Category: Uncategorized

The Downtown core is getting another Asian restaurant. Flame Ramen is coming to 61 S. Second, which I believe would be the space in One Commerce Square (near Second and Union) formerly occupied by Subway. Flame, a chain restaurant, has had its managers notice a lot of Downtowners at its Midtown location. They want to capture the 18-to-45 demographic down here.

Here’s a look at the menu from Flame’s Midtown location. Matthew Fite of the DM reports that the menu for the Downtown location will be smaller. Back in March, the DM had a look at a $10 Deal from one of Flame’s other locations: the Donburi rice bowl.

Reminder to restaurant owners/managers: If you update your menu, please make sure to get it current on

• your restaurant’s website
• review sites such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google Reviews
• social media, especially Facebook

Last night I was at a restaurant and a couple became unhappy when they found out they couldn’t get certain items that they’d seen on the restaurant’s website. They walked out after paying for their drinks. Granted, they were unnecessarily rude about it and it was probably good riddance – but still, that was a potential $40 dinner tab out the door.

Which brings me to the next point. RESTAURANT PATRONS: I have a pet peeve with you, too. Well, some of you.

If every little aspect of your dining experience doesn’t go exactly the way you want, you shouldn’t automatically assume it’s because the person serving you has an “attitude.”

Let me give a few examples.

• Unhappy a 20% automatic gratuity got added to your bill? It’s not because your server has an attitude and wants to bilk you out of extra money. An 18 to 20 percent auto-grat is the norm in Downtown restaurants these days. Without it, restaurants wouldn’t be able to retain good servers – too many people write “N/A” on the tip line or think $4 on a $66 tab is a good tip.
• Got told there would be a $3 upcharge when you asked to sub steak on the chicken burrito you ordered? That wouldn’t be because your server has an attitude. It’s because steak is more expensive for restaurants to purchase than chicken.
• Did it take 25 minutes to get your food out to you? I sympathize; that’s certainly not ideal. Hospitality expert Jon Taffer advises restaurants to aim for 10-12 minute ticket times. When those don’t happen, though, it’s likely because the kitchen is backed up – not because your server has an attitude and delayed putting your order in.

When I hear a customer accuse a server of having an “attitude,” I think of a psychological phenomenon known as projection.

Pretty interesting diagram I found on Facebook yesterday. I wonder if people who manufacture Crayola 64-packs have this memorized.

Cossitt Library innovator-in-residence Ena Esco will discuss social media marketing on her podcast Thursday, July 13 from 5:00-7:00 PM. She’ll be joined by Kelvin Woods. Topics they plan to discuss include strategy, content, and adopting a promotion mindset.

In other Cossitt Library news: At Explore MemFest on Saturday, from 1 to 4 they will have a Books & Backpacks giveaway. Come by to get a backpack filled with school supplies. There will be library card signups too.

Cordelia’s Market has announced the promotion of Brian Prather to general manager. An interview in the market’s blog shines a light on Prather’s background and experience. He loves local!

STIX, the fast-food Asian joint on Second, reminded its followers that they offer sushi classes, and that you can contact the restaurant to make a booking for your group. Participants

• learn how to make 3 different rolls
• sip on a specialty cocktail
• enjoy a ginger salad with signature dressing
• get to take home a bottle of ginger dressing or yum yum sauce

The Blind Bear has announced its Features (specials) for this week. They’ll have them today through whenever they run out, most likely Friday.

• Chicken tortilla soup – cup 6 / bowl 8
• Southwest stuffed shells – seasoned beef, cheeses, pico de gallo – 14
• Strawberry pound cake – house-made butter cake, Grand Marnier strawberries, whipped cream – 7

Y’ALL. I tried a bite of that strawberry pound cake and it is AMAZING. Do not miss it if you have a sweet tooth.

Southwest Airlines has announced its seasonal nonstop flight to Washington DC. It runs daily through September 4, departing Memphis at 8:25 AM CDT and arriving in DC at 11:35 AM EDT.

