Paul Ryburn's Journal

Memphis Jookin: The Show Starring Lil Buck comes to the Orpheum Friday and Saturday. Lil Buck and his dancers will present a performance illustrating how the dance went from the streets into the clubs and became an international craze.

Tickets to the shows are $25-$55. Lil Buck and his crew will depart for a national tour following the Orpheum shows.

From TheNextWeb: The U.S. tech scene is becoming decentralized – the time is ripe for new startup cities. The 1990s are over and it’s no longer necessary to have your entire organization or infrastructure in one place. The article doesn’t specifically mention Memphis, but look at a few things we’ve got going for us:

• Start Co., an accelerator offering a variety of resources to help entrepreneurs grow their small businesses
• The FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis, producing cutting-edge research in technology
• Organizations like CodeCrew that rapidly develop the next generation of tech workers in Memphis
• A much lower cost of living than traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Austin, or L.A.
• It’s easy to meet people and get connected to the community here

There’s no reason why Memphis could not be the next great startup city.

Olympic women’s ice hockey, USA vs. Canada, will be on the USA network at 10:10 tonight. That should be a good match.

MasterClass is offering a free video course on Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love this month. The class is described as “The history you weren’t taught in school.”

Everyone knows about Pi Day on 3/14. But did you know today is e Day?

If you’re looking for something to do Downtown tonight, the River Rat Rounders poker league hosts Texas Hold’em tonight at The Vault at 6:30. Free to play. Winner gets $125, and those who make the final table get points toward competing in the quarterly league championship for $1000.

That’s it for now. Mondays are not typically heavy news days and this one is no exception. Back tomorrow.

Ja Morant dropped 33 in only 33 quarters of play yesterday afternoon as the Grizzlies sailed to a road win over the Orlando Magic, 135-115. The Grizzlies are comfortably in third place in the West, with 4 games separating them from both second-place Golden State and fourth-place Utah.

The Memphis Tigers got some revenge against UCF last night at FedExForum with an 88-60 win. The Tigers improve to 12-8 and 6-4 in conference. The Tigers are 6th in the AAC, but there’s some good news – they’re only a half a game back from third-place Temple. The Tigers should be looking to move into a top-four seed in the AAC tournament next month.

Robusto by Havana Mix, the cigar bar on Peabody Place, will hold a Super Bowl Bash hosted by Gurkha Cigars next Sunday. There will be deals, raffles, and giveaways. Kickoff time is 5:30 but you’ll probably want to get there early to get a seat and some swag.

Insomnia Cookies has 20% off online orders of $20 or more this weekend when you use coupon code VAL20. The discount applies to in-store pickup, local delivery, or nationwide shipping, but the order must be placed online. Red Velvet cookies are back for a limited time.

Blind Bear has a cook position available. Must be able to close, which means leaving work at 3 AM. Message the Bear online or apply in person,

From Food & Wine: The world of whiskey has its first African-American Master Blender, Victoria Eady Butler. Butler is the great-great-granddaughter of Nathan “Nearest” Green, a slave until 1865, who mentored Jack Daniel in whiskey distilling. It’s believed Green taught Daniel the “Lincoln County” method of filtering unaged whiskey.

MakeUseOf has an article that’s, well, useful, showing 3 ways to instantly create a new email address for yourself. You can create aliases of your main Gmail address to filter your inbox by messages’ To: address, protect your main address from junk mail, and set up a dedicated temporary inbox, among other purposes.

There were reports of shots fired overnight at Front & A. W. Willis Ave. and at 250 Peabody Place.

Catherine & Mary’s is hiring a bartender. Full-time and part-time positions are available. Must have proven experience as a bartender and expertise in mixing drinks. If you know a second language, that’s a plus.

This DM article notes that the city has an agreement with Hospitality HUB that it will provide services as the city’s cooling and warming center in extreme temperatures, once its facility at 590 Washington is completed. So there will soon be cooling/warming facilities that are walkable from Downtown, as well as from the shelters at 393 and 600 Poplar. Mayor Strickland said he believes this is the last winter Memphis will have to use community centers as pop-up shelters.

Today is Dump Your Significant Jerk Day.

MLGW and Entergy employees, you can get 50% off at Huey’s today. You must show your company badge to claim your discount.

Here’s a link to James Aycock’s COVID Week-in-Review.

Today is the last day for Hadestown at the Orpheum. I’d link to the show’s page but I’m getting a “Server Error in ‘/’ Application” when I try to visit the Orpheum’s website.

Legendz of the Streetz is tonight at FedExForum. Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, and several other artists. Between that and Hadestown, traffic should be heavy on Downtown streets tonight. Allow extra time if you need to travel down here.

The Broom Closet will host a heart chakra-activated sound bath tomorrow at 6:30. The sound bath is said to inspire us to love more.

