Paul Ryburn's Journal

Well, where were my manners in yesterday’s post? I forgot the most important thing. Welcome back, Tyreke Evans! It will be a pleasure to have Tyreke ballin’ in FedExForum again. For those who haven’t heard, the Grizzlies signed Evans to a 1-year, $3.3 million contract. Memphis is a city where basketball players reinvent their careers. Hopefully Tyreke will produce for the Grizzlies this year and then sign a fat long-term contract next season (probably not with Memphis due to cap space).

Christmas in July happens tomorrow 4-10 PM at Wiseacre Brewing Company out on Broad Avenue. They’re bringing back some of their Christmassy and rare beers on tap for one evening to get you in the holiday spirit. There will be a Gingerbread Gotta Get Up to Get Down snow-cone from Porcellino Craft Butcher. Photos with Surf Santa 6-8. Discounts to those dressed in Christmas attire. That Santa suit you have in the closet is not just for Stumbling Santa anymore!

Goodness gracious, Great Balls of Fire! Happy to be a WWE Network subscriber today because a dream match occurs on pay-per-view tonight. WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar will defend the title against “The Samoan Submission Machine,” Samoa Joe. Two big badasses who have never met in the ring before, beating the crap out of each other.

I’ll save the details until I get a team email out this week, but we had potentially a big “get” for the BBQ team yesterday, a potential answer to one of our biggest questions. Off to D-RANKS with B-RAD at Blind Bear to share the news with the gang.

1. Ask to see my troll
2. Ask to see pictures of my troll
3. Invite my troll to your restaurant
4. Be a troll
5. Troll

Let me explain…

Last Sunday was a holiday Sunday, when I knew I would be staying out late. Mid-afternoons on holiday Sundays, I often order a Lyft and take a field trip out to Midtown. So around 4 last Sunday, I put on Facebook, “Where should I go?” My friend Hannah who bartends Aldo’s Midtown replied “Come see me!” and that’s where I went.

Best bar tool ever. But anyway, on with the story.

While I was eating my pizza, Chef Steph of the RAWK’n Grub food truck private-messaged me. “When are you and the troll going to come see us at CANVAS?”

I’ve been meaning to write about CANVAS of Memphis for some time now, but I haven’t up to this point because I didn’t understand exactly what it was. I knew it was in Midtown (1737 Madison), and over the past several months I would occasionally hear about the place. I knew it must have something to do with art, but it wasn’t clear why a person like me would venture out there.

However, it came on my radar when the RAWK’n Grub food truck, which I follow on social media, started making weekly visits to CANVAS, then upped the visits to a couple of times a week. Then last month, CANVAS and RAWK’n Grub announced their “marriage”… RAWK’n Grub food would be available at CANVAS during open hours, 6 PM to 3 AM Tuesday-Saturday. (Steph if I got those hours wrong let me know and I will correct)

So I got on the CANVAS website and did a little research… what a cool concept. It’s an interactive art lounge. It’s a place to experience art in all its forms including live music, live painting demonstrations, photographers in action, and sculptors doing their thing. They have a liquor license and have Artist-inspired martinis… and now they have RAWK’n Grub food. They also have a large patio that is dog-friendly. Gotta check this place out soon. “Like” CANVAS on Facebook to keep up with events happening there.

Back to the troll for a minute… some of you have been asking where she’s been lately. Well, she got a job but it didn’t work out. She got hired as an umpire in a baseball league. Games she umpired were exciting, in that they were unusually high-scoring for baseball. However, games never seemed to progress beyond 0 outs in the top of the first inning, so eventually they had to give her a pink slip.

Sache has announced their July Sache Sunday event, on Sunday afternoon, July 16, benefiting Streetdog Foundation: Paws for the Cause. There will be live music by DJ Tree, a 20 foot water slide, raffles, and goodies from local businesses. $10 admission cash or card, but pet store gift cards, local gas cards (for rescuers who travel long distances), and doggie items from approved brands (follow the link to see the list) of equal or greater value will be accepted too. Of course, this event is dog-friendly.

