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Downtowners: We have a chance this week to help a local make it big. Shannon Bailey started working at Rizzo’s a couple of months ago and quickly impressed Chef Michael Patrick with her passion for food.

Recently, one of Shannon’s Instagram posts was liked by Jill’s Inspiration Kitchen (website) (Instagram) based in Billings, Montana. Jill invited Shannon to come out to Montana and share her culinary point-of-view on Jill’s show.

Of course, travel costs money, so Thursday, June 17 Rizzo’s is going to do a fundraiser for Shannon’s expenses. For $25 (cash preferred) you’ll get to try what Shannon will cook on the show:

• Bayou Bourbon shrimp and grits
• Banana bread Foster’s bread pudding

For $7 more you can add a specialty smoky cocktail. Come out and help support a Memphian making a name for herself in the world of food.

If you enjoy a good shitshow and you haven’t looked at the Rec Room’s Facebook page in the past 36 hours, do it now. Wait, read the rest of this post then go take a look, because once you do you’ll be down the rabbit hole for a good while. I’ve said it before on this blog, and I’ll say it again: You are who you associate with.

The New Wing Order food truck makes a rare appearance Downtown today. They’ll do dinner service at the High Cotton taproom from 4 to 7 PM. Their special this month is Memphis Mumbo wings. Mumbo sauce is sweet and sour. It originated in Chicago and is a staple in Washington. D.C. I wonder if the Trumpster ever ordered 32 mumbo wings to eat in the Oval Office during his time as president?

Hearing that some Downtown restaurants are not taking same-day reservations anymore. Big groups of 6 to 10 have been calling places asking “can we come right now, can you hold a table for us” and then either showing up 2 hours later, or not showing up at all (because they called 2 other restaurants and made the same request). You know how bartenders and servers have to get licensed by the ABC? Sometimes I think restaurant patrons should be required to get a license too, certifying that they know how to act when they go out in public.

The 3rd Annual River City Jazz and Music Fest has been announced for the Cannon Center, Sunday, September 5. Featured artists will be

• Damen Escobar
• Kenny Latimore
• Karyn White
• Con Funk Shun
• Julian Vaughn

From the Daily Memphian: Will we see any Grizzlies in the Olympics™? Ja didn’t make the final cut for the United States team due to a deep point-guard field. Then again, that may be a good thing – with a shorter-than-usual offseason, it will give Morant needed time to rest.

As for other countries’ Olympic™ teams, Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke have been invited to Team Canada’s training camp. If Lithuania can make the Olympic™ field, Jonas Valanciunas has a spot locked in at center.

In A Century of Good Eats, the CA’s Jennifer Chandler looks at Memphis’ five oldest restaurants. Two of them, the Arcade and The Little Tea Shop, are Downtown.

There’s relief for southbound I-55 traffic as it enters Memphis. TDOT added a second lane at the interchange at Crump over the weekend. Yep, I’m looking out my window watching 8 AM rush hour on the bridge and traffic is moving much faster than it did last week. Late July or August is the time frame for the reopening of the I-40 bridge.

Sign of the times: The owners of Oak Court Mall have filed for bankruptcy.

Teach901 hosts a job fair via Zoom tonight.

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

I did not go out for brunch yesterday, but about 12:20 I took a walk around Downtown. There was a line of at least 40 people waiting to get into Sage! I knew a line developed right at 11 right when they opened, but I had no idea it persisted throughout the day! Good for them. It’s fantastic to see a great local business thrive post-pandemic regulations. Maybe I’ll have to grab lunch at Sage one day this week, although it looks like I need to figure out when the place is not busy.

Things on the MemphisWeather.net blog look good for this week. We’re finally going to get a break from the rain, and our air conditioners will be happy to hear we’re going to get a break from the humidity as well. After a weekend of dewpoints in the 75-80 range, they’re going to drop into the 60s and maybe even the 50s by midweek. That’ll make being outside downright pleasant.

In yesterday’s blog, I mentioned that on Thursday, July 1, the Blind Bear would have a drag show hosted by Holly Walnutz. That’s not all that will happen at the Bear that evening. At 9:30 PM they will have Drag Bingo hosted by Pattie O’ Furniture. You’ve seen Pattie host bingo at Downtown spots like Oshi and Atomic Rose. Now you can catch her at the Bear!