From Lifehacker: Stop looking at the temperature dial on your grill. It only tells you what the grill’s temp is at that one spot. Instead, buy a digital thermometer.

Today is National Pecan Pie Day.

It’s also National Eat Your Jello Day. SHOTS SHOTS SHOTSSHOTSSHOTS

Day game! L.A. Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies in NBA Summer League action at 2:30 this afternoon. NBAtv is the channel to watch.

The CA has a look at the hip-hop architecture summer camp for kids hosted in Memphis.

The Mistress Saved My Marriage – The Stage Play comes to the Cannon Center Saturday.

FreedomFest comes to the Renasant Convention Center today through Saturday. The event is about all the ways we experience liberty in our lives. It’s a celebration of “great books, great thinkers, and great ideas.:” The event is non-partisan and encourages open-mindedness.

Eight & Sand Lounge in the Central Station Hotel will hold Yacht Rock Night with Katie Orlando Saturday from 9 to 1.

That’s it for today! I expect to be back tomorrow with more news.

Do you believe strongly in the fight against cancer? If so, there’s an upcoming party at Max’s Sports Bar you should attend. One of their regulars is 7 years cancer-free and they will have a celebration for her Wednesday, July 19 from 6 to 10 PM. 10% of purchases made during the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society. So come on down, eat, drink, and be merry!

The Hard Rock Cafe on Beale is scheduled to close at the end of this month. On Sunday, July 23 starting at 4 PM, the Hard Rock will hold a farewell party for current and former employees. About 250 are expected to attend.

The Memphis Grizzlies honored Dillon Brooks with a tribute video as his trade to Houston was finalized. DB was the longest-tenured Grizzly, having been drafted with the 45th pick in 2017.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Davonte Pack, Ja Morant’s best buddy. The charge is misdemeanor assault with the intent to do bodily harm, and it stems from a 2022 pickup basketball game involving Pack, Morant, and a teenager. The DA previously declined to charge Morant in the incident due to a lack of evidence. Pack always seems to be around when Ja gets in trouble.

The 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is tonight at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The game will be broadcast on FOX starting at 7 PM. More info – storylines, odds, starting lineups

Today is Cow Appreciation Day. Allow me to suggest some of my favorite ways to appreciate cows:

• Double-Double at Dyer’s
• Soul Burger at Earnestine & Hazel’s
• Yonge Street Burger at Kooky Canuck
• Burger sliders at Bardog
• Majestic Burger at Majestic Grille
• Texas Toast Burger at Huey’s
• Smashed Burger at Blind Bear

Moo.

Of course, you could get a Baconator at Wendy’s and make it Pig Appreciation Day as well as Cow Appreciation Day.

It’s also National Mojito Day.

Bluff City Bandits headline this Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. 6-10 PM, $15 general admission, $30 to get into the VIP Lounge.

I finished Post Office by Charles Bukowski and will drop it off at the library’s drop box later today. I enjoyed it even more than the other book of his I have read, Ham on Rye. Thank you to those of you who recommended I check out the works of Bukowski.

My next read is a biography of 36th President Lyndon Baines Johnson by Doris Kearns Goodwin. She’s the one who wrote Team of Rivals, the Lincoln bio I read a couple of weeks ago. The LBJ book differs from most biographies in that the author doesn’t feel the need to chronicle every event in detail – the election of 1960, for example, is hardly mentioned. Where Ms. Goodwin shines, though, is imparting to the reader what was going on in LBJ’s head during critical times in his life.

That’s it for today. There was a job listing Downtown I was going to tell y’all about, but then I realized the job would be a good fit for me. So I’m gonna apply. It’s in a completely different field than what I’ve been doing most of my life. It’s something that would make me happy. Wish me luck.

Back tomorrow with more news.

