Month: March 2023

First off, a personal note to my friends – you won’t see me out today and that is as I intended. I want to stay home (good day to do so, given the weather forecast) and again start writing in places other than this blog.

I used to collect my thoughts daily in a journal notebook, but I haven’t done that since October. So I bought a 70-page notebook and some Pilot gel pens and I’m gonna catch up on the past 5 months Hopefully that will inspire some topics for professional articles I can write.

Don’t worry, though, I’ll be out and about tomorrow for The Price is Right Live. Probably I’ll pre-game at Bardog since most of our group that is going has a connection to the place.

A few of our group won’t be able to make it to the Orpheum, and for a very good reason. Beloved Downtowner Michael Osf – better known as “Polar Bear” – passed away a couple of weeks ago. There’s going to be a celebration of his life and memory tomorrow (Saturday) from 7 to 9 PM at the Starlight Event Center, 895 N. White Station.

His friends are selling an “eisbar der art” (“Polar Bear the Kind”) hoodie custom-designed by an artist who knew him. Part of the proceeds from sales will go toward the cost of his memorial. There’s also a GoFundMe where you can contribute to memorial costs.

The Grizzlies host the L.A. Clippers tonight at 7 and there’s a promotional giveaway: The first 5000 fans get a Desmond Bane cooler pack. It’s also mascot Grizz’s birthday.

In other Grizzlies news, my TV producer friend Shrek asked me to remind my readers that Sunday’s Grizzlies game vs. Chicago has an unusual 2:30 PM start time. Tune into Bally Sports at 2:00 for the pre-show with Brevin, Pete, and Fish.

There’s a Women’s History Month pop-up at Stock & Belle, 387 S. Main, tonight.

Breakfast-flavored Ramen noodles are a thing now.

Cocozza posted the specials it offers for Apertivo Hour, 4-6 PM Monday-Friday, at the bar or patio only:

• $8 Scarpetta wines
• $8 Spritz Special
• $4 Peronis
• $3 bar snacks or 4 for $10

From the DM: The new Brooka Museum hopes to be a “living room” for Downtown

Severe storms are expected to move through the Memphis metro between 5 and 11 tonight. WInds could gust to 40 MPH.

The Trumpster has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on more than 30 counts of business fraud. The charges are not yet known because the indictment is sealed. Trump will appear in court Tuesday. He’s the first former president to face criminal charges.

That’s it for today. Time to get started on my project. Back tomorrow with more news.

My friends with whom I’m going to The Price Is Right Live Saturday have informed me they’re making me a T-shirt to wear. As I understand it, the shirt will say

“Planes, trains, cars, and boats,
Show me that PLINKO though”

Speaking of the Orpheum, there’s an event there tonight. Comedian Druski brings his Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda Tour to town, with an opening set by Navv Greene.

Former Memphis Grizzly Pau Gasol has been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame’s class of 2023. The Grizzlies drafted Pau as they relocated here in 2001 and he was the star of the team for 7 years. Other notables in this year’s class include Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzski, and San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

Ready for a preview of Birdie’s, the new virtual golf bar coming to South Main? You can get one this Friday night from 6 to 9 as part of the first South Main Trolley Night of the year.

Unfortunately the weather doesn’t look like it’s going to cooperate for Trolley Night. Afternoon and evening storms are expected tomorrow; some may be severe. In better weather news, Memphis will break out of its recent cold snap today, with clear skies, a high of 72, and a low of 60.

Journey comes to FedExForum Saturday night with special guest Toto.

The Grizzlies took a 141-132 home loss to the L.A. Clippers last night. Memphis remains in second place in the West, 3.5 games behind Denver and 2 games ahead of Sacramento.

Moon Taxi, Eric Benet, and Azmyl and the Truly Asia have been added to Music Fest.

Last night I got to hang out with the butt sluts at karaoke night at the Blind Bear, although none of us sang. Butt Slut #2 ordered a sandwich with fries. Butt Slut #1 had on a rather low-cut dress. Butt Slut #2 started throwing fries at Butt Slut #1’s cleavage and, after a couple of attempts, successfully lodged a fry between Butt Slut #1’s boobs. For the first time in my life, I was jealous of a French fry.

Think I’ll start my day with breakfast at Bardog when they open at 8. Back tomorrow with more news.

