Yesterday I finished scrolling through 187 pages of biographies in the Memphis Public Libraries’ e-collection. Trivia question: What one person has far more biographies (and autobiographies) in the collection than any other? I’ll put the answer at the end of this post.
I checked out one more book, about Clarence Saunders, the invention of the self-service grocery store concept, and the founding of Piggly Wiggly.
Memphis Jookin’ happens at Cossitt Library today. Local Memphis Jookin’ legends will lead a public class from 5 to 6 PM. From 6 to 7 PM there will be demos and a dance session. Participants are asked to wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing.
Not familiar with Memphis Jookin’? Want to get the basics down before tonight’s class? Here’s a tutorial:
From 24/7 Sports: The Big 12 may have its eyes on Memphis and Colorado for expansion
Momma’s, the trucker bar at Crump and Kentucky that is part of the Aldo family of restaurants, is getting ready to reopen. They’re hiring for all positions. Apply in person on weekdays between 10 AM and 3 PM at 855 Kentucky. If you want to shoot them a resume, work@mommasbar.com is the address.
Benefits of working at Momma’s include health insurance, competitive pay, paid training, and shift meals.
The Daily Memphian conducted a poll on its social media accounts, asking if people liked Memphis in May’s return to the river after being held at Liberty Park/Tiger Lane 5 miles away in 2022:
- 74% liked Music Fest’s return to the river
- 70% liked BBQ Fest’s return to the river
Only 8% of Music Fest fans and 9% of BBQ Fest fans said they disliked the return.
Memphis Pride Fest happens this weekend at Robert Church Park. More than 150 vendors, food trucks, a kids’ area, free HIV testing. There will be more than 60 drag performers, including two from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
In other Pride news, there will be a Puppy Pride Parade in Court Square Saturday, June 17 from 10 AM to 2 PM. There will be vendors and live music by DJ Strooly and Night Hawk. Across Main there will be drinks at the Moxy hotel bar.
Yesterday I was sitting at Cinnamon’s bar at the Blind Bear and she had a country music channel on. I thought I heard “On the Road Again” and thought, “Ahhh… ol’ Willie,” the last musician I saw in concert. But then I realized the voice wasn’t as scratchy as Willie Nelson’s, and the lyrics were different.
I was listening to “On the Boat Again.”
It reminded me of Butt Slut #1 because I text her “boat” whenever one appears in a Price Is Right showcase. One of my worst fears is getting on the show expecting to win a Toyota Camry or Volkswagen Taos or Ford Bronco, and instead coming away with a stupid boat.
Today is National Moonshine Day. Blind Bear is the place to celebrate that holiday, with many varieties of Ole Smoky flavored moonshine. You can also mix moonshines. My fav is the strawnana, a shot of half strawberry cream, half banana cream moonshine. Butt Slut #1 prefers bleach shots, which are half blackberry, half peach moonshine.
Today is also Oscar the Grouch Day.
And, if you remember Corporal Klinger from the TV show M*A*S*H, today is his favorite holiday: Wear a Dress Day.
The groundbreaking for the new Brooks Museum at Front and Monroe is today. $135 million has been raised to fund the museum.
Registration has begun for the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis on December 2.
The Hard Rock Cafe on Beale will close July 30. That will put 52 people out of work.
Not Downtown but worth a Lyft or Uber: Memphis Italian Fest kicks off today and runs through Saturday. It’s at Marquette Park at the corner of Park Ave. and Mt. Moriah Rd. in East Memphis. Italian food vendors, live music, kids’ area, arts & crafts, raffle for a Chevy Trax. If you know someone on a team (it’s a competition, like BBQ Fest) maybe they’ll invite you inside their booth to sample their cooking.
Collage Dance presents The Four Seasons at the Orpheum this Sunday at 3 PM. This organization has more than 300 students enrolled and its purpose is to make outstanding dance training accessible to all youth in Memphis. Tickets are $15-$30.
The Denver Nuggets’ mascot makes $625,000 a year.
Trivia answer: Barack Obama
That’s it for this post. Back tomorrow with more news.