Not Downtown but worth a Lyft or Uber: There will be an authentic Asian Night Market at Crosstown Concourse Sunday, July 23 from 4 to 9 PM. Food, music, games. Free to attend and most food items will be under $10. It’s being put on by Memphis’ Vietnamese community and an organization called WILLOW. Be a vendor or sponsor

It’s Sugar Cookie Day at Butterificc at 488 S. Second today. They’ll have a variety of sugar cookies and free samples will be available. Come back to Butterific tomorrow for National Blueberry Muffins Day. And come back Wednesday for Pecan Pie Day.

The Downtown Doubletree Hotel is hiring a general manager.

The DM has a look at new Grizzlies draftee GG Jackson. The team will now have a Jackson II as well as a Jackson Jr. Fun fact: Ja Morant’s father Tee used to cut GG’s hair back in South Carolina.

Today is Don’t Step on a Bee Day. Well that’s good advice.

Today is also National Pina Colada Day. Celebrate with a pina colada daiquiri at Wet Willie’s on Beale Street.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver unveiled the details of a new in-season NBA tournament that will happen in November and December. There will be a group stage and then a knockout stage, sort of like World Cup soccer. The Grizzlies will be in Group 4 along with Phoenix, the L.A. Lakers, Utah, and Portland. Ugh… not a great group draw for Memphis. Hello 9 PM tip times and hello LeBron.

The Major League Baseball Home Run Derby is tonight. It’ll be on ESPN at 7 Central. More info

Victorian mansion/museum The Woodruff-Fontaine House will have an attic sale this Saturday. Antiques, china, crystal, party decor, and more.

Brimstone Jones will play Loflin Yard this Sunday at noon.

Explore Memphest comes to Downtown’s Cossitt Library this Saturday. Live music; free food by The Check-In. Explore what Memphis libraries and community organizations have to offer. Take a Storywalk with your kids. Live music.

Will Sexton and Amy LaVere play The Central BBQ Sessions Tuesday evening from 6 to 9 at Downtown Central BBQ.

Weather: No chance of rain today, 86/68, northeast wind. For July in Memphis, that sounds pretty awesome.

That’s it for today. Back tomorrow (probably) with more news.

Wallpaper Magazine has an article on the reimagination of Tom Lee Park as a public space on the river. It has some nice images of what the park will look like when it opens this fall.

Max’s Sports Bar is expanding its staff to include a combination cook/barback who would work the following shifts:

• Monday-Wednesday 5:30 PM-1 AM
• Saturday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
• Sunday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM (football season only)

The pay is $14 an hour plus tips.

Congratulations to former Memphis Grizzly Mike Conley, Jr., winner of the 2022-23 NBA Sportsmanship Award. Conley currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is the last active member of the Grizzlies’ Core Four. Conley has won the award 3 times previously.

Soul & Spirits brewery on North Main will host a Skol-astic Adult Book Fair on Saturday, August 12. “Skol” is Scandinavian for “Cheers.” Every beer you buy gets you entered into a raffle for prizes from the brewery and festival vendors. Vendors include

• South Main Book Juggler
• Burke’s Books
• Cafe Noir
• De More Books & Things
• Friends of the Library
• Novel

Food trucks for the book fair will be Paper Plate Pavilion and Tacos MonDragon.

Today is National No Bra Day.

The Callie Hines performs at the Ghost River taproom at Main and Crump today from 4:30 to 8:30. From the Facebook event listing: “If you like Brandi Carlile, The Indigo Girls, and Joni Mitchell – you’ll love them! Discover your new favorite Americana artist – coming to you from South East Louisiana!”

That’s it. Not a real newsy day. Back tomorrow probably.

Future and Friends, scheduled for next Thursday at FedExForum, has been canceled. If you have tickets, refunds will be issued through the appropriate channels. It’s not known why Future can’t make it, but Memphis is not the only canceled show on the tour.

Congratulations to WREG Channel 3’s chief meteorologist Tim Simpson, who is retiring after 29 years.

Memphis Farmers Market vendor Dodson Farms, maker of fine jams and jellies, announced on social media this week that they aren’t sure when, or if, they will return to the market. There is an illness in the family In the meantime, Muddy’s Bake Shop has some varieties of their sweet jelly for sale. Prayers to the Dodson family.

New Wing Order posted its July special:

The July special is Smokin’ Peach Wings! Made with fresh peaches, Jones Orchard peach jam, Calabrian chiles, and other spices for a sweet, spicy, and smoky bite.

Get them at the Ghost River taproom at 341 Beale or at the nWo food truck.

Riverside Drive’s closure has been extended to Labor Day. The scenic road was scheduled to reopen on the first of this month, but a Tom Lee Park contractor needed more time.

MemphisWeather.net tweeted that widespread storms are possible in the Memphis metro from 2 to 8 PM today. Some of those storms could be severe, with wind and hail being the main threats.

The Grizzlies’ new number 36, Marcus Smart, arrived in Memphis this week with a big smile on his face. The DM’s Chris Herrington discusses what Smart brings to the table.

Memphis 901 FC took a loss to San Antonio FC 4-0 last night, with one of San Antonio’s players picking up a hat trick.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Chicago Bulls in Summer League action today at 6. Catch the game on NBAtv.

A friend of mine found this dog near Front and Beale:

If this is your pet, email me at paul.ryburn@gmail.com or hit me up on social media and I will get you in touch with the person who has her. I promise your dog is in good, loving hands.

Today is National Freezer Pop Day.

The candidate I support for Memphis mayor, Paul Young, recently added a Meet Paul page to his campaign website.

DJ Tree plays Blind Bear 10-2 tonight and 7-midnight Sunday.

Elmwood Cemetery hosts From the Beyond: Ghosts, Spiritualism, and Cemeteries tomorrow from 6:30 to 8 PM. This will be a seated, indoor presentation by Elmwood director Kim Bearden. Snacks and beverages will be provided. $20 per person.

That’ll do it. I’m meeting friends for Bardog brunch in a couple of hours. I haven’t seen Butt Slut #1 for an entire week, which is rather unusual. I have missed her. Back tomorrow with more news.

I had a successful first day on Instagram Threads, the Twitter alternative. I followed every Instagram user I follow who’s also on Threads, and I collected 57 followers of my own. Again, if you jump on that platform and want to give me a follow, it’s @paulryburn.

One thing I don’t like about Threads is that you HAVE to use an iOS or Android app to post and view posts. When I’m at home working on my MacBook at my writing desk, I usually keep my iPhone in another room. It would be inconvenient and slightly distracting to have it by my side. The head of Instagram says they’re working on a desktop version of Threads.

The Grizzlies executed a trade with the Phoenix Suns this week.

Memphis Grizzlies get

• 6’9″ power forward Isaiah Todd. Todd, 21, bypassed college to play for the NBA’s G-League Ignite in 2020-21.  The Milwaukee Bucks drafted him in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft. He was traded to Washington before the season started in 2021. On June 24, 2023, he was traded to Phoenix as part of a deal that sent Chris Paul to Washington.
• 2024 first-round pick swap – if the Suns pick higher than the Grizzlies in that draft, the two teams trade picks
• 2030 first-round pick swap

Phoenix Suns get

• Grizzlies’ 2025 second-round pick (via the New Orleans Pelicans)
• Grizzlies’ 2028 and 2029 second-round picks

Sounds like a win for the Grizz. Zack Kleiman and Co. must have seen something in Todd that fits in with team culture.

One small red flag about Isaiah Todd: In January 2022, Washington suspended him for one game for “conduct detrimental to the team.”

The Memphis Flyer has some nice artist mock-ups of the future Dream Hotel being built in and on top of the old Royal Furniture location at Main and Gayoso. The hotel will include a 10-story tower across Gayoso from the Barboro Flats parking garage. There will be 3 floors of luxury apartments in the tower in addition to hotel rooms.

The same Flyer article notes that the former Mason’s Lodge on G.E. Patterson will be converted into 10 one-bedroom lofts. It will also be the new HQ for UrbanARCH.

Memphis Magazine answers the question, what does it look like inside the Sterick Building today? The building hasn’t had tenants since the 1980s.

From the Flyer: Matt Petty’s sound baths are a vibe. Get in on the therapeutic sound bath action weekly (Mondays at 6:30) at The Broom Closet on South Main.

Memphis 901 FC hosts San Antonio FC tonight at 7:30.

Today is National Dive Bar Day, a good day to visit Earnestine & Hazel’s.

A risk for severe storms returns to the Memphis metro Saturday. Good news, though – the rain will hold the highs to the mid-80s this weekend.

Pam, the co-owner of River Time Market & Deli, has restaurant equipment for sale as she plans to close the deli later this month:

FOOD TRUCK OWNERS – DELI OWNERS –

New Start-up Owners Dream

I have the following equipment for sale :

Matco Stainless Steel Toolbox $5,000.00

49 inch Stsinless Steel Tables $50.00 each

72” Sandwich Mate Table $1100.00

Pizza Oven – $300.00 has 3 year protection plan – bought in Nov 2022

Electric Griddle. – $175.00 also has protection plan bought in Nov 2022

3 tier Pastry Warmer $225.00

Soup Warmer – $40.00

Upright Frigidaire Freezer – $300.00

Open Sign – $20.00

Shelves $50.00

BlueAir Coolers – $700.00 each

Chest Freezer – $59.00

Peak Cold Curved Deli Case – $1700.00

Meat Slicer – $300.00

2 Waring 1/2 Ovens needs repairs-$70.00 each – I have some elements.

All kinds of Stainless Holding pans and clear pans .

Text Me if interested (901) 482-0460 – email Pamela.edmondson@aol.com

That’s it for today. Back tomorrow with more.

Former Memphis Grizzly Tony Allen has signed to play in the Big 3 basketball tournament this summer. He’ll play on a team called 3’s Company that includes other well-known former NBA players such as Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers.

Restaurant toolbox for sale at a great price:

PornHub-branded yoga mats are a thing.

The Memphis Flyer takes a look at the craft beer boom that has exploded in this city in the past 10 years.

Congratulations to the folks who operate FedExForum. It has been rated the number-one NBA arena by fans.

New details have been revealed of the Downtown Dream Hotel going in at 122 S. Main, the former Royal Furniture space.

Specials going on at the Blind Bear this week:

• Southern greens chowder: cup 6/bowl 8
• Catfish po’boy: blackened or fried, lettuce, tomato, pickles, Cajun aioli, fries or tots 14
• Ribeye dinner: 10 oz. hand-cut, rosemary mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach 28

Good Facebook page to follow if you’re a fan of local history: Things that aren’t in the Memphis area anymore

The Lobbyist, Jimmy Gentry’s restaurant in the Chisca, is six months old. It’s already been through a menu change and has received additional seating on the patio.

Today is National Fried Chicken Day. Gus’s is the obvious choice to celebrate, of course, but I’d also recommend Jack Pirtle’s because it’s owned by awesome Downtowners. The closest Pirtle’s locations are near Thomas and Chelsea and near Poplar and Cleveland.

DJ Epic headlines tonight’s Peabody rooftop party. 6-10 PM, $15 to get in, $30 to go VIP.

I’m on Instagram Threads now. Follow me at @paulryburn.

Tuesday was the hottest day in the recorded history of our planet. Global average temperature was nearly 63 degrees.

Anime Blues Con comes to the Renasant Convention Center Friday-Sunday.

Storyboard Memphis looks back at the 1978 Memphis fire and police strikes.

Louise Page plays the Summer Acoustic Series at Caption by Hyatt tonight.

There’s a teacher hiring mixer this evening at Carolina Watershed.

There will be a pop-up yoga and tea workshop Saturday at 2 at Downtown Yoga. There will be an all-levels yoga class followed by a cup of herbal tea with herbalist Nadia of Black MajesTEA. Afterward, there will be a Q&A and you’ll have the chance to purchase loose tea blends to take home.

Tomorrow will be a night of soulful blues and jazz at South Main Sounds for Richard Wilson’s “Promised Land” record release show. 7-9 PM.

Chris Hamlett’s rooftop sunset shindig happens this Saturday at Old Dominick Distillery.

I’m trying Memphis Public Libraries’ interlibrary loan system for the first time. I had Post Office by Charles Bukowski sent to Downtown’s Cossitt Library and I’m about to go pick it up.

That’s it for now! Back tomorrow.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association’s Summer Movie Series kicks off tomorrow night, Thursday, July 6. The movies will be shown on the patio of the Cossitt Library (Front and Monroe) and picnic baskets are encouraged (no glass please). They’ll kick off the movie series with Little Shop of Horrors tomorrow.

Now, as for the start time of the movies… I’m not completely clear on that. The flyer for the series says the movies will begin at sunset and then adds, “(approx 7:30p)”. But the sun sets tomorrow at about 8:16. So I dunno. My best advice is, get there at 7:30 but don’t be surprised if there’s a wait.

Derrick Rose will wear number 23 for the Grizzlies. It will be the first time since D-Rose played college ball for the Memphis Tigers that he has worn that number.

From Food & Wine: The tragic way Monterey Jack cheese got its name

From Memphis Beer Blog: Grind City Brewing brings some extra heat to Memphis summer with Jalapeno Poppy’s in cans

Want the best deal on fast-food shoestring fries? Taste at Home says to get the large fries at McDonald’s.

Three teens are accused of breaking into cars near Ida B. Wells (Fourth) and Peabody Place about 10 Monday night.

There’s a Main Street Trolley jigsaw puzzle you can buy online.

Today is Bikini Day.

Wednesday starts with mostly clear skies and decent temps near 70°. We’ll climb to 93° with heat indices just over 100° today though. Scattered storms are expected, but are most likely this evening after 5pm. A few, especially north of I-40, could bring strong wind gusts. pic.twitter.com/ES7u0ohwuk

— MemphisWeather.net (@memphisweather1) July 5, 2023

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is expected to launch a Twitter competitor called Instagram Threads tomorrow. It’s said to be an alternative for people who don’t like the recent changes Elon Musk has made since buying Twitter. The cool thing about Threads, as compared to other Twitter wannabes, is that you don’t start at square one – you bring in your followers from Instagram.

Flying cars are about to be a thing.

Yesterday afternoon I tried a new item on the Blind Bear’s revised menu, the Smashed Burger. It replaced the Jager Burger which had mushrooms, pepper jack cheese, and Jager BBQ sauce with a more traditional offering – twin patties cooked thin with a generous amount of cheese (I think cheddar), sauteed onions, smashed Bear sauce, lettuce, and tomato.

I took a bite and the first thing I noticed was the juiciness. I’d give it a 10 out of 10 (and I’m a former burger festival judge, so I’m qualified to rate juiciness). By contrast, I wouldn’t have given the predecessor burger better than a 7 for juiciness (and depending on who was cooking, some nights I’d go as low as a 5). Big improvement.

I will note that the burger was so juicy that it caused the bottom bun to break apart after a few bites. This is not a terrible thing; just make sure you have ample napkins before you dig in.

As for the taste, I am going to do a comparison rather than a rating on a 1-10 scale. What a good burger “should” taste like is quite subjective, and one person’s 9 is another person’s 6.

The first thing I did, before giving the burger a try, was pull off the two tomato slices. I generally don’t like tomatoes on burgers and I didn’t feel that they complemented the other ingredients on this particular burger.

With the tomatoes gone, this burger tastes more similar to McDonald’s Big Mac than any other burger with which you would likely be familiar. Don’t get me wrong, the Bear’s burger is of much higher quality than McD’s, but if you get a Mac Attack now and then, I think the Smashed Burger would satisfy your appetite.

Delicious. Would definitely get again – perhaps as soon as today. Next time I’ll get it with Nate’s tater tots on the side instead of fries.

That’s it for today’s post. Back tomorrow, probably.

Kenneth Lofton Jr. put up 21 points and 13 rebounds as the Grizzlies beat the Philadelphia 76ers 94-92 to open NBA Summer League last night. Next game: vs. Oklahoma City Wednesday at 6 PM on NBAtv. It’s likely to be a first look at Chet Holmgren, picked second by the Thunder in the 2022 draft, who missed all of last season.

From City Discovery Hub: The best 13 dog-walking areas in Memphis

Today is National Barbecue Day. If you’re not grilling out at home, Central BBQ at St. Martin and Butler (behind the civil rights museum) is my recommendation. Get a half order of BBQ nachos and an order of smoked wings. Blues City Cafe at Second and Beale is always a good bet too. “The Best Meal on Beale” combo platter (ribs & catfish with sides) is the way to go there.

I love a good Caesar salad as much as anyone but July 4 is an unfortunate day to celebrate National Caesar Salad Day. Nothing green belongs on a plate today.

The 2023 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is today.

• Women’s contest: 9:45 AM Central, ESPN app and espn.com
• Men’s contest: 11:00 AM Central, ESPN app and ESPN2

There was an armed robbery, carried out by three teenagers, at Main and Vance Friday night.

Memphis Magazine presents the history of the Sterick Building. This is a long but good read.

409 South Main will host a Labeled & Loved Moms’ Night Out on the evening of Tuesday, July 18. This free event allows mothers of kids with disabilities (any age or diagnosis) to network with other moms who understand. More info about Labeled & Loved

That’s it for today’s post. My plan is to be at Bardog at 8 AM. I’ll wander over to Blind Bear when it opens at 3. Happy Fourth. Back tomorrow.

Let’s have an update on how that box of Swiss chocolates is coming.

Yep. Empty. I ate the entire box in one day!

Beans, beans, good for the heart. The more you eat, the more you… It’s National Beans Day. My recommendation would be a side of baked beans to go along with your favorite entree at Central BBQ. The red beans and rice at Ben Yay’s would also be a good call.

It’s also American Redneck Day. My suggestion for a place to celebrate would be Millington.

Bleacher Report gave the Houston Rockets a D grade for their 4-year, $80M acquisition of Dillon Brooks. “We may have a new winner for the worst contract this offseason,” BR’s staff wrote.

On the other hand, BR gave the Grizzlies an A for maxing out Desmond Bane.

According to Nextdoor, a man scaled a wall at River Tower condo and went for a swim in the pool in his underwear. Security asked him to leave.

The DM has a look at Promise, which is bringing soul food back to South Main for lunch, dinner, and Saturday brunch. Plans to expand to Sunday are in the works. A menu for children is available.

Also in the DM: Seven former Memphis Tigers will play in NBA Summer League. Golden State in particular will be a team to watch, with Kendric Davis and Lester Quinones on the roster.

One interesting note: Emoni Bates, the 49th pick in this year’s NBA draft, will play for Cleveland in Summer League. Remember when he was recruited to Memphis in 2021 and analysts said he was sure to be a lottery pick?

Alicia Keys comes to FedExForun Wednesday night.

There will be Nerd Trivia at Grind City Brewing Co. Wednesday beginning at 6:30.

Twitter users now have limits on the number of tweets they can see per day – 1000 (unverified users) or 10,000 (verified). Thanks a lot, Elon. It’s being done to fight data scraping.

That’s it for today. Not sure if I will do a July 4 post tomorrow. Bardog opens at 8 and I plan on being there.