The Civil Axe Throwing on South Main has been softly open for a couple of months now, but Tuesday from 6 to 9 PM they will have their official grand opening AXE-travaganza.

• Music by DJ Mylon Webb
• Food and beer specials
• Throw for $20/hour
• Free giveaways: Grizzlies tickets, Civil Axe Throwing merchandise & gift certificates

Old Dominick will host a Super Bowl party next Sunday. There will be an open bar, stadium-style snacks, a mobile cigar bar, and giveaways.

Loflin Yard will host Galentine’s Day next Sunday at 6. DJ AD will provide the music and ladies can get half-priced wine and cheese boards.

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

The University of Memphis is offering this city’s residents a chance to warm up and be entertained this evening. Claim your free ticket to tonight’s Memphis Tigers game vs. UCF beginning at 6 PM in FedExForum’s grand lobby. One free ticket per person and tickets must be claimed in person.

Tip-off is 7 PM, but you’ll want to be one of the first ones there. The first 5000 fans through the gate get a Larry Finch/Penny Hardaway commemorative coin. Some coin boxes personally signed by Coach Penny have been mixed into the door giveaways.

If you’re a fan of the game Wordle, Lifehacker explains how to download its HTML file so you’ll be able to play Wordle free for years. The New York Times recently acquired rights to the game, and while they say they’ll keep the game free “for now,” you know sooner or later it’ll go behind the NYT paywall. This hack will ensure you don’t get thwarted by a paywall for years.

A friend of mine expressed this opinion yesterday, and I agree so I want to share it here: It should be the law that any restaurant that offers ketchup or marinara as a condiment/dipping sauce also has to offer ranch.

Social media advice for local businesses: If you post to Instagram and say, “Link in bio,” don’t let it automatically cross-post to Facebook or Twitter. Post to those platforms separately and put the link directly in the Facebook post or tweet. Yes, that requires additional work, but you want to make it as easy as possible for your fans to find your links.

Chef Tam of Chet Tam’s Underground Cafe out in The Edge posted that her entire website is 60% off when you use the coupon code BLKHISTORY. Tickets are now available for a Father-Daughter Brunch & Paint at the Cafe Sunday, February 13, 1-5 PM, and for a Couples’ Valentine Brunch & Paint Monday, February 14 7-10:30 PM.

The Broom Closet on South Main has some discounts today and tomorrow:

• 20% off all tarot and oracle decks
• 20% off all TBC Gemstone Collection jewelry
• WV amethyst clusters, crystal clusters, crystal points, dyed crystal points, and fluorite specimens $4
• Healing stone packs $5
• Love chakra packs $5
• Love healing packs $5

These prices are in-store only, while supplies last.

The Grizzlies play a road game at the Orlando Magic at 4. Local TV coverage on Bally Sports Southeast. I wonder if Nate will do a little twerking at Amway Center this afternoon before he returns to Memphis.

Coach Isaiah Thomas drafted Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane to Team Isaiah for the NBA’s Rising Stars Showcase. Former Memphis Tiger Precious Achiuwa will also be on the team. Four Rising Stars teams will compete in a semifinals and finals game, and there will also be a timed shooting competition. Catch the action on Friday, February 18 on TNT.

Bleacher Report has a mock draft simulating next Thursday’s draft of 2022 NBA All-Stars onto Team LeBron and Team KD. The draft has Ja Morant as the third player chosen overall and the second selection onto Team LeBron.

Bleacher Report also had some good news for Grizzlies fans: There’s dissension within the Utah Jazz, the team closest to catching the Grizz for 3rd place in the West. Donovan Michell and Rudy Gobert of the Jazz are said to be “under each other’s skin.” Utah has lost 8 of its last 12 games and isn’t really in the top tier of Western Conference teams anymore.

Over on Mud Island, River Inn, Terrace at River Inn, Paulette’s, and Tug’s are all hiring. Benefits include

• 1 week paid vacation every 6 months
• Merit raises within 6 months
• Health insurance
• 50% meal discounts
• Flexible schedules
• Year-end bonus
• Career advancement
• Free parking

You may have heard there’s a rather important football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, February 13. Hard Rock Cafe has posted its tailgate menu for that rather important game.

Soul & Spirits, the brewery on the far end of North Main, has the following February specials:

• Cupid Chocolate Stout 4-pack $17
• The Love Pack: 2 Cupids, 1 Love Vibration, 1 Riverside $17
• 4-packs of Hopperbolic 25% off

The Michael Brothers play the Blind Bear tonight 8 to 12.

From WREG: Memphians without power are filling Downtown hotels

Fox 13 has an explainer about how Beijing, a city that typically doesn’t get a lot of snow, can host the Winter Olympics.

Yesterday was the 60th anniversary of the opening of St. Jude.

