Category: Uncategorized

Veteran’s Day will be celebrated Monday, so I’ll start off today with a couple of pieces of Veteran’s Day news. First of all, there will be a parade to honor our veterans down Second Street that morning. It will start at Exchange and go south on Second to Monroe. I don’t see a start time listed but I believe it’s been 10 AM in previous years.

Also, Segway Tours of Memphis will offer 50% off on tours of Memphis to veterans that day. If you want to make a reservation, email MemphisTours@segway.com.

At the Best Memphis Burger Festival on September 30, part of the prize package for the winning team was that the burger would be featured on Kooky Canuck’s menu for one week, provided a restaurant was not the big winner. A private team won, and the burger created by Team Shoemaker Financial (Tal Goldsby, Amy Jenkins, Lauren Cooper and Nich Yatsula) will be on Kooky’s menu from Monday, November 12 to Sunday, November 18. The burger consists of cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, peppercorn mayo, fried egg, avocado, lettuce, and a buttered bun.

There will be a Grizzlies watch party Wednesday night, November 14 at Aldo’s Pizza Pies. The Grizzlies will be at Oklahoma City to play the Thunder that night, and Aldo’s will have the game on its 6 TVs. $2.50 Bud and Bud Light.

Want to cook with beer this Thanksgiving? Check out this list of Thanksgiving recipes with beer. Thanks to Sam Wynne of Flying Saucer corporate (@SaucerSam) for tweeting this list.

Waiting for Bardog to open at 11, when it will be Panda time. Plans after that TBD.

Today I have on my Tony Allen “All Heart, Grit, Grind” T-shirt to pay respect to the man who will have to guard the NBA’s leading scorer tonight. James Harden and the Houston Rockets play the Grizzlies tonight at 7 at the FedExForum. We will see if TA, one of the league’s premier defenders, can shut down Harden’s scoring game. Get tickets here. Free magnet schedules to the first 10,000 fans.

Shop Girl New York opens in its new location on the Main Street Mall today. The women’s clothing boutique moved from South Main into the space in between Center for Southern Folklore and Blind Bear. I peeked in there last night when they were having a pre-opening party, and the store looks really nice. Hours are 11-6 today. I’ve already had a couple of people ask if they have tube tops. Probably not this time of year, but they have plenty of other outfits and accessories.

Discover the Dinosaurs will be on tour at the Cook Convention Center this weekend. Come experience up to 60 moving and museum-quality dinosaurs, in scenes that will take you back millions of years to the age of the giant reptiles. Great thing to do with the kids.

The Yazoo “Barely a 4K” is tomorrow. The run starts and ends at Huey’s at Second and Union. Check-in begins at 9 AM. All participants get a cape – that’s right, I said a cape. More details here.

Four days from now, I will be at the Orpheum watching Blue Man Group. This is the most excited I have ever been about an Orpheum show. Their performances combine color, music, rhythm, and storytelling in a manner you probably have not seen unless you have spent extensive time traveling to planets in other solar systems. If you like the musical STOMP!, Blue Man Group’s performance is STOMP! times at least 100.

Last month, I saw Blue Man Group approaching on the calendar. I thought to myself, I’ve got to get some people together to go see it, and I’ve got to convince them that this is totally worth paying for the best seats. Then an email from the Orpheum arrived. I had almost forgotten that I’m on their media list because of this blog. They usually offer me tickets to Tuesday night of their bigger performances. I’ve turned down almost all of their offers, because 1) I’m not into musicals that much; and 2) up until last year Tuesday was my regular trivia night. When they offered Blue Man Group tickets, however, I fumbled all over the keyboard hurrying to type up an RSVP response. I’ll be there Tuesday night and will have a review up sometime Wednesday. I plan to put my extra ticket to very good use too.

When I say Blue Man’s performances include color, I’m not kidding. They call the front seats “poncho seats” and provide ponchos to protect the audience members from getting paint on their clothes.

