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Greetings! It’s Tuesday happy hour as I type this and I’m sitting at the bar with my favorite Grizzlies Granny, Luanne. She just dropped off some awesome news.

Anita Ward will perform her hit disco single “Ring My Bell” at tonight’s Grizzlies game and the Grizzlies Grannies and Grandpas dance team will perform.

I can’t tell you how many times I danced to “Ring My Bell” at Sunday Disco Inferno night at Six-1-Six in the ’90s. In six-inch platform shoes. And then I’d get up and teach my College Algebra class at the University of Memphis Monday morning at 9:10 AM.

Sometimes I’d see my students out at Six-1-Six on those Sundays. “Professor Paul, what are you doing here?” they’d ask.

“What am I doing here?” I’d reply. “What are you doing here? You have a math test to take tomorrow. I don’t.”

The Stumbling Santa pub crawl returns to Downtown Memphis for its 19th year the evening of Saturday, December 2. Every year, hundreds of people get dressed up as Santa – or Mrs. Claus, an elf, a reindeer, a Christmas tree, you get the idea – and stumble from bar to bar on and around Beale Street.

The meeting place, as always, is the Flying Saucer at 7 that night. The pub crawl is a toy collection drive for Porter-Leath, so please bring a new, unwrapped toy to be given to a child in need. Every year Stumbling Santa raises a bus-load of toys in just one night.

The first Saturday of December is always a HUGE day Downtown, and it stays that way ALL DAY LONG. Things get started early that morning with the St. Jude Marathon. Many streets will be blocked off and you’re advised to avoid travel by car in the area between midnight and noon, if possible. If you have to drive, St. Jude and MPD will publish a list of which routes in and out of Downtown will be open.

The Memphis Tigers will be out of town, playing that afternoon at Ole Miss, but with a 1:00 PM tip time, the Downtown bars are going to be packed. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2, so bars won’t need any special package subscription to be able to pick it up.

The bars will remain packed for the American Conference and SEC football championship games, both of which will be broadcast nationally at 3 that afternoon.

The bars will remain packed for the Memphis Grizzlies game at Phoenix which will come on at 8 that night.

On top of all that, Leanne Morgan will be on tour at the Orpheum with shows at 4:00 and 7:00 that day.

And Memphis Symphony Orchestra will be at the Cannon Center that night.

My point is, if you plan to do anything Downtown that day – especially anything involving a car – allow extra time and be prepared to deal with crowds. Expect parking garages to upcharge and Lyft/Uber to surge charge.

Today is National Abet and Aid Punsters Day. Jack, please let me know if I can be of assistance.

It’s also National Harvey Wallbanger Day.

The annual Memphis holiday parade will happen Saturday, December 9 at 2 PM on Beale Street. The parade used to be another event that happened the first Saturday of December. Smart decision by Beale Street management to move it back a week.

Let’s have a look at college football games of interest to Memphians Saturday:

• 3 Michigan at 10 Penn State, 11:00 AM, FOX
• 8 Alabama at Kentucky, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• Tulsa at 23 Tulane, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
• Vanderbilt at South Carolina, 11:00 AM, SEC Network
• Arizona at Colorado, 1:00 PM, Pac-12 Network
• Memphis at Charlotte, 1:00 PM, ESPN+
• 18 Utah at 5 Washington, 2:30 PM, FOX
• 13 Tennessee at 14 Missouri, 2:30 PM, CBS
• Auburn at Arkansas, 3:00 PM, SEC Network
• Arkansas State at South Alabama, 4:00 PM, ESPN+
• 9 Ole Miss at 2 Georgia, 6:00 PM, ESPN
• Florida at 19 LSU, 6:30 PM, SEC Network
• Mississippi State at Texas A&M, 6:30 PM, SEC Network

Action News 5’s 5 Star Story this week is about the COGIC convocation.

Bella is the most popular dog name in Tennessee.

That’ll do it for this morning. Back tomorrow with more news.

The University of Memphis women’s soccer team will host LSU in the first round of the NCAA tournament Saturday at 7 PM at the soccer/track & field complex at the university’s Park Ave. campus. Go Tigers! Memphis Tigers, that is.

The DM reports (premium subscriber-only article) that Bally Sports will carry Grizzlies games for the remainder of the season, having struck a deal. I want to add something, though: Area bars are finding it difficult to use the Bally Sports app to stream games. Apparently you have to stream the games through a personal device such as a phone or iPad and then share the signal with the smart TV, which has to be logged into the same Wi-Fi (or Bluetooth?) network.

Getting the games on the smart TVs has proved so challenging that some neighborhood watering holes are considering dropping their Bally app subscriptions and returning to a partnership with The Evil Empire – Comcast/Xfinity – to show games.

The Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team improved to 1-0 on the regular season with a 94-77 win over Jackson State last night. Next up: at Missouri at 8 PM Friday with TV coverage on the SEC Network. ESPN BPI has Memphis as a 54/46 underdog to yet another set of Tigers.

Today is Hug a Bear Day. Are there any stuffed bears left in the Blind Bear’s back room? I haven’t been back there in a while.

Today is also International Merlot Day.

Food festival news from the Cossitt Library:

Chef Eli will headline the Eat This Book Festival Saturday, November 18 from 11 AM to 3 PM. Free food samples, food trucks, and crafts. I’ll be around the corner at Bardog getting butt-ass-wasted for my birthday, but maybe I can stumble across Front and stop by.

The Grind City Music Festival has been announced for April 5 and 6 at the amphitheater at Grind City Brewing Co. in Uptown. Alt-country and Americana acts will be the focus, in particular Whiskey Myers. I don’t know who that is but I’m sitting at Billy’s bar at Local as I type this and Billy says he’s good.

Two-day passes are $109. There’s also a VIP package for the festival that includes perks like beer tastings, dedicated bars and viewing areas, special artist performances, and an after-party.

In case you’ve ever wondered what happens at a holy convocation, here’s COGIC’s schedule for the week.

AutoZone Park will host a Deck the Diamond Spectacular, a holiday event opening the day after Thanksgiving. It will be a winter wonderland with 190 lit structures and a 60-foot Christmas tree. In left field there will be a skating rink. Christmas food and beverages will be available. Event calendar

I just learned the circumference of a wood MLGW pole: 42 inches.

Bluff City Media discusses what can be done to improve attendance at Memphis 901 FC matches.

Choose901 has a list of best local spots for sports watch parties. Downtown venues include Max’s, Birdie’s, and Green Beetle. Attention John D: Did you know Birdie’s hosts Formula One watch parties?

Take your dog to trivia at Ghost River on Main this Wednesday. Free dog treats; bonus prizes from Hollywood Feed. Dogs encouraged but not required for trivia teams.

Project Green Fork’s annual Reharvest Memphis fundraiser happens Thursday evening, November 16, at Beale Street Landing.

And now it’s time to answer the question on all my readers’ minds: What have the butt sluts been up to lately?

We’ll start with Butt Slut #2, who is a blonde who bartends at one of the (adjective) (animal) bars Downtown. Downtown Dining Week has already taught us a valuable lesson about Butt Slut #2.

If you work in the kitchen of a restaurant that opens at, say, 5:00 PM, and Butt Slut #2 has informed you she’ll be there right at open, you better be in there no later than 2:49 PM preparing the croutons for her salad. If her croutons aren’t ready, she’ll pitch a fit. I lost count of how many times she said “croutons” last night.

Thinking about it a little more, it might be a good idea to go ahead and install a crouton vending machine. Then Butt Slut #2 could have Croutons on Demand (COD) whenever she wants.

Sunday I attended the memorial service in Uptown with the butt sluts, then we went to the Blind Bear. The Philadelphia vs. Dallas NFL game was on.

Philadelphia scored and I applauded. That didn’t sit well with Butt Slut #1, a brunette who used to work at the same (adjective) (animal) bar as Butt Slut #2 and still picks up shifts there sometimes.

“You’re cheering against Dallas just to make me unhappy,” Butt Slut #1 said. “That really hurts my feelings.” Butt Slut #1 grew up in Dallas.

“It’s just a football game, butt slut,” I laughed. “No need to take it so personally.” I explained how I grew up in Little Rock during the Southwest Conference days and was therefore conditioned to root against all things Texas.

“I see,” Butt Slut #1 said. “So you think the DALLAS COWBOYS are a COLLEGE team that plays in the SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE and that’s why you hate them so much. Makes perfect sense.”

“I haven’t always rooted against the Cowboys,” I said, digging my grave even deeper. “I used to go to Monday Night Football parties at EP Delta Kitchen, which was in the space that was most recently Hard Rock, with Pete. They had a complimentary buffet for everyone who was ordering drinks. Pete and I bonded over chili dogs and I rooted for the Cowboys because they were his team.”

“So you BONDED with PETE,” Butt Slut #1 responded. “And OBVIOUSLY, you’ve NEVER bonded with ME!!!!!”

This is the kind of thing I have to put up with from those two.

But there is good news. Butt Slut #1 and I had a heart-to-heart talk last night. There are legitimate reasons why she gets her feelings hurt when people she cares about root against the Cowboys. Now that I understand her better, I won’t be anti-Dallas anymore.

Now, if someone can convince me to stop rooting for whoever plays the Tennessee Vols, that will truly be an accomplishment.

It’s 1:48 PM and I am very late getting this supposedly morning update published. Still at Billy’s bar at Local. The regulars are discussing a fundraiser to replenish the fund to buy peanuts for Steve the Squirrel. For a $1 donation you can wear the squirrel suit while you sing karaoke. Yes, there really is a squirrel suit.

Okay, that’s enough for today. Back tomorrow with a look at Saturday college football and whatever else I decide to write about.

I got to see The Kent, the relatively new (I think it’s been open about a year) event space in Uptown yesterday. It’s at the corner of Keel Avenue and North Front Street, and derives its name from that intersection (KE-el and Fro-NT).

What a beautiful space. The Kent is an old brick warehouse that takes up most of the block. It’s an open space for the most part, two stories tall, with lots of big, high windows providing gorgeous ambient light.

We were there to celebrate the life of a member of our Downtown family who left us way too early. Friends and relatives spoke. There was a slide show cast onto one of the upper beams where everyone in the room could see it easily.

About 70 people showed up. There was a food buffet, banquet seating, and a display of the departed’s favorite items. The Kent handled it all comfortably. In fact, it felt like there were entire sections of the facility we barely used, and that another 30-50 people could have shown up and it still wouldn’t have felt packed.

There was plenty of parking on the streets surrounding The Kent. You can tell the area was a warehouse district in the not-too-distant past. Plenty of buildings from that era survive, standing alongside new houses and apartment complexes.

Now, let’s answer the question that was on my mind and I’m sure is on some of yours… Is The Kent walkable from the Downtown core?

My answer is yes and no.

Yes, if you’re up for a long walk. I pre-gamed at the Blind Bear, and would have had no problem with a 35-or-so-minute walk north to the memorial service on a beautiful 75-degree early November day.

Then again, I know Downtowners who think three blocks is too far to walk… people who say, “Okay, we’re going to finish our drinks at Blind Bear and then head to Bardog… who’s driving? Or should we call an Uber?” For those people, The Kent is not walkable from the core.

I would be less likely to make a walk to The Kent after dark. I listen to the police scanner now and then and Uptown is still a neighborhood in transition, and gets a little “iffier” the farther north you go. That’s a shame because I would love to make some walks to the Grind City Brewing Co. taproom which is about a half-mile north of The Kent.

Here’s a Downtown dining PRO TIP: This week I expect that a number of food trucks, serving a diverse array of dishes but with an emphasis on soul food, will set up on Exchange Ave. between Main and Second. The trucks will mainly be there to serve COGIC convocation attendees, but they certainly don’t require proof of attendance to sell to you. Those of you who work in the city/county government buildings or at St. Jude will likely be a short walk away from some really yummy lunch.

Weather: Memphis temps are expected to be highs in the low 80s/lows in the mid 60s with no chance of rain, then a cold front comes through Thursday and we’ll be back to more seasonable readings of low 60s highs/low 40s lows. Get outside while the weather is beautiful! Those of you who have “use ‘em or lose ‘em by December 31” sick days should consider developing a cough this week.

Enjoy a Peabody Hotel Thanksgiving dinner in the comfort of your own home. Order by Thursday, November 16; pick up in the hotel’s valet area between 11 AM and 3 PM Wednesday, November 22. The dinner serves 4 people and includes

• rolls and butter
• 12 lb. whole turkey
• mashed potatoes
• sweet potatoes
• cranberry sauce
• green beans
• gravy
• pumpkin pie
• cornbread dressing

The cost is $160 plus sales tax.

Quote of the weekend: “In my family, you get one ‘shitting your pants’ a year.” – overheard at Blind Bear Sunday afternoon

Clickbait headline of the weekend, from Beale Street Bears: 3 Grizzlies who could shockingly be traded after 0-5 start to season. I’ll go ahead and spoil it for you: Kennard, Ziaire, Brandon Clarke – none of which would be “shocking.” A couple of things:

• The Grizzlies are no longer 0-5. They now own a 1-win season, having bested Portland on the road last night.
• The only two Grizzlies who should be untouchable in trade talks this year – Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. – contributed 30 and 27 to that win.

There I said it. I’d trade Ja, a young talent, and a first for a player of comparable ability who’s a good fit for the team.

Memphis returns home to host the Miami Heat Wednesday at 7 PM.

In case you’re wondering: Here’s a story about the origin of Rip City as the Portland Trail Blazers’ nickname

From TIME: The 200 best inventions of 2023

The NCAA will announce its bracket for its 2023 women’s soccer tournament today at 3. Congrats to the Memphis Tigers, who captured the American Conference’s automatic bid to the tournament. The Tigers are 18-1 and ranked 8th nationally.

Today is National Nachos Day. I’m gonna be different today and recommend the Bluff City Nachos from fast-casual Asian restaurant STIX: Crispy wonton chips topped with baked spicy crab, diced avocados, diced jalapeno, and sweet soy. Say hello to Mylon while you’re there – STIX is his day job when he’s not DJing.

There was a shooting near 508 South Main around 11 Saturday night, leaving a man in critical condition. Witnesses saw an Infiniti fleeing the scene. Bullet holes cause $5000 worth of damage to Downtown Yoga.

There’s an office/accounts payable clerk position available Downtown. 9 AM-3 PM, $20/hour, through Adecco. Must be familiar with basic accounting principles.

Guac Fresh Mex has opened at 782 Washington in the Medical District.

Veterans Day is Saturday, but observed on Friday this year.

The Memphis Tigers’ DeAndre Williams has been denied an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA.

Soulsville Foundation seeks a communications manager.

Stax Music Academy seeks a part-time data support assistant.

The Cossitt Library has an Open Mic Night in the courtyard every Thursday in November (except Thanksgiving) from 6 to 8 PM.

That’s it. Back tomorrow with more news.

I heard about a dozen gunshots at 12:11 this morning, a couple of hours before the time change. The shots sounded way off in the distance from where I live near Madison and Main, to the south-southeast. So it’s possible the shots were fired on or near Beale Street.

I couldn’t find anything on the local news sites about gunfire in that area. However, people did report shots fired on G.E. Patterson Avenue overnight.

Mark and Charlie, the owners of LGBTQ-friendly club Atomic Rose, posted the following letter to social media this weekend:

“The past four years have been a wonderful and uplifting experience for both of us. Through Atomic Rose we have met some of the best people that Memphis has to offer. However, we are in our 60s and 70s and we feel that the time is right to let this business go to one or more people that are younger and have the connections and energy to take Atomic Rose to the next level.

We have done our best and hope we have gained the respect and trust of the LGBTQ+ community. Charlie’s dad is in his 90s and soon he will have family issues to address. He will stay on as an advisor if needed to make a smooth transition possible. We hope new owners will keep the same format and just add to the business and continue to make it the premier LGBTQ+ venue in the South.”

Inquiries about buying the business can be sent to Atomicrosememphis@gmail.com.

Going to Memphis Grilled Cheese Fest today at the Hi-Tone? Be sure to say hello to my friends on the Local on Main team, competing as Three Swiss Mafia.

Amid all the buzz about Grilled Cheese Fest, it almost totally slipped my mind that we have a celebration of life for one of our Downtown family today. I haven’t asked permission from her actual family to post details, so I’ll just say that it’s someone we lost back in September and that the details are on her Facebook page.

Bardog has announced a beer dinner for December 6. I’ll try to find out more details this week.

Robusto by Havana Mix’s CigaRobb will have a November 2 Remember birthday bash Saturday, November 11 from 7-11 PM. Live music, drink specials, and giveaways – plus a special gift for all November birthdays.

Tandem Restaurant Partners is looking for people for several of their businesses. Apply online

• Sugar Grits needs hosts, servers, bartenders, and a biscuit chef
• Carolina Watershed needs chefs for Uncle Red’s Turkey Legs
• I saw Zinnie’s is hiring too but can’t find the details

Memphis Tigers football improved to 7-2  with a 59-50 win over South Florida yesterday. Next for the Tigers is a first-ever game vs. Charlotte.

The Grizzlies play a road game against Portland tonight at 8.

The Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team hosts Jackson State Monday at 7 at FedExForum.

People are asking me to say a few words about the Memphis restaurant & hospitality industry and COGIC, which returns its annual convocation to Memphis this week. I’m not comfortable doing that because

• I don’t work in those industries
• Even if I did, no one elected me a spokesman for those industries
• I personally have never had any memorable interactions with COGIC convocation attendees

However, like most Memphians, I have heard the stories. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, I recommend you get on a threaded-discussion site called Reddit and search for keywords like memphis, cogic, server, restaurant. My guess is, you’ll have hours of reading to do in the search results.

That’s it for today. Probably back tomorrow with more news.

Friday update #1 was Paul’s Picks for Downtown Dining Week, which begins Monday. Keep scrolling once you’re done reading this post to read that one.

The CA has a look at how our NBA mascot Grizz has evolved over the years.

Tonight’s stop on the Grizzlies’ road trip is Portland, where they play the Trail Blazers at 9. TV: Bally Sports. This will be a group-stage game for the NBA in-season tournament.

Saturday is National Wine Tasting Day. Also, a shout-out to my friend Tawanda Pirtle for National Chicken Lady Day Saturday.

A man’s car was stolen while he served jury duty Downtown this week.

Afro Vybez comes to 507 Lux Lounge in the lower level of Curry N Jerk, 150 Monroe, the evening of Friday, November 10. From their event listing on Facebook:

507luxlounge MEMPHIS!! Prepare yourself for
AfroVybez Pt 2, Friday November 10th at
@507luxlounge.

This is a vibe that I can assure you is UNMATCHED.
AfroBeat, Reggae, RnB, Amapiano 

@nimzthedj controlling the Vybez
@wilsomofficial on the 

Tickets are $20-$300.

News from Memphis International Airport:

There’s a new watering hole open at MEM!

Passengers can now enjoy Wiseacre Brewing Company beers for the first time at The Wise Omega Bodega, a new bar at MEM located between gates 21 and 23. The new 17-seat location, which opened on November 1, serves several of Memphis’ most popular craft beers on draft.

The Wise Omega Bodega also has a full bar, serving wine along with a variety of spirits for travelers to enjoy neat, on the rocks, or in an expertly crafted cocktail. The bar has a convenient take-out counter, as well, so travelers on the move have the option to grab a to-go beverage to enjoy back at their gate, along with a selection of grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and snacks.

Memphis Japan Festival is this Sunday at the Botanic Garden.

Mayor-elect Paul Young has opened a portal to apply for opportunities within his administration.

Grind City Media’s Kelcey Wright Johnson interviewed new Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart on the Just My Grizzlies podcast.

DJ Tree plays Blind Bear tonight from 10 to 2.

Greenlaw Community Center (190 Mill) will host Family Fun Saturday tomorrow from 10 to 1. Food trucks, DJs, recreational activities.

Future-Everything label heads Strooly and TEHKAL play a free show in Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel Saturday from 9 PM to 1 AM.

There’s a mushroom festival at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park today through Sunday.

Black Cream plays Wiseacre Downtown’s taproom tonight 6 to 9.

Don’t forget to keep scrolling for Downtown Dining Week picks. Back sometime between tomorrow and Monday with more news.

Downtown Dining Week is Monday, November 6 through Sunday, November 12. It’s your chance to try something new and different. Many restaurants have multiple courses and give you the ability to pick & choose from options.

The suggested price for dinner is $20.23, but not all restaurants followed the suggestion. READ THE FINE PRINT on the menus so there aren’t any surprises when the check arrives.

Nearly 60 restaurants are participating. Don’t have time to read 60 menus? No problem – I read them for you. Below are Paul’s Picks, which check one or more of the following boxes:

• A good value for the money
• Unique/interesting
• Multiple options
• I’ve had the item in the past and can personally vouch for it

117 Prime – Braised beef brisket and potatoes au gratin? Yes please.

Arnold’s – Baby back ribs AND catfish. All of the things.

Automatic Slim’s – Three courses for $20.23. That chicken strip dipped in waffle batter sounds like a yummy first course.

Blind Bear – I’ve tried a couple of bites of that coffee-encrusted ribeye. Normally I’m not even a fan of coffee, but it really brings out the flavor of the steak.

Catherine & Mary’s – Fried spaghetti. Yum yum!

Local on Main – Buffalo fried catfish and jalapeno cheddar grits. I’ve had this on special before and it is very good. I don’t know why this isn’t on the DDW website, but they tell me it comes with a starter of crab-stuffed deviled eggs and a dessert of fried Oreos.

South of Beale – You have options here. I would start with General Tso’s Cauliflower, then move on to a curry chicken bowl, and wrap it up with that Jack & Coke bread pudding.

A few reminders to make sure everyone has a fantastic Downtown Dining Week:

Your servers are gonna be busy. Not only will it be DDW, but a major convention will be in town. Please be understanding if it takes them an extra minute or two to get to you.

If you can’t make a restaurant reservation, please call and cancel so that someone else can have the table.

It is not appropriate to ask for modifications, substitutions, or additions to DDW menu selections. If you feel the need to do any of that, order off the restaurant’s regular menu instead.

Tip generously. $6 to $7 sounds about right for a $20.23 meal. More than that if you feel a server went above and beyond to take care of you.

Bon appetit!

Yahoo! Sports recently published a story about the rise and fall of Mikey Williams, the highly acclaimed prospect who was set to join the University of Memphis basketball team this fall. Until he gets gun charges near his San Diego home cleared up, Williams is taking online classes with the U of M but is not allowed to do anything with the team.

So, I read the article profiling Williams, and man… issues and red flags galore. Having to keep this guy at arm’s length may well be the best thing to happen to Tigers basketball this year.

From the CA: Here’s what we know about Madison Tavern, the new restaurant going into the old Local on the Square location. It will be run by the folks who run Downtown’s Local on Main.

Speaking of Local on Main, this week’s special is chicken teriyaki over a bed of fried rice. I had some for lunch today. Yummy! $14.

Memphis Grilled Cheese Festival returns to Crosstown this Sunday. General admission tickets will be $5.

The Memphis Grizzlies and free agent center Bismack Biyombo have agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with $1 million guaranteed.

The city is scrapping plans for a boat dock at Greenbelt Park.

Friday is National Sandwich Day.

I let one of the girls who works at the Blind Bear French-braid my hair at an after-hours gathering. “Now I look like Hop Sing,” I commented as I held up a mirror to the back of my head. Not one person in the room got the reference.

Momma’s is now doing Open-Oke on Tuesday nights beginning at 7. It’s a combination of open mic, stand-up comedy, and karaoke.

Jon Hay plays Slider Inn Downtown Friday at 8.

St. Jude seeks a senior social media specialist.

MLK50 will host a spades tournament and game night Friday at the Balinese Ballroom in The Pinch.

Friday will be Ladies’ Night at Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel. The event will feature Quinnette with Alpha Whiskey, Nya Sanders, and Nico.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks come to FedExForum Saturday and Sunday.

That’s it for now. Back soon with a Paul’s Picks post for Downtown Dining Week.

0-5. Damn, Grizzlies. Yay for signing Bismack Biyombo, but is he gonna be enough?

Mayor Jimbo from Mempho will release the Tigers at the University of Memphis’ homecoming football game this Saturday vs. South Florida.

The basketball Tigers host LeMoyne-Owen tonight at 7 at FedExForum. The DM has a preview.

Today is Cookie Monster Day. Did you know that in 1967, two years before the debut of Sesame Street, Cookie Monster appeared in an IBM training video?

Celebrations for International Stout Day today just don’t get any more classic than a Guinness at Downtown’s Irish pub The Brass Door.

Today is also National Deviled Egg Day.

Injured Grizzlies center Steven Adams is starring in a milk commercial.

College basketball coach Bob Knight has passed away. Best known for his years at Indiana, Knight also coached at Army and Texas Tech. Knight coached future Duke coach Coach K at Army.

Guns were stolen from cars during the Grizzlies game Monday.

The Memphis Redbirds and Memphis 901 FC seek a director of special events.

The National Civil Rights Museum seeks a full-time tour guide.

Yesterday was a weird day. I could have taken things in a bad direction. But I got an intuition that said, “GO BE WITH YOUR FRIENDS. RIGHT NOW.” And I did and they got me through it. Much love to the people who were there for me.

Blog publishing schedule may be weird for a while but I will try to be back tomorrow with more news.

Just for kicks, I decided to dress up as a troll yesterday. While dressed up and talking to tourists at the bar, I learned there is a troll museum in Alliance, Ohio.

I’m probably gonna dress up again today, because it’s Halloween. Let’s have a look at who all are celebrating with special festivities today:

• Bass Pro will have a candy hunt and digital photo download from 5-7 PM
• Bardog will have a costume contest with $200/$100/$50 cash to the winners
• Blind Bear will have Scare at the Bear with DJ Tree from 9 until at least 1; drink specials; weekly food specials (see list below); costume contest
• Silky’s will have a Nightmare on Beale Street party starting at 7. DJ Taz, costume contest.
• Atomic Rose will have a masquerade ball tonight starting at 8. Prizes, $5 jack-o-lantern shots, DJ Ron with the music.

A personal note: If you see me out tonight (most likely at Bear or Bardog) and feel like buying your favorite blogger a PBR or a shot, it would be much appreciated. I’ve been drinking mainly Cokes/Pepsis out at the bars lately, but tonight there are going to be crowds and I deal with those much better when I have a light buzz.

The Blind Bear has posted its weekly menu specials:

• White chicken chili – Northern beans, carrots, onions, jalapenos, red bell peppers, chili peppers – cup 6, bowl 10
• BBQ brisket sandwich – Slow-roasted beef brisket drizzled with BBQ sauce, topped with house-made coleslaw 18
• Blueberry shortcake – House-made white cake topped with boozy blueberries and house-made whipped cream 8

The Memphis Grizzlies have dropped to 0-4 following a 125-110 loss to Dallas at FedExForum last night. Memphis will now hit the road for a game against Utah and two against Portland.

The Grizzlies’ home floor will have a new look during NBA in-season tournament games. The CA has a preview. The new floor will debut at the November 10 home game vs. Utah.

The DM stopped by Wayne’s Candy Co. on Downtown’s south end to see how Halloween business is doing.

Today’s the last day for the 3-month sales tax holiday on groceries in Tennessee.

The annual Downtown Christmas tree lighting is set for Saturday, November 18 (my birthday!) Photos with Santa from 4:30 to 6 PM. Margie’s 901 hot chocolate. I wonder how many Downtowners will bring flasks and spike their cup of Christmas cheer?

Let’s have a look at college football games of interest to Memphians this Saturday.

• 25 Kansas State at 7 Texas, 11:00 AM, FOX
• Texas A&M at 11 Ole Miss, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• UConn at 19 Tennessee, 11:00 AM, SEC Network
• Arkansas at Florida, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
• Army at 17 Air Force, 1:30 PM, CBS Sports Network
• South Florida at Memphis, 2:00 PM, ESPN+
• Louisiana at Arkansas State, 2:00 PM, ESPN+
• 14 Missouri at 1 Georgia, 2:30 PM, CBS
• 10 Oklahoma at Oklahoma State, Bedlam rivalry game, 2:30 PM, ABC
• Auburn at Vanderbilt, 3:00 PM, SEC Network
• 5 Washington at 24 USC, 6:30 PM, ABC
• 13 LSU at 8 Alabama, 6:45 PM, CBS
• 16 Oregon State at Colorado, 9:00 PM, ESPN

That is a LOADED slate of college football – unlike last Saturday, which was rather weak. The 11 AM hour is especially stacked. If you want a good table/seat at Max’s Sports Bar for the games, my advice would be to be standing outside the door at 10:30 that morning. Remember, folks, whether or not you are an LSU fan, Purple Drank is always an appropriate gameday beverage.

The first version of the committee’s official College Football Playoff top 25 rankings will be released today at 6 PM on ESPN. Note that the team ranks listed above are from the AP poll. I will not be updating them once the CFP poll is released, but in future weeks I will use the official CFP ranks rather than the AP for my game lists.

That’s it for now. Happy Halloween.

This blog is all about getting the word out about the achievements and upcoming events of others. As a rule, I don’t like to toot my own horn on here. But, I hope that just this once, you’ll indulge me. Because I said something pretty profound on Facebook Saturday afternoon.

AI is the opposite of E, I, E, I, O.

I mean, think about it. Let’s review the song:

Old McDonald had a farm,
E, I, E, I, O!
And on that farm he had some ducks,
E, I, E, I, O!

With a quack, quack here,
And a quack, quack there,
Here a quack,
There a quack,
Everywhere a quack, quack,

Old McDonald had a farm,
E, I, E, I, O!

E, I, E, I, O is all about gleaning knowledge and wisdom from a non-human resource. But it’s a resource we didn’t create: the animals.

Whereas, through artificial intelligence, we glean knowledge and wisdom through a resource we absolutely did create: computers.

So I stand by what I said. AI is the opposite of E, I, E, I, O.

Can you imagine the day EIEIO is the answer to the daily Wordle? That’ll stump everyone. Except AI, probably.

On to the news… are you in the service industry? You have a Halloween party to go to tonight from 6 to 10… but you have to register first (click the Tickets link in the Facebook listing), to be on the list they check at the door. The party is at Lux Lounge, the downstairs event room of the new Curry N Jerk location. It’s on Monroe between Second and B.B. King.

Ya know, they say there’s no such thing as a free lunch… I wonder what Lux Lounge’s angle is here? They’re gonna build a huge database of service industry workers, particularly Downtown ones, with contact info and current position held. There’s a lot of value in that.

There’s a trunk-or-treat for kids at Juvenile Court on Washington Avenue this evening from 5 to 7.

RIP Percy Norris, legendary Rendezvous server.

Annual reminder: If there is a restaurant you KNOW you want to try during Downtown Dining Week (November 6-12, 2023), go ahead and call and make reservations NOW, even if that restaurant has not published its DDW menu yet. The best time slots will fill up quickly. This is especially true this year, with DDW and the annual COGIC convention overlapping.

Todd Demers of Channel 3 Weather is saying we could see 15 MPH wind gusts from the north around 4 tomorrow afternoon. Keep that in mind when planning your Halloween costume. It’s gonna be cold! Predicted lows are 33 tonight and 30 tomorrow night.

Even with their star point guard on the bench, the Memphis Tigers put away Lane College 106-49 in an exhibition yesterday. Next up: vs. LeMoyne-Owen Tuesday at FedExForum, 7 PM.

Congrats to the Green Beetle’s food truck on its recent 100 on its health inspection.

The NBA’s in-season tournament tips off Friday. The Grizzlies will hit the road to play Portland in a tournament game that night at 9.

Tonight the Grizzlies host Dallas at home at 7 PM. TV: Bally Sports

Daylight Saving Time ends Saturday night. Get ready to turn the clocks back an hour.

That’s all for now. Possibly back tomorrow with more news, if I don’t take a day off.