Readers, I owe you an apology.
This blog, in my opinion, has SUCKED the past 10 or so months.
it all started last September when the Union Mission changed its deadline to check in to get in free for the day to 11 AM and then later to 10:30 AM. (Previously it was 2 PM.) That left me scrambling in the mornings to check all my news sources and type up a post before it was time to get back to the Mission, where there is no public Wi-Fi. Plus I’ve been dealing with early-stage Parkinson’s, affecting my ability to type. My posts felt short, forced, and rushed.
That changes today.
There is no more free entry time at the Mission, unless you’re a newbie or you’re on one of several “tracks” (drug/alcohol recovery program, volunteer worker, veteran, etc.)
While that’s bad news for me financially, it gives me OODLES of additional time to write this blog. Expect posts to be later but better going forward. Let’s do this!
Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors, NBA Summer League, 9:30 tonight, NBAtv. In other Grizzlies news, triple congrats are due to power forward Santi Aldama. Not only did he sign an extension with the team recently, but he got appointed to the NBA Players Association board of directors. And he got married. Not a bad summer for Santi.
Restaurant franchise Playa Bowls will open a new location in The Edge at 732 Madison. The chain is known for its “superfruit bowls” and other healthy options. Look for a January or February opening date.
A public celebration of life has been announced for Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx who recently passed away. Appropriately, it’ll be at FedExForum on August 11.
There’s going to be another lemon drop festival Downtown. This one will celebrate the end of summer on Sunday, September 21 in Fourth Bluff Park.
Starbucks has made its secret menu available on its app.
Congratulations to Hi Neighbor Cafe in Tom Lee Park on its 100 on last week’s health inspection.
Stax Museum will roll out a new B.B. King exhibit next week, including never-before-seen footage of a 1982 concert he did on Mud Island.
The Memphis Medical District Collaborative announced news about two area businesses in its latest Vitals newsletter. First of all, Body by Daavon at 405 Monroe is expanding. It’s a gym led by bodybuilding and fitness pro Daavon Grayson.
The MMDC also announced that Peach Cobbler Factory, which already has locations in Collierville and East Memphis, is coming to The Edge at 632 Madison. Dudes, this is a place to take yo’ lady on date night! All 12 varieties of cobbler sound divine, but I’ve got my eye on that sweet potato pecan cobbler…
There will be a benefit for the Texas Hill Country flood victims at Slider Inn Downtown Wednesday, July 24. All funds raised will go directly to flood relief. $20 Mich Ultra buckets.
A pedestrian was hit about 6:35 this morning at the intersection of Danny Thomas and Adams. I betcha anything it was someone who stays at the Union Mission 2 blocks to the north. Y’all, please be careful when driving near shelters. A lot of homeless people completely disregard traffic signals. They shouldn’t, but it’s a fact of life that they do.
A former Memphis Tigers baseball player is headed to New York. MLB’s Mets selected pitcher James Smith IV in the 14th round of the draft. Like Shohei Ohtani, Smith is a hitter as well.
It has been a JOY to write this blog post for all of you. I haven’t had the time to lean back and enjoy that feeling since last September. Please pray for me, as I’m probably going to stay out on the streets of Downtown tonight and tomorrow.
Back tomorrow with more news.
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