The Corner Bar at the Peabody has new specials Thursday-Saturday 4-7 PM. Select red and white wine, draft beer, spirits and martinis for $5.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. is bottling its beer now. Later this month they will release a 10% ABV saison that consumers will be able to purchase in grocery stores and liquor stores. The saison will come in a 750 ml bottle, same size as a standard wine bottle. Stores that will sell it include Superlo Foods, Cash Saver, and Buster’s. Follow the link to see a slideshow.

Lively discussion at Blind Bear last night. One topic was the highly-anticipated Margarita’s on Second, in the old Kooky Canuck location and next door to the current Kooky Canuck. You know, we have Maciel’s Tortas and Tacos, which is real Mexican. We have Agave Maria, which I guess is fusion Mexican. But we haven’t had an American Mexican restaurant in the Downtown core for years. What’s an American Mexican restaurant? You’ll know it is one if you see something like this on the menu:

31. Chile relleno, taco, rice and beans
32. Poblano pepper, taco, rice and beans
33. Enchilada, taco, rice and beans
34. Chimichanga, rice and beans
35. Poblano pepper, enchilada, rice and beans

… And so on. Also, an authentic American Mexican restaurant always has the Speedy Gonzales on the lunch menu.

We talked about the last true American Mexican restaurant in the Downtown core, Rio Loco. A Blind Bear employee who was not of age when Rio Loco was open asked what it was like.

“Well, you know how sometimes I’m passed out in bed at 7:30 PM on Saturday because of this place? Before there was this place, Rio Loco is what caused me to do that.”

Later, a friend was making Saved by the Bell references that went totally over my head. “Paul, how do you now know what Saved by the Bell was?”

“I do know what Saved by the Bell was,” I replied. “It’s that show that came on right before wrestling on Saturday mornings.” I’m proud of the fact that I didn’t know who Mr. Belding was in the early ’90s, but I did know who Reggie B. Fine was.

BBQ teammates: I plan on getting an email out to you next week. There is some inaccurate information out there and I want to clear it up. If you don’t hear it from the Director of Public Relations of your own team, don’t believe it.

Time to go do the Saturday things. Back tomorrow with more news.

There was surprising news yesterday afternoon as Terence Patterson resigned from the Downtown Memphis Commission effective immediately. He plans to pursue other projects.

Anime Blues Con is back at the Cook Convention Center this weekend. Cosplay contest, formal ball, Saturday night dance, and lots of special guests. Get tickets here.

Only the berry best for you is the theme at the Memphis Farmers Market this Saturday. Blueberries are in season, and the Farmers Market has them. There will be live music by Steve Black 8:30-10 and Adam Levin 11-12:30. The Market runs from 7 AM to 1 PM every Saturday at the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson.

1987 movie The Princess Bride will be on the big screen tonight at the Orpheum. The movie is rated PG and starts at 7 PM.

Good infographic. Yes it’s got a photo of President Trump but the signs are good to know so you can recognize it in others:

Common tactic. Being deployed by right. And left. Focus. Eyes on the Prize. pic.twitter.com/k4ldQhB1eZ

— Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) July 7, 2017

That’s it for now. Not a very newsy day, or week. Back tomorrow with more.

When LeBron James left Cleveland in 2010, Cavaliers fans burned his jerseys. Zach Randolph left Memphis in 2017, and what are fans doing? Donating to one of his favorite charities. Many people are donating to MIFA’s Plus-1, a program that keeps the power on for those temporarily in a situation where they can’t pay their MLGW bill. Fans are making the donation in honor of Zach 50ForTheCity Randolph. What a classy thing to do, and a fitting farewell to Z-bo letting him know that his giving spirit inspired others.

The Grizzlies, in an open thank-you note to Randolph, indicated that they are retiring his number 50.

The Grizzlies, by the way, are hiring multiple positions: marketing engagement manager, social media strategist, and CRM coordinator.

I want to correct something I wrote on here last week. I said that the Silly Goose is legally allowed to serve on their section of the pedestrian promenade on Peabody Place. Actually, they found out from the ABC that they can’t yet. They have to re-apply for their permit to serve in that area. The application is in the works, but for now, don’t take your drink out there and get the Goose in trouble.

Hallelujiah will be the film shown at Clayborn Temple for their 15 Film Series tonight. This was the first film with an all-African-American cast made by a major studio, and it explores the quest of sharecropper Zeke, and his relationship with the seductive Chick. Block party with food trucks outside before the movie, and there is always a curated discussion of the movie at these events.