From the DM: Mud Island renovations hit supply chain problems, cash delays. The city is waiting on $4 million in funding to renovate the amphitheater. City Council member Martavius Jones proposed emergency funding to get the monorail running again, but it was voted down 1-10.

Interesting read: The tyranny of time

It’s Flag Day, National Bourbon Day, and the Trumpster’s 75th birthday.

The Memphis Railroad & Trolley Museum in Central Station has reopened.

The Memphis Vegan Festival will happen in Fourth Bluff Park this coming Sunday from noon to 5. There will be live music, vegan food, and a marketplace featuring vegan items. Note that most vendors will take only electronic payments, so plan accordingly.

That’s the news for this post. Back tomorrow with more.

We watched a scary moment on TV yesterday morning at Bardog. The TV was on the Euro soccer tournament, Denmark vs. Finland. At the 43rd minute I looked up and saw a player was down – there had been several injury stoppages in the first half, but this one looked more serious. The player’s teammates were circled around him, not only out of concern but to give him privacy. A medic was administering CPR.

The camera zoomed in on the teammates, and most of them had tears running down their faces, as did many of the Denmark fans. The downed player’s wife was seen crying on the sidelines, being consoled by Denmark players. Finally the downed player was wheeled off the field on a stretcher, his teammates holding sheets for privacy as they walked with the stretcher. The match was suspended.

We all thought the player had died.

I’m pleased to report there’s good news: The player, Christian Eriksen of Denmark, was awake and talking at the hospital and was awaiting further testing. After a long pause the match resumed, and Finland beat Denmark 1-0. From CNN: Here’s what was happening when Christian Eriksen collapsed

The Downtown Kooky Canuck location will celebrate its Sweet 16 all day long on Wednesday the 16th. Come celebrate 16 years of being Kooky all day long from 11 AM to 10 PM. They’ll have $2.50 happy hour drink specials 3-7 PM. Mandi Thomas-Moore & Bob will perform 6-8 PM.

The Blind Bear will have a drag show hosted by Holly Walnutz Thursday, July 1 at 8 PM. Breeze Jones and Shanice Cassadine will also be there. This could turn into a weekly event with Holly Walnutz and Savvy Duvall alternating hosting.

Still trying to figure out what’s happening at the former Kudzu’s out in The Edge. My friend who drives down Monroe on his way to Bardog reports that now there is a big dumpster out front.

Listening to the police scanner in the wee hours… some dudes rolled down their window and pointed an AK-47 at another car… then they realized it was a police car. Oops!

In other news about The Edge, it’s International Axe Throwing Day and Craft Axe Throwing in Floyd Alley is celebrating.

That’s it. Short news post today. Going to spend the rest of the day doing professional writing stuff. Back tomorrow (but it won’t necessarily be early in the morning) with more news.

Trolley Night returns to South Main Friday, June 25. On the last Friday of every month, the shops and galleries in the South Main Arts District stay open until 9 PM or later. Many shops put out beverages and hors d’ oeuvres for their customers, and some offer special discounts. It’s an opportunity to come mingle with your neighbors in a way the health department hasn’t allowed us to do for a year and four months.

The ribbon-cutting for Wiseacre 2 Downtown, twice postponed by the stupid pandemic restrictions, will happen Thursday, June 17 at 4 PM. There will be a DJ spinning Memphis music on vinyl, an ice cream social featuring Makeda’s/Butterific cookies, and rare beers including 2019 Astronaut Status Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. They’re working with the City of Memphis to get the mobile vaccine unit out, and if they do they’ll have a beer-and-a-shot special.

Momma’s at the corner of Crump and Kentucky is temporarily closing. Traffic on Crump has slowed to a near-standstill, due to increased traffic exiting off I-55 as I-40 bridge repairs are made. They’re going to use the time to complete renovations: a completely new parking lot, an extended patio deck, and a sign.

Momma’s will, however, be open this weekend through Sunday. Turnstyles provides the live music tonight at 7.

Yesterday I caught up with a buddy of mine who works on Presidents Island, and he said that getting from there to Downtown is quite the challenge these days given the heavy I-55 traffic. His advice to anyone following the same route is to take South Parkway to Mississippi Blvd. then turn north.

