Monday update

Time for a quick rant: That light at Front and Union during Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest was one of the worst traffic engineering decisions I’ve ever seen.

Union west of Front was closed due to the festival. But instead of keeping the light at that intersection the usual cycles of green, yellow, red, they made the light flashing yellow for north- and southbound Front and red for westbound Union. So it was basically a stop sign for Union, or it legally should have been treated as such.

It made the intersection more dangerous and inconvenient than it needed to be. Traffic was so heavy on Front that pedestrians like me couldn’t cross – I ended up walking an extra 3 blocks to Beale to get into the festival. People wanting to turn left from Union onto Front were royally screwed, having to wait for all four lanes of non-stopping traffic on Front to be clear.

Of course, this being Memphis, nobody knows how to obey a traffic signal. Some people on Front were stopping at the flashing yellow while the car in the next lane zipped right on through (as they are supposed to do). Some people on Union weren’t stopping for the flashing red. What a mess.

As for the festival itself, it was a reminder of how bad inflation is. A corn dog was $8. A sleddog (not sure how that differs from a corn dog; I didn’t see anyone selling Pronto Pups) was $10. A 16-ounce can of Coors Light was $7. Crawfish were $25.

The Grizzlies return to Memphis Tuesday for a 6:30 tip-off vs. Minnesota in Game 5 of the playoff series. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT and locally on Bally Sports Southeast.

Stats site FiveThirtyEight has the Grizzlies at 71% to win the series and go on to the Western Conference semis. In my opinion, it all hinges on Jaren staying out of foul trouble and being a major contributor in Games 5 and 6 (and 7, if there is one).

STIX Express, the hibachi/sushi place on Second, is now doing 2-for-1 beers and cocktails every Saturday.

Interesting fact I learned this weekend: The ’90s R&B channel is maybe not a safe choice if you want nice, relaxing background music for your restaurant’s weekend brunch. The reason why is that Three 6’s “Slob on My Knob” was released in 1999 and therefore qualifies for the playlist.

The Broom Closet has moldavite back in stock, having received a fresh shipment from the Czech Republic. The gemstone starts at $20. Moldavite is believed to have properties that allow you to transcend time and is therefore useful in exploring past lives or future probable lives.

Joe Austin & The Tallahatchies return to the Blind Bear this Saturday from 8 to midnight.

Today is World Penguin Day. Maybe today will be the day my friend Drew fulfills his dream of owning a penguin.

A passenger in a Ford Mustang allegedly fired shots at a Memphis police officer yesterday on Beale (not within the entertainment district).

Broadway hit Mean Girls comes to the Orpheum Tuesday through Sunday.

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

Saturday update

It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Living Downtown, there are so many options to go out and party during the day Saturday, especially this time of year. If we burn out our daily supply of fuel early and crash into bed before 9 PM, no problem, there’s another Saturday in 7 days.

That mindset won’t cut it today, though. The Grizzlies tip off vs. Minnesota in Game 4 at 9:00 on ESPN. We’re all going to be up until 11:30. Midnight if the game goes into overtime.

I have a good feeling about this one. This series is winnable in 5. The T’wolves are a “just happy to be in the playoffs at all” kind of team and I think their low ceiling is going to be evident tonight and Tuesday.

Elsewhere around the Western Conference:

  • 3 seed Golden State has a 3-0 lead against 6 seed Denver. So Memphis will almost certainly play Steph, Klay, Dray, and former Memphis Grizzly (snicker) Andre Iguodala in the second round if they win the series vs. Minnesota.
  • 1 seed Phoenix has a 2-1 lead against the 8 seed New Orleans Pelicans. It’s fun to hate on NOLA because of the Zion/Ja thing, but we need to pull for the Pels in this series. Phoenix is the one team in the entire NBA that would hold a home-court advantage over Memphis. We don’t want to face the Suns in the Western Conference Finals.

The Memphis Tigers basketball team has added a quality opponent to their schedule. The university announced a home-and-home vs. Texas A&M for the next two seasons. The Aggies will play at FedExForum in the coming season and Memphis will travel to College Station in 2023-24.

Cynthia Plaster Caster, an artist and member of the ’60s-’70s rock scene, died Thursday. She was known for making casts of the erect penises of rock stars.

Yesterday on Earth Day, the first of the 1000 trees Valero has promised to plant in and around Tom Lee Park were installed. Specifically, they were planted on the section of the bluff walk between Union Avenue and Vance Park.

