Month: April 2024

The NBA regular season is over, so we’re going to lead off with a bunch of basketball.

The Memphis Grizzlies are light-years away from this year’s NBA playoffs, which means they’ll have entries in the 2024 draft lottery. It’ll be on May 12 in Chicago. Let’s have a look at Tankathon and see what it tells us.

• At 27-55, Memphis finished the regular season with the 7th-worst record in the NBA
• Memphis will have a 31.9% chance of moving up to pick in the top 4 of the 2024 draft
• There’s a 7.5% chance the lottery will land the Grizzlies the number-one pick
• Tankathon’s lottery simulator, run 10 times, has the following outcomes for Memphis: 7th, 7th, 8th, 7th, 1st, 8th, 7th, 8th, 8th, 7th

How the draft lottery works, in detail, by the NBA

Tonight is the WNBA Draft, to be televised on ESPN at 6:30 Central. It’s a foregone conclusion that Caitlin Clark will be claimed with the 1-pick by the Indiana Fever. The more interesting question, though, is where does LSU center Angel Reese go? Some analysts believe she falls short of being a complete player; however, she’s got marketability for days. In a league like the WNBA, that’s worth a lot. CBS Sports’ mock draft has Reese going 7th to the Chicago Sky.

Back to the men for a minute: Boban Marjanovic of the Houston Rockets, you da real MVP. Houston was on the road at the L.A. Clippers, and Marjanovic had just missed his first of 2 free throws.

There was a promotion stating that if a Clips opponent missed 2 free throws in a row, all fans in attendance got free chicken.

Marjanovic, knowing this, intentionally missed the second free throw. Yay for chicken.

Today is National That Sucks Day. I recommend wearing Tennessee Vols attire to celebrate.

Porter-Leath’s Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest is Sunday on Riverside Drive. Buckets of Cajun cooked crawfish for sale and food trucks for those not into crawfish. Live music by FreeWorld and Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe. Crawfish races. Bobbing for live crawfish. This is one of the few Downtown festivals left that does not charge a cover, and one of the best events on the spring calendar.

I don’t have Bardog’s complete special list today, but I know guava cheesecake is on there. That should be good. In other Bardog news, Joe is returning to manage Tuesday and Wednesday days.

Today is the first day of the Trumpster’s hush money criminal trial, with jury selection underway. Trump has to defend himself against 34 counts of falsifying business records.

The Cossitt Library will host a Literacy in Motion: Ballet program for children 3-6 Wednesday evening. Only a couple of spots remain.

From MSN: 29 famous streets around the world, and their fascinating stories

Pickleball courts will open at Sunset Canopy in Tom Lee Park this week. There will be free open play 8 AM-8 PM Thursdays-Sundays. You can borrow a paddle and ball or bring your own.

Speaking of Tom Lee Park, Ben & Jerry’s will hand out free ice cream cones there tomorrow, Tuesday, April 16, from noon to 8 PM. Standing in line multiple times is allowed, even when you already have a cone in your hand.

I’m staying out of the Union Mission tonight. It’s a beautiful day and I don’t want to have to head back there by 2 PM which is the cutoff to get in free. I haven’t done a night outside in nearly a month. I need one every now and then to maintain my sanity. The predicted low tonight is only 65 and I have plenty of snacks in my backpack. I’ll be fine. My only regret is that I didn’t swap out my jeans for a pair of shorts from the Mission’s clothes closet before I left.

Back tomorrow with more news.

117 Prime posted this week that its 6-year run is coming to an end. Its last day will be next Saturday, April 20. They would love to see their regulars and fans one last time.

The good news is that Belle Tavern, the bar in the back with the alleyway entrance, will NOT close. It will continue to be a destination for whiskey lovers and Downtowners with Harold, Brie, and Sara taking good care of you.

Today is the final Memphis Grizzlies home game of the season. The Grizz host Denver at 2:30. It’s Fan Appreciation Day and all fans attending get a free 12-piece nuggets via the Chick-Fil-A mobile app. They will also receive a Grizzlies poster. TV: Bally Sports 

Seeing a fair number of Denver fans out and about this morning… I did not realize they traveled so well.

