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The Peabody is celebrating its 140th anniversary today. The original Peabody opened in a different location on Sept. 1, 1869. It moved to the current location in 1925. The celebration will be from 4:45 to 6 PM today. Fifteen musicians from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra will play Big Band music created especially for the Peabody in the 1940s. I think I read somewhere that there will be cake too. Free cake? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

There will also be a celebration of September 1st at South of Beale. They will have “901 on 9/01,” for Justin Timberlake’s new 901 tequila. The bartenders have created some special cocktails using 901 which will be $5 all night long – the 901AM, the 901PM, the Matador, and the Love Stoned.

Just saw a tweet from Sole Restaurant in the Westin inviting everyone to their patio tonight… “Buy a burger and beer and we’ll give you a burger and beer for free!” Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up. She re-tweeted it almost immediately, so she definitely knows about it. I wonder if there’s a #freefood hashtag on Twitter.

Question from a reader – any bars running specials for Sunday’s Memphis vs. Ole Miss game? The reader wants to know if there are any bars that are predominately Ole Miss. I want to know too, so I can make sure to avoid those bars.

Congrats to Gary on his appearance in the Flying Saucer calendar, which I picked up last night. Didn’t know Gary’s nickname was “G-Rock.” Each month featured a different Saucer – the UFO member with the most plates posing with a few of the girls from that location. One of the Saucers had someone with 24 plates!!! That’s 4,800 beers! Wonder what color they use for plate number 24…

Here’s a pic of Gary with the calendar.

Tonight I’ll be back at the Saucer for team trivia. Really looking forward to it tonight.

And finally, here’s an Onion article to further entertain you – Unstable Relative, Toddler Compete for Attention at Family Get-Together. That’s all for now. See ya!

This isn’t a Downtown event, but one of my BBQ teammates is coordinating it and it’s for a good cause… Rockers for Paws Sunday afternoon/evening at Neil’s, at the corner of Madison and McLean, benefiting the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County. 3 PM to 2 AM, $10 admission at the door. Featuring Rusty Lemmon, R.T. Scott, Jimmy Hudson Band, The Vynals, Jeremiah Tucker, Deuces Wild, Sister of Lisa, Joecephus & the George Jonestown Massacre, Katie Gammel, Rebecca Almond with Brandon McGovern, Failure to Stop, and Late Comedy by TR.

If you’re a UFO Club member at the Flying Saucer, be sure to stop by tonight for their calendar giveaway, which goes from 6 PM until they run out. The member with the most plates on the wall (he just finished his 12th) was invited to pose for one of the calendar month’s pics with a few of the Saucer girls. He told me that the pics that were taken are pretty hot. Can’t wait to see them. They’re free to UFO members, 1 per member.

Of course, it’s also Pint Nite, with most drafts $2.75. Looking forward to a wonderful night with mild weather, cold beer, and interesting, uninterrupted conversation at the Saucer.

MPD has installed a mobile camera unit at the southwestern entrance to Court Square on the Main Street Mall.  Two cameras about 20 feet in the air record everything that goes on.

Glad to see the cameras there… for years the panhandlers have bought liquor or beer, sat in the park and drank, and then argued, fought, cussed each other loudly, bothered passersby… and then panhandled enough money for their next drink.  Wash, rinse, repeat.  Not a good “welcome to Memphis” for guests of the two hotels on the other side of Main Street.  With the cameras there, the panhandlers will hopefully be on their best behavior.  The camera is equipped with flashing blue lights in case they don’t get the point that it’s police equipment.

I mentioned it in the last post, but for those of you who didn’t scroll through all the pics of the Nuh-Uh Girl eating to see it, Republic Nightclub opens tonight.  They’re in the former EP’s space, and word is it will be the type of club you see in Miami, L.A., etc. with celebrities, fashion shows, rock stars.  I’ll likely stop by there at some point tonight to check it out.

Time to post some pics… but before I do, I have a recommendation.  If you have an iPhone and have not updated your Facebook app, do so immediately.  The new version feels like the real Facebook… news feed is the same as the real site, and now I can view events and guest lists.  Much much much better.

Okay, let’s start with a couple of pics from the anniversary party at Circa Thursday night.

Here’s a pic of the Nuh-Uh Girl and the Nuh-Uh Sister eating.

Here’s another pic of the Nuh-Uh Girl eating.

And now, on to Trolley Tour pics…

Billy on his new scooter.  He says it will go 100 mph.

