Category: Uncategorized

Nine-time Gold Glove-winning catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals Yadier Molina is coming to Memphis on a rehab assignment. He’s working through recovery from a knee injury and will rejoin parent team the Cards upon successful completion of his time in Memphis. He’s projected to start the Thursday and Friday night games this week as the Redbirds take on the Norfolk Tides, Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Let’s have a look at what’s happening at Thursday and Friday’s games:

• $4 field box tickets both nights in honor of Yadi
• Thursday: $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon and $1 hot dogs. The Redbirds will take the field in their throwback Memphis Chicks uniforms
• Friday: There’s an all-you-can-eat specialty ticket that gets you a buffet of soft tacos and fixings (lettuce, salsa, tomatoes, shredded cheese), hot dogs, chips, soda, and water

First pitch for both games is 7:05. If you can’t wait for Yadi to get to town to take yourself out to the ball game, there’s a game at 7:05 tonight, also against Norfolk, where every ticket includes a free order of ballpark nachos.

Yadi turned 40 the week before last, so this could very well be your last opportunity to see him in Memphis before he rides off into retirement and probably the Hall of Fame.

Memphis City Beautiful is teaming up with the Memphis Grizzlies to organize a Slam Dunk Litter League for September and October. Teams will be organized by City Council district and registration ends August 19. Prizes for top teams:

• First place: $1500 from I Love Memphis and tickets to see a Grizzlies game in Mayor Strickland’s suite
• Second place: $1000 from the Downtown Memphis Commission and tickets to see a Grizzlies game in Mayor Strickland’s suite
• Third place: $500 from cityCURRENT and tickets to see a Grizzlies game in Mayor Strickland’s suite
• Plus winning district team members will receive a Grizzlies swag bag

A 105-unit apartment building will be constructed in The Edge District, the DM reports. It’ll be at 442 Monroe, in the former Holliday Flowers warehouse space, across The Ravine from High Cotton. These apartments, designed to appeal to nearby university students, will come fully furnished with utilities and Wi-Fi included in the rent. The developer has built a similar property in Jonesboro near A-State.

The selfie studio in the basement of 409 South Main has turned into a speakeasy called The Lucky Cowboy. You have to check their Instagram page to learn of events and passwords to get in.

Broke Tall Folk will supply the live music at Dreamers’ Trolley Night at Walking Pants Curiosities on G.E. Patterson Friday evening. Come sit around the table and mingle with Memphis makers and creatives like Sincerely Antionette, KB the Visionary, Enchante 901, AnnaMade Designs, and Retold Jewelry.

My Fair Lady kicks off a week-long run at the Orpheum tonight.

From ZDnet: Apple politely explains why iPhone cases are a waste of money. Good to see Apple agreeing with me on this. The last time I used a case on my iPhone was when I owned a 4s back around 2012.

YUCK!!! Today is World Tofu Day. My recommendation to celebrate would be to take a trip to Memphis Barbecue Co. in Horn Lake for their World Champion Platter: A full slab of their spare and baby back ribs, sausage, pulled pork, turkey, brisket, and two half chickens, with BBQ beans, slaw, and fries. If you’re still hungry after all that, there’s a Golden Corral buffet about a quarter-mile west on Goodman Road.

Former WWE chairman Vince McMahon said he made the decision to retire, announced late last week, about two weeks ago. The Figure Four Newsletter reports he may have had some “help” with that decision. Hush money the company paid to women Vince allegedly had sex with was not reported on SEC filings and regulators had questions.

That’s it for now. I’m going to get out for Bardog happy hour this afternoon. If my legs hold up well for that one, I’ll start returning to venues farther from home later in the week. Back tomorrow with more news.

Belle Tavern, in the intersection of November 6th Street (alley between Main and Second) and Barboro Alley (alley between Union and Gayoso), is hosting a happy hour with Blue Note Bourbon Friday, August 5 from 5 to 8 PM. There will be specialty cocktails featuring the bourbon, and the Blue Note team will be on hand to discuss tasting notes. Tastings and flights will be available, and there will be giveaways and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

Most of you have been to a shindig in your lifetimes. Some of you have been to a soiree. I’d venture to guess a few of you have even been to a gala. But how many of you have been to a wing ding? You’ll have your chance Saturday, July 30.