Thinking about wearing my new royal blue fleece jacket to the performance. Or is that too much like wearing a Van Halen T-shirt to a Van Halen concert?

Plans for tonight: Normally I start at the Saucer, but it will be packed with people pre-gaming on their way to the FedExForum. Hmmm. Blind Bear? Bardog? No, those places will be packed with Downtown Dining Week diners. That leaves the Silly Goose, which is not on the DDW list. So I’ll hit the Goose about 6, then migrate over to the Saucer after the Grizzlies crowd leaves for the game at 7. Got a pumpkin ale I want to try, and I’m going to overlook the fact that it’s expensive. Plans after that TBD.

Miss Cordelia’s is having an open house tonight, starting at 6 PM. Lots of food will be available for sampling at the Mud Island grocery, so you can start thinking about what you want to eat this holiday season. There will be massages from Harbor Day Town Spa too. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up. I bet she hates it that this is scheduled during Downtown Dining Week.

I don’t read the CA that often, but today I was surfing its site and noticed that Mollie Fontaine’s own Bjarni was profiled in the dining section’s Meet the Bartender feature. Good article, good bartender, good guy.

Lots happening at Central BBQ’s Downtown location this weekend. At 4 PM tomorrow, Friday, November 9, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening. (It’s been open under a soft opening for several weeks now.) The Greater Memphis Chamber and the Convention & Visitors Bureau will be on hand to celebrate. Saturday they will host a parking lot party with live music, and food and beverage specials will continue into Sunday.

Wondering what’s on the Green Beetle’s breakfast menu? Here’s a pic.

Today is National Stout Day. Learn more about that style of beer, and why it is being celebrated with its own day, on Capt. Keith’s Beer Blog. I agree, it is a lot less silly than “Talk Like a Pirate Day.” If you use the Untappd app, check in at any Flying Saucer today to get your National Stout Day badge.

FiveThirtyEight.com’s Nate Silver has a very interesting statistical analysis of why the Republicans lost almost all the swing states in the presidential election. Couple of interesting facts in the article: 1) Ohio, widely forecast to be the tipping-point state in the election, was not: Colorado was. 2) Romney could have won the popular vote by 2 percentage points and still lost the election. He would have picked up Ohio and Florida in that scenario, but Colorado and Virginia would have remained blue and got Obama to 285 in the Electoral College. Silver’s conclusion: Perhaps Republicans should moderate their tone on social issues, so they can be more competitive in the swing states.

My Instagram profile page went live this afternoon. Pretty cool. If you choose to view it, I hope you like pictures of beer, pictures of places that serve beer, pictures of people drinking beer at those places, and pictures of people who serve beer at those places. And before you claim that sounds rather boring, at least it’s not a bunch of pictures of kids.

Time to go drink beer at the usual spots. Back tomorrow.

The Blind Bear’s custom-made poker table has arrived, with the speakeasy’s name etched into black felt. They will break it in this Sunday with a game of Omaha. You can click the link to learn how to play this Hold’em variant. Basically, there are tons of straight draws, but they’re probably no good if three of a suit are on board, making a flush possible. But the flush is probably no good if the board is paired, putting out the possibility of a full house. Omaha is usually played pot-limit rather than no-limit, which is good because it means Michael Bean can’t go all-in every hand. Free to play, starts at 6:30 PM.

Earlier this week I posted that the Green Beetle will start serving breakfast at 7 AM, effective today. Owner Josh Huckaby messaged me with a clarification – breakfast will only be served Monday through Friday for now. If it appears there is demand for breakfast on weekends, they will consider adding it at a later point.

Stache for Cash: If iGive, the Church Health Center’s monthly donor program, attracts 25 new members by November 21, CHC friend and donor Cameron Peterson will shave his awesome mustache. Details here.