Action News 5 reports that the renovations of Tom Lee Park are moving very quickly.

Muggin Coffeehouse, which has enjoyed success in Whitehaven for the past two years, will open a second location in Uptown. It will be in the Malone Park Commons complex.

Fox 13 has a list of places to take the best selfies in Memphis, and not surprisingly, many of them are Downtown.

An encore performance of Married to a Cheater, In Love with a Husband happens tonight at the Halloran Centre. This show was rescheduled from April 9 and all tickets for that date will be honored.

Memphis comedian Oscar P puts on a show at the Orpheum tonight with special guest Poundcake.

South Main Sounds is ramping up its music schedule and the Memphis Flyer sat down for a talk with venue manager/booker Mark Parsell. Tonight at South Main Sounds: The Glass Half-Full Tour with Paige Renee Berry, Creekbed Carter Hogan, and McKain Lakey. Tickets

Today is German Beer Day. A look at the Flying Saucer’s beer finder shows that the Downtown location carries Ayinger Celebrator and Weizen Bock, Benediktiner Weissbier, Hofbrau Kindi Hefe, and Paulaner Hefe-weizen.

Expect gusty winds today, MemphisWeather.net tweeted, due to a storm system to our west. Rain is unlikely today, though. 84/64.

Worth a Lyft or Uber to Broad Avenue. Taste the Rarity, Wiseacre’s biggest party of the year, is today

Music fans, don’t forget that today is Record Store Day at River City Records, 101 S. Main. Lots of giveaways and gift card raffles every hour.

The Redbirds throw the first pitch vs. the Omaha Storm Chasers this afternoon at 3:05 at AutoZone Park. There’s a Bark in the Park specialty ticket available that gets you and your dog in the game and you also get a dog item. Use promo code BARKINTHEPARK if you purchase your tickets online. After today’s game, the Renegades of Rhythm drumline will perform in the plaza.

Sunday’s game will be the final in the homestand vs. Omaha with a 2:05 first pitch. The first 500 kids 12 and under will get a free ice cream bowl from Prairie Farms. All kids will receive a free ice cream sandwich and can run the bases after the game. A $52 specialty ticket gets you brunch with mimosas and poinsettias in the Budweiser Bowtie Bar.

There’s a crawfish boil at Loflin Yard today at noon hosted by Memphis Rotary Club. Tickets are $25. Neither the Facebook nor the Eventbrite listing says whether you get a set amount of crawfish for that price, and if so, what that amount is, or whether it’s all-you-can-eat.

It’s Health, Wellness & Community Day at Africa in April all day today in Robert Church Park on Beale just east of Fourth. Insider tip: I can’t find a vendor list for this festival, but in the past Uncle Lou’s has been a vendor. This may be your chance to get some Sweet Spicy Love chicken without leaving Downtown.

There’s an event called The Curvy Social Brunch at 200 Madison Sunday at 3 PM. The event celebrates body positivity and attendees will get to chat with several plus-size social media influencers.

Mario Monterosso plays Loflin Yard Sunday at noon.

Crawfish Shack will host a crawfish boil at Loflin Yard Sunday at noon. No pricing info is available. That is most definitely a weird move, for a Downtown brewery to schedule a crawfish boil the same afternoon as Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest on the river.

Programming note: Due to the late Grizzlies game, I expect it to be 9 or even 10 AM when I wake up tomorrow, and I want to get out to Rajun Cajun right at 11. Therefore, the usual long news post probably will not happen tomorrow.

… BUT, there may still be a post for you to read. I want to do a little speculation on what Memphis will be like next weekend with Music Fest at Tiger Lane. I have 2 hours to kill before I go out this morning, so I’ll possibly publish that tomorrow morning if I get it done.

Friday update

GRRRRRRRIZZLIES!!!!!

Memphis regained home-court advantage last night, pulling out to a 2-1 lead in the series vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the box score tells it all. Minnesota scored only 12 points in both the second and fourth quarters, blowing big leads over Memphis twice.

The Grizzlies play another one in Minneapolis on Saturday, at 9:00 on ESPN. Statistics site FiveThirtyEight now projects the Grizzlies at 811% to advance to the Western Conference semis.

Not into crawfish? There’s still plenty of reason to go to Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest on the riverside (between Union and Beale) Sunday afternoon. Porter-Leath released a full list of food vendors. You’ll find foods like BBQ, smoked tuna, vegan fare, kettle corn, MemPops, grilled corn in the shuck, and funnel cakes.

