Month: September 2022

Levy, the company that handles concessions at FedExForum, is holding its second and final seasonal job fair at the arena this Tuesday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Jobs there make great second jobs to supplement an income. Many of my bartender friends applied at the first job fair, but there are still positions open, so come on down!

Elmwood Cemetery presents Soul of the City October 6-8, recognizing the vast amount of musical talent buried there. There will be walking tours every half hour. The tours last about an hour.

This week’s AP Top 25 is out. I’m really kind of surprised Arkansas remained number 10. They won Saturday but struggled against FCS school Missouri State.

The County Clerk’s office, or “Wanda World” as Bruce V from the Memphis Flyer calls it, is closed this week.

New Wing Order has some new specials they will run on NFL Sundays. They are

• Loaded Pizza Fries tossed in Italian seasoning, drizzled in marinara, topped with mozzarella and pepperoni
• Beer Brats simmered in Ghost River Gold for hours and then seared and topped with an Oktoberfest beer cheese, stone-ground mustard, onions, and peppers
• Oktoberfest Wings which start with sauteed onion, garlic, ginger, and Ghost River Oktoberfest beer, cooked down with fresh lemon juice, honey, red wine vinegar, and plenty of spices

Get these specials 12:00-8:00 PM Sundays at the Ghost River taproom, where they will have wall-to-wall NFL coverage.

Oh dear God… today is Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Saturday Night Live alumni Steve Martin & Martin Short come to the Orpheum Saturday. Be prepared to shell out some coin if you want to see them, though…. tickets start at $95 and go up to $350.

The Cannon Center hosts the Cancer Blows Benefit Concert featuring Robert Moody and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Twenty trumpet legends will blow cancer away.

There will be a free Cha Cha class this Saturday 6-7 PM at Fourth Bluff. You don’t need a partner or experience to participate.

Watching the Queen’s funeral procession as I type this. Back tomorrow with more news.

Today is Cooper-Young Fest out in Midtown. Expect extremely heavy traffic in that area. That festival can draw more than 100,000 visitors. Plus, that area will be congested for the U of M game at the Liberty Bowl at 6.

The Blind Bear is starting a new 2 for $20 brunch special Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 3. You can pick two of

• Biscuits and gravy – two fresh-baked biscuits topped with their scratch Bear sausage gravy
• Breakfast bowl – cheesy hash browns topped with 3 eggs, peppers, and your choice of bacon or sausage
• Sausage or bacon biscuits – two biscuits with a side of cheesy hash browns
• Chicken and waffle – Crispy fried chicken breast with an apple pie moonshine waffle (NOTE: This item is marked “Limited Stock” on the menu)

Curfew will have a Chef’s Distiller Dinner with Old Dominick spirits Thursday, October 27. A mix & mingle will kick off the evening at 6:30 when you will be able to chat with chef Fabio Viviani and distiller Alex Castle. The three-course dinner begins at 7:15. Purchase tickets

WWE Smackdown returns to FedExForum Friday, January 6. WWE Superstars planned to be there include Drew McIntyre, Smackdown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan, unified tag champions the Usos and “the honorary Uce” Sami Zayn, The New Day, Natalya, Ricochet, Sheamus, Shinske Nakamura, and many more.

Expect to see lots of red and gray polos Downtown next week. The AutoZone national sales meeting comes to the Renasant Convention Center September 18-24.

The Memphis Flyer has a look at the new cutbank bluff that will provide an ADA-accessible walkway to Tom Lee Park.

In observance of National Adoption Weekend, Memphis Animal Services will waive pet adoption fees this weekend.

Soul & Spirits, the brewery on the far north end of Main in Uptown, is hiring front-of-house staff. Service industry experience is encouraged, but not required. Apply online

Hotel Pontotoc, the 1906 building at 69 East Ponroroc, has new owners. They have 10 apartments and a restaurant planned for the space.

From WREG: Memphis at the Movies: 23 films that left their mark

Andrew Cabigao plays the Slider Inn Downtown backyard tonight from 7 to 10.

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

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will be Monday morning at 11 London time, which is 5 AM U.S. Central time. USA TODAY has all the details of what will happen at the funeral and how to watch it. Multiple channels will cover the funeral but PBS sounds like the place to go. Their coverage begins at 3 AM Central and they’ll have a direct feed from the BBC.

Longshot has rolled out a new menu that includes Pollo Asado Nachos, a Smoked Mushroom & Shishito Philly, Crispy Duck, and a big Diner Burger. I’m glad to see they kept the lamb chili Frito pie.