Cornhole

The two Lauras had tube top dresses on.

Misty had a tube top on.  Cornhole was bookended by an orange VW Bus and a green VW Bus.

Kacy and me.  Note that Kacy has a tube top dress on, and I’m drinking a PBR.

Trolley tour was absolutely packed this month.  Here you can see people milling around the art galleries on South Main.

On the other side of the street, a crowd gathered to listen to live music.

The Sheltons at Trolley Tour.  Tom got to meet my mother yesterday over the phone, when she called in to Shelton Clothiers to order a 38103 trolley polo shirt.

Got a friend’s plate party at the Saucer tonight.  Tonight is also the grand opening of Republic Nightclub in the former EP’s space.  May stop by at some point later in the evening and check that out.

First of all, a huge THANK YOU to John Bragg for a wonderful time at Circa’s 2nd anniversary party last night. The food was marvelous – seared tuna, salmon with egg, onions, and capers, Kobe beef sliders, fried olives, crab cakes, crawfish beignets, and a few more dishes that I can’t remember. I saw one guy fork up some of the egg on the salmon platter and use it to top his Kobe slider. He gets an A+ for improvised culinary skills.

Good beer too… I tried the New Belgium Hoptoberfest that they had on tap. Three cups and I was feeling no pain. The beer was served in Ques Brothers cups – a nice touch!

A video was shown about Help the Least of These, a charity that helps the extreme poor in Africa. This morning Circa tweeted that they raised over $4,000 for the organization.

While there, I talked to Uncle Ray, who told me that earlier in the day there had been 6 or 7 police cars outside Walgreens, and people were spreading the incorrect rumor that someone had been waving a gun around inside the store. Ray saw the owner of the shoe store across the street laughing, and asked what was really going on. “A bum walked in the store and saw a mop bucket in the middle of an empty aisle,” he was told. “So he took a pee in it. That’s why the police were called.” You gotta love Downtown Memphis. You don’t hear these kinds of stories in Collierville.

Rob Blackledge and Native Son play the Saucer tonight at 9:30. You may remember Native Son as the regular Wednesday night band from a few years back. I served on MPACT Memphis’ board with the band’s leader, Wayne LeeLoy, several years ago.

Speaking of MPACT – they’ll be one of many businesses that will open their doors for the South Main Trolley Art Tour tonight. Many of the galleries and shops will serve free beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

The Red Rooster is starting a night called “Sunday Night Ritual” beginning Sunday, September 13. It will feature Memphis’ best electronic DJs battling, with $5 pitchers, $10 Red Bull Wingmans, and $3 weekly specials.

Kooky Canuck will have a Back to School Bash next Thursday, September 3. $2 34 oz. Coors Light and drink specials.

Date correction: The High Class, Low Key cigar event on the rooftop of the Madison is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8. I’d previously reported it as being on the 7th.

Today in Time Magazine: Makin’ Bacon: Foodies Are Going Hog Wild Over Pig. Attn health guru AL: Note that the article did NOT say, foodies are going wild over tofu.

Speaking of bacon – check out the bacon-wrapped bananas at Automatic Slim’s. Everything’s better with bacon!

I had no idea this restaurant existed: Deja Vu, “New Orleans Creole Soul Food and Vegetarian.” It’s on Florida just south of Crump, out of walking range for most Downtowners but reachable on a bike.

Also in the CA today: Check out this article on Sneak Peek, a new urban sneaker store in the South Main Arts District.

Also in the CA: Class A office space ready for leasing at Court Square Center. Set up your company in the classic Lincoln-American Tower or Lowenstein Building, or in the brand new CA2 building.

I’ll be at Trolley Tour tonight – not sure where I’ll end up afterward.  See ya down there!

Lots going on tonight. Here’s a quick summary.

It’s Circa’s second anniversary party. From 6 to 8 they’ll have a reception in the atrium with music, and free wine, beer, and food. At 8 they will have a special dinner with proceeds to benefit Help the Least of These, a charity that helps the poorest people in Africa.

Bravo Memphis has their season opener tonight with a block party at Main and Huling – food, beer, wine, music, and the opportunity to learn about Bravo’s 2009-10 arts season with monthly networking and visits to different arts events. Open to the public. If you’re a young professional into the arts you should check this out.

Tonight is the mayoral debate on Channel 5. If you’re an AC Wharton supporter, there will be a Wharton watch party at Cafe Beignet on GE Patterson beginning at 6 PM.