The ultimate Independence Day weekend kickoff, TRAPLIVE, comes to Carolina Watershed Saturday, July 2. Lil’ Wyte and opener Lord T & Eloise will perform, along with the TRAPLIVE band. Tickets

The remains of racist icon Nathan Bedford Forrest have been completely removed from Health Sciences Park, it was announced yesterday. Sorry, NBF, you’re not invited to Juneteenth next weekend.

Today is World Gin Day.

It was my pleasure watching the Arkansas Razorbacks whoop some NC State ass last night, winning game 1 of their NCAA baseball Super Regional 21-2. Game 2 is on ESPN2 at 2 PM Central. Hmmm I’m gonna have to figure out where to watch that, since the TV I normally watch at 2 on a Saturday will likely be on something else.

There’s Barre with Peggy Jean Craig at the Mud Island portion of Wolf River Greenway this morning at 10.

Yesterday at work, I pulled up Weatherbug on my computer and noticed the dew point was 80. That is absolutely disgusting. Fortunately the MemphisWeather.net forecast has low humidity for Tuesday and Wednesday and lows in the mid 60s Thursday morning. At least relief is in sight.

Field trip: Sometime between now and July 31, head out to Memphis Botanic Garden to check out Folk Art from the collection of Downtown’s very own Judy Peiser.

Programming note: Beginning next week, I’m going to have a little more flexibility in my schedule. Because of that, some days I’m going to do morning posts and some days I’m going to return to posting in the lunchtime hour. So if you check this blog before work and don’t see a post, try again around noon or 1.

That’s it for now. Definitely skipping the farmers market today to minimize the time I spend outside in this humidity. Bardog at 11, somewhere to watch the Arkansas game at 2. Back tomorrow with more news.

The Majestic Grille will feature some of the most popular dishes from Cocozza on today’s menu. Cocozza was the Italian-American kitchen that operated as a pop-up in the Majestic’s space during the pandemic. Specials today include

• Eggplant Parmesan
• Chicken Parmesan
• Meatballs
• Spinach Manicotti
• Cheesy Garlic Bread

All of these are available for dine-in or take-out.

Music Bingo comes to Grind City Brewing Thursday, June 17 7-9 PM. Listen to the tunes you love as you mark them off on your card. Here are the details:

• Free to play
• Prize every round
• Hosted by Kevin Cerrito
• Food truck on site
• All ages
• If you have not been vaccinated, a mask is required

The Redbirds are throwing the biggest 4th of July party in the history of AutoZone Park Friday, July 2-Sunday, July 4. All week long there will be a Specialty Cookout Ticket. These start at just $31, and from the time the park’s gates open until an hour after the first pitch, you get unlimited hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, cookies, and up to 2 soft drinks per person. There will also be fireworks all three nights.

On Friday, July 2, the first 1000 fans through the gate receive a Redbirds Flag Trucker Hat presented by Prairie Farms. It will also be Dress Like Your Dad Night. Come dressed as your dad and have a chance to win prizes like lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and grills from Home Depot.

The fun continues Saturday, July 3, with the second of three fireworks shows that holiday weekend.

For Sunday, July 4’s game, all kids 12 and under will receive ice cream sandwiches.

In addition, the Redbirds will wear Independence Day-themed jerseys and hats all weekend. Get your tickets

As for tonight’s Redbirds game, the opponent is the Gwinnett Stripers (Atlanta Braves Triple-A club) and the first pitch is 7:10. Every ticket tonight includes a free hot dog, bag of chips, and a soda.

Starting July 1, Paula & Raiford’s Disco will add an R&B Night on Thursdays.

I just checked Weatherbug’s hourly forecast… the humidity is going to rise above the 90% mark by midnight. Yuck! The temperature will likely stay under 90 today, but the feels-like temperature will reach 300 or so.

Y’all. I’m hearing from numerous people that karaoke at the Blind Bear is really, really good. If you’ve read this blog for years, you know that I am not the biggest fan of karaoke in general, but apparently, this night is something really special. It’s hosted by DJ Superbrad and it happens every Wednesday at 9. I plan on going next Wednesday. NO I am not going to sing.

Check out this great piece on River Time Market & Deli by local writer Jennifer Jones. Bill and Pam are two of the people who make Downtown the neighborhood it is. Their sandwiches and deli offerings are fantastic.