Blind Bear is having an apparel sale today through Sunday. With purchase of food or a beverage, you can get the following discounts:

• 10 year anniversary shirts $5 (regular $10)
• Classic Bear shirts $15 (regular $25)
• Grizz shirts $15 (regular $20)
• “Universal” tanks $15 (regular $25)
• Sweatshirts $25 (regular $40)
• Zip-ups $25 (regular $35)

The DM has coverage and a photo gallery of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame inductions last night. Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant made a trip across the pond to induct Priscilla Presley. I wonder if he’ll stop by Winfield’s Clothing Store at Madison and Main to do some shopping today. I’ve been told Plant is one of many legendary rock stars who love that store.

Meghan Triplett, who had been the co-host of the Grizzlies’ “Rise and Grind” videocast, has joined the YES Network as the Brooklyn Nets reporter.

Varsity Spirit is leaving East Memphis and moving its headquarters Downtown. The new HQ will be in the Snuff District at N. Front and Keel. The move will let the organization be closer to two of its partners, St. Jude and the Grizzlies.

If you went to a bar or restaurant to watch Thursday Night Football last night, and it had Xfinity cable, you were out of luck. Amazon has acquired the rights to TNF games and will be streaming them on Prime. TNF will be available to watch in restaurants and bars across the U.S. – but only if they have DirecTV. Here’s an explainer.

Happy Mexican Independence Day to my readers from that country.

Today is also National Guacamole Day.

FOX 13, I feel the need to say this again: Your pop-up ad that appears after a website visitor has spent about 10 seconds on your home page is annoying AF. Please get rid of it.

Rodell McCord plays the Hard Rock tonight at 8.

Jones and Webster will provide the live music at the Memphis Farmers Market tonight.

That’s it for today. Back in about 24 hours with more news.

September is Hispanic Heritage Month and tomorrow night, September 16, Mighty Lights on the Mississippi River will turn the colors of the flags of these countries:

• 7:40-8:00: Mexico
• 8:10-8:30: Nicaragua
• 8:40-9:00: Chile
• 9:10-9:30: Guatemala
• 9:40-10:00: El Salvador
• 10:10-10:30: Costa Rica
• 10:40-11:00: Honduras

The Peanut Shoppe posted a pic of an order of super, super, extra flaming hot spicy peanuts they made for a customer recently. They can make some for you too if you order a day or two in advance.

Bardog bartender Colin Wilson was recently profiled in Memphis Current. Check it out.

Need to host a lunch meeting for your work team? Feast & Graze now offers Lunch Bundles to take care of that need. They include half of an artisanal salad, a whole artisanal wrap, Zapp’s chips, and a cold beverage. The minimum order for Lunch Bundles is 10.

Congrats to Tamra Patterson, AKA “Chef Tam,” on her new role as the Wesson Oil cooking lady, a role that was formerly held by Florence Henderson (“Mom” from The Brady Bunch). Chef Tam is offering a new restaurant in Whitehaven this month featuring an affordable and healthy menu.

Also notable: Next week Chef Tam launches Inflation Vacation at her Underground Cafe in The Edge, where the first 75 people get a $10 meal deal.

The Red Feather plays the Blind Bear 8-midnight Saturday. That band features Jessi who you may know from when she was half of the Rusty Pieces.

Fox 13 reports that the long lines at the county clerk’s office continue.

The creator of “Two Buck Chuck” wine has passed away.

New Memphis is moving. After 10 years in the Falls Building at Front and Court, they are relocating to what has been known as The Emerge Building on Tennessee Street. The building will be renamed The New Memphis Building.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association has announced the date and location for its September meeting. It will be at the Caption by Hyatt on Beale Street, Thursday, September 27 at 5:30 PM. Free for members, $10 for non-members. There will be free food and drinks and a guest speaker to be announced.

Save the date: The DNA will host a Downtown Business Expo Thursday, October 13 from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Downtown YMCA.

A registered sex offender allegedly attempted to rape a woman on Tennessee Street in the South Main district Saturday morning.

The Memphis Music Hall of Fame inducts new members tonight at the Cannon Center.

Memphis 901 FC hosts Charleston Battery tonight at 7.

Today is National Double Cheeseburger Day.

President Biden has announced that a possible railroad strike, set to start this week, has been averted. Thank goodness. That could have been an economic disaster.

A heat wave could bring record highs next week. Go away, summer.