The Flying Saucer’s list of Just Landed drafts looks like a fruit salad:

Cherry, peach, banana, and mango. Wow. Bartender Buddy poured a couple of Perjorie T. Roll-sized samples:

That’s the peach on the left and the banana on the right. Maybe I’ll come back for Pint Nite on Monday and have one of these in full size.

It’s National Pecan Day. Bardog has pecan pie on special, or at least they did yesterday. I’m not there today to check.

Artist Larry Walker unveils his Visible Points of Light exhibit today at the Renasant Convention Center. 

Reminder: Downtown Huey’s is closed this Tuesday, April 16, through Wednesday, April 24. 

Fox 13 reports that 2 men were injured after shots were fired on Vance Avenue about 11:30 Friday night.

From the DM: Rock’n Dough looks to create a rolling good time at 704 Madison in The Edge 

Iran attacked Israel overnight Sunday. CNN explains why and what’s next.

The International Santa Celebration happens in Memphis April 25-28. The event is sponsored by the world’s largest professional association of Santas and Mrs. Clauses.

Yikes, my monthly payment to Medium.com for membership bounced. I guess figuring out how to load more money onto my Venmo debit card is my project of the day. Back tomorrow with more news.

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Tickets are now on sale for SmokeSlam, the new BBQ festival on the river in Tom Lee Park May 16-18. They are

• $24.99 single-day
• $65 three-day pass

St. Paul and the Broken Bones will be the headline musical act for the festival. April Michelle Bureau, who hosts a BBQ series on Netflix, will emcee the awards ceremony.

OJ Simpson died Wednesday. Please please please let the hearse be a white Ford Bronco.

The Flying Saucer will have 4/20-themed trivia Tuesday night.

The Grizzlies host the L.A. Lakers tonight at 7 at FedExForum. TV: Bally Sports

Cody Johnson: The Leather Tour comes to FedExForum Saturday.

The Memphis Fairy Tale Ball happens at the Renasant Convention Center Saturday.

Cheley Tackett returns to South Main Sounds Saturday.

I only counted 4 food trucks in Court Square yesterday for the return of Food Truck Thursday. And they weren’t parked in the square itself, but on Second adjacent to it. They had games including table tennis and pool set up on the square’s sidewalks.

Saturday is SCIPlay with CAESAR and Connect Crew at Tom Lee Park 10:00-11:30 AM. This month the theme is Earth Day. There will be Pollution of Prevention Bingo and Story time.

Dr. MLK Jr. Avenue will be closed 7 AM Tuesday through 7 PM Thursday between Main and Second for sign installation at The Chisca.

String lights may be coming to the intersection of South Main and Beale where The Orpheum sits.

It’s my day! National Only Child Day

It’s also National Dive Bar Day. The Tap Room on Beale, Momma’s, and Earnestine & Hazel’s are three places to get that celebration going.

The festival presenters may change but the road closures don’t: Section of Riverside Drive to close for most of May

Our buddy Shrek is going to join Randy, Theresa, Butt Slut #1, and me for Bardog brunch tomorrow. Excited to hear about his latest adventures in sports TV production.

Before Bardog, I’ll hit the Farmers Market tomorrow morning. Back Sunday with more news.

Apologies for typos. I’m typing on my phone and there have been a couple of shots this morning.

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I mentioned earlier this week that virtual golf bar Birdie’s is giving away an annual membership in a Closest to the Pin contest this weekend. What does an annual membership get you, you ask?

• 10 hours of golf simulator use per month
• 20% discount on food, merchandise, and standard golf rates
• Fees waived for tournaments, league play, and special events
• 10% discount on gift cards
• 10% discount on golf fees for your guests

The Grizzlies have broken the record for most starting lineups by an NBA team in one season.

Memphis magazine’s Ask Vance column takes a look at oFlagg Bros. Shoes,, riginally located on South Main Street

The Grizzlies lost 110-98 to Cleveland. TANK TANK TANK

Today is National Alcohol Screening Day.

Bardog specials for today: (Go see Dani! She’s working breakfast and lunch today and tomorrow)

• Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes with brown gravy, broccolini – 19
• Fried chicken Caesar wrap with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and parm
• Soup: Creamy chicken and veggie
• Dog: red onion, red pepper, pepperoncini, spicy mayo
• Mussels: white wine, garlic butter, tomato
• Banana cake
• Coconut cake

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow.