Thumpdaddy plays the Peabody rooftop tonight. $10 to get in with ladies and hotel guests free before 7. Admission price includes a buffet of crawfish mac & cheese and mini-BBQ meatballs. If you’re in VIP you get a second buffet of mini shrimp po boys, fried green tomatoes, and Jack Daniel’s BBQ pizza. Drink specials will be blackberry margaritas and Firefly cherry cola moonshine.

Job news: Innovate Memphis has two positions open. One is a research, marketing, and administrative associate, and the other is a community outreach specialist in transportation.

Big anniversary in the history of music today: 60 years ago, John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time.

Nice to see the city doing the right thing for sanitation workers who participated in the 1968 Memphis strike. $50,000 commemorative grants will provide financial security to the four who are still on the job and another 10 who are retired.

Audio tours of Elmwood Cemetery are half price, $5 a car, this Saturday from 8:30 to 11 AM.

Anyone who hangs out in restaurants and bars a fair amount has seen this happen:

Survey says…. pic.twitter.com/kwTTCexrwU

— Memphis Restaurants (@MemRestaurants) July 6, 2017

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

I’ve got to give a tip of the hat to CA writer Geoff Calkins on one of his best columns ever: The Greatest Grizzly. After 8 seasons in Memphis, Zach Randolph has signed a 2-year, $24 million contract with the Sacramento Kings. I could not possibly put into words what Z-bo means to this city, both on and off the court, any better than Calkins did. Thanks Z-bo for eight great years.

Bedrock Eats and Sweets had such a good time with their first cooking class that they’re going to offer more. They’ll have a Waffles and Eggs class on July 27, Desserts and Cocktails August 31 (21 and up), and Holiday Macros (recipes to get you through the holidays without gaining ten extra pounds) on September 28. Email brandi@bedrockeatsandsweets.com to reserve. Classes will be limited to 20 participants and the cost is $50 per class, or all three for $125.

If you like your food hot and spicy, try the Ghost Pepper Cheese Sticks that are on special at the Dirty Crow Inn this week. I had them Monday, and man, those things lit me up.

The CA has an article on where to get the best soul food in Memphis. Two Downtown restaurants, Alcenia’s and The Gay Hawk, made the list.

Funny article: Stop waiting in line at breakfast restaurants you idiot. I bet the Arcade’s regulars would disagree.

Melissa Petersen, publisher and editor of Edible Memphis, will be the featured speaker at this month’s South Main Association meeting, Tuesday, July 11 at LYFE Kitchen + Chisca Bar. She will talk about transforming the way we shop, cook, eat and relate to local food. She will also talk about the importance of sustainable and responsibly sourced food for South Main and Memphis residents. LYFE Kitchen will provide appetizers. 6 PM social, 6:30 meeting. Free for SMA members, $10 non-members.

Nominations are now open for the Memphis Flyer’s Best of Memphis vote.

Diamond Dave’s British Bingo will move to Belle Tavern while The Brass Door is closed for renovations. It starts tonight and will happen on Wednesdays at 7:30.

That’s it for now. I’ll probably hit the Silly Goose’s happy hour as usual after work on a Wednesday. Back tomorrow with more news.

Catherine & Mary’s broke some exciting news in a tweet yesterday thanking the CA Lunch Bunch for stopping by. They said it was a preview of lunches and brunches to come at the restaurant inside the Chisca beginning in August.

Today is Canada Day, and tonight is Canada Night at the Redbirds. Canada is the home country of Redbirds manager Stubby Clapp. The Canadian National Anthem will be heard prior to the game. There will be music by Canadian-born artists, as well as Canadian-themed games and contests on the field. Gates open at 5, first pitch 6:35. PRO TIP: Get Downtown a little bit early and enjoy Kooky Canuck on Second Street just a short walk away.

There is also a specialty ticket for a dual bobblehead. The Carlos Martines/Matt Carpenter bobblehead re-enacts a famous post-home run water splash celebration by those two members of the St. Louis Cardinals. The ticket is $22 field box or $25 dugout. Prior to the game, there will be live music in the plaza by Kela Johnson Quartet and select $2 beers. As is the case every Saturday, there will be fireworks following the conclusion of the game.

The Grizzlies have announced the roster for the upcoming summer league in Las Vegas. Deyonta Davis, Wade Baldwin IV, Rade Zagorac, Jarell Martin, and Wayne Selden will be joined by rookies Ivan Rabb and Dillon Brooks will be playing for Memphis. Head coach will be Glynn Cyprien, who is also the head coach of G-league team the Memphis Hustle.

Mayor Strickland’s team has launched a new website: Opportunity Memphis. If you need a job or help getting a job, if you need help with a criminal record, if you need free technical or community college, if you need help getting your high school diploma, if you need social services, or if you need something to this summer, check the site out.

Conservative publication National Review has an article on one of the people who can’t handle the fact that Donald Trump is president.

Off to enjoy the first of a four-day weekend! Back tomorrow with more news.

Tonight is Memphis Chicks night at the Redbirds. It will be a celebration of Memphis’ long-time Double-A team, with former Chicks Joe Abone and Anthony Johnson throwing out a ceremonial first pitch. The team will be wearing Memphis Chicks jerseys, which will be auctioned off after the game to benefit the Redbirds Community Fund. Block party in the plaza before the game with select $2 beers. First pitch is 7:05 and the opponent is the New Orleans Baby Cakes. I mean, I get it, finding the baby in the king cake, but, Baby Cakes? Really?

An up-close look at tonight’s #ChicksNight jerseys and hats!

You can bid on a jersey and meet the player or coach after the game! pic.twitter.com/ozrHiMJley

— Memphis Chicks (@memphisredbirds) June 30, 2017

Classic 1971 Clint Eastwood movie Dirty Harry will be shown on the big screen at the Orpheum tonight at 7.

Must-listen music alert: The Memphis Flyer has a Dr. Herman Green playlist. Catch the legendary Beale Street saxophonist on stage with FreeWorld Sunday night at 9:30 at the Blues City Band Box.

Looking for something fun to do Monday night before holiday Tuesday? Wiseacre is having a cornhole tournament and game night Monday at 7 PM, and every Monday throughout the summer. Teams of two can sign up to play. Winning team gets choice of item from their merch wall or a $10 bar tab, and an entry to win tickets to the brewery’s Symphonic Fermentation Fair in October. Every Monday will also be came night featuring bocce, giant Jenga, mini golf, badminton, hook ring, 4 Square, Legos, and board games. All are free to play, with a deposit required for some.

Seth, co-organizer of Best Memphis Burger Fest, has said this will be happening at the festival this year:

He’s ordered 125 rubber burgers and a kiddie pool, and is looking for a ketchup sponsor. Ah, Memphis, where you bob for crawfish in the spring and burgers in the fall.

Alcohol-infused MEMPopS are coming. You won’t be able to buy them at the store, but they can be made for parties and private events.

I hate it that I missed the updated group photo taken at Max’s Sports Bar last night. I didn’t know about it until about six hours before, and I had already mapped out an evening in the Downtown core in my mind. I have always been so proud to have been in the original 2012 group photo.

A multi-time BBQ Fest champion has created a sauce and a rub for Williams-Sonoma.

Front page of the New York Daily News today:

Front page of today’s @NYDailyNews pic.twitter.com/orNV08Su7A

— Kremlin Trolls CI (@KremlinTrolls) June 30, 2017

Even Republicans are blasting Trump on Twitter now, saying his tweets are beneath the dignity of his office. It’s time for them to use those tweets as evidence of mental unfitness to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Cheeto Voldemort from said office. Then again, that would leave us with President Pence, which would be pretty scary too.

I wish Mattis would run in 2020… now that’s a case where I would consider crossing over and voting Republican. We could use an Ike Eisenhower-type figure in the White House these days.

Just a few more hours at work and then it will be time for a four day weekend! I love it when I can get four consecutive days off work for the price of one vacation day. Tonight I plan to start off at the Silly Goose for happy hour, then get down to South Main for their super-size trolley night with a second line jazz band marching down Main and then the Grizzline. I definitely plan on stopping by Earnestine & Hazel’s and having a PBR or ten in Keenan’s memory. I’m sure I’ll probably pop in Max’s Sports Bar too. Time to get a few more hours’ work done, then celebrate not having to cross the Mississippi state line again until Wednesday morning!

