Month: July 2024

As I suspected would happen, the Cossitt Library was closed yesterday. The Cossitt branch is a lot like the Main Street trolley: It can be quite useful, but you don’t want to depend on it operating (on time or at all) on any given day.

The space formerly occupied by Club 152 on Beale is on the real estate market.

Look what you can get at Dinstuhl’s:

The Flying Saucer will sell discs to celebrate National Disc Golf Day Saturday:

Today is National Avocado Day. Celebrate with some guacamole at Maciel’s.

Grizzly Santi Aldama led Team Spain to another win at the Olympics, this one over Giannis and Team Greece.

A Grizzlies Prep school for girls will be coming to Downtown Memphis.

A new Elvis box set titled Memphis will be released next week.

Jesse and Noah Bellamy play Central Station Hotel’s Live at the Tracks 6:30-9:30 this Thursday.

There’s a Harry Potter birthday celebration at Soul & Spirits this evening.

Jerred Price’s Almost Elton John persona was mentioned in the Union Mission evening chapel service yesterday.

Michigan and Virginia have flipped to Kamala Harris in RealClearPolitics’ no toss-up states electoral vote projection. That slims the Trumpster’s lead to 297-241.

There will be a Teen Fest at Church Park, Beale at Ida B. Wells, Saturday:

• 200 free meals from Chuck’s Wagon
• 500 free Italian ice cups
• 500 free backpacks
• 200 free meals from StaMar’s Concession
• Foam party
• Carnival games

The fun kicks off at 2 PM.

I’m off to take my chances that the library will be open on time today. Back tomorrow with more news.

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Police visited Flava’s Restaurant at South Main and Pontotoc over the weekend and cited it for being out of compliance. The restaurant was found to be exceeding its capacity of 45 and had an expired health permit. DNA prez Jerred Price says Flava’s draws a lot of late-night noise complaints. The owner has agreed to change the hours to weekends only for the time being.

Blind Bear specials this week 

• Stuffed bell pepper soup 
• Santa Fe chicken breast with Mexican rice and refried beans 
• Crawfish fettuccine Alfredo 
• Lemon cream cake 

Nic Fink got silver for USA in the men’s 100m breaststroke yesterday. That would be a fabulous pro wrestling name. 

If you eat at the KFC at Poplar and Danny Thomas, you might wanna give this inspection report a glance. Roaches!

When Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race, my first thought was, “What’s gonna happen to the Saucer glasses?” Every presidential election, the Flying Saucer prints pint glasses with the two main candidates’ name and likeness. You “vote” for a candidate by buying their glass.

For the first time since the Saucer started doing glasses in 2000, a candidate has dropped out.

Getting back to pro wrestling names for a minute: I’m ready for a president with a pro wrestling name. Different pronunciation OK.

Not sure the Cossitt Library will open on time today (sigh) so I’m gonna cut this post short and publish it before I go over there.

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Yesterday I was hanging out with my friend Steve, and he informed me of a hidden gem at a famous Downtown restaurant: the BBQ grilled cheese at The Rendezvous. I did some Googling this morning and found the recipe. It sounds delicious! Basically it’s white American, Gruyere, caramelized onions, Rendezvous BBQ rub and BBQ sauce on buttered Texas toast.

Yesterday I posted a photo of Bardog’s new brunch menu… one other thing I wanted to point out about it. On the dinner menu they have Bardog Poo Poo, their version of an appetizer platter (puu puu platter in Chinese restaurants). Two of the platter’s components, egg rolls and crab Rangoons, had been available individually for a while as sort of hidden menu items. They proved popular enough that they’re hidden no longer; they made the new brunch menu. 

In other Bardog news, Melissa will be working a happy hour shift behind the bar today. She hasn’t got to bartend much since she became GM. Her shirt is 3-8 and happy hour proper is 5-7.  

The Nine Thai sushi on Union is closed and the space is now available. Its location in Bartlett known as Thai Bistro is still open.

Atomic Rose is closed this week as they replace their central cooling system. They promise to reopen Friday as the coldest bar in town. 

Underrated song I discovered via Shazam this weekend: “Across 110th Street” by Bobby Womack. I think Momma’s may have it in their jukebox.

