Author: paulryburn

Wednesday update

Last night I stopped in Belle Tavern on my way home and had their homemade potato chips and onion dip. Really, really good.

photo-nov-15-10-03-00-pm

You know, it’s funny, I’ve been in Belle Tavern before but this was the first time I looked at a food menu. I heard the food was really good, but for some reason I assumed the menu was the same as its sister restaurant Belle: A Southern Bistro, and that I would be looking at a $20 tab if I ate there. That is not the case. They have a bar menu with plenty of items in the five, six, seven dollar range. That’s about what I spend at the grab & go at City Market on the way home in the evenings, so I am going to stop by Belle Tavern for a late-night snack more often in the future. It also doesn’t hurt that they have PBR (in bottles).

Some of you are probably thinking, “I’ve heard about Belle Tavern, but where is it?” Here’s how to get there. On Main Street Mall, there’s an alley, Barboro Alley, between Oshi and Local. Walk east down that alley, toward Second Street. Halfway to Second, at the intersection of another alley, S. November 6th Street, you will see a modest, unassuming door to the left and “Belle Tavern” spray painted on the wall. That’s it. (They’re working on a window and signage.) It’s open 4-1 Monday Saturday and noon to 10 on Sunday with brunch until 3.

Trolley Stop Market is cooking for Thanksgiving, selling side dishes that serve 8 to 10 people as well as desserts. If I have any blog readers who are vegetarian and shop at Trolley Stop, you will be happy to hear that their dishes are vegetarian friendly. The list is too long to post, but highlights include traditional cornbread dressing, a mac & cheese bake, kale and white beans, sauteed bok choy with carrots and radish, pumpkin bisque soup, several varieties of pies, and a cookie platter. 901-526-1361 or trolleystopmarket@live.com to order. Your order will support local farms such as Whitton Farms, Williams Farm, Wilson Farms, Rosecreek Farm, McKaskle Farm, and Hillbilly Acres.

More vegetarian news, although news I am much less excited to report: PETA dumbass poses as turkey on carving board at Beale and B.B. King. They’re trying to spread the “turkeys are our friends” quote but I like “as God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly” better.

Food truck night is back at Miss Cordelia’s this evening from 5 to 8. They’ll have Riko’s Kickin Chicken, The Creamery Memphis, Dejavu’s food truck, and great deals on pints of beer.

The Score reports that at least 3 NBA teams have chosen to stop using Trump-branded hotels when on the road staying overnight in New York and Chicago. The teams are the Dallas Mavericks, the Milwaukee Bucks… and the Memphis Grizzlies. Excellent decision, excellent marketing. The Grizzlies don’t need their brand tarnished by the Trump brand.

Off to work. We’re having a Thanksgiving potluck at lunch, so there probably won’t be a lunchtime post unless a piece of time-sensitive news comes along. Maybe I will put up something after work. Outta here for now.

Tue update #2: Instant Memphian, cheap NOLA flights, and more

The night before Thanksgiving tends to be one of the biggest going-out nights of the year, with people in town visiting family and returning to their old haunts. Those of you visiting Memphis next week will have a new haunt to check out – Loflin Yard. The Dead Soldiers will play Wednesday night, November 23 from 9 to midnight. Come check out this rustic indoor/outdoor space with great food and craft beer.

New to Memphis and want to learn about your city? Come to Instant Memphian at Trolley Stop Market tonight at 6. You will get a complete introduction to Memphis from the locals who live it and love it. There will be karaoke afterward, and of course Trolley Stop has some good food.

Today only: Book a flight to New Orleans on GLO for $15. The offer is valid for fights through January 31.

Bruno Mars has announced a Memphis date for his upcoming concert tour. He’ll play FedExForum September 17, 2017. Tickets will go on sale November 21, 2016.

Out in The Edge, there will be a holiday market at 600 Monroe November 26-December 18.

South Side Supper Club will play the Dirty Crow Inn Friday at 9 PM. I wish that I could make it down there to see my friends perform, but due to an excellent password that night at a bar closer to home I doubt I will be there.

