Month: January 2024

I got to Bardog right at 11 yesterday, interested to see what kinds of changes the city’s Boil Water Advisory would bring to the tavern’s operations. Not surprisingly, delivery people were rolling in cases of bottled water and 12- and 18-packs of Coke and Sprite.

My right-hand neighbor at the bar ordered coffee and the bartender told him she couldn’t do it. Coffee gets hot (around 160 I think?) when brewing but it doesn’t come to a boil. The advisory states that tap water needs to come to a boil for 1 minute to be safe to drink. For the same reason, Starbucks at Main and Monroe is closed until the advisory is lifted.

They were serving dine-in food in to-go containers cut in half – not the aluminum bottom and transparent top Bardog uses for actual to-go food. The containers had the shape of Styrofoam containers but they weren’t Styrofoam. They seemed to be made of a thick paper. Project Green Fork would have approved.

They were minimizing the number of dishes they had to wash, so my PBR came out in a transparent plastic cup. It made me think I should have ordered a bag of peanuts, a box of Cracker Jack, and a hot dog with my beer.

Seriously, though, Bardog did a great job responding to the circumstances. Well done, indeed.

Here’s a look at Memphis basketball for the coming week:

• Sunday, January 21: Memphis Tigers away at Tulane, noon. TV: ESPN2
• Monday, January 22: Memphis Grizzlies away at Toronto Raptors, 6:30 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Wednesday, January 24: Memphis Grizzlies away at Miami Heat, 6:30 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Friday, January 26: Memphis Grizzlies at home vs. Orlando Magic, 7:00 PM. Faith & Family Night. TV: Bally Sports
• Sunday, January 28: Memphis Grizzlies away at Indiana Pacers, 2:30 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Sunday, January 28: Memphis Tigers away at UAB, 4:00 PM. TV: ESPN

C.S. Lewis on Stage: Further Up & Further In comes to the Orpheum this afternoon at 3.  Actor Max McLean steps into the persona and mind of Lewis. 90 minutes, no intermission, recommended for ages 13 and up.

At the Orpheum Wednesday through Saturday: The 34th International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance

A mansion at the corner of Lauderdale and Pontotoc, the West J. Crawford House, has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. The two-story home was built in 1876-77 with a carriage house added in 1888. The neighborhood around South Lauderdale was known as “Millionaire’s Row” during that period.

The Chicago Bulls got a 125-96 win over Memphis last night. The Grizz are looking pretty sweet in the standings… well, the ones for Tankathon’s 2024 NBA draft lottery simulator. I ran five simulations and Memphis ended up with the 8, 9, 7, 4, and 7 picks.

By the end of the day, MLGW may have an idea when it can end the Boil Water Advisory. I notice the water pressure in my hotel room has gotten considerably better overnight.

Center Jordan Brown will rejoin the Memphis Tigers today on the road against Tulane. He’s been on an extended leave of absence.

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. Leave some nuts on the ground outside Local on Main for Steve the Squirrel.

Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum on North Second is temporarily closed following a fire.

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

My first-ever make-your-own waffle at the Residence Inn’s hot breakfast buffet. Thanks to the extremely friendly, courteous staff for helping me through the process. After the waffle was done I added strawberries and whipped cream.

I got a couple of sausage patties on the side and topped them with syrup. One of my readers would be so proud of me.

I do have one complaint about this hotel room though: The bed is too warm and soft and comfortable! I was lying in it last night watching WWE Smackdown and fell asleep and missed both main events – Randy Orton vs. Solo Sikoa and A.J. Styles vs. L.A. Knight. I also missed Pete Dunne take his real name back: No more “Butch.”

MLGW has issued a Boil Water Advisory for all its customers as pressure continues to drop. From the DM: Why some Memphians have low – or no – water pressure

The DM also has a list of roads which the city considers priorities for treatment during snowy or icy weather.

Today is National Cheese Lovers Day. Go get a pizza with extra cheese and whatever other toppings you desire from Aldo’s Pizza Pies. Or go get some fried mozzarella sticks from Huey’s.

Ill Syl plays Eight & Sand Lounge at Central Station tonight.

The International Blues Challenge finals are this afternoon at the Orpheum. $50.

The Grizzlies are headed to Chicago for a 7 PM game. Catch it on Bally Sports.

MemphisWeather.net predicts a high of 21 today. No precipitation but winds out of the north at 13. Ugh. The low tonight is expected to be 10. This should be the last night for lows below 20. The folks at Channel 5 think it’ll get to 61 Thursday, 10 degrees above normal.