I was wrong about the benches in front of the Court Square hotels being the farthest south on the Main Street Mall following the removal of two benches in the Monroe-Union block. There’s still a bench in front of Ben-Yay’s on that block.

The Flying Fish has daily specials:

So does Automatic Slim’s:

Santi Aldama set a record for Spain playing in the Paris Olympics: Six three-pointers in one game. Spain still lost to Australia, though.

You may have heard of the NFL’s Red Zone channel where you can catch the big moments in all the league’s games in close-to-real-time. There’s something similar for the Olympics: Gold Zone. It’s on Peacock 6 AM to 4 PM Memphis time.

UGH… the NFL preseason starts Thursday. Houston vs. Da Bearsssssss.

University of Memphis fans rejoice: It’s International Tiger Day.

It’s also National Chicken Wing Day.

Jesse and Noah Bellamy will have a record release party at South Main Sounds Friday night.

Beale Street Bears predicts the role of each Grizzlies rookie.

Memphis magazine’s Ask Vance column looks back at Limbros Restaurant.

That’s all I have for now. Staying out tonight probably. Back tomorrow.

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For the first time in ages, Bardog updated its brunch menu yesterday.

There had been items such as chicken & waffles, the pork chop, and more recently the Monte Cristo sandwich, that had appeared week after week after week on the specials board. These have made it onto the regular menu.

There was one item on the specials board but not the new menu: salmon sliders. We’ll see if those show up on the board next week and the week after that. Hopefully there will be more variance in the items offered as specials.

One other change: You can’t order off the dinner menu during brunch – only the printed brunch menu or the specials. So if you want calamari or spaghetti & meatballs, you’ll need to wait until 3:00.

The Grizzlies are looking to hire a part-time audio and video engineer.

Today is National Hamburger Day.

How new sport breaking (breakdancing) will work at the Paris Olympics

Minnesota has flipped from gray (toss up) to light blue (leaning Harris) in RealClearPolitics’ projected electoral map. That makes the total 219 for the Trumpster, 208 for Harris, 111 tossups.

That’s all, folks. Back tomorrow.

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This week the city removed the green park benches on the Main Street Mall in the Monroe-Union block. Previously they removed the benches from the Union-Gayoso and Gayoso-Peabody Place blocks. The farthest-south benches on the pedestrian mall are now the ones in front of the hotels across from Court Square.

Those in need can now get showers 10 AM-noon every Tuesday and Thursday at the Hospitality Hub. The Hub is partnering with a mobile shower provider.

The search continues for a missing man whose boat capsized in the Wolf River harbor. Another man was rescued Friday.

Today is National Scotch Day.

The Daily Memphian seeks a marketing manager.

The Redbirds’ parent company seeks a coordinator of digital and social media marketing.

Flying solo at Bardog for brunch… my friends went to NYC to attend the 150th and last show of Billy Joel’s monthly residency at Madison Square Garden. Back tomorrow or Monday with more news.

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The opening ceremony of the Paris Summer Olympics is today. Rather than march through a stadium, athletes will float down the Seine. Watch at 12:30 PM on NBC.

Tonight is South Main Trolley Night. Come enjoy the shops and galleries of that neighborhood until 9 or later and meet your neighbors.

Deanna Dixon and Silas Reed play South Main Sounds tonight. 7 PM at 550 S. Main.

Rate plays Central Station Hotel tonight 9 to 1.

Simulated golf has returned to Birdie’s. To celebrate, they’re offering off-peak hours pricing all weekend. The simulators were out for several weeks due to an unexpected lightning strike on their building.

I witnessed a dine & dash at one of the Downtown watering holes this morning: Male, 30s, spiky/poofy hair, soft-spoken with accent, claimed to be from Philadelphia, double vodka, very picky ordering food.

Memphis Women’s Expo is at The Kent this weekend. 40 local vendors, expert panels, live music.

Sad to hear of the death of community activist Chelsea Glass. MLK50 has a look at her life.

The Civil Rights Museum has a. community symposium on the 60th anniversary of Mississippi Freedom Summer Saturday.

Mick Jagger is 81 today.