From WREG: How MLGW decides who gets power restored first. People who live on Mud Island have complained that they should be higher up the priority list. Think about it: Mud Island has zero traffic lights and its only real infrastructure is 1 grocery store and 1 pharmacy. That doesn’t sound like a priority area. MLGW advises that, much like drinking all day for four days at BBQ Fest, power restoration is a marathon, not a sprint.

There will be an artist reception for the Black Soliloquy exhibit at Urevu Gallery tonight 5:30-7:30. The exhibit spotlights the work of Black artists from Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the U.S.  You’ll be able to meet the artists at this drinks reception.

Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, scheduled for the Cannon Center next Wednesday, has been postponed. Pink Floyd’s drummer and his backing band will be rescheduled for the fall of 2022.

Phrase I am completely sick of hearing: “Out of an abundance of caution.” Can we retire that, please?

Forecast is sunny with a high of 38. Not great for February, but I will take it! I need the sun to melt all this ice on the Main Street Mall. Walking around has been dangerous the past two days! My plan is to lead off at Blind Bear, then mosey over to Bardog about 2. Back tomorrow with more news.

Check back in this space between now and noon as I will update Downtown business closings for today, Friday, February 4. (Disclaimer: I try as hard as I can to build an accurate and complete list, but once in a while I get incorrect info. Calling the business is recommended if you need to be 100% certain it’s open or closed.)

Closed:

• Atomic Rose (tonight but they plan to open Saturday and Sunday)
• Baron’s Man Cave
• Big River Crossing
• Brass Door
• Cordelia’s Market (closed due to power outages; they will update social media if anything changes)
• Paulette’s (closed due to power outages; they will update social media if anything changes)
• Rachel’s Salon and Day Spa
• River Time Market & Deli
• STIX
• Stock & Belle
• Tug’s Casual Grill (closed due to power outages; they will update social media if anything changes)

Open:

• Aldo’s Pizza Pies Downtown
• Arcade
• Automatic Slim’s, at 11, for brunch
• Bardog Tavern (opened at 8 AM – Underdog downstairs opens at 11)
• Blind Bear, at 11, for brunch
• Chef Tam’s Underground Kitchen, 11 AM-4:30 PM, half-off for MLGW workers
• Flying Saucer
• Green Beetle
• Huey’s
• Loflin Yard
• Majestic Grille
• McEwen’s
• Memphis Chess Club (for lunch; closing 1 PM)
• Paula & Raiford’s Disco (9 PM-3 AM)
• Pontotoc Lounge
• Robusto by Havana Mix
• Slider Inn Downtown (Slider Inn Midtown will be closed due to lack of power)

We got the expected ice storm yesterday. In the Downtown core, the surface-level temperature hovered around 33-34 all morning, making for a slushy walk when I got out at noon. However, the temperature higher up was a little colder, causing ice to form on tree branches.

This tree at Main and Gayoso had a large branch on the ground. It’s a good thing a car was not parked there.

Here’s a video by ABC 24 of a tree blocking lanes on Riverside Drive.

Around 1 PM the temperature dropped below freezing, and the Main Street Mall and roads iced up. Power lines started to be affected. The Downtown core never lost power but Mud Island did. At its peak, 137,000 in Memphis were without power and Mayor Strickland declared a state of emergency. Some people may be without power for several days,

MemphisWeather.net posted that early morning temps were in the mid-20s Friday. Temps will struggle to make it to freezing today, so what’s on the ground is likely to remain on the ground all day. I bet a lot of offices will remain closed or work-from-home today as this morning’s commute is more dangerous than yesterday morning’s.

Looking out the window, it appears that Second Street has been de-iced. Monroe Avenue has patches of ice but is passable.

Very few restaurants were open in the Downtown core yesterday. I didn’t go to Bardog Tavern but was told by lunchtime, there was barely room to stand in there.

Silly Goose missed out on a lot of money by not firing up their pizza oven until 4 PM. That’s especially the case on snow days but it’s true most weekdays, given that they’re located in the ground floor of an office tower, plus they’re a block walk from AutoZone headquarters store support center.

One especially bad result of the ice storm is that the PBR delivery truck couldn’t make it, causing the Blind Bear to run out of the greatest beer ever made. I switched to a local product, Grind City Tiger Tail, a malt liquor I found quite refreshing. At $6 per pint and a 7.5% ABV, you get plenty of bang for your buck with a Value Drinking Index of 20.

Thanks to wonderful friends who made sure I got home last night without having to traverse the icy Main Street Mall. And now, let’s get on to the news.

The reservation book that was taken from Rizzo’s several days ago has been returned.

Longshot is doing another all-inclusive special for the Cincinnati Bengals vs. L.A. Rams championship game happening on February 13. $56 gets you

• Frito pie
• Coconut curry cauliflower
• Honey gold fried chicken
• 3 drink tickets

Seats are limited, so call 901-701-7494 to make your reservation.