Many Memphis restaurants have been closed all week, leading to hardships. Food has hit the expiration date and servers haven’t made any tip money.

Most of Sports Illustrated’s staff was laid off yesterday.

The Hyatt Centric seeks an assistant front office manager.

From FOX 13: Mud Island roads leave some residents stranded

Today’s breakfast bell is tolling! Back tomorrow with more news.

 

 

 

I’m in my second day of several staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott – Downtown Memphis at Main and Monroe, and I’ve come to a conclusion: This place is heaven! Let me list some of the things I like about this room and this hotel stay:

• All the rooms are suites, with a living room (including sofa), kitchen, bedroom and bathroom
• There’s a hot breakfast buffet that far exceeds the “continental breakfast” found in most hotels. Yesterday morning I had several slices of ham, a sausage and egg-white biscuit, and an egg & cheese omelet. There was a waffle maker but I didn’t notice it until I’d already loaded my plate. Different kinds of bagels (with cream cheese), different kinds of cereals, different kinds of juices. Easily the best free breakfast I ever had in a hotel.
• The kitchen has a full-size refrigerator
• There are a full set of dishes in the kitchen cabinets, and a dishwasher
• I won’t use it, but there’s a coffee maker with gourmet coffee
• The TV pivots so you can see it from the living room or bedroom
• There are electrical outlets everywhere!!! USB ports too!
• The bathroom has a walk-in shower
• Too cold to go up there, but the hotel has a great rooftop

(Monday 1/22/24: Edited to add a few more)

• If you have Netflix and/or Amazon Prime, you can log into your account and watch your shows
• Free access to HBO Max and Pluto TV; get YouTube videos on the hotel TV
• There’s a market where you can charge household items and snacks (and beer!) to your hotel room
• Wi-Fi is BLAZING fast, both in my room and the lobby (unlike the previous hotel I stayed in!)

I could not be more impressed. This is better than any hotel I stayed in when I was a traveling corporate trainer. Five stars, easily!

I walked out of the Residence Inn yesterday morning about 8:20, anticipating a short walk to Bardog to see my friend Allie Cat. It turned out to be one of the scariest walks of my life. There were pathways on the sidewalk on Monroe Avenue that were clear of snow and invited me to walk at a normal pace…

… but the pathways weren’t clear at all! There was a thin, glass-like layer of completely transparent ice. I slid all over the place but thank goodness I didn’t fall. I decided to look at the bright side… at least I didn’t have to drive a car in that mess!

I now have a better understanding of something I’ve heard meteorologists say for years: A tenth of an inch of freezing rain is enough to royally screw things up.

I have The Weather Channel on and they’re talking about “Winter Storm Indigo.” Oh shut up. Naming winter storms is so stupid.

SANA Yoga Downtown is having an open house this weekend with free yoga and hot Pilates classes. SANA Yoga is in The Edge at 696 Madison.

MLGW is asking customers to limit their water usage due to low pressure.

Today is National Popcorn Day. Butt Slut #1 would want me to remind you that there’s a popcorn machine at Momma’s, “the diner & dive off 55.”

MLK50 is hiring a juvenile justice & youth reporter.

Not Downtown, but an awesome company: Global Cafe is hiring for the front of house.

Memphis in May has sold its Front Street headquarters to Memphis Tourism. Memphis in May will remain in the Front Street building as a tenant, with Memphis Tourism occupying the two floors of leftover space.

Did you know you can celebrate your special occasion with a custom message on the scoreboard at a Grizzlies game?

I so agree with something the TV announcers said at last night’s Memphis Tigers game. When you’re up against inferior opposition, and you get a lead of 15 or so, it’s time to FINISH them. You go in for the KILL. Our Memphis team didn’t do that. They got lazy and sloppy and they deserved to lose – and they did, 74-73. Next up: At Tulane on Sunday.

Later in the evening, the Grizzlies lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but with so many players out, that kind of result was expected. Jaren dropped 36 and might have had more if not for foul trouble.

A man was shot yesterday at the Medical District Burger King.

There’s a freezing fog advisory for the area until 9 AM. Black ice is a concern as temps will remain below freezing through the weekend.

Time to go get some breakfast. Back tomorrow.