Eric Barnes and Jennifer Chandler discuss why restaurants close on the DM’s latest Sidebar podcast.

Southwest Airlines is ending open seating.

Penny’s Tigers will have road games against Clemson December 14 and Virginia December 18.

One person was pulled from the Mississippi River this morning after a citizen heard cries for help. His boat had capsized and there may have been other people aboard.

Learn about Memphis during the 1878 yellow fever epidemic at an August 16 lecture at the Woodruff-Fontaine House. $25 per person.

Ja Morant will be inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame Saturday.

Today is World Tofu Day. Celebrate with a Baconator from Wendy’s for lunch then go get the meat sweats at dinner at Texas de Brazil.

Henry Turley Co. seeks a property manager.

FiveThirtyEight looks at 8 potential vice-presidential running mate picks for Kamala Harris. Harris got a big endorsement this week from Barack and Michelle Obama.

Last night a guest preacher at Union Mission chapel warned us of the spiritual dangers of hanging out on the street corner with Elrod and Boo-Rod. I need a night off from the Mission soon.

Not sure if I’ll have time and Wi-Fi to post this weekend. Back Monday at the latest.

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The Memphis Flyer tells the story of immigrant Manuel Rivera Martinez, who came to Memphis and opened Maciel’s.

Fellow writers, here’s an exciting opportunity: The Cossitt Library will host a Carnegie Writers Workshop September 3-October 22.

Memphis 901 FC will host San Antonio FC Saturday night at 7:30. The Brass Door will have pregame specials including $14 Amstel Light buckets.

Blind Bear specials this week

• Chicken noodle soup
• Fried catfish po’boy
• Pastalaya – smoked sausage, Blind Bear specials this week chicken, celery, onion, green and red bell peppers on a bed of penne pasta in a creamy Creole sauce
• Fried apple pies with Margie’s 901 vanilla bean ice cream with caramel sauce

There was a shooting at Danny Thomas and Poplar around 9 last night that left a woman injured.

Here’s a transcript of President Biden’s speech last night explaining why he has decided not to run for a second term.

FiveThirtyEight looks at past presidents who have dropped reelection bids.

There’s a Sunset Skate tonight on Riverside Drive. Free 30-minute skate rental. Food, music, free lessons.

It’s National Chili Dog Day. Max’s Sports Bar would be my recommendation to celebrate.

It’s also National Wine and Cheese Day.

Ready for this stupid rain to get out of here. Back tomorrow.

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A few weeks ago, I told you I’d heard one of Downtown’s best parties, absent from the scene the past several years, was coming back, and to circle the date Sunday, September 8 on the calendar.

Well, the cat is now out of the bag… or, should I say, the dog is back in the alley.

The Bardog alley party is back.

For the first time since the stupid pandemic ruined everything, Downtowners and friends will gather in Center Lane (that’s the alley next to Bardog) for an afternoon of music, food, and fun. I’m happy to see it’s once again “the Bardog alley party” rather than “Monroe Fest.” Looking forward to OG alley party vibes.

More details to come. Eric, whatever I can do to help you guys promote this awesome event, just ask… just keep in mind I only have access to Wi-Fi from about 7 AM to noon most days.

On to the rest of the news…

Elon is hiring! xAI seeks a network engineer and a project manager for its new “gigafactory of compute” in southwest Memphis.

Local brewery WISEACRE will be featured at the Flying Saucer’s Glass Night tonight. 7 PM.

Plant Health 2024 will come to the Renasant Convention Center Saturday through Tuesday. Y’know, when I was 5, I brought my grandmother’s nearly-dead African violet back to life by talking to it every day. I’m available Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday if this convention would like to book one more speaker.

The Mud Island monorail isn’t coming back. It’s outdated tech.

The Downtown Memphis Commission is suing developer Tom Intrator in hopes of getting work moving on empty, blighted properties. Many of those properties are in the Pinch District. Also on the list: the former Royal Furniture building, planned to be turned into a Dream Hotel.

It’s National Tequila Day.

There will be an art market with Shop Made in Memphis this Friday evening from 5 to 9 at Loflin Yard.