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As I was walking this morning, I noticed that the TacoNganas food truck trailer has been pulled onto the parking lot of the future location at Danny Thomas and Adams.

They’ve already resurfaced the lot, fenced it in, and landscaped around the edges. But renovating the building on that lot, a 60s-style gas/service station, into a restaurant is going to be a major undertaking. I wonder if the trailer is a sign they plan to start serving food sooner rather than later?

Further along my walk, I discovered this flyer. Looks like Happy Mexican has a new sister bar/restaurant.

STIX, the fast casual Asian restaurant on Second, posted that they now have their Endless Sake deal all the time.

Ephraim Urevbu,, who owns an art gallery at South Main and Huling, is opening a gallery in Smokey City.

Momma’s, the “diner and dive off 55” on Crump, is giving 15% off to industry on Tuesday nights. What’s more, truck drivers get the discount too with presentation of a valid CDL.

The DM reports that the Green Beetle is expanding into breakfast. They’ll put a new concept in the old Bedrock Eats space next door: Frank’s Biscuits and Briskets. It’ll be named after a liquor store that once sat in that location.

Mayor Young will meet with COGIC leaders to try to convince them to keep their annual convocation in Memphis. They’re said to have offers from other cities.

Today is National Farm Animals Day.

The Grizzlies play at Cleveland tonight at 6. TV: Bally Sports

Bardog specials for today:

• Grilled shrimp pasta with pesto cream sauce over spaghetti – 19
• Grilled buffalo chicken sandwich on Texas toast- lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, bacon, ranch, American cheese-18
• Soup: creamy chicken and veggie
• Dog: red onion, red pepper, pepperoncini, spicy mayo
• Mussels: White wine, garlic butter, tomatoes
• Banana cake

Advance Memphis is hiring a part-time communications coordinator.

Global Cafe is hiring for part-time front of house to work Thursday-Friday-Saturday.

The Daily Memphian seeks a director of fundraising and development.

The official announcement has been made: John Calipari is the new head basketball coach of Arkansas.

That’s it. Back tomorrow.

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The Grizzlies host rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs tonight at 7. TV: Bally Sports

Today is National Gin and Tonic Day.

It’s also Pimiento Cheese Day. I recommend celebrating with a Cheese Wagon Burger at Momma’s bar on Crump.

There was a shooting Monday at Danny Thomas and Mississippi.

Birdie’s, the virtual golf bar on South Main,, will give away a one-year membership this weekend in a Closest to the Pin contest. There will also be some other sweet prizes given away. $3 Mich Ultra drafts this weekend and they’ll open at 9 Thursday and Friday for early-round Masters viewing.

A deal has been struck that would fully fund FedExForum renovations. Keeping the arena up to date is necessary to keep the Grizzlies in Memphis.

Downtown Hooters will show UFC 300 Saturday night.

It was amazing how bright it was outside yesterday with the moon blocking 95 percent of the sun. I loved the temporary drop in temperature, though.

The annual Hopped festival happens at Memphis Made on S. Cooper this Saturday. Live music, food trucks, limited-edition beers, comedy.

Friends for Life Corp. seeks a Development Manager.

That’s it for today. Back tomorrow probably.

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I feel like there should be a Pink Floyd soundtrack to today’s post.

BUT… Eclipse Day is not the only holiday we celebrate today… it’s also Dog Farting Awareness Day. Put a couple of hard-boiled eggs in your dog’s bowl and you’ll be plenty aware.

I’m seeing rumors all over the Internet that John Calipari to Arkansas is basically a done deal. Bleacher Report says Cal and the Hogs are close to finalizing a five-year deal. Wow I have mixed feelings about this. Calipari is the very essence of the word “slimy,” but Arkansas hasn’t been highly relevant basketball-wise since the Nolan Richardson days.

If Frank Broyles were alive and still Arkansas AD, would Cal have a job offer? Methinks no. But it’s a different world out there now that we have NIL and Cal knows how to navigate it.

Something called The Thorn is coming to the Cannon Center Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s said to be a cross between the passion of Jesus and a cirque performance.