Huge news in the Daily Memphian this morning but it’s subscribers-only… Cristina McCarter of Feast & Graze will take over operation of the cafe in the Brooks Museum as of next week. CONGRATULATIONS Cristina!!!!!!!!!!

Cooking with Chef Eli returns to Dos Hermanos Cafe inside the Cossitt Library tonight at 6. On the menu: Pan Seared Salmon with Bechamel Sauce, Spinach, and Fettucine. Can’t make it to the library? Follow along on Dos Hermanos’ Instagram page.

Bluesman Johnny Burgin will play Huey’s Downtown 3-6 PM this Sunday, touring in support of his new “Ramblin’ from Coast to Coast” CD.

Battle of the Sexes: A Night in Hip-Hop comes to Rumba Room Monday.

The Blind Man Stage Play comes to the Premiere Palace Ballroom this Sunday at 1.

OMG

Cordelia’s Market seeks a meat cutter.

Specials this week at Local on Main:

• Cowboy chili
• Homemade potato soup (add lobster for $4)
• Crab cake sandwich with fries
• Jalapeno lobster roll with fries
• Chili cheeseburger with fries

Penny’s Tigers host South Florida at 6 tonight. Watch on ESPN.

The Grizzlies play the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road tonight at 9, a rather odd tip time for two Central Time Zone teams. It’s because the game is being broadcast exclusively on TNT.

Ben Yay’s GM has announced that the restaurant will sell king cakes and slices of king cake. Fat Tuesday is on February 13 this year, so you have a few weeks.

MPD arrested armed suspects following an attempted car theft Downtown yesterday morning.

Nelly, Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Lil Kim are coming to FedExForum on the My Platinum Playlist Tour February 24.

Michael Donahue reports in the Memphis Flyer that Front St. Deli will reopen this month. Tandem Restaurant Group (the Westmorelands’ company) will operate the place. Sandwiches will be on the menu, obviously, but cast-iron pizzas are part of the plans too.

The Flyer has an interview with baseball legend Ozzie Smith, recipient of an NCRM Sports Legacy Award this year. The shortstop earned 13 Gold Gloves over the course of his career.

The CA has a look at the coldest temperatures ever in Memphis.

Draymond Green sounds off on Grizzlies fans: “They really hate me there”

We’ve got one more shot at winter precipitation today.

All checked into the Residence Inn at Main and Monroe. They have a hot breakfast buffet. I better get down there!!! Back tomorrow with more news.

 

 

 

I checked out of the hotel and began the long walk Downtown in 10 degrees. Fortunately I was intercepted at Union and Marshall by a friend in a Humvee and caught a ride the rest of the way.

Hanging out at my personal warming centers until 3 PM then I’ll check into the next hotel.

Keep scrolling down for today’s news.

The Grizzlies have signed Scottie Pippen Jr. to a two-way contract. Pippen Jr., a 6’1 ” guard, played mostly in the G-League last season but did play 6 games for the L.A. Lakers. He moves into the spot opened by Memphis when they converted Vince Williams Jr. to a standard contract.

Bluff City Media has a look at Williams and GG Jackson, two young Grizzlies with a ton of upside who once did the Hustle.

Today is National Bootlegger’s Day.

It’s also Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day. So if you’ve been doing Dry January, you can give that up and celebrate National Bootlegger’s Day.

And it’s Judgment Day. Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Dominik Mysterio hope you will celebrate.

MIFA’s offices will be closed the rest of this week. Last week their Meals on Wheels clients received 5 emergency meals in anticipation of this week’s weather.

Magician Craig Karges presents Experience the Extraordinary at the Halloran Centre this Saturday.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra presents Dvorak New World Symphony Saturday at the Cannon Center.

DJ Hush plays Central Station’s Eight & Sand Lounge Friday night.

The Lobbyist celebrates its one-year anniversary next week.

Drake has rescheduled the date for his Memphis concert and will be here March 5.

MLGW issued an energy conservation alert yesterday afternoon. However, the utility denies rolling blackouts are going to happen.

The Walgreens at Union and Pauline was closed Monday and Tuesday. I had no idea a Walgreens store would close for this amount of snow, especially when no freezing rain or sleet was involved. And especially a location in a medical district.

Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire will come to FedExForum May 29.

The Weather Channel team got a very appropriate welcome to Memphis: Their cars got burglarized at their hotel.

Alcohol-delivery company Drizly is shutting down.

Here’s an article on Feast & Graze’s move from the Main Street Mall to Poplar Plaza. Owner Cristina McCarter will team up with her cousin and they’re adding a new side venture, HighP Hour Wellness. The new location will have a made-to-order charcuterie bar and a juice bar.