There’s a specialty ticket that includes all-you-can-eat wings at the Redbirds tonight. It’s $24 dugout, $21 field box. In addition to the wings, you get all-you-can-eat BBQ, buffalo, and ranch dressing, carrots, celery, hot dogs, chips, soda, and water.

The Redbirds are also offering a Matchup Menu on Fridays and Saturdays this year, available in the Rivalry Roadhouse tent in right field. The menu will change from week to week and will feature foods related to the Redbirds’ opponent. This week’s opponent is the Omaha Storm Chasers and the specials will be

  • The Warren Buffet Sandwich: Shaved prime rib with grilled onions
  • The Omaha Storm Chaser, a rum drink infused with the official drink of Nebraska, Kool-Aid

There will be $3 Coors Lights on the plaza until the first pitch.

All of MATA’s modes of transportation, including the trolley, will be free to ride the last day of early voting, Thursday, April 28.

Celtic Woman returns to the Orpheum tonight with a new show, Postcards from Ireland.

Saturday Down South reports that Arkansas has had contact with former Memphis Tiger Emoni Bates, who entered the transfer portal next week.

From Gizmodo: Probing Uranus is a priority this decade

Wynonna Judd recently served as honorary Duckmaster at the Peabody Hotel.

If you’re going to Music Fest next weekend, don’t forget that Monday is the deadline to register for the free shuttle from Downtown.

Korean food truck Pok Cha’s Egg Rolls will be in Health Sciences Park today from 11:30 to 1:00 for lunch.

The Maria Montessori School Canoe and Kayak Race happens at 10 AM Saturday at Harbor Town Marina.

Gypsy Heartz Together Again will perform tonight at Westy’s at 9:30.

Today is Children & Seniors Day at the Africa in April festival in Robert Church Park on Beale Street just east of Fourth. At 10 this morning there will be an International Diversity Parade.

Beautiful day outside – sunny with a nice breeze, mid 80s. I’m gonna get out there and enjoy it. Back tomorrow with more news.

Thursday update

Game 3 of the Grizzlies-Timberwolves playoff series tips off in Minneapolis tonight at 6:30. The game will be televised nationally on TNT. Don’t forget that there will be a watch party at Fourth Bluff Park tonight with koozie and sunglasses giveaways, food trucks, Grizz, the Claw Crew, and the Grizz Girls.

The truck lineup for today’s food truck rodeo in Court Square has been released.

Depressing stat I read on the Daily Memphian website this morning: In 2021, Memphis had more homicides than Detroit. DETROIT.

Action News 5 has an in-depth look at competition-winning Chef Tam in its latest 5 Star Story.

The Broom Closet is now selling gemstone Pokemon for $6 each.

There will be a River Market this Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM at River Garden, 51 N. Riverside. Free admission, more than 20 local vendors, and free skate rentals.

I didn’t realize it was possible for college athletes to sign name/image/likeness deals with their dads… John Daly II, on the Arkansas Razorbacks golf team, has signed an NIL deal along with his dad with Hooters. Father and son will promote the restaurant on social media and digital platforms.

Shaquille O’Neal on Penny Hardaway: “I always tell people he was Kobe before Kobe”

This year’s Music Fest poster will be the last one designed by artist George Hunt. George died at the age of 83 in December 2020. The poster is named “Greatest Hits” and incorporates concepts from his previous posters.

Galea wines, Mediterranean sangrias made in Spain, are new at Cordelia’s Market this week.

It’s Irish Heritage Night at the Redbirds this evening. There will be dueling pianos on the concourse, Silky O’Sullivan’s famous throne will be there, and there will be a stadium sing-a-long to “When Irish Eye Are Smiling.” First 2000 fans get a green Memphis Redbirds hat.

It’s also College Night at the Redbirds. If you go to the U of M, Rhodes, CBU, or UT, you can purchase a $15 field box ticket and get a concession credit and special college-themed hat.

But wait, there’s more… it’s also Throwback Thursday tonight at the Redbirds, sponsored by the most delicious beer ever brewed, PABST BLUE RIBBON!!!!! $2 PBRs and $1 hot dogs.

Wow, it’s like the Redbirds marketing team must have asked, “What can we do to get Paul to come to more games?” in a pre-season meeting.