Soulin’ on the River with Zsa Davis happens at Fourth Bluff Park Friday at 7. Lawn chairs, coolers, and picnic baskets are welcome. Food trucks and a full bar will be onsite. Free admission.

It’s Christmas in July tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 at Cordelia’s Market. Accordion tunes by Aaron Brame. Special appearance by Santa. Holiday meal sneak peek, local beer & food samples, summer cocktails, T-shirt pop-up, Muddy’s Sweet Treats.

That’s all for today. I should be back tomorrow with more news.

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The DM reported today that Ben Yay’s on Main Street will close this week and its concept will be incorporated into sibling restaurant Sugar Grits a couple of blocks away. The reason cited was a lack of foot traffic on Main.

The Summer League Grizzlies lost last night’s championship game to Miami, 120-118. Does it matter? No! The big takeaway is that Scotty Pippen Jr. and GG Jackson looked great throughout the league games. Beale Street Bears: Scotty deserves a main roster spot

The Cossitt Library is back open.

Mamma Mia!, featuring the music of ABBA, is at the Orpheum today through Sunday.

Voting is now open for the Memphis Flyer’s Best of Memphis poll.

The monthly Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting is this Wednesday 5:30-7:30 at Artesian Tower. Mayor Paul Young will speak.

Our Memphis Tigers have been picked to win the American conference football championship. That could secure Memphis one of the 12 NCAA playoff berths.

Bass Pro seeks a business assistant.

UT Memphis seeks a media specialist.

Out in The Edge, Memphis Made Brewing Co. will host an evening of ghost stories Friday.

My double charger is on its last legs after someone at the Union Mission sat on it:

It lets me change 2 devices at once, using only one electrical outlet, using standard USB connections. I can get by without it, but it’s been nice to have in a place where power outlets are in high demand.

Currently reading How to Be, Do, or Have Anything by Laurence G. Boost. Thoroughly enjoying it, at least through the 130 pages I’ve read so far.

Gonna go sit in the library and read my book. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Question from one of my readers:

You’re highly complimentary of the Union Mission’s efforts to feed people (as evidenced by your recent dessert post), as well as clothe them and give them shelter. You’ve told us all they offer is free to those who check in for the day before 2 PM. So why are there so many people still eating out of trash cans and living on the streets Downtown?????

Great question.

My answer is based on personal observations only, not empirical data or interviews with Mission staff.

Let’s change “people” to “men” in the question above, because there is no women’s shelter Downtown that offers an array of services comparable to what the Mission offers men. And there needs to be.

One reason some men find staying at the Mission is not for them is they find the rules too restrictive. I’ll give you an example: If you play music or video with sound on your phone, you must use headphones. It’s a totally sensible rule, designed to prevent a guest from disturbing others. But some men don’t want to obey it.

A second big reason many men turn down opportunities to stay at the Mission is that you can’t bring alcohol or drugs in, and you can’t be obviously under the influence when you check in. If you get in for free and stay the night, you’re there from at least 2 PM to 5:30 AM. 15.5 hours is a long time for an alcoholic to go without a drink, or an addict to go without using.

A third reason is some men don’t want to attend the mandatory chapel service. Believe me, I sympathize with this point of view; if I had the option of skipping chapel, I would. But it’s a trade I’m willing to make for a hot dinner and a good night’s sleep in a safe environment.

A fourth reason some homeless men don’t stay at Union Mission is that they’ve been barred from coming in. On a previous stay there, they stole, fought, threatened another guest, blatantly refused to obey a supervisor, or committed some other egregious violation of the rules.

A fifth reason is fear of the unknown. Fear that the shelter will be unsafe, or filthy, or that the people running it will be abusive to the guests. These fears, which turned out to be completely unfounded, kept me from availing myself of the Mission’s services for about 7 weeks longer than I should have in December and January.

Sixth reason- Some homeless have mental health issues that are incompatible with a congregate shelter. For example, a man who wakes up screaming several times during the night. The Mission isn’t equipped to help him deal with his issues and he’d keep 40 other men from getting a good night’s sleep.

I’m sure there are other reasons as well, but these are the big ones that I have observed.

I’ve been offline and need a day to digest the Biden news. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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