Tug’s Casual Grill fans, mark your calendars for Mardi Gras specials Tuesday, March 1. They’ll have gumbo, red beans & rice, shrimp & sausage jambalaya, a shrimp po’boy, and a muffalini. Drink specials will include a hurricane, a voodoo lemonade, and a Bourbon Street martini.

From Media Referee: Former NBA championship team member Richard Jefferson believes that Ja Morant can guide the Grizzlies to championship contention

From the DM: Jaren Jackson Jr. is no longer a longshot for Defensive Player of the Year. He leads the NBA in blocks this season with 121. His teammate Ja Morant praised Jackson for being able to guard all five positions and for often being assigned to guard the other team’s best shooter.

Today is National Quacker Day. Get your souvenir rubber duck at the Peabody gift shops.

The Breakfast Club will perform ’80s rock, New Wave, and dance tunes Saturday at the Hard Rock beginning at 7.

All right. I’ll update the list of closings (and late openings) that I’m aware of at the top of this blog until about noon. After that, I’ll post closings on Facebook and make the post public so you can see it even if we aren’t connected on there. Back tomorrow with more news.

SNOW DAY!!! Or rather, ice day. Here’s a list of Downtown closings.

• Baron’s Man Cave
• B.B. King’s
• Big River Crossing
• Brass Door
• Cadre Building
• Dr. Bean’s Coffee and Tea Emporium
• Elmwood Cemetery
• Flying Saucer
• Gould’s
• Green Beetle
• Harbor Town Pharmacy
• Huey’s
• Itta Bena
• Majestic Grille
• Old Dominick Distillery
• Paulette’s
• Rachel’s Salon
• River City Records
• River Time Market & Deli
• Robusto by Hava Mix
• Sage
• Slider Inn Downtown
• South Main Book Juggler
• STIX
• Sunrise Memphis
• Sun Studio
• The Vault

Cordelia’s Market will close at 6 PM with its cafe closing at 3 PM.

I’ll update this list through about noon today as I learn of more closings.

Here’s the updated ice forecast from the National Weather Service. Memphis has moved into the 0.5-0.75 inch band.

Some ice impacts rule-of-thumb:

0-0.25: Smaller limbs damaged, a coating on your car and minor power outages

0.25-0.5: Larger limbs damaged, roads starting to become slick. More power outages

0.5+: Numerous trees down, roads coated in ice and major power outages#BePrepared pic.twitter.com/3QCQdwBdru

— NWS Memphis (@NWSMemphis) February 3, 2022

Ice is already accumulating on power lines, trees, and overpasses. Out in Midtown, it’s reported that a massive tree has fallen at Central and McLean and is blocking the roadway.

The reserve players for the NBA All-Star Game will be announced today at 6 PM on TNT. Ja Morant is already in as a stater.

The Memphis Tigers’ road game, scheduled for tonight in Cincinnati, has been postponed until February 15 due to a winter storm warning in Cincy.

Sage has started doing WCW (Wine, Conversation & Whiskey) Wednesday evenings 5-10. Half off wine, $2 off whiskey, and DJ Alpha Whiskey supplying the tunes.

Very sad day in Memphis yesterday: A man shot his girlfriend late Tuesday night, killing her. He then kidnapped their 2-day-old daughter and threw her into the Mississippi River near the Mud Island boat ramp. The newborn drowned. The man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

The Majestic Grille is partnering with Enchante to offer Valentine’s Day bouquets delivered to your table at dinner. Simply order on Encante’s website and put in their address, 145 S. Main, for delivery and use the coupon code MAJESTIC for $15 off. The Majestic still has some seats available for their four-course wine dinner and optional wine pairing that night. Call 901-522-8555 to make reservations.

South Main restaurants Good Fortune Co., South of Beale, and Pontotoc Lounge are teaming up to offer a Lunar New Year pub crawl from February 4-28. You earn a pub crawl “dollar” by trying a themed drink from a participating bar. Once you earn six pub crawl dollars, take them to Good Fortune Co. for a Lunar New Year T-shirt. The pub crawl will have its official kickoff, including a traditional Lion Dance, at 4:30 PM Saturday at Good Fortune.

Action News 5 has a sneak peek of the newly-renovated Cossitt Library. Not only will you be able to check out books, you’ll be able to record a podcast or listen to music there. The library will offer meeting rooms and there will even be a cafe with patio seating. This all sounds excellent but I sure am sick of “soon” as the reopening date.

Memphians won’t get to see “Prime Time” Deion Sanders coach in the Southern Heritage Classic this year. Jackson State announced it is pulling out of the Classic due to a newly-adopted agreement with its conference. Its opponent, Tennessee State, was not happy with the announcement.