That’ll do it for today. Back tomorrow with more news.

Hot Wheels on Beale will happen this Saturday, September 17, with hundreds of Corvettes up and down Beale Street.

117 Prime has a new menu:

I realized I missed an important game yesterday when I listed Saturday’s college football games of interest to Memphians: 13 Miami vs. 24 Texas A&M. It’s on ESPN at 8:00 PM. I edited the post and added it to the list.

The New Wing Order food truck will be at Cordelia’s Market tonight from 5 to 8.

Sunday is National Cheeseburger Day, and Food & Wine has a list of restaurant chains where you can get free cheeseburgers that day. Free cheeseburgers? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

The DM’s Chris Herrington has a look at Krissy’s Soul Food, which opened recently at Poplar and Manassas.

The pool table at the Blind Bear did indeed make its return yesterday. I’ve heard a rumor that another piece of entertainment equipment will return to a Downtown bar this week after a long absence, but I’m taking that with a grain of salt.

New Memphis is hiring a Director of Communications & Community Engagement.

Youth Villages will hold a Direct Care Job Fair on Thursday, September 29.

The CA reports that a new apartment complex will be developed on the area bordered by E.H. Crump Blvd., Virginia Avenue, Kentucky Street, and Florida Street. Wow… apartment development has made it all the way to Crump. Better hurry up and get Momma’s back open, Aldo, you’re about to have some hungry and thirsty new neighbors across the street.

Today is National Cream-Filled Donut Day and Eat a Hoagie Day.

Daaaang… Otis Sanford went off on Jackson State’s “Coach Prime” Deion Sanders for abandoning the Southern Heritage Classic in his opinion piece this week for ABC 24.

YOGA! There’s a free yoga class at 5:30 this afternoon in Health Sciences Park.

The annual Mississippi River Monsters fishing tournament happens at Bass Pro at the Pyramid this weekend. Friday afternoon there will be seminars and then Saturday it’ll be time to get fishing.

Giordano Dance Chicago comes to the Orpheum this Friday and Saturday.

That’s it. Back tomorrow.

Congratulations to Memphis 901 FC, who have clinched a spot in the playoffs this season. Memphis sits in second place in the USL Eastern Conference, having accumulated 55 points. The squad has a home match vs. Charleston Battery this Friday.

If you’ve been to Max’s Sports Bar, you may have noticed the 2012 and 2017 group photos hanging by the corner table. Well, get ready and save the date… Real 2 Reel Photography will take a 2022 group photo on Monday, October 17 at 5:30 PM.

The Gray Canary is updating its hours effective next week:

• Tuesday-Thursday: 4:30 PM-10:00 PM
• Friday-Saturday: 4:30 PM-10:30 PM

For those of you who have missed the pool table at the Blind Bear, it will be back today.

My friend Dorchelle Spence will have a book signing for her book Into the Gathering Clouds tonight at Novel Memphis at 6 PM.

The Silly Goose is having a grand opening this Thursday starting at 7 PM.

The Green Beetle posted “Just a little while longer” before they complete their renovations and reopen.

Let’s have a look at college football games of interest to Memphians coming up this Saturday:

• 1 Georgia at South Carolina, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• 12 BYU at 25 Oregon, 2:30 PM, FOX
• 20 Ole Miss at Georgia Tech, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 22 Penn State at Auburn, 2:30 PM, CBS
• UL Monroe at 2 Alabama, 2:30 PM, SEC Network
• Mississippi State at LSU, 5:00 PM, ESPN
• Missouri State at 10 Arkansas, 6:00 PM, SEC Network
• Akron at 15 Tennessee, 6:00 PM, SEC Network
• Arkansas State at Memphis, 6:00 PM, ESPN+
• South Florida at 18 Florida, 6:30 PM, SEC Network
• 13 Miami at 24 Texas A&M, 8:00 PM, ESPN

Lots and lots of Power Five schools playing cream puffs this week. I wonder who’ll pull off the upset? I’m hoping for Akron.

A group of teens were arrested near Beale Street for auto burglary and possession of stolen property. They were seen breaking into cars in the alley. One of the group had a stolen gun. The teens ranged in age from 15 to 18. This has led City Council to vote on whether to enforce a curfew ordinance for teens already on the books.

The MBJ reports that Esco Restaurant & Tapas is coming to Downtown Memphis. The location will be on Lt. George Lee Avenue just south of Beale.

From FiveThirtyEight: Should Alabama be worried that it almost lost to Texas?

