Saturday I was at the Cossitt Library and there was a nicely-dressed woman with a suitcase there asking questions of the librarians. At 11 I moved down the street to meet friends for brunch. The same woman came in about 30 minutes later. She sat at the far end of the bar and ordered a drink and began chatting up the bartenders.
About 45 minutes later, one of the bartenders came over to me. “Paul, the lady with the suitcase is homeless and just arrived in Memphis,” she told me. “Do you have suggestions for where she needs to go to connect with resources?”
I had NOT pegged her as homeless. As I said, she dressed with style. She had makeup on and her hair looked taken care of. She also seemed to have good manners; when I’d sneezed at the library, she’d immediately turned toward me and said, “bless you.”
However, on this particular day, I had NO IDEA where to send her. That was because
- It was Saturday. Normally the Hospitality Hub is the clearinghouse for resources to help those in need of temporary housing and related resources in Memphis, but the Hub is open Monday-Friday.
- Normally I’d recommend Room in the Inn as an organization that could get her shelter for the night, but (and I could be wrong about this) I think they operate on two “seasons,” November-March and May-September.
I tried Googling resources on my phone, but there was not one definitive “go here” point I could find. There isn’t a big women’s shelter Downtown like there is the Union Mission for men. The Union Mission operates the Moriah House for women, but that’s all the way in East Memphis.
She left before I could help her. I felt like a failure. I kinda feel like I have a responsibility to help people in such situations, and this time I didn’t know how.
Where should I have sent her? Let me know at paul.ryburn@gmail.com or hit me up on social media.
This coming Saturday is the last one before Halloween, which means there will be a lot of spooky parties that night in Memphis. Let’s check the weather… WREG has us sunny with a high of 79 and a low of 57. That means you won’t freeze your butt off this weekend, no matter what your costume is.
There’s going to be a Barboro Alley block party Sunday, October 27 from 11 AM to 5 PM. Aubrey McCrady Band, live DJ, kids’ and dogs’ costume contests, pumpkin painting station, local craft vendors. Food specials, drink deals.
Some treats for the kid in you just landed at the Flying Saucer:
- Duclaw Peach Sherbet
- Wicked Weed Milk & Cookies
The WNBPA has opted out of its 2020 collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA. Go get that money ladies. You deserve it.
The DM has a look at the new Aloft Hotel on North B.B. King Blvd.
Today is the International Day of the Nacho. I recommend celebrating at Slider Inn with Nachos for the People. Huey’s nachos are another outstanding way to celebrate.
Action News 5 has a look back at this year’s RiverArtsFest.
A take on the age-old question: Is a hot dog a sandwich? (TL;DR: No, it’s a taco)
I learned something interesting this morning from the TODAY Show: If you have trouble staying awake, you may be iron-deficient.
Felicia Suzanne Restaurant has its new sign up at 383 S. Main.
Much of the island nation of Cuba is in a blackout. The antique power grid is to blame.
Is it possible Army-Navy will play back-to-back weeks in December? The AAC championship the first Saturday, then their regular game the week after that?
Meme I saw this morning:
Yeah, I know Darth Vader is from the Dark Side, and I know he blew up a planet, but I feel like I just don’t know enough about Princess Leia to support her.
I’ve seen this attitude a LOT the past few weeks. It will doom America in 2025 and beyond.
Back as soon as I can be.
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