Did you know that you can watch the July 4 fireworks display from a kayak in the Wolf River Harbor?

Comeback Coffee in The Pinch District is hiring a barista.

Oh dear Lord: There’s going to be an announcement about the removal of the Forrest remains today in Health Sciences Park. The announcement will include leaders of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

From SI.com: Penny Hardaway is attracting attention from NBA teams with head coaching vacancies.

Memphis Magazine has a tidbit about Longshot’s new menu. Soy ginger chicken and a KFC (Korean fried chicken) sandwich are standouts.

The CA reports that Capsule, a vintage clothing and shoe store, will soon open in the vacant space at 145 Madison.

In the same article, the CA reports that owners of 345 Madison (the old Stop 345 entertainment venue) are looking to turn the space into a restaurant. They’d ideally like to attract an established Memphis restaurant brand that does not yet have a Downtown presence.

StyleBlueprint has your updated guide to Harbor Town.

The Artesian at 717 Riverside has new owners, the CA reports.

Bass Pro is giving away 500 fishing rods over the next 2 weeks to introduce kids to the joy of fishing. Kids can catch their first fish (and get a certificate commemorating it) right there in the store.

You know, once a fish has been caught 40 or 50 times and thrown back, you’d think it’d learn not to trust anything on a hook. Fish are stupid.

After work my plan is happy hour at the Silly Goose, a walk south (weather permitting) to catch the first hour of the Arkansas vs. NC State Super Regional game at Max’s Sports Bar, then back north to Blind Bear to catch Pam & Terry (still not clear whether they’re playing indoors or on the patio; given the humidity I sure hope it’s indoors). Back tomorrow with more news.

Memphis Magazine has a look at the building of the Frisco bridge. The 1892 bridge was the original bridge that crossed the Mississippi at Memphis. It stands between the Memphis-Arkansas I-55 bridge and the Harahan bridge that is home to Big River Crossing. At the time it was built, the Frisco was the longest bridge in North America. The Arkansas side presented a particular challenge, where the land is prone to flooding for miles inland.

I heard that a bunch of teenagers attempted to hold up DGX yesterday. That was the reason for the large presence of police cars on the Main Street Mall.

The man who threatened Commissioner Tami Sawyer at Health Sciences Park, George “K-Rack” Johnson, was booked into jail yesterday on a misdemeanor assault charge.

Bar Ware will have a Party on the Patio this Sunday 3-6 PM with DJ Alpha Whiskey.

Pizza special this week at the Silly Goose:

Carbonara pizza with Old World Farms spigarello, garlic cream egg yolk Parmesan sauce, Parmesan, bacon from Black Sheep Meats, mozzarella, and garlic from Old World Farms.

Yeah, I know I hinted at a Reuben pizza this week. Brent got busy and didn’t have time to go get the cheese and the sauerkraut he needed to make that pizza. He says that will be next week’s special.

The Redbirds will have on their throwback Memphis Chicks jerseys as they host the Gwinnett Stripers tonight at 7:10. Throwback concession prices will be in effect with $2 domestic beers and $1 hot dogs.

In other Redbirds news, All-You-Can-Eat Fridays return next month. This specialty ticket, starting at $21, lets you enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring a different food item each week. You want to purchase your tickets in advance because they go up $5 the day of the game. The schedule:

• Friday, July 16: Sliders
• Friday, July 30: Ribs
• Friday, August 20: Wings
• Friday, August 27: Shells & cheese
• Friday, September 17: Soft tacos

The Downtown Neighborhood Association has announced its monthly membership meeting for June. It’ll be at the Paramount, the new restaurant at 262 S. Front, Tuesday, June 22. Kevin Kane, president of Memphis Tourism, will speak, and there will be updates from DNA president Jerred Price. Social 5-6, presentation 6-7. Free wine and snacks for DNA members. Join DNA

My alma mater Rhodes College is adding a $3000 surcharge to the tuition of unvaccinated students.

The DNA’s weekly movie on the river has been moved to Saturday due to threat of rain. Come on out to Greenbelt Park on Saturday, June 12 to catch the classic version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Chef Sobie’s Hen House food truck will be onsite. 7:30 opening, 8:00 movie.