No, a “wing ding” is not named for the Windows font. Rather, it’s a 1920s slang term for a lavish, lively party or celebration. On the 30th, the Blind Bear will have a wing ding in honor of Memphis-born gangster Machine Gun Kelly (born George Kelly Barnes on July 18, 1895; died July 18, 1954; yep, the poor guy died on his birthday). Plans include

• Mario Monterosso 5-piece band 8 PM-midnight
• DJ Tree midnight-2 AM
• Jamie Harmon taking photos 9 PM-midnight – candids and mug shots
• Amurica photo booth 10 PM-12:30 AM

Dress up in your best 1920s gangster or moll (female gangster companion) outfits.

The Daily Memphian has Q&As with incumbent district attorney general Amy Weirich and challenger Steve Mulroy. Early voting in this race (and many others) is ongoing through July 30. Find an early voting location

Please be on the lookout for this lost dog in the South Bluffs/South Main area.

The MBJ reports that Memphis-based Arbo’s Cheese Dip, already carried in 300 locations, is expanding into Texas. Don’t feel like driving all the way there? Pick up a tub of Arbo’s at Grind City Grocer at 60 S. Main inside The Washburn.

YOGA! Petting Zoo Yoga by the River will happen this Wednesday at Mud Island Dog Park from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. This is a free, beginner-friendly class with baby ducks and Broadway the talking, singing parrot. The yoga will be a Vinyasa flow style. The animals are said to be very friendly and will let you pet them. There will be free water and fruit, and kombucha will be available for purchase. Bring your own mat and wear breathable clothing. There will be an option to donate to help keep the animals fed.

Charlie Cope plays the King’s Palace Tap Room tonight from 8 to midnight.

Beef Brochette and Bang Bang Redfish are your entree choices for tonight’s 3-course Monday dinner at Paulette’s.

Congratulations to Memphis Grizzly Desmond Bane, who recently became a father.

Today is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day. Margie’s 901 at 125 S. Main can help you with that.

Today is also National Wine and Cheese Day. My recommendation here would be to visit Downtown Wines & Spirits (on Madison just east of Main) for a nice bottle of wine, then walk about a block and a half south on Main to pick up a cheese board from Feast & Graze.

I’m probably going to stay home today and give my bad legs one more day to heal. Besides, I’m kind of curious to see the first Vince McMahon-less WWE Monday Night RAW ever this evening. Back tomorrow with more news.

Big Cypress Lodge announced this weekend that its patio is officially open for the summer season. To celebrate, they’re throwing a party Friday, July 29 from 7 to 11. DJ Epic will provide the music and there will be cocktails and giveaways. Admission will be $10 at the door.

The Daily Memphian has a story about former Memphis Tigers point-guard Joe Jackson, who is attempting to make a comeback after a rough past several years. Cheers, Joe. Memphis loves you and wants to see you succeed.

Great news in the MemphisWeather.net extended forecast: While much of this week will be as hot as we’ve experienced this past month, toward the end we will get some relief. Highs are expected to be near 90 on Friday and in the upper 80s on Saturday. There is a good chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms both days (50% Friday, 40% Saturday).

Be sure to check on the elderly during this heat. If any of my readers walk down G.E. Patterson this afternoon, could you pop your head in Max’s Sports Bar and ask the people at the corner table by the group photos, “Y’all OK?”

Today is National Tequila Day.

Trap Jazz 901 comes to Carolina Watershed tonight at 7:30.

Flying Saucer hosts Marvel Trivia this Tuesday at 7.

Mississippi musician Denver Massey plays the Tin Roof tonight at 6.

That’s the news for today. I have had a great time at Bardog the past two days, but today I am going to stay home and let my legs rest up. Back tomorrow with more news.

Tonight is Marvel Super Hero Night at AutoZone Park. There will be a special appearance by Black Panther, and the Memphis Redbirds will sport special Black Panther uniforms as they take on the Gwinnett Stripers. First pitch is 6:35. Be sure to stick around after the game for a fireworks show.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical comes to the Orpheum November 22-27. Tickets go on sale August 12. There won’t be any Thursday show that week, since Thursday will be Thanksgiving. The show features the song, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”

The latest Just Grizzlies podcast features the man who made a name for himself in Las Vegas Summer League, Kenneth Lofton, Jr. Spotify Apple

DJ Tree and DJ Mylon will supply the live music at Silly Goose tonight.