Insider tip: The Greyhound, the bar inside the Hilton Garden Inn across the street, is a great place to pre-game for the Redbirds. I’ve heard they have a “Greyhound Dogs” hot dog flight.

Recipe: Mountain Dew biscuits

Sheyna Gee plays Live at the Tracks tonight from 6:30 to 9:30 at Central Station Hotel.

Happy 96th birthday to Queen Elizabeth II.

Russian and Belarusian players will be banned from Wimbledon this year due to those countries’ invasion of Ukraine.

Part of North Second Street/Whitney Avenue will be closed for railroad construction today.

Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty has been sentenced to 5 years, 3 months in federal prison for a gun charge. That’s a shame… “Keep your grass cut and the snakes’ll show” is really outstanding advice.

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

Wednesday update

The Grizzlies came back to true form last night, beating the Minnesota T’wolves 124-96 to tie the first-round playoff series at 1 game each. Statistics site FiveThirtyEight now gives the Grizzlies a 59% chance of reaching the Western Conference semifinals.

Thanks to a federal court ruling, you no longer have to wear face masks when riding Lyft or Uber. Also, MATA bus and trolley riders no longer have to wear masks. You still have the option to wear one if you choose on all of those forms of transportation.

Memphis Police have released video of the suspects in the Beale Street shooting that happened early Sunday morning a week ago.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association has announced its monthly meeting for April at Withers Collection & Gallery, 333 Beale, Tuesday, April 26 at 5:30 PM. Carloyn Michael Banks with Tour of Possibilities will speak, and there will be free beer, wine, and food while it lasts.

The Porter-Leath Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival returns to the riverside between Union and Beale this Sunday, April 24 from 11 AM to 7 PM. Admission is free. The festival serves 17,000 pounds of crawfish and supports more than 40,000 local children and their families. There will be a 24-team gumbo cookoff and live music by FreeWorld and Hope Clayburn’s Soul Scrimmage.

There will be a Memphis Heritage Tour of South Point Grocery tomorrow from 6:00 to 7:30.

South Point Grocery will have music by Minnesota Mike from 5 to 7 on Trolley Night April 29.

Remembering James The Musical: The Life and Music of James Brown comes to the Halloran Centre July 30.

The Friday Night Stripes Memphis Tigers football spring scrimmage happens Friday at 7 PM at the Liberty Bowl. Admission and parking are free and players will sign autographs following the scrimmage.

A man was awarded $450,000 by a court because his company threw him an office birthday party after he expressly told them he didn’t want one. I’ll let you in on a secret: Many introverts HATE office birthday parties, both their own and co-workers’.

Earnestine & Hazel’s will be closed until 9:30 PM this Thursday, April 21, for a private party.

Big music weekend at Carolina Watershed:

  • Friday, April 22: Emorfik brings the Angry Shit Only Tour to the Watershed with Kaleidoscope, RaXx b2b DALE, and Obiscuithead
  • Saturday, April 23: UZ / The Decade Tour with DMVU, GuTTa KicK b2b Don Twan, Oh Losha, and Tryptamine b2b Delyrius.

Did these bands use a random band name generator?

No idea when the Fat Tuesday daiquiri bar at 8 S. Main will be open, but at least they have their sign up and lit now:

From ABC 24: The economic impact of the Grizzlies’ playoff run on Beale Street businesses is even greater this year since Memphis in May’s two biggest events, Music Fest and BBQ Fest, are temporarily relocating to Midtown for 2022.

People have been asking me: When is Beale Street Wine Race? Usually it’s the last Sunday in April, but Rajun Cajun has that date locked down this year. The website says Wine Race will happen in September.

It’s National Cheddar Fries Day, an appropriate day to celebrate that holiday considering what else is celebrated today. Huey’s and Flying Saucer both have good cheese fries.

Tickets for Grizzlies-Timberwolves playoff game 5 go on sale Thursday at 10 AM. Game time and promotions are not yet known.

Memphisippi Sounds play Blues on Beale tonight at 7. Free to attend.

The Memphis Kings Scooter Club has its annual Dead Elvis Rally this weekend. There will be meet & greets, local rides, skill events, and a raffle in which a scooter will be given away.

Comment for my fellow pro wrestling fans: Vince McMahon needs to drop “Vince” and change his name to just McMahon.

That’s it for now. We’re expecting rain showers today, so grab an umbrella. Back tomorrow with more news.