The PRSSA is having a mixer on the rooftop of Pembroke Square tonight. Food, beer, wine. Anyone in PR, advertising, or marketing is invited to attend.

Elmo and the Shades play the Madison rooftop tonight. It opens at 5:30, $7 cover, cash bar and tapas menu.

Ladies get in free all night at the Red Rooster tonight. Gabby Johnson will be on stage. Bahama vacation giveaway.

Swelter plays the Saucer tonight. $3 cover, 9:30 start time. I just checked the CCC’s weekly Livin It Up newsletter and saw that they’re also having a mayoral debate watch party, starting at 7. At the Saucer? That’s interesting. Wonder how many lunkheads will walk in, see the debate on, and go, “D-uh, me want to watch ESPN.”

It’s Calhoun’s weekly poker tournament at 7. A lot of the people who would normally enter are going to be away this week, attending other events listed here… might be an opportunity for some new people to get in and avoid the sharks and have a good chance of winning. There are only 10 boxes available for play, so if you’re interested I recommend you get there by 6:30.

For the events listed above where there is complimentary food: Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

My plan is to get to the Saucer about 5:30 and have a warm-up beer, then head to Circa, then to Bravo. I may make a stop on the Pembroke roof, since technically, I’m in marketing rather than IT in my current job.

Back to work… busy day.  Hope to see you out tonight!

I just saw a post on Facebook that Flight at Main and Monroe has a few openings for Server, Hostess, and Bartender with the new school year approaching.  Might be a good place to apply if you’re looking for service industry work.  I walk by there every day and the place is usually full in the evenings.  The entrees average in the $20s and I see wine or alcohol on most people’s tables, so high average check, which usually equates to high average tip.  Plus, great food to eat.  I need to get back there for a meal sometime soon.

We’re less than a month away from fall Wednesday night alley party season! The events are produced by the CCC and sponsored by Mpact Memphis, Blue Moon, and the Memphis Flyer. Here’s a quick summary of the lineup:

September 16 – Court Square Karaoke Cocktail Party – you can sign up to be one of the 25 participants competing for up to $500. Competitors will be judged on vocals and showmanship.

September 23 – Neosoulville Alley Party in Gayoso Alley off Peabody Place. City Champs, Tonya Dyson, Candace Ashir, Cassie Bonner, Tim Terry.

Setpember 30 – REG Party in the Rendezvous Alley off Union. The Dempseys (ultra-high-energy rockabilly) and the Soul Shockers (soul, disco) will perform.

October 7 – back in Gayoso Alley for the Makeshift Music party. Two Way Radio, Paul Taylor, Pezz.

October 14 – Goner Records Alley Party in Barboro Alley. I believe that’s the alley that runs alongside Bardog Tavern and that place on Union that used to be Sleep Out Louie’s. Harlan T. Bobo will perform, as will Quintron and Miss Pussycat.

The final party will be the only one not on a Wednesday. On Friday, October 30, they’ll present Memphis Pops in the lot next to Earnestine & Hazel’s. Mitch Easter, the new Mary Jane, and the return of The Simple Ones. That’s a trolley tour night so the area should be hopping. It’s also Halloween weekend so there will probably be people in costume.

They did these last year and they were a LOT of fun, a great chance for Downtowners to enjoy the mild fall weather and mingle with their neighbors. Vending starts at 4:30, music at 6 for these parties. More details here.

The election of 1980 was the first one in which I was old enough to understand what was going on. I wasn’t a big fan of President Carter, and I really hoped that Ted Kennedy would defeat him in the primaries and secure the Democratic nomination.

As it turned out, that didn’t happen… and it was a good thing. As a result of losing the nomination, Senator Kennedy found the place where he could best serve the public… and it was in the Senate seat he already held. Over four and a half decades he secured voting rights, funding for AIDS treatment, equity for Americans with disabilities. He fought apartheid in South Africa. He kept the push for national health care alive even though twice defeated in 1971 and 1993. He became the de facto opposition leader during the conservative era that lasted from approximately 1981 to 2008. In the last years of his life he served as a political father figure to Barack Obama and other leaders of the next generation. Even those who disagreed with his politics could not argue that the man was placed on this Earth to serve others, especially the poor and less fortunate.

Rest in peace, Senator Kennedy. Our nation is so much stronger because of you.

Check out Kennedy’s Wikipedia page for a biography.