Stay home today if you can, and if you have to get out on the roads, take it REAL slow. There’s already been an accident with injuries this morning on Union near AutoZone Park. Back tomorrow with more news.

The National Weather Service has issued an Ice Storm Warning for Shelby County, as well as neighboring counties Tipton, Crittenden, and Desoto.

According to Weatherbug’s hourly forecast, snow will start falling around 2 AM Thursday, the temperature expected to be 37 at the time. There will be a chance of snow falling – heavy at times – through 2 AM Friday. The temperature will fall to freezing at 7 AM Thursday, then will briefly rise to 33 before falling back below freezing, allowing snow on the roads to melt and then re-freeze as ice.

Better make plans to work from home Thursday (unless you are an essential worker, for example a bartender).

Bob Dylan is bringing his Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour to the Orpheum Saturday, April 9. Tickets are $59.50 to $129.50. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday at 10 AM.

STIX, the fast casual Asian restaurant in Peabody Place, has a special combo meal going on for the month of February. Get a ginger salad, a Downtown Roll, and an order of teriyaki chicken with fried rice for $20.

Want to see Hadestown at the Orpheum this week? If you are a student, teacher, or hero, rush tickets will be available for $20 for these performances:

• Wednesday, 7:30 PM
• Thursday, 7:30 PM (if not canceled due to weather)
• Sunday, 6:30 PM

First come, first served, up to 2 tickets per valid ID, must be purchased at the box office. Rush starts at 10 AM and lasts until they run out of tickets or showtime. Credit card preferred. No choice in seats.

Soul & Spirits, the new brewery on the far end of North Main, has added Tuesdays to the list of days the taproom is open, and they will have trivia Tuesday evenings. They have a new limited-release beer called Cupid, a chocolate stout infused with 4 different types of chocolates.

Second-year Grizzlies shooting guard Desmond Bane has been picked for the Rising Stars game that is part of the NBA’s All-Star week.

The team formerly known as the Washington Redskins and the Washington Football Team has chosen a new name: Washington Commanders. Makes sense, since the president, who is the commander-in-chief of the nation’s armed forces, resides in Washington.

Grizzlies on national TV alert: The Grizz travel to New York to play the Knicks tonight. Tip-off is 6:30 and the game will be televised on ESPN.

Emoni Bates may be done with the Memphis Tigers. His father tweeted that Emoni’s status with the Tigers “has suddenly come into question” and he may pursue other opportunities in basketball until he is eligible for the NBA draft in 2023.

In its latest 5 Star Story, Action News 5 introduces the family behind Makeda’s Cookies. From their warehouse at 301 Jefferson, they’re able to supply cookies to 70 grocery stores.

The stupid large brown rodent didn’t see his shadow today, but who cares? Tater Tot Day is a much better way to celebrate February 2nd. My suggestion would be the cheese tots with bacon & scallions from Huey’s. Another good option would be Westy’s smothered tots with cheddar, bacon, and sour cream.

DJ Bizzle Bluebland AKA Jared “Jay B.” Boyd will perform at Wiseacre Downtown Saturday 3 to 7 PM. This a free event and they’ll have the Tigers and Grizzlies on their new big screens.

I want to clarify something. There were shots fired following an incident that started inside a Downtown bar Tuesday morning. I heard those shots from my apartment and they happened about 2:20-2:25 AM and a report was made to the police from someone at 272 S. Main at 2:31 AM. News stations are reporting the shooting happened just before 4 AM, which would imply the bar was open past its legal closing time of 3. That is absolutely incorrect.

Programming note: If tomorrow’s forecast holds up, I may take the day off from blogging if there is no urgent news. Back no later than Friday with more.

If you have a reservation at Rizzo’s anytime in the next few weeks – but particularly Saturday, February 12 or Monday, February 14 – please give the restaurant a call at 901-304-6985. Their reservation book got taken and they need to redo the upcoming reservations.

I heard about 15 gunshots around 2:25 this morning. Apparently they happened near South Main and MLK Avenue.

The 7-day rolling average of new COVID-19 cases per day in Shelby County dropped to 985 yesterday, the first time the average has come in under 1000 since the last week of December. That’s still an average of 106 cases per day per 100,000 in the county, which is about 10 times higher than where we’d like it to be, but at least we’re heading in the right direction.

May I suggest you get outside and enjoy the great weather today, because the weather will be far from great later this week… MemphisWeather.net calls for a high of 65 and a low of only 51 today. (That means I’ll wear shorts when I go out! I haven’t worn shorts out since New Year’s Day.)

Tomorrow you better get out and buy BREAD AND MILK AND MILK AND BREAD AND BREAD AND MILK because a Winter Storm Watch has been extended to include Shelby County. Latest models show the temperature falling quickly during the day Thursday, causing the rain that will be falling to change over to ice and then snow. Hmmm… is it possible we’ll be put under a dreaded Ice Storm Warning on Thursday? @memphisweather1 is the Twitter account to follow for the latest updates.