Tuesday update

Let’s go GRIZZLIES! Game 2 vs. Minnesota is tonight at 7:30 at FedExForum, televised nationally on NBAtv. We now have dates, times, and TV set for NBA playoff games through Sunday.

  • Game 3: at Minnesota, Thursday, April 21, 6:30 PM, TNT
  • Game 4: at Minnesota, Saturday, April 23, 9:00 PM, ESPN

Pop culture trivia with Velvetina returns to the Blind Bear tonight. It is apparently going to be an every-other-week thing. It’s fast-paced, a lot of fun, and there’s the opportunity to play bonus games. 7:30 is the start time.

In other trivia news, Flying Saucer is pushing back its trivia to 8:00 since the Grizzlies game starts at 7:30. They will only run one game this week as opposed to the usual two.

River City Records is holding a big celebration for Record Store Day this Saturday. Starting at 9 AM, they’ll give away a $50 River City Records gift certificate every hour, on the hour. At the end of the day, they’ll have a drawing for a three-day pass to Beale Street Music Fest, a $350 value.

Police towed a car that ran out of gas on the I-55 bridge to Metal Museum Drive. Its owner, who left to go get gas, objected strongly to police looking in her vehicle. At that point officers noticed the smell of weed. They searched and found 229 pounds of marijuana, $17,800 cash, and a ledger. It’s gonna be an unhappy 4/20 tomorrow for that woman and her customers.

P.J. Morton’s Watch the Sun Tour will come to the Cannon Center July 20.

Limited edition munchies in the form of cookie-style nachos and cookie dippers will arrive at Insomnia Cookies just in time for 4/20. The limited-edition items will be available only through the end of the day Sunday, 4/24.

Speaking of munchies, the Mexican Pizza returns to Taco Bell’s menu May 19. Loyalty program members will be able to get it two days earlier.

EnjoyAM Restaurant Group is looking to hire a Chef de Cuisine for Gray Canary.

117 Prime is hiring for an entry-level position. They posted the following to Facebook:

117 Prime is looking for Oyster Shuckers!  This position is perfect for anyone looking for their first restaurant job, someone hoping to move to the front of house from the kitchen, or who would like to begin the path of training as a bartender.  Our oyster game is STRONG at 117 Prime – we serve freshly harvested oysters from the Gulf Coast, East Coast, and West Coast, and our signature Seafood Towers are always sure to turn heads.  You’ll receive the best training in the city, and pay is hourly plus tip-out.
To apply, please send an email to info@117prime.com or stop by in-person Tuesday through Thursday after 2 pm to set up an interview.  We can’t wait to hear from you!

Feelin’ Memphis, the gift shop at 509 S. Main, has its very popular Memphis Skyline Candles back in stock.

Memphis magazine has rare color photos of the Russwood Park fire. Russwood Park was where the Double-A Memphis Chicks played their home games. It burned down in April 1960.

There will be a mimosa festival in Court Square Sunday, May 22.

The Redbirds are back in town today for a 6:05 game vs. the Omaha Storm Chasers. It’s Nacho Average Tuesday, so every ticket comes with a free order of ballpark nachos.

Tomorrow is a matinee game with an 11:05 AM first pitch. All field box and dugout seats will be $10. They’ll have a lunch special, their new double-smash cheeseburger with fries. Get it with a soft drink for $12 or a beer for $15.

The Memphis International Auto Show returns this weekend, to be held at the Renasant Convention Center. Admission is free.

Here’s a look at the growl towel for tonight’s game:

Today is National Amaretto Day.

The Memphis Tigers’ Jalen Duren has declared for the NBA draft. Unlike Lester Quinones and DeAndre Williams, this is not an exploratory move; Duren is a projected lottery pick and he’s gonna go make dat money.

My Morning Jacket plays the Orpheum tonight.

I’ll be out playing trivia and watching the Grizzlies game tonight. Back tomorrow with more news.

Sunday update

Look what Mendatius T. Roll found in his Easter basket! Trolls like foods that are the same color as their hair, so he was very happy.

The Minnesota Timberwolves rained down threes on Memphis yesterday afternoon, stealing the first game in the playoff series 130-117. The Grizzlies will need to come back strong in Game 2 at FedExForum, 7:30 PM Tuesday, on NBAtv. FiveThirtyEight’s updated NBA predictions now give the Grizzlies only a 44% chance of moving on to the Western Conference semis. It’s clear this will not be as easy as Memphis had hoped – if they win the series, it’s going to be like getting Wordle right on the 6th guess and the computer comments, “Phew.”

