As you are aware if you’ve been outside, it got very cold last night! It’s 8:40 AM as I type this and Weatherbug has the temperature is 25 / feels like 12.
And unfortunately, this is just the beginning. MemphisWeather.net says temps will be somewhat close to normal today (47/36), although with 13 MPH winds from the southwest. Thursday it’ll actually get above normal (56/51), although very windy and with a chance of storms at night.
Friday is when the shitshow begins. The high will be 56 early in the day and then the temp will begin to fall. After that we’re talkin’ 20s or worse at night for the foreseeable future. Tuesday MWN calls for us to start the day in the “upper 0s” and some sources think a low of -1 is possible that day.
I had to walk to the Health Department at 814 Jefferson yesterday afternoon to get a copy of my COVID vaccination card. That is a requirement to get into most shelters and congregate sleeping locations here in town. Oh my God that walk in the cold wind was no fun.
From there I went on to Room in the Inn, a wonderful church-based organization that provides places to sleep during the cold months. Their number of beds is limited and changes night to night, though, and women and children have precedence. I didn’t get a bed.
By that point it was about 5 PM. The Hospitality Hub would open its warming center, but not until 9, and it was a mile walk away. I gathered my two jackets and my backpack. By that point I was hunched over and wheezing from my day’s adventures. I could only make it about 100 feet without stopping to lean against a lamp post or bike rack.
I decided to give up on my walk to the Hospitality Hub and instead head to Local on Main. “This probably means I’ll be on the streets late tonight,” I reasoned. “But at least until 1 or 2 I can be warm and among friends.” Friends are everything to me. They make my world go ’round.
It turned out to be a good call. I did have friends there and they bought me some Meaty Mac with short rib for dinner.
By 11:30 or so I had landed an offer of a warm place to crash for the night. I got a full 8 hours’ sleep, which is about 7 hours and 45 minutes more sleep than I got the previous 3 nights combined. I am so very grateful to the people who helped me last night.
And now, on to the news…
The Grizzlies beat Dallas 120-103 last night with no Ja and no JJJ. Desmond Bane led the team with 32.
The Tigers are at home tonight vs. UTSA at 7:30.. You’ll need an ESPN subscription to watch this one on TV.
From the DM: Meet the 2014 Blues Hall of Fame class
Today is Houseplant Appreciation Day.
Charcuterie company Feast & Graze is moving to Poplar Plaza.
Police commissioner CJ Davis failed to win approval for reappointment in a City Council committee vote last night. The vote was 6-7 against and is non-binding.
There’s free admission at the National Civil Rights Museum Monday for MLK Day. List of Monday’s activities
There will be a wine dinner at Bishop on Wednesday, January 24.
Little Bettie pizza kitchen inside Wiseacre Downtown will host a watch party for its episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives this Friday at 8 PM.
That’s all for this morning. Back sometime soon with more news.