Today is International Peanut Day. I’m sure you can guess my recommendation to celebrate: A visit to the Peanut Shoppe at 121 S. Main.

That’ll do it for today’s post. Back tomorrow.

Downtown is getting a new restaurant! The MBJ reports that the former Blue Plate Cafe space on the south side of Court Square will become Bell’s Catfish & Soul Food. As the name suggests, the restaurant will serve traditional Southern fare including oxtails, collard greens, turkey necks, and oxtails. Bell’s has a Facebook page you can “Like” if you want to stay up to date on the restaurant’s progress in opening the new location.

Keep Belle Tavern in mind for your upcoming NFL Sundays. They have some specials going on:

• Buckets of beer (6 domestics) $15
• Pitchers of Miller High Life $12
• 1½ ounce pour of Isaac Bowman Port Finish $12
• Pint of Miller High Life and a shot of Jager $9
• Popcorn & pork rinds $3
• Boiled peanuts $5
• Hummus platter with carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, and pita $9
• Beer brats with mustard and sauerkraut with a side of chips $12
• Chili topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and scallions $6
• Bag of Zapp’s potato chips $1.50

The specials run from 11 AM to 7 PM.

How ’bout them Hogs! The Arkansas Razorbacks are back in the top 10 of the AP college football poll, having jumped 6 spots following a victory over South Carolina.

Sure enough, the AP voters punished Bama for that close call vs. Texas. The Crimson Tide fell to number 2, while their likely opponent in the SEC championship game, Georgia, rose to number 1.

The DM has a look at the monthly Pinch District Artists’ Market.

South Main Sounds Songwriter Night returns to 550 S. Main this Friday at 7 PM. Abby Frances, Kina del Mar, Katherine McCaa Bryan, and Marc Bryan will perform. Join them, won’t you?

This is wonderful news!

Tonight temperatures will drop to near 60, and those of you outside the city might even see lows in the 50s! Tomorrow will be gorgeous with plenty of sunshine, a high in the low 80s, and low humidity. The forecasted dewpoint is 48 (much lower than today’s dewpoint of 70!) /CS pic.twitter.com/q2Fek9nJd5

— MemphisWeather.net (@memphisweather1) September 12, 2022

From Action News 5: A Downtown Memphis man stops an attempted assault on a woman

It’s possible that the first national rail strike in 30 years could happen this week, disrupting shipping and possibly driving prices even higher. The Association of American Railroads estimates the U.S. economy will lose $2 billion each day the trains aren’t running.

Today is National Chocolate Milkshake Day. Margie’s 901 (formerly Maggie Moo’s) would be a good place to get one.

Envision Memphis hosts a Body Burn & Brews event at Beale Street Landing this Thursday at 5:45. Get a good workout in, then enjoy $2 off beers at Riverside Tap, the pop-up beer garden. The cost for the class is $15 and is free for Envision members.

Today is going to be a beautiful day! Back tomorrow with more news.

MemphisWeather.net’s latest blog post brings good news – the upcoming week is going to be one to get outside and ENJOY! Today will start off fairly humid until a cold front pushes through this afternoon. After that, the days will be sunny and still warm, but they won’t feel sticky, and the nights will be cool. If I had to describe the forecast in one word, it would be “pleasant.”

Mayhem in the SEC West yesterday! #1 Alabama was expected to blow out Texas yesterday, but Texas played a highly competitive game and the Crimson Tide had to squeak by 20-19. Then Appalachian State beat #6 Texas A&M 17-14.

I’m beginning to wonder if Arkansas has a shot at winning the West now.

Memphis got its mojo back with a 37-13 win over Navy. Next up for the Tigers is a home game vs. Arkansas State, 6 PM Saturday.

The Downtown Memphis DoubleTree is hiring a general manager.

If you’re in the mood for a long read, check out The Guardian’s obituary for Queen Elizabeth II.

Today is the 21st anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Yesterday there was a rare occurrence in college football: A team scored 13 points in one overtime. Kansas and good ole West Virginny were tied 42-42 at the end of regulation. Kansas went first in overtime, scored a touchdown, and kicked the extra point to make it 49-42. Then it was the Mountaineers’ turn, and their quarterback threw an interception that Kansas ran in for a pick-six and the 55-42 victory.

There’s a Pinch District Artists’ Market today at Westy’s from 1 to 6.

Joe Gatto of The Impractical Jokers has a comedy show at the Orpheum tonight at 7. Tickets are $39.75-$59.75.