The Trumpster could make school lunches great again. The Donald is a big fan of fast food (particularly taco salads. He loves Hispanics!) He could sign an executive order getting rid of the apple wedges and other healthy lunch foods, and bring back the days of pizza, sloppy Joes, burritos, and fries. Heck, maybe Trump will even dispatch Chris Christie or Marco Rubio to McDonald’s to pick up lunch for the entire school!

Memphis has its first Bitcoin ATM. It’s at the Shell station at the corner of Dudley and MLK Ave.

The Brass Door will be showing USA vs. Costa Rica tonight at 8. This is another event for the US Men’s National Team in qualifying for the World Cup in soccer. This is the official American Outlaws watch party for the match.

Great article by George Takei, interned in a camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, on how to have hope during what seem like America’s darkest days. I especially recommend this article to Clinton supporters who unfriended people on Facebook because they were astonished their friends would support what they saw as a campaign of bigotry and misogyny and hate. I also recommend this to those who gloated in the days after the election and belittled those who felt genuine grief and pain over the result.

Congrats to the Tigers on their victory last night. Glad to hear they were shooting the ball. Tubby Smith is a fundamentals guy and is not going to tolerate the AAU-ball-played-in-college style the way Pastner did.

This is my second post of the day, so if it is your first visit here today, keep scrolling. You wouldn’t want to miss news about a Downtown ice rink and a hootenanny! I will most likely be out after work at the Blind Bear. Back tomorrow.

Finally, some good news: Ice rink, a hootenanny, Oreo candy bars and more

Very, very cool news to start off this post: An ice rink is coming to Downtown Memphis. It will be at Mississippi River Park, the park at Riverside and Jefferson formerly known as Confederate Park. It will open next month and could stay open as late as Valentine’s Day. The rink is part of a national initiative called Reimagining the Civic Commons.

Off work on Friday and with no plans until 7 PM, I had been trying to decide what to do with my day. Yesterday afternoon a new option came across my radar.

There’s a hootenanny!

It’s the Medical District’s district-wide fall hootenanny from 11 AM to 2 PM Friday, November 18 at 799 Madison, which appears to be the Health Sciences Park. There will be food trucks, games, and live music by the Bluff City Backsliders. You know, in my entire life I have never been to a hootenanny. Maybe I should go!

More good news:

Memphis Animal Services is holding a New Volunteer Orientation at its office at 2350 Appling City Cove on Saturday, November 19 from 10 to noon. Learn about opportunities to help the homeless animals of Memphis. Per city policy, volunteers must be at least 18.

I see I’m not the only one ranting about turn signals. David Waters of the CA is too.

That’s it for now. Fairly short post but the ice rink story alone warrants it. I may be back at lunchtime with more.

Monday update

I want to start off this post with a huge congratulations to my friend Heath and his team Victory Lane BBQ. They were in Orange Beach, Alabama this past weekend, competing in the World Food Championships. They came in 5th out of 89 teams in BBQ. Way to go! Also congratulations to local team Porkosaurus, who competed in the WFC as well. To even get an invite to that event is a sign you’re the best of the best!

The Tubby Smith era begins for real tonight as the Memphis Tigers play their first regular-season game tonight at FedExForum at 7. The opponent is UTRGV, University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley. I’d say the Tigers will probably win, but then a week ago I said Hillary would probably win. These days I’m done making predictions.

Legendary graphic designer Aaron Draplin makes an appearance in Memphis tonight at Clayborn Temple at 7. He’ll discuss his new book, Pretty Much Everything, in an event hosted by Creative Works. $12 to get in. Copies of the book and other merchandise will be on sale.

The Salty Dogs running group is running to the Harahan Bridge tonight at 7. It’s free to participate and Bardog Tavern is the meeting point.

Do you have a passion for teaching and history? Elmwood Cemetery is always looking for volunteers to lead tours. Email Kelly at historian@elmwoodcemetery.org if you are interested in learning about becoming a volunteer guide.

Check out the MemphisWeather.net forecast for the week. Looks like ideal patio weather! By the way, I will be off work and Downtown this Friday, so if anyone wants to meet up for patio dranks, hit me up!