A man staying at the Hyatt Centric was robbed at knifepoint in the 6 PM hour Saturday. It’s unclear where exactly he was when robbed.

A man has been charged with DUI after backing into a police car on Gayoso Friday night. Police say he has multiple previous DUIs, and that he told them, “I’ve had a few drinks, but I’m not ****** up.” Dude. You have the right to remain silent.

Former Memphis Tigers Tyler Harris and Emoni Bates have entered the NBA transfer portal. A DM article notes that it wasn’t Harris’ choice to enter the portal; Penny is cleaning house and the staff asked him to move on. The same is likely true with Bates.

The Silly Goose’s spring and summer cocktail menu is up:

The winter cocktail menu proved quite popular. Only 4 of the cocktails – the Summer Daiquiri, Catching Smoke, Game Changer, and Crowd Favorite – are new to the menu.

Meme I saw on Facebook yesterday: “Things adults need to stop believing in”

  • The Tooth Fairy
  • The Easter Bunny
  • Santa Claus
  • “It’s Our Year” superimposed over the Tennessee Vols logo

A woman threw political flyers on the floor and chained herself to a basketball goal at yesterday’s Grizzlies game, causing the game to be temporarily stopped. She was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespass and will appear in court tomorrow.

Happy Easter and I’ll be back tomorrow with more news.

Saturday update

Reminder: You cannot buy beer, wine, or liquor at grocery stores or liquor stores in Tennessee on Easter Sunday. If you plan to imbibe on the holiday, you need to go shopping today.

South Point Grocery has an Easter special going on this weekend – a pound of strawberries for 99 cents.

Little Bettie, the pizza kitchen inside Wisacre’s Downtown taproom, will switch to a “pizza by the slice” menu leading up to the 2:30 Grizzlies playoff game so they can serve more people faster. They’ll also have a special Playoff Parfait available.

The Majestic Grille has brought back a Friday favorite – the seafood flatbread. Loaded with Gulf shrimp, scallops, Atlantic salmon, mozzarella, red onion, and spinach in a garlic olive oil base, the flatbread is available every Friday from 11 AM to 4 PM. I know what my lunch plan for next Friday is!

The family of Tacquan Smith, the man killed in the Beale Street shooting has hired a lawyer and he held a press conference yesterday. It sounds like they are exploring whether a wrongful death suit against the operators of Beale Street would be appropriate. The lawyer noted that Beale Street security had gone home at 1 AM, hours before the street closed for the night. He said that if security had still been on duty at 2:20, the weapon that killed the victim would not have been on the street. The lawyer is also puzzled as to why the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has not been invited to look into the case.

Southern Avenue will sing the national anthem at this afternoon’s playoff game, and halftime will feature a performance by Red Panda. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.

There will be watch parties for the Grizzlies’ away games Thursday and Saturday, April 21 and 23, in Fourth Bluff Park. They’ll give away Grizzlies koozies and sunglasses, and the Claw Crew, the Grizz Girls, and Grizzline will be there. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The Downtown Memphis Commission is hiring a Development Project Manager.

The USFL season kicks off tonight. Does anybody really care? Next year, there will be two spring football leagues as XFL league play begins.

Today is National Eggs Benedict Day. Hmmm… let me take a minute or two to research where you can celebrate Downtown. Sage has a Salmon Benedict and a Crab Cakes Benedict… Automatic Slim’s has a Salmon Benedict, a Crab Cakes Benedict, and a BBQ Brisket Benedict… Majestic Grille has a traditional Eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon and a Filet Mignon Benedict.

You can create a cookie for Easter at Butterific Bakery & Cafe today from noon to 5. The Cookie Monster will be there.

Get free photos with the Easter Bunny today 11 to 6 at Bass Pro at the Pyramid.

Easter weekend weather does not look good… rain all weekend with the temperature not even cracking 70 during the day and dropping below 50 at night. I’ll let you in on a secret though… rainy weekends are the best weekends to go out to restaurants and bars for brunch. Brunch, especially in the Downtown core, has turned into Amateur Night during the day since the pandemic restrictions were lifted. However, when it’s raining out brunch crowds tend to be just the locals.

I’ve got a long day ahead. Of course, I’m going to watch the Grizzlies at 2:30, of course, then at 7 I have a wedding celebration to attend. See you tomorrow and GO GRIZZLIES!