It’s the first of the month, which means it’s time to take a look at upcoming non-basketball events at FedExForum:

• The “Legendz of the Streetz” Tour will stop here Sunday, February 6. Rick Ross, Jeezy, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Fabolous, and Boosie Badazz will perform. DJ Drama will be the official tour DJ.
• The PBR Bluff City Classic returns Saturday, February 12. The event is part of the Professional Bull Riders Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour.
• Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias will be Back on Tour at FedExForum Saturday, February 19.

Broadway musical Hadestown kicks off a six-day, eight-show run at the Orpheum tonight. If you’re attending, please note that masks are required.

The Mersey Beatles play the Halloran Centre Thursday night. There are many Beatles tribute bands, but this is the only one from Liverpool. The group had a decade-long residency at the Cavern Club, where the Beatles themselves were the resident band from 1961 to 1963.

From Basketball Network: 4 reasons Ja Morant should have been the number-one pick ahead of Zion Williamson

The article mentions that Zion has been putting on even more weight. Check this out:

Zion sighting pic.twitter.com/2IDgCwlWLB

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) October 31, 2021

Geez… was Zion’s diet plan designed by Charles Barkley?

As for the Grizzlies, they dropped a road game in overtime to the Philadelphia 76ers last night, 122-119. The Grizz are still comfortably in third place in the West by 4 games. If the Grizzlies were in the Eastern Conference, they’d be in first place by 2 games.

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day. From stats site FiveThirtyEight: Groundhogs do not make good meteorologists

From ABC 24: Tom Lee Park redesign accelerating. The park is on schedule to reopen to the public in the spring of 2023.

ParkMobile, a contactless payment system for on-street parking, is expanding citywide. The system had been tested in select spaces Downtown and in The Edge District for six months. You can download an app for your iPhone or Android and never again will you risk catching COVID from those dirty, filthy parking meters.

The first events of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics happen tomorrow. Here’s the Winter Olympics schedule. Click on any dot or medal for time and location info. Unfortunately they don’t list which TV network each event will be on, which would be nice to know. For those of you who love watching curling as much as I do, set your alarm before you go to bed tonight. Team USA has a mixed doubles match against Australia at 6:05 tomorrow morning.

Today is Spunky Old Broads Day. That brings a few people to mind. I guess I better keep that thought to myself though.

Tonight is Songwriter Night at Tin Roof. Things get started at 8 PM.

Downtown Hookahs is now taking pre-orders for pineapple hookahs for Valentine’s Day. It’s a unique gift and you’d be supporting a great local business.

I got a great suggestion from a friend yesterday: He said I should look into remote freelance editing work. That would be a great complement to my writing work. I have good spelling and grammar and I learned to follow the AP Stylebook for a previous job (although I still want to vomit when I have to refer to a handbill as a “flier” rather than a “flyer”). I’ll look into editing work later this week.

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

Most of the talk about the NBA right now is about the All-Star Game, in particular who will be selected by the league’s coaches this Thursday as All-Star reserves. However, there’s another important date coming up – next Thursday, February 10, is the NBA trade deadline.

Bleacher Report pitches a trade that would send the Toronto Raptors’ power forward Pascal Siakam to Memphis. To match Siakam’s $33 million salary the Grizz would send Toronto Brandon Clarke, Kyle Anderson, Steven Adams, and Ziaire Williams. To sweeten the deal, Memphis would include its own 2023 first-round pick and two other first-rounders acquired from other teams via earlier trades.

Siakam would give Memphis its third star alongside Ja and Jaren. A starting lineup of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Pascal Siakam, and Jaren Jackson sounds intriguing and the kind of lineup I can see starting an NBA Finals game. But:

• With Steven Adams going out and a star power forward coming in, Coach Jenkins would have to be totally committed to starting Jaren at center.
• Also, it would become more critical than ever that Jaren stay healthy – otherwise you could have a situation where Xavier Tillman Sr. starts at center in playoff games.
• We may already have our third star in Desmond Bane, but it’s still just a little too early to be sure of that.
• I really hate the thought of giving up Ziaire without even seeing a full season of his potential.

On the other hand, Siakam knows what it’s like to win an NBA championship. He played a huge role on the Toronto championship team that included Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, and Marc Gasol. That veteran presence could be just what the doctor ordered for the Grizzlies.

There are pros and cons. I trust Zach Kleiman to make the best decision.

I’m hearing I really missed out on catching DJ AD at the Blind Bear a week ago Saturday. Everyone I talked to said she brought a great energy to the place and her song selection was on point. She was said to be far more than a person on a laptop playing a playlist. If she gets brought back for another gig, I am going to go see her for sure.