From the DM: A St. Jude cancer survivor cashed in the World Series of Poker, winning more than a half million dollars.

Today is Hot Enough for Ya Day. The Memphis forecast: high 97 feels like 106/low 78. No chance of rain.

The National Bar Association convention will bring 1000 predominantly African-American judges, lawyers, legal educators, and law students to Memphis next week.

The Carlos Ecos Band plays the Hard Rock tonight at 8.

Vince McMahon retired as chairman and CEO of WWE yesterday at age 77. Vinnie Mac had been at the helm of the company for 40 years, having purchased it from his dad and then taking it public. Allegations of hush money to cover up sexual encounters were running rampant, with both WWE corporate employees and independent contractors (the performers) rumored to have been paid off. Most likely the board met with Vince Friday morning and told him, retire with dignity or be fired in shame. Vince’s daughter Stephanie McMahon and WWE President/Director of Revenue Nick Khan will serve as co-CEOs.

Vince was known for living the business, sleeping 3 hours a night and working 100-120 hours a week. Many top corporate executives left the company because they couldn’t deal with his 3 AM phone calls. He hadn’t taken a vacation in 40 years. I wonder what he’s going to do now that he doesn’t have any responsibilities?

Such a shame… Vince could have gone down in history as the Walt Disney of sports entertainment. Now he will go down in history as the Harvey Weinstein of sports entertainment. I wonder if his actions will prevent him from ever being inducted into his own Hall of Fame. Maybe Mick Foley and Mr. Socko will pay Vince a visit to his home to cheer him up.

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon has been convicted of contempt of Congress on two counts: refusing to appear for a deposition, and refusing to supply documents. Bannon will serve a minimum of 30 days in jail for each count.

Problems with my legs have made it difficult to walk to the Silly Goose and Blind Bear this week – well, sorta, I can walk to those places just fine, but it’s the walk home from those places that nearly does me in. So yesterday I decided to walk to Bardog, which is much closer. I was reminded what a creature of habit I am – I’ve done plenty of weekday mornings and Saturday brunches at Bardog lately, but I haven’t done a happy hour there since the pandemic.

I got there a few minutes after 3, and within an hour I was surrounded by Downtown family. It was wonderful. I will be back. It’s funny how life works – what seemed like a limitation turned into an opportunity.

As for my friends at the Goose and the Bear, don’t worry, you did nothing to lose my business. As soon as my legs recover a bit, I’ll be back. Although, I’ll sprinkle a few Bardog visits in the afternoons here and there even past that point.

Meeting friends at Bardog this afternoon too. Back tomorrow with more news.

The Redbirds return to AutoZone Park this evening for a 3-game homestand vs. the Gwinett Stripers. The theme tonight is Christmas in July and the park will transform into a winter wonderland. The first 1000 fans in the gate tonight get a Redbirds ugly Christmas shirt. Special concessions include a Grinch-a-rita (must be of legal drinking age to purchase) and a Christmas cake funnel cake. The first pitch is at 7:05.

A specialty ticket tonight gets you access to an all-you-can-eat buffet of ziti with meatballs and marinara, baked penne alfredo with garlic chicken, garlic breadsticks, hot dogs, chips, soda, and water. $24 dugout/$21 field box

Candy Fox is tonight’s featured artist for Soulin’ on the River tonight at Fourth Bluff Park. Admission is free and lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, and coolers are welcome. Food trucks and a full bar will be on site. The gates open at 6 with live music beginning at 7.

Memphis Animal Shelter has a record number of animals in their care and needs help getting 30 dogs fostered. Dog and cat adoption fees will be waived this weekend.

St. Jude readers: You have a yummy lunch option coming your way next week. New Wing Order will have a space in the air-conditioned Kay Kafe all next week. From 11-2 each day next week, they’ll serve traditional and boneless wings with your choice of Memphis Buffalo or Grind City Gold sauce, and they’ll also have their Fried Chicken BBQ Nachos.