Action News 5 reports that Tom Lee Park is set to reopen to the public Labor Day weekend.

The Memphis Flyer has a behind-the-scenes look at Calvary Waffle Shop.

The HOPPED beer festival returns to Memphis Made Saturday, April 22, from noon to 10 PM. Limited-edition hoppy ales will be released all day long. The Turnstyles and The Late Greats will supply the live music. The Gourmade and Dim Sum food trucks will be on site. Local game room Board to Beers will have a pop-up at the festival with board and table games.

Momma’s, the trucker bar at Crump and Kentucky that is part of the Aldo family of restaurants, will reopen soon. They’re hiring for all positions. To apply and be interviewed, come by Slider Inn Downtown between 3 and 6 PM Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Benefits include competitive pay, training, health insurance, and shift meals. Email your resume to hello@packedhouse.com.

Terrace at the River Inn has shifted to its spring hours and is now open 5-9 PM Tuesday through Sunday.

The Memphis Medical District has announced the following spring events in Health Sciences Park:

• Yoga, Wednesdays at 5:30 PM in April and May
• Zumba, Saturdays at 10 AM – April 8 and 22, May 13 and 20
• Food Truck Fridays, every Friday 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

From the Memphis Flyer: Does Penny Hardaway belong in the Basketball Hall of Fame?

Menopause the Musical comes to the Orpheum tonight. Tickets are $33-$63.

The Grizzlies have announced that first-round game 1 and game 2 tickets will go on sale Friday, April 7 at 10 AM. The Grizzlies will throw a lunchtime Plaza Party that day with a DJ, kids’ activities, and food trucks. The Grizzlies will have home court advantage in the series, but the opponent is not yet known.

Assuming the Grizzlies finish the season as the 2 seed in the West, they would play the team that wins the 7 vs. 8 game in the play-in series. If the season ended today, that would be the winner of the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. the New Orleans Pelicans. A lot of teams are in the hunt for those slots, though.

The Grizzlies set a team record last night with their win over Orlando – most home wins in a single season. The Grizz are 33-5 on the home court.

Today is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, a good day to go see Pam and Bill at River Time Deli on Court Square.

Woolly mammoths have been extinct for about 3700 years, yet woolly mammoth meatballs are a thing now.

Want to learn something new? Check out this list of free educational resources.

Ghost River Brewing Co. is in the spotlight in Action News 5’s latest 5 Star Story.

From WREG on YouTube: Reckless driving across Memphis sparks concern

That’s it for this post. Looks like we’re gonna have a beautiful spring day outside. Back tomorrow.

WREG has details about the shootout that occurred at Peabody Place and Main around 8:30 Saturday night. One car was found abandoned, riddled with bullet holes, and drugs and several phones were found inside. The sidewalks were packed and it’s a miracle an innocent bystander didn’t get shot.

Grab a jacket if you go out this evening. Lows are expected to dip down into the upper 30s.

The Grizzlies have a back-to-back at home today and tomorrow:

• vs. Orlando Magic, tonight at 7
• vs. L.A. Clippers, Wednesday at 7

Both games will be broadcast on Bally Sports Southeast. Wednesday’s game is Wrestling Night and there’s a promotional giveaway – the first 3000 fans get a free Steven Adams Hawaiian shirt.

The Orpheum announced its 2023-2024 Broadway season yesterday:

• Funny Girl October 10-15
• Beetlejuice October 31-November 5
• Six November 21-26
• Company January 2-7
• Les Miserables February 6-11
• Mrs. Doubtfire March 12-17
• Wicked April 3-21
• Mamma Mia! July 16-21

Memphis Tigers basketball players Kendric Davis and DeAndre Williams have accepted invitations to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where they will be watched by pro teams’ scouts. It’s an opportunity for players who might otherwise be passed over in the NBA draft to showcase themselves.

Today is National Something on a Stick Day.

Another slow news day. I’m out. Back tomorrow.

It’s that time of year again. This Saturday, the Memphis Farmers Market returns. When I was a child back in the ’70s, my mom would take me to a farmers’ market in Little Rock, set up on a parking lot downtown on 3rd St., not far from the Arkansas Gazette building where she worked. It was nothing special, just a bunch of farmers standing around selling excess produce out of bushel baskets.

Don’t get me wrong – the Memphis Farmers Market has that too. It’s the centerpiece of the entire operation, the main event. But it’s hardly all that happens there.

