Category: Uncategorized

If you’re pregnant and live in the 38103 ZIP code, there may be good news ahead for you. One of the members of our wacky state legislature has introduced a bill that would authorize a $50 payment to expectant mothers every time they visit their physician. The bill would target three ZIP codes where infant mortality is high, one of them being the ‘103. More details on Action News 5’s site.

The Daily News had a really good article today about Rizzo’s Diner chef Michael Patrick. Delicious food there – no less an authority on food than the Nuh-Uh Girl has proclaimed the Chef’s brunch to be amazing.

In the news: Saggy pants got a man kicked off Beale Street last weekend. His butt was hanging out, so the police asked him to leave the street. He got belligerent and started arguing, earning himself a trip to 201.

People who read this blog know that I’m a big fan of bacon, as are many of my friends. But, you gotta have something to eat with the bacon. Therefore, here’s a link to a WikiHow article on how to make deep fried eggs.

All right, about to head out for a little Monday night drinking. Bars still TBD.

Deering and Down’s new music video will premiere this Friday night at the Warehouse (36 E. G.E. Patterson). Doors open at 7, the video will be screened at 8, and at 8:30 Deering and Down will take the stage live. $5 cover, to help pay for the costs of making the video.

The January South Main Association meeting will be tomorrow night, Tuesday, January 10. On the agenda is the 2012 Board of Officers Election and…

Wait, wasn’t the election part of the December agenda?

Wait, wasn’t the election part of the November agenda?

WTH is going on with the SMA? Who knows. Anyway, this will be a good meeting, because Downtown Memphis Commission president Paul Morris will give the annual “State of Downtown” speech. Social at 6:00, election at 6:30 (and probably 6:30 again next month, the way things are going), Paul Morris at 6:45. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages provided by the SMA. Only members in good standing can vote, so bring money to get your dues current. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

Tonight is the BCS title game. #1 vs. #2… LSU/Alabama, the rematch. Where to watch Downtown? My top recommendation would be Max’s Sports Bar, with 10 TVs. Get there about an hour early if you want a seat. If you want to go somewhere that is smoke-free, the Saucer will show the game on both big screens and their 5 other TVs (I’m assuming they will turn on the sound). Kooky Canuck is having specials for the game: $3 34 oz. Bud Light, $11.99 for 24 wings.

My plans for tonight: Pint Nite at the Saucer, although I don’t know how long I’ll stay. Saucer usually gets busy on the night of the BCS title game, and the guy/girl ratio tends to be even worse than normal. Maybe I’ll watch the game at the Blind Bear or Bardog. Or maybe I’ll just ignore the game (already knowing an SEC team is going to win) and play poker at the 7:30 game at the Silly Goose (second game at 10).

Today was the inaugural “Hung Over Like a Bear” brunch at the Blind Bear. It’s Sunday from 3 to 6. They were open last Sunday, but because it was New Year’s they didn’t have the entire menu ready. The menu was good to go this week and here it is:

I got the sausage, egg and cheese sandwich.

Good times. Good friends. I’m not usually hungry when I go to the Majestic at 11 so the Bear’s brunch at 3 is perfect. It lasts until 6 on Sundays.

Yesterday I went to Bardog Tavern, getting there at noon, right when they opened. Bardog was closed all last week for cleaning and renovations, and I wanted to snap a few pics before the place got busy.

As you can see, the new Bardog looks a lot like the old Bardog, but shinier. Aldo told me he’s particularly proud of the shine the floors have now. Check out the new chandelier:

While I was there, I had lunch. I ordered the sausage & peppers sandwich that is Aldo’s uncle’s recipe.

The sandwich was so seriously overloaded with sausage that it kept falling out of the bun. Aldo told me that this sandwich is going to be on the regular menu at Aldo’s Pizza Pies. “It’s going to have even more peppers,” he said.

After that I went to the Saucer, where I had a Moscow Mule with Air Traffic Mike. He gave the Saucer version his stamp of approval. After that I went to the Goose, then back to the Saucer, then Blind Bear and called it a night.

Plans for today: 11:00 mimosas at the Majestic; 3:00 Hung Over Like A Bear brunch at the Blind Bear; 8:30 Grizzlies watch party at the Goose; TBD in between. A return trip to Bardog is a strong possibility at some point.

After 4 days in a row in a cubicle, I planned on a peaceful, relaxing day today with no set plans. But just now I got a message that changes everything. The PBR Liberation Army has requested my help at Bardog at noon. When called to serve, one must not argue or question it. One must go and serve to the best of one’s ability. There is cold beer trapped in that keg at Bardog, and if I don’t set it free, who will?

Compared to lower floors, I pay a slight premium in rent at Number 10 Main because my apartment has a river view. So, this morning I got up and looked out the window.

Can I get a refund?

The Cotton Bowl is tonight, with the Arkansas Razorbacks taking on the Wildcats of Kansas State. Former CA writer/current sports writer for The Daily Dan Wolken has a column about where he sees the Razorbacks next year. Would not mind seeing that prediction come true. Let’s get through tonight first, though. It’s time to CALL THOSE HOGS!!!

After five days of renovations, Bardog Tavern has re-opened and claims to be the best-looking bar Downtown. I’ll try to get in there tomorrow and take a look… if it’s anything big maybe I’ll post pics. Good to have Bardog back. It was definitely missed by many this week.

Many of my readers travel for a living, or are involved in the air travel industry in some way. I thought they might be interested in this app I found on a mailing list today: Airport Monitor Lite. It lets you track the departure and arrival times at up to 7 airports.

The MemphisWeather.net 2012 calendar is now on sale on CafePress. It has beautiful images of Memphis weather. Buying a calendar is a great way to support a local meterologist and entrepreneur who keeps us informed on MemphisWeather.net, Facebook, and Twitter.

If you’re a Redbirds fan and want to keep up with news about the team from now until the time the season starts, there’s a new radio show for you. AM 560 will carry the Redbirds Hot Stove radio show Tuesdays at 6 PM through April 3. It will be hosted by play-by-play man Steve Selby and former Redbird/Cardinal Bo Hart.

The City Council has passed an ordinance restricting dumpsters in the public right-of-way Downtown. Read about it here. Glad to see it. There used to be one in Scratchy Alley that stank to high heaven and attracted vagrants, pigeons and rats.

Part 3 of the Memphis Beer Beat blog’s interview with Ghost River brewmaster Chuck Skypeck is up. He talks about experimenting with different styles, collaborating with other brewers, and whether he thinks there’s room for another craft brewer in Memphis.

In the past I’ve written about anniversary parties at the Downtown Saucer, with prizes and specialty beers. Well, for those of you who are unfortunate enough to live in the suburbs, now it’s your turn. The Cordova Saucer will have its 6th birthday party on Saturday, January 21. There will be tappings of rare beers from Stone, Sierra Nevada and other breweries. At 8 PM FreeWorld takes the stage. Admission is free, must be at least 21. The Saucer is at 1400 N. Germantown Parkway in a bland looking strip mall that looks like all the other bland strip malls in East Bumblefuck. Good luck finding it.

Plans for tonight: Without going into too much detail, let’s just say it will be a very interesting night for those who played on the Rapscallions trivia team between June and August (and who did not play on a team that opposed us during that period). We’ll also be celebrating the birthday of our friend Air Traffic Mike, who’s in town for the weekend. I’m looking forward to hearing his opinion of the Saucer’s Moscow Mule. Also, those of us with good taste in college teams will be doing one more thing tonight: CALLING THE HOGS! Work week is over, time to get the weekend started.

Managers at the Saucer have to pass several tests to complete training. Clearly none of them is a spelling test.

Correction: I posted a photo of the banner on the Silly Goose patio announcing a Grizzlies watch party for Sunday, January 6. Sunday is actually the 8th, and that is indeed the date of the game and the watch party. Tip-off time is 8:30 PM.

Local Gastropub is celebrating its 2nd birthday this Sunday. Starting at 5 PM there will be $2 domestics, $2 sliders, and $2 Fireball.

The following Sunday, January 15, AutoZone Park will host the annual Cardinals Caravan in the park’s club level. Former 2011 Redbirds Tyler Greene and Pete Kozma will appear, along with prospects Zack Cox and Ryan Jackson. Former Cardinals John Mabry, Alan Benes and Cal Eldred will also join the Caravan along with Cards broadcaster Rick Horton. Doors open at 5:30, program starts at 6:30. There will be a silent auction to benefit the Redbirds’ RBI and STRIPES Program. Season ticket holders and kids under 14 will be able to get autographs. Free admission, and there will be complimentary food and soft drinks. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

VIP Passes are now available for Memphis in May Beale Street Music Fest. The passes get you 3 day entry, with access to raised and covered platforms at the stages and a private area in the Blues Tent. You’ll also have access to complimentary light snacks, beer, wine, water and soft drinks. At the outdoor stages you’ll have access to private restrooms. You’ll receive a copy of the festival poster, autographed by artist George Hunt, and you’ll have in/out privileges all weekend. There are options with and without parking. Buy the VIP passes here.

If BBQ Fest is more your thing, there are V.I.Pit Passes on sale for that festival. Passes get you 3-day admission with in/out privileges. You’ll have knowledgeable guides to show you around, and you’ll be invited to up to 6 championship teams’ booths to eat BBQ and get grilling tips. There will be a private area with light snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine. You’ll receive a special welcome from the fest’s Volunteer Chairman, and you’ll get a goodie bag to take home with you. As with Music Fest, parking and non-parking options are available. Get them here.

The annual Pi Kappa Alpha convention is in town. Nothing against the Pikes – they’re nice guys – but from what I remember, last year’s convention packed the Flying Saucer with 100-200 extra dudes in the evenings. Not really what I look for in a bar. My plan is still to start at the Saucer for after-work beers, but if they arrive in large numbers the Blind Bear or possibly the Goose will be my backup plan. Time for beer!