Beer news: Starting on February 2, 2002, Stone Brewery tapped its first in a series of Stone Vertical Epic Ale, with subsequent beers in the series to be aged one year, one month, and one day after the previous one. So the second beer was 03-03-03, then 04-04-04, and so on. The final beer in the series, Stone Vertical Epic 12-12-12, will be tapped at both the Downtown and Cordova Flying Saucer at 12 noon on Wednesday, December 12. The Saucer will also tap a keg of Vertical Epic 11-11-11 from the bar’s cellar. In addition, there will be a toast of Unibroue La Fin du Monde to celebrate the Mayan calendar’s prediction of the end of the world in December.

Congrats to Nate Silver of the FiveThirtyEight.com website for calling 50 out of 50 states correctly in the presidential election. Last election he got 49 out of 50 correct, only missing Indiana. This time, he had Florida as red until the morning of the election – when his statistical analysis just barely flipped it to blue. Sure enough, it looks like Obama just barely squeaked out a win in the Sunshine State. His excellent neutral analysis is redefining political punditry. FiveThirtyEight, a blog on the New York Times site, accounted for 20% of all NYT site traffic as the election drew near.

Time to go drink some beer. Saucer first, then Blind Bear for trivia at 8.

It’s Election Day. If you vote today, wear your “I Voted” sticker to South of Beale for 20% off food. Offer is good for lunch, dinner, and late night. It does not include Downtown Dining Week and cannot be combined with any other specials.

For a lot more “I voted” discounts all over Memphis, check out Kerry’s post. I see that K’Presha on South Main is offering 10% off clothing purchases with your “I Voted” sticker today. Sache is offering $10 off a purchase of $75 or more with the sticker.

The 8th annual Stumbling Santa pub crawl will happen Saturday night, December 1. Throughout the year, there are several pub crawls that take place on the streets of Downtown Memphis, but this is the grandaddy of them all, attracting 700 participants last year and even more are expected this year. Participants are requested to dress as Santa, Mrs. Claus, or in another holiday-themed costume. They are also asked to bring a toy or two for Porter-Leath children (no stuffed animals; these can’t be accepted due to health reasons). Pub crawlers will meet at the Downtown Flying Saucer at 7 PM, and toys can be dropped off there. The crawl will then move down Beale, stopping at various pubs and bars to spread the holiday cheer.

It is quite a sight to see 700 Santas walking down the street. This is one of those events that is uniquely Downtown Memphis. Even if you choose not to participate, you should consider at least coming to watch.

Meanwhile, down the street at the Saucer’s sister restaurant the Flying Fish, the Tiger challenge is back. Every Tiger men’s basketball home game, the Fish challenges the Tigers to hit a certain statistic. If they do, people who attend the game can show their ticket stub and get free food. Tomorrow is the first home game, and if the Tigers hit 65% or better at the free throw line, you can exchange your ticket stub for two free catfish tacos. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

The Brass Door is having a Bond Party this Friday, November 9, to celebrate the release of Skyfall. Drink specials will include $3 Heineken and $5 martinis for those in Bond attire. There will be a $50 Brass Door Dollars prize for the best Bond character, and a $50 Brass Door Dollars prize for the best Bond girl. 2 times 2 pairs of tickets to see Skyfall at Malco will be given away. There will be a Bond photo booth, and casino games on the mezzanine. Bond themes and movies on the TVs.

AutoZone Park is getting into the holiday spirit. A 35-foot artificial tree is being delivered and set up in “Rockeyfeller Plaza” this week. On Friday, November 16, a “flip-the-switch” party will be held on the plaza, and the tree’s holiday lights will be turned on at 5 PM. Entertainment will include caroling by Downtown Elementary School, and music by the River City Concert Band Brass Ensemble. The event is free and open to the public, and there will be free hot chocolate and apple cider.

Throughout the season there will be other performances at Rockeyfeller Plaza. These include Star & Micey (Saturday, December 8 at 3 PM) and the Tennessee Mass Choir (Saturday, December 15 at 3 PM).

Mobile social photo-sharing service Instagram is rolling out Web Profiles, where you’ll be able to show off your images and paint a picture of who you are. I haven’t got mine yet but here’s a sample of what a Web Profile will look like.