At MFM you’ll also find (based on what I’ve seen in past years)

• Live acoustic music
• Food trucks serving breakfast and lunch
• Fresh flowers
• Herbs in season
• Cheeses
• Breads
• Reheat & go meals
• Frozen pops
• Bird houses
• Pottery
• Hot sauce
• Bloody Mary mix
• MFM T-shirts
• Dog treats
• Chips & dips
• Fresh meat & seafood
• Jellies & jams (if you don’t know the difference, I know someone who can explain it to you)
• Mushroom-growing starter kits (no not the magic kind)
• Pastries

The Memphis Farmers Market happens every Saturday, rain or shine, from the beginning of April to the end of October. It’s located under the pavilion at S. Front St. and G.E. Patterson Ave., behind the Malco Powerhouse movie theater.

Wow. What a Final Four.

• 4 UConn
• 5 San Diego State
• 5 Miami
• 9 Florida Atlantic

Has there ever been a Final Four where a 4 seed is the high seed left standing? Has there ever been a Final Four where the average seed is 5.75?

34 out of the 35 people in our Bardog employee/regular bracket league picked a national champion who has been eliminated by this point.

FiveThirtyEight probabilities of each team winning the title:

• UConn: 43%
• San Diego State: 25%
• Miami: 20%
• Florida Atlantic: 12%

The Grizzlies picked up a 123-119 win over Atlanta yesterday. They’ll be back home to face Orlando on Tuesday.

The DM has a look at the vegan brunch that happened at the Renasant Convention Center yesterday.

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus will align in an arc under the moon Tuesday evening.

Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is Thursday.

Not a very newsy day. Back tomorrrow.

Last night I got home to bed early because I wasn’t feeling that great. But I got woken up four times by revving engines and squealing tires. Especially from 10:30 to midnight, the noise was nearly constant. I guess the season for Stupid Car Tricks has begun.

9 Florida Atlantic – the team that ousted Memphis from the Big Dance – and 4 UConn advanced to the Final Four yesterday. Today two more teams will advance:

• 6 Creighton vs. 5 San Diego State, 1:20 PM, CBS
• 5 Miami vs. 2 Texas, 4:05 PM, CBS

You’ll notice I didn’t list any picks for today’s games. That’s because the bracket I filled out is TOTALLY busted. I’m in 9th place out of 35 with 50 total points and a possible max of 50. There’s no remaining game that can move me higher in the standings.

Despite that, GO ‘CANES!!! As in, the Hurricanes of Miami.

Why, you ask? Never once in my life have I rooted for that team. A picture is worth 1000 words:

As I mentioned, I have 50 points but no live teams – no opportunity to increase my point total. Butt Slut #1 has 48 points but still has a live team – Texas, who she has going to the championship game.

If Texas wins today, her bracket beats mine.

If Miami wins today, my bracket beats hers.

I don’t ask my readers for much, but today I will: Please send positive “win-today” vibes to the Miami basketball players and coaching staff. Together we can take Butt Slut #1 down.

Weather today: Almost no chance of rain. 76/50. Note that the wind is going to shift around to the north at 13 mph tonight, so take a jacket if you plan on walking home.

The Grizzlies travel to Atlanta to play at 5 today. The game is on NBA TV but I believe it’ll also be on Bally Sports with your friends Brevin, Pete, and Fish.

Today is National Make Up Your Own Holiday Day. Can I make up “$1 PBR Day”?

The line to get daiquiris at Fat Tuesday must have been 20 deep when I walked home yesterday. And that was still early in the evening, probably about 6:00. Whoever is their marketing director is doing a hell of a job.

Former Grizzly Zach Randolph will be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

There will be free photos with the Easter Bunny Saturday at Bass Pro.

Weekly event Live at the Tracks returns to Central Station this Thursday from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. Shara Layne will perform.

Kansas City band The Country Duo plays South Main Sounds for Trolley Night this Friday.

There will be an Easter egg hunt for kids at the Fire Museum on Adams Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM. Firefighters will hide 500 candy-filled (chocolate and jelly beans) eggs around the museum. Find an egg of each color and turn them in to the Easter Bunny for a chance to win the Grand Surprise Prize. Tickets are $10 regardless of age.

That’s all for today. Go ‘Canes!