Yesterday after work I visited MFM Squared, the new Wednesday Memphis Farmers Market in Court Square from 4-7 PM. They had a good selection of vendors, maybe a half to two-thirds as many as the Saturday market. Whether you’re going down there for produce, flowers, or something to take home and heat up, you’ll find it there. The vendor booths themselves were not actually in Court Square, but rather in two rows along the Main Street Mall with an aisle in between them. The Fuel food truck was in the park itself, as was the musical entertainment – although they had to give up on live music yesterday because the sprinklers kept coming on. Hopefully they can get with the city and get that fixed for next week.

For Saturday’s Market, Boom! 4th on the Farm is the theme. Kids can make patriotic magnets to put on the refrigerator. Live music by Kim Garmon 8:30-10 and Claire Radel 11-12:30. The Saturday Market happens 7 AM to 1 PM under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson.

You may have heard that a partial solar eclipse will be visible from Memphis (weather permitting) on August 21. The MemphisWeather.net blog has details on how to view the eclipse. It will start at 11:23 AM, be at its peak at 1:23 PM, and end at 2:50 PM.

In memory of the late Queen of Beale Street, a Ruby Wilson Scholarship Fund has been set up for the Stax Music Academy. The goal is to carry Ruby’s legacy to a new generation of female singers.

Hilton Street: From Memphis to Chicago is Earnest E. Lacey’s third book regarding the journey of his family. This book looks at the Laceys’ life during 1950s Jim Crow Memphis and the transition to Chicago during The Great Migration. It looks at the heroes: family, friends, and teachers who shaped Lacey’s moral compass. He will be at South Main Book Juggler tomorrow night, Friday, June 30 from 6 to 9 PM, signing copies of his book.

COGIC has filed about $5 million in permits for affordable housing in Downtown Memphis. The units will be near the Ghost River brewery and will hold about 75 units. There will be a 3000 square foot community building as well.

Tonight is the special all-you-can eat breakfast ticket at the Redbirds. With the ticket you get a seat for the game, as well as scrambled eggs, waffles with strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream, and maple syrup, sausage, bacon, potatoes, cheddar grits, and fruit salad, plus hot dogs for families and friends with varying food preferences, and one Coca-Cola product or bottled water per person. College students can get a left field bluff ticket for $5 with ID (does not include buffet). There will be select $2 draft beers at the park. First pitch is 7:05 with the gates opening at 6.

Yo Gotti & Friends Birthday Bash 5 happens tonight at FedExForum. 7 PM start time.

The Commercial Appeal’s BBQ-themed podcast The Rub discusses grilling out on the Fourth with Seth from Best Memphis Burger Fest.

Job news: inferno has an art director position open.

There is new information on what intelligence is held, and by what countries (and by the Washington Post), on Trump, Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Pence, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Steve Bannon, Reince Preibus, and other key players in Trump’s campaign and administration.

That’s it for now, back tomorrow with more. I’ll be out at Silly Goose for happy hour, then out at Blind Bear later in the evening to catch a performance by Kaleidoscope.

It’s opening market day at MFM Squared! Memphis Farmers Market is adding a second market, to be held on Wednesdays at Court Square 4-7 PM, through the end of September. MFM posted the vendor list for today to Facebook:

“Today’s vendors will be: Bake the Bean Pie, Cosgrove & Lewis Handmade Luxury Soaps, Dettelbach Farms, DFP Originals, Gardens Oy Vey, Girls Inc. of Memphis, Grecian Gourmet, Las Delicias, Lazy Dog Farms, Ly Vu’s Produce, Lydia’s Healthy Edibles, Pontotoc Ridge Blueberry Farm, Richardson Veg Farm, The Produce Tribe, Whitton Farms, Yia Home Grown Produce, My Heavenly Creations, Willow Oaks Farm, Goodness Gracious Cookies, Ripley Produce, Flo’s, Kirk Country Farm, Mama D’s Italian Ice/Food Truck, Delta Sol Farm, Fuel Cafe/Food Truck”

Snowglobe provides the live entertainment tomorrow night, Thursday, June 29, for the weekly Peabody rooftop party. $10 to get in, or free before 7 for ladies and hotel guests. Admission includes a buffet of grilled chicken legs and jalapeno popper dip with Ritz crackers. If you’re in VIP you have a second buffet of BBQ smoked sausage, potato salad, and strawberry mango salsa with cinnamon chips. Drink specials will be a peach margarita and Firefly ginger snap moonshine.

