hogan, and McKain Lakey. Tickets

Today is German Beer Day. A look at the Flying Saucer’s beer finder shows that the Downtown location carries Ayinger Celebrator and Weizen Bock, Benediktiner Weissbier, Hofbrau Kindi Hefe, and Paulaner Hefe-weizen.

Expect gusty winds today, MemphisWeather.net tweeted, due to a storm system to our west. Rain is unlikely today, though. 84/64.

Worth a Lyft or Uber to Broad Avenue. Taste the Rarity, Wiseacre’s biggest party of the year, is today

Music fans, don’t forget that today is Record Store Day at River City Records, 101 S. Main. Lots of giveaways and gift card raffles every hour.

The Redbirds throw the first pitch vs. the Omaha Storm Chasers this afternoon at 3:05 at AutoZone Park. There’s a Bark in the Park specialty ticket available that gets you and your dog in the game and you also get a dog item. Use promo code BARKINTHEPARK if you purchase your tickets online. After today’s game, the Renegades of Rhythm drumline will perform in the plaza.

Sunday’s game will be the final in the homestand vs. Omaha with a 2:05 first pitch. The first 500 kids 12 and under will get a free ice cream bowl from Prairie Farms. All kids will receive a free ice cream sandwich and can run the bases after the game. A $52 specialty ticket gets you brunch with mimosas and poinsettias in the Budweiser Bowtie Bar.

There’s a crawfish boil at Loflin Yard today at noon hosted by Memphis Rotary Club. Tickets are $25. Neither the Facebook nor the Eventbrite listing says whether you get a set amount of crawfish for that price, and if so, what that amount is, or whether it’s all-you-can-eat.

It’s Health, Wellness & Community Day at Africa in April all day today in Robert Church Park on Beale just east of Fourth. Insider tip: I can’t find a vendor list for this festival, but in the past Uncle Lou’s has been a vendor. This may be your chance to get some Sweet Spicy Love chicken without leaving Downtown.

There’s an event called The Curvy Social Brunch at 200 Madison Sunday at 3 PM. The event celebrates body positivity and attendees will get to chat with several plus-size social media influencers.

Mario Monterosso plays Loflin Yard Sunday at noon.

Crawfish Shack will host a crawfish boil at Loflin Yard Sunday at noon. No pricing info is available. That is most definitely a weird move, for a Downtown brewery to schedule a crawfish boil the same afternoon as Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest on the river.

Programming note: Due to the late Grizzlies game, I expect it to be 9 or even 10 AM when I wake up tomorrow, and I want to get out to Rajun Cajun right at 11. Therefore, the usual long news post probably will not happen tomorrow.

… BUT, there may still be a post for you to read. I want to do a little speculation on what Memphis will be like next weekend with Music Fest at Tiger Lane. I have 2 hours to kill before I go out this morning, so I’ll possibly publish that tomorrow morning if I get it done.

GRRRRRRRIZZLIES!!!!!

Memphis regained home-court advantage last night, pulling out to a 2-1 lead in the series vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the box score tells it all. Minnesota scored only 12 points in both the second and fourth quarters, blowing big leads over Memphis twice.

The Grizzlies play another one in Minneapolis on Saturday, at 9:00 on ESPN. Statistics site FiveThirtyEight now projects the Grizzlies at 811% to advance to the Western Conference semis.

Not into crawfish? There’s still plenty of reason to go to Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest on the riverside (between Union and Beale) Sunday afternoon. Porter-Leath released a full list of food vendors. You’ll find foods like BBQ, smoked tuna, vegan fare, kettle corn, MemPops, grilled corn in the shuck, and funnel cakes.

There’s a specialty ticket that includes all-you-can-eat wings at the Redbirds tonight. It’s $24 dugout, $21 field box. In addition to the wings, you get all-you-can-eat BBQ, buffalo, and ranch dressing, carrots, celery, hot dogs, chips, soda, and water.

The Redbirds are also offering a Matchup Menu on Fridays and Saturdays this year, available in the Rivalry Roadhouse tent in right field. The menu will change from week to week and will feature foods related to the Redbirds’ opponent. This week’s opponent is the Omaha Storm Chasers and the specials will be

• The Warren Buffet Sandwich: Shaved prime rib with grilled onions
• The Omaha Storm Chaser, a rum drink infused with the official drink of Nebraska, Kool-Aid

There will be $3 Coors Lights on the plaza until the first pitch.

All of MATA’s modes of transportation, including the trolley, will be free to ride the last day of early voting, Thursday, April 28.

Celtic Woman returns to the Orpheum tonight with a new show, Postcards from Ireland.

Saturday Down South reports that Arkansas has had contact with former Memphis Tiger Emoni Bates, who entered the transfer portal next week.

From Gizmodo: Probing Uranus is a priority this decade

Wynonna Judd recently served as honorary Duckmaster at the Peabody Hotel.

If you’re going to Music Fest next weekend, don’t forget that Monday is the deadline to register for the free shuttle from Downtown.

Korean food truck Pok Cha’s Egg Rolls will be in Health Sciences Park today from 11:30 to 1:00 for lunch.

The Maria Montessori School Canoe and Kayak Race happens at 10 AM Saturday at Harbor Town Marina.

Gypsy Heartz Together Again will perform tonight at Westy’s at 9:30.

Today is Children & Seniors Day at the Africa in April festival in Robert Church Park on Beale Street just east of Fourth. At 10 this morning there will be an International Diversity Parade.

Beautiful day outside – sunny with a nice breeze, mid 80s. I’m gonna get out there and enjoy it. Back tomorrow with more news.

Game 3 of the Grizzlies-Timberwolves playoff series tips off in Minneapolis tonight at 6:30. The game will be televised nationally on TNT. Don’t forget that there will be a watch party at Fourth Bluff Park tonight with koozie and sunglasses giveaways, food trucks, Grizz, the Claw Crew, and the Grizz Girls.

The truck lineup for today’s food truck rodeo in Court Square has been released.

Depressing stat I read on the Daily Memphian website this morning: In 2021, Memphis had more homicides than Detroit. DETROIT.

Action News 5 has an in-depth look at competition-winning Chef Tam in its latest 5 Star Story.

The Broom Closet is now selling gemstone Pokemon for $6 each.

There will be a River Market this Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM at River Garden, 51 N. Riverside. Free admission, more than 20 local vendors, and free skate rentals.

I didn’t realize it was possible for college athletes to sign name/image/likeness deals with their dads… John Daly II, on the Arkansas Razorbacks golf team, has signed an NIL deal along with his dad with Hooters. Father and son will promote the restaurant on social media and digital platforms.

Shaquille O’Neal on Penny Hardaway: “I always tell people he was Kobe before Kobe”

This year’s Music Fest poster will be the last one designed by artist George Hunt. George died at the age of 83 in December 2020. The poster is named “Greatest Hits” and incorporates concepts from his previous posters.

Galea wines, Mediterranean sangrias made in Spain, are new at Cordelia’s Market this week.

It’s Irish Heritage Night at the Redbirds this evening. There will be dueling pianos on the concourse, Silky O’Sullivan’s famous throne will be there, and there will be a stadium sing-a-long to “When Irish Eye Are Smiling.” First 2000 fans get a green Memphis Redbirds hat.

It’s also College Night at the Redbirds. If you go to the U of M, Rhodes, CBU, or UT, you can purchase a $15 field box ticket and get a concession credit and special college-themed hat.

But wait, there’s more… it’s also Throwback Thursday tonight at the Redbirds, sponsored by the most delicious beer ever brewed, PABST BLUE RIBBON!!!!! $2 PBRs and $1 hot dogs.

Wow, it’s like the Redbirds marketing team must have asked, “What can we do to get Paul to come to more games?” in a pre-season meeting.

Insider tip: The Greyhound, the bar inside the Hilton Garden Inn across the street, is a great place to pre-game for the Redbirds. I’ve heard they have a “Greyhound Dogs” hot dog flight.

Recipe: Mountain Dew biscuits

Sheyna Gee plays Live at the Tracks tonight from 6:30 to 9:30 at Central Station Hotel.

Happy 96th birthday to Queen Elizabeth II.

Russian and Belarusian players will be banned from Wimbledon this year due to those countries’ invasion of Ukraine.

Part of North Second Street/Whitney Avenue will be closed for railroad construction today.

Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty has been sentenced to 5 years, 3 months in federal prison for a gun charge. That’s a shame… “Keep your grass cut and the snakes’ll show” is really outstanding advice.

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