Well. My NCAA bracket is likely dead following UCLA’s loss to Gonzaga last night. I had the Bruins picked to go to the Final Four. I’m in 18th place in the 35-person Bardog regulars/employees bracket pool. Here are my picks for today’s Sweet Sixteen games:

• 1 Alabama over 5 San Diego State, 5:30 PM, TBS
• 1 Houston over 5 Miami, 6:15 PM, CBS
• 6 Creighton over 15 Princeton, 8:00 PM, TBS
• 2 Texas over 3 Xavier, 8:45 PM, CBS

So nice to have 4 live picks in tonight’s 4 games. Yesterday I only had 2 live picks, one of which lost. Today could very well be a day when I move up in my bracket league. I have the highest maximum possible point total (138) of anyone who picked Alabama as champion, so theoretically I still have a path to winning my league, albeit a narrow path.

Mainly, I just want to beat Butt Slut #1. She needs a demonstration that I am better than her in every possible way.

Anyway, let’s get on to the news…

Got a reader tip yesterday… it appears a restaurant named Pretty Taco is going in the old Paramount space near Front and MLK.

Grizzlies developmental affiliate the Memphis Hustle announced that G League Conference Semifinal tickets are now on sale. Home playoff games will be played at FedExForum.

Today is National Cocktail Day.

Tonight is Memphis Grizzlies Scholars Night at FedExForum.

Keep an eye on the weather tonight. Strong to severe storms may move in between 7 and 11 PM. 78/58 with very gusty winds.

Memphis Animal Services is offering $5 puppy adoptions this weekend.

Corncob crust pizza is a thing.

Slider Inn Downtown is hiring for all positions. Come by between 2 and 7 PM Monday or Tuesday of next week. A resume in advance to hello@packedhouse.com is helpful but not required.

In other news, starting at 5 this afternoon, Slider Inn Downtown will give you $1 off drinks (limit 5) when you show your Grizzlies ticket.

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow.

Why?

Because the Memphis Grizzlies are the NBA Southwest Division champions, that’s why!

In the standings, division champs get “y-” next to their team name. Following their win against Houston last night, Memphis got its “y-“.

Congratulations Grizzlies! And welcome back, Ja!

In addition, the 2nd-place Grizzlies (Western Conference) have now put 2 full games’ distance between themselves and 3rd-place Sacramento.

Next up: The Grizz host Houston again on Friday. Yesterday’s game vs. the Rockets, one of the NBA’s worst teams, was uncomfortably close at times. Let’s blow ’em out by 30 the second time around.

NCAA March Madness returns today. Let’s have a look at my picks in the bracket I’m in with a number of Bardog employees and regulars:

• 3 Kansas State over 7 Michigan State – 5:30 PM, TBS
• DON’T CARE FOR BRACKET PURPOSES, BUT… 8 Arkansas vs. 4 UConn, 6:15 PM, CBS – I had neither team getting this far, but of course I want my Hogs to make it to the Elite Eight for the third consecutive year
• DON’T CARE FOR BRACKET PURPOSES, BUT… 9 Florida Atlantic vs. 4 Tennessee, 8:00 PM, TBS – I had neither team getting this far, but of course I want the Vols to LOSE!
• 2 UCLA over 3 Gonzaga – 8:45 PM, CBS

Looking at the status of the Bardog bracket league, it appears my main nemesis is Jack who works there. Jack currently has 44 points to my 38, and he has a slightly higher maximum point potential (156 to my 150). We have the same team picked to win (Alabama). So I need wins in the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and Final Four since I won’t be able to catch up with Jack in the championship game.

It’s National Tamale Day. I wonder if any of the food trucks in Court Square will be serving them.

A version of the Overton Park Shell is going mobile, bringing performing arts to all parts of Memphis. The mobile shell will be at the annual Juneteenth celebration this year.

Memphis in May unveiled this year’s poster featuring honored country Malaysia.

The DM has a look at improvements to AutoZone Park for the upcoming baseball season.

The Super 5 Acoustic Trio play Blind Bear Friday at 10.

There’s a free beginner swing class taught by the instructors of Cat’s Ballroom this Saturday at Fourth Bluff.

The Cotton Museum at Main and Union will have an opening reception Friday for artist Erika Roberts’ exhibit, Seed Society.

My work here is done for the day. Let me leave you with this one parting thought:

-y.

-y not?