If any of you are on AdultFriendFinder, you better change your password. Usernames, passwords, IP addresses, VIP statuses, and purchase histories have been exposed.

Did you know that AutoZone Park can host your holiday events? I have to admit, that’s an event space I never thought of. Then again, I’m not a party planner, so why would I, I suppose…

It’s a painful year to be an Arkansas fan. At least the Hogs got bowl-eligible already, but it’s hard to watch them lose to one SEC West team after another. If Arkansas was in the SEC East, they would probably be 9-1 right now. Checking out the Week 12 game schedule, I see that the Razorbacks have their best chance to win one in the SEC West, versus Mississippi State, will happen at 6 PM Saturday. Looks like an evening at my home away from home on the south side, Max’s Sports Bar, will be in order.

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

Ghost River doing brunch tomorrow, Santa’s Wonderland, and more Saturday news

There’s a new brunch option Downtown this Sunday! Ghost River will have Sunday brunch from 12 to 9 in their new taproom at Main and Crump. Flying Sobies Food Truck Chronicles will be on site serving up chicken and waffles, and of course football will be on in the taproom.

Santa’s Wonderland is back at Bass Pro. There will be a special preview this afternoon, with Santa’s arrival at 5 PM. Free Santa stress balls will be given away and there will be tons of crap that kids like to do.

Geez. It’s November 12. Then again, you have to think of it from a kid’s perspective. I remember the Christmas when I was six years old – on September 5 I got the Sears and JCPenney Christmas catalogs and went through them circling the items I wanted Santa to bring me and talked about them nonstop for the next three months and 20 days. So yeah, I guess I see Bass Pro’s point here.

“World of Wonka” is the theme today at Craig Brewer and Black Lodge’s Pandemonium Cinema Showcase at the historic Cossett Library at 4 PM. This is a free interactive film screening that invites you to go beyond the movies. Celebrating the 45th anniversary of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the original movie will be shown, followed by James and the Giant Peach, and then a second screening of Willy Wonka. There will be sing-a-longs, shadow casts, shifting sets, visual tricks and interactive candy. What is that you ask? It means that Oompa Loompas will bring you the candy you see when the scenes happen in the movie.

Thank goodness I haven’t attempted any of these after Sunday Fun Day at the Blind Bear: 30 reasons why drunk people need to stay out of the kitchen

There will be a celebration on Thursday, December 8 from 4-7 for the grand opening of the Edge Triangle. The Triangle is a collaboration between Memphis College of Art, the Medical District Collaborative, Memphis City Beautiful, and the neighborhood association out there to build a truly public greenspace that humans and their dogs can enjoy. There will be food vendors, music, and other activities.

You know what I realized as I typed that last paragraph? I have covered happenings in The Edge lots of times in my blog, but other than BBQ team meetings at Holliday Flowers I haven’t gone out there. I have talked the talk. I haven’t walked the walk. That needs to change. I WILL BE THERE on the 8th!

A computer bug killed a lot of people on Facebook yesterday.

I missed the Raspberry McStout Face!

I need to make a field trip to Memphis Made sometime soon. I need to arrange it so I can walk next door and see my fav bartender Hannah at Aldo’s Pizza Pies Midtown, then up to Slider Inn to see my “DAWG” John D.

OH DEAR GOD NO:

I had a friend who traveled to Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (if I can be serious for a minute) for work a few years ago and he told me they were really nice places. Put Cruz on the Supreme Court and I will be finding out if that’s true.

In better news, this is a third part of a trilogy I would like to see:

Time to go get my morning caffeine. Heading out to the Memphis Farmers Market about 10.

Friday update #2

Today I will start off with a quiz for Memphis drivers.

You’re driving north on I-240 N and just passed the Union exit. You are in the center lane, but you are about to change lanes to the right lane so you can get off at the I-40 W exit. What do you do?

A) Check Pinterest to see if you can find a good crockpot recipe for tomorrow’s dinner
B) Text your boyfriend to see how his day is going
C) Use your turn signal
D) Comment on the cute photo your friend posted on Facebook of her pet chihuahua

Sunday we fell back from Daylight Time to Standard Time, and every year it seems like the time change makes Memphis drivers even more stupid than they already are. Twice this week I have nearly been sideswiped by someone texting, veering wildly from one side of the lane to another. Yesterday I was almost rear-ended at Malfunction Junction.

Here’s another quiz.

You’re driving south on I-55, heading toward the paradise that is North Mississippi. All of the sudden it starts to rain heavily. What do you do?

A) Go 15 MPH faster than usual
B) Check Twitter to see if there’s news about “The Voice”
C) Tailgate
D) Turn your headlights on

Carrie Underwood brings her “Storyteller” tour to FedExForum Sunday at 7 PM. Underwood is a six-time Grammy winner and an ACM Female Vocalist of the Year.

The Arcade is giving veterans 15% off today. (Edit: Now I’m seeing 50% on Twitter. You get food at less than full price today, that much I know.)

If you want to watch some real ‘Muricans battle some bad hombres, the Brass Door is hosting the official American Outlaws watch party for the US Men’s National Team’s World Cup qualifying match vs. Mexico. The game will be held in Columbus, Ohio. Oh man, my heart cries for Columbus, whose streets must be teeming with guns and drugs that the Mexican national team undoubtedly brought with them. Good thing Trump is going to build that wall soon!

Trump’s victory is reason for Millington to celebrate.

South Main Association members, don’t forget about Tuesday’s meeting at Film Row Century House. It’s at 151 Vance, at the corner of Vance and Second. Owner Anton Mack will discuss the past and future of this historic house, which once was a distribution center for 20th Century Fox. There will also be a vote on the 2017 SMA board. Beverages and apps courtesy of Anton Mack and SMA. 6 PM start time. Free for members, $10 for guests.

Want to score some Seattle Seahawks tickets for free? Here’s your chance. According to FiveThirtyEight’s Significant Digits newsletter, Seahawks linebacker Cassius Marsh is a lifelong fan of the game “Magic: The Gathering,” but he recently lost his collection of cards, valued at $20,000-$25,000. If you can find Marsh’s cards, you get two tickets to a Seahawks game.

(Colin puts on sleuth hat)

Bleu will be open for Thanksgiving brunch on Thursday, November 24 from 11 to 4. $45 + tax + grat for adults, $20 for kids under 12, free for kids under 5. To make reservations, call 901-334-5950.

That’s it for now. I’ll hit the Silly Goose after work then figure out the rest of my Friday evening plans.

Friday morning update

Happy Veterans Day and thank you to all of those who are currently serving or have served in the past. My favorite weather site, MemphisWeather.net, had a blog post yesterday that they are giving away free MWN apps to active and retired military and first responders. Here are more deals and discounts for our veterans.

There will be a Veterans Day parade this morning at 10 AM proceeding down Second Street from Exchange to Monroe. 500-1200 are expected.

Today at The 101, 101 S. Main, there will be a Taste & See pop-up shop from 9 AM to 5 PM. They will have jewelry, custom ornaments, and a tasting for holiday orders.

The final pop-up beer garden at Fourth Bluff on the river happens this evening. Devil Train will perform 5:30-8:30. Mobile beer vendor The Tapbox will be serving great craft beer, and there will be several food trucks. You’re invited to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. There will be activities for children and families. These free, public events are designed to invigorate previously underused green spaces on the river.

Just wanted to throw out a reminder that Howl at the Moon happens this Saturday 6-11 at The Warehouse at Front and G.E. Patterson. This is a fundraiser for the Streetdog Foundation that rescues, fosters, and adopts dogs. There will be cocktails including the Howler. Music by Shufflegrit, James and the Ultrasounds, South Side Supper Club, Eric Crays, Kim Garmon, Allessandra Daniele, and evening dance party by DJ Tree. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door.

Instructor Caroline Schmidt will hold an Introduction to Ayurveda workshop at Downtown Yoga tomorrow, Saturday, November 12, from noon to 1:30 PM. Don’t know what Ayurveda is? (This may shock you, but I didn’t either.) Wikipedia to the rescue.

If you were planning to cross Big River Crossing today, you need to heed this information:

The Tin Roof will have a big party on Wednesday, November 23, Thanksgiving Eve. There will be a beer pong tournament with cash prizes (free to enter), $12 pitchers of beer, and $5 whiskey. There will be live music by Bonfire Orchestra and DJ Epic.

Photos: The Crowne Plaza, the hotel nearest to St. Jude, celebrates its rebirth with $7 million in renovations.

Beware if you get a call from 901-647-6251. It called me yesterday morning. I didn’t answer and they didn’t leave a voicemail. I typed the number into Google and found that the call originated from a cell tower in Gujarat, India. Nearly 100% certain it was a scammer. It is no longer safe to assume that a call from a 901 number comes from a West Tennessee phone.

Having enjoyed success with Brexit and the United States presidential election, Trump’s troll army turns its attention to Europe. In particular, the alt-right trolls are attempting to influence the upcoming election in France. This is starting to remind me of the year 1848, when there were a series of revolutions in multiple countries. However, most of those revolutions turned out to be failures.

Oh, that reminds me… several days ago, I said that Hillary Clinton reminded me of a historical figure in politics, and after the election I would tell you which one. That figure was Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord, foreign minister of France in the early 19th century. Talleyrand was the most skilled politician and diplomat of his generation, and his sharp negotiation skills kept France from being partitioned and led to the restoration of the House of Bourbon after Napoleon was defeated. It was clear that he acted in the best interests of France, but it was also very clear (and he didn’t try very much to hide it) that he took bribes. When people came to him with an issue needing resolution, his response was typically “Have you money? I have found that most any problem can be solved, if there’s money.” If he had lived two centuries later in America, people would be donating to the Talleyrand Foundation in the hopes of political favors.

Hillary admitted that she made a mistake when she called nearly half of Trump’s supporters “deplorables.” It fired those supporters up and they not only embraced the nasty name, they put it on T-shirts to troll her. Although I don’t agree with Trump supporters on much, that was funny. It’s the kind of thing I would do myself. Sticks and stones!

Off to work, possibly another post later today.

Thursday update: Volunteer Odyssey pop-up parties, Farmers Market and more

A couple of days ago, I wrote that this year’s Downtown Vision Awards would be presented at the Halloran Centre on Wednesday, November 16, and that I was SUPER EXCITED about one of the recipients. Today the CA has an article about the awards. One of the Innovators’ Awards will go to my friends Patrick and Deni Reilly, owners of the Majestic Grille which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. They do so much to promote Downtown. They are very deserving of the award and I can’t think of a more appropriate year for them to receive it than this one. Congratulations Patrick and Deni.

Volunteer Odyssey is holding four pop-up volunteer parties at The 101, 101 S. Main, in the coming weeks. The dates and times are Monday, November 21 11 AM-2 PM; Tuesday, November 29 11 AM-2 PM; another party on the 29th 5-9 PM; and then another party in the evening Tuesday, December 6 5-8 PM. Pick the one that best fits your schedule and learn about ways you can do good in Memphis.

Savor the Season is the theme at Memphis Farmers Market this Saturday. There are only two Markets left in the regular season, this week and next, for you to savor the fresh produce, the food, the music, the friendly environment. After that the pavilion will be empty until April, except for a special holiday market on December 10. Adam Levine will supply the live music Saturday from 10 to 12:30. From 9 to 11 kids can make Thanksgiving- or autumn-themed crafts to take home. Real Good Dog Rescue will be there doing adoptions. The Market runs from 7 to 1 Saturday at the corner of Front and G.E. Patterson.

With only two Markets left, it goes without saying that I WILL BE THERE. Sadly, this will be the first Market all season long when it will be too cold for me to wear shorts. Post-Market, I will head over to Earnestine & Hazel’s to have a couple PBRs at Clarence’s bar, then over to Max’s Sports Bar where there will be plenty of good early Saturday football watching. State will attempt to knock off Bama, I’ll be a Kentucky fan for a week as they play Tennessee, South Carolina will clash with Florida, and the Longhorns of Texas will play good ole West Virginny, all at 11 AM. I wonder if those two girls who played all that good jukebox music at E&H will be back this week. I would like to be friends with them.