Also coming to the Orpheum this week: Wheel of Fortune Live Tuesday night at 8.

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

Envision Fitness at Main and Madison is bringing back self-defense classes due to demand. The next one will be Saturday, September 17 from 1 to 3 PM. The cost will be $15 per person.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. will once again hold its own Cooper York Fest next Saturday, September 17 during the hours of Cooper-Young Fest. Live music by Jeff Hulett, Sam Salida, and The Late Greats. Food trucks on site will be Mexico in Memphis, Soi #9, and MemPops. If you want to get away from the crowds at the immense Cooper-Young Fest and enjoy a more intimate party, this is the place for you.

Historical Haunts will host a Ghost Hunt at Earnestine & Hazel’s the evening of Thursday, September 20.  If you’re interested in taking part, be sure to click the link and read what you are/are not allowed to bring and do there.

Traffic alert: The Southern Heritage Classic game at the Liberty Bowl kicks off at 6 PM. Expect a large influx of traffic Downtown starting at about 9:30.

Slider Inn Downtown has filed for permits for some improvements to its outdoor area: a fence, an outdoor bar, a covered canopy, a stage, and a video wall.

Today is National Hot Dog Day. Maz’s Sports Bar has some good ones – and of course they have plenty of college football on TV too.

A man was arrested following a viral video he posted Thursday. In the video, he was seen driving around Memphis with another man, threatening racially-motivated shootings. The video was posted just one day after a 19-year-old man was arrested for going on an hours-long shooting spree around the city. The driver in the video faces charges of commission of an act of terrorism, civil rights intimidation, disorderly conduct, and harassment.

Hosea: God’s Love for His People Where the Church and the Streets Meet will be performed on stage tonight at the Orpheum. Tickets are $30.

MAGIC: Past & Present happens tonight at the historic Woodruff-Fontaine House at 7.

Major League Baseball has adopted some major rule changes for future seasons. These include

• Pitch clock of 15 seconds when the bases are empty, 20 when there are runners
• No more extreme defensive shifts. Two infielders must be on each side of second base.
• All four infielders must have their feet in the dirt. No more infielders playing the role of a fourth outfielder
• Bases will get larger
• Pitchers will be limited in the number of attempts to pick off a runner. They get two per player at bat for free. They can attempt a third pickoff, but if it’s unsuccessful, a balk will be called.
• If teams have used up their 5 mound visits in the first 8 innings, they get an extra one in the 9th inning

King Charles III met with his Accession Council today and was formally proclaimed the UK’s monarch.

Keep scrolling for more news. I experienced an Internet outage yesterday morning, so my Friday update didn’t get published until about 6:45 Saturday morning.

(Saturday 6:49 AM: My Internet went down, so I was not able to post this yesterday.)

I went back to Local on Main yesterday for another of their $10 lunch specials. On Thursdays the special is brisket.

For my two sides, I chose greens (which are so good that they will always be one of my choices) and a side salad. The brisket was juicy and you get a generous portion for the $10 price. It’s getting hard to find good deals dining out Downtown anymore but this is definitely one of them.

As I was waiting on my food, some sad news came across social media. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom passed away at 96, having served as monarch for 70 years. This CNN article explains the changes in titles that happened upon her death:

• Prince Charles became King Charles III
• His wife Camilla became Queen Consort
• Prince William became Duke of Cornwall. He was already Duke of Cambridge. As the heir to the throne, he will become Prince of Wales, but that title is not automatically conferred.

Also, from The Guardian: How royal symbols will change

Unfounded reports of violence in Memphis caused some businesses to lock down briefly Thursday afternoon.

Levy, the company that operates concessions at FedExForum, will hold a job fair there the next two Tuesdays, September 13 and 20 from 9 AM to 6 PM.

An antique shop is coming to Victorian Village at 707 Adams.

Several Memphis institutions are offering free admission today, calling today a day of peace and healing much needed after recent violence. You can get in for free at

• Memphis Zoo
• Lichterman Nature Center
• Museum of Science & History
• Dixon Gallery & Gardens
• Memphis Botanic Gardens

The DM’s Geoff Calkins discusses a rumor going around the NBA right now: Las Vegas and Seattle are possible sites for expansion teams. If that happens, those teams would surely play in the Western Conference – which would shift the Memphis Grizzlies into the Eastern Conference.

St. Jude seeks an executive chef.

(That’s the end of what I had when my Internet connection went down. I’ll post the rest in Saturday’s update.)