Bardog specials for today:

• Blackened mahi mahi salad with red onion, tomato, blueberries, carrots, Gorgonzola, balsamic reduction – 19
• Country fried chicken with mashed potatoes, brown gravy, and asparagus – 18
• Soup: Italian sausage and veggie
• Dog: Bacon-wrapped with BBQ and coleslaw
• Mussels: White wine, garlic butter, tomatoes
• Banana cake
• Bourbon pecan pie

The Memphis Redbirds will be in town this week for a 6-game homestand vs. the Nashville Sounds.

• Tuesday: 6:45 PM
• Wednesday: 12:05 PM
• Thursday: 6:45 PM. It’ll be Throwback Thursday, sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, with the team in throwback Memphis Chicks uniforms and $2 beers.
• Friday: 7:05 PM. No special promotion on a FRIDAY??? Redbirds marketing team, you’re slacking!
• Saturday: 3:05 PM. It’ll be Star Wars Day with your favorite character roaming the concourse and the Redbirds in Star Wars-themed jerseys. The first 1500 fans get a 2003 Grizzlies replica jersey. It’ll also be Bark in the Park, with a specialty ticket that’ll admit you and your dog to the game.
• Sunday: 1:05 PM. Kids receive a Prairie Farms ice cream treat upon entering. After the game, they can run the bases.

Almost Elton John will perform on the Hyatt Centric rooftop Saturday.

There’s a free beginner salsa class Saturday evening at Fourth Bluff.

Bass Pro will have a hiring event for a number of positions Thursday.

Rock ’n Dough Pizza at 704 Madison in The Edge will have its grand opening celebration Saturday. From 5 to 10: $2 off draft beers, $1 off wine and well drinks, DJ Alpha Whiskey, DJ Capital A, and duckpin bowling. Can’t wait until Saturday? They’re officially open as of today.

Time to put on my eclipse glasses and look up. Back tomorrow.

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The Memphis Farmers Market was back and in full bloom yesterday morning. They had a number of new vendors as well as some returning favorites. Live musicians entertained the crowd. Food trucks were parked in the back. 

There was a Japanese bakery but they’d sold out by the time I got there around 10:15. 

There was also a booth selling yummy-looking chocolate parfaits. I’d already had breakfast, so I didn’t buy one, but I will check those out in future weeks. 

The Market used to send out an e-newsletter on Thursday mornings listing happenings that Saturday: special events and presentations, food trucks planning to be there. They’d also profile a featured vendor each week. I miss the newsletter.

Bardog changed up its brunch specials yesterday. They had

• A Monte Cristo sandwich 
• Chicken & waffles 
• Overnight French toast with berry compote and whipped cream 
• Southern fried pork chop with brown gravy 
• Classic Eggs Benedict 

We got to try the French toast and it was delicious. Also, Butt Slut #1 said she tried the Monte Cristo last week and it was very good. Cheers to Bardog for a very-much-needed freshening-up of their brunch specials. 

For those of you lamenting the lack of Butt Slut #1 news on the blog lately, she’s getting a Buick SUV this week. My mother would have approved; she drove a LeSabre from 1990 to 1995.

Bronny James, LeBron’s son, has declared for the NBA draft.  It’s been speculated that LeBron will decline his player option with the Lakers and sign for the veteran’s minimum salary with whatever team drafts Bronny. Bleacher Report has a list of Bronny’s top landing spots.

It isn’t certain Bronny will go pro in 2024.  He’s retaining his college eligibility. However, he’s entered the transfer portal, so he’s probably done at USC. 

Imagine this: Bronny transfers to the University of Memphis to play for Penny. LeBron signs a one-year contract with the Grizzlies to be near his son. There’s about a 1 in 10,000 chance it’ll happen, but it’s fun to dream about. 

Iowa (with Caitlin Clark) vs. South Carolina (undefeated) for the NCAA women’s basketball championship is today at 2 on ABC. 

Willie Moore’s soul food restaurant on N. Main is hiring. It’s said to be steady but not extremely hard work. 7 AM to 4 PM in the ground floor of the Claridge House. 

The DM has a look back at Grind City Music Fest. 

The DM visited Max’s Sports Bar yesterday for a look at spring crawfish. There is a shortage this year, making it hard for boils to turn a profit. Glaze Hardage’s crawfish at Max’s on Saturday and Loflin Yard on Sunday are the tastiest in town. 