There’s a pre-sale for the WWE Smackdown Live tour coming to FedExForum in January. Use the code below to get your tickets a day before the general public can.

Country music artist and Grand Ole Opry member Pam Tillis plays the Halloran Centre tonight at 7:30.

MILESTONE: In over 10,000 blog posts, this is the first one where I have used “ole” twice.

Tomorrow evening, Brown Bear, Brown Bear and other treasured stories plays the Orpheum at 6:30. However, bring the kids early to make crafts:

Mini-mimosas in a can have made their way to the shelves at Miss Cordelia’s. These are perfect for tailgating.

Dear God. People in California are talking about seceding, in the days after Trump’s victory in the presidential election. There is also a petition to get electors pledged to Trump to vote for Hillary Clinton instead. I do not support either of those movements. As unhappy (and scared) as I am about what happened Tuesday, come January 20, Donald Trump is my president and I hope and pray that he will work to make ALL Americans’ lives better.

However, I don’t support the “stop whining, it’s over, accept it” people posting on Facebook either. Many voters believed that with their help, the glass ceiling would finally be broken and a woman would hold the highest office in the land 97 years after women were given the vote. That’s a big deal. Give those voters time to grieve the result of this election. However, I’d like to offer a word to those grieving. Bill Clinton described his wife as the biggest change-maker he has ever known. When you get done grieving, pick up the mantle from Hillary Clinton. YOU be the agent of change. Start a movement to get an amendment that abolishes the Electoral College. Start working on a plan for 2018, to sweep the bums in Congress who stood by Trump out of office. We can’t do anything about the White House for four years, but we can work together to get women into other important positions of power. Let this electoral setback embolden you into action.

As for me, I am going to be emboldened into having a few PBRs at the Silly Goose after work. Got a lot more news that will go up in either a late-afternoon post today or an early-morning post tomorrow.

“Next”: the concept that produces less-than-ideal presidential nominees

A concept that has tripped up political parties’ presidential nominees for more than 30 years is the concept of “next.” As in, this person has been a top party dignitary for quite some time, now it is their time to run. They’re anointed “next,” overlooking their flaws and their inability to excite the electorate.

Walter Mondale was “next” for the Democrats in 1984. He’d served his time as Jimmy Carter’s vice-president. Now it was his time. Except that, despite being a man of ideas who was clearly qualified for office, he was boring. Worse, his boringness was a contrast to the charm of President Reagan, a people person if there ever was one. Mondale lost in a landslide.

Bob Dole was “next” for the Republicans in 1996. He’d served as Ford’s running mate in 1976, he built up a name in unsuccessful presidential primary runs in 1980 and 1988, and like Mondale he clearly had the qualifications for the office. But he too was boring. And old. You’d think the Republicans would have put forth someone who could better match President Clinton’s charisma and youth. They didn’t. It was seen as Dole’s time. Dole’s nomination handed Bill Clinton a second term on a silver platter.

John Kerry was “next” for the Democrats in 2004. He was in his fourth term in the Senate, and had served on the Foreign Relations Committee. He was clearly more qualified than George W. Bush. But Kerry was an unexciting candidate, and the American public decided they were happy with what they had in Dubya, even though many of them disagreed with his invasion of Iraq,

Ronald Reagan energized the American electorate in 1980. A former actor, he wasn’t as qualified as some of his primary opponents (including Dole) or as President Carter. He also wasn’t “next.” But Republican voters understood that he was the man who could win over the entire voting public – not just them – and he was swept into office.

Barack Obama energized the American electorate in 2008. He wasn’t “next” – Hillary Clinton was, and although qualified for the office, he wasn’t as qualified as Clinton. However, his enthusiasm and optimism won over the Democratic base, and they knew they had the man with both the ideas and the charm to lead the country. He defeated war hero John McCain in the general election, bringing the Democratic party back to the White House for the first time in eight years.