Plans for tonight: Watch the election results somewhere, of course. In 2008 a bunch of us gathered at Calhoun’s (now Max’s) to watch, but given the chilly temperatures, I’ll probably remain in the core. I’ll stop in the Saucer to extend my streak to 131 days, but I don’t see myself staying there for election results since it’s trivia night. One of Goose, Bear, Aldo’s, or Bardog will probably be my final election-watch destination.

Huge basketball day here in Memphis. At 10 this morning, Robert Pera, the new principal owner of the Grizzlies, held a press conference introducing himself, the new ownership team, and new CEO Jason Levien to the city. I didn’t get to see the conference live, but comments I saw later on Twitter certainly indicate that the new owners are seriously committed to Memphis.

While the conference was going on, however, an even bigger piece of Memphis basketball news came across the wire – and it was not about the Grizzlies. Briarcrest Christian power forward Austin Nichols committed to the University of Memphis. Rivals.com ranks him #6 at his position and #19 in the country. He’s a huge get for Josh Pastner, especially considering Pastner out-recruited Duke’s Coach K on this one.

Awesome day for Memphis basketball, and it’s not over yet. The Grizzlies’ home opener is tonight at the FedExForum at 7, and tickets are still available.

The Green Beetle will start serving breakfast on Wednesday, November 7. They will open at 7 AM. Good to see breakfast options expanding for those who live and work in the South Main district.

Yesterday afternoon I stopped at Aldo’s Pizza Pies to visit Maddison and grab lunch. The manager told me that they are getting rid of imports like Bass and Harp and making room for more beers from smaller craft breweries on their 30-tap wall. Sounds like a good move . Now I’ll have an additional venue besides the Saucer where I can go and try new and interesting beers.

I take notes on Evernote when I’m out and hear things for the blog. Usually I translate them into something more readable but this line is so good I’m pasting as is: “Sob has laughing skull. Also I hear great things about their brussels sprouts . Aldo’s has that beer too” (Sob = South of Beale)

I had the antipasto salad at Aldo’s for lunch. I’ll do a separate food post on it later.

Today is the start of Downtown Dining Week, with dozens of restaurants offering three-course meals or other dining values for the low price of $20.12. I have the over/under for how many dinners the Nuh-Uh Girl will eat this week at 16.

Plans for tonight: Pint Nite at the Saucer for sure. Also possible stops at Aldo’s Pizza Pies (also Pint Nite), Silly Goose (poker at 8:30), Blind Bear.

BREAKING NEWS: Shawn Danko from Kooky Canuck just checked in on Foursquare at the World Food Championships in Las Vegas. His cooking team has made it to the final table! GOOD LUCK SHAWN!!! We’re all rooting for you back here in Memphis!

This is going to be a lot less organized than my typical “daily update” post, as I attempt to clear the cobwebs from the final Halloween party last night.

The first item today is for cigar lovers. Last night I was at the bar at the Saucer. I had tentative plans to meet a friend at the Bear, but I was nearly falling asleep standing up and knew I needed to call it a night. So I paid my tab (I think I paid my tab; if not I’ll surely hear about it from Christina in a little while) and wandered up to Huey’s for Paul’s Drunkass Food. On the walk there, I noticed that Havana Mix, the cigar shop on Second, was empty. Then I saw this sign in the window:

Havana Mix has moved around the corner to Peabody Place west of Third, next door to Hooters. I believe that would be the old South Philly space. It seems like a less desirable location based on foot traffic, but it’s a bigger space and they can probably expand their lounge. I’m not a smoker so I never went in, but they had really nice leather couches and HDTVs for their customers to relax and enjoy their cigar. Hope they do well in the new space.

Starting next week, the National Civil Rights Museum will partially close for renovations. There are many ways to make museum exhibits more experiential – audio, video, interactive displays – than were possible when the museum first opened 21 years ago. The museum’s curators plan to modernize the displays and make it a true 21st century experience. During the renovations, the museum’s annex across Mulberry will still be open to visitors. Later this month the museum will open access to the balcony where Dr. King stood, something that has never before been done.

