Downtown development news, as reported on social media yesterday by DNA president emeritus Jerred Price: The Metro Shopping Plaza at the corner of Crump and Danny Thomas has been purchased. There are plans for 160 apartments on the lot’s north side, some market rate and some kept affordable for those who work in the area.
Closer to Crump would be retail. One of those buildings would be reserved for a grocery store.
It’s good to see Downtown development pushing east and south. The new owners must have a lot of faith that this project will transform the neighborhood. The area around Fourth and Crump, one block west of the shopping center, has been considered one of the most dangerous areas in the U.S. in recent years.
South Main shop Paper & Clay will close in late August. The business side of the shop has taken away from the owner’s pursuit of her craft work.
The University of Memphis Law School at Front and Madison seeks an Associate Dean.
Theo Von: Return of the Rat Tour comes to the Cannon Center August 4. You can use code RATKING here to grab tickets before they go on sale to the general public this Friday.
The Halloran Centre for the Performing Arts unveiled its own sidewalk of stars yesterday. The stars honor well-known artists who have performed at the Centre.
Let’s hear it for the good guys: A 15-year-old spent his birthday money feeding the homeless at First United Methodist Church. His generosity fed about 100 and I bet blessings will come back to him a hundredfold.
Orange Shinesicle Cream is the latest Ole Smoky moonshine to debut at the Blind Bear. At only 35 proof, you can enjoy a shot without ending up three sheets to the wind.
Local on Main has a new host, Wild Bill, for its Thursday night karaoke:
By the way, the Blind Bear had a new host for Wednesday karaoke last night as well. Rick McKee, I think his name was. Upbeat, brought a positive vibe. The only downside to the evening was that Butt Slut #1 kept singing right in my ear. She wouldn’t get on stage, so I got my own personal serenade – not of all the songs, just the ones that sucked. That girl has horrible taste in music.
Today is National French Fry Day. Flying Saucer and the Brass Door would be my picks to celebrate. Not sure if The Fry Guy truck will be at today’s Court Square food truck rodeo, but if so, that’s a pick too.
It’s also Beans & Franks Day. If you celebrate that one, please stay away from me afterward.
Quench, the wine and liquor store on Second across from the Peabody Hotel, was burglarized about 5:40 this morning.
This article could be useful to those who hang out in Downtown bars: If you use these 10 phrases, you can politely end any conversation. There’s always that one person who doesn’t “get it” that they’ve been talking too long and it’s time to move on.
FiveThirtyEight’s lead read this morning is interesting: A third-party candidate in the 2024 presidential election could benefit the Trumpster and hurt Biden’s chances of a second term. A third-party candidate is more likely in 2024 than most election years, as many voters will be fed up with both presumptive party nominees pushing or past 80.
Speaking of which, I was thinking last night: Isn’t it funny how the presidency skips generations? Let’s look at the past 63 years of election winners.
Greatest Generation (born 1900-1924)
- 1960: John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)
- 1964: Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973)
- 1968-1972: Richard Nixon (1913-1994)
- N/A (inaugurated 1974): Gerald Ford (1913-2006)
- 1976: Jimmy Carter (born 1924)
- 1980-1984: Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)
- 1988: George H.W. Bush (1924-2018)
Silent Generation (born 1925-1945)
- Completely skipped during the 20th century
Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964)
- 1992-1996: Bill Clinton (born 1946)
- 2000-2004: George W. Bush (born 1946)
- 2008-2012: Barack Obama (born 1961)
- 2016: Donald Trump (born 1946)
Finally, the Silent Generation (born 1925-1945) gets a president
- 2020: Joe Biden (born 1942)
Generation X (born 1965-1981)
- Skipped altogether? The oldest millennials turn 41 this year. 35 is the minimum age to be president.
That’ll be it for today. Back tomorrow, probably.