A bus shuttle service between Memphis and West Memphis is being worked out to ease traffic flow on the I-55 bridge.

Did you know you can take pole classes in Downtown Memphis?

That’s the news for today. Scattered storms will pop up here and there, so an umbrella is probably a good idea for one more day. Back tomorrow with more news.

About 5 PM yesterday, the Redbirds sent out a press release that last night’s game had been rained out. They’ll make it up today with a doubleheader, two 7-inning games, the first to start at 5:05 PM and the second to start after the conclusion of the first.

If you’ve never been to a baseball doubleheader, it’s twice the fun for the price of one. Tickets for last night’s game will be honored. The Redbirds promotions page indicates that last night’s promotion, Nacho Average Tuesday, will proceed tonight. Get a free order of Ballpark Nachos with your ticket or get them upgraded to BBQ Nachos for a small fee.

In other baseball news: The field has been set for the NCAA Super Regionals. 16 teams remain in the playoffs, and there will be best 2-out-of-3 series played this weekend. Winners advance to the College World Series. Four of the eight sites hosting Super Regionals this weekend are SEC cities.

Comedian Hasan Minhaj plays 5 shows at the Orpheum Thursday-Saturday. He was the host of Netflix’s political comedy Patriot Act. This show will have a strict mobile phone policy: You must lock your phone in a pack where you will have it on you at all times, but will not be able to access it when in the theater. In the event of an emergency during the show, you can take the pack to an unlocking station in the lobby. Tickets are $29.50-$49.50.

Around 1 Sunday morning, a man was robbed of everything including his clothing and shoes at Fourth and Gayoso. Police think this robbery may be tied to an attempted carjacking at Gibson’s Donuts on Mt. Moriah, as well as a robbery on Cleveland in Midtown. All the robberies involved a dark-colored Chevrolet Equinox.

There will be a free lunchtime concert in The Edge this Friday from 11:30-1:30. The J. Buck Experience will perform on the lot at 607 Monroe. Grab lunch from Chef Tam’s, Slim & Husky’s, Edge Alley, Sabor Caribe, or Evelyn & Olive and bring it over, or hit up food trucks Cousins Maine Lobster and Smurfey’s Smokehouse onsite.

Another damp and soggy day, but at least the A/C will get a break as highs struggle to hit even 80. Take an umbrella. Back tomorrow with more news.

I snapped this photo of the incoming nasty weather about 8:10 last night:

I tweeted the photo and tagged MemphisWeather.net, who retweeted it and said I had captured an image of a storm’s outflow boundary moving north over the I-55 bridge. About 10 minutes after I snapped this shot, we had torrential rain Downtown.

Ladies – did you marry loving, supportive, giving Dr. Jekyll, and now he has turned into cold, condescending, dismissive Mr. Hyde? Suzanna Quintana, one of my favorite fellow writers on Medium, has some insight as to what may be going on. Give her article a read and see if you see your situation mirrored in it. (If you have trouble getting past Medium’s paywall, here’s an alternate link.)

Exciting news from Pam & Terry:

HUGE NEWS ABOUT PAM AND TERRY!!!!!! We are officially moving to a NEW LOCATION ON BEALE STREET!!!!! We will start in July during the grand opening!! ——-drum roll——

GHOST RIVER BREWING!!!!!!! The first MEMPHIS brewed beer!! This venue is INCREDIBLE and geared for LIVE MUSIC

We are elated to start this new chapter of our music world.

THANK YOU our DEAR friends for all your CONTINUED love and support. I have TONS of news for you about Memphis and This exciting change.

Please stay TUNED IN.

WE LOVE Y’ALL SO MUCH

I left a comment on their Facebook post letting them know I can’t wait to hear them in the new space, and they responded with another piece of good news: Pam & Terry play the Blind Bear this Friday night! Not sure if this will be a patio show (those usually start at 7) or an indoor show (usually start at 9 or 10). As soon as I get clarification I’ll post an update.

Suggestion to get drag racers off the streets: Instead of impounding their cars, replace their 2000s Dodge Challengers with second-generation Dodge Challengers.

The Flyer has photos from May 29’s Hoedown on Huling annual block party. It is so nice to have outdoor festivals back!

TDOT has released an animation of repairs needed on the I-40 bridge.