In other wing news, Pam from River Time Market & Deli posted that Cajun Wings are coming soon. You’ll be able to get 6 party wings with Cajun rice and Texas toast.

Facebook is killing its News Feed to compete with TikTok more closely. I don’t like it.

From ABC 24: International Memphis 901 FC players break down their journey from overseas

Folk/roots band KillBillies play the Hard Rock tonight at 6.

Goner Records presents a Power Disco DJ Nite Saturday at Wiseacre Downtown, but it’s not actually at night – it’s from 4 to 8 PM. Expect post-punk, electro, and funk from DJs Zac and Natalie. They’ll give away records, gift cards, and a pair of tickets to the August 1 Cobra Man show.

Solar Powered Love Meltdown performs at Ghost River on Beale tonight at 7. Prior to the entire band taking the stage, Taylor will give a special interpretive dance performance.

Yubu, Kennard Farmer, and Amber Rae Dunn play the Memphis Farmers Market 9-11 AM Saturday.

Memphis 901 FC has an away game at Indianapolis Saturday at 6 PM.

I haven’t done happy hour at Bardog for a while, so I think I will today. Melissa gets there at 3 so I think I will too. She’s up for Best Bartender in the Memphis Flyer BOM poll, by the way. Back tomorrow with more news.

Voting is underway in the Memphis Flyer’s Best of Memphis 2022 annual poll. You have until 5 PM Wednesday, August 17 to vote, and the results will appear in the September 29 issue.

There are multiple “best/most” polls in this city, but the Flyer poll is the one people take most seriously. You can only vote one time (rather than once per day) and the contest is run by an editorial department (not a marketing department).

Silly Goose news:

Sunday brunch returns to the Goose starting at noon with jambalaya from Sonja’s Southern Kitchen. It’s made with shrimp, chicken, sausage, and veggies in a mild sauce over rice. I searched for Sonja’s Southern Kitchen online but couldn’t find anything.

One person commented, “Jambalaya? But that’s not even a brunch dish.” I for one am HAPPY to see a restaurant go in a different direction for brunch. Controversial opinion time: Most Downtown restaurant brunch menus are stale and boring and SSDR (same shit, different restaurant). There’s almost always an omelet, a breakfast burrito, steak & eggs, and the most worn-out, overplayed brunch item of all: chicken ‘n waffles. Viva la differénce to the Goose for making brunch interesting again.

In other Goose news, they once again have Goldfish behind the bar. Not live ones swimming around, but the cheese-flavored crackers.

Pretty Woman: The Musical comes to the Orpheum October 11-16 and tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 AM.

Nerd Nite returns to the Memphis Chess Club this Friday at 7 PM. There will be beverages and fun, informative talks on just about any topic. The night’s first speaker will be James Weakley on “Batman in Reality.”

It’s Fish Fry season at the Flying Fish. Friday through Sunday, any catfish basket is buy one, get one free.

The ESPY awards for excellence in sports were last night. Here’s a list of the winners and key moments. Ja Morant was nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete but lost to skier Eileen Gu. A poster dunk of Ja’s was nominated for Best Play but lost to a Megan Rapinoe corner kick.

A man has been sentenced to 35 years without parole in the 2018 Mud Island murder of Susan Grissom.

Jon Langston and Ryan Griffin play a free family-friendly show in Handy Park, B.B. King at Beale, in this week’s installment of KIX on Beale.

Neo-soul and R&B artist Jordan Occasionally will play Health Sciences Park Friday at noon. The Authentic Toast food truck will be on site.

It’s National Junk Food Day. My recommendation would be the Taco Bell at Third and Crump.

Breaking news: President Biden has tested positive for COVID-19. Say it ain’t so, Joe! It’s a mild case but at age 79, even that is a cause for concern. Biden will isolate at the White House and carry on the duties that he can.

Programming note: I may need to jump on a video conference at 8:30 tomorrow, so tomorrow’s blog post may be up a bit late.

I’m going to have to take a few days, maybe even as much as a week, off from going to the Silly Goose and the Blind Bear. My legs have gotten bad to the point that the fatigue of walking home from those places nearly does me in. I need to give my legs time to heal. Bardog is close enough to home that my visits there won’t be affected and may actually increase.