Marc Gasol got his jersey retired but the Grizzlies lost to Philly by 20 yesterday. TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES 

Memphis 901 FC went down 2-0 in a home loss to Orange County yesterday. 

Shots were fired near FrdExForum Friday night. Two men were detained. 

Be sure to pet a beaver tonight. It’s International Beaver Day.

The city seeks a development manager for Memphis parks. 

There’s a Self Care Sunday event at South Main Artspace Lofts today.

You almost didn’t get a post today. The Wi-Fi was down where I am, but rebooting the router fixed it. Back tomorrow probably.

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There was a fire thid morning at The WL apartment building (once known as The Adler) at South Main and MLK Avenue. That concerned me because a number of my service industry friends live in that building. However, one of them posted to Facebook that everyone is safe and the fire was put out relatively quickly.

The Grizzlies are back home tonight, hosting the Detroit Pistons at 7. It will be Super Hero Night with Hero Slides for the first 5000 fans. TV: Bally Sports

Songbird Jones with special guest Sara Jean Kelley will play South Main Sounds tonight from 7 to 9.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association has proposed a traffic plan for Riverside Drive that will double the number of parking spaces adjacent to Tom Lee Park.

The DM has a look at the newly reopened Front Street Deli. Its hours are 6:45 AM to 2:30 PM, seven days a week.

Saturday will be a big day for the following reasons:

• Memphis Farmers Market kicks off for the season. It will happen every Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson, behind Malco Powerhouse. Offering far more than just produce, this is one of the best farmers’ markets in the U.S. Local chefs are known to stop by and do some shopping.
• The Memphis Tattoo Festival will be going on all weekend at the Renasant Convention Center.
• Grind City Music Festival will be happening on the grounds of Grind City Brewing Co. at Second and Waterworks.
• Memphis 901 FC will host Orange County FC for a 3 PM match at AutoZone Park.
• There will be 2:00 and 7:30 performances of WICKED at the Orpheum.
• It will be Marc Gasol’s number 33 jersey retirement at FedExForum, where the Grizzlies will host the Philadelphia 76ers. TV: Bally Sports
• On pay-per-view, it’ll be the first of two nights of Wrestlemania 40, headlined by WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and his cousin The Rock vs. “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes and WWE World Champion Seth Rollins.

That’s it for now. I’ll be short on time tomorrow, so I can’t promise a post.

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Blast it all, the Cossitt Library is closed AGAIN today. All branches are closed for the anniversary of Dr. King’s death. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for all the branches to be open, so we could read what he had to say?

So once again I’m Wi-Fiing at the Saucer. A generous soul handed me a full lunch punch card – eat lunch 7 times, get the 8th free – so I’m cashing it in on a burger and fries. I’m getting one of the specials, the Grateful Shroom, with truffle aioli, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and Swiss. It comes with arugula too but I had them leave it off – makes everything else on the burger slide around too much.

Eye to Eye Band plays The Brass Door this Friday 6-9 PM. Dance hits, rock, country. No cover. Drink specials. 

The DM reports that Ja Morant has split from his agent. 

Jaren (who my phone autocorrects to Karen) dropped 35 on Milwaukee last night as the Grizzlies won 111-101. 

Former Grizzlies player Vince Carter and executive Jerry West are going into the NBA’s Naismith Hall of Fame.

Martin Luther King III will speak about his father at the National Civil Rights Museum today at 1. 

It’s National Burrito Day. Maciel’s would be my recommendation to celebrate. 

It’s also National Ramen Day. I bet Good Fortune Co. on South Main willl be packed tonight. 

And it’s World Rat Day. Celebrate after dark on the Main Street Mall.  

Hard Times Deli is coming to The Edge. The restaurant’s operators previously ran Secret Smash Society, a burger pop-up. The new deli will be at 655 Marshall. 

Downtown Huey’s will close for about 10 days for renovations. 

Not Downtown news but significant: Bounty on Broad has announced its closure. 

From MR Magazine: Lansky’s still rock & rollin’ in Memphis

Food Truck Thursdays return to Court Square next Thursday, April 11.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow I hope.

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