So. Cincinnati vs. the L.A. Rams for the Super Bowl. Any bars doing Super Bowl specials, let me know. Yes, I can call it a special for the Big Game or the Superb Owl special if you’re worried about the NFL coming after you for using its trademark.

A white Jeep Cherokee was reported stolen from the area near South Main and Butler this morning. What’s up with white Jeeps being stolen recently? Are they a status symbol in the criminal community the way Infinitis are?

All right. Not much news this morning. Back tomorrow or Wednesday.

Did I call the Royal Rumble or what? I got every match right in my predictions, even though neither the men’s or women’s Rumble winner was announced for the match prior to its start.

Wiseacre has announced its annual Valentine’s Day Flowers and Chocolate event at its OG location out on Broad Avenue Saturday, February 12. Participants will learn all about the flowers and chocolate of the beer world, hops and malt, on a tour of the brewery. The tour includes samples of Wiseacre beers paired with chocolate from Dinstuhl’s. Tickets are $25 and there are 1 PM and 3 PM tour times to choose from.

An immersive Van Gogh exhibit is coming to Memphis, although dates and location have not yet been listed.

At Memphis Chess Club, you can get $3 off all orders over $13 with coupon code SKIP13.

The DM has details about the Waterfront District the mayor plans to better accommodate cruise lines.

Here’s a link to James Aycock’s latest COVID Week-in-Review.

The Grizzlies got a 115-95 win over the Washington Wizards at FedExForum last night. That improves Memphis to 35-17 and gives them a full 4-game lead over Utah for third place in the West. The Grizzlies travel to Philadelphia for a road game tomorrow.

There was an armed carjacking on B.B. King Blvd. a block north of Crump in the 2:00 hour this morning. A white Jeep Patriot was taken.

The MemphisWeather.net forecast has a chance of freezing rain for Thursday morning. However, Memphis will see highs in the 60s Tuesday and Wednesday.

There will be an adult acting class this Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 PM at LilyRoze Studios, 810 S. Main.

Blackdog plays Earnestine & Hazel’s Wednesday night at 9.

Time to go drink a PBR and watch a couple of NFL games I honestly couldn’t care less about. Back tomorrow with more news.

If you love Memphis restaurants, you need to read this CA article by food writer Jennifer Chandler. The Memphis Restaurant Association is calling on Memphians to reach out to Congress and ask them to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). This federal fund, set up to help restaurants through the pandemic, is running out of money and Chandler calls it a “bottom-of-the-ninth” moment for some area restaurants.

Call Congress to help save local restaurants

A Camaro was reported stolen at 100 Peabody Place a little before 3 this morning. It was found a short time later with damage to the driver’s side.

Dates and times have been set for Memphis 901 FC’s 2022 schedule. The action kicks off at home on Saturday, March 12.

Ja posted 30 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds for a triple-double in a Grizzlies victory at home over Utah last night. That was a very important win because Utah is right behind Memphis in the West, and that puts another game between us.

• Memphis (34-17) is 3rd in the West
• The Grizzlies are 6.5 games back from conference leader Phoenix and 3 back from 2nd-place Golden State
• The Grizzlies are 3.5 games ahead of 4th-place Utah
• The Grizzlies are avoiding play-in scenarios by 9 games, ahead of the 7th-place L.A. Clippers by that amount

Tonight is the second game of a home back-to-back for the Grizz. The team hosts the Washington Wizards. Tip time is 7 PM, but if you have tickets you’ll want to get there early – first 3000 fans get #JaCozySzn Grizzlies Tech Suit pants. This is the last fan giveaway until March 5.

Tonight is also Girl Scout Night at the Grizzlies. Girl Scouts and their families who purchase a special ticket will get to sit in the lower bowl to watch the Grizzlies’ pre-game shootaround. Post-game they will be invited to come on the court and shoot free throws. Scouts will also receive a custom Grizzlies and Hustle patch and the first 100 who purchase tickets will get a Grizzlies water bottle canteen.

The Blues Foundation announced that the Blues Hall of Fame on South Main Street will be closed until late April. The foundation has their biggest month ever coming up in May, with the International Blues Challenge and Hall of Fame inductions that month. They need the time off to prepare for the big events and staff up.

Impact 360 at 777 S. Main will offer a Self-Defense and Martial Arts Intro Class for ages 5-15 Saturday, February 12 from 10:15 AM to 12:15 PM. The course is a holistic 360-degree approach that will teach students not only martial arts, but how to be responsible to others and deal with day-to-day struggles. The cost for the class is $25.

MLK50 reports on Uptown residents’ recent successful fight to keep a 7-story parking garage out of their neighborhod.

Don’t forget that the Eric Gales album release meet & greet happens this afternoon at 2 at River City Records.