Back tomorrow with more news.

Action News 5 has a video tour of the new and improved Hospitality Hub opening next month at 590 Washington. There will be expanded day services, including helping clients get important documents including birth certificates and photo IDs. The Hub Hotel will provide a place to stay for women and children experiencing homelessness.

Kerry and Galway will face off in the GAA All-Ireland Final this Sunday and The Brass Door will open at 9 AM for the broadcast.

Today is National Hot Dog Day. My top recommendations would be the Daily Dog at Bardog (toppings change daily) and the Double Dog, add chili and cheese, at Dyer’s.

53 years ago today, the first humans walked on the moon.

Ghost Town Blues Band plays Blues on Beale in Handy Park tonight, 7 PM. This is a free all-ages show.

Fans of pinewood derby, you can race tonight with a beer in your hand (or without one) at Soul & Spirits Brewery, 845 N. Main. It’s adult pinewood racing club Derby and Ales‘ first time at the brewery. Registration is from 6:00-to 6:45 with races starting at 7. There will be prizes for the fastest 3 cars and Best in Show.

The Will Tucker Band plays the Blind Bear Saturday from 8 PM to midnight.

Tomorrow should be a big night at the Peabody as very popular band WALRUS headlines their rooftop party.

There’s a free tarot share tonight at The Broom Closet from 7 to 9.

There’s an Excessive Heat Warning for Shelby County today. Highs of around 100 are expected with the heat index rising above 110. Be careful if you go out. Back tomorrow with more news.

River City Records reports that they just landed a treasure trove of hip-hop and ’90s alternative CDs. Better get by there today if you’re interested before they get picked over.

Something weird was going on at the intersection of Main and G.E. Patterson yesterday. The traffic light facing southbound Main traffic was steady green – but it was also flashing red, at the same time, in the same direction. Never seen that one before!

Did you know that STIX has sushi-making classes? They’re $40 per person. You learn to make one of three rolls, and you get a free bottle of ginger dressing or yum yum sauce to take home. Email stix901@stixonline.com to inquire about classes.

DGX was reported to run out of plastic bags yesterday. A friend of mine had to use his pockets to carry his purchased items away. What the f….. ?

Let’s all hope tonight’s Major League Baseball game is tied after 9 innings. According to newly-adopted rules, the game won’t go into extra innings. Rather, a mini-home run derby will determine the winner. Three players from the NL and AL will get three swings apiece. The league with the most home runs wins.

The Memphis Redbirds have had a former player in every MLB All-Star Game since 2003. The Memphis Flyer composed a Redbirds alumni All-Star team.

Speaking of the Flyer, their annual Burger Week kicks off tomorrow and runs through the 26th. Enjoy some of the best burgers in the city for only $6.99. The event benefits Memphis Tilth, supporting an economically sustainable and socially equitable food system. Downtown participants include

• Huey’s
• Loflin Yard
• Flying Saucer

Southland is the closest casino to Downtown Memphis. Action News 5 has a look at the casino’s new hotel rooms.

Cameron Smith, who won The Open Championship Sunday, is nearing a move to join LIV Golf. I know some people don’t like LIV because there are Saudi investors, but I’ll tell you the way I see it. When there’s competition for talent, the talent benefits and gets paid handsomely. When there’s no competition (as was the case before LIV popped up), talent has to toe the line, do what The Man (the PGA Tour) says, and accept what The Man is willing to give them.

The DM has updated details about the man who allegedly threatened to shoot everyone coming out of the Yo Gotti concert at FedExForum Friday night. Investigators believed he planned to carry out the threat from his apartment in the Chisca. He’d broken out an east-facing window and had multiple firearms inside. Initially charged with Commission of the Act of Terrorism, he now 30 charges of criminal attempt of first-degree murder and 30 charges of possession of a firearm to be used in a dangerous felony. Why 30? Because he had 30 rounds in his rifle by his window. More from Fox 13 News

It’s National Daiquiri Day. My recommendation would be a Call-a-Cab at Wet Willie’s.