About to walk Downtown from 240 and Union in 9 degrees. Pray for me.

If you had tickets to Monday’s Grizzlies game vs. Golden State (MLK Game) but were unable to attend due to winter weather, don’t throw those tickets away. Subject to availability, you can exchange them for tickets to one of Memphis’ next three home games. Those are

• Friday, January 26 vs. Orlando Magic
• Monday, January 29 vs. Sacramento Kings
• Thursday, February 1 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Ticket exchange must be done at FedExForum’s box office beginning this Wednesday at 10.

The Grizzlies defeated Golden State 116-107 yesterday on national TV. What a beautiful win for the young kids on the team.

Today is International Hot and Spicy Day. My recommendation to celebrate would be with a bowl of Tan Tan Noodles from Good Fortune Co.

The 2024 International Blues Challenge is on Beale Street and in nearby venues this week.

The Exxon Hop-In gas station/convenience store at Poplar and Highland burned to the ground Monday.

Memphis has cracked the top 10 in this week’s college basketball AP poll, up 3 spots from last week.

Check out this online tour of the abandoned (but soon to be renovated) Sterick Building.

The City of Memphis is looking for a college student to serve as an Urban Fellow this summer. $12 to $15 per hour + college credit + you’d make some awesome connections within city government.

The Trumpster rolled to a dominant victory in the Iowa caucus yesterday. Teump won 98 of the 99 counties, losing the one with the University of Iowa in it to Nikki Haley by a single vote.

Vivek Ramaswamy dropped out of the race after last night’s showing and endorsed the Trumpster.

A couple of thoughts on my motel stay at Union and 240 this week:

• I ran into someone I knew! Well, sorta. A guy about 18 said “I know you!” in the hotel lobby. He told me he used to be one of those kids who sold candy on the Main Street Mall “to raise money for his football team.” Numerous people over the years have told me that’s a scam. The guy asked if I had any weed in full earshot of the motel desk clerk.
• DANG fast food has gotten crazy expensive! I ate McDonald’s for the first time in about 7 years Sunday. I ordered three cheeseburgers and a large fry and figured the total would be about 8 bucks. It was $12.14!

I move to a different place Wednesday of this week and my walk time to Bardog will decrease from 40 minutes to 1 minute.

That’s all for now.

 

The National Civil Rights Museum’s MLK Day celebration will be virtual due to weather. It starts at 11:30 this morning.

Let’s hear it for the good guys: Global Cafe supplies meals to Hospitality Hub during the winter storm. Y’all, please support this fabulous Crosstown Concourse business.

There was a stabbing at Second and Union just after 4 PM Saturday. Two people were transported to Regional One and one was detained.

The #13 Memphis Tigers easily handled Wichita State on the road 112-86 Sunday. Memphis improves to 15-2 overall and 4-0 in-conference. Their ranking should rise when the new AP poll comes out today.

How does it feel
To treat me like you do?
When you’ve laid your hands upon me
And told me who you are
Today is Blue Monday, considered the most depressing day of the year.

Grizzlies owner Robert Pera has been pissing off his Miami-area neighbors by keeping a Jumbotron at his house on night and day.

The DM reports that Grizzlies G Desmond Bane will be reevaluated in six weeks. He went down with an ankle sprain last week. JJJ is questionable to play in today’s MLK game vs. Golden State.

Big Jook, the brother of renowned Memphis rapper Yo Gotti, was killed in Southeast Memphis over the weekend.

All right. Cutting the blog post off here since the virtual MLK Day announcement is time-sensitive. Happy snow day!

 

It’s winter weather time.

As of 9 AM Sunday, the WeatherBug icon in my system tray reads 17 degrees. It’s possible that the temperature may climb all the way to the mid-twenties this afternoon before the precipitation arrives.

Light snow is expected to fall starting around 4 PM this afternoon, gradually getting heavier into the night and converting over into bands of snow showers. The snow is expected to continue to fall for 18-24 hours after it first begins, and in fact there is a Winter Storm Warning all the way through 6 AM Tuesday.

Temperatures are unlikely to get out of the teens Monday afternoon, and Memphis probably won’t get above freezing until Thursday – when another winter weather event may occur.

The Hospitality Hub at 590 Washington, which normally opens to all as a warming center when it’s below 32 outside, is in such high demand that they’re only accepting women, children, and families. Single men are being sent to a shelter at 915 Chelsea. If you encounter a person needing to get to one of the warming centers, you can call MATA and they will arrange a pickup.

I am safely sheltered from the cold. As I mentioned previously, a generous friend has me in a motel at Union and 240 until Wednesday. Then another generous friend is putting me up in a hotel in the Downtown core until next Monday.

I have pocket money to be able to eat. Right now I’m a short walk from a McDonald’s, Burger King, and Arby’s, as well as an Exxon Food Mart and Walgreens. After I change hotels Wednesday I’ll have access to numerous food resources, most notably DGX.

Jacob Gilyard, Luke Kennard, David Roddy, Vince Williams Jr., and Xavier Tillman Sr. started for the Memphis Grizzlies in a 106-94 loss to the New York Knicks yesterday. The standout player was GG Jackson, who came off the bench to contribute 20.

Let’s have a look at Memphis basketball games coming up in the next week:

• Sunday, January 14: Memphis Tigers away at Wichita State, noon. TV: ESPN2
• Monday, January 15, Memphis Grizzlies at home vs. Golden State Warriors, 5:00 PM. MLK Day game. TV: TNT and Bally Sports. Valerie June and Carla Thomas perform at halftime. 3:30-4:30 on Bally Sports: Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium.
• Thursday, January 18: Memphis Tigers at home vs. South Florida, 6:00 PM. TV: ESPN or ESPN2
• Thursday, January 18: Memphis Grizzlies away at Minnesota Timberwolves, 9:00 PM. TV: TNT
• Saturday, January 20: Memphis Grizzlies away at Chicago Bulls, 7:00 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Sunday, January 21: Memphis Tigers away at Tulane, noon. TV: ESPN

The DM’s Eric Barnes has a podcast remembering Edge Alley.

Max’s Sports Bar now has a QR code on display where you can sign up to receive the bar’s emails and get a free beer in return.

Yesterday I wondered what former Memphis Tigers head coach Josh Pastner was up to these days. I had a look at his Wikipedia page. He’s providing commentary for Big Ten games.

Here’s that Facebook page I told you about yesterday: White People Making White People Food

Bardog’s new gift cards have QR codes that let you check your balance with your phone. A very nice feature!

Today is Feast of the Ass.

All right, I guess that’s enough for now. Maybe back later today with a second post. Because what else do I have to do?

I’m late to the party reporting this, but Justin Timberlake is putting on a free show for his Memphis fans on Friday, January 19. The I Love Memphis blog has the details on how to score free tickets to this very exclusive show.

Saturday starts cold and it’ll end cold, but a decent middle of the day is on tap! Enjoy the 40s this afternoon. We won’t see them again for several days! An Arctic front arrives around sunset, setting up a winter event that starts Sunday evening.

— MemphisWeather.net (@memphisweather1) January 13, 2024

Bleacher Report proposes a 3-way Grizzlies/Lakers/Nets trade that would get Memphis below the luxury tax threshold – after all, we have almost no hope of making the playoffs with Ja out, so why would we pay the tax? The trade ships Smart, Kennard, Konchar, and X to L.A.

Momma’s will have the following cold weather specials while it’s snowing this weekend:

• $5 Jameson
• $5 Green Tea shots
• $3 Fireball

Madaline Collins has a matinee performance at Momma’s today from 11 AM to 2 PM.

I found a good Facebook page yesterday, although (thanks, shitty hotel Wi-Fi) I can’t get it to come up this morning so I can get y’all a link: “White people making white people food”

The Grizzlies lost 128-119 to the L.A. Clippers last night. Desmond Bane left the game with an ankle injury. JJj gonna have to be a one-man show, it looks like. The Grizz are at home vs. the NY Knicks tonight at 7. Free Marcus Smart phone stand to the first 5000.

Former Tigers signee Mikey Williams has transferred to UCF. He never played a game for Penny due to out-of-state criminal charges. Good riddance. Memphis is better off without him.

It’s National Rubber Ducky Day. Pick one up at the Peabody’s gift shop.

There’s a Winter Storm Warning for Memphis from noon Sunday through 6 AM Tuesday. 3-5 inches of snow is likely for the area.

I have a Bardog gift card burning a hole in my pocket, so I’m gonna walk Downtown and get some breakfast sliders. One sausage, one ham, one bacon, each with cheese, fried egg, and spicy mayo. Back tomorrow with more news.