… and now it’s time for…

2022 WWE ROYAL RUMBLE PREDICTIONS

How to watch: The Rumble will be on Peacock tonight starting at 7 PM.

WWE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: BROCK LESNAR (C) VS. BOBBY LASHLEY

Prediction: Lesnar dominates most of the match. However, on orders from their cousin Roman Reigns, the Usos interfere, allowing Lashley to roll up Lesnar for the win. Winner and new WWE champion: Bobby Lashley

THE MIZ & MARYSE VS. EDGE & BETH PHOENIX

Prediction: I really couldn’t care less about this match, but this is an easy one to predict. We all know the babyfaces are going over here. Miz will be publicly embarrassed somehow, maybe covered in slime or something like that. Winners: Edge & Beth Phoenix

Post-match, Brock Lesnar beats up one of the Royal Rumble entrants (I guess Sami Zayn) and announces he’s taking his spot.

MEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE

Prediction: The final four are Austin Theory, Kevin Owens, Drew McIntyre, and Brock Lesnar. Lesnar eliminates McIntyre to win the Rumble and get a shot at the championship of his choice at WrestleMania.

Things I’d like to see happen:

• NXT champion Bron Breakker shows up and wins the Rumble. For those not familiar, Breakker is the son of Rick Steiner and he uses his uncle Scott’s Recliner as his finishing move. He’s been killing it on NXT lately.
• Bad Bunny is a surprise entrant in the Rumble. Damian Priest eliminates Bunny with a vicious clothesline, marking the beginning of Priest’s heel turn.
• Dominik Mysterio eliminates his father, marking the beginning of a badly-needed heel turn for Dom. As The Rock learned 25 years ago, you can only get so far in the business as a squeaky-clean babyface with a famous father. Bonus points if Dom pulls off Rey’s mask as he throws him over the top rope.
• Either Commander Azeez or Veer eliminates Omos, setting up a big man vs. big man feud for Monday Night RAW.

Things I don’t want to see happen:

• Jeff Hardy as a surprise entrant in this match. It would be better for everyone involved if he joins his brother Matt in AEW.
• Edge as a surprise entrant and winner of this match. Been there, done that.
• Randy Orton as the winner. He’s always a threat but he no longer needs a title to be perceived as a top-level guy.
• John Cena as a surprise entrant and winner. He’s already come back and lost to Reigns.

RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: BECKY LYNCH (C) VS. DOUDROP

Prediction: Lynch pins Doudrop clean in about six minutes. Winner and still champion: Becky Lynch

What I hope happens: Prior to the match, Doudrop announces she is reverting her name to Piper Niven and plays up to the crowd in a face turn. She and Lynch go back and forth in a 17-minute match and Niven hits her finisher to win the title. It’s the beginning of a long reign in which Niven demonstrates that women of all shapes and sizes can succeed at the highest levels and be loved by crowds of fans.

WOMEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE

Prediction: The final four are Bayley, Bianca Belair, Ronda Rousey, and Charlotte Flair. Rousey eliminates Belair for the win and announces that she wants Big Time Becks for the RAW women’s title at WrestleMania.

What I hope happens:

• Bayley wins the Women’s Rumble, turning face in the process. Bayley visits both RAW and Smackdown over the weeks to follow as she decides which women’s title to challenge for, in the process picking up wins over Carmella, Queen Zelina, Natalya, and Tamina. She eventually chooses Lynch.
• Mickie James comes to the ring wearing the Impact women’s world title belt and lasts at least 10 minutes before getting eliminated.

What I don’t want to see:

• Lita wins the Royal Rumble. I’ve never been a fan of hers. She was shoved down our throats in the ’00s (similar to Cena) as the character we were supposed to like. Her Hall of Fame induction speech was one of the most long-winded and boring speeches I’ve ever heard.

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP: ROMAN REIGNS (C) VS. SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS

Prediction: Reigns dominates early on, but Rollins keeps making comeback after comeback. The fans are solidly behind Rollins as he breaks free from the guillotine and minutes later, kicks out of a pin attempt following a spear. They fall outside of the ring and Rollins reverses a whip, sending Reigns into the steel ring post. Rollins hits two successive Curb Stomps and appears to be on the verge of becoming the new Universal champion…

… but Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman appear at ringside. Lesnar F5s Rollins into the ring post and throws him back in the ring. An astonished Reigns pins Rollins to retain. Winner and still Universal champion: Roman Reigns

Following the match, Lesnar gets a mic and admits that Rollins had Reigns beat and deserves to be champion. But Lesnar doesn’t care about Rollins; he wanted Reigns to still be champ at WrestleMania so Lesnar could have the pleasure of pinning Reigns in the main event there.

It would be super cool if:

• Jon Moxley showed up at ringside to cheer Rollins on.

That’s it for this post. Back tomorrow.