Last night, I attended the South Main Dirty Dozen party in the back room of Earnestine & Hazel’s. This is a private party thrown by about a dozen South Mainers every year to raise funds for the Church Health Center. It was the final Halloween party of the season, and there were plenty of costumes. My personal “best costume” award goes to Ruchee.

Not exactly sure what she was trying to be, but who cares… she had a TUBE TOP on!!!!! Excellent costume! It looked like a lot of money was raised for the Church Health Center, one of Memphis’ most excellent charities.

Tonight is a big party night as well, because we fall back an hour. That means the bars won’t close until what would otherwise be 4 AM! Don’t forget to set your clocks back.

I noticed that my birthday falls on a Sunday Fun Day this year (it’s not tomorrow, but soon), so you better believe I took the following Monday as a vacation day. No definite plans for that day (and I don’t want plans made for me), just plan on doing what I usually do on Sundays, but more of it.

I’d like to give a shout-out to a former Downtown diva this morning. Six months ago you could have found her stylin’ on the Majestic’s patio with a flatbread… or on Local’s patio having mimosas with her bestie… or at the bar at the Blind Bear or Silly Goose having lively conversation with friends… or in her team’s booth at BBQ Fest, enjoying pork shoulder and festive beverages overlooking the river. What’s she up to this weekend? THIS.

“Antique Tractor Judging.” Oh my God. I guarantee you that’s not the only “judging” going on right now. Also, I see no evidence on the festival website that booze will be sold. What’s the point then?

Although, now that I think about it… you know what would go well with sweet potatoes? Fireball. I’ll have to ask our local Fireball ambassador if he has any recipes when I see him tonight. I will probably need to change the subject at some point and this is a perfect topic with which to do it.

I’ll wrap up this post with “The Book of Holy Hammered,” a costume prop which I only took with me one of the three days I portrayed the Jesus character:

It’s designed to look like a Bible but is actually “The Book of Holy Hammered,” perhaps a more appropriate book to take to the parties I attended Downtown. At the time I bought it I didn’t realize it was anything more than a fake book. I thought the $12.95 price tag was a little steep, but I wanted to do the costume right. When I opened it, however, I discovered it was not a book at all. It was a way to conceal a flask and two glasses. The flask was for “Reverend Horton Hammered.”

This is way too cool a prop to only use one year. Next year I guess I’ll have to be a reverend, or a priest, or a monk, so I can bring the book back out. Thing is, though, I don’t exactly frequent priests’ place of business so I don’t really know what they wear or what they do. If any priests are reading this, how about taking a Sunday off, and joining me at the bar at the Majestic to explain what you do? I’ll buy you a couple of mimosas or some PBR.

Time to run down to the Corkscrew to pick up a new bottle of Maker’s Mark bourbon. What little I had left went in the flask. Tentative plan is Saucer at 4, then Brass Door at 6 for a birthday party. Undetermined after that, but not very likely I will remain with the birthday party crew for their second stop. Forecast for today: High 83, low 44. Yeah that’ll be easy to plan an outfit for. Do I burn up in my Pink Pig fleece from Shelton this afternoon, or freeze to death walking home?

Next Monday-Friday, the Flying Saucer will celebrate National Stout Week. Every day they will tap a new rare stout beer. Here’s the lineup:

Even if you’re not a fan of dark beers, this is a good chance to try something different and educate yourself on this style of beer. I plan on trying all five. At the very least, I’ll get five beers knocked off the list toward my seventh plate at the Saucer.

Of particular interest is the Lazy Magnolia Cask Bourbon Oak Age on Friday. If you’ve never had cask beer, it’s worth trying for that reason alone, regardless of what you think of stouts. Cask beer doesn’t necessarily taste different than keg beer, but the mouthfeel is different. There’s less carbonation in cask beer, so there are fewer bubbles and it’s smoother, creamier, silkier. This particular beer will be poured from an oak barrel that was once used to age bourbon, which will surely add extra nuances to the flavor.