The Redbirds host the Gwinnett Stripers in the first game of a 6-game homestand tonight at 7:10. Free Ballpark Nachos to all who attend.

That’ll do it for today. Once again we have rain moving in from the south, so take an umbrella. Back tomorrow with more news.

A. Schwab on Beale Street is throwing a Record Store Day launch party Saturday, June 12. Memphis Music Vinyl gets its own department at the dry-goods store.  A. Schwab has sold vinyl records since the 1930s and its museum has piano rolls that are even older. First 45 people to purchase vinyl get a record made of chocolate from Dinstuhl’s. The evening part of the event (5-7 PM) will have a $25 reserved seating ticket and will feature performances by gospel-soul artist Elizabeth King and local troubadour John Paul Keith.

From the CA: Why should people in two of Memphis’ poorest zip codes near Downtown trust the government, which tells them it is in their own and the community’s best interest to get the COVID vaccine, when government has failed them in so many other different ways?

St. Paul & The Broken Bones with opening act The MDs will perform at the second Get Loud! concert this Thursday, June 10 at Handy Park. Showtime is 6 PM and this event is free.

Lunch recommendation for this Friday: Head over to Health Sciences Park to dine outdoors or take some food back to the office, because the Smurfey’s Smokehouse food truck will be onsite. The pulled pork baked potato with Smurfey sauce and melted cheese is the best thing ever. If BBQ is not your thing, the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck will be there too. The J. Buck Experience will perform under the pavilion. Safe distancing will be required and sanitation supplies will be on hand for those of you still freaking out about COVID.

More BBQ news:

BBQ pork sandwiches are on special this week! pic.twitter.com/UwRdqI7Mw4

— The Backlot Sandwich Shop (@backlotsandwich) June 6, 2021

Grape. plays a free show outdoors at the Ghost River taproom Saturday from 6 to 9.

A friend of mine who takes the Union exit off 240 to get Downtown reports that there’s some exterior work happening at the former Kudzu’s in The Edge District. Anyone got the info on what is happening with that space?

Thank God well fitting suits are back in the White House. pic.twitter.com/2b7dqYR80j

— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) June 6, 2021

That’s the news to start your week. Might want to take an umbrella with you today. There’s a nasty-looking system south of Little Rock that looks like it could show up here for the lunch hour. Back tomorrow with more news.

The Daily Memphian has an article about the new “part sales, part experience” shop ODDS Atelier that opened last month at 304 S. Main near Pontotoc. However, you’ll get a better idea of what they’re all about by visiting their Instagram page. They describe it as “Retail Therapy with socializing being a primary focus.”

From Local 24: Downtown Memphis is starting to feel like the hub of excitement it used to be pre-pandemic

There’s a 3 BR/2 BA condo for sale on the top floor of the Shrine Building at Front and Monroe. It ain’t cheap though. The listing neglects the most important amenity: You’d be able to walk across the street and have brunch with me at Bardog every Saturday.

The Orpheum has announced its 2021-2022 lineup for On Stage at the Halloran Centre. This performance space, much smaller than the Orpheum at 361 seats, allows you to experience the performances in an intimate setting. On Stage consists of the following series:

• Music Series featuring names like Otis Redding III, A.J. Croce, Lucie Arnaz, and William Bell
• Illusions Series featuring three of the world’s most exciting magicians: Mike Super, Jason Bishop, and Vitaly
• Memphis Songwriter Series hosted by Mark Edgar Stuart
• Robert Moody presents The Orchestra Unplugged

MemphisWeather.net forecast: It’s gonna rain. 60% chance or higher of rain every day through Thursday.

The Redbirds host the Toledo Mud Hens for the series’ final game this afternoon at 2:05. Kids 12 and under get a free ice cream sandwich from Prairie Farms. The Redbirds have tomorrow off then remain in town to host Gwinnett for six games.

The 42nd annual Blues Music Awards will be broadcast online today from 4 to 7 PM.

Heard from a bartender that the Silly Goose is considering a Reuben pizza as its pizza special for the coming week.

That’s it for today. I’ve taken the past 3 weeks off from writing professionally to enjoy post-COVID regulation life, but today it’s time to get back to it. My plan is to stay home today through Tuesday and give my writing muscle some exercise. Back tomorrow with more news.