Cordelia’s Market is throwing a party Wednesday from 5-7 PM to welcome Muddy’s Bake Shop and Las Delicias to the grocery store. There will be samples everywhere. Muddy’s food truck will be on site and Las Delicias will serve food by the pound inside the store.

P.J. Morton’s Watch the Sun Tour comes to the Cannon Center Wednesday evening. DJ Arie Spins will perform as well.

My legs are in really bad shape and I think I’m going to take another day off from going out and enjoy the air conditioning and streaming services. Back tomorrow with more news.

The 2022 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby will be on ESPN tonight at 7. Here’s the bracket. He’s a longshot at age 42, but as a Cardinals fan, I will be rooting for Albert Pujols.

FedEx is moving its data to the cloud and getting rid of its remaining centralized data centers. As someone who has a background in IT, I can tell you this is a wise, wise, wise decision and worth the extra effort it takes to move the data.

From Hot New Hip Hop: Yo Gotti addresses the threatened shooting of people leaving his Birthday Bash last Friday. The threat came about 3 hours after the show ended, so attendees were never in any real danger.

Interesting article from FiveThirtyEight: Is coaching an NBA Summer League team a springboard to becoming an NBA head coach? It was for the Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins and 10 other head coaches in the league.

Today is National Sour Candy Day. My writing assistant Perjorie T. Roll recommends Trolli Sour Bite Twisted Crawlers.

You can take part in a celestial sound bath tonight at 6:30 at the Broom Closet.

I didn’t go out yesterday, and as a result I enjoyed a restful, peaceful, air-conditioned night’s sleep and my bad legs feel somewhat improved. Only thing was, I had my least favorite nightmare again – I was back in 12th grade (despite having my college degrees) and had to write a 10-page paper on classic British literature. I couldn’t do Shakespeare because he’s been done to death. I was required to do footnotes or end notes instead of parenthetical citations, which are so much easier, and I had to turn in my 3×5 note cards along with the paper. School really made me hate British lit. I must have had this dream 30 times over the years.

Back tomorrow with more news.

A man was arrested in the 200 block of South Main Saturday morning at about 2:45. He had just had a bad breakup with his girlfriend and told people he wanted to kill himself and everyone coming out of FedExForum, where the Yo Gotti Birthday Bash was going on. The man was cut on his hand, apparently from punching an apartment window, and weapons were found in his apartment. Police took him for medical treatment and evaluation. He’s charged with the commission of the act of terrorism.

Sad story. I hope he gets the help he needs. Threatening innocent people is never the solution to a problem.

Kenneth Lofton Jr. scored 27 points and 12 rebounds as the Grizzlies closed out Summer League with a 90-87 loss to San Antonio. By the way, I’ve called him “Kenny” on here before – I’ve since found out that he doesn’t mind that, but prefers being called “Junior.” Will Junior be able to play center at the NBA level at only 6’6″? Draymond Green is the same height and plays center when the Golden State Warriors put their “death lineup” on the floor.

Memphis 901 FC took a home loss to Louisville City FC 2-1 last night. That drops Memphis to third in the Eastern Conference (38 points) behind Tampa Bay (39) and Lousiville (42). 901 FC needs to stay in the top four to clinch a spot in the playoffs in October. Fourth-place Pittsburgh and fifth-place Detroit City each have 34 points. Teams get 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss. If two teams are tied in points, the cumulative goal differential throughout the season is the tiebreaker.

The DM has coverage and photos of the Ida B. Wells memorial groundbreaking that happened yesterday. It was announced that going forward, July 16, Wells’ birthday, will be a state holiday.

The CA has a look at Curtis Givens’ All-White Affair that happened yesterday on Mud Island.

There’s a risk of storms with gusty winds and heavy rain today. Bring on the storms, I say, if it will cool things down for a while.

Alexis Jade and Sarah Spain play Loflin Yard’s Coach House today at noon.

I’m going to stay home today. Between my bad legs and 32 days without effectively-working air at home (which ended Thursday), I am exhausted and behind on my to-do list. Sundays Downtown aren’t nearly as much fun as they were 5 years ago, so this is the perfect day of the week to rest. I’ll be back out tomorrow, and I’ll be back with another post if there’s any news to report.