If you want to learn about beer, there’s no place better than the Saucer. Come check out National Stout Week and experience this style of beer.

Three days out, I’m going to try my hand at making an election prediction:

(Map created by the create-your-own-electoral-map generator at RealClearPolitics.com)

Romney will win swing states Florida and North Carolina.

Obama will win Ohio, Virginia, Colorado, and the other states considered to be swing states in this election.

Two states will see outcomes close enough to warrant a recount: Virginia (Obama +0.1%) and Florida (Romney +0.3%). However, neither will happen, because the best-case scenario for Romney will only get him to 248 electoral votes, short of the 270 needed to win. Romney will issue his concession speech at 9:20 AM Central time Wednesday, November 7.

Check back… I know I have stuff to write about today, just need to check my phone camera and Evernote. Probably not getting out until about 4 PM today. Apartment needs a post-Halloween cleaning and I’ve got a friend’s birthday party at 6.

The Majestic Grille has announced its annual half-off gift card sale. On Wednesday, November 28, the restaurant will open at 8 AM and begin selling its $50 gift cards for $25. You can buy as many as you want. You must buy them in person; no phone, fax, or email orders. If you can’t be there in person, find someone who can buy the cards for you. The cards can be used only on food – tax, gratuity, and alcohol must be paid for separately. The cards purchased on the 28th cannot be used until January 2, 2013.

Despite all the restrictions, this is still a great deal. I plan on sending someone down there with about $150 that morning to get me $300 worth of cards. What can you buy with the cards? Well, how about the absolutely gorgeous gorgonzola-encrusted filet pictured here? It’s $37 ($32 for the 8 oz. filet plus $5 for the crust), but I only paid $18.50 for the portion of the 2011 gift card that I used to pay for my dinner.

These cards would also make great stocking stuffers or gifts for co-workers, particularly if your office is Downtown or if your co-worker lives Downtown.

The Majestic has more holiday events on the way that I will announce on the blog soon. I’ve already covered the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation viewing party Thursday, December 20 with me as the judge for the costume and tacky sweater contests. If you want to be there, call 901-522-8555 and make reservations ASAP.

Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley has purchased 500 tickets to the season home opener on November 5. He will give the tickets away in the lobby of the FedExForum Sunday at 1:30 PM, first come first served, limit of two tickets per person. More info on the giveaway here.

The Memphis Flyer has a slideshow, First Glimpse of Beale Street Landing, this is worth taking a minute to check out.

The Commercial Appeal has endorsed Steve Cohen and I do as well. The editorial dispels myths opponent Dr. George Flinn has been spreading about Cohen’s travel and missed votes. Cohen has taken no taxpayer-funded trips in the past year. He said he missed 20 votes when his mother died, 11 to attend a friend’s funeral, nine because of scheduled elections in Tennessee and 16 because his flights were late or canceled. Congressman Cohen has done an excellent job for our district and I am proud to send him back to Washington for a fourth term.

The Downtown Memphis Commission will hold a Downtown Electronics Recycling Drive Thursday, November 15 from 3 to 6:30 PM. Acceptable items include computers, televisions, printers, cameras, cell phones, VCRs, and CD/DVD players. Find a complete list of acceptable items here. Most items can be recycled for free, but there will be a fee for a few:

• Wood console TVs, $30
• Projection TVs, $30
• Wooden speakers, $10
• TVs or computer monitors with broken glass, $10
• Bare CRT tubes, $10

All computer hard drives brought to the event will be cleaned according to Department of Defense standards. If desired, a certificate of cleansing can be made available for $10.

There is no limit to the number of items you can bring to the recycling drive.

All right, my work for the week is done. Time for beer and one last Halloween party. Saucer first, party on South Main later, stop at Max’s Sports Bar in between. Friday nights don’t get much better than that.