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The South Main Association will have its monthly meeting next Tuesday, February 10 at Earnestine & Hazel’s.  Social at 6:30 PM, meeting at 7.  There are two important reasons why you should attend this meeting if you’re an SMA member or are thinking about becoming one:

1) The theme is “Security in South Main.”  Major Sheffield of the South Main Substation will speak.

2) COMPLIMENTARY SOUL BURGERS!!!!!

There will be a cash bar for wine and beer.

(Edited to add:  Free Soul Burgers?  Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.)

If you’re looking for a place to live Downtown, I’d like to draw your attention to this listing on Craigslist.

It’s a 2 BR/2 BA condo, 1400+ sq.ft., $1400/month, 1 block south of Main and G.E. Patterson, convenient to the trolley line and South Main Arts District.  Unlike most buildings in the area, this is a new construction, not a renovation, and is less than 5 years old.  The owners, a couple with a 1 year old baby, have been personal friends of mine for several years and would be great landlords.  They loved it when they lived there, and told me it’s a very friendly atmosphere where you get to meet your neighbors.  The only reason they moved was because they wanted a house for the baby.

If interested, click the link above and you’ll see their contact info in the listing.

Greetings from Franklin, TN just south of Nashville… I’m working on the personal finance software project tonight and staying at the home of the inventor.  It’s in a posh suburb of Franklin.  One of the Backstreet Boys (not sure which one) is the neighbor across the street, I’ve been told.

News from the Peabody tonight.  The Corner Bar has its own menu now.  Before, it was sharing a menu with Capriccio.  The Peabody has also recognized that if they want the Corner Bar to become a locals’ hangout, they can’t get away with charging the same astronomical beer prices they charge at the hotel’s restaurants and lobby bar.

New drink prices at the Corner Bar:

• $2.50 domestic beers
• $3.50 import beers
• $4-6 wines by the glass
• $4-6 mixed drinks

Menu includes appetizers such as pretzels, bruschetta, french fries, fish ‘n’ chips, chicken wings, chicken fingers, and BBQ stuffed potato skins for $4-9; salads for $3-7; sliders (BBQ or KOBE beef) for $10-12; 12″ pizzas for $10-12; sandwiches for $10-12.

Good menu and the drink prices sound like a BIG improvement.  Kudos to the Corner Bar for doing what it takes to draw locals.

I plan to be back in Memphis tomorrow in plenty of time to join the Rapscallions for another trivia victory.  See you when I get back!

Much thanks to my friend Billy for inviting me to use an extra ticket he had to the Memphis Tigers game yesterday.  It was easily the best seat I’ve ever had at the FedExForum… it read, “section CB2,” and I had no idea where that was.  I asked and was told to go to the club level.  Nice!  Then I discovered my seat wasn’t even a regular seat, but a seat at a desk, with an executive chair on rollers to sit in, and a waitress to serve food and drinks.  Here’s a look to the right of where I was sitting, at the other club box seats:

I remember touring the Forum prior to its first event, and I assumed those seats were where the press would sit.  Guess I was wrong.  There were even monitors at the end of each desk (you can see one in the pic above), with cable TV.  Here’s a look at the view of the floor from my seat:

Face value of the ticket was $44, and I thought to myself, that’s a bargain for the quality of experience I had sitting in that seat.  I knew quite a few people sitting in the club level too – I hadn’t realized it, but the games are social events for a lot of Downtowners.

As for the Tigers, they went on a 15-0 run to open the game, struggled a little just before and just after halftime, with Houston actually taking the lead 44-43 at one point.  Coach Cal was livid and I could hear him yelling from a basketball court’s length away.  Eventually the Tigers got it together and won 83-68.  Doneal Mack had a great game and seemed to be able to hit threes at will.  Robert Dozier had a strong game inside.

Skipping brunch today, because I need to get some things done before my out-of-town trip tomorrow morning.  Heading over to a friend’s condo at 3 for our annual Super Bowl party.  I’ll take pics as usual, but it will be at least Wednesday before I get a photo album online, due to the trip.

Several people have brought to my attention that some of the “Downtown Memphis information” pages on my right sidebar are getting a little out of date.  This morning I refreshed the late night dining page, deleting Hoop’s Bar and adding Bardog, the Silly Goose, Automatic Slim’s, and Voodoo Room @ Orleans on Front.  Wow… late night dining has sure changed for the better.  Three years ago, late-night dining options in the Downtown core were pretty much limited to Huey’s, Denny’s, and the Black Diamond.

I’m up early this morning, excited about scoring a free ticket to noon’s Memphis Tigers vs. Houston Cougars game at the FedExForum.  It’s on CBS College Sports, which is carried on digital cable (Comcast channel 222) but not regular cable.  Silly Goose will open early for those who want to watch the game there.  I haven’t heard from Calhoun’s but they usually open early for Tiger games.

Frequency of posting will slow down for the next three days.  Tomorrow is the gang’s big Super Bowl party, and Monday morning I’m driving to Nashville for a business meeting.  Unless there are traffic complications I’ll be back Tuesday night for trivia.

Go Tigers!

They’re on Peabody Place between Main and Second in the old Swig location.  I got a last-minute ticket to the game, but if you’re not going to the game itself come to the Goose and watch on TV.

This was suggested to me as something our BBQ team could cook this year: Bacon Explosion

Calling it an early night due to Air Traffic Mike.  “Hey, Pauly, let me buy you a shot.”  I hope you’re happy.  To-go burgers with parmesan fries from Majestic Grille are the bomb.

I want to start this post with a note to Downtown bar and restaurant owners.  When you have special events, make sure that they get listed in the Center City Commission’s “Livin’ It Up” newsletter.  This newsletter is e-mailed to hundreds of subscribers every Thursday afternoon and is available on the CCC’s website.  There’s no reason not to do this – it’s free advertising, as the CCC wants to show what a vibrant Downtown we have with lots going on, and you can help them by listing your events.  I was kind of surprised when I got this week’s newsletter and only one Super Bowl party (the Majestic Grille) was mentioned.  I know there are four or five others going on.

Anyway, you can check the newsletter for details of the Majestic’s party, and I’ve covered BB King’s in a recent post.  Here’s one more:

Bardog Tavern is adding an extra 50″ TV, so there will be three TVs total, 2 upstairs (smoking) and one downstairs (non-smoking).  During the game there will be 25 cent wings, drink specials, and lots of booze-related merchandise giveaways.  Their regular menu, including the best spaghetti and meatballs in town and their awesome Rambo steak sandwich, will be available.  Sound will be on for the pregame and the game itself.  I had the pleasure of drinking some chartreuse with Aldo the owner last night and discussing life Downtown… nice to be in such a friendly neighborhood bar.

Speaking of the Super Bowl, in the “lawyers gone crazy” department:  This Washington Post article explains why you’ve seen so many ads for bars showing “The Big Game” this week.  Apparently it’s a trademark violation to mention the Super Bowl in an ad you run, and the NFL’s lawyers are going after violators, even little fish.  You can call it the “big game” and talk about how “super” your event will be.  You can mention the date, and you can say “the Pittsburgh vs. Arizona game.”  You can’t say “Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals” though.  How incredibly stupid.  If the bar around the corner advertises that they’ll have the Super Bowl on with 25 cent wings and drink specials, no one in their right mind would think it’s the NFL’s officially chosen spot to watch the game.  I think the NFL is making itself look really bad on this one.  I understand the need to protect trademarks, but the Super Bowl is a piece of Americana and is a special case.

By the way, as far as I can read into it, I can call it the Super Bowl on here because this is a blog and a news source of sorts.  However, if Bardog, for example, ran a banner ad about their party on my blog’s sidebar, I’d probably have to call it “the big game” or some other ridiculous workaround there, because then I’d be getting paid to talk about it.

Back to last night… early in the evening, I attended Mpact Memphis’ “Mpact Outlet” at the Red Rooster.  While there, I talked to Christopher Reyes, who runs the Live from Memphis site.  He just remodeled the site and it has a new look and a lot more information.  If you’re into local music, you need to put this one at the top of your bookmarks.  In particular they’ve added several bloggers to the site who write about Memphis and music.

I also went to the Silly Goose’s grand opening party.  One of the people sitting at the bar came up with the best description I’ve heard yet of the place:  “It’s like the Flying Saucer for adults.”  That makes sense to me.  It’s not at all a pretentious status game like Swig could be at times.  It’s comfortable like the Saucer is, but it tends to draw a more grown-up crowd.  Several of the Saucer’s 2006-07 waitresses (a classic period there) now work at the Goose.  It’s also for people who have graduated from beer to liquor, or to beer that the Saucer doesn’t carry (PBR).  I like them both though.  Those two and Bardog are definitely my top three right now.  I still need to do the long version of my “why Downtowners hang out where we do” post.

Circa has some new happy hour deals.  Happy hour runs from 5-7 daily, and after 10 Friday-Saturday.  Specials include

• $5 “small plates” cravings menu at the bar.  Also available in the dining room 5-6:30
• $3 beers – all of them, drafts, bottles, whatever
• $4 wells
• $5 wine specials
• $5 sangria

Unlike many other bars Downtown, Circa’s bar is non-smoking.  So, if you want to have a place to chat with friends over good food and drink, without coming out of there with your clothes and hair smelling like smoke, Circa would be a good choice.

President Obama is asking concerned citizens to hold economic recovery house meetings on Friday, February 6.  The intent of these meetings is to help people learn how his stimulus package will affect their everyday lives.  Click here to learn more, or to get set up to host one of these house meetings.

Outta here for now.  South Main Trolley Tour is tonight.  Haven’t decided if I’m going yet.

The Phoenix Club e-mailed to say that they’re moving their annual Mardi Gras party Downtown.  In past years, it’s been at the University Club, but they wanted a bigger space and more of an opportunity to get down and dirty, so it will be at the Cadre Building this year, on Saturday, February 21.

From 8 to 11, you’ll be able to purchase funny money to bet on a variety of casino games.  You’ll then be able to redeem your winnings for a variety of prizes, including gift certificates and spa and golf weekend packages.  At 11 it’ll be time for some Aristocrunk as Lord T and Eloise take the stage.  There will be several specialty drinks provided by local restaurants, in addition to complimentary beer and wine all night.  Tickets are $40 each and the money goes to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis.  You can purchase tickets on their website or you can e-mail Gaines Conaway at gconaway@elvis.com.  It’s great to have the Phoenix Club throwing events downtown – they have a decades-long track record of serving the community.

Two days before that, on Thursday, February 19, the American Heart Association will have their second annual Rock & Roll Red Ball at the Red Rooster.  $10 cover, event starts at 7 and ends at midnight.  Wear red to receive your Red Dress Pin upon arrival.  All proceeds benefit the Memphis chapter of the AHA.

Did you know that there’s an NTN/Buzztime Trivia blog?  I didn’t either but found out yesterday, when the Empoprise-NTN blog addressed my issue of transferring my points from a location that closed (Sleep Out Louie’s) to a new location (Calhoun’s).  The blog is a good one to bookmark if you’re a fan of the little blue crack boxes.

Updated info on the offerings at B.B. King’s for their Super Bowl party:

• $5 domestic pitchers
• $1.50 shooters
• $1.50 PBR
• $2 bourbon shots
• The Dirty-Dirty – 4 PBRs, 15 wings, and fried pickles for $10
• The Super-Super – 4 PBRs, popcorn chicken, catfish bites, mini corn dogs, and fries for $15
• You can add a full rack of ribs (normally $22) for only $10 more
• 10×10 foot projection screen, two 78 in. flat panels, and other TVs throughout the club
• Rock 103 will be broadcasting

I know there will be other Super Bowl parties going on Downtown as well.  Last night the bartenders at the Flying Saucer told me they’re going to have free food at the Saucer for the Super Bowl.  That will be a rare occasion when a bar puts out free food without drawing the Nuh-Uh Girl in to have a plate or six… I think she’s attending a private Super Bowl party elsewhere Downtown (the same one I’m attending).

I need to stop by Bardog Tavern tonight and get the details of their Super Bowl party to post here.  My friend Air Traffic Mike was in there a couple of nights ago, and he told me that Aldo is now putting his Grandmom’s meatballs on a sandwich.  Mmmm… I love meatball sandwiches, and as I’ve said before, I’d put those meatballs up against any Italian restaurant in town.  Gonna have to give that a try soon.

Mpact Memphis members, don’t forget… Mpact Outlet meeting tonight at 6 at the Red Rooster.  As I understand it this is a general meeting where you can learn about all of Mpact’s programs and opportunities to get involved.

Time to get stuff done… I have a business meeting at 3, at the Second Street branch office, of course.

The Silly Goose just e-mailed me back… here’s the updated info on their grand opening party, to be held Thursday, January 29 (that’s tomorrow):

• Doors open at 5
• Hors d’ouevres start at 7  (Free food?  Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up)
• $2 domestics and wells until 10
• Abe dancing on the bar

Abe dancing on the bar?  Who wouldn’t want to see that?  As I said in the earlier post, I plan to lead a group over after the Mpact Memphis meeting at the Red Rooster finishes tomorrow.  Hope to see you there!