Donald Trump energized the American electorate (or at least enough of it) in 2016. Although unqualified to be president and often vile and hateful, he tapped into a root emotion of the American public – deep dissatisfaction with the status quo. Facing a flawed opponent, he was able to flip states in his opponent’s “blue firewall” red, ascending to the presidency.

Trump’s flawed opponent, Hillary Clinton, was “next” in 2016. It was her time after almost being “next” in 2008. Even though polls showed that her primary opponent, Bernie Sanders, would win more states, and even though she had some skeletons in her closet from her days as Secretary of State and her involvement with the Clinton Foundation, Democrats went with what was familiar.

Both political parties would do themselves a favor if they got away from the concept of “next.” If they started evaluating candidates on not only their ideas, but the ability to excite the entire American public – not just the party base – about those ideas.

For the Democrats specifically, I have one piece of advice for you.

Get rid of superdelegates.

Sinners for Saints raises $15K+ and more Wednesday news

I want to start off this blog post with positive news about how much we can accomplish when we all come together. Two Saturdays ago, the Sinners for Saints party happened at Stop 345. There were many Jello shots consumed, people danced, fortunes were told… and in the process raised $15,350 for the Church Health Center, giving low-income working families access to health care services they otherwise would not be likely to afford. No matter who is president, no matter which party controls Congress, let us take solace in the fact that there are unlimited opportunities for us to work with each other and help others the way the Sinners for Saints organizers have done.

Save the date, because Sinners for Saints Ball III: Thriller Night is coming Saturday, October 27, 2017.

More positive news: This, without a doubt, was the best thing on TV last night. Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets, Denver leads by one, Memphis ball, 00:00.7 remaining in the game.

Food Truck Wednesdays continue this evening from 5 to 8 at Miss Cordelia’s. The beers of Sweetwater Brewery will be on tap. Food truck-wise, those bad hombres from El Mero Taco will be there, as will Sushi Jimmi and The Creamery Memphis.

Modern Handmade Memphis will have a pre-Christmas pop-up shop at The 101, 101 S. Main, next week. Come shop goods by local Makers and Artisans. There will be a Downtown resident preview night Monday, November 14 from 6 to 9 PM, then it will be open 11 AM-6 PM Tuesday-Wednesday and 11 AM-9 PM Thursday-Saturday that week. The flyer for the market also lists Sunday noon to 5 PM, but it says the market is open to the public the 15th-19th and the 19th is Saturday. So, not sure about Sunday the 20th.

High Cotton has announced special hours for its taproom Sunday: 8 AM to 3 PM, closing at 3 for a private event. However, from 8 to 3 they will be open for Feed the Seed, a 5K, yoga, and beer tasting that benefits the local chapter of the MS Society. Is there an option to skip all that exercise shit and just sit at the bar and drink beer? Because I can tell you, given that I live around the corner from a bar that opens at 8 five days a week, 8 AM beer is a beautiful thing. Especially when you’re depressed (and there is PLENTY to be depressed about this week) and need a pick-me-up.

Last Saturday was India Fest at the Agricenter out East, and this Sunday is Israel Festival out there. There will be folk dancing, a falafel eating contest, Ask the Israeli, travel information, a petting zoo and more children’s activities, bands, student choirs, Jewish/Israeli food, and an education tent.

If you don’t want to cook for Thanksgiving, there will be a buffet at the River Inn banquet hall from noon to 5 PM. $39.95 adults, $15.95 children.

I will say it once again: If you are not following retired newsman Dan Rather on Facebook, you need to be. Great stuff in every post.

Someone needs to go adopt this sweet girl:

That’s it for this post. I will be out at Silly Goose for happy hour after work, and I am just praying that the discussion topic won’t be last night’s election. Right now, though, I have to eat my lunch that I just bought at Kroger.

photo-nov-09-12-48-54-pmClearly there’s a lot of adulting going on around here today. Jeannette from Blind Bear, if you are still looking for an adultier adult, you just found him!