Tonight is Health Night at the Grizzlies’ home game vs. Houston. From 10 AM to 2 PM and 3 PM to 7 PM, the Grizzlies will offer their fans a number of different vaccinations, including the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for ages 5 and up.

The Memphis Flyer talked to Glaze Hardage, the Mud Bug Master, this week. Glaze is the mastermind behind Saturday crawfish boils at Max’s Sports Bar and Sunday crawfish boils at Loflin Yard. As I’ve said on here many times, best crawfish in town.

Fat Tuesday on Main just south of Madison is back open. It opened for one day last month – literally on Fat Tuesday – and has been closed since then. I still kinda question whether a daiquiri party bar is a good fit for a very residential part of the Downtown core.

Around the corner at 105 Madison, Downtown Wines & Spirits has made a huge improvement. Those of you who have been in there will remember three very steep steps. The second step, you had to navigate as you were pulling the door handle open. The third step was INSIDE the store and was easy to overlook, especially in the COVID-19 era when face masks obstructed vision. I wonder how many people tripped and fell. However, it’s been fixed now. All the steps have been moved outside and there is ample room to get to the top step before you open the door. Carl, my bad legs and I sincerely thank you.

The late Andy Kaufman, who feuded with Jerry Lawler in Memphis wrestling in the early 1980s, will be inducted into the celebrity wing of the WWE Hall of Fame.

Ja Morant, back with the team practicing, spoke with the media for the first time since his suspension.

The City Council is having a look at regulating party buses, which have gotten out of control in Nashville and which are starting to appear here.

Today is National Goof-Off Day. Those of you reading this blog at work, I salute you.

Action News 5 looks at Central Station Memphis in its latest 5 Star Story.

Dillon Brooks will serve an automatic one-game suspension tonight for picking up his 18th technical foul of the season. He was assessed the “T” Monday for taunting the Dallas bench.

White Claw is now releasing vodkas.

I’ve finally found out why there was crime scene tape on the Gayoso/Peabody Pl block of Main Monday night. Action News 5 has details.

Sorry if the posts are a bit brief this week. I injured my left pinky finger and it hurts to type. Back tomorrow with more news.

MPD was blocking off Main Street with yellow tape when I left the Blind Bear last night at about 9:00. I checked all the local news stations this morning but couldn’t find any info What I’ve heard – and this is second- or third-hand and UNVERIFIED, so take it with a grain of salt – is that someone may have been beaten down on the Main Street Mall and subsequently had a seizure. If I find out more details I will post them.

A big topic of discussion in my circle of friends is that a Downtown neighborhood lounge has started charging a $20 cover on Sunday afternoons. There’s been a lot of speculation, both face-to-face and on social media, as to the motivation behind that charge. The lounge had been attracting a lot of customers from outside Downtown on Sundays, people from neighborhoods like Whitehaven, Parkway Village, Fox Meadows, and Hickory Hill.

Another Downtown bar (not the one I mentioned above) had a staff meeting yesterday to roll out its new employee dress code. I rarely have anything negative to say about that place, but this time I’m gonna: I think that dress code is a mistake. The whole vibe about the bar of which I speak is, it’s a place you can go and just be yourself. Like the song says, “No cover charge. Come as you are… mmm, mmm, mmm, I love this bar.” But the thing is, the employees have always set the vibe there by being allowed to be THEMselves. Now, to a degree, they’ll be able to do that to a lesser extent. It wasn’t broken and didn’t need to be fixed.

I’ve been told one of the new rules is “no unnatural hair colors.” Should I dye my hair Tiger blue in support of the employees who are gonna have to change their hair?

From Rolling Stone: 50 horrible albums by brilliant artists

Nerd alert: The rise and fall of programming language Visual Basic. VB6 may have been the greatest development tool ever.

This is the last day of Memphis’ current cold spell. Temps will max out in the mid 50s today, hold steady tonight, then rise into the 70s tomorrow.

The Grizzlies are back in second place in the NBA’s Western Conference following a big win over Dallas last night. Memphis now trails first-place Denver by only 3 games. They lead third-place Sacramento by 1 game after Ball Sac lost to Utah last night. Next up: The Grizz host Houston on Wednesday.

NYPD erected steel barricades around Manhattan’s Criminal Court yesterday, a sign that the Trumpster might indeed be arrested today.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow.