Category: Uncategorized

Happy National Mimosa Day! I’m coming to you from the newly-renovated Cossitt Library at Front and Monroe. That’s why today’s post is late; the library doesn’t open until 10 AM. It stays open until 8 PM Monday-Thursday, until 6 PM Friday-Saturday, and it is closed on Sunday.

This place has a podcast lab people can use 10-1 Monday-Wednesday-Friday and by reservation Tuesday-Thursday.

It also has a cafe, Dos Hermanos, run by Chef Eli Townsend. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the Downtown Neighborhood Association president. From We Are Memphis: Chef Eli says Cossitt’s Dos Hermanos “meant to be”

Behind me I see a table full of classic games including Life, Sorry!, Scrabble, Monopoly, and Trivial Pursuit. Never seen games in a library before. They also have a giant Connect Four set.

Their selection of books isn’t huge, but I’ve been told they can get any book from another branch in one day.

They have a meeting/conference room that looks like it seats about 20. I assume the public can reserve it.

Wi-Fi signal is strong but it ducks out now and then.

River Time Market & Deli on Court Square will be closed next Monday, May 22, for scheduled maintenance. They will reopen at their regular time Tuesday, May 23.

The poker world lost one of its most legendary players and authors this week as Doyle Brunson AKA “Texas Dolly” passed away at age 89. Brunson won the World Series of Poker Main Event in 1976 and 1977. His writings on Texas Hold’em were a bit dated by the time I got into that game, but I learned a lot about other poker games – Stud/8, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, and Razz – from his books.

Grizzlies power forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. is a finalist for the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award. In the past 12 months, Triple J has helped people keep their power on, supported women-owned businesses, and donated school supplies.

Stevie Nicks has been announced for a FedExForum concert on October 28. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 AM.

A friend of mine is selling a motorcycle, a 2022 Royal Enfield Classic. The seller is someone I have known for 15 years and who I would trust completely if I were a prospective buyer.

KIX 106 has announced its KIX on Beale summer shows. These are held in Handy Park, are free, and are all-ages:

• June 15: Easton Corbin with Kassi Ashton
• June 22: Kimberly Perry with Tenille Arts
• June 29: The Frontmen with Tigerlily Gold
• July 13: Priscilla Block with George Binge
• July 20: TBA
• July 27: Ryan Griffin with Neon Union

Yeah this library Wi-Fi definitely comes and goes. When it’s out, it appears to only be out for a minute or two.

Someone stole a Penske truck containing 1800 of Calvary Episcopal Church’s organ pipes. The pipes were on their way to Boston for repair. The pipes have little street value but will cost almost $1 million to replace.

The DM has details on Saturday night’s shooting at Tug’s Casual Grill.

The Memphis Redbirds are in town this week and next. Today through Sunday they host Gwinnett, and then next Tuesday-Sunday Norfolk will be in town. This week there are matinee games on Wednesday (12:05) and Thursday (11:05). You’ll want to get there early for Friday’s 7:05 game: The first 1000 fans will receive cards 1-10 of the Redbirds’ 25th anniversary baseball card set, featuring names like Vince Coleman, Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright, Randy Arozarena, Stubby Clapp, and Rick Ankiel. 100 of those first 1000 fans will receive an exclusive 1 of 100 card. Also on Friday, there’s a specialty ticket that includes all-you-can-eat crawfish.

MPD will hold a free steering wheel lock giveaway next Tuesday, May 22 at its Austin Peay and Mount Moriah stations. First come, first served and you must show proof you reside in the city. If you own a Hyundai, Kia, or Infiniti, I recommend you go get one of these locks.

From Fox 13: The National Civil Rights Museum is breaking ground on its Legacy Building restoration

Bike to Work Day is this Friday, May 19. Stop by the Downtown Memphis Commission’s breakfast station at Main and Adams between 7:30 and 9:30 AM to fuel up.

Pegasus Residential is hiring a floating leasing manager for the Downtown area.

Insomnia Cookies is hiring a car delivery driver for its Beale Street location. Free cookies on every shift, plus you get paid every day – no having to wait until the end of the week.

From UK newspaper The Guardian: Ja Morant, masculinity, and the misguided way of the gun

From iHeart: Popular Tennessee restaurant (The Arcade) named the best diner in the state

ONE Razorback Roadshow comes to Bass Pro at the Pyramid today 5:30-7:30. Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek will be there, as will head football coach Sam Pittman, along with members of the Razorback Spirit Squads, the marching band, and mascot Big Red. Attendees could win exclusive autographed items, game tickets, sideline passes, or Yeti coolers filled with Coca-Cola products. Doors open at 5:30 and the event begins at 6:00. Free admission to all fans and free food and beverages.

Apparently you don’t have to whisper in libraries anymore. Which is fine with me.

This Friday at South Main Sounds, 550 S. Main: Songwriter Night featuring Sara Jean Kelley, Sarah Spain, Byron Earnheart, and Steve Lockwood

Cruisin’ Heavy headlines this Thursday night’s Peabody rooftop party. $15 general admission, $30 to get into the VIP Lounge.

I tried a Jager BBQ Burger at Blind Bear for the first time yesterday:

It’s an 8-ounce beef patty with Jager BBQ sauce, pepper jack cheese, sauteed onions and mushrooms, lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun. It came with sides of fries and mac & cheese. I specifically ordered the lettuce and tomato on the side because I wanted my veggies but they seemed like they’d clash with the other burger toppings. A very yummy dinner indeed.

If you’re one of my neighbors in Number 10 Main, the planned water outage for today has been postponed.

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow if I find more news to report.

I do have a lot of news to report today, but… this morning the laptop and I will be taking a little field trip.

Check back between noon and 3 PM for your Tuesday news.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

Part of my morning reading routine is the NBA section of Bleacher Report. Today I was scrolling through the headlines and I saw one I really didn’t want to see.

Ja Morant appears to flash alleged gun during Instagram Live video 2 months after suspension

Damn it!

The NBA will investigate. If they find he was waving a gun around, what will the penalty be? They suspended Ja for 8 games back in March for the same kind of behavior. It’s totally reasonable to think he could get 30 games for a second infraction. That could very well be enough to put the Grizzlies into the play-in series next season rather than a top 6 seed in the West.

EDIT: The Grizzlies have suspended Ja

In better news, there was a celebrity sighting at the Makeda’s Cookies on Jefferson this weekend. John Amos heard they had the best cookies in town and stopped by to pick some up. Amos played James Evans Sr., the patriarch of the Evans family, on the TV show Good Times (1974-79).

Today is Dance Like a Chicken Day.

From WREG: Shots were fired after an attempted robbery outside Tug’s Casual Grill in Harbor Town, leaving one person dead.

There’s a Mother’s Day brewery tour at Wiseacre Downtown today at 2.

There’s a free Tai Chi class in River Garden Monday from 6 to 7 PM. Milan Vigil will teach the class and all levels are welcome.

Memphis Youth Symphony Program will have its Season Finale Concert tonight at the Cannon Center.

That’s it for today. There probably won’t be a post tomorrow; if there is, it’ll be a short one.

A customer came into one of the neighborhood bars Thursday night and asked about me. Butt Slut #2 was bartending. Butt Slut #1, who used to work at the same place, was sitting at the bar drinking an Angry Orchard.

“Where’s Paul been? I haven’t seen him lately,” the man asked.

“We saw him Wednesday night,” said Butt Slut #2. “You know him. He’s just been Paulin’ around.”

Just Paulin’ around. I like that.

Today is Brunch for Lunch Day. I’ll be celebrating with my friends Randy & Theresa and Butt Slut #1 at Bardog. Let me see if I can guess today’s specials:

• Strawberry or blueberry pancakes
• Lobster omelette
• Chicken-n-wafffles
• Grilled pork chop
• Some kind of blackened fish (probably salmon or snapper; possibly mahi mahi)

Today is also World Cocktail Day. I’m sure, with the nice weather, a lot of Downtowners will be out on patios celebrating that holiday. MWN says there’s a chance of afternoon thunderstorms with a high of 88. It’ll be 90 tomorrow. Whew, sure glad my A/C got fixed this week.

The redevelopment group that now owns the Sterick Building plans to transform the surrounding neighborhood, the DM reports. The Sterick is the yellow 29-story building at the northeast corner of B.B. King and Madison. It has been vacant and blighted since the 1980s.

Whiskey Bent Duo plays country and classic rock hits on the Blind Bear’s patio Sunday starting at 6 PM.

Sir Meatball’s Dogchella dog festival happens today at Grind City Brewing Co. beginning at noon. Dog product vendors will be on-site and until 4 PM, you can get a draft for only $5 if you’re accompanied by a dog. Admission is free.

Mark Edgar Stuart and Aaron James play the River Series at Harbor Town Amphitheater today from 4:00 to 7:30. Tickets are $10 adults/$5 kids.

The ever-popular Memphis Greek Festival is happening today out on Highland near Sam Cooper.

Gia Welch Trio plays The Central BBQ Sessions tonight at the Downtown Central BBQ on Butler behind the civil rights museum. 6-9 PM.

Families get in free at the Stax Museum this afternoon 1 to 4.

Devil Train plays Memphis Clover Club, B.B. King at Court in the Indigo Hotel building, tonight at 9:30.

There’s a Memphis Jookin’ class and dance performance at the Cossitt Library, Front and Monroe, today at 5.

Tomorrow (Sunday) we say goodbye to Primas Bakery and Boutique’s Downtown location. Everything in the bakery case will be buy one, get one free. 9 AM-3 PM.

The annual Manes on Main Festival happens today beginning at 11 AM at the Soul & Spirits brewery, 845 N. Main. Hair & beard contest. First 100 beer orders come with a special donut pairing. Board to Beers will be there with a board games pop-up. Champs BBQ will have a truck there. Albees will also have a food truck. Vendor market.

The Ruby Bridges Reading Festival happens from 10 to 3 at the National Civil Rights Museum.

A condo covering the entire 11th floor of the Goodwyn Building at Second and Madison is for sale.

The building at 119 Madison (at November 6th alley) could become a boutique hotel.

The CA has coverage of the annual Blues Music Awards that happened Downtown this week.

Hey, y’all want to see a couple of Blind Bear photos from yesterday?

This is one of the new menu items, Momma’s Meatloaf. The sauce on top tasted more like BBQ than it did ketchup, which is typically what you see atop restaurant meatloaf. I approve of the flavor. Very Memphis and as I’ve said before, plain red ketchup is a child’s condiment.

The mashed potatoes have a good flavor to them. I got a side of ranch to dip my fried okra. I would definitely get this again, although the Crawfish Mac and the Hibernation Tots remain my favorite menu items.

Don’t forget, you can get that meatloaf on a sandwich, named after me, at Saturday and Sunday brunch. (11 AM to 3 PM)

One of the servers brought me a small gift bag yesterday. “Just a little happy I saw at Walgreens,” she said. It’s a fuzzy bear snap bracelet. “I wanted you to have a reminder that the Bear loves you.” Awww. That melted my heart.

Time for me to get ready for brunch. Probably back tomorrow with more news.

In case you missed it – I made my comeback yesterday with a long news post. Keep scrolling to read it. This one won’t be long. Just a couple of items.

Pink Pig Apparel is a famous Memphis clothing line that debuted about 15 years ago at the Shelton Clothiers store near Main and Peabody Place. If you’ve never seen it, think Izod but with a small pig logo instead of an alligator. I love my Pink Pig shirts, fleeces and hats.

The Shelton clothing store closed years ago, but the Pig lived on… and I’m pleased to report it’s found its way back Downtown. You can now get your Pink Pig merchandise at the Feelin’ Memphis gift shop, 509 S. Main.

Grab a raincoat or umbrella, because showers and storms are expected through early afternoon.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers are headed to the Dominican Republic for exhibition games August 1-7.

That’s it for now. It’s good to be blogging for y’all again. A generous soul gave me a Bardog gift card so I’m about to go have breakfast there. Back tomorrow or Sunday with more.

The big local news today is that Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant isn’t going to get his supermax extension.

Under current NBA collective bargaining rules, a player of Ja’s experience can sign an extension valued at 25% of the salary cap. This is known as a max deal. That’s what Ja got, 5 years at $194 million.

However, if a player of Ja’s experience gets named to All-NBA teams in two of years 2, 3, and 4 of his career, he becomes eligible to be paid 30% of the salary cap, known as a supermax. Ja’s contract contained an “escalator” clause that would have boosted his salary to $233 million over 5 years if he made an All-NBA team this year (he made the first team last year). Almost $40 million more.

All-NBA teams were announced yesterday. Ja was not on them.

He won’t be riding the escalator.

Ja’s on-court production was as good as last year, so it seems pretty clear the All-NBA miss was related to his 8-game suspension by the NBA. He was suspended for appearing to be waving a gun around at a club and posting video of the incident to Instagram.

I hope this sends a message to young Memphians that messing around with guns is stupid and can cost you big.

Max’s Sports Bar has pizzas now! They posted a pic of a yummy-looking pepperoni pizza to social media. It’s known as The Pep Rally and is full of Old World and regular pepperoni. A look at Max’s updated food menu reveals other pizzas including Cheese, Margherita, Hawaiian (ugh pineapple on pizza), Meatball, and BBQ (featuring Porkosaurus rub).

If you want Max’s pizza without leaving the house, Central Delivery will bring it to you up until 8:45 PM. If you want it later than that, the bar is on Uber Eats.

It’s just amazing how much they have been able to do in such a little space. Cheers to Max and staff for bringing so much joy to South Main.

Joyce Cobb plays Sunset Jazz on Court Square this Sunday from 6 to 8.

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

Memphis 901 FC hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Saturday night at 7 at AutoZone Park. Use promotional code WYNNE when purchasing tickets and $5 of the price will support sports teams at Wynne High School, heavily damaged by recent tornadoes.

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition is ongoing at the Renasant Convention Center through June 10.

I’ve been eating the patty melt, a new addition to Blind Bear’s menu, a lot lately. It is really good. They are not shy about loading that sandwich up with rich, gooey cheese.

Today is Hostess Cupcake Day.

Malaysia Live! with dance troupe JKKN is at the Cannon Center tonight. Malaysia is this year’s Memphis in May honored country.

Karly Driftwood headlines Live at the Tracks at Central Station tonight. Jennifer Westwood & Dylan Dunbar will also perform. 6:30-9:30.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association meets Tuesday night, May 16, at the South Main Artspace Lofts on St. Paul Avenue. A.D.’s Hot Dogs, a hot dog stand that operates off Beale and Main, will provide the food. This will be a joint meeting with the South Main Association. 6-8 PM.

The Falls Building at Front and Court, formerly an office building (where I worked 2007-08), will be renovated into apartments.

We will soon be seeing cops on electric bikes Downtown. Very good and much needed.

Los Comales is coming to The Edge District. The Mexican restaurant will be inside Stop 345 on Madison.

The CA’s Jennifer Chandler has a list of BBQ Fest must-sees. The festival is back on the river Wednesday-Saturday of next week.

First post in 31 days. I know a lot of people have been asking where I am. I hear there’s even a thread on Reddit about me. (Hi, Reddit!)

The short answer is that I’ve been experiencing financial and health issues that have left me too depressed to type blog posts. I don’t want to go into more detail than that in such a public place.

The good news is that I feel a little better than I did a few weeks ago, physically and mentally.

I have some WONDERFUL friends who have been helping me get through this, once I broke down and confessed to them what was going on with me around May 1. Before that I had kept things bottled up for several weeks and had all but disappeared from my favorite spots.

That’s all I feel like writing for now. I love all my readers. Thanks for sticking by me.

***REMINDER*** It’s the day after Easter. 50% off candy at Walgreens!

Rookie Kenneth Lofton Jr. finally got his Grizzlies contract. 4 years, $7 million. He was brought off his 2-way contract and onto the main roster to help cover for Steven Adams, who Is out longer than expected with injury. Congrats on making it to the big time, Junior!

Minnesota T-wolves at L.A. Lakers, 8 vs. 7 West play-in game, Tuesday 9 PM on TNT. Winner gets the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. Go Wolves! I do not want to see LeBron across the court.

Daaaaang… first-round playoff tickets start at $111.

Today is National Farm Animals Day.

Cinderella plays the Orpheum this coming weekend. Meaning, the Ballet Memphis production, not the ’80s-;90s hair band. I saw Cinderella at Little Rock’s Barton Coliseum in 1989. Winger and Nelson opened for them.

The Memphis International Auto Show is at the Renasant Convention Center this coming weekend.

Memphis Songwriters Series returns to the Halloran Centre Thursday.

Memphis 901 FC hosts Las Vegas Lights FC at 7 Saturday at AutoZone Park.

Mind if I take a moment to brag on myself a bit?

I stepped on the scales yesterday and they read 160. The upper end of a “normal” weight range for a 5’8″ male? 164. This is the first time since my Sleep Out Louie’s/Flying Saucer heyday (2005ish) that I have NOT been overweight. I’m pretty damn excited. The PBR diet works y’all!

That’s it for now. Update schedule might still be a bit slow this week but we will see.

Birdie’s, the virtual golf bar on South Main, is now open for your Masters viewing enjoyment. Also, they have a contest going on noon to 5 today and tomorrow – pay $10 for 5 swings at a closest-to-the-pin contest on an iconic par-3. Proceeds benefit First Tee. Prize is a golf bag, clubs, and hat.

The Grizzlies clinched the 2 seed in the West last night. But crap, I have a feeling our reward for all our hard work is gonna be LeBron James in the first round. That man is a beast even at age 38.

Sorry the updates have been few & far between these past few days. Everyone needs a break sometimes.

MemphisWeather.net reports that our city is in a Level 3 (Enhanced) risk for severe weather today. The main threats are said to be high winds and hail this afternoon, followed by heavy rain tonight. Y’all be careful on the afternoon commute.

If you’re a Daily Memphian subscriber, please be sure to read this premium story about Pretty Taco, a new taco shop to open soon on S. Front. It’s being opened by my friend Halsey Werlein, former GM of Itta Bena and Silly Goose. It will be a fast-casual restaurant and is based on concepts he saw while vacationing in Miami. Mid-April is the projected opening date. It will be a fun place with games like pool and cornhole available.

The Grizzlies finished up their last home game last night with a 119-109 win over Portland. In the West, Memphis is now 2 games behind conference leader Denver and 2 games ahead of third-place Sacramento. The Grizz are in action on the road at New Orleans tonight at 7. TV: Bally Sports

Find Grizz on display at one of 20 spirits stores around town selling local Old Dominick products and you can enter for a chance to win a pair of 2023-24 Grizzlies season tickets. No purchase is necessary. Find a store near you that carries Old Dominick

Birdie’s, the virtual golf bar soon to open on South Main, has announced they will be 21 & up.

A new art piece called All Power to All People has been installed in Fourth Bluff Park.

Billy Boyle has been appointed executive chef of the restaurants in the hotels that are part of the One Beale project.

There’s going to be a photography pop-up for Tyre Nichols at Fourth Bluff Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

There will be a sunset send-off for Tyre Nichols in Martyrs Park this Sunday at 6 PM.

Loflin Yard will host Marketplace in Motion Saturday from 11 to 5.

Old Dominick Distillery hosts Bourbon and Brushstrokes Thursday night from 7 to 9. Follow along with the instructor to create your own masterpiece while enjoying locally distilled spirits. Entry fee includes one free drink.

There will be yoga in Health Sciences Park with Camille Potter tonight at 5:30 – weather permitting, I would guess.

Sarah Spain will play Live at the Tracks at Central Station Thursday evening.

The Peabody has announced its Thursday rooftop party series will happen April 20-August 10. More details to come soon.

Game room Board to Beers will host a pop-up at Soul & Spirits, 845 N. Main, Saturday from 1 to 6. $5 fee to check out games from the library gets you unlimited play.

The Redbirds have a 12:05 PM matinee game vs. the Nashville Sounds today.

That’ll wrap it up. Everyone stay safe today.

Gonna be a bit terse because I don’t want to spend 3 hours re-typing this. Butt Slut #1, if you text me and tell me my post today sucked, I will kill you. No, not really. But I’ll stop notifying you when there are boats and kayaks on The Price Is Right.

Redbirds home opener is today at 6:45. They’re in town through Sunday. Opponent is Nashville. Promotional schedule

Grizzlies host Portland tonight at 7. Bally Sports TV. All who attend the game tonight get a Grizzlies poster.

CHICAGO is at the Orpheum tonight through Sunday.

Memphis is the 7th unhealthiest city in America.

Inside tip I got yesterday: The chicken eggs at Memphis Farmers Market are quite reasonably priced compared to grocery stores. Also the market has duck eggs and they are quite good.

Grizz Week is next Monday-Friday. Want some free swag? Go to the Court Square lunchtime food truck rodeo Thur 4/13.

Adam Heart Trio and special guest Alexis Grace play Blind Bear Friday at 19.

Grind City Brewing has a new beer named Thaddeus. Wonder if it’s named after the controversial local radio host.

The Harlem Globetrotters will perform at FedExForum Sat. 2 PM.

Ben Yay’s news: “Introducing the Delmonico Steak at Ben Yay’s. 32oz., 2lbs., atop cheesy smashed new potatoes, with charred broccolini, covered with fried red onion petals, and a balsamic glaze.” $40 for that much steak is not bad. It’s only on their dinner menu, daily after 4.

The Main Street Mall will be a celebration tonight, for it’s National Rat Day.

That’s as much as I can remember. Back tomorrow with more news.