The Memphis Flyer has made an excellent decision. Starting today, people will have to verify their identity with either Facebook or Google to leave comments on Flyer website articles. Allowing users to post anonymously enabled trolls, sock puppets, and people who would make everything about race and/or threaten other commenters or Flyer staff. If you’re not willing to back up what you say with your own real name, good riddance.

By the way, be sure to grab a copy of the new Flyer out today. The cover story is “Living Legend,” and it covers the life of FreeWorld’s Dr. Herman Green.

The Memphis Animal Shelter is running a patriotic special from now through July 3 – adopt a pet for $17.76.

A contract has been signed with an architect to build the pedestrian bridge from The Pinch over Front to Bass Pro at the Pyramid. (Linked article includes a slideshow)

You just can’t fix stupid: A woman from Long Island is suing a bar with a mechanical bull after she was thrown off the bull and tore her ACL. She claims that bar employees should have noticed she was too drunk and not permitted her to get on the bull.

From 5 to 8 at Miss Cordelia’s tonight, there will be live music by Jamie Baker, and the Double J Egg Roll Express and El Mero Taco food trucks will be on site.

Update about Canada Day at Kooky Canuck this Saturday, July 1 – Canadian music icon Val Halla will appear at the Downtown Kooky Canuck from noon to 1 PM.

That’s it for now. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that I am going to the Farmers Market after work! Given that it’s only a block away from where I live, I am going to be checking out any pre-prepared grab & heat later foods a lot more than I do at the Saturday market. That Grecian Gourmet booth is one I am going to have to check out for sure. Following the market I will do happy hour at the Blind Bear, where I hear there will be a familiar face behind the bar. Hope to see you at the market, and I’ll be back tomorrow with more news.

The 15 Film Series at Clayborn Temple continues Thursday evening, with a film documenting an often-overlooked piece of Memphis history: The Invaders. A new, radicalized group of civil rights activists, The Invaders were inspired by militant leaders like Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael. The group, emerging in 1967 in Memphis, consisted of college students, Vietnam vets, musicians and intellectuals, and would step away from the doctrine of non-violence when the situation required it. This film looks at the significance and history of this group, and its influence on MLK in his final days. There will be a reception at 6 and the film will be shown at 7. A panel of Dr. Colby Smith, Calvin Taylor, John Gary Williams, Chikita Smith, Juanita Thornton, Roy Turks and John Bowen will participate in a discussion following the film, curated by Bertram Williams. Here’s a trailer of the movie.

It’s dollar King Cotton night at the Redbirds. First pitch 7:05 vs. Oklahoma City.

Hot Rods on Beale happens the 4th Tuesday of the warm-weather months… and for June, that would be tonight. The American Muscle Car Club and the Perfect Nemesis Car Club will have their rides parked on Beale for the public to see tonight, 6-10 PM.

La La Land, rated PG-13, will be the free movie shown tonight on the big screen at Beale Street Landing. A jazz pianist falls for an aspiring actress in Los Angeles. Showtime is 8:30 and the movie is 128 minutes long.

I stopped by the Blind Bear last night, and discovered that Moonshine Monday is now Moonshine & Margarita Monday. $3 moonshine shots, $6 moonshine cocktails, $4 silver & grapefruit tequila shots, and $6 silver & grapefruit margaritas.

South Main Sounds will host Songwriter Night #59 at 550 S. Main Friday night, June 30 from 7 to 9 PM. Performers will include Sturges Nikides & Mandy Lemons, Danny Green, Claire Radel, and Levi Smith.

That’s it for now. I will be out at the Great Streets block party, around Peabody Place and Main, after work. If you don’t see me on the street, come in the Silly Goose and find me.

… Oh, that reminds me, one more thing. I posted photos this morning of the new public seating along Peabody Place, and I also posted the photos to Facebook. One person commented that the Silly Goose section of the public seating looks good but needs shade. The manager there has confirmed that large umbrellas have been ordered and should be here around the end of the week.

Back tomorrow with more news, and I hope to see you at the block party this evening.